#desertlily

[critter-genfic-events]

Character Studies

This week, we have ten character studies recs - deep dives into main characters and side characters alike. Check them out beneath the cut, and let the authors know if you like them!

the beauty and the mess by batyatoon (2887,Not Rated) Warnings: None Pairings:

A long day at Whitestone Castle, waiting for Scanlan to wake up or for his friends to come back.

Reccer says: A great look at Kaylie in episodes 84 and 85, brutal and truthful and excellent in all the ways that hurt. (one of the tags is "everything's funny until it isn't" and it and this story live in my head rent-free.)

let's pick the truth we believe in by burningdarkfire (28108,Teen) Warnings: Implied/Referenced Abuse Pairings: Essek Thelyss/Caleb Widogast, Astrid Beck & Eadwulf Grieve & Caleb Widogast

Astrid kills Trent while the Nein are in Aeor. Caleb returns to Rexxentrum to make some peace with his past and make some sense of his future.

Reccer says: Very emotionally complex and beautiful writing

that i live (and you are gone) by DesertLily (2183,Teen) Warnings: None Pairings: Keyleth/Vax’ildan, Keyleth & Vox Machina, Keyleth & Essek Thelyss

Keyleth’s perspective on the deaths of each member of Vox Machina as she outlives them all.

Reccer says: I liked it

afterimage by saturdaysky (2858,Teen) Warnings: Pairings: Deirta Thelyss & Essek Thelyss

The Umavi receives an unexpected petitioner seeking solace from grief. As ever, Deirta provides clarity. As ever, Essek chafes at the impossible.

Reccer says: It shows both Essek and his mother as extremely complicated characters, and is a fun dive into what living several lifetimes might do to a person

A single lonesome toll by dadrielle (snappilier) (3715,Teen) Warnings: very vague reference to suicidal ideation (in line with imogen's reference to it in canon) Pairings:

Character study of Bells Hells centered around their relationships with loneliness and how coming together changes that

Reccer says: I liked it

Eadwulf Grieve Is Dead! by tangereen (1112,Teen) Warnings: None Pairings: listed gen first, but also Eadwulf Grieve/Essek Thelyss, Clarabelle Clay & Eadwulf Grieve, Astrid Beck & Eadwulf Grieve

Eadwulf Grieve is legally declared dead and struggles to figure out what that means for his future and life.

Reccer says: Wulf gets to stick it to Ickythong.

The Cut of His Jib by Nenia458 (6544,Teen) Warnings: Choose not to Warn, PTSD Pairings: Percival "Percy" Fredrickstein Von Musel Klossowski de Rolo III/Vex'ahlia, Keyleth/Vax'ildan (Critical Role), Percival "Percy" Fredrickstein Von Musel Klossowski de Rolo III & Vax'ildan, Vax'ildan & Vex'ahlia (Critical Role)

Along the treacherous route to a job, Vax (1) does not stab Percy for flirting with his sister (2) successfully stabs a pirate (3) learns something about their gunslinger that fundamentally changes his opinion of the man.

Reccer says: This is the perfect Percy, to me

With no Lapidary by Operafloozy (960,Teen) Warnings: None Pairings:

Ashton's hair requires a little extra work to take care of - much like the genasi himself

Reccer says: It takes a simple fact about Ashton - that their hair is a rock, and then thinks through what that might mean for them throughout their life.

Tenderness to You is Only Talk About a Bruise by thetickingclock (1439,Teen) Warnings: body dysphoria Pairings: Kingsley Tealeaf & The Mighty Nein

Mollymauk had woken up empty, but Kingsley is full to the bursting. It is so easy to be alive. It is hard, sometimes, to understand how much they love him. It is harder still, to let them.

Reccer says: The language is amazing, and the view of an Kingsley's extremely early days - learning who he might be among the nein is extremely evocative

Caesura by kinosternon (1486,Mature) Warnings: anxiety, alcohol/drug mention, canon-typical violence Pairings:

Scanlan dreams that one of Vox Machina has died.

Reccer says: The fic was written around episode 73 of the Vox Machina campaign and perfectly encapsulates Scanlan's state of mind in those late Chroma Conclave episodes. You can feel the break coming. Insightful and heartbreaking.

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!

We'll be starting off the next year with Vax! Maybe something celebrating his de-orbing?

Then, it'll be Reunions, Nott/Veth and Sendings!

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

If you're looking for some more, check out some fics written in the critter genfic bingo tag, or the older rec lists! Or you can request your own card and join in on the fun!

[critter-rarepair-reccs]

Hello and happy Friday to you all! Midway through May now and this week we have mighty list for you all; twenty-one fics that feature a variety of different and unique AUs! As always, you can find them below the cut and if you check any of them out, I encourage you to leave kudoes and comments to spread the rarepair love 💕

The Changeling by maybetwice (5,899 words, Teen) Pairing: Queerplatonic Fearne Calloway/Orym Warnings: None

Orym is given to the feywild as a child, and grows up as a changeling in the service of Morrigan, companion to Fearne. Its so funnn, the speculative feywild and its politics (pre canon-Morri), Orym's desparate grip on his identity, and how things change and shift, Fearne trying to help but not quite understanding

Reccer Says: The characterization *chefs kiss, the world building, its very fun. Atmospheric, fairy tail esque? The sworn oaths and loyalty *chefs kiss chefs kiss, you love to see it every time. And! It's part of a series!!! So there's more >:D

your touch's so sweet (throw me in the water) by quinn_of_aebradore (1,872 words, Teen) Pairing: Fjord/Caleb Widogast (Widofjord)

Evil AU polyam, Bren visits Fjord for the night and they discuss things (and also have a fun night)

Reccer Says: Sexy evil au brain go brrrrrrrr

steady lodged between beast and god by Junkyard_Rose (6,737 words, Mature) Pairing: Lucien Tavelle/Essek Thelyss (Luciessek) Warnings: Suicidal ideation (first half)

After cognouza, Lucien is the one who comes back. The M9 leave him with Essek, who convinces Lucien to (take a second chance) work as his bodyguard. They sort of start to figure things out

Reccer Says: Its kind of a little Lucien's worst nightmare, but also a soft third(?) beginning? Essek trying to be the mirror that Caleb was, and extending the hand, and Lucien is taking it, extremely brrrrrrrr

Shame on a martyr claiming friends by thought (1,641 words, Teen) Pairing: Dorian Storm/Verin Thelyss Warnings: None

Crack played straight, arranged marriage between two second sons who have older, overshadowing brothers, and a desire to carve out a place outside their family's expectations (heheh)

Reccer Says: Its just fun! And honestly, yeah? Yeah! They have a lot of common ground on siblings and their desires to prove themselves to their family's legacies. Also sharing the wish to sidle out of a very awkward room lol

first bloom by flappingduster (3,484 words, Teen) Pairing: Queerplatonic Beauregard Lionett/Essek Thelyss Warnings: None

Essek and Beau are together (romantic) but then they figure things out at separate, but are still close friends (qpr). Essek has complicated feelings when Beau asks for dating advice for a girl she's met

Reccer Says: Complicated Relationship and Feelings brrr

a home where my heart is by DesertLily (1,252 words, Teen) Pairing: Jester Lavorre/Beauregard Lionett (Beaujes) Warnings: None

Jester sends Beau a text asking her out. Beau over analyzes it and goes to Fjord for advice.

Reccer Says: Very cute!!! Beau is a disaster and I love her.

this is a promise (with a catch) by Anonymous (42,357 words, Explicit) Pairing: Orym/Dorian Storm/Will (Dorymwill) Warnings: Alpha/Beta/Omega Dynamics

Orym and Will are together in an alpha/alpha relationship. It’s perfect, except that Orym’s ruts are difficult and he can’t stand to be around Will during them. And then, set up by Fearne, Orym mets Dorian, an omega in need of a heat partner, and things spiral out from there.

Reccer Says: The sex is hot, the relationships are so wonderful and sweet, the world feels so real around them, and the twist at the end is incredible.

burn, scourger, burn by Anonymous (1,362 words, Teen) Pairing: Mollymauk Tealeaf/Essek Thelyss (Shadowmauk) Warnings: None

Witcher AU, Essek is Yennefer, Molly is Jaskier, and they both have been cast aside by Caleb as Geralt. Allied with Astrid and Wulf, Essek seeks out allies and finds himself watching one of Molly’s performances.

Reccer Says: It’s such a brilliant AU in so few words, the history built perfectly in that small space. The emotion, the layers of it, are so delicious.

warm, unalone (come settle down) by Meridas (20,811 words, Teen) Pairing: Queerplatonic Mollymauk Tealeaf/Yasha Nydoorin Warnings: None

A modern AU in which queerplatonic partners Molly and Yasha move to Zadash to start a soft, domestic life.

Reccer Says: Truly one of the sweetest, fluffiest series out there. QPP Circus Kids are soooo important to me and this series is a large reason for that. You can FEEL the love between Molly and Yasha, the depth to which they care about and for each other. It’s just. So so tender. Also! Baby the Cat beloved. And a very nice side of Widomauk fluff!!!

Something Happened On The Way To Heaven by SweetSilentSteps (24,014 words, Explicit) Pairing: Orym/Dorian Storm/Will (Dorymwill) Warnings: Minor Depictions of Violence

A retelling of Ladyhawke (1985), featuring Orym/Will as the cursed couple and Dorian as the jail escapee.

Reccer Says: Absolutely amazing character voices! It's such a fun read! I enjoy this more than the original movie.

(sing another) song for the lost ones by elanoides (21,453 words, Teen) Pairing: Fjord/Caleb Widogast (Widofjord) Warnings: None

Fjord crashes in a small seaside town, meets The Mighty Nein, and finds he isn't lonely anymore.

Reccer Says: This is such a cozy comfort read for me. 10/10.

Advanced Book (And Heart) Stealing by Attila (2,776 words, Teen) Pairing: Kima/Allura Vysoren (Kimallura) Warnings: None

The first time Allura checks out a book Kima needs for her thesis is an accident. The second, not so much.

Reccer Says: This is a hilarious story with fantastic character voices and several laugh out loud moments! Also very cute.

a hundred years still in my pocket by burningafterdark (3,360 words, Explicit) Pairing: Fjord/Caleb Widogast (Widofjord) Warnings: None

Fjord and Caleb have sex in Caleb's office.

Reccer Says: I love the post-canon vibes, I love how the established background Polynein colors their conversation, I love how comfortable the two feel together. It's also just well written sex!

Shut Up And Take My Money by Attila (14,024 words, Teen) Pairing: Jarrett Howarth/Vex'ahlia Warnings: Descriptions of blood, off-screen violence, off-screen healing of a gun shot wound

Vex needs to hire someone for the (money laundering) coffee shop. Jarett is a perfect fit - and attractive to boot. The question remains: is he a fed?

Reccer Says: This fic is hilarious! It feels like Vox Machina!

Spitfire by kitthekazoo (1,352 words, General) Pairing: Scanlan Shorthalt/Vax'ildan (Vaxlan) Warnings: None

Vax meets Kaylie, Scanlan's 8 year old daughter.

Reccer Says: Lovely!

teakettle love (i'd do anything) by redhoods (6,360 words, Explicit) Pairing: Fjord/Caleb Widogast (Widofjord) Warnings: None

Fjord takes care of Caleb when Caleb forgets to take care of himself.

Reccer Says: It's so soft........ such lovely character voices!

houses, homes by Ffwydriad (2,414 words, Teen) Pairing: Yeza Brenatto/Veth Brenatto/Caleb Widogast Warnings: Implied off-screen transphobia, homelessness

Caleb and Veth are on the streets together, and then move in with Yeza.

Reccer Says: I really enjoy trans!Veth and how the Caleb/Veth/Yeza relationship builds!

and coffee the morning after by impossibletruths (2,546 words, General) Pairing: Keyleth/Pike Trickfoot (Pikeleth) Warnings: Blood*

Keyleth and Pike meet in their apartment building's laundry room. Their relationship builds from there.

Reccer Says: It's so cute! It just feels lovely!

*Keyleth meets Pike when Pike's scrubs have blood on them.

it starts with an earthquake by impossibletruths (13,520 words, Teen) Pairings: Percy de Rolo/Pike Trickfoot/Vex'ahlia, Kima/Allura Vysoren (Kimallura) Warnings: None

Vox Machina's Conclave Arc, but make it post-apocalyptic.

Reccer Says: Absolutely amazing character studies, great plot, and a wonderful way of making things feel hopeful even in the apocalypse.

Free as the birds that fly with weightless souls by impossibletruths (5,643 words, Teen) Pairing: Keyleth/Kashaw Vesh (Kashleth) Warnings: Prominent themes of grief and mourning

Keyleth and Kashaw fall in love during their art collaboration.

Reccer Says: Beautiful.

End Racism in the OTW; you and me and some l-o-v-e (all good things come in threes) by mischiefseven (8,594 words, Teen) Pairing: Shaun Gilmore/Keyleth/Vax'ildan (Vaxlethmore) Warnings: Off-screen violence, aftermath of violence

Vax finds Gilmore's Glorious Goods and finds himself in love with both Keyleth and Gilmore.

Reccer Says: This is one of my favorite fics of all time. I highly recommend it!

Thank you for joining us this week’s recc list! All the love to everyone who submitted a fic 💕 All enclosed recommendations were submitted by the community via our submissions form, which you can find here. All fic information is as it was provided by the reccer, so it may not be accurate to the author’s intent or the precise contents of the fic itself. Please assume good intent from all parties 💕

Submissions for next week’s list are already open! We’ll be featuring Hurt/Comfort. If you have any you’d like to highlight, you can send them in here. The week after that, the theme is PC x NPC and the weeks after that we’re taking recommendations for Proposals & Marriages and Oneshots! Submissions for all of these themes are currently open.

If you want more rarepair fic, check out @cr-summer-wildflowers and their event collections on ao3! If you want some friendship after all this romance, take a look at @critter-genfic-events and their recc lists! And if you’re interested in everyone’s favorite wizards, you can’t go wrong with the lists at @aeor-is-for-reccing !

Thanks all and have a lovely day/night/timezone! 💕

[growingupgotham]

Good Night, Gotham

So I think anyone that’s been following this blog has known this was coming for a while. The multi-blog au fell apart (though I won’t deny I’ve made some of my greatest friends through it) and I just… stopped posting here. Maybe the occasional post every now and then but it’s been four months since my last one.

When I made this blog, I was nineteen and sitting alone in my uni dorm because my ‘friends’ had all gone out without me. I’d been thinking about it for a while but I guess the rampant loneliness was enough for me to take the plunge and make GrowingUpGotham; a chance just to throw a bit of silliness into the world. I never even intended for this to be a Jason Todd blog. Just an anonymous Gothamite until someone made a joke and it just spiralled into… this.

I don’t regret a second of the time I put into this blog or with the people I met through it. To quote Dickens; it was the best of times, it was the worst of times. The good times were great and the bad times were bad. But it is what it is. Honestly I grew a lot because of this blog - I started to realise people may actually like me and I was able to blossom. I’ve spread out more into other fandoms, made effort to make friends and just… be more me because the almost 2k of you that follow this blog proved that people do find me funny. People do like the ideas constantly rotating around my head.

In all honesty, I could have probably just left this blog dead but for me personally, I needed something finite; some sort of conclusion to this so that it wasn’t constantly hanging over me as a ‘what if’. Maybe one day I’ll come vs k but for now… For now, Jason Todd-Harper is a closed door for me. Perhaps they lived a quiet life with their husband, toad, and dog. Perhaps they continued to get into pure chaos. Perhaps they left Gotham all together.

But for now? Show’s over. That’s all he wrote!

If, for whatever reason, you want to keep up with me outside of this and see the things I’m up to now; my main blog is @delilah-briarwood . The fandoms I post for are a bit of a revolving door but a bit of the Batfamily always seems to sneak their way in there. My AO3 is DesertLily if you want to see the fics I wrote for this AU, or just my writing in general.

Whether you followed me from the very start or found me after this blog had started to wind down, thank you. I hope you had one hell of a ride because trust me, I certainly did.

So for now, this is me - Joey - signing off.

Good night, Gotham, and thank you for the good times

[berrydoodleoo]

I wish they'd included Aranea and Solara! Since @desertlilie mentioned Sol in the comments here's my current WiP of her model with the concept art in the bg:

Still lots to finish but I'm somewhat happy with it so far! I'm happy someone else likes Sol she's one of my faves!!

If this is legit, this fucking hurts.

[americasgreatoutdoors]

Do you hear the buzzing of spring? The desert lily’s sweet fragrance attracts many types of bees and butterflies. The flower grows in southeastern California and western Arizona, and this photo was taken at Bureau of Land Management’s��Desert Lily Preserve. Desert lilies grow from a bulb deep within the ground, with a thick stem of 1-4 feet tall. Its large flowers are cream-colored and funnel-shaped and appear in clusters that can be up to a foot long. When spring hits the desert, these blooms are a welcome sight. Photo by Bob Wick, Bureau of Land Management

[queerbutstillhere]

Do I have a good sleep schedule?

yes! 100% a great sleep schedule, love it for you!

Send me an ask and i’ll reply with a blatant lie

[birdsy-purplefishes]

#TBT: March 13th, 2019. A #superbloom #AnzaBorrego trip where I saw so many flowers I got overwhelmed uploading them all! Info on these: 1. This is a parasitic plant called #AphyllonCooperi, known by the common name #DesertBroomrape (it’s a type of plant!). Notice how it lacks chlorophyll of its own and seems to only consist of a flower stalk. Its roots leech off of other plants. 2. #SandVerbena. Not sure which. #AbroniaVillosa? 3 & 4. #DesertLily #HesperocallisUndulata. 5. #DuneEveningPrimrose / #OenotheraDeltoides 6. #Browneyes / #ChylismiaClaviformis . #californianativeplants #anzaborregodesertstatepark #wildflowers #superbloom2019 #botany (at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/BwsSLoCHVMD/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1onpdaym82mbv

[marwari]

ok so the quiz set actually goes stupid hard

[findingsally8870]

Perfect timing to see the magnificent #desert #wildflowers at #anzaborrego in #borregosprings. I love it over here! Some highlights were the fragrant smell of the verbena and primrose in the air, mixed with the undeniable scent of the creosote bush and getting to see the #desertlily! All the ocotillos were covered in leaves thanks to all the glorious rain we’ve had this season. So beautiful! (at Anza Borrego Desert State Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/BvEUEg5lFdD/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1dwtp9hkmf7ui

[terrawhitmeyer]

Another view of the desert lily, an early morning find in the flower fields of northern Borrego Springs. #flowerfields #flowerporn #wildflower #optoutside #desertlily #borregosprings #superbloom #trailtreasures #exploremore (at Borrego Springs, California)

[abitofcolor]

Breakfast in the desert. #desert #joshuatree #desertlily (at The Desert Lily B&B)

[pastelispunx]

I found exactly 2 desert lilies today. 🎉 - - - - - #lily #wildflowers #californiawildflowers #california #desert #desertlily #anzaborrego #nationalpark (at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park)

[forgwater]

The Binds

(general) Lilia Vanrouge x Reader

part 5 part 4 part-3 part-2 part-1

gender neutral reader

taglist: @kimura-uzuri  @desertlilie  @strawberry-cheezcake @anonima-2 @oreochococheesecake @justeclem44 @hat3yo0

(if you want to be tagged, you need only ask, also please specify what characters you are interested in reading about or if you want to be tagged in all works)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

......

....

Your legs ache as you continue running. Breath ragged and heartbeat loud. It's suffocating. There is no mercy in your march. Not for your tired legs or his. Only stubbornness is keeping you from stopping, but sooner or later you'll have to give in; so you look for a place to hide in temporarily, to catch your breath and maybe free your new companion from his binds. Let's just hope he doesn't abandon you after that. Your thoughts however, are quickly interrupted by the general:

"There!" he points to a burrow. It's big enough to fit you both and covered in enough foliage to be easily missed. "This should work well to hide us." you can only hope he's right.

Lilia ushers you in first. The dirt is a bit loose and you almost fall, but you catch yourself before that happens. As you get deeper into the burrow you extend a hand towards the fae, who after one last look at your surroundings, gladly accepts it as he joins you into the dark.

.....

Cold and damp.

That's how the ground felt. You shiver slightly, instinctively closing the distance between the two of you, that is, if there was any distance to begin with. And he leans into you too, letting out a small chuckle before speaking:

"Dear me, I'm quite glad I'm a better option than trembling like a leaf on your own because of the cold." it seems he really likes making light of less than ideal situations; but that doesn't make you any less embarrassed for basically snuggling into this man.

He's gonna be the death of you, you swear... well... he already was.

Your attention is quickly grabbed by the sound of rushing footsteps, heavy on the earth, you also hear hurried whispers in a language you don't understand. You glance towards Lilia, silently questioning him with your gaze; but he doesn't respond. With an arm placed in front of you in a protective manner, he listens attentively to the creatures outside your hiding spot.

step... step... crunch.

The swishing of wind.

Are they still there? Are they waiting for you to get out? All you can do is hold your breath as you grip a dagger. Let's hope you won't have to use it.

More steps.

It would seem your pursuers are looking for you. Your heartbeat rings in your ears as you try your best to still your trembling hands. Lilia shoots you a glance, his eyes are serious, silently urging you to be as quiet as humanly possible as he listens for any signs of danger. You might need to place your trust fully with him this time... not like you haven't already...

It's quiet.

Very quiet.

The fae brings his index finger to his lips in a shushing gesture and then motions for you to stay put as he begins to rise. Crouching slowly he tries to peak outside the burrow for a whole minute.

Once satisfied he looks back at you and with a motion of his head you're exiting the safety of your hiding place.

Once the both of you are out you ask: "Where to now?"

"I'm happy to see you value my opinion, but as of now, I'd say wherever." the general speaks, then he continues: "The creatures we just managed to evade are not easy foes to deal with, so I suggest we high-tail it out of here." he then proceeds to extend a shackled hand towards you.

"Shall we?"

You debate for a moment before deciding that you might as well follow the fae.

"Let's go then." you shoot Lilia a small, yet determined smile as you take his hand; he happily returns it with his one of his own, albeit more toothy.

.....

The terrain is hellish to cross. It's as if a whole cavalry has passed through it. Disparaged and full of holes. This isn't its natural state. Something happened here.

You look at Lilia, slightly uneasy and he tries to reassure you, it'll be fine, everything's fine... at least for now.

The more you walk the faster the time seems to pass and before you know it, night has fallen again.

You go collect some berries while the fae collects wood for a fire. He's offered to go find food himself, saying he's quite knowledgeable about plants, but your intuition told you to do it yourself... lest you risk death by poison. Luckily he took your offer and went looking for the wood after giving you a slight shrug followed by a 'Suit yourself.'

.......

....

As you sit around the fire, you can't help but think about how horrible those binds must feel against his skin. You don't have the keys for them, but should you find a different way to remove them?

Should you trust him that much?

Would he abandon you?

Would he... kill you... again?

You are snapped out of your thoughts by the fae in question.

"Y/N?" he asks. "You seemed deep in thought." Lilia remarks as he moves closer to you and extends some of his berries towards you, but you decline. "Is something bothering you?" his eyes convey some slight concern.

"Your binds." you answer before you can think better of it.

A shocked expression settles itself on the mans face, but he regains his composure quickly.

"...What exactly, about them, bothers you?" he asks, suspicion laced in his voice.

"...Well..." you trail off, not truly wanting to continue your sentence, but the faes insisting eyes convince you otherwise. "...Well, we could try to get them off..." you are met with a surprised face again.

After a brief pause, he begins again:

"Aren't you afraid I'll attack you?" he questions.

"You would be able to do that while I sleep too." you answer and the fae thinks for a bit.

"True." he nods "But what if I'm waiting for the moment I'm free to do that?" you ignore his question.

"You know I don't have the key to your chains." you look at him. "So, what I've thought about, is to use the campfire to melt them."

Shock and surprise again.

Lilia backs away slightly. It would seem he isn't too keen on the idea.

"...Non-magical fire and iron don't mix well with my kind." he says "But you already knew that."

You give a small smile and he scoffs lightly, a pout forming on his face.

"Trust, Lilia." you tell him. "You'll have to trust me on this one."

A sigh escapes the fae before he nods.

"FINE!" he gives. "But if you scorch my skin, I'm stealing your first-born child!" he warns and you can't tell if he's joking or not.

"Uh... alright then." you say "But first, we need to separate the chains, So let's try to keep them over the fire until we can try to cut them... or we can try to melt them."

"Easier said than done." Lilia mutters under his breath, but he obliges nonetheless.

As he places his arms on either side of the fire, with the chain connecting them right above the crackling flames, he waits for your signal.

You prepare the water pouch in case the plan goes wrong and then you nod at him.

WHOSH

The flames dance wildly as the iron starts to warm. More and more until it burns. Lilia grits his teeth as the fire continues to taunt him. At least he would have more mobility with the chain severed.

The fae yells profanities as he quickly removes himself from the flames. He lays the now red chain on the ground and you swoop in to try to cut the melting part in two. You also pour some water over the his hands which he appreciates.

It wasn't easy, but with two daggers you've managed. You let out a breath you didn't even know you were holding and Lilia collapses onto his back on the ground laughing.

"IT WORKED!" he screams in disbelief.

It would seem that your little idea was a success!

"I suppose I don't owe my first-born?" you quirk an eyebrow as you smile down at him.

He look up at you, propping himself up with his elbows, his eyes are full of mischief once more as he says:

"No... but you still owe me a date." and he smirks at your bewildered face.

The NERVE!

He could've gotten severely injured and all he can think about is teasing you?!

The Seven are testing you again.

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an: part 4 is finally here!

Y/N: "Trust me bro."

Masterlist

[cobalt-knave]

Some Mechanisms fics recs, mostly Toy Soldier-centric because it is my beloved:

Wood and Bone by DesertLily

The Toy Soldier considers stopping pretending (but its crew is there).

Spread Thin by ShawnNeil

The Mechanisms are stranded on a strange moon and separated from one another.

Stoke my Heart with Fire by fromthedesert

Jonny does not like the Toy Solider, no. But that won’t stop him from brutally murdering anyone who slanders it.

Pretend to Pretend by fromthedesert

The Toy Soldier, Jonny, Tim, and Bertie in the moon war. I wrote “will break your heart” in my bookmark tag. And I want to reread it and maybe cry.

A Tale Not To Be Told by NammiKisulora

The crew is dead, and they aren’t regenerating, and Jonny is alone, and oh my god this fic is fantastic. He has to call in the big guns (Dr. Carmilla).

The Soldier and The First Mate by ShawnNeil

“ This is just however many words of Jonny and the Toy Soldier being friends. “

Six Times the Mechanisms Found Out The Toy Soldier Was a Nymph by fromthedesert

What it says on the tin! The mechs are protective, and it’s fun.

Giant eldritch eyes and other things that can fuck up your day by idiosyncraticprojection

A very fun, excellently characterized, crack-taken-seriously Mechs-TMA crossover.

Midas by The_Cavalier4

A fic set in the City before Ashes took on the role of Hades, back when they were running a club and going by the name Midas. Incredibly written. 

Metal warps worse than bone (but they can both be fixed the same) by Garecc, Gunpowderdtim (Garecc)

Absolutely incredible writing of Drumbot Brian trapped in the sun with a focus on the robot side of him with regard to the POV.

MCU (Mechanisms Cinematic Universe) by fracnkie, KersPastei

Superhero AU with some bonus violinspector

[thelibraryoferebor]

You guessed it! Oneshots (Mahal help us all) 

The Stubbornness of Dwarves by Khazadqueen (ama) 

|| teen - 6.8k - completed ||

Legolas's attempts at courting Gimli have fallen flat on their face. Somehow, Dwalin finds himself playing matchmaker--neither of them are really sure how it happens.

Not Quite First Sight by Ita

|| general - 2.7k - completed ||

After a heavy dose of dwarvish medicine, Thorin falls for his intended all over again.

In More Than the Wisdom of Years by jezebel_rising 

|| not rated - 4.2k - completed ||

A kink-meme fill with the prompt: So the battle happened and Thorin lived (barely, but he's managed to escape death) his nephews too. The treasure has been divided and Elves and Men went on their way. Dwarves are set on rebuilding Erebor to its former glory and there's just one little thing left unsolved - setting their burglar on the way.

I would pretty much like it form the point of view of Dis, who just arrived to Erebor to take care of her boys (brother included) and sees what a mess Thorin's made of everything.

The fill kind of went sideways from the original prompt. Hope you all enjoy!

Once More by RainyDayDecaf

|| general - 4.9k - completed ||

Bilbo thought he would be ready for this moment. For meeting Thorin Oakenshield for the first time, for the second time. He has never been more wrong in all his life.

Never Forgotten by DesertLily

|| general - 1.2k - completed ||

Bilbo Baggins dies peacefully in his home a month before his eleventy-first birthday. He leaves behind a nephew and a forgotten love half a world away.

So Crowned by Howland

|| general - 4.1k - completed ||

If Bilbo's said it once he's said it a thousand times before. He doesn't even like jewels. 

---

Thorin, Bilbo, and choosing a Consort's crown.

Scrumptious by kathkin

|| general - 1.1k - completed ||

“Well,” said Frodo, stirring his tea. “The good news is I met my new neighbour this morning and he’s very handsome.”

“Oh, yes? What’s the bad news?”

“The bad news is I can never talk to him again."

Predilections by kathkin 

|| general - 7.5k - completed ||

Sam had always thought of himself as a very open-minded hobbit - but it could be that there was a difference between knowing that Mister Frodo did things, things certain other hobbits might say were unnatural, in his bedchamber, and seeing him there in his nightshirt with another lad’s hands all over him.

In which Sam walks in on Frodo in a compromising position and comes to a realisation (eventually).

It Runs in the Family by Imagined

|| teen - 9.6k - completed ||

At first, Bilbo is very glad to hear of the new alliance between Erebor and the Shire. He is even more excited when he learns that some of his family members are coming to the Lonely Mountain to discuss the details.

That is, until the dwarves (and Thorin, who is decidedly not and never shall be his) start getting along a little too well with one of his more adventurous cousins, and Bilbo starts doubting about his place.

All the Rivers Sound in My Body by pibroch (littleblackdog)

|| teen - 5.7k - completed ||

As much as he might like to cut a natty figure in a proper waistcoat and trousers with a reasonable inseam, Bilbo knew there were many more important things to bother with at the moment. 

Rebuilding an entire dwarven kingdom, for one. And airing out the stink of dragon would be nice as well.