#going to post this on kiki and vex too and then make dinner then i’ll send um :)

[cupcaketrickster]

hi hello hit that heart and i’ll send you memes!

[littleladymab]

Druidcraft Update - Invasion of the Pillows

Here we are with another update for you! I’m glad you’ve all been enjoying it so far! @duskmeadows and I still have SO MUCH PLANNED 8) 8)

Ps I find it very important to note that I typo’d ‘soup’ as ‘soul’ so take that as you will. 

As always, AO3 mirror for all your kudo and bookmarking needs :) 

Keyleth hummed to herself as she cooked, the rhythm of her voice matching the soup spoon making endless circles in the metal pot. The sounds throughout the apartment were muffled in the warmth of the kitchen.

Outside, the grey skies hung heavy with dark clouds and the promise of rain. She would have to double check the enchantments on the rooftop garden before the storm started.

A low, heavy thud rocked her front door.

Keyleth jumped, sauce splattering across her apron. She gripped the spoon like a sword, peering at the door over her shoulder as the heavy thud sounded again.

Carefully, quietly, she picked her way across the living room to the door. She peered through the window, but only saw a hulking darkness.

A spell twirled around the vines nearby and in one quick motion, Keyleth yanked open the door and very nearly sent the green tendrils to attack.

However, all she was faced with was something that looked to be a giant pillow. More like a giant stack of pillows, she realized as she peered around the size and only saw more and more gripped in two struggling arms.

“Oh. Kiki. Is that you?” Vax’s voice, muffled through fabric and stuffing, called out as his fingers wiggled in greeting. “Good, you’re home.”

“What--” she started, but then he stumbled forward into her and she was forced to retreat. “Do you need help?”

“Nope,” he groaned in a way that sounded like he really could use a hand. “Got it.”

Keyleth stood awkwardly in the entryway, watching as Vax moved to the center of her apartment and dumped a large pile of assorted pillows on the floor. “Aren’t these from your place?”

He smiled, breathless, and placed a quick kiss on her cheek as he passed her on his way out the door. “Yep! Be right back with round two.”

“Two?!” She hurried onto the landing, shivering at the sudden wave of cold. His loose braid swung across his back as he bounded down the stairs. “How many did you bring?”

“Enough!” he answered as he rounded the corner of the building and was lost from sight.

Keyleth stood with her arms crossed over her chest, tapping her fingers impatiently in thought. Before she could decide to go lend a hand, she remembered that the soup was still boiling and had to abandon her post.

It wasn’t too long before she could hear the strained grunts as Vax maneuvered up the rather narrow stairway, ladened with another load of pillows. “Vex is moving in with Percy, you know,” he said, as if that would explain his behavior.

“I know.”

He left again with the same enthusiasm. The pillows remained a mystery on her floor.

The third deposit of pillows ended with Vax pausing for a moment, taking a deep breath and swinging his arms. “You wouldn’t think these would be so heavy.”

“I wouldn’t know. I don’t make a habit of just randomly show up at people’s apartments carrying armfuls of throw pillows.”

He gave her another grin as he stretched his arms over his head.

“You know I love seeing you, Vax, but are you going to tell me what all these are for?” She arched an eyebrow and waved a hand in his direction. “I’m pretty sure you brought over all of the pillows I’ve ever seen at your place.”

“Of course not. This is only half. Just two more.” Vax was out the door before she could even call after him.

Keyleth let out a sigh, rolling her eyes. Still, a fond smile curled at the corners of her lips.

There was a considerably longer pause before a few muffled curses and thuds floated in through the open door on a breath of chilly air. When she turned to look, Vax struggled under the load of two pillows that were easily taller than he was -- probably closer to Grog in height.

She turned off the burner and hurried over to catch onto one side of the pillows before he could run straight into the doorway. “Are you stealing Vex’s pillows in revenge? Is that what this is?”

With her help, they guided the two large cushions into the apartment. “No, these are mine. I thought since I’m here all the time that I might as well make it a bit more comfortable.”

Keyleth pouted, crossing her arms over her chest. “You think my home is uncomfortable?!”

He leaned in to kiss the frown, which didn’t last much longer under his attention. “Of course not. You just need more cushions to lounge on.”

She hummed against his lips and he kissed her again. “Do I get any say in this?”

“Nope.” A giggle passed between them and he squeezed her hand.

She tugged him back in before he could get too far, and his arms automatically curled around her waist. “There’s going to be a storm.”

“I’ll do this then get out of your way before the rain starts.”

“You should stay. I can judge your pillows, and you can tell me how little I understand about the lounging lifestyle.”

It was his turn to hum against her lips. “Tempting offer.”

“Then stay. Dinner is almost done.”

A smile flitted across his expression as he allowed her to pull away. “Alright. I’ll be out rearranging your balcony if you need me.”

She wrinkled her nose and he left a kiss on the spot between her eyes. “Just try not to disturb the plants too much!”

“I’ll be very polite to them!” he responded, as he started to drag one of the larger cushions across the wooden floor to the enclosed balcony.

Keyleth watched his progress for a moment longer, a warm fondness filling her chest. She returned to the kitchen, now accompanied by the sounds of Vax’s work.

The soup was served in two bowls, accompanied by a thick slice of sourdough toast for each of them. Keyleth sat at the dining table, watching as Vax scarfed his down and resumed his arranging of pillows and cushions. From her spot, she couldn’t see the transformation as it happened. Instead, she watched Vax come and go for the smaller pillows and wondered just what the result would look like.

She washed the dishes and stored the leftovers as Vax disappeared into her study with several more pillows clutched under his arms. Keyleth stole up to the rooftop garden once the kitchen was cleaned, taking a brief moment to concentrate on the enchantments surrounding the space and ensuring there were no weak spots. She could tell it would be a heavy rain and a strong, chill wind.

Satisfied that her bees and her plants were safe, she returned to the apartment to find Vax drying and putting away the dishes.

He bounced on the balls of his feet as she pulled off the apron. “Come on. Let me show you.”

She rather enjoyed watching him fidget as she took her time. “Do you want tea?”

“No, thanks.”

“Cookies?”

“Kiki, you’re stalling.” He took her hand and gave it a gentle tug as he started to retreat towards the opposite end of the apartment

She grinned and followed after him. “Are you going to tell me what all these pillows have to do with Vex moving out?”

Vax fell into step alongside her, strolling hand in hand across her living room. “I figured with Vex’ahlia living with Percival now, the apartment will be a lot more empty. She’s already taken a lot of stuff to his place. It looked a little weird with all my cushions on the floor and none of hers.”

“So you relocated them all to my apartment?”

“I figured I could even it out a bit,” he replied and reached for the door to the balcony. “Since I spent so much time here anyway, it would be hard to notice.”

Keyleth reached out as well, pressing her palm against the French doors to keep them closed. She shifted from his side, placing herself between her boyfriend and the doors. “Vax… is everything alright?”

He gave her a glance. “It’s fine.”

She arched an eyebrow and ducked to the side to find his gaze. “Fine isn’t showing up unannounced with enough pillows for Grog to get lost in. Vax.” Keyleth placed a hand to his face, smoothing her thumb across the cheekbone.

He leaned into her touch, a small smile taking over his expression. “I’ll be fine. It will take some getting used to, is all.” He bent to meet her halfway for a kiss and, in her moment of distraction, tugged open one of the doors to the enclosed balcony.

Before Keyleth could get the chance to protest, he hooked his arm around her waist and swung around her. The rain had started, and the heavy grey sky was almost completely dark. Still, the lights she had strung up filled the area with a warm glow.

Her wide-eyed reflection stared back at her in the opposite windows as she took in the changes. The furniture, usually spread out across the space, was rearranged artfully on the right side of the space. The entire left side was covered with the collection of cushions. More than enough space for several people to lounge comfortably in a semi-circle.

Or, plenty of space for two people to sprawl out on, she soon discovered, as Vax flopped down and tugged her along after him. A squeak escaped her mouth as she suddenly found herself blinking up into his laughing face.

Vax sighed contently, and snuggled down into the pillows. “See? Isn’t this so much better?”

She hemmed and hawed until he reached out and poked her in the side. “Alright, yes, this is quite comfortable.”

He curled his arms around her and pulled her in close, tucking his chin against the top of her head as he sighed again. “Definitely my new favorite spot, I think.”

Keyleth settled in next to him, closing her eyes and enjoying the sounds of the storm rolling in and Vax’s steady breathing.