#eevee writes

[eevee-eclair]

Maybe little trans oli drabble??? I don't even care what it's like actually about just whatever:))) if you want to

YIPPEE ANOTHER VOTE!! Here you go friend :D I wasn’t quite sure how to go about this (gosh im awful with vague and open prompts,,) so I hope it’s okay? I don’t think there’s any tws!

—

“Joel!”

He jumped, dropping the quartz he was fitting into blocks. He turned with a huff, looking down at Oli with an unimpressed stare.

“Oli, mate, can’t you see I’m busy?” he halfheartedly scolded. “This quartz ain’t gonna form itself, y’know.”

His friend rolled his eyes as he clambered up Joel’s workstation to get to his eye level. “Oh, pish posh! You always have time for your favorite bard friend!”

A small smile creeped up behind Joel’s beard. “It usually depends on what said bard friend wants.”

Oli just rolled his eyes. “It’s actually a good reason this time.”

“Yeah?” he pressed. “Get on with it, then, mate.”

“You’re the god of illusions, yeah?” he asked.

Joel groaned and nodded. He regretted telling Oli that. “Yeah, what of it?”

“Can you get rid of my boobs.”

Joel blinked at the sudden request. “I- what-?”

Now, it was no secret that Oli was trans. He was very open about it, even, and wasn’t afraid to tell every person he came across. But for as long as Joel had known him, Oli had always just stuck with using he/him pronouns and rocking the body he was given.

So this was a bit of a shock.

“Y’know, poof them away! Magic! No more booba,” he said, bouncing on his toes. “Pretty please with a silly song on top?”

Joel waved his hands at him. “Of course I’ll do it but- can I ask why?”

Oli nodded once. “I want to gaslight Fwhip.”

Joel stared at him for a moment before he snapped his fingers, leaving Oli’s chest flat as a board. “It’ll last for forty eight hours. Get him good, you understand?”

“Understood!” Oli saluted him and ran off, no doubt on his way to Gobland.

[mika-thealbatross]

Open Post

You don't have to interact, I just felt like writing this as trauma for Mika and because i like writing her

TW: Blood, Broken bones, attempted murder

Mika is on a mission. Yet another mission to take down some anti-SHIELD operatives, except this time she was directed to go solo. She knew in her mind that she should have objected, knowing these missions are better done with 2+ people. But she didn’t. She never questioned orders, especially when they were as simple as blow the base or kill the operatives. But what she didn’t know is that she knew these operatives. These operatives used to train her when she was a new SHIELD Agent. This was her old training crew. The people who she had thought were on her side, had defected. But SHIELD had left out that convenient detail, and she was left to find it out on her own. As she approached the base, her senses told her something was wrong. Well… something was obviously going to be wrong no matter what, because they were a small villain organization, but it felt more wrong than it should. Like she was being watched. She stops, spinning in a slow circle, her gun in hand. Her bow and arrow is slung across her back, deciding to use her gun instead. She can hear rustling, but can’t see anything. Suddenly, she’s tackled to the ground, her gun thrown out of her hands. She lets out a grunt as the person tries to secure her arms over her head. She feels a bullet enter her arm, wincing in pain as it pierces her skin. She opens her eyes, facing her attacker. It’s Fyrian, one of the young boys who was trained with her at SHIELD. He was a couple years older than her then, but not much bigger. He has changed. He is much bulkier, not as scrawny as before. But she would recognize those electric green eyes anywhere. Not even his combat goggles can conceal them. “Hello, Fyrian.” She manages to grunt out, trying to grab one of her foldable arrows from her belt as he strangles her and tries to hold her arms down at the same time. “Come to finish off our long halted fight?” She says, referencing a sparring match they had had a while back, but never finished. He had vowed to finish it on a later date, and win. “Huh. Surprised you remember that, Snipper.” He retorts, using the nickname she hated so much. She had only playfully hated it way back when, but now she hated it even more. “But yes. And I plan on winning this one.” He lets go of her arm to bring a baton down on her head, causing a crack to come from her nose, and she knows it must be broken. Blood runs from it, and she coughs as she feels a throwing knife enter her side. But a yell stops him in his tracks, about to bring a baton down on her head for the second time, his face contorting in displeasure. The yell had come from nearby, an older man, Mika suspects. The man comes up to Fyrian, lifting him off Mika, who is coughing up blood. Blood coats her face, and she cannot move. The bigger man kicks Fyrian to the side, grabbing Mika and throwing her over his shoulder. “You idiot! We need her alive as bait for SHIELD! Why can’t you stick to the plan, Fyrian!” The man says angrily. Even with her losing blood drastically, she can still make out their conversation. There are five goons, 2 female, and 3 male. She only remembers the name of Fyrian, and one of the female thugs, Miriam. Both of them are around Mika’s age, and they both trained with her. Eventually, her mind goes dark and she can’t see anything. She has passed out from blood loss. She wakes up on a table, her side bandaged and her arm has a tourniquet on it, but it is clearly hastily applied. She is shackled down, her head throbbing in pain, and dizziness from the blood loss. Her nose still hurts like hell, and it's definitely broken. She is stuck, and has no way to escape. Hopefully SHIELD noticed her tracker going dark, and would send someone to rescue her.

[this is the part that is optional for people who want to RP] You were the one SHIELD dispatched to find her. But how would you find someone in a base that nobody knew the location of?

[tricoufamily]

tell me now, baby, is he good to you? and can he do to you the things that i do? oh no, i can take you higher

[slyzia]

A Stop For A Drink

Second art to this series! (Yes I’m making it a series I wanna draw more of them)

After drawing this part, I really wanted to write a fanfiction based off of this, I’m not a writer if at all but I’m so curious! Anyways they take a stop to get a drink and Gary just wants this to be done with already. (Probably because they’re still on their way to the location idk where I haven’t decided yet + they’re taking forever) It was a hot day too so he let it slide.

Days have been becoming colder for us southern hemisphere people so make sure you take care of yourself and warm up! As for the northern ones stay hydrated and enjoy your summer breaks! I forgot to say last post but happy pride month and I’ll catch you guys next time, smell ya later!

[toadettely]

Eevee kisses every area of Brent's skin. The tiniest spot, most hidden marks and every almost invisibe scar.

The best part of it are the soft giggles Brent let's out, the most beautiful sound Eevee has ever heard.

His lips ghost over Brent's skin, leaving quick, delicate kisses, letting his lips linger on certain spots in the most gentle way, wandering up or down the smooth skin, his lips as light as a feather, his soft breath tickling Brent, feeling Brent getting goosebumps, smiling at Brent from time to time, both just soaking into the moment, not requiring to speak because they feel-

Eevee wakes up.

Head in his hands, heart pounding so hard he fears it's going to jump out of his chest.

[fujii-draws]

THIS IS SO FUCKING MEANDHJCCNKSBSKDB. DID PRE-EP5 CELEBI/GROVYLE GET THEIR HANDS ON THIS

[littleplantfreak]

Mari… my god work has been killing me 😭 sometimes I’m so tempted to just set the place on fire…( I work in a pharmacy and tis the season for shots n stuff ) anyway it just got me thinking about how the WB boys would comfort you on a bad/stressful day and vis versa? Do you just collapse in his embrace when you come home close to tears? Are you the first one he thinks about when he needs a safe place to hide for a while from the world? Is it just me or has the work place become crazier? When you want a break but that break costs money 🙃

Emi darling I too wanna set work on fire (and that’s coming from a part time firefighter) Next time I get my covid/flu shot combo I’ll think of you 😭 I hope you get a break soon. As for craziness…yeah it’s definitely crazier i think but on my end my work is affected by election season as well.

Let’s see…

I think Sakura’s a listener first. Sure he’ll get the urge to fix whatever’s exhausted and/or distressed you, but what he can do right now is listen. Doesn’t matter the topic, he’s got this patient face on that only changes when he hears about how shitty your boss is or if your coworker shoves their work on you. Seeing him get upset on your behalf as you vent makes you feel better, having been able to get out all those feelings you’ve bottled up. He’ll take the lead after unless you have an idea of what you wanna do. Otherwise he’s dragging you on the couch to watch your favorite comfort show.

You would absolutely be his first thought when he’s on the reverse of this. Staring at your picture on his phone if he’s not with you and once he gets home he’s curled up next to you. Loves when you let him lay on your chest when he’s feeling bad, letting your hands card through his hair. He turns his phone off and everything. He does NOT want anyone interrupting that time with you.

Togame was the first one I thought of when I read this. He just exudes comfort to me but maybe I'm biased? He brings you to curl up with him in bed most of the time, though I think he'd be fantastic at massages! Tired, sore, just so tightly wound you could cry? Just let him straddle the backs of your thighs and his hands will physically pull your soul from your body, twist and wring it out, and put it right back in shiny and clean.

Even on a good day, I think he can't wait to get back to you. On a rough day? He's ready to start running home tbh. If he comes in to you cooking/reading/etc. He's behind you in an instant drawing you up in his arms. He will follow you around the house like that if you let him. Just a big koala soaking up the comfort you bring him. Asks if you'll go for a night walk with him after dinner if you both aren't too tired.

Umemiya...you know how he is. He can tell right away from your face and posture, even if you hadn't called him earlier asking if he could take care of some things for you. Of course he did it right away, lightening your load as much as he can, but he still brings you up on his lap on the couch to talk about it later when you see him. Asks if you two can plan a small day trip or vacation somewhere to de-stress because if so, he's all over it. If you really can't, he'll send lunches with you to work/school, little flowers and a motivational sticky note telling you how proud he is of you and home much he loves you.

You can also tell immediately when he's having a bad day. Clingy is an understatement. He can and will throw himself at you, no shame even if you're in public. Likes when you let him lay his head in your lap as he tells you about his day. He claims only 1000 kisses from you will be able to heal him from his struggles.

When you text Kiryu throughout the day he can tell you're stressed. By the time you get to his place, the lights are down, and your favorite scented candles are lit. He's down to do what you wanna do, whether it's watch a show, play a game, or just lay in the pillow and blanket nest he built earlier that's been stocked with your favorite snacks and drinks.

When he's stressed I think he really thinks of a shower first. Of course you're on his mind, but before anything else he just wants to physically wash the problems away. He really likes when you help him unwind by brushing his hair and taking his piercings out. Actually really likes if you'll take a bath with him. He's got an arsenal of bubble baths, body washes, scrubs, you name it. By the time you're both out, you smell heavenly and feel it too.

[cajunfoxnight]

(Continuation of Rain's POV) Wish's expression turned to concern as Rain seemed to be floundering to get his words right. He could understand as much. They dont often-.. er.. ever, come across others out here, so this was a shock to all three of them.

As per usual, Reconstruct was awful when it came to any social interactions, and as such, not helpful in this situation what so ever.

'Come on there has to be something…!'

Wish's thoughts were interrupted by an idea that struck him. Reaching into one of his back pockets, he pulled out a small bag- dull in color, with the word "jerky" blurred across the side. Upon opening it, the smell of spiced dried meat came wafting from it. Putting on his best face, trying to look as least intimidating as possible (not that he ever could pull off such a look), he held the bag out to the boy.

"Oh! Are you hungry, maybe? Here! I have plenty of jerky, youre welcome to have some! No need to be shy, please help yourself!" The Eevee nudged the bag in Rain's direction, trying to entice him to take a piece. "Its really good~" he added with a playful tune.

He figured some food might ease the boy's nerves and maybe, just maybe, he'd be able relax around them. After all, who knows how long he'd been out here!

"Great.. youre giving him our food now, too.." Came the gruff voice of Reconstruct as he made himself reluctantly join the conversation. He reached into the offered (not to him) bag, and taking out a piece of jerky.

"…Would you like some too…?" Wish asked dryly, trying very hard to keep the sarcasm out of his tone.

"Well since you offered.." Reconstruct replied unbothered, biting down onto the dried meat, and tearing off a piece as he chewed it over.

Wish closed his eyes momentarily, drawing in a calming breath, giving up on any argument before it had even started.

Anyway..

"So, are you lost?" Wish tried again, then realized that was a silly question. "Oh- well I mean, its just that we dont see people out here very often-"

"Ever." Reconstruct interjected. "No one else should be out here"

"B-but.. you two are out here..?" Rain added, pointing out the hypocrisy.

Reconstruct only spared him a sharp glare. He didnt need this boy's sass. (Even if he did make a point.)

"Oh… well, ah.. its…. complicated.." Wish muttered, looking sheepish as he scratched the back of his head.

"And none of your business-"

"Would you stop that?!" Wish hissed back at his partner. "Youre not helping.."

Reconstruct shrugged indifferently.

Wish glanced back at Rain in the same concerned face as before, then back to Reconstruct. He kept his voice low, even tho there was little point as Rain was standing right in front of him, so any secrecy wasnt going to be very secret. "We should help him.. But where do we even start..?"

Finishing off his piece of jerky, and helping himself to another, Reconstruct didnt appear to share the same concern.

"I tell you what.." he started, "Since youre the one that found him, you can be the one to deal with him." He added a less than playful slap on Wish's back, the force causing the Eevee hybrid to stumble forward, thankfully catching himself before he fell over.

"W-well- Wait- What are you going to be doing, then??" Wish asked, confused.

"Hm? Oh im not dealing with whatever this is. You let me know when you figure it out." With that the Silvally hybrid washed his hands of the situation, excusing himself from the conversation. He walked a few feet away and found himself a spot on the desolate rock, making himself quite comfy on the ground; laying on his side, back turned to the other boys, and continuing eating the piece of jerky.

Wish's ears and tail wilted in defeat. He looked back to Rain who was looking even more confused now. He really wanted to put his mind at ease. After all, how else could they help, if he was too wary to speak to them? Putting on smile, he shuffled himself to be a bit closer (but not too close).

"Dont worry about him. He's a little rough around the edges but he's actually really nice once you get to know him."

There was a loud huff of disagreement.

Wish smirked in his small victory, even if it was only temporary. Now to get back to the matter at hand.

"So.. Uh.. How about we start this over, hm?" Wish cleared his throat, straightening up. "Hi! My name is Wish. You seem to be lost. Perhaps we can help you get home?"

(And then stuff happens here : D Wish is probably going to babble on like he knows what he's talking about and help get his new found friend home!.. Pretty sure anyway.)

[eevee-eclair]

voted him... sorry for no crop cant be bothered xxx

(if you do wanna write smth. lidol seapeesound would be silly. but also just happy is good)

Yippee!!! Since there’s no prompt, I rolled a silly dice and I got #3 from the kissing prompts list (Drunk/sloppy kiss)! Enjoy and thank you for your vote :D (check tags for tws)

—

“-and so I said-!” Oli paused and took another drink of cider, holding up a hand as he finished the last of his drink. “That- that’ll cost ya five diamonds!”

He laughed, like he was proud of himself for such a comeback. Next to him sat a very attractive fox hybrid, drink his own mug. Oli had met him on one of his tours, probably in Animalia if his drunken mind is correct. After a few serenading sings and an embarrassing fall into a creek, he had decided to take him up on the offer for a drink.

So now they sat: at a Stratos tavern and telling each other stories over the course of, currently, a single cider.

Oli blinked before he pointed at the fox, squinting. “Wha’s your name again, gorgeous?” he asked, sporting a very lazy grin.

“Callum,” he snorted, sipping his own drink. “Callum Peakae, handsome.”

Oli’s jaw dropped a bit before he grinned. “Wha’da name you got.” He glanced around the tavern for a moment before he crouched at him. “How about I buy you another drink and I show you what they really say about bards, yeah?”

Callum full on laughed at that, and Oli couldn’t help but think it was the most beautiful sound ever. Then he was being yanked by the front of his shirt and into a kiss.

It was short, but it held so much. It was heated, it was messy, it was way more intoxicating than the cider. He went in for more but Callum pulled back before he got the chance.

“How about we skip the extra drink and we get right to the point?” he asked, snickering at Oli’s dumbstruck look.

A quick nod and a paid tab later, Oli had never been so glad he’d been kicked out of heaven, because he just found his own.

[nburkhardt]

I’m painting tiny pokemon and thinking about pokemon au. Enjoy ✨

Eddie finding an egg during his adventure and being so excited about it. But not for himself, no no, he has the perfect opportunity to finally ask Steve out.

They’ve been flirting with each other for months, running into each other at gyms and training sessions. At first Eddie couldn’t stand the guy and his little show off, Primarina. Always finding ways to one up him and Aragon, his Decidueye (at that time they were still in their second stages; Brionne and Dartrix.)

But as he continued his gym challenge, all the run ins and training together, Eddie couldn’t help but start to really like Steve. Babydoll and Aragon kept up the tiny rivalry but the rest of their teams became best friends.

So, really feelings we’re going to happen eventually.

And he’s been so nervous to take the next step, could tell Steve’s also nervous. Always stopping himself from saying anything. Wanting but waiting until the courage to really hit either of them.

“Gotta be a sign!” He holds the egg carefully to his chest as he gets up, “Stevie will take such good care of you”

Gene snickering behind him, while Loretta floats around him. “Stop laughing you jerks. This is totally going to work!”

Pulling his backpack around, he gently puts the egg in before zipping it up and continuing on. Gene and Loretta in their balls, while Aragorn keeps him company on their way to the next town.

It’s only a day later when Steve catches up with him.

Before Eddie can even get the egg out of his backpack, Steve’s holding one out to him. A blush on his face, Vee’s tail swaying with a nodding head. Babydoll peeking from behind Steve.

It makes him blink a few times, making sure it’s real and not a dream. “Stevie? Wha-”

“I uh, found this and wanted to give it to you and to maybe, ask you out?”

Eddie’s face hurts and his heart is beating fast, “I’d love to, Stevie. And I’d be honored to have it, also be honored if you’d take this little one?” Pulling the egg out and mirroring Steve by holding it out towards him.

Steve’s blush grows and so does his smile, Babydoll brushes a fin against the egg and Vee letting out happy noises.

They exchange the eggs and enjoy the rest of their day together. Eating lunch together, watching on as their pokemon rest and play together. Trading tips to taking care of the eggs, wondering what pokemon will hatch.

It wasn’t the official date, but it was something and Eddie loved it.

(Steve’s egg hatches and is pleasantly surprised to see a Mimikyu, a shy little one who decides to sit on his shoulder much like how Vee is.)

(Eddie’s egg hatches and a full of energy Pumpkaboo is in his face. A small ball of energy, that he named Ozzie.)

~

I love them. They’re my babies 🥰

Under the cut is pictures of the pokes for those who don’t know them. Also the taglist🫡 (and also pic of what I’m painting!)

@spectrum-spectre @sunnythefriendlyghost @mysticcrownshipper @artiststarme @thereindeerlady @justforthedead89 @ronniescontinuum @freyaforestafay @littlewildflowerkitten @gregre369 @zerokrox-blog @flustratedcas @carlprocastinator1000 @marvelmwah @solliesolesito @navnae @i-less-than-three-you @grimmfitzz @estrellami-1 @cartercaptainofthemoon @tboyeddie @strangersteddierthings

And my tiny painting!

[efverse]

[fujii-draws]

VERY long Ribbons/Grovyle tangent cause I do not talk about them nearly enough.

[Instead of the usual, “Hero finding a young Treecko in the future.” It’s switched around to “What if Grovyle found Hero when they were young.”]

~The Past~

—————

-Grovyle was going on one of his usual dungeon crawls to stock up on items— until he heard nearby sniffling. It’s there in that moment where he finds Ribbons; hiding under the stump of a hollow tree curled up in a ball. The sight of a small, terrified girl burned in the back of the wood gecko’s mind.

He lowered himself to the ground, his snout and head poking out as he got a good look at the human— Something that made her reel back and startled her; before Grovyle offered her a smile. Something the stoic grass-type rarely ever did. Coaxing her to come out.

And although very hesitantly, she did. Slowly coming out before he extended a hand towards her. Helping her outside the stump.

Grovyle didn’t know why… but seeing her so disheveled and terrified… it reminded the grass-type of himself when he was a Treecko. He decides to then to take Ribbon’s under his wing. Holding her hand as he walked her back to his main hideout… with the company of two other Pokémon.

-He introduced the small human to the pink fairy and ghost-type. Celebi was overwhelmingly cheerful. So much so that her mischievous energy rubbed off on Ribbons in the future. Much to Grovyle and Dusclops(and eventually Dusknoir’s) dismay…

But it was also probably why Ribbons made it her mission to use this newfound ability from the fairy-type to do the impossible— to get Grovyle to smile. A rarity in which even the time-traveling pixie and cyclopean ghost never managed to accomplish. Ribbons remembered how the grass-type done so just to comfort her during their first meeting… and she wanted to see it again.

-She tried many times with her antics, only to end in failure. Barely making a dent in the grass-type’s stoic demeanor. The first time she managed to get a chuckle made the other two stare wide-eyed towards the snickering grass-type— and back at the human, somehow being the only one to ever make him emote so much. She didn’t know why he tried to hide his smile. She loved it. (And Grovyle did not overhear this detail and began to open up only specifically around her because of it. Nope.) (and it’s not a power she holds over him for many years to come.)

(That isn’t to say Ribbon’s didn’t slightly rub off on him too, with her naivety and innocent, trusting behavior. Grovyle being much, much more reserved and cautious… before she came along.)

-Dusclops… was interested. A human? In the future no less? It was unheard of.

…But he also thought that Ribbons would be a detriment to their group with how… little and runt sized she’d been, barely surviving as is. Acting rather closed off towards the human at first, not trying to get attached. That is until she begins seeking Dusclops out. Trying to befriend the slightly large mummy-looking Pokémon. Although slowly— she ends up winning him over. The Beckon Pokémon now having unintentionally formed a bond with the weakest link in their quartet due to how… oddly endearing she was. A mistake he’d repeat yet again in the present.

Even with her dimensional scream ability making Ribbons a somewhat useful assest to the team— the three take on the roll of her guardians in a weird way. Dusclops being the one to fret the most over her despite his dismissive behavior towards her in the beginning (hm.)

And then there’s Grovyle.

The one who probably spent the most time with her. He saw just how terrified and scared she was of the world around her. Grovyle tried his best to teach her how to survive— training her physically. (as Dusclops taught her mentally/intellectually)

Something Grovyle started to notice was how her demeanor changed when the grass-type was close. Acting almost… braver? Confident? It was like she was drawing her strength from him… something that made the grass-type a little emotional as her confidence grew more with each day. (She told him as much. Hoping some day she could be a role model to someone the same way Grovyle was to her.)

…He also noticed that the humans were also really susceptible to the cold, much like his cold-blooded lizard self—the brunette-haired girl having no real source of warmth around her neck… Grovyle dug through his matted Treasure bag, asking for her to come over. Before tying on a brown, Patsy ribbon around her neck. An item that she’d grow to love and cherish for many, many years.

The human girl absolutely adored the gift, thanking Grovyle before hugging him suddenly. Running off to show the other two her newfound item.

-She’d fidget and re-tie it whenever it slightly loosened around her neck… it was then the grass-type Pokémon finally decided on a name for her. Up until that point, she didn’t have a name— the other three opting to call her things like “human girl” “sweetie” or “kid/kiddo” (Dusclops, Celebi, and Grovyle in that order.)

So when Grovyle decided that her new name would be “Ribbons”… she kept it.

(this also explained why when inside of Wigglytuff’s room… Ribbons stared at the Green Aura Bow, before rejecting the item harshly. Her claws gripping onto the brown scarf around her neck.) (…although the color of the bow comforted her)

-The two end up forming an unspoken familial bond. Ribbons seeing Grovyle as her older brother… and the grass-type did her baby sister. This was further solidified by the way Ribbons followed him everywhere and copied his mannerisms. All the way down to his scrunched up, embarrassed face. (Something that greatly entertained the other two Pokémon.) Even if Grovyle wasn’t the best at showing how much she meant to him with his sternness for her to stay hidden and close whenever they traveled, or for her to stop goofing off so much, or his relatively stoicalness… Ribbons knew he did so because of how much he cared. He cared too much. Not wanting anything bad happening to her to the point that he’d more often than not sacrifice things to his detriment, but for her benefit. (Offering her all of the apples he found, taking the brunt of the damage from vicious Pokémon… ) It was one of the main things the two argued over.

-This… was also something Ribbons picked up on and inherited besides his courage. Something that Grovyle never forgave himself for. He never wanted her to adopt his self-destructive, reckless behavior.

-Another thing was his inability to tell her the full truth. He never wanted to scare her with the information of their disappearances. So the grass-type never told Ribbons (and made sure the other two promised him to never do so aswell.) (Until Dusknoir promptly breaks said promise out of desperation to tell Ribbons the gravity of their situation after the Stoneship fight. Grovyle glaring daggers towards the Ghost-type before hearing Ribbon’s quiet, yet terrified “W-What..?” Falling back on her old fears when she was once human—Grovyle taking his attention fully off of Dusknoir to try and comfort her.)

But even after any heated argument. Grovyle will find the human girl coming back to sleep right next to him on his hay bed, still very much frustrated with the lizard… but not pushing her away when she snuggled up to him. Grovyle reciprocated the hug right back— putting his head over hers.

Out of her relationships with the three, her bond with Grovyle was the most unbreakable.

…So when Darkrai threw the attack that disoriented the two, Grovyle gripping Ribbons’s arm as tightly as possible. His claws beginning to even tear into her skin. (A scar on her paw that never went away. She uses it as a reminder to show the woodland gecko how hard he tried to save her whenever he felt guilty.) Trying so desperately to not lose her— even if it meant being thrown out of the passage of Time aswell—

…It’s Ribbons who lets go, smiling up so brokenly at her older brother, before disappearing out the passage. And the grass-type can only watch in horror, as the self-sacrificial behavior Ribbons inherited from him came back to bite Grovyle in the worst way imaginable.

By the time Grovyle lands in the present— his claws are trembling wildly. Not even realizing his own tears began to mix in with the rain from the thunderstorm.

——————

~The Present~

——————

When he’s collecting the Time Gears alone— the desperation of it all comes back full force. If he lost her, the least he can do is finish this mission. For the future. For her.

-When Grovyle sees Ribbons for the first time in the Northern Desert, he doesn’t recognize her as an Eevee. But the item around her neck and voice both sound so eerily similar. As if this random Pokémon was haunting him for his past failures. If anything, the similarities make Grovyle even more angry towards the quadraped Pokémon.

-Crystal lake… really sucked. Before, Ribbons didn’t know what to feel about Grovyle. On one hand, he was a wanted criminal. Threatening the lives of every single Pokémon. But on the other hand… she felt so… sad? And guilty? Why would she feel guilty? And why was it that he was apologizing every single time for every little thing he’d done? Like he’d lost his confidence in his abilities? Why does it matter. He’s a horrible, rotten— no good Pokémon…

-It was when Ribbons had to helplessly watch as he nearly killed Aimilios that her resolve did a complete 180°. The Eevee being prepared to do whatever to took to get him caught. Joining the cloaked ghost in the library whenever she could, (even if she wasn’t as smart as the Great Dusknoir or her Riolu partner. She wanted to at least give them company and be there for moral support.)

And when he’s finally… finally caught. Tied up as the Sableye walked him through the town as they cheered… Ribbons isn’t celebrating. She should be. She should be happy. So why does she feel a horrible gut feeling when their eyes meet in the crowd? And he looks seconds away from breaking down…?

-

-The whole future arc is a rollercoaster of emotions for the Eevee. Although she’s immediately with Grovyle on the plan to help him escape— she does not trust him so quick.

-No. That time was over. The second Dusknoir tried to kill them, both her (and soon Aimilios’s) tendencies to trust Pokemon blindly were thrown out the window. They’re both are glaring daggers at him when he suggests that they trust him. That ‘If he was so untrustworthy, how would they explain what Dusknoir had done back there?’ Ribbons protectively gets in-front of her partner— hissing back that ‘They aren’t going to trade one lunatic trying to kill them for another. Or did Grovyle already forget about the little incident at Azelf’s lake?’

…And even though her and Aimilios do feel safer around him. (Gut feeling/aura sensing) it just feels so terrifying to trust someone again after what the giant wraith did to them. Not only that, but he was offering to take them back to their world… so they cautiously agreed.

It’s... strange. The way he’d called out for her and Aimilios to get away when Spiritomb had him in their grasp. When they traversed dungeons as he took as many hits as possible for them…the familiarity is almost nauseating.

And when Dusknoir reveals everything, the two only stare at the cloaked ghost-type cackling. The same one they both once thought was their friend.

She and Grovyle only stare at eachother as a painful amount of time passes by. He..

He tried to kill her.

She was still alive and he almost—

The realization is what makes him give up. To concede. Begging Dusknoir to just do away with him and let the other go. Let her go.

—

-When they’re in the Sharpedo Bluff during the nighttime— Grovyle explains the situation to the two… staring at Ribbons with hopeful eyes, sharing recollections of how they once were. Of how close they’d been. Hoping that it’d re-jog her memory now that he was there to explain the situation.

…Ribbons only stares. Guilt eating away the more Grovyle retold their supposed history. How the hope slowly died in his eyes little by little when he looked at the Eevee— seeing that same, clueless expression on her face.

One of Ribbons biggest fears when it came to her amnesia was forgetting someone important to her. Always having the dreaded feeling of losing three important Pokémon to her. And now one of them was trying to kill them. Aimilios reassured her many nights that it wasn’t the case. So for that fear to become a reality— her ears slump, the Eevee’s messy, leaf-and-twigged tail curling around her in anxiety. She wants to apologize— but she only breaks away eye contact.

She forgot. She wants to remember. But she can’t she can’t she can’t-

Ribbons sees Grovyle trying to reach out for her— only for the small quadruped to back away. Still too touch-adverse from everything that went down with Dusknoir. All the Eevee can do is watch Grovyle’s expression turned into a pained one. Trying to hide the hurt in his eye with a wry smile as he slowly retracted his arm, ”Ah… right. Too soon. Forgive me.”

…It’s a very rough night on the two of them. Both Pokémon completely unaware that they’d been trying to fight back the tears threatening to spill in their eyes. Eventually overwhelming and awakening the aura pup.

-

When they rode Lapras, presumably for many hours by now by how night fell, white stars scattering across the sky as it reflected in the dark blue sea. The Riolu had slept soundly— something that couldn’t be said for the other two.

Ribbon’s curled around her partner as he slept, grooming his fur with her tongue… before looking over towards the grass-type; something very much on his mind.

Grovyle looked pensively down towards Lapras’s shell— recalling Wigglytuff’s comment about how Chatot had been his ‘invaluable partner.’ The woodland gecko gripping the strap of his treasure bag. Unaware of the Eevee slowly approaching him. He stares— unsure of what to do. The last time they’d talked was at the Bluff, when she backed away from him in fear.

…Ribbons plopped right next to the grass-type, waiting for the uncomfortable silence to pass. When she realized he wasn’t going to cut the tension, she opted to ask the lizard what she was thinking about since their talk at the bluff.

“What was it like…?”

“What…?”

“Y-yknow…W-When we were together… What was it like?”

The small Eevee repeated. Wanting to hear stories of their times together… Memory or no memory— she hated seeing Grovyle upset. Something that was practically built into her. Like it’d been second nature.

Grovyle hesitates, afraid of a repeat of last time. He looks at Ribbons who was staring up coyly… before going on to explain and further elaborate on their history. He studied her expressions, trying to get a read on when he should stop… only to be greeted with an cheerful look on her face. The same, goofy one plastered on her human-self.

Grovyle calms at the sight, continuing to looks back on memories— preferably the more lighthearted ones the woodland gecko fondly looked back on. Although within those silly memories were times when Ribbons did… admittedly some of the dumbest things he’d witnessed during their time in the future.

What makes him smile even more is how she began to look more offended. Until she’d gotten fed up with the grass-type. Claiming that she would never do anything so blatantly stupid— and that she had a scale of stupidity she was abiding by— Chatot’s words, not hers.

This gets a chuckle from the grass-type… something that almost immediately warms the Eevee’s heart. She hesitates a littles before scooting closer, fully laying her body beside Grovyle as he continued to recollect stories of their past together… listening to the older Pokémon’s droning… until she fell asleep.

…

Now Grovyle is faced with another problem. And it was in the form of his little sister sleeping soundly right next to him.

…

He knows what’ll happen to them when he puts in the Time Gears.

He knows he’ll never get another chance like this again.

…

He lays his body near Ribbon’s, curling around her tiny body protectively. Before getting what was probably the most sleep he did since he arrived in the Present…

…What he fails to notice in his comatose-like sleep… is how Ribbons scooted closer into him, cleaning his face/leaf with her tounge… before curling into Grovyle— putting her head under the grass-type’s. Purring contently.

———

…When they’re traversing through the Hidden land, the same arguments when they did in the future about Grovyle’s recklessness. Although this time around— Ribbons had been calling the kettle black in this regard. The Grass and Normal type Pokémon going back and forth… before falling silent.

And when the ghost-type returned a second time to ambush the three Pokémon, Ribbons and Aimilios opted to fight the Sableye. Meanwhile, Grovyle took on Dusknoir—Which proved to be nearly impossible. It was only when the Sableye were dealt with and the two joined Grovyle on his assault on the wraith, that Dusknoir’s attacks begun to.. slow?

They fought and fought, Ribbons having managed to get in a really nasty Bite that made the cloaked revenant roar out in pain; unintentionally slamming her against a pillar. Hard. Grovyle yells her name, trying to run to Ribbons— before being intercepted by a large fist being mercilessly being swung his way. Not offering the same hesitation he did with the young Eevee and Riolu. If there was anyone Dusknoir was willing to kill— it was him.

It was when Dusknoir gripped the Riolu to the point of him whining out in pain— that the Grass-type’s adrenaline and anger made his body move harshly to knock down the ghost-type with the slice of a Leaf Blade. Getting protectively infront of his sister …and the Riolu Grovyle had begun to start considering as his little brother. His eyes turning into cat-like slits, glaring at the revenant.

———

Dusknoir hit the Eevee a second time when the two were distracted— Ribbon’s having cried out in pain, wincing from the hit she received from the large ghost-type— closing her eyes as she anticipated for him to finished her off—

Before Grovyle shielded her— and began shoving him into the Dimensional hole.

Grovyle could only smile to himself despite how much he was struggling to keep the giant wraith at bay— Dusknoir nearly breaking out of the wood gecko’s hold.

So many times. He failed to protect Ribbons. So many times. And now…

“Though the parting hurts… the rest is in your hands!”

He could finally make it up to her.

——————

~The Future~

———————

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Ribbons nearly broke Grovyle’s ribcage when he returned to the present, berating and screaming at him so angrily for leaving her the way he did… while hugging him in tears as she bawled her eyes out— Grovyle reciprocating the hug with as much strength as the Eevee.

…So when she saw Dusknoir and ran, he was the one to chase after her. Celebi having stayed back with Aimilios to explain the situation to the equally confused and afraid Riolu.

-The Eevee’d hidden under another hollowed tree stump, her entire body frizzing up at the sound of the woodland gecko calling out to her. Ribbon’s brows furrowed in anger despite her fear, yelling at him for bringing the ghost-type back. Grovyle tries to fit himself inside the tiny hollowed area… before curling around Ribbons— gently explaining the situation with the cloaked ghost. He apologizes for bringing Dusknoir without warning. Knowing that he should’ve better prepared those two.

-It’s because of Ribbons refusal to be anywhere near/talk to Dusknoir, that the Eevee has the opportune time to reconnect with Grovyle. Spending the first three years to catch up, talk, do jobs, drink at Spinda’s. Becoming even comfortable enough to start bantering with eachother, and squabbling like siblings. (and yes they partake in Cain Instinct ™️ through harmless paw baps/“oh no gravity’s increasing on me” “YOURE CRUSHING ME YOU ROTTEN BROTHER.”) Those two being practically attached to the hip as they constantly stayed side by side. Even having slept in the same hay-bed together the first year. (Separation anxiety is doing wonders.)

Grovyle is also Ribbon’s go-to hiding spot from Dusknoir whenever he’s near— not-so-discreetly hiding behind the woodland gecko anytime he’d gotten close. Something that he was more than willing to do, being a barrier being the giant specter and minuscule Eevee.

Grovyle is also the one constantly reminding Ribbons that if she feels uncomfortable/unsafe around Dusknoir, that she can come to him at any moment. And he’d talk to him. (Or smack him upside the head with a leaf blade, earning the gecko a laugh from his little sister.)

But… He knows she’s lying through her fangs when she says she’s fine with him being around. (Chalk that up to Older brother instincts) Which is why Grovyle goes to Dusknoir anyways to tell him to minimize his presence around her as much had possible in the beginning— something the wraith was already ahead/aware of.

-The Eevee also tries to repay the favor by reminding Grovyle that he actually isn’t the POS, horrible brother he thinks himself to be with the amount of times he failed to save her. Redirecting his attention to her paw scar and nuzzling the self-deprecating grass-type. Grovyle doesn’t believe himself to be the right guardian for her… but she trusts him anyways.

-And you KNOW by the time she evolves— he’s fighting back a copious amount of tears. (Dusknoir might be getting choked up over Ribbons and Aimilios’s evolutions— but Grovyle looks like he’s seconds away from actually tearing up. Just so happy to be alive to witness his baby sister having the chance to actually grow up.)

—————

Anyways!! that’s what I have for now!!!! Just mainly putting this here to give more insight to their dynamic :) (as well as have a little library of drawing ideas for Grovyle/Ribbons when the mood strikes.)

[d3adbr3inc3lls]

Hi!! Could you maybe write performer reader x amethio?

Amethio x Preformer!Reader | HCs & Drabbles

Note-- some of this is written at unholy hours of the morning(/lh) so some parts may not make sense, but I edited this in the morning again, so hopefully that balances it out.

Amethio was usually too focused on his work to look at work to watch anything really,

Conia was the one who showed him the pokémon performers, and you instantly stood out to him.

No matter what pokémon you had with you, you always brought out their full potential,

For crying out loud, you could be using Giratina and you'd be able to make the deity look graceful and like it doesn't have some twisted backstory

You were able to ace most, if not all, challenges that came your way.

Sure you may have struggled with some, but you kept going. You never backed down and that's what he loved about you.

The two of you probably met through Conia, she was a close friend of yours who was always there to support you, and even though you hesitated slightly at meeting Amethio, her superior, who wouldn't? You expected him to be a serious adult and not someone your own age, but she later convinced you that it was a good idea.

When you two finally met, you were in Sinnoh to relax and train your 'mons, and Conia, alongside Zir and Amethio were there because they heard of Kleavor and wanted to get to it before the RVT did.

You two meeting was a complete coincidence and it was unplanned, (Conia originally planned on having the two of you meeting up after their current mission which was to track down Kleavor), so it was a suprise when you heard your best friend yelling your name.

Hearing your name being yelled you quickly spun around to meet a familiar greyish-blue haired woman running over to you.

The two of you have been friends since highschool, and thinking back on it, she was like an older sister to you, always helping you get to class and was the main reason you passed calculus.

Crashing into your arms she gave you a tight hug, clearly missing someone who she views as a younger sibling. Your beloved partner pokémon quickly glances up at the two of you before letting out a happy cry and glancing at Conia, waiting for her to release her Psyduck.

You could see a taller man -who you assumed is Zir- somewhat behind her covering with a shorter man as they approached the two of you rather slowly.

"Your last performance was great, even Amethio and Zir watched you,"

A smile of pride paints Conia's face before she releases her Psyduck -now Golduck- to play with your 'mons.

"Really,?"

You would've never believed it yourself if it weren't for Zir nodding behind her, you wouldn't have believed her. Zir was never interested in anything related to performances, and as far as you've heard, Amethio would probably find it not worthy of his time as he's often training to get better.

But you were suprised to see that you were so wrong with assuming Amethio wouldn't watch you perform,

He enjoyed every moment of your performance, even the challenges that happened before.

The 'challenge' that happened before you had a performance against the Kalos Queen, Serena, involved a pokémon battle.

Not just any regular battle- well, it was a regular battle but it had a spin- you had to show off your partner's moves, and the way they phrased it was a bit off, but it was like a performance whilst battling,

If the two of you ever began to date, expect him to be at every performance. He loves watching you and your pokémon preform, even if you don't win and get to compete in the next rounds, he still is proud of you, knowing how hard it must be to perform not only infront of hundreds of people in person but probably thousands if you concider those watching online.

With that being said, if you ever struggle oe need help, he's the last person you should ask.

Amethio only knows pokémon moves in a literal battling sense, not a performance sense, so he won't be able to help you.

He barely even understands how you manage to turn any move into one for show instead of damage.

But expect him to be there for every performance (he will try his best to go to them, even if it means sneaking out and doing dumb teenager things, he doesn't mind it as much),

Quickly scanning the area, you look for the familiar ravenhead, he's always there to greet you after your performances, -but he did say that he might not be able to meet you because of something to do with summoning a legandary pokémon or something similar that you didn't understand-

You've changed into your regular clothes after the performance for comfort and possible safety issues as you've heard many rumours and horror stories of performers -especially female performers- being harassed by crazed fans.

Feeling a tap on your shoulder, you quickly spin around, anxious to see who may have recognised you, until you heard the familiar voice that put your mind at ease.

"I apologise, I had to get something, that's why I'm late," the familiar ravenhead told you as he handed over a bouquet of flowers, he had always bought you something after your performances without fail, and it truly makes you appreciate him more than you currently do if that's even possible.

In all honesty, you probably wouldn't be aware of Amethio's occupation and role with the Explorers, he doesn't want you to talk to the other admins as he doesn't want either of you to be targets of their comments.

If he does see any of them when the two of you are out, he'd try and avoid them,

If he can't avoid them, he'd definitely deal with them, excusing himself politely, saying that he sees one of colleagues and it is in your best intrest to not interact with them.

Amethio's worst nightmare would be Sango or Spinel finding out you're dating him.

Sango would make her usual Sango remarks whilst Spinel would tell him how shallow he is, spoiler alert- he isn't, he genuinely cares for you, and how it's a typical teenager relationship that probably won't last long

Jokes on him, Amethio never planned for the relationship to be short and genuinely wants it to work out, but if you ever want to leave, he won't stop you.

[pondering-pears]

Bitters II

Hawke & Cullen, Cullen/Inquisitor

(Credits: Inquisitor Vher Lavellan belongs to the lovely @violets-and-amber and the STUNNING art is by @trulivys)

“Your knees are too old for all this kneeling.” Vesper Hawke’s laughter rolled over Cullen like a wave pulling him far beneath the surf. It wasn’t something gentle, it was closer to a bark that leapt from her throat unbidden. It prickled the hairs on the back of Cullen’s neck, but at the same time he couldn’t help but feel a grin pulling at his lips. 

He was knelt in the courtyard, his fingers pressed into the untamed grass that had stubbornly refused to be trimmed back by the keep’s new occupants. Hawke was only a few feet away, her arms thrown over the wooden rake she was balancing across her shoulders. Just a moment ago she’d used the tool as a staff to force him by the neck back onto the ground for the third time that evening. 

It seemed like half the armory had been brought out for this occasion, but Vesper was still collecting her toll on his pride for his request. Or perhaps this was her revenge for his loose tongued comment about her abilities as a general? He doubted even the Maker could tell. 

“And yet you seem determined to keep putting me here.” Cullen assured his aching body that he would get up in a moment, just after his pride stopped stinging as much as his knees. Vesper, however, had other plans as she walked over and offered him her hand. 

“It takes two to spar, so you’re at least half to blame, no?” He took her hand, and with a groan let her pull him back to his feet. The professional part of him was trying to find the humor in these failures, but the voice of his reason was drowned out by the sharp lyrium-hungry mist in his mind. Thinking on more than one thing right now hurt, like he was pushing through a briar hedge. 

When he was training his men it was repetitive motions practiced until perfection honed into instinct. It was critical that their physical forces moved as one, so that when the battle panic set in the body could move without the mind. 

Vesper knew this all too well and seemed to delight in trying to overwhelm him at every front. 

“You need to stop relying on being able to get up close and personal. That’ll work on an untrained mage, but not on a heavily armored opponent.” Vesper chided him in a tone as conversational as if she’d asked for his dinner order. 

“You were fighting with a staff, reach was your main advantage.” He countered as he swept back his sweat slick hair with his fingers. It was starting to get long, when was the last time he’d given thought to cutting it? His mind started to wander before the low gravel of Vesper’s voice pulled at his attention. “And if I hadn’t been ready to fight you chest to chest, I might’ve tried to get some distance. But, atlas, I learned how to change my grip back when I was teenager chasing off farm boys in the Coastlands.” With a roll of her shoulders Vesper spun the rake off of them and casually tossed it back against the barn where she’d taken it from. 

“I pity any boy foolish enough to try and catch up with you.” Cullen wrestled his breathing back into order as he took a few tentative steps to measure his body. It was funny how the third fall was easier to walk off than the first. Then again, he had always been a quick study in the art of taking a beating. “Although I would've assumed those farm boys had better sense.” 

He was rewarded with another crackle of laughter from Vesper. The sound seemed to fill the courtyard, electrifying the air and silencing the usual hum of evening insects. 

“Oh no, it was Bethany they were chasing. She was just too polite to put sense back into their heads.” In the midst of all of Vesper’s joking there was a flash of something softer. A little bit of the woman who once had laughed at how red his cheeks got when Isabella batted her lashes at him even though her own were always just as flushed.  ----

“Alright, no more whining about reach and flexibility.” Vesper announced as they circled each other again. She’d apparently grown tired of showing off with farming implements and now they were in a true match of sorts.

They’d both donned shields: his a wooden heater small enough to only cover his chest, hers a rounded scutum that went down nearly to her knees. A simple cone shaped training dagger rested in each of their off hands, their points had been dulled to be non-lethal but Cullen knew the pain of the bruises they left all too well. 

“I did bring my armor.” Cullen offered the reminder in the same tone he approached the war table with. He was no Josephine, but he liked to think that he was mastering the art of saying things without saying them. 

“You’re not going to need it, but I’m sure it was good exercise.” With a flash of grin and a knowing glint in her eye Vesper became motion itself. Cullen’s body reacted of its own accord, falling back on the instincts he’d created over the years. He pushed his shield arm forward in an effort to knock Vesper’s charge off course, but instead of crashing against him, she moved with him. 

Her shield met his with an impact he felt up into his shoulder, then the materials shrieked as she dragged her body to the side of his guard. The ache felt good in its own way. The instant reward of adrenaline cleared his mind of the prying need that had settled in. 

Cullen’s stance shifted, his body whipping around to keep his shield between himself and Vesper. Yet, she was already half way into her next attack. She stepped to his side - he thought to move around him. However,  instead she jammed the curved edge of her shield against the inside of his own and shoved. She knocked his guard open at the expense of creating a gap in her own, but she gave him no time to retaliate. 

The sting of that damned dagger jabbing against his ribs knocked the breath out of his lungs and set him stumbling backwards. “What are you doing, Rutherford?” Vesper sounded both annoyed and disappointed, a mix that dug into the back of his temper. “The fuck was that? You know I’ve seen you fight before, and that dumb ass would have killed you for that display.” 

She was goading him, but when wasn't she? It had rarely dug at him like this, but he knew his anger came from her being right. He kept letting her lead him across the field. She moved with purpose, each strike or step leading right into the one after it. This was the fluidity that had been drilled into him as an apprentice.

Lyrium made it so much easier. The world was slower for you or perhaps your thoughts were faster. The hum of adrenaline never seemed to fade, your body held strictly under your control. 

“They aren’t going to fight like this. Go get a blade and I’ll don my armor-” He didn’t know what he was saying, the words came out as his mind fell back into that perfect rut. 

“Fuck off.” Vesper snapped back. The moonlight lay unevenly on her face, making her teeth glint under her drawn back lips. She looked like she might lunge at him then, and some part of him wanted her to. 

Let them roll around in the earth, fists and fingers grasping for purchase. Spitting, sweating, loathing. Anger was so easy - it was a distraction, it was simple relief. When was the last time he’d fought without the risk of losing everything hanging above his head? 

It must’ve been long ago, before the almost ever present itch in his throat, back when he didn’t know how much of the world there was to run from. 

Cullen watched Vesper’s chest rise and fall with each heavy breath. They were measuring their breathing in the same way, he realized. Inhale to the count of four, pause, exhale, and pause again in the same rhythm. It was an old soldier's trick that every faction and army claimed credit for creating. 

He couldn’t help but wonder if she’d learned it from watching a Templar or if such knowledge was even passed around Kirkwall’s mercenary guilds? 

What was he doing?

Cullen let his shield slide off his arm and clatter to the ground. That would’ve gotten him a true chewing out from his old Captain back when he was a recruit, but right now it was an admission of surrender. 

“You know I’m terrible at that.” He addressed Vesper with care, reeling in his tone even as her brows knotted with confusion. 

“At what in particular? I can think of quite the list.” Vesper retorted, her frustration having cooled little. No one in Thedas could simmer half as well as she.  

“At fucking off.” Cullen stepped forward into the little ray of moonlight that had cut through the clouds to anoint Kirkwall’s Bloody Saint. “I’ve been told I’m rather stubborn.” 

“I can’t imagine by who.” Vesper’s hard glare melted as she studied him. There was such weariness that clung to her in the wake of her anger. It aged her, deepening the dark shadows around her eyes, and weathering her sun tanned cheeks. It was a sight he was more than familiar with as it was often looking back at him from the morning mirror. 

“One more round?” 

“One more round.”  ----

There was no dagger in Cullen’s grasp this time, no shield or staff to hide behind. Only his hands and his wits to keep Vesper at bay. 

It all moved so much faster now, their feet shuffling back and forth in the grass they’d kicked up as they changed from stance to stance. They were both still catching their breath and no real rubric had been decided for this match so Cullen’s stomach was shifting with the start of uncertainty. 

Vesper however, had been watching, waiting for the first sign of his distraction. She swung with her left arm, the strikes exploratory and fast, were easily deflected with his forearm, but the shock of the impact still raced up his nerves. 

His instinct was to grab at her arms and pull her into a hold, but the tactician that still lurked in the back of his mind knew that Vesper was strong enough to break out of his grasp. If he wanted this to be a contest he had to stop reacting and start acting. 

Although he might be a fool in games of words and minds, the body could not lie. His eyes tracked along Vesper’s form as he put a few steps between them. They had forgone any armor, and Cullen could see how her shoulders shifted underneath her linen tunic. 

She was favoring her left arm ever so slightly, her right seemed stiff and weaker. Perhaps an old injury she’d picked up on her war path? 

A quick glance at her hips and Cullen pulled together a vision. Vesper turned their roles on their head and in a sudden burst of speed closed the distance between them. She lifted her right arm to guard her face as she stepped down heavily on that same side. Her strike would’ve found its mark on his jaw but Cullen was moving with her. 

Once she planted herself she was stuck, he stepped to her side following her extended arm towards her back. Vesper tried to pivot, fighting against her own momentum, but Cullen already had his arms underneath hers. He reached up, grasping his palms firmly on her shoulders; he had to be careful that she didn’t try to break his nose with the back of her head, although perhaps she could help finally straighten his face back out? 

Vesper writhed in his grip as she attempted to catch him with her elbows or get her fingers under his own. Cullen was almost too happy with his success to notice Vesper’s stance shift back onto one foot. He had only a moment to brace before her foot struck his shin. 

“Maker!” Cullen hissed through his teeth, as Vesper uttered a pleased: 

“Motherfucker!”

Now, he let his training take over. His body dropped, taking them both to the ground with an unpleasant crack coming from his knee as he caught himself on it to avoid crushing Vesper. 

He was straddling her back, her face half turned up towards him from the ground. A smile was pulling at her lips, and he assumed underneath her glaring there would’ve been more exciting expression on her face if she wasn’t still trying to win the match. 

“Maker.” The word slipped past his lips thoughtlessly as he breathed out. Her hair was coming undone, and one of the clover blossoms they’d disturbed had gotten caught in the loose strands. She was a furiously clever thing, but maybe there was still hope for those traits to rub off on him. 

She was probably going to swear at him again, but to secure his win Cullen adjusted his grip and bent her arms backwards to be able to grasp them against her back. He’d practiced the procedure hundreds of times, but halfway through the motion he felt her injured shoulder click. 

He hadn’t meant to hurt her, hadn’t known he would, but Vesper cried out all the same-

---

And then they were back in the Gallows on the only night that could ever matter between them, the day Cullen’s world was forced to reshape itself for the second but not last time. 

The wind had shifted and the smoke from the Chantry stung his eyes as he stood shoulder to shoulder with the man who had set it ablaze. He was tired in a way he had never been before, a place beyond exhaustion, a state of being where he knew the only thing holding his body upright was the waning lyrium in his blood.

Desperate mages had summoned horrors and Meredith was burning with a power that would leave the world changed in its wake. And it was all he could do to keep his feet beneath him in the face of all. 

Vesper was screaming. Cullen thought he had heard every sound of agony that could leave a human’s lips, he, himself, had been the musical instrument of a demon. Yet, the noises she made - they broke reason and shattered the heart. 

He’d heard her grief, her rage, her laughter, her joy. 

This was her soul bleeding out from her throat. Vesper had fought through the city’s streets, through the Circle, the Gallows, all so that she could do what Cullen couldn’t find the will to do before. She was going to put Meredith down like the mad dog she was.

But, before his eyes Cullen watched as his Knight-Commander crushed and cut through Vesper’s armor with a strength that belonged on the other side of the Veil. Yet, the Champion was as unending as the sea, Ander’s horrible magic pulling her skin closed almost before Meredith’s blade could fully leave the wound. 

Vesper was dying in the same breath she lived again.

There were many things that were never meant to be, and Cullen wished one day to stop seeing them. 

His wish would never be granted, and certainly not on that day. In spite of Meridith’s powers, the match had been decided the moment Vesper’s pleas had swayed her companions to stand with her against this madness. It was a slow, spiraling matter of numbers and endurance, but that did not mean Meridith would not leave her blood mark before the red lyrium took her. 

Blood was thick on the worn stones of the Gallows and as she lunged Vesper lost her footing. Had she been against any other foe Cullen was sure Hawke would’ve been back on her feet before they could close the distance, but Meridith was so far from human now. 

His Commander stepped and the world seemed to shrink around her, a single stride bringing her upon Vesper. Cullen had seen the cruelty of demons but the way that woman put her blade into Vesper’s chest was delirious with the want for pain. She pinned the Champion to the ground like an insect in the collections of the Tranquil of the Circle. 

The snap of bones and the crack of stone was as if the Old Gods had come back only to strike down a fallen godling. Cullen was sure Vesper had cried out but his ears were full with the wailing of the man at his side.  Anders. 

Cullen didn’t have time to ask what could be done or to offer his comforts. No, Vesper was right, when Meridith was done with her favored enemies she came for the cowards like him. 

He still bore the scars of her wrath, they crept along the sides of his cheeks, dug divots into his arms, and left rotting aching cracks in his very bones. His mind in its mercy had let that beating slip from its memory. However it held, perhaps out of vengeance, fiercely to the image of his Commander’s chest pierced open by a Mage’s stave. 

The lyrium took her then, in a blinding burning fury. Skin crackling, charring into red crystals that still somehow sung to part of him that had only ever known fear. Fine particulate of the drug stung his eyes as a hand reached out and wrenched Meridith’s head from her neck. 

Her body had remained above him, frozen forever in a testament to her temptation, but her head was a prize Vesper had taken with her from the city that day. The Champion’s soiled fingers intertwined in Meridith’s once blonde hair were one of the few parts of Vesper he could see through the haze. 

The other was her brown eyes, wide as the open sky, staring back at him as her companions pressed close to her. Those same eyes stared at him now from the grass beside him. 

----

She was still on her stomach, he was now on his back, head turned towards her as his heart raced with terror. He couldn’t recall hitting the ground, but now that he was here he wondered if he would ever be able to rise from it again. It felt as if the sky had stooped down to press its great knee against his chest, making every breath a battle. 

Dull warmth settled against his skin as Vesper’s arm crossed the distance between them and pressed against his. He couldn’t feel her pulse but he imagined if he could it would be outpacing his own out of pure competitive spite. 

She was breathing in that same pattern as before, although she didn’t seem able to hold her breath in her chest to the full count of four. The space behind his eyes ached as a headache bloomed to life inside his skull. He squeezed his eyes shut, but he could still hear the steady rhythm - inhale, hold, exhale, hold, repeat. 

It came to him without conscious thought, his body craving the easy comfort of routine. In time the crickets and other insects of the night began to chirp around them as a breeze came down from the parapets. Cullen wondered dully if the Inquisitor was enjoying such a lovely night up in their tower. He would hope they would be resting, but he knew all too well the temptation of their work. 

“You were waiting for an audience to show off, huh?” Vesper’s voice was a bit raw, her normal gravel now closer to a grating, although her barking chuckle seemed generally unchanged. “If I’d known that was all you needed, I would’ve started by sending invitations.” 

Cullen blinked his eyes open in brief confusion as her words arranged themselves into some sort of sense in his mind. Skyhold was the beating heart of their work, there was no privacy to be found here, he knew that of course, but his stomach still sank at the idea that the keep would be whispering about him hurting Kirkwall’s Champion; especially since she certainly was not supposed to even be on this side of the sea. 

“I’m sorry, I know you know that, but I need-I need you to hear it.” He stumbled through his words as he stared at Vesper’s cheek. She’d rolled onto her back in order to stare up at one of the keep’s balconies and appeared wholly uninterested in meeting his eyes again. 

“I hear you.” He watched her lips as she spoke, her old laugh lines and scars visible even in the moonlight. 

“Thank you.” Cullen closed his eyes again and took a few more breathes before he asked: “Is our audience still here?” 

“Oh yes, I think they are concerned about you.” Vesper’s tone was creeping all too close to one Varric used when he was about to say something awful. 

“I’m doing…fine.” 

“I think you ought to go tell them that before you retire tonight.” Vesper paused and Cullen finally caved to curiosity and began glancing around in search of whom she was referring. “They worry about you enough as is.” 

Cullen traced a path along each level of the Keep until he found a small figure perched on the bridge to his office. His heart dropped into the earth beneath him, and for once he wished it would fall all the way into some deep Dwarven stronghold so he would not to suffer the pangs the Inquisitor’s gaze wrought upon him. 

“It, well, it does make sense that the Inquisitor would take notice in my…training.” Now his thoughts left his lips in true fits and starts. Vesper spared him any further laughter, although she did withdraw her arm from his, leaving a brief coldness in her wake. 

“I’m sure that is all they are watching for..” 

“Of course, Josephine and Liliana will have concerns over this incident as well I’m sure-” Even when he rambled on about the others Cullen couldn’t tear his eyes away from them. 

Vher’s hair was down, the locks in the front swaying in the breeze, as the moonlight seemed to make them glow. Cullen wasn’t sure he could recall the last time he’d seen them like this, even as their hair grew back from its shaved cut they still kept the longer parts up . It was practicality, a trait Vher possessed in all things. 

How odd it was then that on this cool night he found their shoulders lacked the normal volume of their feathered cowl. Maker, they must’ve come down in a hurry as they lacked even a cloak and he immediately began to pull himself to his feet. 

Vesper rose much slower, instead pausing half way through the process to watch Cullen search for his own furred mantle. Silence settled between them and when he finally found the rest of his clothes he turned to find that her attention had wandered back up to the Inquisitor. 

Slowly, Vesper laid her left hand on her injured shoulder. It was lifted slightly higher than her other, but she raised no further complaint. This however, was of little comfort to Cullen who had now somehow managed to leave two separate people out in the cold tonight. 

He stepped beside Vesper fully intending to help her up, but instead she informed him: 

“They’re beautiful, you know.” She said it as if it was a fact of the universe, as true as the sun’s daily rise. There was no disagreement to be found in Cullen’s heart, but her abruptness flustered him. 

“They are-” What? There was no path forward in this thought that would not betray himself or ring hollow with a lie. He cleared his throat and instead let the matter be: “They are.” 

“And they are worried for you.” Vesper was no less factual on this front.

“I am on their council and we are at war.” 

“Of course.” Those two words held a sea of meaning in them that Cullen was frightened to wade into tonight. Was it his fate to be a man torn? By duty and morals, by professional need and affection, but doctrine and truth? 

If he was then Vesper was surely a part of his torture. 

“Am I dismissed?” Cullen asked as he offered her his arm. Vesper gave Vher one last long look before she accepted his help. 

“Do you plan on throwing your coat up there?” Her sharp humor had returned it, and with it her wicked grin.

[ghozteevee]

Invisobang

It is finally here!! It has been so much fun working on this fic and the art pieces during my time on this. All of the writers and artists I worked with were amazing and I hope I'll get to work with them again on the reverse bang coming up! But for now I want to give thanks once again to @mostlikelynothuman and @pencil-for-a-dog for you guys amazing work on the art for this fic!!!

[eevee-eclair]

Whaaaat? Me? Posting writing? It’s less likely than you think (i have chronic eepy)

Today’s fic? New fandom flavor