#de rolo family fic

[waltwhitmansbeard]

hesitantly tugging the other's fabric of their shirt or sleeve, testing the waters -dealer's choice

hesitantly tugging the other's fabric of their shirt or sleeve, testing the waters time to write some de rolo family!

Whitestone is bustling, the air crackling with energy and excitement. This is one of Vesper's favorite days of the year, when everyone gathers around the magnificent clock tower her father spent her entire childhood building to watch the legend of Vox Machina play out in an intricate display of gears and carvings. It is always a sight to behold, and since the first year it was completed, she has never missed this annual tradition.

All of Whitestone crowds around, but Vesper and the rest of the de Rolo family stands just a bit apart, up on a small dais constructed just for the event. This year, their mother can't make it, called away on urgent Council business, but as the sun creeps ever closer to its apex, Vesper leans over and kisses her father on the cheek. "Are you excited, Papa?"

He squeezes his arm around her shoulder. "I've seen it before, dear."

She rolls her eyes. "Doesn't mean you can't be excited."

He chuckles, but then his attention is pulled away by Leona, who needs to tattle on Wolfe for something or another. Vesper tips her head to gaze back up at the clock, eagerly awaiting the start of the show.

A minute later, there's a tiny tugging on the long sleeve of her dress. She looks down, and there is Gwendolyn, tottering and clutching her favorite stuffed bear. Her eyes are wide and shining. "Gwennie?" Gwen flaps a hand toward herself, beckoning Vesper to come closer. She crouches down. "What's wrong?"

"Everyone's staring."

Vesper's brow furrows, and she looks out toward the crowd. Sure enough, more than a few pairs of eyes flicker between the clocktower and her baby sister, and even more than that stare openly, as if she were a rampaging wild animal and not a person.

And it's not like Vesper doesn't know why. She tuck one of Gwen's dark curls behind her ears, tweaks her red nose. "It's because they're jealous," she whispers conspiratorially.

Gwen frowns. "Jealous?"

"Well, yeah." Vesper reaches up to tickle the spot on Gwen's left horn that she knows is ticklish, and Gwen giggles. "Do you know how cool it is that you've got horns? None of them have horns. None of us either." She gestures to the rest of the family behind her. "We're so boring. But you, you're something special, and they can see that, and they're just jealous."

Gwen's face cracks open into an ear-to-ear grin. "Really?"

"Absolutely. Now c'mon." She wraps her arm around Gwen's waist and stands, pulling her up so that she's sitting on her hip. She points up at the top of the clocktower. "Watch there. In just a few minutes, the clock face will open up, and little figures will tell the story of Mama and Papa and Uncle Vax and all their friends saving the world."

"Whoa," Gwen breathes, craning her neck as far as she can. Vesper seizes the opportunity to blow a raspberry into her baby sister's throat, earning her favorite shrieking giggle. Fuck the rest of this town. Her sister is her sister, horns and all, and there's nothing she wouldn't do to protect her family.

[blackveine]

My CritRole/TLoVM Fic Rec List Pt. 1

What it says on the tin! A list of my favorite fics I highly recommend, sorted by pairing and rating! Specifics (i.e. whichever character(s) the POV follows) will be listed in parentheses after the creator!

Finally, let me know if any of the links aren't working, and:

---------------Remember to mind the ratings and tags!---------------

Gen:

G

How We Do This - CurrieBelle (Vox Machina-centric)

It Might Sting a Little - CurrieBelle (Percy, Vex & Vax-centric)

they left no instructions (just a legacy to protect) - zornslemon / @acommonrose (Percy & Keyleth-centric)

Old Friends and New Tricks - Listless_Songbird (Percy-centric)

Before the Sun Sets - 8brains (Percy-centric)

New Friends and Old Wounds - RyanIsMyNamee (Percy-centric)

(good is) not a thing you are - pearwaldorf / @pearwaldorf (Pike & Percy-centric)

Not His Time - LadyOfSnakes / @infanttree (Percy-centric)

Never Letting Go - icarus_chained (Grog & Percy-centric)

simple, like mud - jude_writes (Pike & Percy-centric)

we are full of stories to be told - redledgers / @buckysleftarm (Percy & Keyleth-centric)

An Older Brother - orphan_account (Grog-centric)

Five times an object spoke to Percy (and once he’s glad it didn’t) - Jadesfire / @jadesfire (Grog & Percy-centric)

Who Lives - troubleinmind / @acesgroupchat (Percy-centric)

moon threads - Bitterblue / @politeyeti (Vex & Vax-centric)

Pelor’s light - Bitterblue (Johanna de Rolo & Percy-centric)

helplessly hoping - dancer4813 / @dancerwrites (Pike-centric)

There’s Sun on My Skin Now - Razzledazzy / @razzledazzy (Cass & Percy-centric)

The (Un)Lucky Seven - littlecajunlady (Vesper de Rolo & Percy-centric)

not in what they say (just in who they are) - mischiefseven (Vox Machina-centric)

Never Far Away - SETI_fan (Pike & Percy-centric)

exception - exhaustedwerewolf / @exhaustedwerewolf (Pike-centric)

Identify - pok3d3x (Pike & Percy-centric)

Better Angels - SETI_fan (Pike & Percy-centric)

Grief takes many forms - Multifandom_damnation (Cass & Percy-centric)

Light, Light, Light - gayshitiguess / @gayshitiguess (Percy-centric)

Saint of Forge and Fire - moonblooch / @moonblooch (Percy-centric)

Deprivation - SETI_fan (Percy & Vox Machina-centric)

Quiet Moments - RJMeta / @rjmeta (Pike & Percy-centric)

Without Words - DarkHorseAsh (Percy, Vex & Vax-centric)

Music Soothes the Savage Beast - EmberForge (Percy & Scanlan-centric)

Death Defying - space_birdie / @spacebirdie (Vox Machina-centric)

first night - lostsometime (Pike-centric)

I Must Have Done Something Good - romeoandjulietyouwish / @romeoandjulietyouwish (Percy & Keyleth-centric)

There’s an Endless Road - romeoandjulietyouwish (Cassandra & Percy-centric)

like a hundred golden urns pouring out of the sun - primasveraas / @primasveraas-writing (Vax-centric)

no time to waste on giving up - seemeeimbeebee (Cassandra-centric)

A Knock on the Door on Winter’s Crest Eve - Monarchetype (Percy-centric)

three months on a boat after the end of the world - anonymousAlchemist / @anonymousalchemist (Percy-centric)

Moving Towards the Future - Pearl09 / @pearlll09 (Percy & Cassandra-centric)

The Nightmares Never Stop - Pearl09 (Percy-centric)

a familiar face - romeoandjulietyouwish (Percy & Cassandra-centric)

One, Two, Switch-a-roo - Allise / @starringbaguette (Percy & Vox Machina-centric)

blood and water - romeoandjulietyouwish (Cassandra & Percy-centric)

despite everything - EssayOfThoughts (Cassandra & Percy-centric)

Lullaby - NKMLN / @ninja-kitty-more-like-no (Percy & Vax-centric)

Blooms that Bind - Duganator01 / @duganator01 (Vox Machina-centric)

Well, there was this one boy... - PumpkinPieTimb / @natureismynature (Percy & Laudna-centric)

The Cost of that Subduing - tanjirosbisexualearrings / @tanjirosbisexualearrings (Percy-centric)

your hands, wide open in wary invitation - saintsurvivor / @saintsurvivors (Vex-centric)

History doesn’t repeat, but it does rhyme - MangoPipino (Percy-centric)

[soft--dragon]

Loosen Up

So recently I finished Vox Machina and if you haven't seen I highly recommend it!! SUCH a good show oh my lord. Can't wait for the third season to drop :D

You can view the relationships however you like, I don't mind ^^ (except Vex and Vax, they're siblings, don't be weird :/)

Word Count: 3,138

Warnings: Kinda spoils a plot line in season one but nothing major ^^

This is a SFW tickle fic, if you don’t like that then don’t read :)

It isn’t a secret that Percy is a bit of a stick in the mud.

Rarely did he let his walls down and simply be. Too caught up in his world of smoking guns and exploding inventions. A lifetime of heartache shutting his heart away in a cast iron keep that very few had a key to access. This also meant emotions such as joy, love, and contentment were rare to be exposed from behind those defensive gates.

That was before Vox Machina. 

A chaotic, rambunctious group of outcast individuals working with the skills they had to make it through another day. A ragtag family doing its best to survive in a world that would spit at their feet and tell them to fuck off. 

However, this family knew how to tell the world right back to fuck off too. 

Percy honestly couldn’t imagine his life with these people a few years ago, but now he simply could not fathom a reality without them. Tight-knit and stupid and loving, never faulting in their care. It was something Percy told himself to never take for granted, no matter how much they tested his patience. 

Much like tonight, where he was being subjected to the most irritating forces known to man: Vex and Vax when they were on the hunt for entertainment.

Percy is sitting near the fire, sketchbook in hand with rough charcoal drawings of new inventions scattering the pages. Vex and Vax have boxed him in by sitting on either side, peering at his notes and asking such incomprehensibly odd questions Percy wanted to know who the hell tutored these two monsters.

Honestly Vax, why would a pistol need a compartment for snacks? 

It took almost fifteen minutes before Percy's patience gave in and the notebook snapped shut with a dull thud. “Are you two quite finished?” Percy demands, staring at the duo with a narrow gaze. 

Vex grins, raising a hand in surrender. “We’re curious about your new inventions, love. Is there something wrong with that?”

Percy huffs, tucking his book into the folds of his jacket that is laid not too far from the flames, warming up for the night ahead. “Only when you keep badgering me to make a glove that turns whatever it touches into gold.”

“It would be quite helpful, dear.”

“And far out of my current capabilities, I’m not a wizard.”

“Oh, give yourself some credit, Freddy,” Vax grins. “Grow a beard and I’d say you’re plenty wizard-like. With your lifespan, you’ll need a cane before you know it, and it could act as your staff.”

Percy glares at him under half-lidded eyes. “Thank you, Vax’ildan,” he says sarcastically. “Remind me that I will die much sooner than the rest of you, just what I needed to hear tonight.”

Vex snickers, gently bumping his shoulder with her own so those green eyes look at her. “Oh come on, we’re just messing with you, Percival. What’s got you so grumpy this time?”

Percy gave her a mildly incredulous look. “I’m not grumpy.”

“He says while glaring, and with a bitter tone of voice,” Vax murmurs with a grin. 

Percy shoots him a dry look which the male elf only laughs at. “See? That’s exactly what I mean, man!”

Vex’ahlia laughs, dropping her arms over her bent legs and cocking her head to the side. “What is it gonna take to make you loosen up, Percy?”

“A good bottle of wine, some peace and quiet, and a book.”

“We have two silver to our name and a bear,” Vax counters. “Can’t quite match your aristocrat taste, but Trinket tells great stories.”

Trinket, nestled comfortably at the edge of the cave where the other party members are conversing, does not indicate that he knows, nor cares that his owners are talking about him. Percy envied that damn bear, able to go to sleep and easily block out the surrounding sounds. What a dream life. 

“Trinket is busy sleeping,” Percy tells them, “his stories will have to wait.”

Vex isn’t dissuaded by Percy’s bristling attitude, instead leaning more into his personal space just because she can. “Darling,” she says, “We just want to help you relax, is this such a big ask?”

“...Yes.”

“Aeugh, the drama of this man,” Vax chuckles through an exasperated breath, elbowing Percy’s side gently. 

The white-haired human flinches away from the contact with a start, his hand shooting down to rub the area. “Yes, yes, you’ve stated I am a dramatic piece of shit more than once, Vax. I believe your point is made.” 

The twins aren’t listening to Percy’s grumbles. The second he flinched, they’d locked eyes, a conversation played out with expression alone.

Vex narrows her gaze. Hurt?

No. Healed by Pike from the last mission.

Just startled, then? 

Seemed more than that. He knew we were right there.

So what are you thinking? 

Perhaps…

Vex perks a brow at her brother when his expression suddenly brightens in some kind of realization. Her eyes flit over to Percy who was unaware of their silent musings, still resolutely crossing his arms with a scowl that the fire did not deserve to be subjected to. She looks back to her sibling who is grinning now. Vax gives a small flex of his fingers, his eyebrows jumping up and down. Understanding hits Vex and her smile turns evil, nodding minutely. They wink at each other, the excitement for a game making them giddy though they contained it. Couldn’t let Percy catch on too early after all. 

“Percy~” Vex coos in her sultry voice, not missing the slight twitch in his face from her tone. The sight makes her all the more eager to extract the plan she and her brother had silently communicated. She lifts her fingernails to her eyes to examine them. “You sure we can’t convince you to loosen up at least a little?”

There was a scoff. “I’d like to see you try,” Percy muttered.

Oh excellent, an invitation. 

“Well, if the man insists, Stubby, who are we to ignore him?” Vax leaps for the opportunity with a grin that’s all charm and Cheshire-like. 

“I agree,” Vex smirks. “Shall we?”

Simultaneously, the two half-elves grab one of Percy’s wrists each and fling him onto his back, his arms being pinned by his head. A startled yelp leaps out of the human, the sudden gravity shift leaving him to stare up at the pair of matching grins. He tugs at his arms. They won’t budge. 

“What the hell are you doing?” Percy asks, bewildered and slightly on edge. 

“You said we could try and loosen you up,” Vex answers.

“By wrestling me to the dirt and pinning me down?” 

“Oh no, we just had to get you in a better position, dear heart,” Vax smirks.

“A better pos- for what?” 

The bemused and exasperated question only delights his captors further, and this is where Percival Fredrickson de Rolo the Third realizes a very fatal error. He had been encouraging the chaotic force that was the Elf Twins. He'd practically been asking for trouble. This realization only sinks in further when Vax’s free hand comes down to rest on Percy’s clothed stomach.

“Percy, you wouldn’t happen to be ticklish would you?” 

Oh.

Oh gods, no.

Memories spring to Percy’s mind of laughing himself hoarse while dogpiled under his siblings from the silly battles. The sensations scuttling everywhere, unstoppable and unbearable. His realization shows up in his face in the form of a pink flush and the beginnings of a wobbly grin that he desperately tries to keep under control.

“Oh, I see a smile trying to come out there!” Vex leers keenly, lowering her own hands to wiggle her fingers close to Percy’s side, delighting in his immediate response to wriggle away despite his efforts to seem indifferent to his dilemma. 

“V-Vex, this is ludicrous-” Percy splutters, his grin becoming wider by the second, his resolution foiled from years of inexperience in this game. 

“So you are ticklish, then?” Vax questions, his fingers gently pressing from where they are resting atop Percy’s lean stomach. 

The flinch and sharp intake of breath was answering enough. Percy’s ears were starting to burn from the attention, torn between wanting to wrench away and escape this playful teasing, or staying and trying to muscle through in a show of defiance. 

“I’m- it’s been a very long time since someone has tried,” Percy answers stiffly. 

The way the twins lit up made him cringe back, instantly knowing that was the worst thing he could’ve said.

“Well now we have to tickle you,” Vex exclaims like her word is law. Though, with her role in the group, it may as well be. 

Percy is most definitely blushing now. It was honestly adorable. “N-No you don’t!” He protests, his boots now shuffling into the dirt in hopes of dislodging his sudden capture. “I’m not even tihicklish!” Damn it.

“Was that a laugh?” Vax coos, delighting in a sound so rare from Percy who barely even grins on a good day. Percy is doing his best to try and become an ostrich with how far he’s turning his flushed face into the ground, stumbling refusals not quite managing to leave his lips coherently. 

“Why my dear brother, I think it was,” Vex chuckles. ‘Shall we see what else we can pull from our resident sour puss?”

“Thought you’d never ask.”

Electricity crackles through Percy’s sides and stomach in a split second, a strangled sound being pulled from a forgotten section of his vocal cords. His whole body instantly jack-knifes, legs trying to pull to his stomach to protect the sensitive areas suddenly under attack. Stubbornness makes him clamp his lips shut and bite his tongue, not wanting to give the twins the satisfaction of hearing him laugh again. He refused.

“Hmm, seems we’ve got a stubborn one in our hands, Vex,” tuts Vax, his fingers probing up and down Percy’s ribcage, noting every flinch and muffled grunt let out by the human. 

“Oh don’t worry, he’ll crack eventually.” Her eyes meet Percy’s and her smile makes his stomach twist in anticipation. She winks. “They all do.”

Her hand starts to slink down to his hip bones and- Nope. Nope. Nope. Not gonna happen, he’d rather get possessed by a demon again. Percy’s struggling kicks up, trying to find momentum with his legs to dislodge the grip pinning his wrists to the cave floor, still fighting not to crack as Vax’s fingers deftly squeeze his sides. He almost manages to heave himself to sit up, but a well-placed scratch at his lower back sends him crashing back down. His legs fly up to his stomach again, desperate to protect some part of his sensitive body while his chest shakes with restrained laughter. 

“Uh uh, not yet mister, we’re not done with you until you laugh~” says Vex, her hand dropping to lightly scuttle behind Percy’s knee that was right beside her.

Percy yelps, immediately kicking his legs back out, and scrunches into himself in a fast motion. The reaction made the twins pause, and he knew he was royally screwed. 

“Interesting, he might be like you. I think the gentler stuff works better on him,” Vex says to her brother, her hand dropping to Percy’s hips once more and scuttling her nails featherlight across the man’s skin.

“NoHAHaha!” Percy protests, his yelp swimming between stolen laughter that tries vainly to escape his throat, his head being tossed back against the floor as his body tries to do an emergency lockdown on his vocal cords. 

“Brilliant, sister,” Vax chuckles, and before Percy can prepare himself, he spiders his claws up along Percy’s stretched torso with a softened touch.  

Immediately, Percy sputters, and the dam finally cracks. “S-Shihihihit! Vehehex! Vahahax! Ohoho gohohod!” Percy gasps out through fits of boyish laughter, a sound so out of character for the gunslinger that it takes the twins aback in surprise.

His cheeks are flushed a rosy pink, standing out against his pale complexion and white hair. A wide, mirthful smile cracked out against his brooding face, nose scrunching in a way that couldn’t be described as anything but endearing. His body didn’t know whether to fight or fold, the long-forgotten instinct of childhood leaving him withering and laughing from the soft fingertips spidering along sensitive skin.

“Well, how about that,” Vax murmured, something gentle in his voice despite the mean wiggling of his nails on a particularly sensitive rib. “He can laugh.”

“Oh much more than that, dear brother,” Vex smiled fondly. “He isn’t grumpy now.”

Experimentally, her fingers swirl up Percy’s unprotected ribs to dance gently under his arm to see if it would have much effect. Oh, and it does. Percy practically squeals. High-pitched and panicked and childlike, his struggles for his pinned arms make a reappearance as the sensitive hollows are attacked by softly brushing nails. 

“Nononononohohoho VEHEehehex!” He pleads, scuffing the heels of his shoes into the floor in a half-baked bid for relief. “Fuhuhucks sahahake!” 

“That is utterly adorable,” Vax laughs, his own hand coming up to stroke deftly down Percy’s arm from wrist to armpit in a maddening pattern of soft touch. The strokes only elicit more half-bitten squeals and squeaks of protest, most noises swallowed up or blended into Percy’s laughter.

He knew he should feel embarrassed, his pride shattered into pieces from a few measly fingers and well-picked words to crack his defenses, but Percy couldn’t recall a time he’d last been in the middle of a play fight such as this. The sensations are foreign but not forgotten, too much and yet not enough at the same time. It was a conflicting state of escape or endure.

However, when Vax slipped a hand under his buttoned shirt to ghost gentle nails on his bare lower back, he was pretty sure his body got struck by lightning. 

“VAHAHAX! OHOHOhoho mihihy gohohod plehehehease! P-PLEHEhehehease!”” 

Vex and Vax pause in their movements and watch with awed amusement as Percy laughs himself mad from the briefest touch to his back, his full-bodied laughter quickly melting down into rich, honey-sweet giggles that shake his entire body. It didn’t seem real, that a sound so adorably childish could come from Percy’s mouth, and yet here he was, half curled on the ground, giggling up a storm. 

Vex and Vax share a fond, endeared smile and let go of Percy’s wrists, leaning away so he could have space to collect himself. The human wheezes through his tumbling giggles, his arms shifting to wrap around his middle as he slowly calms down. His eyes, which had been tightly closed, flutter open to show mirthful tears at the edges.

“F-Fuhucking hehehell,” he gasps, “I thohought I wahas gohohing to dihie.”

“Oh relax, we like you too much to kill you,” Vex snickers, offering her hand to Percy. She has to hold back a snort when he flinches mildly at her fingers, eyeing them distrustfully. “We’re done,” she promises.

After a suspicious look, Percy grasps her hand and allows her to tug him into a sitting position. One of his arms is still wrapped protectively around his stomach, his hand reaching far enough to rub that damn spot Vax had tickled for three seconds which caused him to fall apart. 

“Remind me to never piss you off,” Percy rasps, taking off his glasses to rub the tears in his eyes away.

Vax leans over to his supplies to snatch up his water skin, offering it to Percy who took it gratefully. “So,” Vax starts, watching Percy drink water like he hadn’t had it in years. “Soft touch and bad back, huh?”

Percy almost chokes. With a rough swallow, he recorks the water skin and clears his throat, stubbornly not looking at either of the twins. “Like I said, it’s been a long time. I didn’t think I still even was… well, you know.”

“What? Ticklish?’

Vex’s gentle tease makes Percy’s face burn for what felt like the millionth time that evening. He shoves his glasses back on his face despite the heat in his cheeks making them fog up mildly. The reaction makes the twins chuckle.

“You don’t have to be embarrassed, Percy dear,” Vex soothes, an arm wrapping around his shoulders and rubbing gently at the nape of his neck - tension knotting the area from hours of leaning over a workbench while inventing. Percy winced at the attention, both from the anticipation of another attack and the ache of his tense muscles. 

“It’s embarrassing,” Percy grumbles without much heat, sounding like a petulant kid. “My siblings always ganged up on me because of it.”

“You have a nice laugh, I can see why they would,” Vax hums, tucking his water skin back into his nearby cloak.

The surprised look on Percy’s face almost made Vex tackle him back to the floor and tickle him again just so he could hear how precious his laugh was. She held herself back though, he’d had enough for tonight anyway. He hadn’t been tickled in years, he’d need to be introduced back to the game slowly. Tonight was an excellent first lesson. 

“So, Percy’s ticklish then?”

The sudden voice made the trio jump and look up to the other side of the cave where the rest of Vox Machina were watching them with grins. Scanlan, who’d asked the question, chuckled at the human’s sudden flush. “Yeah no, we saw the whole thing, de Rolo. Don’t expect this to be the last time, that was cute as fuck.”

Grog chuckled deeply. “Very cute,” he agreed in that rumbling voice of his. Pike, who was sat atop his shoulder nodded enthusiastically in agreement. 

“Had no idea you could laugh like that, Perce,” she chirped, glancing at Keyleth who giggled softly. 

“It was quite sweet,” the Air Ashari tacked on.

Percy stared at the group of people he called family, his eyelid twitching slightly and cheeks flushed a rosy pink. His gloved hands come up to press over his face, knocking his head into his bent knees, wishing the floor would just cave in and murder him quickly. 

“Aww, I think we’re embarrassing him,” Vax cooed, his hand resting atop Percy’s head and gently ruffling his hair in a brotherly fashion. “It’s alright, Giggles, you know we do it out of love.”

“F’ck off and die,” came the muffled grumble buried into Percy’s hands.

The twins cackled, pleased that they not only thoroughly shattered Percy’s indifferent demeanor, but got him flustered beyond repair from simple, playful affection and loving words. They were gonna have fun with this new information. It was their right as a family to carry on the de Rolo tradition of making Percival Fredrickson de Rolo the Third laugh, they wouldn’t let Percy’s late siblings down on that front.

[screechingfromthevoid]

I think the kids are waiting at the sun tree. They've never really done that before. Sleeping by the sun tree. But as they watched their parents and their friends disappear, with fear in their eyes, it was a day full of firsts.

Wolfe ends up running off in a sort of fit. Leona runs after him. They both feel more at home in the woods. They probably went there to calm down. Vesper, as the oldest, decided she needed to get some things in order. Just in case.

And Gwen was going to leave, sneak into her father's office, past all his traps and rigging, until she notices Vax just standing there. Staring at the seams in the bark that aren't really there. She watched him collapse, sitting crisscross on the roots.

So she stayed. She sat next to her big brother, close and leaning on him. Though, she wasn't there looking for support. She had watched his cocky, teenage attitude melt away into a panic. Vax'ildan was panicking.

"They'll be okay," she told him. "They're the heros of the realm. They'll save uncle Vax and the world and come home." She sounded so sure. He had to believe she was right.

They stay there though. For hours. It might have been the most time the pair ever spent with each other. The sun starts wane and their home turns golden and their parents aren't back yet.

Leona and Wolfe come back, their faces red and a little dirty. They hadn't even taken their leathers off. Like they were going home when they saw their siblings still waiting. They flank their siblings, Leona wrapping an arm around Vax's shoulder and Wolfe taking Gwen's hand. Also contented to wait.

The sky is purple by the time Vesper came with blankets, pillows, and large boxes from The Slayer's Cakes. She had all of her siblings favorites picked out. Trinket 's bear claws for Leona. Sun treats for Gwendolyn. Trayon's Blondies for Vax. Keyleth 's almond bark for Wolfe. And her own personal favorite Everlight-as-Air Scones. She brought enough to count as dinner. She wasn't their head of household. She was their big sister. She didn't need to make sure they ate well or went to bed on time. That wasn't her job. Not yet.

The stars were out that night for them, granting them the family time that they desperately needed. They laughed and stole each other's pastries. They danced around any subject related to parents or their aunts and uncles away. Hunting and tinkering and spying were all fair game. The twins fought, Vax'ildan rolled his eyes and they got him to smile. Gwen listened carefully. Vesper counted the hours since their parents left.

She thought the sun might rise and they'd never see them again. She thought they would have to gather their things in the morning sun and start their new lives emerging from the roots on the sun trees. She thought-

The bark of the sun tree cracked and groaned as it split. All of the De Rolo children held their breaths. Aunt Pike, Uncle Scanlan (in centaur form?), the ashari man, Uncle Grog, a very beautiful and very scary elf woman.

Then father. Then mother hanging on the arm of a strange man they recognized immediately.

[nowyoursoulisforfeit]

Right, but what if Percy is tense, scared, and silently paranoid every time he sees smoke, be it from a fire, his gun, or something else? In addition, the smell drives him insane, not because it’s bad - he’s used to that part - but because every memory he has of it is laced with blood and pain and grief. He remembers Orthax, the cigars his father would smoke, and the fires that have burned down and through lives he couldn’t save.

He regrets who he is despite all the people he saved and never speaks of how the smoke makes him feel. He thinks he deserves it and has never figured out how to forgive himself.

[just-an-enby-lemon]

I'm back home for the holidays and I was playing with my cousin (the most adorable toddler ever) and I think I want more fics about characthers taking care of babies. It's cute, soft and makes me smile.

[ray-the-ginger-queen]

Percy de Rolo family one-shot (Pre-Briarwoods)

Percy is annoyed with his older brother

Percy couldn’t stand his older brother. Julius was pompous in a way only the first born could be, gaurenteed his success for birth. Not to mention that fact Julius was just… big. Percy couldn’t remember a time Julius hadn’t towered over him, and now he was even a little taller than their father even though he was still a teenager. He’d always been more athletic than Percy, even considering their age difference. More Charismatic too. The only thing Percy had on him was his intelligence, but it seemed like all that earned him annoyed groans from his siblings. For some reason it felt like Julius always picked on Percy in particular. He’d steal Percy’s glasses or snatch his latest project and of coarse the endless list of annoying nicknames.

The only good thing about Julius being the oldest was that he, more than anyone else, had to act proper in front of other nobles and the public. Balls and parties were one of the few times Percy was really guaranteed a break. Which worked out anyway because Percy was a bit… distracted. Not every noble brought their children along, but there had been a new girl at their festivities recently. He wasn’t sure what her name was, but she seemed to glide wherever she went and laughed louder than the others and her hair bounced when she’d turn around to grin at someone. He’d kinda like if she’d grin at him like that.

Percy was a bit lost in that train of thought when suddenly he felt someone fly past him and his vision went blurry. Dammit. Even here! Percy stumbled to his feet and hurried after the blur he knew was Julius. He was trying not to draw attention or bump into anyone. Finally he saw Julius drop something, presumably his glasses, at a nearby table. “Excuse me” he managed to whoever was at this table as he felt the familiar metal on his glasses on the table. Percy was just putting them back on when he heard something just a little too familiar. That loud laughter. “That’s alright” the girl giggled “your family seems lively. I’m Madeline” Percy cleared his throat awkwardly, hoping the heat creeping over his cheeks wasn’t too obvious. “Very nice to meet you Madeline. My name is Percival” he managed, bowing slightly like his dad taught him. “But uh, you can just call me Percy” He glanced up and caught Julius looking at him with his signature shit eating grin. Julius winked at him and Percy felt the heat spread to his neck.

….

Percy liked hanging out with Archie, even if he was always getting them both into trouble. To be honest, especially when Archie was getting them both into trouble. Archie didn’t treat him like a Noble or like a sibling. That’s really all Percy had ever been. It was a nice change of pace. They certainly didn’t seem like a natural choice for best friends. Percy really couldn’t explain it himself. There was something… magnetic about Archie. His lopsided grin and fire red hair and brash dialect. He was so full of energy and fire and sometimes Percy was just happy to be able to witness it. It was always the highlight of his day, and he was always a little bummed right after Archie left with his dad for the night. This was that time of the night, when Percy said his goodbyes and shuffled back to his room.

“Come play with us!” Percy heard from behind him. The twins. There was a decent age gap between them and while he didn’t mind playing along every now and then, he wasn’t in the mood. “Not right now okay guys? Tomorrow I promise.” Both of them made a loud whining sound in protest. “You played with Archie all day, how come you won’t play with us?” Oliver demanded. Percy rolled his eyes. “I just don’t want to.” He answered plainly, quickly running out of patience. “If you like Archie so much why don’t you marry him?” Whitney sang in a mocking tone. He heard Cassandra laugh from where she and Julius had been talking nearby.

Percy’s cheeks flushed. Normally Whitney couldn’t get to him, she wasn’t that good with her teasing attempts and he mostly dismissed it. She didn’t do it much anyway. But something about that taunt, and the way Cass laughed, made his face burn. “Shut it!” He snapped suddenly. He felt all his siblings stiffen. Percy rarely yelled. His response to teasing was usually a clever quip or roll of the eyes. A brief silence fell over them and Percy could swear he heard his heart pounding. “Whatever! You guys suck!” He yelled at them collectively and booked it back to his room.

He huffed as he dropped onto his desk chair, starting to fidget with his newest project. His anger began to dissipate slowly as he worked. Maybe he’d been too harsh. Whitney was just trying to get his attention. He hadn’t meant to yell at her. Why had that made him so angry? He heard her voice in his head again ‘if you like Archie so much, why don’t you marry him?’ It was a weak taunt. It should have been. But he couldn’t help but feel… embarrassed. Maybe a little hurt. He couldn’t put his finger on why. He was torn out of his thoughts by a knock on his door. He expected it to be his mother or father, angry he’d yelled at his little sister like that. Instead, he found Julius. “What do you want?” Percy bit out, sitting back in his chair. “What are you working on?” Julius asked, closing the door behind him. Percy raised an eyebrow. “Since when do you care?” He responded, but after a moment of silence he answered with a softer tone “it’s a clock.”

Julius hummed and tilted his head to look at it. “It’s nice, Percy” he said quietly. “You wanna know something?” Percy looked at him with a skeptical expression “I’m kind of jealous of you sometimes” that halted Percy immediately. Julius had to be messing with him. “Why?” Percy managed. Julius drummed his fingers on Percys desk. “Because you can have whatever future you want” Julius answered “You don’t have to be involved in politics or leadership, if you don’t want to. If you wanna make clocks, or anything else, you can do that” Julius paused for a moment and turned to look over Percys shelf of gadgets and parts, giving Percy a small bit of privacy. “And if you want to spend time with noble girls, or with kitchen boys, or both, you can do that too” Percy stiffened a little, feeling the blush flare on face once again. Julius didn’t pause or turn to look at him. “And I trust that you’re smart enough to know what you want, when it comes to it.” Percy let out a quiet breath and the anger drained out of him. “Thanks, Julius” he muttered “Really.”

Percy could nearly feel Julius’ smile before he turned around. “Don’t let it go to your head, four eyes” he said in his usual pompous tone and ruffled Percy’s hair aggressively before he left. Percy smiled a little at his closed door before shaking his hair back normal.

Maybe Julius wasn’t so bad. Mostly.

[katia-dreamer]

another gift exchange fic! This one is for @ghostofwhitestone

(contains major cr1 spoilers) featuring perc'ahlia being parents

“The extra blankets are in the-”

“Linen closet. I know,” Vesper interrupts. “Auntie Cass and Pike are here. So are the Rifleman. We’ll be fine.”

Vex looks at her daughter, and for a moment, she remembers the baby she held in her arms, so small and fragile. Then she blinks, and a teenager stands in front of her.  “I know you will be.”

“I promise I’ll send a message via the sending stone if we need anything.”

“I’ll keep mine near me at all times.” Vex opens her arms, and Vesper steps into them. “I’ll miss you.”

“I’ll miss you too.”

“I think everything is finally ready to go,” Percy announces as he comes down the stairs with the last of the suitcases. 

“Will you give your father a hand, Vesper?”

“Yes mama,” Vesper says and then goes over to help her father. 

“I want to come!” Leona complains loudly as she appears behind Percy. Wolfe follows her, and Freddie follows close behind him.  The sight makes Vex smile.

“It’s been so long since we’ve seen Keyleth. I miss her,” Wolfe adds. 

“Keyleth misses you too,” Vex says. “But I promise to bring back something nice for all of you. Now, please come over here and hug me goodbye.” When her children hug her, she can’t help but notice how they've grown too. “Be good, okay?”

She lets the children go, and they go to Percy, nearly tackling him to the ground in their group embrace. A guard clears his throat, and Percy turns pink. “All right, we really should be going now, Vex.”

“We’ll make sure they behave themselves,” Cassandra says. 

“We will,” Pike agrees.

After exchanging another round of goodbyes, Vex and Percy take their leave.

“Our daughter is growing up.” Vex wipes the sheen of tears from her eyes.

“She is.”

“She’ll be a good leader someday.”

“If that’s what she wants. I don’t want to pressure her into it,” he says. 

“Who would take over Whitestone?”

“We have options.”

“Percy, are you implying we should have another baby?”

“Well, I mean,” he blushes. “You know what I meant.”

“I do.” And she does, but she’s been meaning to tell him this for a while, so she just goes with it. “But seriously, Percy. I have been thinking about another.”

“Really?”

“Really,” she affirms. “Is that something you’d be interested in?”

His grin turns sharp, and his eyes flash behind his spectacles. “Yes. Most definitely, yes.”

“Good.” 

She kisses him, and it’s full of promise. 

-

[you-poopin]

Our Ceiling is Your Floor, A Vesper de Rolo fic

Here's that Percy, Vex, and Vesper fic, as promised. Well, a teaser. If you like it, please follow the link after the teaser.

____________________

Percy woke slowly from a dream, but it was one of those instances where he promptly forgot what the dream was. It left him feeling warm and peaceful though, so he knew it wasn't a nightmare. 

The light that filtered into the room told him it was still the middle of the night, but he couldn't place the time, and unlike some people, he did not have the ability to automatically know the time, and he couldn't really tell time by the moons even post-adventuring, especially since he couldn't see the moons as they were above the house, he had to check a clock. He went to roll over to grab his glasses and check the time, but he startled when he realized his arm was pinned to the bed by someone with long dark hair fanned out on the pillow. 

Even after traveling with Vox Machina, sleeping next to his friends on their adventures, even after being married, sometimes he forgot someone would be next to him when he woke up. Even knowing that Vex slept best when she was touching him in some way, sometimes her being there still startled him. 

Ever since they had started sharing a bed, Vex always had to be touching him. It started with her hand finding it's way to his wrist to feel his pulse or his chest to feel it rise and fall, so she knew he was alive. But it had progressed far beyond that, and Percy did not mind at all. She was the kind of person who curled up tight when she slept- a hold over from being a runway and having to keep warm and stay small, he'd guess. Her arms, if they weren't holding onto him in some way, were always tucked up to her chest or under her head and her legs were somehow twisted around each other. It was incredibly endearing. 

He flexed his fingers just to make sure she hadn't been cutting off his circulation, but instead of turning to look at the time, he just admired her. She was more important anyway. 

She looked so peaceful when she slept, so calm, like nothing bad had ever happened to her or near her. She looked so sweet and innocent and beautiful. But she was always beautiful.

The way the light from the window shined into the room made her almost appear to glow. It was ethereal. And he smiled. 

He adored her. He absolutely adored her. And he still couldn't believe this was his life, that she was his and he was hers. He had done nothing to deserve this, absolutely nothing, but she was here and she loved him and all his flaws and weirdness and it was more than he could have ever hoped for- a happy life, good friends, a wife, and a child. 

A child . 

Every time he thought about it, his heart fluttered. A child. 

Vex was expecting a baby. They were expecting a baby. 

___________________

Read more here:

Our Ceiling is Your Floor - Dragon_Princess - Critical Role (Web Series) [Archive of Our Own]

Playlist here:

[waltwhitmansbeard]

I would also pretty please like a MFL roll. Please?

i rolled a 3: a platonic/family drabble

turned my water into wine #45

Percy is at something of a standstill, and he doesn't know how best to proceed. Vesper is but a few weeks old, and already his entire world revolves around her and her happiness—but his heart belongs to so many others now, and their needs are beginning to clash. Whitestone remains in shambles after over a decade of tyranny at the hands of the Briarwoods, and though he is no stranger to responsibility, the recovery and stability of an entire city-state rests on his shoulders, an entirely new and entirely intimidating position in which he finds himself. Vex'ahlia, brilliant, miraculous, stubborn Vex'ahlia, helps as much as she can, more than she should. Percy knows little in the ways of motherhood and medicine, but he knows enough to cajole her back into bed as often as he can, to wheedle her into resting when she would rather be working with the city guard or traipsing about the Parchwood with the baby strapped to her chest. Half of his free time is spent scribbling missives of advice back to the new Mistress of Development in Zephrah, who was thrust into the position on the new High Council with little opportunity to learn from her predecessor before he left through a tree for Whitestone. He's happy, but he's exhausted, and he doesn't know what to do.

Well. He knows one thing he'd like to do, but he finds himself unable to ask for it. He knows what Cassandra will say—It isn't that I don't wish to see you, brother, or my niece, but that I cannot set foot again in that castle—and she has every right to say it. This place was a house of horrors for her for nearly her entire life; why should she come back?

It is a problem, and there are few things Percival de Rolo III loves more than a problem. He hems and he haws and he stays up watching his baby sleep, his tireless mind whirring away until the solution comes to him, so simple he feels a fool for not having thought of it sooner. After all, did Sovereign Korrin do it first?

He puts his best people on the project, and it takes less than a month to complete. When they're done, he schedules a brief visit to Zephrah—he's missed Keyleth dearly, and Vilya is so big now, it's hard to imagine she was once small enough to fit easily into the crook of one arm—during which he finds Cassandra working at a cluttered desk in the study appointed to the now-Ambassador Desnay.

"This is a surprise," she says, abandoning her work to come hug him.

He must still remind himself that this is real, that it is his baby sister he holds close, alive and well. "I have yet another for you."

She frowns at him. "I am not fond of surprises."

"I hope you'll be fond of this one." He tugs her over to a little settee along one wall. "We miss you in Whitestone."

Instantly, her face hardens, a reaction undoubtedly honed after years under the Briarwoods' thumb. "I cannot go back there. Likely ever."

"Easy, Cass." He squeezes her hand. "I understand that the castle is a particular source of pain for you, and I would never dream of asking you to return to where you were a prisoner for so many years.

"But what if I told you of a new home, a little thing, far on the edge of the castle grounds, built just for you? A place you could come and visit and meet your niece, without ever having to be within half a mile of the castle?"

Cassandra blinks. "I...what have you done?"

"My family is not whole without you. I know the work you do here is important, believe me, and I have no wish to take you from it. But I cannot believe that I am doing right by you if you feel as if you must be kept so far from the people who love you."

Her eyes start to shine. "You built me a house?"

He pulls her in for another hug. "Cassandra, I'd build you a nation if it would make you happy. Will you come see it? Keyleth is due for a visit, anyway, so she'll come with us, and if it's too much, if you wish to return, she'll have you back through a tree before you know it."

Cassandra sniffles into the crook of his neck, and he squeezes her tighter. How alone she's been, his baby sister, how terrified. "Okay."

How brave, how strong, how tenacious. "You will always be my home, Cass. I hope I can be yours, too."

[diabeticgirl4]

I normally don't say this about characters I love but I rly hope matt gives cassandra a love interest before the end of the campaign

[blackveine]

Language: English

Chapters: 1/1

Words: 9430

Fandom: Critical Role (Web Series), The Legend of Vox Machina (Cartoon)

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Warning(s): Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Category: Gen

Relationships: Percival "Percy" Fredrickstein Von Musel Klossowski de Rolo III & Vax'ildan, The Raven Queen & Vax'ildan

Character(s): Vax'ildan, Percival "Percy" Fredrickstein Von Musel Klossowski de Rolo III, Vex'ahlia, Vox Machina, de Rolo Family, The Raven Queen

Additional Tags: Canonical Character Death, Ghosts, Angst with a Happy Ending, Hurt/Comfort, Campaign 1

Summary: “Vax,” Percy says, in absolute disbelief. “I have a sister.”

“It’s pretty great isn’t it?”

“I just thought she hated me so much she couldn’t even be bothered to haunt me.”

~

Vax sees dead people, a side effect of his deal with the Raven Queen. He helps Percy finally let go of the ghosts of his family, and finds some peace along the way.

*The author of this awesome fic can be found here on tumblr @navpike! If you haven't read it yet, why not give it a shot?*

[critter-genfic-events]

Campaign Crossover Recs

This week, we have seven fics that mix Bells Hells, Vox Machina, and the Mighty Nein together (usually through Keyleth). Check them out beneath the cut, and as always - comment and kudos if you like them!

Voice to the Rain by J (jaywright) (12808,General) Warnings: None Pairings: Keyleth & Orym, Percival "Percy" Fredrickstein Von Musel Klossowski de Rolo III/Keyleth/Vex'ahlia

Before the events of EXU, Keyleth takes a grieving Orym with her to Whitestone

Reccer says: warm and beautiful and heartbreaking

Amethyst and Flowers on the Table by Operafloozy (2291,Teen) Warnings: None Pairings: Caduceus Clay & Keyleth, Keyleth & Vilya

Vilya introduces her daughter to the man who restored her memories, one Caduceus Clay.

Reccer says: I love that Keyleth is still angry in this and she and Caduceus have their disagreements, but there's still the potential of a friendship

whitestone is for eulogies by Lifelights (13290,Teen) Warnings: canon typical violence, temporary character death Pairings: Laudna & Vox Machina, Laudna/Imogen

When they first meet, she's dead and hanging from a tree. The second time...she's still dead, but more able to remember. (Aka: a barely divergent AU where Laudna meets Vox Machina in Whitestone)

Reccer says: Everyone is extremely in character and it's a great premise

a spark of potential by mousecookie (1189,Teen) Warnings: Pairings: Ashton Greymoore & Caleb Widogast

After Ludinus's defeat, Ashton approaches one of their new allies with questions about dunamancy.

Reccer says: Great voices and it has a lot of fun details

Fearful Symmetry by seraphium (3151,Teen) Warnings: No archive warnings apply Pairings: Keyleth & Vilya

In the aftermath of the Apogee Solstice, Keyleth's mother waits at her bedside.

Reccer says: It's an amazing look at what the relationship might look like from Vilya's point of view

From My Rotting Body, Flowers Shall Grow by keyleth_clay (10972,Teen) Warnings: Major Character Death Pairings: Caduceus Clay & Keyleth, Keyleth & Essek Thelyss, Caduceus Clay & Essek Thelyss

Keyleth has spent many, many years visiting the Blooming Grove. This visit is so different from the rest. Primarily because her first and best friend from the Clay family is no longer there to share it with her.

Reccer says: Beautifully rendered lifespan angst, with flashbacks to their friendship over the years

Girls Gone Feywild by royalgreen (allyoop) (821,General) Warnings: None Pairings: Bells Hells & The Mighty Nein, Fearne Calloway & Jester Lavorre

Chaos faun meets chaos tiefling. Exandria will never be the same.

Reccer says: I liked it

This is one of our weekly communally-generated gen rec lists. Every week we announce a new theme and allow anyone to submit a fic recommendation. Please note that the summary and content notes are provided by the reccer, and may be different than what the author has provided. Please assume good intentions all around. <3

And hey, anyone includes you!

Next week, we're focusing it'll be Skill/Class Swap fics. Maybe Keyleth as a Barbarian? Orym as a druid? Laura Bailey's characters as the class that she originally wanted?

After that, it'll be Mourning and Grief, Fjord focused, and then backstory swaps!

Any fics coming to mind? Well, then use this form to submit!

Oh! Also! Critter Gen Week is happening! We've been using the themes for our reclist - so if you're inspired by what you're reading, consider writing (or making art) for that week!

[pagerunner-j]

Something I gotta touch on here: the de Rolo kids.

My previous mental image of them was entirely driven by the family portrait we got in the campaign book, so I'm not sure how or why Vesper went from long white hair to short dark hair, but fine. Also, their ages are now severely in question, because if you go by that portrait, Vax looks younger than the twins by a significant margin (he's the one sitting on the floor with a bear cub), but here he's the all-attitude-all-the-time teenager and I have no read on Wolfe or Leona at all.

Guys, please, use your own damn book for reference, because now none of this makes sense.

*sigh* Anyway.

Since what I'm leading up to here is a fic I wrote a couple years ago: I fully admit what I came up with was made up out of whole cloth, and I have less than zero claim to any of these characters, so I shouldn't be feeling weirdly embarrassed or annoyed now that I wrote half of the kids a fair bit differently. At least Vesper and Gwen are in the neighborhood. (I like to try to stick close to canon where possible, though, and it sucks to feel suddenly off base!) Still, since I continue to have a soft spot for this story:

damn it, I'm sharing it again anyway.

just 'cause.

Dispelling the Shadows (T, 14,058 words) The tragedies of Castle Whitestone have left their marks over the years. For Vesper de Rolo, memories of what came before her -- and of the woman who inspired her name -- are pressing especially close. She'll need to find a light of her own to see it though. Set a generation after campaign 1.

[peach-the-owl]

May I request for NPC month a Cassandra De Rolo with child reader. The young child was left orphaned after the Chroma Conclaves attack on Emon but fortunately scooped up by Vox in the escape to Whitestone. Child takes a liking to Cass and manages to continually sneak away from their host family to be near them [Cass]. Little ones sneaky little antics bring a certain joy to Whitestone castle that hasn't been felt in ages. Cass falls for little one's warmth and decides it might be best child stay with her.

Please and thank you.

Another fic finished! Cue the fanfair! 🎊 I was sorta hoping I could get more done but honestly 2 fics in one month is a record for me at this point in time so I’m happy with the results. (Also I sadly couldn’t think of a title for this one, but if anyone else does I’m open to suggestions, it’s fine if not.) I hope you all enjoy 😁

Cassandra & Child!Reader

What was happening? Why was it happening? Everything was happening too fast for your brain to grasp any of it, all you could remember was watching the king’s speech to all Emon, bells, people panicking, losing sight of your parents and being grabbed and hauled away by someone. It was a blur to your mind, making you feel as though reality itself had disappeared from you, so the absolute whiplash you felt when you came to your senses only to find yourself in a new city was immense. Some close friends of your parents had taken you in for the time being, and while it took a bit to confirm for sure, they had to break the news to you that your parents had perished in the attack on the city. You ran off that night, not wanting to believe any of it, your little legs carrying you right to Whitestone castle at the perfect time that someone else was stepping out for some air.

Cassandra just stepped out to cool her head, a lot was going on in a short amount of time and all she wanted was a second to breathe. She was shocked to find a young child sobbing just outside the castle, especially this late into the night. Unsure what to do she slowly approaches the kid, noticing some recent scaring from burns, one of the refugees.

“Are-are you alright, little one?” She mentally slaps herself for sounding so uninterested.

“Ahh!” You jump back in surprise at the sudden voice, not realizing someone else was there with you. You look up at the woman with teary eyes. “N-n-n…” You couldn’t even get a word out as another sob wrecks through your body.

“No no, shhh, it’s alright. You’re safe from danger here.” Cassandra tries to soothe, her efforts in vain as you continue to cry. “Hey hey, it’s okay. What’s wrong?” The words sorta slipped out without much thought put into them, but it did seem to encourage an answer.

“I-I want-*hic* I want my mom and dad. *hic hic* I wanna go home.” You cry, pulling your legs to your chest so you could curl yourself into a ball.

“If you got yourself lost we can easily…” Cassandra trails off when she sees the look on your face. That pained look of loss and suffering she knew all too well. She kneels down next to you, gently placing a hand on your back, your body flinches away for a second before resting against her hand again. “I understand how you’re feeling. Loosing your family at such a young age is not an easy experience to go through, nor seeing your home get destroyed from its former glory. I’ve been where you are, just a kid forced to go through a horrible experience.”

Your sobbing calms slightly to more of a whimper, you wipe your tears on your sleeve but more still fall, looking up at her again to see she was staring off into the distance in thought. You rise onto your feet and tug at he shirt gently to regain her attention, when she looks over you raise you arms up to her in a silent question, she looks at you perplexed for a second before catching on and lifting you into her arms where you then hug her. You feel her tense before relaxing and her free hand rests itself on your back once more. It was a nice moment, you felt a little more relaxed and calm for the first time since everything happened, too bad it had to be cut short.

“(Y/n)! (Y/n), where did you go!? Please, answer!” You could hear your foster parents calling for you.

“So, you’re name’s (y/n), is it?” You look back to the woman who gave you a slight raised eyebrow in curiosity, making you realize neither of you had introduced yourselves.

“Y-yeah.” Your voice comes out small and still a little shaky from all the crying. “Wh-what’s your name?” This earns you a soft chuckle from her, guess she realized the same thing you did.

“I am Lady Cassandra de Rolo, but just Cassandra is fine, it’s a pleasure to meet you (y/n).” She gives you a small smile, you offer one back and are about to say something when your foster parents show up.

“There you are, (y/n)! Don’t go running off like that, you had us worried sick!” One scolds. “And finding you with a stranger? These are dangerous times child, you could’ve gotten hurt or worse!” They continue, you just avert your eyes away from them, unsure what to say.

“We’re very sorry… Oh! Lady de Rolo! *ahem* We apologize greatly for any inconvenience this young one may have caused for you.” The one in place of your father bows as he apologizes to Cassandra, taking you into his arms now, you didn’t bother fighting it, you were exhausted.

“It’s no problem at all. In fact, they offered good company while here.” Cassandra waves off the twos apologies.

“Of course, my lady. Thank you keeping an eye on them.” The “mother” bows before turning her attention back to you. “Now let’s get you home and in bed.” You give her a sleepy sigh and nod.

“Night Cassan...” You give a sleepy wave as your voice trails off, unable to finish your sentence as you quickly pass out.

Giving a wave to your disappearing figures, Cassandra decides to head back in and get some rest for herself, tomorrow’s gonna be another eventful day.

It’s only been 2 days since your little episode and you really missed Cassandra’s company, sure the two of you didn’t say much or know each other for very long but there was something comforting about her that your foster parents just didn’t seem to have. So, without thinking too much about it you check to make sure the coast is clear before sneaking out of the house and dashing off towards Castle Whitestone. You hurried as fast as your legs could carry you, while also making sure not to bump into anyone, soon enough the crowded streets thinned in numbers and the castle wasn’t too far off. You did take a second to wonder how you managed to run here the first time as you already felt exhausted once you finally reached the large doors., you shake the thoughts away, you made it to your destination now you just had to find a way in, you could always try climbing the wall, you were a pretty if you do say so yourself.

“Hey kid! You lost?” You’re startled by the sudden voice of a guard walking over. “Come on kiddo, let’s get you back where you belong.” They walk over, ready to escort you back where you’d come from but in a flash you dash around the other direction, leaving the guard stunned for a moment. “What the!?”

Today just seemed to be a zero thought just action kinda day as once you felt far enough away from the guard you latch onto the wall and start your climb. It was tricky getting a good grip and foothold but not impossible and by sheer luck and determination you managed to make it to the window, adding to your luck the window was partially open too.

“Hey kid! Get down from there!” Looks like your guard friend caught up, a little too late though as you push open the window and hop inside. Victory! Now what? You basically broke into this big fancy castle and we’re certain the guard wasn’t just going to sit and take it, and all for what? To see the lady who comforted you on a whim? Yes, that’s exactly what it was and you weren’t giving up on the task. Hurrying down the many halls you realize you have no idea where you’re going yet you continue forward, managing to find yourself in a kitchen, it was empty aside from one cook who was hard at work. Thinking they were distracted you try sneaking by.

“Now what’s a youngin’ like yourself doing here all alone?” You turn to the chef who was giving an amused look.

“I uhhh… I wanted to visit a friend.” You tell them.

“I see.” They reply with a nod. “And just who is this friend of yours?”

“Uhh… Ca-Cassandra. At least that’s what she said her name was.” You fidget with your fingers awkwardly, not sure how wise it was to just trust this person with that information.

“Ah! So you’re the kid she mentioned the other day.” They say thoughtfully. “You’ll find her down the hall third door on your right. Can’t miss it.”

“Thank you!” You give them a bright smile before racing off. By now most of the guards seemed to have been informed of your little intrusion to the castle and were attempting to catch you. Thankfully for yourself they were just trying to grab you over using an actual weapon to stop you, making it a bit easier to wiggle around them and finally reach your destination. The second you place your hand on the door handle and twist it a guard catches you, the door opens and your both stumble to the ground.

“What is the meaning of this?” A man’s voice asks a little annoyed. You look up and give a big smile when you see the person you’ve been looking for.

“Hi Cassandra!” You wave happily at her, completely ignoring the other people in the room. She looks stunned at first but her expression changes to one of recognition.

“Oh! It’s you. Hello again, (y/n). What are you doing here?” She questions as she walks over.

“I wanted to see you again!” You beam. You’re suddenly hoisted off the the ground and now dangle in the guards grip.

“Apologies for the intrusion, this youngin’ here is a slippery one.” The guard apologizes. “I’ll escort them off the property right away.” You start to struggle against him after hearing that, you came this far you didn’t want to go back now.

“That won’t be necessary, I’ll take it from here.” Cassandra says, making you brighten up. The guard sets you down, to which you stick your tongue out at them in victory as Cassandra walks you out of the room full of confused onlookers. Once outside the room she kneels down to your height. “Do you mind waiting here a second? I’ll be out again shortly, I promise.” You give her an enthusiastic nod, making her smile a little before heading back into the room for a moment. You can hear murmuring through the door so you scoot closer and press your ear against it to listen in on the conversation as best as possible.

“Wha… child doing here?”

“Remember the… told you about the other…?”

“…but why are they…? We have… matters to deal… just some kid.”

“Honestly… stunt they pulled… impressive.”

“…e’ll have to work on strengthening… a child… past them.”

“You’re... the point… only came here… take responsibility for this.”

You weren’t sure what was going on, you try straining your ears to hear better but instead of talking there’s footsteps approaching the door. You jump back quickly to avoid getting hit in the face by the door and to hide the fact you were trying to listen in. When Cassandra walks out and looks to your totally not suspicious expression she chuckles lightly.

“You weren’t snooping, were you?” She jokes.

“Ummm… nope! Not snooping. I was just looking around at stuff.” You lie, acting as if nothing as wrong. It’s too bad your a terrible actor, but at least Cassandra got a good laugh out of it.

“You quite the wild card, you know that.” She says, you have no idea what that’s supposed to mean so you just nod along. “Say I have an idea. Why don’t you show me exactly how you got in here without getting caught by any of our guards.” You eagerly agree, grabbing her hand and tugging her along as you explain your quest in great detail.

Now of course your foster parents eventually showed up, having been worried sick when you ran off again and they couldn’t find you in the city, only to be told by a guard your whereabouts and you were in a lot of trouble for not saying anything or even leaving a note. You argued you still weren’t good at writing but that was barely an excuse and you were grounded for a week. Sadly for them that wasn’t going to stop you, even before the whole dragon attack you were always finding ways to slip past your parents to go to your favourite spot in Emon. To you, slipping past your foster parents to go to your favourite place in Whitestone and hangout with your new favourite person was no different, if anything it brought familiarity and joy to you once more in these bleak times. It wasn’t just you either, as time went on, your continuous escapades to Whitestone castle brought a sorta merriment to their lives. You easily made friends with that chef who helped you when you first snuck in, they’d give you some food to snack on whether it was because they had extra or tried something new and wanted you to be the first to try it, enjoying the reactions you’d give whenever you liked what they made. And while the guards were irritated by your constant breaking most of them eventually came to tolerate you decently and at least a few of them actually warmed up to you, finding these little moments helpful in strengthening their defences.

Cassandra couldn’t wrap her head around it, you had one heartfelt talk when you first met and she thought that would be it, you’d move on and adapt to the new status quo, the last thing she expected was you showing up again and again and again just to see her. Whenever you were happy or excited about something she was the first you run to and tell everything about, it made her feel a joy that she didn’t think possible in these trying times. Whenever you were upset or sad she was the first you go to for comfort, it made her feel protective of you wanting nothing more then to make those sour memories or thoughts disappear so she could see you smile again. Whenever you accomplished something she was the first you’d brag about it to, a feeling of pride washing over her whenever you explain what it was you achieved. It’d be so much easier for you to stay home and tell these things to your foster parents but every single time you’d go out of your way to head to the castle and tell her instead. The moments where your foster parents would show up apologizing profusely for your misbehaviour and take you home for a scolding were getting harder and harder for Cassandra to watch. She couldn’t keep going at this routine anymore, it was taking away valuable time, she had to do something about this and soon.

You giggle to yourself as you walk the familiar path to Whitestone castle, your foster parents really thought getting a new lock for your window was going to stop you, unlucky for them the rouge and ranger Cassandra’s brother was friends with taught you some neat tricks when their group came to visit. The smile you had grows as you approach the doors, two guards on duty see you approach, one sighs while the other gives a small wave.

“I know that meek wave anywhere. How are you Heath? Is your arm still hurting?” You greet with a wave of your own.

“Hey kiddo. It was my shoulder, not my arm but it’s doing a lot better.” You give a nod to this.

“Sooo… may I come in?” You ask, already knowing the answer.

“No you may not!” You jump a little at the, that’s not what you were expecting at all. “(Y/n), this is the last straw.” Oh shoot, you know whose voice that is. You turn around and sure enough there’s your foster parents, angrier then ever before.

“What’s the big deal? I left a note this time.” You whine.

“Writing ‘Your windows can’t hold me down’ isn’t what we meant by a note! Honestly, are you trying to give us daily panic attacks? You’re lucky we’ve caught onto the pattern.” One places their arms on their hips.

“More like unlucky.” You mutter.

“Listen, (y/n), we know you’ve been having a hard time adjusting to things since your parents…” They trail off a bit, you look away from them sombrely. “It’s been hard on all of us and we just want the best for you, but you make it very hard for us with you constantly running away from us. Do you understand?” You fidget with your hands and look back at the guards who were stuck having to awkwardly stand there and watch this unfold, if anything you felt bad for them. “Come along now, say your apologies to the guards and we can go home.”

“Go home? But you just got here.” The sound of Cassandra’s voice immediately perks you up, spinning around you see her coming over and go to give her a hug, which she returns with a soft chuckle.

“Ah! Terribly sorry for the disturbance, Lady de Rolo. We’re sure you have more important matters to deal with so we’ll be taking our leave.”

“You’re correct, I do have important matters to deal with, and they involve this child in your care.” You look to her confused, she gives you a smile then looks back to your foster parents. “If my intel is correct you were fostering (y/n) out of respect of their parents correct?”

“They were close friends of ours for many years. We didn’t want (y/n) to be left completely alone but we knew we weren’t exactly ready to take full responsibility yet, as shameful as that sounds. So we swore we’d care for them as best we could until we found someone we knew could give them the care they truly deserved.”

“Then I’m sure you’ll be happy to receive this.” Cassandra hands some papers, you look between the three of them unsure of what was going on.

“Are-are you sure M’Lady? We’d understand if you-”

“No need for any of that. I made up my mind and I’m certain it’s the best choice for all of us.”

“Best choice of what? What’s going on?” You ask utterly lost, why did people have to be so vague about things sometimes. Cassandra kneels down and lifts you into her arms, you weren’t complaining but that didn’t make anything less confusing for you. You foster parents offer you a smile and a small bow.

“We hope you’ll behave yourself a little better here, young de Rolo.” Wait what?! Did they just…

“Huh? But I’m not…” You trail off and your eyes widen when the pieces start clicking into place, shifting a little to get a better look at Cassandra. “Really?” She gives you a nod and you can’t help but hug her. She sets you down giving you the chance to hug your, now former, foster parents. “Thanks for looking after me, even if I did give you trouble.”

“You promise us you won’t go sneaking off on your new family and we’ll call it even.”

“Deal!” The two take their leave while you wave to them with Cassandra. When you can’t see them anymore you look up at Cassandra and she looks back down at you, holding out her hand. You happily accept and the two of you walk back to the castle, the guards open the doors for you.

“Welcome home, (y/n).”

[panic-at-the-fiction]

Masterlist

Stories I have written, characters I will write for. If you think the names are cringy you try naming stuff. It’s hard.

Smut🔥

*Series

Prompts list

Stranger Things

Steve Harrington

Drive In🔥

Road Trip

Pizza girl

Eddie Munson

The Death of You

Jonathan Byers

Jump, Then Fall

Vampire Diaries

Kol Mikaelsons

*Hello Darling🔥

Elijah Mikaelson

*Family

*Till Death do us Part

Stefan Salvatore

Jeremy Gilbert

Missing You

Supernatural

Dean Winchester

Various and Sundry Villains

Jack Kline

Reunions

Sherlock

Sherlock Holmes

Merlin

Merlin

Arthur Pendragon

The Irregulars

Billy

You shouldn’t easdrop

I care for you

Big Time Rush

Kendall Knight

One Good Love Song

Once Upon a Time

Jefferson Hatter

True Loves Kiss

The X-men

Peter Maximoff

*1973

*1983

New in Town

Haunted House

Alex Summers

Tattoos🔥

Le t’s Talk about Cuba🔥

Scott Summers

Charles Xavier

Eric Lensher

The Hunger Games

Finnick Odair

Yes they are all bad puns, no I will not be taking constructive criticism right now, only more ideas.

Oh dear

Oh dair he is

The Finnick games

Fic-nnick

Star Wars

Filthy Headcannons🔥

Part one

Part two

Obi-Wan Kenobi

Din Djarin

This is that Way

Anakin Skywalker

Marvel

Any of the hot ones. I’m not gonna type all of their names out if I don’t even have any stories for them yet.

DC

The Flash

Julian Alberts

The office jerk

The Chronicles of Narnia

Peter Pevensie

Adults🔥

Edmund Pevensie

Prince Caspian

Vox Machina

Percy De Rolo

Cowboy like me pt1

Cowboy like me pt 2

Vax’ildan