#keyleth fic

[belovaballerina]

Hold onto Me

The Legend of Vox Machina: Keyleth x fem!reader

Rating: Mature (Minors DNI)

WC: 1.4k 

Prompt: “If love is the answer, you’re home” -Touch by Daft Punk for @sweetspicybingo (Lyrical Bingo Collection)

Warnings: oral and fingering

Summary: You and Keyleth enjoy a private at Château Shorthalt (a little smut and a whole lotta fluff)

Keyleth’s eyes sparkled, shimmering emeralds that could light up the whole world; you were sure of that. You loved getting lost in them, in the green depths that knew no bounds. You often pondered if that was your favorite feature of hers, but truth be told, you didn’t think you could pick just one. You loved everything about her. That enthralling love swirled around your head as you gazed down at her naked body.

A faded scarlet blush caressed her naked, pale skin—an alluring warmth gripping her flesh. Your fingers skimmed down her sides before grabbing her hips. She squirmed in your grasp, her mouth slightly agape and those lovely emerald eyes blown wide. Whisps of red hair clung to her clammy skin. You were grateful for the respite and privacy, having the privilege of her all for yourself. You lowered your mouth to her belly, placing a warm kiss against her heated flesh.

“Please,” she whispered, squirming from your touch.

“Use your words, Kiki,” you encouraged. Hold onto me, I’m right here with you.

Her cheeks flushed redder, so you lifted your head, crawling up her body to cup her face gently. “It’s just you and me, my love. Everything is just between us,” you reminded her. Scanlon may scream and sing his conquests to any who would listen, as was his right, but you would never share these details with the company. Though you were certain, they had put two and two together by now. For the moment, you were thankful for Keyleth’s warm body against yours and the soft silk sheets courtesy of Château Shorthalt. You made a mental note to thank Scanlon later.

“I want to feel your mouth,” she purred, the vibrations tingling down your spine.

You pressed your mouth against her lips, drawing her into a sensual kiss before moving down her neck, her collarbone, and the swells of her breasts. You circled each nipple, feeling them harden beneath your tongue as your hand dipped between her splayed thighs, stroking her silken folds. Keyleth let out the most delicious sound – a beautiful, half-forgotten song. You mouthed her taut stomach, skimming the fingertips of your other hand down her curved hip before you found the spot you wanted.

“Please,” she whimpered, her fingers slipping into your ear.

“All in good time, my love,” you murmured before swiping your tongue against her. A sharp, tangy taste danced against your tastebuds, and you hungered for more. A low growl rolled through you as your mouth sealed around her.

Your tongue plunged deep inside, and Keyleth rocked against your mouth. Truth be told, you could spend an eternity between her thighs, bringing her pleasure until she couldn’t take it any longer. Vax was a fool for letting her slip between his fingers, but his loss was your gain. Her wetness coated your mouth and nose, serving only to spur you on. You sought her clit as two of your slipped inside her.

You crooked your fingers, hitting a soft spongy center before you thrust them gently as your lips suckled her clit. You could smell the sweat prickling over her bare skin. She writhed on the bed, arching her back as you pleasured her. It didn’t take long to get her to spill into an intense orgasm. You removed your fingers before gently lapping her clean with your tongue, savoring every drop. Keyleth seemed speechless, simply stroking your hair as you rested your head on her belly.

“That was amazing,” she whispered, a smile curving over her lips.

“Mmm, I’m glad you enjoyed it, Kiki,” you grinned.

“How about a bath?”

“A bath sounds amazing,” you sighed, enamored by the idea of soaking in hot water and scrubbing your skin clean from the grime of the Hells of Despath clinging to you.

You had to hand it to Scalan; he ensured every inch of this place was luxurious. You were excited to see a clawed bathtub, perfect for soaking and large enough for two people. You turned on the tap, running your fingers under the water to judge the temperature while Keyleth fiddled with the bottles on the marbled sink. She selected a few, dribbling them into the water filling the tub, and soon, a pleasant scent filled the air—the sharp scent of lemon followed by powdery violet and roses in bloom. Keyleth climbed into the tub first, then helped you in, letting you settle against her chest as her chin rested on your shoulder.

“This is heavenly,” she sighed happily.

“Truly,” you agreed, relaxing in her arms and balmy water, watching the steam rise around you.

A pleasant silence filled the room, the hot water soothing your aches and pains, and you were half asleep, but the pleasant feeling of Keyleth massaging your breasts roused you.

“Kiki,” you moaned.

“Shhh,” she cooed, kissing your shoulder as one hand slipped down your belly. “Just relax. Let me tend to you.”

You did as she instructed, letting your head falling back against her chest as her hand found its way between your legs. She teased you, making your nerves stand on edge before her fingers finally slipped inside. It was soothing, slow, and pleasant, taking her time to bring you to orgasm. Your muscles fluttered around her slender feelings, enjoying the slow burn and the time she took. You could feel the love she held for you in every gentle thrust of her fingers.

“I…gonna…” you whined, unable to get the words out as you clenched tightly around her fingers before giving your body over to the sweet release.

“There we go, sweet girl,” Keyleth hummed, kissing your temple as she continued to work you through the orgasm.

You felt floaty like you could melt right into the water and let the steam carry you away. Keyleth’s embrace tightened around you to help keep you grounded. The two of you stayed in the bath until the water turned ice cold before slipping under the warm sheets, curling around each other before succumbing to sleep. Your arms remained circled around her waist the entire night.

~~

You woke to the smell of chicken and waffles wafting under your nose, making your stomach lurch with hunger. Though you knew Keyleth wouldn’t be too fond of the chicken, so you slipped out of bed, tugged on your clothes, and went to find the garden Scanlon had sung about earlier that night. You were delighted to find a bush bursting with ripe raspberries and gathered up a bunch, tossing them into a wooden basket that rested by a tree. You made your way to the kitchen, winking spectral servants ushering heaps of chicken and waffles from the kitchen before you made a raspberry tart for Keyleth to enjoy for breakfast. It had been one of your favorite treats as a child, and you wanted to share that small part of your past with her.

It came out perfect, with a crispy crust and raspberries glistening with sugar and honey on top of the mouthwatering custard. The servants were a big help in following your requests, and you wondered if they enjoyed making something other than chicken. You scooped up the plate and made your way into the dining room.

“I was wondering where you were; you left me alone,” Keyleth pouted.

“Apologies, I was making you breakfast, my lady,” you grinned, placing the plate in front of her before bending to kiss her.

“You’re forgiven. It smells delicious,” she beamed, lifting her fork before digging into the tart.

You picked up a piece of perfectly fried chicken, sinking your teeth into the crunchy skin as the meat melted off the bone and against your tongue.

“Oh, I could kiss you right now, Scanlon,” you groaned happily, indulging in more chicken.

“Pretty sure Keyleth might transform into a tiger and eat me,” he laughed.

“Ahh, Minxie,” Grog grinned, munching on fistfuls of chicken as Scanlon made kissy faces in your direction.

Keyleth reached for your hand under the table, running her thumb against your hand. Her smile was dazzling, a little bit of custard clinging to the corners of her mouth. Your tongue tingled as you longed to lick it away. You would follow this woman to the ends of the world, right into the screaming depths of Hell. Love; it made you do crazy things.

Many questions swirled through your mind as you held onto Keyleth’s hand. The Chroma Conclave proved to be dangerous foes. You had no idea what the future might hold and where any of you might end up, but at least you would be by Keyleth’s side. Your stomach felt sick at the unknown until you gazed into Keyleth’s kind eyes, and a realization dawned on you. If love is the answer, you’re home. The one sure thing you could cling to was that your home would be wherever Keyleth was.

[criticalbeauregard]

vexleth sketch (click for better quality)

it's "i have passed through fire" keyleth not "i have passed through bees"

inspo: @elliesgaymachete for the idea :)

[somewhatsentientspellbook]

I cannot believe that the Verin / Keyleth ship was what broke me free of my crippling case of writer's block. Enjoy the first excerpt here, and read here on AO3!

-----

For what was probably the millionth time that week, Keyleth wished people would stop tiptoeing around her like she was the last fragile leaf on a snow-covered tree. They murmured condolences, then promptly avoided her like the plague as she sat on the bench staring at the Raven Tree of the Ashari.

It was the anniversary of the Whispered One’s defeat.

Which meant it was also the anniversary of Vax’s life getting stolen away by the Matron.

Even though forty years had now passed by since that day, the wound felt too fresh for her liking. Not that it was entirely her fault. Some of it was, of course, she wasn’t blind to her own damage. But people continued to poke and prod at her tender, healing heart until it broke and bled. The ravens kept on circling overhead like the scavengers they were. Keyleth would make real, honest progress, only to have someone or something throw painful reminders back at her like Grog used to throw Keyteor.

And so, Keyleth sat. She tried to push down the feelings of unrelenting bitterness as she made eye contact with the single corvid perched in the Raven Tree before casting her gaze over the rest of Zephrah.

Things were good. Peaceful. It’d been a long while since the last crisis, and she could appreciate that her duties had eased off into cordial diplomatic meetings and occasional trips to visit friends across Exandria. Keyleth was supposed to be heading to one of them in a few hours; a memorial service in Vasselheim with the remaining members of Vox Machina and their families.

As usual, Keyleth would be going alone, if you didn’t count the raven she was currently staring at.

She would have asked Korrin and Vilya to join her, but as Air Ashari Elders, they were required to stay and watch over Zephrah in Keyleth’s absence. And bringing any of her guards just felt…wrong. Keyleth’s unique contributions to Exandrian history caused the new generation of Tempest Blades to revere her as a symbol of their culture. Of those serving her in the present day, Orym would unquestioningly be the least likely to engage in such hero worship (even then, he still had moments of idolisation), but he was visiting the Silken Squall with Dorian. And who was Keyleth to deny the man some well-deserved time with his in-laws?

Besides, it was not like Keyleth needed her Blades. She was capable of protecting herself and would be surrounded by other influential figureheads, all with guards of their own. She only wanted company.

“Company that doesn’t have a beak and feathers,” she said aloud to the raven still watching her, expression caught halfway between anger and disappointment.

“Do you want me to shoo her away?” asked a voice over her shoulder.

Keyleth spun in surprise. Who’d have the stones to sneak up on one of the most powerful druids in existence? She could have blasted them with a lightning bolt in a half-second!

Dressed in a simple, dark outfit rather than his regular armour, Verin Thelyss stood behind her. His white hair was tied up in a casual ponytail, although a few strands had fallen loose and hung to frame his sharp blue eyes and soft smile. He looked far too charming despite the irritation Keyleth could only imagine the oppressive sunlight was causing him.

[sunstone-smiles]

The Legendary Vox Machina Tickle Fight

Original request (from 🦋 Anon): "LE GASP!!!! UR A FAN OF VOX MACHINA TOO 😱😱😱😱😱😱😱 Omggggg can you PLEEEEEASE do day 18 tickle fight with the Vox Machina group? They're all so cute together and I'd love to see that!"

Author’s note: Omg, this turned into a huge fic, but I have no regrets, Lol. Here’s Day 18 of Tickletober: “Tickle fight” from August’s Prompt List! I hope you enjoy!

Series: The Legend of Vox Machina

Characters: Pike, Grog, Scanlan, Keyleth, Vex, Vax, Percy, and Trinket

Word count: 4,585

Summary: The Vox Machina crew is having a boring day, so Scanlan attempts to lighten the mood, but Grog’s misunderstanding of one of Scanlan’s words soon turns into a playful fight between the party.  Enjoy!

---

It’s just that kind of day, where the Vox Machina crew gets to relax with one another, but they’re teetering on the edge of drab boredom. They don’t want to go out. Too much effort. So whatever is available in their current cozy sitting room is what keeps them occupied.

Pike, standing on a chair so she can see better over a wooden table, cups a pair of dice in her hands; the sound of the dice clicking can be heard as she shakes them. Grog sits across from her with the table height at his stomach due to his large size. The muffled collision of dice can be heard in his hands as well.

“Ready, Grog?” Pike asks her friend.

“Ready!”

At the same time, they throw their dice onto the table. Pike counts the two numbers on her dice quickly. “I got a six!”

“A three! I win!” Grog celebrates.

“I hate to break it to you, buddy, but six is higher than three,” Pike says sweetly, understanding that her friend has difficulty with numbers.

“Aww…” Grog deflates a little. 

“It’s okay, buddy! We can try a different game.”

Grog leans back in his chair like all the muscles in his body have gone limp. “But we’ve already tried so many. I’m bored.” 

“Heh,” Pike leans her elbow on the table, “Can’t blame you there, buddy.”

“Don’t worry, everyone! Your savior is here!” Scanlan walks into the room, making a performance out of his entrance. He runs up to the same wooden table Pike and Grog are at, hops up onto a chair and onto the table like it was a stage and he was a vendor. “I saw that it was a little dreary in here today, so I know just how to lighten the mood,” Scanlan moves his eyebrows up and down when he says “mood.”

“Oh goody, more mind numbing dirty jokes,” Vex says from her seat across the room. Trinket’s head is in her lap as she passes the time by brushing his fur. Vax sits in a separate chair next to her, polishing his daggers. Meanwhile, Percy draws in his sketchbook as he sits in a chair up against the front wall near the doorframe, while Keyleth sits next to him in another chair and touches up the leaves of a potted plant.

“No no, nothing dirty,” Scanlan replies. “I have tailored this joke to be pristine and appropriate. Ahem!” Scanlan clears his throat loudly. 

“What do you call a cow that’s good at playing an instrument?” Scanlan asks his crowd of friends. He waits and looks around at each of them to keep them in suspense. Then, he answers. “A Moo-sician! Eh? Eh?” he winks and elbows the air.

All of his friends slowly look at each other before looking back up at Scanlan, unamused and in total silence. If crickets were in the room, they would be chirping.

Scanlan puts his hands on his hips. “What? Nothing? Tough crowd.”

“It sounds like you need to get better material, my friend,” Vax shows a brief smile.

“Yes, I would think you of all people would come up with better material than simple puns, Scanlan,” Percy teases.

“I don’t know. I thought it was a little funny,” Keyleth admits.

Scanlan gestures an appreciative hand to the Ashari. “Thank you, Keyleth! But as for the rest of you! How did you not find it funny?! That was one of my best rib-ticklers!”

Grog places a finger to his chin. “Oooh, wait! No wonder no one laughed, Scanlan!” Grog exclaims. The goliath stands from his seat and walks around the table to be behind Scanlan. “That wasn’t a rib-tickler! You got to use your hands. Like this!” Grog finishes his sentence by swiftly moving his hands under Scanlan’s arms and tickling his ribs. The smaller man jumps with a yelp in surprise and throws his elbows down to his sides. 

“Grohohohog!” Scanlan already begins giggling, “I didn’t mehehehean it literally-hehehe! It’s a figure ohohohof speech!”

Grog tilts his head, genuinely confused, “You’ve lost me.”

Pike perks up, a grin brightening her features like the glow of her divine magic. “Oh, yeah! Now this is something exciting!” She stands up straight like she was preparing to charge into a battle. 

“Tickle fight!!!” Pike calls out with the same ecstatic tone as if she was announcing a tavern brawl for everyone to see. She leaps onto the table and rushes over to Scanlan. 

“Grog, hold him for me!” she exclaims.

“You’ve got it, buddy!” Grog keeps his hands under Scanlan’s arms, easily holding the bard in place as his fingers wiggle against his ribs.

“Nohoho, no, no! Pihihihikehehehe!” Scanlan’s laughter increases when Pike joins in and scribbles at his sides. Scanlan curls himself to the side and tucks his face in his shoulder as Pike and Grog successfully team attack him. Scanlan’s joke may have not lightened the dull mood of the room, but his own laughter certainly does.

“Heh,” Vax chuckles as he watches from the sidelines. “Too bad for you, Scanlan. Looks like you’ve waged a war with Pike and Grog.”

“Remember our scuffles that usually turned into tickle fights?” Vex smiles at her brother.

“Ah, yes. You mean the ones I always won?” Vax returns a smug grin.

“Excuse me?” Vex says, playfully offended. “If I recall, you are more ticklish than I. I’d have you begging for mercy in seconds.” Vex places Trinket’s brush on her seat, keeping her eyes trained on Vax.

Vax places his dagger on the table and leans forward, keeping his grin and his eyes on Vex. “I beg to differ, Stubby.”

“Well, I’ll show you, Scrawny!” Vex exclaims and lunges her hands at Vax, immediately getting a solid scribble to his ribs. Vax yelps as the pulse of ticklishness hits his form, momentarily paralyzing him before he clamps his arms down to his sides, then shifts tactics to try and shove his sister away.

“Vehehehehex!” the male twin leans himself off his chair, then crashes to the floor. Vex pounces down after him and tickles his ribs from behind, causing Vax to release a secondary burst of giggles before he curls up and rolls onto his back to attempt to grapple his sister’s wrists. He leans his head back and kicks his legs behind her.

“See, now what did I tell you, dear brother? You’re still the more ticklish one,” Vex teases and easily slips her hands from Vax’s grasp to continue tickling him. There’s no follow up response from Vax except a continuous stream of giggles and a loud snort. Knowing the sound he just made, he curls himself onto his side and tries to hide his face in his arm.

“Aww, and you still snort too. How adorable,” Vex lays the teases on thick.

“Shuhuhuhut up!” Vax finally responds.

“Hey, that’s not very nice. It seems I just have to tickle you more to change your attitude,” Vex smiles and scribbles a hand towards her brother’s belly, causing him to curl himself up tighter. As the twins scuffle, Trinket happily growls at them before trotting off towards the doorway to lie down.

“Hehe, looks like the twins have already roped themselves into the fight,” Keyleth chuckles from her seat.

“It’s inevitable that siblings will get themselves into little squabbles from time to time,” Percy says beside her, not even taking his eyes off his sketchbook.

Keyleth turns to him with a smile. “Did you usually get into tickle fights with your siblings, Percy?”

He glances up at her. “Me? Oh no, no. I don’t do tickle fights.” He returns to sketching.

Keyleth tilts her head. “Huh? But, it definitely sounded like you were speaking from experience…”

Before Keyleth can ask another question, there’s a Scanlan sized giggly scream from the other side of the room. Grog has grabbed Scanlan’s arms and pulled them to the side to allow Pike to scribble into his underarms.

“A lihihihittle hehehehelp here wohohohould be–hehehe nice!” Scanlan shouts out to whichever one of his party members is willing to listen.

“Hold on, Scanlan! I’m coming!” Keyleth answers the call. She places the plant on her chair, then runs over in the direction of Pike. The Ashari makes it to the edge of the table and tries to swipe at Pike, like she was attempting to catch a rabbit, but Pike jumps back.

“Whoa!” Pike says. “Oh no, Keyleth!” Pike already giggles as she turns to run. She hops off the table and Keyleth chases behind her.

“Oh no you don’t, Keyleth!” Grog immediately puts Scanlan down and rushes to Pike's aid. Before the chase has even begun, Grog snatches Keyleth off the ground in a hug as she passes by the corner of the table. He places Keyleth’s feet back to the floor and scribbles into her sides, earling a squeak from the Ashari.

“Eehehehek! Grohohohog!” Keyleth giggles and squeezes her arms down. “Thihihihis height difference mahahahakes it sohohoho unfair!” she says as she realizes the ticklish predicament Scanlan must have been in.

“Sorry, Keyleth! But if you mess with my best buddy, you mess with me!” Grog grins as he carefully wiggles his fingers to Keyleth’s ribs, keeping her in place as she sways like a leaf in the breeze.

Pike twists on her heels once she hears Keyleth’s laughter. She smiles at her buddy Grog as a thank you. Past Grog’s form, however, Pike sees the wooden table they were just at. The once giggling form of Scanlan is now missing. 

“Huh?” Pike wonders. “Where did he–”

“Sneak attack!” Scanlan loudly announces his presence behind her as he digs his fingers into Pike’s sides.

“AHA!” Pike yelps from being taken off guard. “Hahaha! Scanlahahahan!” Pike darts her hands down in an attempt to pry the bard’s hands latched onto her sides.

“You thought you could just tickle me and get away with it? Oh no, no, no, Pike. You see, now it’s my turn to even the playing field,” Scanlan grins. “Who would have guessed that under all that armor that the mighty Pike is so ticklish?”

“Ohoho, yohohohou’re going to rehehehegret saying thahahahat!” Pike giggles.

“I regret saying a lot of things, but this is not one of them,” Scanlan replies.

Seeing six out of the seven party members get thrown into a tickle fight, Percy places his sketchbook on the side table next to his chair, then stands. “Well, if you all are going to continue fooling around with each other, then I think I should take my leave.”

Percy turns towards the doorway to exit. However, as the big brown bear sees Percy walking in that direction, Trinket trots in front of the doorway and blocks the exit. The bear growls at the white-haired man.

Percy takes a step back. “Wha– Trinket?”

“Good thinking, Trinket!” Vex says, seeing the exchange between her bear and the noble occur. “You’re not going anywhere without first joining the fight, Percy.” Vex glances to her bear, “Trinket, be a dear and get Percy, will you?”

Trinket happily growls at Percy. The noble takes another step back.

“Wait, Trinket!” Percy puts his hands up.

The bear growls again and charges at Percival. Trinket headbutts Percy square in the stomach, with enough force to push him, but not to hurt him. Percy hits the back wall as Trinket charges at him and, being the large bear that he is, Trinket easily traps Percy to the wall by having his head right up against his stomach. With another happy huff from the bear, Trinket begins nuzzling his snout into Percy’s stomach, finding a way under his dress shirt and vest for his snout to be most effective.

Percy flinches and his mouth twitches upwards; he tries to restrain his snickers while he attempts to shove Trinket’s big, playful head out of his shirt. “Trinket! Stand down, boy! I am not a toy for you to cuddle!”

“Good boy, Trinket!” Vex exclaims. She leaves her brother in a crumpled pile of giggles and runs over to help her bear. 

“Let me lend you a hand, Trinket,” she says, now standing beside her furry companion. “Or perhaps, two hands?” she wiggles all of her fingers at Percy.

“V-Vex! Don’t you da–AHare!” Percy closes his mouth shut once Vex lunges her hands at his ribs. A few restrained snickers start to trickle from the man as he turns his face away into his shoulder.

“Percival, you’re holding out on me,” Vex teases. “You do know that it’s a tickle fight, right? So, laugh a little,” she moves her hands up his ribs and into his underarms. Rather quickly, his snickers sputter and turn into full blown giggles.

“Vehehehex!” Percy completely breaks into an outpouring of bubby joy. He bends his arms down for protection, but that doesn’t stop the loveable bear from nuzzling into his belly. He tries to wiggle his way out of his predicament.

“There we go! We got him, Trinket!” Vex glances at the bear before looking back at Percy. “See, Percy? You would have missed out on all this fun had you walked out.”

“I will nohohohot be subjugated to-hohoho thihihihis childish gahahame!” He wiggles to the side and successfully dislodges himself from Trinket and the wall, then wastes no time in sprinting across the room.

“This isn’t over yet, Percy!” Vex exclaims. Right before she takes off for the chase, a woosh of black cloth passes by her.

“I’ll deal with you later!” Vax glances over his shoulder to his sister as he runs by.

“Yeah, right. We’ll see about that,” Vex smiles before following suit and running back into the frey.

Percy, knowing he’s a target, skids behind Grog and Keyleth and takes cover.

“Grog! Let me use your body as a shield!” Percy peeks out from the side of the goliath.

Grog’s view turns towards Percy. “Uh, okay.”

“I’ve gotcha, Keyleth!” Vax says from Grog’s other side and leaps onto the table, then he jumps off towards Grog. He lands on Grog and wraps his arms around the goliath’s neck, piggy-back style.

“Hey!” Grog tries to snatch Vax from over his back, releasing Keyleth from his hold. “Get over here, pipsqueak!” Grog spins from side to side to toss Vax off of him, but Vax keeps his grip. Grog sidesteps one way and nearly crashes into Percy, sending the noble stumbling backwards and onto the floor; when Grog sidesteps to his other side, Vex also stumbles backwards and onto the floor when she tries to dodge.  

Grog halts his movement to try and get a better grip on Vax, but the dagger wielder shows him a smirk and uses one hand to scribble at the goliath’s ribs while Vax’s other arm holds himself up by staying wrapped around Grog’s neck.

Grog jolts and a bigger smile grows on his already large features. “Hehehey! Vahahahax!” he tries to reach up at the half-elf again. “Nohoho fair!”

“No fair? We’re playing a tickle fight with a guy twice our size. Creative strategies have to be used, my friend,” Vax smiles at him. 

“And don’t forget about a little bit of magic!” Keyleth recovers and faces her palm towards Grog. Her hand glows and vines sprout from the floor, wrapping themselves loosely around Grog and brushing up against the rest of his torso.

Grog stops going for Vax and pulls his arm down as deep laughter booms from his chest. “Ohohohokay! Mahahahaybe I earned thihihihis!” Grog says through his giggles.

Vex stands up and leans an arm on Trinket. She sees Percy still on the floor, but she’s quite amused with the sight of their tallest ally being overpowered by tickling. She’ll call off her chase, for now.

“Ohohoho no! Grohohog!” Pike says through her own laughter as she hears Grog being felled by giggles from across from her.

“Oooh. What a shame,” Scanlan says over Pike’s shoulder. “It seems like you and Grog have fallen to the same tragic fate of revenge—WHOA!”

Pike uses a burst of strength to yank one of Scanlan’s arms and fling him to the floor in front of them onto his back. As he lifts his head up to regain his bearings, Pike pounces at him like a wolf and knocks him back to the floor. She dives her hands towards his sides, earning a shriek of laughter from Scanlan.

“Pihihihihike! Yohohou already had yohohour turn tickling mehehehe! Hahahave mercy!”

“I’ll consider it, if you help me help Grog,” Pike negotiates with a smile.

“Nohoho way! Hehehe started it!”

Pike shrugs, “Suit yourself then.” She crawls her fingers back up to his underarms, causing Scanlan to kick his legs out behind her and his giggles to increase.

Pike glances beside her to Percy, who’s still leaning back on the floor as he watches Grog’s current fate. “Percy! Come help me with Scanlan!” she says to him.

The noble shakes his head. “No, thank you. I’ve had my fair share of this fight for one day.”

“Come on, Percy. You’re got to have some fun once in a while.” She puts on a smirk. “Or are you too much of a stick-in-the-mud noble to do so?”

Percy’s stunned. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me,” Pike’s tone is one that’s begging to be challenged. Percy narrows her eyes at her, but Pike has already turned her attention back to the giggling bard.

“Now Scanlan, are you willing to help me assist Grog?”

“Yehehes! Yes!” Scanlan raises one arm above his head and purple magic begins to swirl around his hand. Pike pulls her hands away from him, allowing Scanlan—breathless and full of residual giggles—to summon his magical purple hand and glide it towards Grog. Scanlan rolls onto his stomach to see the world upright and controls the magic of “Scanlan’s hand” to tap Keyleth on the shoulder.

Falling for one of the oldest tricks in the book, Keyleth turns to look at the hand. “Huh? Hey!” She exclaims when the hand drifts down to tickle her side. When she twists to avoid it, the hand follows her and tickles the rest of her torso. Scanlan and Pike snicker from the sidelines.

As Keyleth giggles, her concentration on the magic vines falter and the vines retract back into the floor.

Now free, Grog swings his hand behind his back and grabs a hold of Vax’s ankle. He yanks the half-elf from his back and holds him upside down in front of him. A mischievous grin across the goliath’s features is what Vax is met with as he dangles from the ankle. 

Vax releases a nervous chuckle. “Any chance that you’ll put me down, big guy?”

Grog shakes his head like a child who’s gotten their way. “Nope. None,” Grog says and plunges a hand into Vax’s belly. The half-elf barks out a surprised laugh and clasps both of his hands to Grog’s singular large one in any attempt to pry it from his giggling belly.

“Well it wahahas wohohorth a shohohohot!” Vax says.

“All right, Grog!” Pike cheers. Scanlan dissipates his magic hand, releasing Keyleth, then plops onto the floor to take a well deserved break. 

“I’m coming to help!” Pike gets up to dash over to Grog.

“Hold on a minute, Pike!” Percy swoops in behind her and scoops her up into his arms, causing Pike to shriek as he lifts her in a hug off her feet. He has his arms wrapped under hers like he was holding a cat.

“Allow me to show you that a noble can indeed have fun,” Percy smirks. He tightens one arm around her while his other hand starts to scribble into her side. Pike jolts with another burst of giggles and attempts pushing on Percy’s arm to squeeze herself free.

“Pehehehercy, wahahait! I was just kihihihidding!” she kicks her feet in the air.

“Of course. I know that, Pike. But I have to protect the reputation of my good name. You understand,” he smiles. Pike’s squirming becomes strong enough to where Percy nearly drops her, but he catches himself and places Pike safely to the ground, though still with one arm wrapped around her and one tickling her to keep her in place. Percy chuckles as he kneels down, takes a seat on the floor, then pulls Pike into his lap to now have the ability to tickle her with both of his hands, sending her giggles even louder. 

Keyleth eventually recovers, arms still wrapped around herself. She processes her surroundings, noticing Vax’s situation.

“Oh no, Vax. Not again,” Keyleth straightens herself out and prepares her hand to summon more vines.

“I’m going to stop you right there, Keyleth!” Vex rams into the Ashari with a giant hug.

“W-What?! Vex, what are you–dohohohoing?!” Keyleth squeaks at the end of her sentence when Vex takes her turn at tickling the Ashari. 

“Well, you were about to help my brother out of his predicament, and I’m quite entertained by his situation. You wouldn’t want to cut that entertainment short, now would you?”

“Buhuhuhut Vax is in trohohohouble!” she giggles in response.

“Nooo, he’s fine. Look at him. He’s smiling, laughing. He doesn’t need our help,” Vex grins. Trinket happily huffs to himself. Seeing that his allies are enjoying themselves, Trinket trots away over to a spot behind a still resting Scanlan to lie down and watch the rest unfold, until his assistance is requested again.

Just then, a giggly scream from Pike catches Grog’s ears. The goliath turns his head to see that Percy is scribbling a hand at Pike’s belly while the gnome kicks and curls her arms around herself.

“Pike! Buddy!” Grog shouts. He drops Vax to the floor like a bag of gold and dashes over to Pike. Percy looks up just in time to see the massive goliath barreling towards him. His eyes go wide and immediately lets go of Pike. He crawls backwards on his arms and lifts himself to his feet as Grog approaches.

“Grog, wait! We can talk about this!” Percy turns to run, but Grog instantly snatches him off the floor and into his arms, holding him very similarly as Percy did to Pike. Grog spins to face his buddy, then wastes no time in digging a set of his fingers into Percy’s side. Percy lets out a startled chortle before his giggles find their way out again. 

“Pick on someone, your own size!” Grog grins behind him.

“Thahahat’s rich cohohoming from yohohohou!” Percy responds. He wiggles and slips his nimble self from Grog’s arms, ducking under them before running. 

“Hey! Where do you think you’re going?” Grog says before he and Pike take off after him.

Vex witnesses Percy is involved in another chase. She chuckles. “See, Percy! Told you it wasn’t over!”

As she finishes her sentence, Vax suddenly lunges at her and tackles her to the floor. 

“And I told you that I would come back for you later,” Vax smirks above her as he darts his hands towards his sister’s sides. A minor shriek releases from Vex before she slaps a hand to cover her mouth, though Vax can see her smile twitching from under her fingers. Her other hand attempts to shove at Vax while the heels of her boots dig at the floor.

“Ah, ah, ah, sister. We will be having none of that. You saw me giggling my head off, it’s only fair that I see yours,” Vax crawls a hand up to her underarm connected to the hand blocking her smile. Vex yanks her hand down with a shriek that results in the joyful sound of laughter.

“Vahahahahax you a–ahahahaha!” The rest of Vex’s sentence is erased by her giggles. 

“Language, sister,” he playfully scolds her, knowing exactly what she was about to say. He turns to the Ashari. “Keyleth, want to provide some assistance?”

Keyleth nods with a smile, “Okay!” The Ashari makes her way over. She sits on her knees on the floor next to Vex’s other side and joins in, scribbling at Vex’s stomach. The giggles of the female twin grow higher in pitch as she attempts to protect and slap away the two pairs of hands scribbling across her torso.

“Twohoho against ohohone? Well I cahahahan play thahahat gahahame too!” Vex exclaims. “Trinket! Hehehelp me!” she shouts across the room.

The bear growls and lifts himself to his feet. Trinket begins charging forward. Scanlan hears the loud pounding of paws behind him and turns his head to see Trinket running in his direction. Scanlan leaps to his feet and runs straight, keeping his eyes on the bear. Meanwhile, Percy turns the corner on the other side of the room and runs right towards Vex, Vax, and Keyleth, though his eyes are also on his pursuers.

Almost at the same time, Scanlan and Percy look forward, seeing not only are they going to crash into each other, but into Vex, Vax, and Keyleth as well. They try to slow their movement, but Pike and Grog crash into Percy, while Trinket crashes into Scanlan, sending everyone crashing into the twins and Keyleth—which creates a party-sized dogpile with all the Vox Machina members.

As the “dust” settles, Trinket, who was on the edge of the pile, lifts himself up and finds Scanlan lying on the edge next to Grog. The bear nuzzles Scanlan’s neck as an apology, which slowly pulls Scanlan out of his dazed state. 

“Trinket,” Scanlan giggles as the bear gets in one final tickle at his neck. He shoves at the bear’s snout. “Come on, cut it out.” 

The bear growls with glee. As Trinket steps back, everyone else begins to slowly emerge from the pile. Eventually, they untangle themselves and stand to stretch their previously squished bodies.

“Well, that was a fight that I bet none of us were expecting,” Vax says as he stretches out his back.

“To think we were taking a day off and ended up fighting each other instead,” Vex mentions. “But that does seem like something we would do, doesn’t it?”

“I don’t know about you all,” Keyleth chimes in, “but I thought it was fun. I know I said something earlier with Scanlan’s joke and no one agreed, but I can’t be the only one who thought this was fun, right? I mean, it was enjoyable enough for Percy to join in.” She gestures a hand towards the white-haried man.

Percy crosses his arms. “My hand was forced into the fight, thank you. Under no other circumstances would I have joined.”

Pike shrugs. “Eh, all it takes is a few teases and poking fun at his royal title to get him to hop in,” she teases and smiles at Percy. Percy rolls his eyes, though he returns a warm smile to her as well.

“It was unexpected, but at least it brightened the mood,” Scanlan says. He turns to look up at the goliath. “You did good, Grog,” Scanlan compliments.

“Hehe, thank you,” Grog takes the compliment. He blinks a few times and puts a finger to his chin. “Um…what exactly did I do good again?”

Vax pats him on the arm. “You were just being yourself, big guy.” 

“And we love ya for it,” Pike hugs his ankle. 

“Aww, come here, you!” Grog picks her up in a gentle, but firm hug, then places her on his shoulder with a grin.

Some would say that they’re one odd bunch of adventures, but to them, they’re just one big happy family.

[screechingfromthevoid]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[quinn-of-aebradore]

“That is not important right now. I will tell you later,” he strokes a thumb across Essek’s cheek, guiding his gaze up towards him. Essek’s eyes swim with dozens of emotions, too plentiful to categorize and name, and Caleb lays a kiss on his brow. “What matters is that you are alright, mein Stern.” The breath Essek draws in is shuddering as he ducks out of Caleb’s grasp to hide his face in his shoulder. “I am here and not manacled in the Dungeon of Penance,” he bites out and Caleb recognizes the iron layers he’s thrown over his voice to disguise how truly shaken he is. “I am perfectly fine, Caleb.” After the events in Vasselheim, Caleb and Essek have a proper reunion and discuss what happened and how it might shape the future.

Hello friends! Now that I am out of the sleep deprived pit that the C3 finale left me in, I have some post-finale wizards for you all! They are soft, they are tired, and they have so so many emotions. I hope you enjoy! 💜💜💜💜

[critter-genfic-events]

This time we have seven stories with sendings! Check them out beneath the cut, and kudos and comment if you like them! Wait, you pooping?

message by justsleepwalkin (1756,Teen) Warnings: None Pairings: Jester Lavorre & Essek Thelyss, The Mighty Nein & Essek Thelyss, Essek Thelyss/Caleb Widogast, Essek Thelyss & Verin Thelyss

Messages over the years.

Reccer says: I liked it

A Duet, Quick in Tempo by Operafloozy (6611,Teen) Warnings: None Pairings: Jester & Verin

Verin isn’t sure what to make of Jester’s sendings, but a lot of people aren’t really sure what to make of Verin, either. It turns out those sendings sure do come in handy when trouble arises.

Reccer says: It's sweet and funny, with great himbo Verin

poisoning the well by saturdaysky (1459,Teen) Warnings: None Pairings: Caleb Widogast/Essek Thelyss, Caleb & Trent

Old habits are hard to break, even if you have shed the skin that formed them.

Reccer says: A great character study of Caleb, second guessing himself

Sending Consolation Prizes to my Next of Kin by thought (10531,Teen) Warnings: Pairings: Dorian Storm/Dariax Zaveon, Ashton Greymoore/Dorian Storm, Fearne Calloway & Orym & Dorian Storm, Fy'ra Rai & Dorian Storm

Brontë gets on an airship to Tal'Dorei. Dorian attempts to cope.

Reccer says: I love this exploration of Dorian and Cyrus's relationship, and also of Dorian himself after he left Bells Hells

Stay the Course? by ImperialKatwala (893,General) Warnings: None Pairings: Keyleth & Orym

Orym asked Imogen to send a message to the Voice of the Tempest. He even wrote it down to make sure everything fit in the twenty-five words of a Sending spell. What was going through his head when he wrote it?

Reccer says: I liked it

until it doesn't hurt by breitweisergallery (3798,General) Warnings: None Pairings: Deirta Thelyss & Essek Thelyss, Deirta Thelyss & Verin Thelyss, Essek Thelyss & Verin Thelyss

5 times Deirta sent to her sons and 1 time her son sent to her

Reccer says: I'm such a sucker for Thelyss family dynamics, and this is the good stuff

there is magic in this room (this is our conversation starter) by quinn_of_aebradore (2781,Teen) Warnings: None Pairings: Essek Thelyss/Caleb Widogast, Orym & Caleb Widogast, Jester Lavorre & Imogen Temult, Jester Lavorre & Caleb Widogast

what was happening on the Nein's end of the Sendings between Caleb, Orym, Imogen, and Jester.

Reccer says: I think we all were wondering what Jester did when she got her sendings back, and it's great to see

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!

On March 1st, we'll be featuring Fearne Calloway! Then, it'll be road trips, Chetney, and then Sickfic

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!

[kakushimiko]

VOX MACHINA IDEAS THAT I PROBABLY WON'T WRITE, LOG 04

(I meant it when I say that 99% of my ideas gravitate around Percy, not that any of you are complaining anyway lmao)

Au where Percy, after being rescued by the fishermen when he escaped, manages to convince them to take him to Wildemount to contact the other branch of de Rolos in the other continent, but after some incidents with pirates/slavers and other tribulations, Percy gets lost and ends up in the Blooming Grove with Caduceus (maybe some god was watching over him for once?), he warmly welcomes Percy, happy to finally have some company after being so lonely for years.

Percy stays with Caduceus for like a year, taking his time to heal both physical and mentally, Caduceus teaches him about nature and how dead doesn’t have to be such a sad thing, while Percy teaches Caduceus about technology and how to do some fixing in the grove. They become very close, like brothers/platonic soulmates. Caduceus maybe even teaches Percy some of his peculiar healing magic? Percy may even start to learn some of the Wildmother lessons?

When Orthax comes to try to make a deal/possess Percy, Caduceus is not taking any shit from a fucking smoke demon stalking his little bro, that demon is not going to undo all his hard work so he exorcizes Orthax so hard that not even a speak of ash is left in the Grove.

Eventually a sign is given to Percy in the form of a dream that it is time to leave the Grove. After some sad days preparing for the trip, Percy and Caduceus say goodbye, promising that they will see each other again one day.

VM finds a slightly different Percy, less brooding, and more eccentric lol, kind of obsess with the beauty of the “dark side” of nature (as a coping mechanism) thanks to Caduceus teachings , like nature that handles the decay part of the life cycle, such as fungi and such, which would prompt even more BFF moments with Keyleth, but also make him hate the Briarwoods even more since vampires and necromancers go againts the natural cycle of life and death.

Percy is a little more trusting and emotional open to the team earlier on. He would still have some anger issues, but he’s seeking justice for his family and people instead of destructive revenge.

(I know, I know, Percy is OOC here, but I see a Percy that got to properly heal from his trauma and not be influenced by a literal demon would behave like he does when they went to the Feywild, a young man with shiny eyes, fascinated with the mysteries of the world again, and totally info dumping about his hyperfixations to his friends, more emotionally in tune with himself and not just repressing his emotions until he explodes in rage... most of the time, and I think it would be interesting to see how VM would interact with a mentally stable but still eccentric Percy)

TL,DR Caduceus gives Percy the therapy he always so desperately needed.

...

(also, to be honest, I started writing this one, but I stopped because I don't know how to write Caduceus, so far I just watched some of the more popular segments of him, but I don't want to start C2 until I finish with VM, so I need to read a few dozens of fics of him until I understand his personality, but I'm leaving the idea here because I would like to read au fics of Percy&Caduceus having adventures and how other authors would imagine how their dynamics could work)

[hartmanpym]

Hartman Thoughts 💭

I’ve had these thoughts in my head and need to get them out — Vaxleth is my newest obsession and especially thinking about wild Keyleth and tame Vax in bed (he's not that tame but you know).

Vaxleth sexy times, do you think the first time keyleth rides vax his mind is instantly mashed? beCAUSE she’s always been so shy and meek, but when it comes to this she likes to take control and undo vax so badly.

On the flip side, vax is a lot less confident, kind of shys away from it, maybe he’s a sub? enjoys keyleth’s pleasure more than his own? does it have to do the self sacrificial armour he wears??

Vax pretty much explodes as soon as keyleth starts riding him. nothing is stopping her. vax daydreams about this forever… and gets super distracted… and flushes so red when they’re talking some super business secret army stuff when keyleth meets his gaze across the room. and he’s red as a TOMATO. because how can Kiki be such a warrior but such a freaK IN THE SHEETS.

Vax worships this woman as if she is his air

Keyleth loves this man, and would do anything for him especially different sex positions

anyWAYS, thanks for coming to my ted talk teehee

[ravendruid]

Under My Skin - Hooked

You can read the previous chapter(s) here. Summary: After three months of silence, Vax’ildan thinks the stunning redhead he hasn’t been able to get out of his mind has moved on and sought another tattoo shop. However, to his surprise, not only does Keyleth return (with an army of new idea for her next tattoo), but Vax also ends up inviting her to spend Winter’s Crest with him and his friends.

Emon is freezing cold every year and Vax’ildan absolutely hates it. He hates losing feeling on his hands and feet no matter how many pairs of socks he wears; he hates having to bundle up with clothes that constrict his movement and make him look like the mascot of that tire shop; he hates slipping on ice and the unspeakable amount of times he fell on his ass in the middle of the street in the past couple weeks. Vax hates the cold, period. 

While Vex’ahlia is his twin in a lot of things, she couldn’t be more different than Vax on what concerns the cold. Vex thrives in the winter season, radiating beauty with her rosy nose and snow-flecked eyelashes, but what makes Vax’ildan green with jealousy is how his sister always, always, looks good bundled with clothes and jackets and not like she’s wearing five different pool floats around her torso. 

The only thing Vax likes about the season is Winter’s Crest—the holiday that usually brings in more patrons to the parlor, who are either given gift cards by family and friends, or people who receive extra money during the holidays and decide to spend it the best way possible (nevermind that people are also usually more giving during the season and Vax makes more tips than usual). 

(Finish Reading on AO3)

[blackveine]

My CritRole/TLoVM Fic Rec List Pt. 9

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

Part 1 (Gen, Rated G) / Part 2 (Gen, Rated T) / Part 3 (Gen, Rated M & NR) / Part 4 (Percildan, G) / Part 5 (Percildan, T) / Part 6 (Percildan, M & NR) / Part 7 (Percahlia, All) / Part 8 (Miscellaneous)

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

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

3 or More

G

2 squirrels and a goose - thevaliantdust / @thevaliantdust / @vaxleth (Polymachina)

A Life Lesson in Hugs - trinketchu (Polymachina) (Grog-centric)

Small Softnesses - icarus_chained (Polymachina)

this is our garden - selkiepunk (TheRatava) (Vox Machina-centric)

snow drifts - edelwoodsouls (Polymachina; Percy-centric)

T

You don’t have to (talk about it) - thevaliantdust (Keyleth/Percy/Vax)

The Avarice of Angels - icarus_chained (Scanlan/Pike/Percy)

Explanations - coraxes / @coraxes (Polymachina)

Pleasures And Unorthodox Prayers - icarus_chained (Scanlan/Pike/Percy)

fall to your knees (bring on the rapture) - citadelofswords  (Various; Vox Machina-centric)

I’m only honest when it rains, - exhaustedwerewolf / @exhaustedwerewolf (Polymachina; Vox Machina-centric)

though we're tethered to the story we must tell (when I saw you, well, I knew we'd tell it well). - exhaustedwerewolf (Polymachina; Vox Machina-centric)

Her Happiness First - ShadowOnTheFullMoon (Vex/Percy/Vax; Percy, Vex & Vax-centric)

Not Rated

if i went and hurt my body (would you love me the same) - ghostlyGremlin (Various; Vax-centric)

[demigoddessqueens]

Can I request with a female reader whose a fire, Ashari, along with them being a High Elf, singing this to Keyleth from Vox Machina.

Sure thing!

Masterlist 12

a/n - bit of some unrequited, one-sided, fluff and angst, (BECAUSE I LOVE THAT TROPE), spoilers of recent episode batch

You had been adding the finishing touches to your song piece as the night was dying down, and there was one person you wanted to share

Knocking at the Druid’s door, your heart was racing in anticipation.

“Vax I’m not—oh…hey, wh-what are you doing here?”

Keyleth was the slightest surprised to see you here, but she was not one to deny you a visit. Shared but distant kinship and all

“Well since you’re not at the party, I’d figure I would bring some of the party to you.”

Letting you in, Keyleth noted the lute and parchment in your hand.

“You wrote a song for me?”

“Of course! Figured you could use a pick-me-up.”

She smiled at your request as you made yourself comfortable. Keyleth sat opposite of you on the bed

Strumming along the strings, your voice started off quiet before gaining more confidence each note.

You look so pretty and I love this view

We fell in love in October

That's why, I love fall

Looking at the stars

Admiring from afar

My girl, my girl, my girl

You will be my girl

My girl, my girl, my girl

You will be my world

My world, my world, my world

You will be my girl

You always had a nice singing voice, Keyleth mused. She was glad you were here with her. Things hasn’t gone the way she ideally hoped but it was a comfort you considered her feelings. Was it possible to hold feelings for two at once or was that too selfish of her.

Just slightly down the hallway, Vax could hear your singing to Keyleth. It felt like a bitter loss on his end, him being too much of a damn coward and your bond with Keyleth long established before you all met.

He cared for you deeply as he did for the rest of his friends, but wounds cut deep all the same. You were there for her in a way he hadn’t been.

[sunstone-smiles]

One Loud Game of Hide and Seek

Original request: "Hey! I just noticed you are considering writing for tickletober! I was wondering if I could please request some ticklish Scanlan for day 4, prompt "upside-down"? Thank you and good luck!!!"

Author’s note: Happy Day 4 of Tickletober everyone! And we’re celebrating with my first Vox Machina fic! Here’s Day 4: “Hide and Seek” and “Upside Down” from August’s Tickletober List and Nim’s Lovely Tickletober List! I hope you enjoy! (P.S: Happy (belated) Legend of Vox Machina season 3 release day!)

Series: The Legend of Vox Machina

Characters: Scanlan, Vax, Keyleth, Pike

Word count: 1,358

Summary: Scanlan is the first one caught in a game of hide and seek, so Vax gets a mischievous idea to use Scanlan to his team's advantage instead of letting him go so easily. 

---

“Scanlan, where are yooou?”

Vax’s voice sings. There’s footsteps. Quiet breathing. Mostly darkness. A sliver of light seeps below the crack of the kitchen cupboard, the place where Scanlan has squeezed himself into to hide.

The twins of Vox Machina had got into some sibling banter about who’s better at stealthing and who’s better at perceiving. Thus, a friendly competition was proposed. Vex and Vax roped four out of their other five party members into a game of hide and seek to prove their point, splitting them into even teams of three. 

With how things are looking right now though, Scanlan might be regretting that he agreed to play against someone with a solid track record for successfully slinking through shadows without a sound. 

Scanlan waits and listens for a moment. Another pair of footsteps. Then another. All three of them are here. He hears the chatter of Keyleth and Pike trying to communicate with their teammate, Vax, about the whereabouts of Scanlan’s location. 

His source of light is blocked as their shadows approach. He remains silent. After more discussion, their shadows pass and the footsteps continue. If he’s going to make a break for it, now would be the time to do so. 

Scanlan quietly pushes the cupboard open, then peeks behind it. Vax, Keyleth, and Pike have their backs turned. Perfect. He tiptoes out of the cupboard and towards the door. 

Stealth, however, is not on his side today.

“There he is!” Keyleth spots him.

Run.

Scanlan takes off for the doorway. Before he makes it halfway, Keyleth curls up her fist and a vine sprouts from the ceiling. It whips towards Scanlan then wraps around his leg, yanking him up off his feet and dangling him upside down over the ground.

“We got him!” Pike cheers. All three of them approach Scanlan as he sways from the remaining momentum of his trap.

“Okay, okay. You found me,” Scanlan admits defeat. “I’m out. Now will you put me down?”

“Oh, yeah. Sorry.” Keyleth raises her hand.

“Hold on there, Kiki.” Vax stops her, a smile on his face. “We don’t know where Grog and my sister are yet. Maybe Scan-man knows where they’re hiding.”

Scanlan crosses his arms from his upside down state. “Well, I don’t. So you can stop searching here because you aren’t going to get any answers from me.” He turns his head to the side, eyes closed, with a stern, determined look on his face. 

…Silence. 

Honestly, not the response he expected.

He caves into his curiosity and lifts open one eye, only to be met with Pike smiling up at him with her own arms crossed together.

“So you do know where they are.” Pike’s smile curves to a smirk.

Damn it, Scanlan. Usually you’re a better liar than this. “Okay, so I might know the general direction of where they went, but I can’t just give you an exact location,” Scanlan changes his story.

“Well, then we should take this opportunity to have some fun, shall we?” Vax rubs his hands together and moves behind Scanlan. Scanlan watches him with a confused gaze, but when Vax gives a quick tweak to his sides that jolts through his form like a tickly thunderwave, the pieces all come crumbling together.

Scanlan cranes his neck to look up at Vax with wide eyes. “Oh no, Vax! Don’t–”

“Too late,” Vax smirks. He presses his fingers into Scanlan’s sides. The gnome releases a screech of laughter as the ticklish shock courses through the entirety of his smaller form. He flaps his arms wildly like a baby bird attempting flight as uproars of giggles spill from Scanlan. 

“Vahahahax!” Scanlan finally clamps his arms down and kicks his legs in the air. “Thihihihis is sohohoho cheheheating!”

Scanlan’s movements cause him to swing, although Vax mostly keeps him in place as his skilled hands in lockpicking maneuver their way into hard to reach spots that easily open the door to more of Scanlan’s squeaks and giggles.

“You’re playing hide and seek against a master of stealth, my friend. The odds were never in your favor to begin with,” Vax smiles and moves his hands down to Scanlan’s upper ribs, causing a high-pitched squeak to come from the gnome, as high as some of his highest notes.

“Ooh, bad spot?” Vax teases.

“Ohohohokay!” Scanlan gives in, “Grohohog and Vehehex are hiding in the gardehehehen!”

“The garden is a pretty big place,” Keyleth places a finger to her chin to think; her mouth curls with a smile. “You’re going to have to be more specific than that.”

“Keyleth? Was that a rare tease I heard from you just now?” Vax says astonished, but with a proud undertone.

“Hehe, sorry. I couldn’t help myself.”

“Cohohome on! Thihihis is getting ridiculous!” Scanlan remarks through his laughter.

“Nah, we’re just getting started,” Pike smiles. She hops over to Vax and Scanlan. “Keyleth, could you lower Scanlan for me, please?”

“You got it,” the Air Ashari places her hand in front of her. Her palm flashes a warm glow for a moment as the vine follows her hand downward. 

With Scanlan now lowered right above Pike’s head, Pike hops up and grabs Scanlan’s wrists from his sides, pulling them over his head (or in his reversed state, below his head) to allow Vax complete access to wiggle his fingers further up his ribs.

Scanlan screams with laughter and paddles his unrestrained leg above him. The smile that usually pairs with his charismatic features has, somehow, grown even more charming when it’s filled with giggly joy.

“Nice thinking, Pike,” Vax compliments.

“Thank you kindly,” Pike bows her head to accept the compliment with a grin.

“Pihihihike!” Scanlan tilts his head back and opens one eye for a second to make contact with a grinning Pike. “I lohohove it that you’re sohoho strong, but nohohot when you use your strength against mehehehe!” He attempts to tug his arms free with no luck against the mighty Pike.

“What is going on in here?” a new voice calls out from the doorway.

Vex, Keyleth, and Pike halt in their tracks. Scanlan releases an encore of residual giggles as he begins to catch his breath. All four of them look over to the doorway to see Percy throwing his arm up to face palm.

“No, scratch that. Do I really want to ask when Scanlan’s involved?” Percy says.

“Percy! We’re playing hide and seek! Do you want to join?” Keyleth asks.

“I thought hide and seek is supposed to be a quiet game. I could hear Scanlan all the way down from my workshop,” he takes a step into the room. “And would this explain why I saw Vex trying to squeeze Grog high up into a tree earlier?”

“Ah ha! So that’s where they are!” Pike exclaims.

“There’s only one tree in the garden big enough to fit Grog,” Vax mentions. “Thanks for the help, de Rolo. Come on! Let’s go!” Vax motions for Pike and Keyleth to start running out of the room with him.

“Hey, hey, hey! You’re not going to leave me hanging here, are you?” Scanlan catches their attention before they leave.

“Oops! Sorry!” Keyleth holds out a hand to flip him upright; the vine grows around his waist like a rope and quickly lowers him, laying him down on the floor. She then runs off with the others, smiling as she disappears behind the door frame with Vax and Pike. 

Scanlan sits up grumbling to himself and rubs his side as leftover tingles from the tickling begin to fade. Percy chuckles under his breath and leaves the room. At first, Scanlan glares in the direction of the empty doorway, knowing his hide and seek team has already lost their chances of winning. However, his expression soon eases into a relaxed smile.

 It’s going to be hilarious when they catch Vex and Grog from their hiding spot. 

Scanlan stands from the floor, straightens his clothes, and dusts himself off.

“If you can’t beat them, join them,” Scanlan says to himself, then runs out of the room to catch up with the rest of his friends.

[screechingfromthevoid]

Okay but somehow the champions or extremely trusted followers get to raise the little god babies.

First off that's SO many kids in Vox Machina. My initial thought was the matron being raised by Vax like Purvan helped raise Emirah.

But then I thought about Pike and her connection to the Everlight (and allegedly they might be distantly related 👀) so I think the Everlight would go to Pike.

THEN I thought about Vex's connection to the Dawn Father. And sure there are probably people more qualified, but Vex does have his blessing. And the Dawn Father thinks about Aiden then. His softness, his kindness, and made the decision that if he could be raised in close proximity to his siblings, he would.

Second, I think the Stormlord would go to Yasha (and Beau. They wanted to adopt anyway) because of her devotion and her celestial blood.

And in the same vein as the Dawn Father and Aiden, the Wild Mother would go to Caduceus. He and his family had been so good to her. And she'd be raised so close to at least one of her siblings.

Idk I think that'd be neat

[elliesgaymachete]

Vexleth - number 22 (in a rush of adrenaline)

Vex noticed the ambush a split second before it happened. The crunch of dirt underfoot and the twang of drawn bows gave it away. She wasn’t sure how many, but she knew they were outnumbered.

“Keyleth, get down!” was all she could shout before the hail of arrows began.

She shoved Keyleth prone, so most of the arrows missed her, but a few grazed Vex in the process. She drew her own bow.

“What do you think, darling?” Vex muttered. “Should we show them not to underestimate us?”

Keyleth nodded. “Definitely.”

Her form began to shift as she lunged for the nearest archer. Vex smirked, satisfied that Kiki could take care of herself.

Vex sent arrows toward everyone she could see. Most of them went down in one hit, easy. They have must been petty thieves, looking to cut the purses of some unsuspecting looking women. They had know idea what they were getting into.

Vex didn’t bother killing them. She hoped, at least, that this would teach them a lesson.

After she downed four masked figures, she turned to see how Keyleth was faring, only to find a spellcaster towering over her, magic sparkling at their fingertips. She gulped.

Just then, a roar pierced the air as the caster was tackled by a large, predator cat, paws the size of their head, claws out. The figure crumpled to the ground, and as the beast stood, it shifted back into the familiar visage of her friend. Keyleth tripped over the legs of the person she had just knocked prone and stumbled into Vex’s arms.

She looked up, panting heavily, and gave Vex a shy smile.

Gods, she was beautiful.

Vex’s heart pounded in her chest from the rush of battle, but also from the way the sunlight hit Keyleth’s eyes, setting the green irises aflame. Her grip tightened around Keyleth’s waist, her gaze dropped to soft lips.

Keyleth’s eyes grew wide and a blush colored her cheeks. “Vex…” she started. “What are you—?”

Vex cut her off with a swift, lingering kiss. She could hear her own heart thrumming in her ears, she could feel Keyleth’s pulse thrumming under her fingertips, she could taste the sweat on her lips.

When they broke apart, Keyleth was still panting, but it wasn’t from the fight this time.

“Vex’ahlia,” she whispered, as she anxiously fiddled with a strap of armor on Vex’s chest. “What was that for?”

Vex shrugged. “I wanted to,” she admitted.

Keyleth’s eyes were still wide and her mouth hung open in shock. She didn’t say anything for a moment, and Vex hastily began to pull up her own walls again.

“Is that a problem?” she added, with just a bit too much defensive contempt. Vex felt a little guilty for lashing out, but this seemed to snap Keyleth out of her daze. She blinked.

“No,” Keyleth said quickly. She wrapped a hand around the back of Vex’s neck, brushed a thumb across the line of her jaw, and smiled. “No. No problem at all. I liked—er—you can do it again. If you want.”

Vex couldn’t help but chuckle at Keyleth’s nervous mannerisms. She brushed a red lock out of her face and tucked it behind her ear. She let her hand linger and gently cupped her cheek.

“As you wish.”

This time, as Vex leaned in, Keyleth stood on her tip toes and met her lips in the middle.

[critter-genfic-events]

Gen Fics with Reunions

It's nice to be able to get the folks back together. This time, we've got eight fics that feature reunions - parents, siblings, and long lost friends. Check them out beneath the cut, and as always - comment or kudos if you like them!

Laudna and Bella catch up 20 some odd years later after a chance encounter at a casino in Kymal.

Old Friends and New by AstoriaColumnStaircase (4133,General)

Warnings: None

Pairings: Laudna & Bella, Laudna/Imogen Temult

Reccer says: It's a fun look at a future version of Bella, and it's cathartic to think about Laudna being able to interact with that part of her unlife without pain.

Someone had opened a portal in the tree.

A Long Awaited Reunion by Settai (520,Teen)

Warnings: None

Pairings: Keyleth & Vilya

Reccer says: Oh my entire heart - this is the fic I wanted to read after watching that episode

A few years after faking his own death, Essek runs into someone he used to know by chance in Uthodurn - A certain someone who had supposedly died his last death in Bazzoxan a few decades before.

No One by That Name Lives Here Anymore by Operafloozy (13138,Teen)

Warnings: None

Pairings: Essek Thelyss & his father, Essek Thelyss/Caleb Widogast

Reccer says: Operafloozy is great at dysfunctional family interactions, and this is a really uncomfortable but extremely human.

Her son returns with a new set of friends after months away, notably missing a handsome blue-skinned bard with a shy smile and a loving gaze who never took his eyes off of Orym, and Alma is a mother after all, and a mother has a way of knowing things.

I'm on the mend, but I lost a friend by Multifandom_damnation (1713,General)

Warnings:

Pairings: Orym & Alma (his mother)

Reccer says: Extremely sweet, with background Dorym

Vox Machina aid the gods and rescue one of their own.

I've Held You in the Plan by CitizenMocha (4015,Teen)

Warnings: None

Pairings: Vax & Vex

Reccer says: I liked it

The night after the demon fight and the reunion of the day after.

don’t fall into darkness by CymbirrEsra (3667,Teen)

Warnings: graphic depictions of violence

Pairings: Orym & Baernie

Reccer says: extremely sweet

Verin goes looking for Essek after Essek fakes his death.

dreaming with my eyes open by breitweisergallery (4414,Teen)

Warnings: Brief Suicidal Ideation

Pairings: Essek Thelyss & Verin Thelyss, Essek Thelyss/Caleb Widogast

Reccer says: I liked it

Three hundred years after the Red Solstice, a much-changed Deirta Thelyss seeks out her son for the first time in centuries and finds herself greeted by an unfamiliar face: Essek's current partner. It's an unexpected turn of events and Essek is must-changed himself, when he arrives, but perhaps there is a chance at healing left for the two of them.

looking for the meaning of life by quinn_of_aebradore (15281,Teen)

Warnings: Implied character death (due to happening far in the future)

Pairings: Deirta Thelyss & Essek Thelyss, Essek Thelyss/OMC

Reccer says: It allows Deirta and Essek to both be complicated and change, which I enjoy!

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!

For February 1st, we'll be featuring Nott the Brave (or Veth Brenatto!). Goblin, Halfling, Mom, Adventurer, Alcoholic and someone who rocks a catsuit - she's got a lot going on.

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

And we'll be following that up with:

February 15: Sendings

March 1: Fearne

March 15: Road Trips

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!