#not to big not to small so was like oh yous are perfect little critters!

[subatomicskud]

So with finally being in a place with enough room space for an enclosure I am saving up for a decent sizable one as definitely settled with the choice of getting a northern blue tongue skink after quite a bit of research.

Both me and my partner are really allergic to different mammal dander/fur and though id love to get a bird somewhere down the line it just makes more sense for now going down the reptile route. (And also need to see how R is around birds up close and if they get any allergen reactions)

Anyway this would be my first time getting a reptile outside of turtles when I was a kid. So I want to get the enclosure and all sorted and proper first and then save up for the skink itself afterwards so hopefully some stage early next year 🤞

[twst-drabbles]

Malleus and Silver 4 (2–1)

Summary: You wait for Silver to come and save you from this thorny situation. You doze off and wake up to him having an epic battle with Malleus.

(Hopefully the numbers aren't all that confusing. This is the 4th drabble I've written about Malleus and Silver, and this is a continuation of the Malleus and Silver 2 drabble. I think this is how I'll be doing continuations and sequels.)

You laid back down as soon as your phone call with Silver ended. The way he spoke to you sounded rather enthusiastic. Well, not exactly the right word, more… happy? Well, either way, it seems this situation you find yourself in has Silver looking forward to taking care of this. Like he's had tools sitting in the back of his house, collecting dust and now he gets to bust them out. You'll admit, you understand the feeling.

A practically florescent green caught the corner of your eye. Looking over, you saw Malleus's head just barely peeking over your window, thorns parting only enough to accommodate him. Reminded you of a cat that knows you forgot to feed it.

"You gonna let me out anytime soon?" you asked, propping your head up with a pillow.

There was only a huff and the light of green fire lighting up just below Malleus's chin. The shadows dancing on his small face only made him look angrier. He turned and crawled away.

"That's a no then."

Briefly, because you know Silver doesn't exactly live the closest to you, you dozed off. You had a dream, for a moment, probably something fairytale-like but it was over so quickly that it slipped from you. You woke up to the sound of an odd… thwacking sound? It sounded like wood hitting against plastic.

Getting up, you noticed the thorns once curling your window shut have parted. You went over and opened it, finding you have a perfect view of Silver caught in a battle with the very small, very aggressive Malleus. Via one big wooden sword and one tiny one.

What?

"Silver?" you yelled, "What are you doing?"

"Huh?" Silver looked up, then ducked down just as Malleus swooped in, missing his strike at his forehead. "Oh! I'm battling Malleus!"

"Yeah, but why?"

"I need to tire him out!" Silver didn't swing his wooden sword, he simply positioned them to block Malleus's own onslaught of attacks. The little critter blew his green fire, but Silver's fake sword merely sparkled as it reflected the flames. "It won't take long, I promise!"

You shrugged and leaned your weight against the window sill. "Alright then."

And, true to his word, it didn't long at all. Malleus soon flopped over on the nearest branch, dropping his tiny sword and mouth falling open as he panted. Mighty magical creature he may be, he's still bound by his small body's limitations.

Though, to be fair, Silver looked quite tired out himself. He was leaning most of his weight against his fake sword.

"Did you make that fake sword for Malleus?" you asked, because you're genuinely curious. Him fighting with a sword was more Silver's thing than Malleus. It's weird. Off. Malleus summoning a boulder to crush Silver with was more suiting.

"Yeah, I did." Silver poured water over his head, enjoying the breeze that came to cool him off. He wiped the extra water off his brow. "I made one for Lilia, then Sebek, and then Malleus got jealous when I didn't make him one. So I did."

Ah, yeah that makes sense. Malleus would feel left out and, from what you can tell, he hates that feeling more than anything. The evidence is right there, surrounding your house.

"I'm surprised he decided to fight you with that sword." With how angry and huffy he was, you figured he'd be pulling all the stops and trying to keep everyone away.

"Well, he doesn't really want to hurt me, so he probably wanted to fight on equal ground," Silver walked over to the wheelbarrow he brought over, placing his fake sword, and pulling out a silver axe. "Either way, he knows the dragon has been defeated. And soon he'll wake up to some nice ice cream."

"Ha, that's pretty nice of you, Silver." You pushed yourself up, getting ready to go downstairs to help Silver out.

"You want a treat too?" Silver rolled up his sleeves past his elbows, getting ready to use the axe against the thorns. "I'll buy whatever you want."

"Can't say no to that." Ever the spoiler, that Silver. Anyways… "Hey. Wouldn't it be easier if you had those expensive wood saws, or something? An axe is going to take a long time."

Those thorns are pretty thick from what you can tell.

"I don't want to scare the little lord with all those noises. That and when he's being really fussy, he tends to break them. And I don't have the money to replace them one after the other."

"Ah, yeah that makes sense. Well, keep doing what you're doing."

"Don't worry. I'll get you out in less then an hour."

"Don't push yourself Silver. Can't have you collapsing now."

[secret-smut-sideblog]

The Fox

Lavellan x Blackwall

18+ mass death, disassociation, fear, alcohol, dubcon, urgent sex, unprotected sex, multiple orgasm, overstimulation, body control, implied SA (with none taken place), hurt/comfort, talks of suicide, pregnancy, and implied sterilization

Still on the tender outskirts of her love, Blackwall struggles with regaining her full favor as they must venture to a monumental decision in the Arbor Wilds...

Masterlist, Prev Chapter

-

The little elf orphan sat in the open curve of her long legs. Her face all scrunched up in concentration as she attempted the braid again. Vella's gentle encouragement a hush, watching beyond white cloud eyes as small hands twisted her golden hair.

The scene ached Blackwall's heart in a way he couldn't help. A vision of things that could be if the world could just be quiet for one fucking moment.

He imagined this little cherub of a girl as theirs. Both of them sat near quiet water, surely up to trouble, if he had any say in it. The little one finding bugs and frogs. Vella would appraise them with an open joy, showing her even more critters under rocks and logs. Both darting between cattails like spirits among low cricket song. Blackwall would shake his head and feign annoyance at the mess they were tracking on the porch as he attempted to call them in again for dinner. Both giggling and chasing him down with their muddy limbs in protest.

Just this imagined future lined his chest in bliss.

But how much luck would they have to harness to get there?

Maker, she wasn't even fully in his stead again.

He could never blame her, not ever. Even the thought of repair was far more than he deserved, but it still dug a hole in him. They had shared a handful of new tender moments that he treasured, but she still stared foreign at him sometimes. Like he was a puzzle she was still trying to sort.

Of course he understood. But he ached to prove that she could trust him, especially now. And he had been trying to prove the raw of him but was struggling to toe the line between earnest and overbearing.

The cruel irony. He was finally living truthfully and had yet to regain the trust of the woman he loved.

He knew that they couldn't go back to the soft of that first love. Something new would have to take root in the burned earth.

But how much time did that seedling have to settle into soil in the midst of war?

The little girl got frustrated, her face all red pouted. Vella smiled, palming the top of her head. Leaning in to whisper something in her perfect pointed ear. The little girl's eyes lit at the whisper. Rising on too fast limbs to run toward Blackwall, startling him.

"Mama, I mean-" Her big blue eyes blinked up at him. "Miss Vewwa said you have toys?"

"Toys?" He pushed through the pang of hurt. This poor little angel.

"Pwease?" She held a tiny flat palm up to him.

"Uhhh..." He looked up at Vella, lost to the sweet request and inexplicably panicked. She smiled softly, indicating whittling with hands.

"Oh...!" He rummaged through his workbench, finding a small figurine of a wolf he had been mindlessly carving in his downtime. "Will this do...?"

"Ohhh..." The little girl's eyes lit in coveted enthusiasm. "Wowfy..." Nodding in furrowed certainty.

"Thank you!" She took the figure and held it tight to her chest. Wandering away towards the garden with her treasure, already shielding it from view.

Unexpected tears threatened his vision. He blinked them away rapidly as he cleared his throat in stalwart grunts. Vella smiled at him fondly from afar.

Cullen approached her from behind, his eyes already wary withheld bad news.

Makers balls, what now?

She gave a little startled jump as Cullen cupped her shoulder, turning to smile in that open way that she couldn't manage with him anymore. But her smile fell as she took in his visage.

He took her hands, leaning his head in mournfully.

Oh... oh no.

Blackwall strode towards them. Falling within earshot.

"Your clan... Your former clan. I'm so sorry, Vella."

"No..." She breathed, staring up at him in cold disbelief.

"They can't..." She cupped over her mouth.

"My reports say they..." He sighed deep in his throat. "They were wiped out. They fought hard. There could be survivors, but we have no confirmation."

"No, I would've seen..." Her hand fell shaken from her mouth. "Oh gods, I..." Blind eyes wide with dawning horror. All color drained from her face.

"I have to go, right?" Her eyes creased with lost anguish, looking up at Cullen as if he had a resolution. "I have to look for survivors. I have to bury them. I have to..."

He shook his head sadly.

"I'm sorry, but we need you here. Now more than ever."

"They needed me..." She whispered in quiet anguish.

Her face slowly fell to that terrible hollow pain. Eyes glazed over as numb set in.

Fear struck throughout his belly. The tears, the wailing, even the wild violence of grief didn't scare him as much as that absence behind her eyes.

"Vella...?" Cullen's call echoed his fear. Clearly alarmed to not receive her sorrow.

"Do you need something more from me?"

"No, I suppose not. I'm really... I'm so sorry. This is my..." The admission of his leading role in this annihilation caught in his throat. His utter failing of her. Leaving it to suffocate there.

"Are our men ready in the Arbor Wilds?" The cold clip of her voice raised the hair on his arms.

"Yes...!" Cullen startled, still lost in his guilt. "But, maybe we should take time..."

"You need me here." She said simply. Taking a backward step to bow herself away.

Cullen's face fell further, his own words a poisoned dagger. He pressed a palm to his chest.

"Vella, I..."

"You're dismissed, commander. Get some rest. We have a battle to win tomorrow."

She turned without another word.

Blackwall reached for her, trying to catch her forearm as she passed. But she simply sidestepped his fingers. Locked forward.

-

She barely felt the punch of a dagger enter her side. Her sight far ahead, firing down precision.

She took the hilt from her and drove it hard into the throat behind her. Hearing the body thud at her back. Her fingers took back up on the taut of string in the same motion. Unleashing arrows in an unrelenting hail. Eyes held wide open. Perched high on stone.

She only paused briefly at mosaics as they passed. Giving Dirthamen's a slide of her palm within the clip of her stride.

"This is the last trial." Morrigan's voice ahead.

Vella nodded. They had worked in tandem to solve the route of the floor tiles. Morrigan leading as her scout.

Multiple eyes dug into her back. Concern radiated off her companions, but she didn't have room to entertain it. Though...

Was it just their eyes?

She saught along the outskirts of her spectral sight.

"There, something opened ahead." Morrigan beckoned.

"Good, let's go." She held her hand out and Blackwall took up at her side as his wide hand led her down.

"My lady, you're wounded!" He gasped.

"Here-" he pressed a gentle palm to her side where her field dressing must have started leaking through.

"I'm fine. We're almost there."

"Let us attend to you, my dear." Dorian sighed.

"I have potions, Lathallan."

"Don't waste them. Come."

She almost missed the cold voice of her father in her ear. Reminding in these moments in that cruel encouragement only he could give. She had long wondered if her god spoke through the ghost of him. The silence fallen over her now spoke volumes.

"Tis not what I expected..." Morrigan marveled, giving a slow spin to surroundings Vella was blind to. But the echo spoke of a large cathedraled space. "What was this chamber used for?"

Vella was certain they were being watched. A trickling up her spine. She didn't bother turning.

A voice ahead spoke Elvhen.

"Stop."

Vella paused her step.

"We're trespassing. I apologize."

There was a great pause all around them.

"You are not like the other invaders." The voice continued, now spiked with suspicious curiosity. "How do you speak as we do?"

"Pardon?" She peered forward. The beautiful shift of an otherworldly male face took up her vision.

"I'm Dalish..." She was somewhat lost to the question. "We speak the same tongue."

"Yes, you have some vague inkling of Elvhen traits. But your speech is ours. How?"

Solas' hand took up on her shoulder.

"I should have told you. Your god has given you knowledge beyond your means." His voice was raised enough to carry. He tugged gently at the knot of the blindfold behind her head. "It's better if you show them."

Vella nodded. Letting him unmask her with nimble fingers.

She widened her sight, seeing the entire of the room for a brief burst. A new development she had been honing. Eyes wide in what she knew was bright silver.

"Ghilan'nain..." The man breathed.

"Not quite." She smiled.

"I am called Sorrow. We are sentinels, tasked with standing against those like you who trespass on sacred ground. We wake only to defend this place."

"I know why you've come." He sighed. "You wish to drink from the path of well of sorrows."

Morrigan translated needlessly in a hush, her furtive glance hungry.

"It is not for you." The clip of his voice clear that he witnessed Morrigan's desire. "It is not for any of you."

"I agree." Vella stepped forward. "But an enemy is behind us. Someone far worse. Ravenous to the point of madness."

"I've honored this sanctuary to the best of my ability. We must reach the well if only to confirm he cannot have it."

Abelas paused for a moment, then gave a permissive nod.

"I believe you. You have shown respect to Mythal."

Mythal. The Great Protector. The All-Mother. How fitting. To be in the shrine to the dead mother of her god.

She had always been surrounded by the dead.

"Shall you grant us passage?"

-

"The well of sorrows may be too much for a mortal to comprehend."

A sick jest of certainty rose up her back. Oh, all she knew of madness.

"Brave it if you must. But know you this: you shall be bound forever to the will of Mythal."

Morrigan bickered with Abelas about semantics, but all Vella could see was the swirling deep turquoise of the pool. So lit in color it surely must have reflected in her eyes.

"The will inside..." Her eyes closed. Holding a hand to gently dance fingers over the depth of it.

"Then you understand the danger. I wish luck to whomever takes on this burden."

"Thank you."

"I hope you find a new name." Solas assured.

"This well..." Morrigan stepped forward, staring down at the still water. "What do you see?"

"It's... history. Overlapping knowledge. The magic is..." She let out and involuntary shiver. "Potent."

"Yes, it feels hungrier than I expected."

Not hunger. Yearning. A hand reaching for another in dark. Seeking.

"I should be the one to wield it." Morrigan urged. "I'm the only one trained to bear it."

You're wrong.

"This is the key to that eluvian, sister. I can use it in your service."

"Or more likely to your own ends." Solas scoffed.

"What would you know of my ends, elf?" Morrigan bit.

"A human taking up the ancient knowledge of elves..." Dorian crossed his arms, giving her a dubious stare.

Their arguing fell again to her peripheral.

It was just her and the well. Staring down at the swirling miasma of promised madness.

She almost laughed.

Right back to where she started.

And yet, this was a connection to thousands of years of her ancestors.

Bound to the will of a fractured dead god.

But their voices would be hers. She wouldn't be adrift again. No longer calling into the night with a song unable to be answered.

She let her eyes fall closed.

To know the despair of being the last of your kind. To bear rusting pins in the cushion of your lone heart. No ache hollowed quite that way.

Would she be willing to loop her wrist to another god to hear them again, however dead she was claimed to be?

For the first time, she pulled deep into her body.

She had never communed with her god, but found him between her lungs and her spine. Waiting for her.

One question already spoken with resigned certainty.

I was never to be free, was I?

There was no voice other than her own. But the narrow hollow between her spine filled into the lightning of a hand. Confirming her gently forward.

"Please, darling. Let the witch use the well." Blackwall's voice begged low in her ear.

How could she?

She reached back and squeezed his hand in a silent one-sided apology. Then, strode forward and let her body fall to a kneel deep in water.

"Sulahn!"

"Dove, no!"

She tightly squeezed her eyes and fell forward on crossed arms. Letting the water engulf her completely. Opening her mouth to release a deep held gurgling scream.

The water stung in her throat, in the wound in her side. Dizzy light filled her vision as the tide pulled as high as her water drenched wail. Pulled all at once deep beneath the earth.

Darkness.

Swirling.

Who are you?

You understand us?

"I must stop him." She gasped. Clenching her side. "He will shatter this world."

An elvhen vessel?

Which one, child?

Uncertain whispers circled heavily around her head.

"I am already bound. I am not afraid. Please, elders. Help me."

She swore she could hear a smile in the voice that leaned down to her ear.

Mythal favors your path.

It filled her mind in tightly unfurling light, the pain excruciating. She held through the deep groans her body emitted. Pressing the heel of her hands hard to her eyes. A madness she had trained her entire life to endure at the very edge of unraveling her. But not quite.

Very good. Wake now, daughter.

The space between her spine became a loop. One many fingers hooked into and pulled hard as the light burned deep into her.

"Maker, spare her. Please, please wake up!"

Blackwall's terrified eyes appeared over her.

Her hand rose of its own will to his brow, pressing a palm to the plane. She watched it move in soft wonder.

His eyes fell closed.

An impossible moment of peace passed between them.

Vella pressed her opposite hand to her chest in astonishment.

Warm. All warm inside.

A tentative smile pulled her lips.

He's here.

Her eyes lifted to a far point. The cry of rage telling of Corypheus' arrival.

"Quick, to the eluvian!" Blackwall pulled her to feet at her call.

She looked down in wonder at her body all aglow with blue light as they ran. The magic infused in her body made manifest.

"Go! I have to close it!" She shouted to Blackwall as his eyes begged her to go ahead of him. Only relenting when Dorian shoved his back, closely followed by Solas.

At last, it was just her. Staring up in awe at a figure that rose in the spinning deluge of water she had drank of. Glowing so bright in turquoise within the great sea surrounding it.

"Mother..." She hushed.

The figure regarded her for only a moment with the warmth of a smile before Vella dove to tumble through. Hearing glass shatter in her wake.

The fall pulled deep in her gut. She tightly closed her eyes and held breath.

With a great shudder of air, she fell back into the world. Caught in a disorganized pile by the strength of wide arms. A deep gasp left in a strained huff from a warm chest.

Vella couldn't help it. A laugh bubbled from deep within her belly.

Unbelievable. All of it.

"It is done." Morrigan smiled. Waving the portal away in a flourish of hands. The eluvian fell quiet, left to a mirror once more. Reflecting her love tightly cradling her to him in a tangle of limbs, and the people surrounding her in concern. Smiling with her laugh.

-

"And how do you feel?" Dorian led, smiling over his wine at her. Sliding a glass to her by instinct, giving no push back when she waved it away. She had no qualm with drinking, it just didn't suit her.

The revelry around them was a sweet balm to a near constant strife. Herald's Rest lit with conversation and high spirits.

"Good." She marveled, the tips of her fingers grazing her chest in thought.

"Really?" He laughed within his own wonder. "You're housing the essence of two elven gods, and you feel... good?"

"I think they calm each other." She mused after a moment of searching. "There must have been some love between them at some point. Mother and son. Maybe being joined in me... it brings them some small peace."

"That's beautiful." Dorian smiled. Pressing a palm to her chest. "That's a rare thing. Finding absolution with a parent."

"Don't we both know it." She sighed, pressing her palm over his. "I'd like to turn in my Shitty Dad Club badge."

"I reject your resignation outright. You wouldn't leave me to my lonesome, would you?"

"Never." She smiled, taking his hand to pull him to feet.

"Now, I've heard you know a rather interesting dance." She smiled mischievously. "Something about scarves?"

"Oh, I'll show you." He smiled back with equal intent. "But only if you show me yours."

"What ever do you mean?" She batted her eyelashes innocently. Allowing herself to be pulled to the dance floor.

"Oh, come now." He gave her a glance up and down. "I know those hips aren't just for show."

She smiled wide, scrunching her nose at him with all the endearment of her heart.

"Well..." She began to slow rock her hips. "Dalish custom isn't all memorizing history. But you show me yours first. Let's see if I match."

A whoop rose from the crowd. Dorian appraised her, then moved into a crouch.

She watched the twist of his hips, the slide of his feet. Following the raise of his shoulders and tilt of his head with a steady nod of memorizing with the music.

As soon as the beat rounded, she leaned to her own crouch. Mirroring the salacious twists of his body as he moved through the dance again.

The crowd whistled and hyped around them. Many feet stomped the beat into the floor. The Chargers were particularly rowdy cheering on. Whooping and shouting, leaning low into their calls. Bull watching Dorian hungrily from a post.

She smiled into the twist of her hips. It had been so long since she had danced. Her body was made for it. To wind and stretch and bend.

Dorian tilted his head at her, smiling wide. Asking for her routine.

She raised an eyebrow. A challenge thrown.

He stood back, giving her another jut of his chin.

She lowered her hips into her favorite dance. Winding her hips in a figure eight as her feet crossed over, raising her arms as clouds among her shoulders. A fluid graceful gyration her people called Rain Falls From Them.

The Chargers hollered and chanted with the wind of her hips. Further erupting when Dorian caught the shape of it.

A bliss long since lost spread through her chest. Dancing her people again with another. Heart soaring with the movement of limbs.

She fell back from it laughing. Clapping into the rhythm of Dorian's hips. Dissolving back into the crowd whooping her own cheers.

Hands caught her hips as she walked backwards.

"Maker, why can you move like that?" Growled low in her ear. His breath sweet and bold with mead.

"Well, like Dorian said..." She wound her hips into his pelvis in a tease. "These hips aren't just for show."

Blackwall hissed a breath between teeth.

"That's it. You're coming with me."

He lifted her by the waist over his shoulder.

She giggled as he carried her out. It felt good to give into the playful for a moment, despite everything. The stars were a full tapestry across the sky, leaving her in wonder again. The warm in her chest thrummed.

"Can I show you something?" She whispered in his ear.

He flipped her to be carried in his arms. Smiling down at her in the truth of inebriated adoration. Regarding her like she hung those same stars.

"Show me."

She pointed out of the gates to the forest. Wriggling her hips enough to indicate she wanted down. Leading him shyly by hand down a thin trail she had carved into the forest floor.

His small tent she had smuggled from their journey to Skyhold stood in a cozy alcove of trees. Beads and trinkets hung from its posts and the remains of a small campfire sat at its mouth.

He took in the small encampment like she had revealed something sacred to him. His eyes fell on her fully soaked in gratitude.

"Oh, darling..." His voice raw with admiration.

"I didn't know you were a sentimental drunk." She teased, leading him inside the tent in a crawl.

"I just like you a lot. I really like you." He warbled, his hands seeking her in dark.

"Hey, shhh..." She soothed, standing on knees. Beckoning his hands to her hips.

"No, you need to know." He urged in the tender of drunken honesty. "I want to be with you all the time. All the time. I know you should hate me but I can't stand it. Could you let me? Just for tonight?"

Her heart speared at the earnest of his plea.

"It's not that I don't want to, bear. Don't ever think that..." She clarified in a hush. "Gods, you're probably going to forget this by morning..."

He shook his head in a desperate wag. Pawing at her hips, her waist.

How much use was it to try to explain the sliver she was trying to extract from her heart to him in this state. Alcohol rendered him to a single plane of longing.

This was a mistake this early. She was certain of it. She knew better.

"Come here to me." She hushed, dropping her cloak from her shoulders.

Blackwall released a raw breath. Descending on her as driftwood tangles in flood. Kissing her with the same urgency. Body pressing steam into hers.

She whimpered into his kiss. Her body met his with equal unbridled hunger. Free to be honest in the promise of this all being forgotten by sunrise. Pushing him back onto the bedroll with passion that poured unfiltered from her.

She pulled at his clothes in silent begging and his hands scrambled to assist her request. Wrenching garments from each other in a flurry of movement. Only breaking the plead of their lips in gasping necessity.

He kept pulling back to take her in with hazy eyes, murmuring disbelief under his breath. Pulling her to him again by the curve of her head. His wide hand on the small of her back demanded her flush to him. Fallen to straddle flat on his torso.

She moaned little calls into his mouth, cooing for him again. His breath hitched between his deep moans as she ground against his belly. The scent of the wet already flooding from her filled the air, soaking the dark hair on his stomach.

"Maker, Vella..." He groaned between their lips.

"Please," She urged under her breath. "I need to ride you."

He nodded fervently against her. Releasing her love swollen mouth in a gasp.

She rose on knees and scootched back with undignified eagerness. His hands grasped at her thighs with the same furtive need. Barely contained desire burning forest fire between them.

"Please, please, baby, please," He whispered with the raw desperation of a man denied even as she lined him up below her. His chant only cut off by a guttural moan as she lowered around him.

Her body shuddered with pleasure as he filled her to her brim again in a mind-numbing stretch. Her hand anchored on his lower belly as her eyes rolled up in her head. Only halfway in and already aching within for more.

His hands pulled at her thighs, her hips, her waist. Seeking purchase as a climber would on slick rocks. Staring up at her through eyes straining to stay open as she slowly rose her hips again.

"You feel so good, Maker-" He began to babble in the deep growl of his voice as she rode. "Fuck, you're so beautiful and I want to be buried in you I love you so much oh shit I'm sorry I can't it's all-"

His voice cut off again into deep huffing gasps as she moved to a canter. His hand scrambling to grasp white knuckled at the bunched blankets and thrown clothes surrounding them.

She led the hand digging fingers into her thigh to her clit with hurried breath.

He took up the post she assigned with the intensity of duty. Rising onto an elbow to watch her face as his fingers swirled firm circles. Keeping up with the increasing pace of her ride with the same diligence. The twitching hard muscles of his belly and catch of his breath the only telling of strain.

"Fuck, please cum darling." He whispered in a near furious pleading growl. "I want you to ride me until I beg you to stop and don't. Don't stop. Keep going no matter what I say. Please don't stop."

Her orgasm unraveled in her gut as vicious and as deep as a flood driven river. Pulling her eyes up to the top of her skull as she shuddered and bucked hard around him. Her mouth fallen open in the silent echo of a scream. Her stolen breath only broken by strangled whines.

"Yes, yes," He groaned heavy as his hands took up on her ass. Thrusting up into her with the anchor of bent legs. "Fuck you're so perfect. Please, again, I need you to do it again. Could you cum again for me pretty girl?"

She nodded with dizzy desperation as she bit her lower lip. Her eyes glazed with overcome tears, hips falling into his as the sea crashes into stone. Another release swelling in her pelvis with each stroke.

"Fuck, I can't-" He growled, flipping her harshly onto her back with strength unchecked. "You're too-" He accused in cut groans.

He bore down onto his forearms and thrusted hard into her. Pinning her fully beneath his weight. No choice but to ride out the orgasm that was about to break.

She clawed at his wide shoulders as it struck, wailing cries into his neck. Fingernails surely leaving welts as it dismantled her at her core. Tears spilled down her temples unbidden.

The overstimulation was near unbearable as he kept driving into her, riding out her clenches with animal violence. His hands pinned her shoulders to the ground. Not able to move even if she tried as he had his way with her. Fallen limp as her pleasure squeezed flutters around him.

"I'm sorry, my love. Please forgive me, I have to-" He gasped between the huffed moans of teetering release. "Oh, fuck, I should pull out, oh shit, I-"

He fell into a tight juttering curl against her as warmth flooded her cunt. His curled hands clawing into the blankets next to her head. Bellowing choked moans into her hair. Body a trembling shadow over hers.

She combed shaken fingers through the sweat damp of his hair. Torn between wanting to back away and wrap her limbs so tightly he could never be disconnected from her. Coming back to lucidity shaken between the exhaustion of labored breath.

She despised the splinter that wouldn't push out of her heart. Gods, she wanted to find solace in him again. But something kept it digging deeper and deeper the harder she tried to reach it. If she could just cut deep enough into the gore of it to get the barb out. To pull it far enough to the surface to see it clearly. Certain that this was a mistake but unable to understand why.

Frustrated tears flooded her eyes. Wiping them away with the swipe of an angry hand.

"Oh..." He drew back from her in dawning horror. "Oh no, Vella, no-" His eyes fell over her state with shaken pupils. "Fuck I'm..."

"No, no!" She urged beyond the warble of her breath. "You haven't hurt me. I'm okay. I'm just-"

Scared.

There it was.

I'm scared of you.

"Please don't leave." She rushed, rising up to him. "I need you here. I need to push through it."

His eyes creased in layered mourning. His own internal battle waged beyond his gaze. Finally nodding and tangling his hands into her hair to pull her head to his chest. The rapid crash of his heart mirroring the panicked run of hers. Bleeding the wound in the shuddered sob that she pressed into him. Fingers digging into his forearms with the fledgling agony of healing.

-

Her scent surrounded him. Even the angry pulse of a headache couldn't sour that. He took full breaths against the blankets, reaching for her blindly.

"Dove?" He mumbled. Blearily opening his eyes to old surroundings. Was this his tent...?

Vague memory washed over him of the previous night. Groaning into his own shame. He was never very good at forgetting.

The blankets next to him were dreadfully cold and...

He rose on elbows in a jolt.

A pool of blood wet his fingers. Still warm and smeared at the edge were she had sat up.

He rose to feet in a whip of movement. Barely taking the time to pull boots and a cloak on. The chill of winter stung his cheeks as he searched the ground, finding a small splattered trail between her footprints.

Rushing down the traces of her, he couldn't help but think of how a fox will hide when it's injured. Curling into a ball in a hollow to bleed out alone. Determined to not become easy fodder for a predator or draw it to the pack.

The soft of her voice picked up on the air and filled his chest again.

"You can't see it? I mean, I guess not."

There was a silent pause.

"Yes, a mirror would be helpful." She sighed.

Blackwall rounded the corner of a great tree.

She sat under the overhang of a boulder, twisted to try to see her side. A needle and thread attempting new stitches around the press of her palm to stem the flow of her wound.

"Godsdamn this shoulder." She growled, dropping the thread to shake her fingers out. "No, I know, it's easier with help."

"Good advice, that." He stepped forward, entering her sight again.

"Fuck!" She startled. Shaking her head with a sigh. "I'm going to put a bell on you."

He chuckled, taking another tentative step forward. "I'm not opposed to a collar."

"Oh?" She raised an eyebrow at him, that mischievous smile back. Maker, how he missed it. "You'd let me domesticate you?"

"Depends." He reached the fold of her legs, crouching down at her side.

"On?" She looked up at him with those cloud captured moonstone eyes. He never thought he could find her more beautiful, but her new eyes made him dizzy with wonder.

"You need a good guard dog around here?" He cupped over her hands. Asking to take over with gentle leading of her fingers.

"It really speaks to you, then?" He led the needle through in precise loops as she dropped her arms. She barely flinched as he worked diligently to mend her.

"They do. It's kind of nice. Voices are much easier than visions." She started to pull her knees to her chest protectively, but he gently pushed her thigh down.

"I need your side, sweetheart."

She relented in a sigh, electing to lean elbows on her knees instead.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Anything." He promised.

"Were you going to tell me?"

He paused.

"Yes. On the Storm Coast. When we went to the ruins." He took the stitches back up, grateful to have a tactile task to focus on.

"I was going to tell you, but I lost my nerve. You found the badge first, and I just..."

He shook his head.

"Disappointing you... it was more than I could bear in that moment."

"If the trial hadn't happened, would you have?" She looked over her shoulder. "Told me?"

He owed her nothing less than the entire of the truth.

"Yes. But not until it was too late."

She nodded, seeming to appreciate his honesty.

"I just can't stop thinking about it." She hushed. "The whole time. It was the whole time."

"It was." He tied off the thread. "I can't take that back."

"Can I ask you something?" He rubbed her shoulder. The puncture scar under the shifting blade a token of stubborn pain.

She nodded.

"Were you going to tell me? That you were dying?"

She turned to him in shock.

"I never told..." Her eyes searched the ground, then seemed to settle on an answer. Emitted with a sigh.

"Cole..."

"Solas told me."

"Solas? Wait..." She searched lost again. "Did I dream about it...?"

"Gods, both of them..." She sighed wearily.

He pulled his heavy cloak over her and bid her to stand. Still patient for her response.

"I don't know when I would've told you." She hushed after a moment of walking.

He nodded, squeezing her hand.

"Maybe after the war? If we came out the other side somewhat intact."

"That long?" He tried to keep the hurt from his voice.

"It's not like an illness. Oh..."

She paused, seeming to put together his pain.

"Oh baby, I'm sorry. I didn't think of it like that. It's not like..."

It's not like Liddy.

He kissed her cheeks and the tips of her fingers. A silent gratitude for acknowledging his deep held anguish. She gave him a soft kiss on the lips in return.

"It's less an illness and more an hourglass. The madness didn't take my father's bloodline. They took their own lives within it. There's only so much a mind can take."

He took a shuddering breath. The nonchalance she spoke it with rang truer than any tearful admission.

"And now?"

"I... don't know." She paused. Considering her new circumstances.

"Oh, I guess I could ask." She startled at voices that must have been beckoning.

The spirits speaking in her mind set him on edge in the way Cole used to. But if they were like him, if they were truly speaking to her to help. Maybe he could warm to them in the same way.

She closed her eyes, tilting her head into herself.

"Your bloodline is known to us." She repeated for his sake. "There have been others that have chosen the way of the blind, those rare exiled like you."

"In their sacrifice they..."

Her voice fell away.

He squeezed her hand.

"They extended their lives. But they could not escape the blood passed to their children. Even with Mythal's blessing, it cannot be undone."

She took a breath out through pursed lips, opening her eyes again.

"Thank you. I thought so." She spoke to the ether.

Her hand pressed to her belly, staring down at the future they couldn't mold. Smiling gently at herself, then up at him.

"You came inside me again." Her eyes glittered with faux dissaproval.

He groaned in admission.

"Your fault. Siren."

"Oh, don't think that was discouragement." She laughed brightly. Taking up the clip of their walk again. Swinging his hand in hers in simple joy.

"I will have to speak to Morrigan or the surgeon. See about a permanent fix."

"Are we... are we okay? Can I hold you close again?" He tried to hold back the desperation in his voice.

"Yes, bear." She smiled fondly at him. "I love you."

He took a great breath out. A deluge of emotion poured from his chest, the dam broken. An affront to try to succinctly fit into those words, but it would have to do.

"I love you."

~

Next Chapter

[critter-genfic-events]

This week, we have seven stories that feature Grog Strongjaw! From sickeningly sweet fluff to some good old barbarian whump, we’ve got quite the range today - check them out beneath the cut, and of course, comment and kudos if you like them!

Paint by Numbers by baehj2915 (10052,Teen) Warnings: None Pairings: Grog Strongjaw & Pike Trickfoot, Scanlan Shorthalt & Grog Strongjaw, Scanlan Shorthalt/Pike Trickfoot

Grog has been waiting for this for so many numbers.

Reccer says: Grog's voice is SPOT-ON. All three main characters (the big and his smalls) shine, but Grog is especially great, simple and straightforward and not stupid by a long shot. If you've ever wondered about how the Trickfoot-Shorthalt-Strongjaw household handled its first baby, this is the fic for you. 100% canon in my heart.

no way of knowing by judypoovey (1778,General) Warnings: None Pairings: Grog Strongjaw & Pike Trickfoot, Grog Strongjaw & Zanror, Worra/Zanror

When Pike is summoned to help deliver the Thunderlord's child, Grog solves the secret of Fatherhood.

Reccer says: Cute and touching and Pike and Grog's voices are perfect!

Hard Knocks by TiamatZX (700,Teen) Warnings: Major character injury Pairings:

Grog had a good idea. It just left him with too many boo-boos for Pike to heal.

Reccer says: Some in-canon Grog whump

Sea, Sand and Sun (And Survivors) by Belphegor (4453,General) Warnings: Canonical character death Pairings: Grog Strongjaw & Pike Trickfoot, Scanlan Shorthalt & Grog Strongjaw & Pike Trickfoot, Scanlan Shorthalt & Grog Strongjaw, Scanlan Shorthalt/Pike Trickfoot

Turns out losing someone for good fucking sucks. Grog has no intention of making a habit of it. Especially not now, on a sunny day at the beach, after surviving everything else.

Reccer says: A heartfelt Grog point of view that starts off sweet and gets into a little hurt

will you know it when you see it by friendly_ficus (1070,General) Warnings: None Pairings: Grog Strongjaw & Pike Trickfoot & Wilhand Trickfoot

Pop Pop tells her that Grog’s had a hard life and a bad scare, that Pike’s got to do her best to be brave for both of them. He’s pretty sure he wasn’t supposed to hear it, but it... it makes him feel something strange, that the old fella’s looking out for him. It’s not, uh, not a bad feeling.

Reccer says: I liked it

ABCs with Grog Strongjaw by Settiai (153,Teen) Warnings: None Pairings:

A short poem and video of Grog's ABCs

Reccer says: It's cute and fun!

Wants and Needs by icarus_chained (1574,Teen) Warnings: None Pairings:

Grog might not have the usual approach to love and sex, but that doesn't necessarily mean he's missing anything. He doesn't think so, anyway.

Reccer says: I feel like acknowledgement of characters who are aromantic but not asexual are few and far between in fandom, so this character study is appreciated

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

And hey, anyone includes you!

Next week, we're focusing on Cross Campaign fics! So mix and match those adventuring parties and have some fun!

Then the weeks after that, it'll be Skill/Class Swap fics, Mourning and Grief, and then Fjord focused.

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

Oh! Also! Critter Gen Week is happening! Prompts have been announced, you should check them out.

And hey, if you're looking for some more good gen content, 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!

[azulera]

Pets at Home

Pairing: Bukayo Saka x Black Reader

Summary: You and Bukayo visit the pet shelter on a whim, and leave with a special plus one.

Notes: Saka my beloved … the most babygirl of all the babygirls. To be honest I was having a rough week, so I wrote this to make myself feel better LOL what is the point of writing if not that? anyways pls enjoy, and let me know what you think🫐

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The spotted tail of the salamander bumped against it’s cage as he chewed, and you pulled on your boyfriend’s sleeve, fascinated. 

“Woah, he almost ate the whole thing in one bite.” 

Bukayo leaned in closer to the glass for a better view. 

“He’s hungry, isn’t he? Do they only feed my man leaves?” 

The little critter started in on his second leaf, and you watched, still mesmerized by how its little body moved and blended into the foliage around him. When the third plant was securely in his belly, you looked up to find that your boyfriend was gone.

There was no sight of him among the other reptile cages, or the nearby aisles of food and pet care products, and you hadn’t noticed his leaving. You thought of calling his phone, but decided to browse around and find your way to him instead. There was one section of the shelter you two hadn’t yet visited where you thought he might be.  

You followed the sound of squeals and barks, and ended up at the rear of the building, where the bigger animals were held. It only took a moment before you saw Bukayo, his red jumper catching your eye, seated in one of the play rooms for customers who wanted to interact with the animals before taking them home. He was cross-legged and enraptured by a tiny chocolate lab who was gently nibbling the tips of his fingers. 

The smile on your face reached your ears as you tapped on the large window. 

Your boyfriend's eyes shined as you caught his attention, and he gestured toward the creature in his hands.

“Hey, I was waiting on you! I think he likes me, you know.” 

The puppy was dark brown with light spots around his eyes and on his belly, and a loose red collar on his neck. It let out happy little yelps as Bukayo cradled him against his chest, and you filled with softness, and questions. 

“Baby, when did you – how did you get in here?” You asked through the glass. 

“Didn’t you get my text? I was trying to find the beta-fish, yeah, but then this one here wouldn’t stop staring at me. So I asked one of the staff if I could play with him – haha, look!”

The puppy had leaped from his arms and now stuck his behind up in the air, wiggling his tail like he was about to pounce. Bukayo curled over in laughter, and gave a small tap to the side of his head. 

“Oh my days, he thinks he’s a big man, innit!” 

The pup barked back, and the two started to “spar”, Bukayo taking little swipes at the animal without ever putting him in any real harm. Already he handled him so carefully, you thought, making sure to avoid his teeth, and their matching red garments were picture-perfect. After another moment, he lifted his little friend with a hand around his belly, and brought him up to his face. 

“Why are you so cute?” Your boyfriend whispered. 

In answer, the puppy licked his tongue curiously against his nose. 

The pure joy bubbling in Bukayo’s responding laugh sent butterflies flapping in your chest. You hadn’t thought it was humanly possible for your boyfriend to get any cuter, but the sight of him cuddled up and giggling with a bite-sized dog made you feel like you would melt into your shoes.

“Baby, come in here!” He suddenly called to you. “Come hold him.” 

You walked into the small room and sat next to him, unable to resist rubbing your knee against his. Once you settled, the puppy in his lap scrambled over to yours, pressing his paws against your chest. 

“Oh, wow, I see how it is, then.” Bukayo complained. 

“Hi buddy,” You laughed and cooed to the little furry face in your hands. He let out little whinnies as he licked you. “Oh, babe, I think he likes me more.” 

“Nah, it’s calm, I get it,” Bukayo spoke to him. “I feel like that about her, too.” 

You smiled at him, scooting closer, and set the dog down to roam again. He went straight into your boyfriend’s arms.  

“I always wanted a dog, you know, since young. My mum weren’t really having that, though.” Bukayo reached to scratch him under the chin. “We should get him.” 

Your eyes widened, unsurprised by his suggestion, but feeling an intense responsibility to be the voice of reason. As adorable as the baby labrador was, today’s trip to the local pet store had been an impromptu one, a fun way for the two of you to spend a free Saturday afternoon. The plan had only been to look, not shop.  

“I don’t know, babe.” You set a placating hand on his knee. “You’re away from home a lot, and I have work, and classes. Who’s going to look after him?” 

“I will! We will!” Bukayo looked at you like the answer was obvious. “We can make a schedule or something, and switch off. And I’ll find a doggy daycare place, don’t they have those? For when we’re too busy.” 

He grabbed your hand that was closest to him, and leaned in to kiss your cheek. 

“Please?” 

When you didn’t respond, he pressed another one, closer to your lips this time. The puppy even leaned over, nuzzling his head against your hand. 

“Pretty please?” 

You sighed.

“A dog is a big commitment, Bukayo. It’s like having a kid.” 

“No, it’s not, you’re gassing it! You can’t buy kids at the store.” 

“We don’t even know if our flat allows dogs?” You countered.  

“They do! I’ve looked it up just 5 minutes ago.” 

Bukayo held his accomplice up to his face again, this time so that both their eyes were trained on you. You realized then that you’d actually enjoy having a pet, but you also wanted time to weigh the pros and cons before making such an important addition to you all’s life. Their matching puppy-dog looks and the excitedly wagging tail just next to your boyfriend’s face threatened to tip the scale. 

“Okay! Okay.” You threw up your hands. “We can get him, but let’s give it a week, okay? Just to think it over, and work out the logistics. Then, if he’s still here, we’ll adopt him.” 

“Yes! Haha!” 

Bukayo kissed you on the lips this time, then lifted your future pet up in the air. You watched the two of them play, already imagining the chaos they would get into at the flat and in the back garden as he grew bigger and faster. It didn’t stop your chest from warming, as you leaned your head on Bukayo’s shoulder. 

“He is pretty cute, isn’t he?” You mused. “What should we name him?” 

The newest member of your household looked up at you both with his big eyes, as if awaiting the answer, too. Bukayo reached down to scratch his head before he turned to you, the corners of his mouth already lifting. 

“Gunner.”

[burnwater13]

Uh, oh. It was time for another lecture from his dad. Just because Grogu wanted a massiff for a pet, didn’t mean that he was cruel enough to steal Tad from the Frog Lady and her husband. Din Djarin should know that by now. Grogu was a gentle person, not a thief. Harumph.

They’d been having this tug of war over having a pet massiff since Grogu witnessed, first hand, how much the Mandalorian bounty hunter liked the critters the last time they were on Tatooine.  Grogu knew that Din Djarin also wanted a companion that didn’t talk back, steel his cape, or drink all the bone broth. Grogu thought a massiff would be perfect for that. 

They had even discussed potential names for the critter should they get one at some point in the nebulous future. But now Grogu had his doubts. He had been on his best behavior with the Frog family and had been absolutely fascinated by Tad’s development. Knowing that Tad would be joined by several other siblings soon was pretty cool as well. They had been having a lovely time. 

When Grogu thought back over his life, this might have been one of the few times that he was part of a family and it hadn’t been all about drama, lessons, or being scolded for being curious with a dash of mischievous thrown in. The Frog Lady and her husband had treated him with the same care and concern as they had treated Tad and the other little ones that were growing so fast you could literally see it happen. It had been a special kind of wonderful. 

Then his dad had to ruin it with his joke about not needing more pets. Way to go dad! Now he was sad, a bit angry, and annoyed, all at the same time. Uff. That did not feel good.  

He wondered why Din Djarin hadn’t learned to read the room? Or did he read the room and it just made him sad? After all, Din once had parents and a home and friends and then it was all gone and he was being raised as a Mandalorian. Did he regret that? Did he think that the Mandalorians who saved him hadn’t really saved him? Maybe they just stole him from his parents and now he was reminded of that and felt sad?

Awww. That was awful. Grogu really hoped his dad was just being a ‘wise guy’. Peli had told him that his dad was often being a ‘wise guy’ when he said one thing but actually meant another. That was probably all there was to it. 

Din Djarin really wanted a pet, but Grogu was as much as he could handle, so he joked about already having a pet to make himself feel better. Huh? Could it really work that way? Was he really that hard to manage? Grogu wasn’t sure. He didn’t think he was ‘high maintenance’, a term he learned from Peli, when they were playing Sabacc, and he beat her handily and she had to buy him a third bowl of dung worms. 

How could someone as small and peace loving as he was be ‘high maintenance’? Sure, he couldn’t wash his own clothes without a deep enough puddle. He couldn’t clean behind his ears without using the Force. He couldn’t fly the Razor Crest because he didn’t know all the flight start up sequences yet. He couldn’t pilot a speeder bike by himself because they were just too heck-ing  big. But how did those things make him high maintenance? The places they went and things they did just weren’t designed for him. It was as simple as that. 

If Din Djarin had found Grogu on a great planet like Degobah, then the Mandalorian would have seen how low maintenance Grogu could be. Lots of frogs to eat. Lots of shallow ponds to get clean in. Clumps of reeds and other grasses that he could roll on to get clean and dry. No need for a speeder bike or a starship because it had everything he needed right there. Plenty of supplies to build his own little hut. Wow. That sounded really great. 

Maybe that’s what they needed to do. Go to Degobah and go camping. Grogu would do all the work and Din Djarin would see, that under the right circumstances, Grogu was basically self-maintaining (a lot like some astro-mechs) and would feel like, they could manage to add a pet to their tiny clan, maybe? Well, he was going to give that a try. Once they had some spare time. 

He really liked the idea of camping. It had been a lot of fun on Tatooine. Maybe they’d be able to do that wherever they were going now? Grogu could only hope so because he was pretty sure that camping with Din Djarin was the gateway activity to convincing the Mandalorian that together they could manage having a pet.  This is the Way (he hoped).

[im-no-jedi]

only three days? 😩

well, regardless of whether we’re already together or not, I figure Hunter and I both have very different ideas of what activities to do. he’s an active, outdoorsy guy, and I’m an indoor couch potato LOL

so then, we’d split up the days! (treating this as a modern AU btw 😜)

first day would be doing whatever Hunter wants. he’d argue about letting me go first, but no, I wanna get the hard stuff outta the way first 😝 I’m sure he’d wanna go on a nature walk or something like that, so I’d recommend my local arboretum. I genuinely love going there, so I could stomach a few hours walking around in a familiar forest of trees. I’d douse myself in bug spray, which would likely deter him from wanting to get near me for a while haha. but he wouldn’t be able to stay away for long. he wants to stick close in case I wander off. and you know… for other reasons 😉 we’d track down some of the deer and other little critters that live there, maybe even spot a hawk or eagle if we’re lucky. there would definitely be hand holding for most of the walk. I’d wish I could pick some of the small flowers growing around to take home, but I’m nervous about taking anything for fear of getting in trouble (even though there’s no one else around 😝). Hunter secretly starts gathering flowers for me to surprise me at the end of the walk with the tiniest little bouquet ever 🥺💙 I’m sore and tired by the end of it, but the walk was worth it to get to see Hunter in his element, enjoying the natural beauty of the world 🥰

day two would be whatever I want to do. which is just stay home ROFL. we’d stay on the couch and chat away about literally anything. I love hearing stories about his family, and him with mine. I’d show him my favorite movie (Tron Legacy of course 😋), and then we’d play some video games (Mario Kart, Smash Bros, maybe some Overwatch too). I would wanna order out food, but Hunter would offer to cook something as a special treat for me. he’s not the best cook, but he enjoys doing it (unlike me), so I let him do it. he knows what I like, and like with the forest, I’m just relishing in seeing him so happy 🥰 oh, did I forget to mention there would absolutely be much couch cuddling? because there would be much couch cuddling 😁

third and final day, we both decide on an activity together. it’ll be out of the house for Hunter’s sake, but I pick where we go. and I know the perfect place to satisfy us both: a day at Six Flags! Hunter momentarily balks at the idea of going to an amusement park, but I tell him he can pick what rides we go on first. which he then tells me, it’s fine, he doesn’t care, he’s just happy to spend time with me 🥹 so I take him on all my favorite rides, which are mostly coasters. Hunter… isn’t the biggest fan of coasters. but again, he’s doing this for my sake! he’ll power through it! even if he ends up screaming every time we go down a big drop! 😂 lucky for him, there’s some rides I like that aren’t coasters. and thankfully, he doesn’t get dizzy easily cause there’s a LOT of spinning rides. he ends up enjoying it solely because I’m so happy after each ride is over and I excitedly drag him onto the next one. there are several carnival games, and I reeeeeeally want the Pikachu and Charmander plushies they have, so you bet your butt Hunter’s gonna play those games until I have my precious Pokémon plushies. lucky for me, he’s so skilled and dexterous that it doesn’t take many tries 😁 we also get some funnel cake and Dippin Dots throughout the day cause you HAVE to get funnel cake and Dippin Dots when you go to Six Flags, you HAVE to. by the end of the day, Hunter is more exhausted than I am, so we finish our visit with a nice calm ride on the carousel. we find two horses side by side (I must have a black one, he doesn’t care what color his is). he helps me onto my horse before practically flying up onto his. right before the ride starts, Hunter reaches over and grabs my hand. we keep our hands locked throughout the ride. I’m focused on looking out at the park as we ride, while Hunter can’t keep his eyes off me. it’s a nice, long, calm ride to signify the end of our time together. our hands don’t separate even after getting off the ride.

once we get back to the car, Hunter suggests we find a quiet place to pull the car over to and watch the stars for a bit. there aren’t many stars where I live, but ironically, it just so happens to be a perfectly clear night. we can see my favorite constellation, Orion, up in the sky. I tell him how much I’d love to visit the stars. he says he would do anything in his power to get me there if he could. more than anything, we both just wish we had more time together. our hands stay interlocked and our heads gently rest on each other, which inevitably evolves into more intimate activities (I am NOT letting this man leave without some smooches 😤).

our time together may have been short, but it was worth it. at the end of it all, the activities didn’t matter. simply being together was enough. and we were grateful for every second of it 💙💙💙

If you had 3 days to spend with your favorite clone, what would you do? And would you be in an established relationship or just falling in love? I wanna hear all the cheesy daydreams. 😂

[sailorhyunjinz]

~ Fluffy intruders ~

Warnings: FLUFF & SMUT, dom!minho, fem!reader, established relationship(kinda?idk), fingering, nipple play, blowjob, penetrative sex (stay safe yall), sex ruined by cats hahaha

Word count: 2,079 words (whoops...)

Requested: Based of anons scenario (which made me laugh so hard, ty for making my day <33)

Note: i want a cat ;(( ALSO writing long smuts is heeeella difficult AA SORRY IF THIS IS SHIET

As a child you were never allowed to have pets. Your parents said that you didn’t have enough ‘responsibility’ to care for another living creature and so after years convincing you eventually stopped, deeming yourself forever petless. But that was until you met Minho. You vividly remember the first date which was at a local cafe, filled with hanging wall plants and rustic boxes of coffee beans. The brown haired boy looked cozy with a dark oversized sweater and a white and black checkered beret, his silver chain earrings shined everytime he moved his head. The strong musky scent of the coffee beans in the cafe fitted his image making him appear even cuter than you originally though. 

When you had ordered your drinks of choice you sat down at a table in the far back of the cafe, not visible to a lot of the visiters. The both of you plopped down on each side of the round table, momentarily gaining eye contact before breaking it, being to shy to look for too long. You noticed a couple strands of hair on the shoulder of his sweater. 

“Wait, you have something there” you said while smiling, gently leaning over the old rosewood table. 

Minho smiled back and froze a bit when your hand got closer to him, heart beating faster than ever. After all it was a cute girl sitting across him dressed exactly how he pictured you. 

“There you go” you leaned back into your seat as you threw the hairs on the stone flooring. Only when you looked back at him again did you notice that the color of the strands were not his signature dark brown but instead orange. You looked at him confused and just had to ask.

“Did you have orange hair recently?” was the only question you managed to get out but you instantly regretted it the moment it left your lips. ‘Why do I always make a fool out of myself?’ you though. 

Minho laughed, the apples of his cheeks rounded and his eyes formed a halfmoon shape. 

“No... I would like to try it someday to match my cat Soonie” he said through that cute smile on his lips, having a dreamy look when he mentioned his cat.

“YOU HAVE A CAT?” you said a tad bit too loud but you didn’t care, you were currently talking to someone that had the animal you always wanted to own. 

Minho laughed even louder, heart exploding from your cute reaction. 

“I actually have 3! They’re called Soonie, Doongie and Dori” he said, flashing his dad-like smile, looking like a proud parent over his cats.

Your eyes lit up as you tapped your legs in excitement.

“I want to know everything about them!” you squealed like a little child. 

“Yet another thing we have in common. I’ll tell you but let me fetch the drinks” he said with a soft comforting voice before he stood up and went to the counter. You followed his figure with your eyes. 

The rest of the date you talked about mostly his cats. Sure, you talked about other boring things like work but seeing Minho talk about his little critters made you fall in love even more. He pulled up his phone, a whole album was dedicated to the fluffy babies. He had everything you wanted. A perfect smile, a comforting personality and of course a nurturing side which was shown by how well he took care of the trio of cats. 

That was 2 years ago. Now, you were a full-time mom to the cats. And as much as Minho hates to admit it, his cats love you even more than him. There was only one little thing you could complain about ẃhen being a catmom and no, it’s not the amount of cat fur that flies into your mouth when kissing the kitties. 

You yawned as you closed the bedroom door and crawled into bed, the cats sleeping peacefully in their fluffy beds in the living room. Minho was already cuddled up with his phone, the blue light reflecting onto his complexion. He looked so concentrated and you refused to sleep without getting a good night kiss from the cozy boy 

“Kiss” you said, holding out your face in front of his phone.

“ha ha no” he turned the other way and lied on his side, only then did you see why he was obsessed with what was going on the screen. He was playing games with the other boys which made you roll your eyes. You were not giving up this easily and so you spread out on top of him, rubbing your face onto his. 

“KISS KISS KISS” you demanded to which Minho sighed, turning onto his back again. You were now straddling him and leaned down to kiss him on the lips, expecting a small peck but oh were you wrong. Minho put his soft hands on either side of your face, cupping your cheeks as he deepened the kiss by crashing his tongue on yours. The movement of the kiss formed a pace, making you slightly rub on against his member while the bed moved slowly. 

Minho moved his hands from your cheeks to your hips, pressing them against his hardening dick while you rubbed against it in a quicker pace. His eyes darkened, previously being rounded but now they were hooded, resembling the eyes of a dragon. A mysterious smirk appeared on his light red lips as he flipped you over, hovering above you. Your thighs rubbed together, body getting hotter by the second since you knew what waited everytime this happened. 

“Since you wanted a kiss so bad how about I give you something better?” he growled, eyeing you up and down, taking in the beauty of your body lying helpless underneath him. You swallowed a hard gulp as you nodded faintly. He took of his shirt, revealing his slightly muscular body he had been working on recently. With his hand he lifted up your light pink pyjama shirt exposing your two delicate buds and without a second though Minho attached his lips onto one of them, sucking relentlesly whilst his fingers played delicately with the other nipple. Your chest was a playground for Minhos tongue as he switched from nipple to nipple, licking and biting them playfully. Through clenched teeth you muffled a stiff moan as he twirled his tongue around the sensitive buds. You grabbed onto his dark hair, stroking it in encouragement to which Minho smiled in between bites.

His hand trailed down from your nipple, tracing the outline of your waist and hip as it softly halted around the band of your pyjama shorts. A firm grip was placed on your waist as Minho went back to kissing you, his lips covered in saliva from sucking on your nipples earlier. You patted him on the head as you bit his bottom lip, enhacing the romantic kiss. The grip on your waist loosened and plunged down your shorts making the burning feeling in your clit amplified. He traced his fingers over your clothed pussy, feeling your wetness through the thin fabric to which he smirked.

“I’ve barely done anything but my princess is already soaking” he said, breaking the kiss for a second. You nodded again, wanting his fingers inside you. It was almost like he was reading your mind because that’s exactly what happened. Being caught off guard, Minho pushed the fabric aside, digging two digits into your pulsating cunt. Tiny whimpers made it’s way out your mouth as he curled his fingers upwards, finding your g-spot. Those whimpers turned into moans as Minhos thumb started circling your enlarged clit. You looked at him and he looked back, signaling your desperation for him. He understood it in a heart beat and removed his fingers, immediately stripping himself from the loose fitting pants and boxers. His hard member sprung free from the clothes that were now lying on the floor somewhere. He was still on top of you, looking like a statue with when he stood on his knees that were on their side of your body, his dick only inches across your face. Lifting up your hips slightly you pulled your pyjamas and panties down before you semi-sat down again, the warm bed hitting your butt. 

Minho lifted your chin with the same fingers that were inside you moments prior, he looked you deep into the eyes before he placed his dick on your plump lips. You licked the tip slowly and looked him back into the eyes. He looked so much powerful than you when he was above you, asserting his dominance by grabbing a fistful of your hair and pushing you down on his shaft making you choke. You sucked him of to the best of your abilities, hollowing your hot cheeks and drooling all over the place. 

“You look so pretty like this princess” he grunted out, the grip on your hair tightening as his noises got louder, twitching slightly between your lips. Minho rolled his head around and landed his eyes on yours to which you blushed. 

As he was nearing his release he pulled out of your mouth, you gasped for air and coughed. Just as you were about to wipe off the drool on your chin and chest he took the back of his hand and swiped the drool off of you, rubbing it on thr bedsheets. Even when his dominant side emerged he cared about you. 

“Face down, ass up” he said getting off you. A small “yes baby” fled your swollen lips that came from sucking him off too hard as you got into position. Minhos slightly cold fingers grazed your wet folds from behind, the sensation of cold feeling oddly numbing on your hot pussy. He grinned at the whimper that you let out and stood on his knees infront of your butt, lining himself up with your cunt. You shut your eyes tightly even before he put it in because you already knew the feeling. He was way to big for you and so it always stinged a bit before the pleasure kicked in. Yet again you were right, a moment of pain as he penetrated you but when you adjusted the feeling of being filled to the brim made you stammer out a moan. Minhos hands seemed bigger than they were when he grabbed onto your hips, setting a even pace.

“My pretty princess is always to tight for me” he said, focused on his movements. You could only moan in response, your lips pouting by the way your cheek was being squashed against the bed. Eventually the pace of his thrusts quickened causing the bed to shake. Minhos hands stroked your back from time to time, giving you goosebumps. Your moans got louder and as he grabbed both your arms pulling you against his member they turned into screams. You threw your head back, sweath covering the few stray strands of hair that poked out. Minho knew you were close by listening to your loud moans that sounded like music in his ears. But besides his low groans and the sound of skin slapping against each other you heard another sound. Minho stopped, turning around to face the door. 

Loud scratching and meowing erupted on the other side of the door which made Minho scoff while you looked with a confused expression at your boyfriend. He resumed this thrusts at an even quicker pace, you clenched around his dick feeling your release coming closer. 

“I’m making mommy feel good! Stop being such babies!” he yelled which confused you deeply as you laughed. 

“Who are you talking to?” you turned around to face your boyfriend.

“Who else but the spawn on satan that are those cats?” he said, the both of you bursted out in laughter. 

Minho let go of your arms and pulled out, feeling empty. You opened the door and saw the trio of cats marching in the bedroom one by one, getting comfortable on the bed. Minho covered himself with the duvet before snuggling his beloved babies. But the second you lied down on the bed, all three of the cats snuggled up with you instead leaving Minho feeling betrayed. 

“Traitors...” he mumbled looking visibly annoyed to which you giggled, petting the Soonie. 

“Ok out now! I was not done with mommy” he said to the cats pointing at the door. 

[x-pair-o-dice-x]

tiny!vampboo au beeduo meetup pog!!

(warning: lots of blood mentions, ‘cause vampire au. also got mentioned animal death, though none happen in this fic, and starving)

ranboo hasn’t eaten in days, now.

for a human, that wouldn’t be too bad. it would suck, yeah, but they’d live.

vampires, could usually go on for a bit longer, with a proper diet — that being, human blood.

not random pests and strays wandering around at night.

animal blood doesn’t give the same amount of fuel human blood does, but he’s always been too scared to go after them — if you harm one of them, their whole pack would go after you.

one could be able to survive solely on blood from wild animals, if you were able to consistently catch them.

which — ranboo hasn’t been able to.

he was never quite the best at hunting beforehand — it’s a miracle he even got this far to begin with — but as he went with more and more days between catches, his energy slowly went down, further and further, until now.

now, he lays against a rock, barely strong enough to lift his head, let alone get out of the open.

though, he supposes there would be no rush, not now. the moon is right above him, no one would be out at this point in time. he has time to try and find the strength to move to shelter before the sun rises. or maybe if he stays still, some critter would wander over here, and he could get something to drain.

even at the thought of food, his stomach growls. he curls in on himself,, the lack of food was really starting to hurt. he’s never gone this long without anything to eat, usually he could snack on something. the longest he went before was four days..... it’s been almost a week...

ranboo doesn’t even know if he’ll be able to last before the sun rises(he can’t tell if he’s just being dramatic or not). he can barely even think, at this point.

and.... wait, he could.... hear something...... is it an animal? something he could feed on? god, he hopes so.

it’s getting closer now... footsteps? it’s too hard to be paws, but too soft to be hooves..... he... doesn’t know what kind of animal doesn’t have neither paws or hooves.....

and.. it can’t be a bird, or anything like it, it’s footsteps feel loud, nothing like a crow or rat — which, he supposed don’t make audible footsteps to begin with.

the... whatever it is, it’s getting closer, almost to where he is....... he doesn’t have the energy to try and lift his head.

no paws...... no hooves........ big...........the only thing he can think of that matches the description is........ is................

oh.

a shadow falls over him, and he finally gains the motivation needed to look up, even if only slightly, and..

oh dear god.

a human.

a human.

a human is here, it’s here right in front of him, and- okay, maybe if he just stays still maybe he won’t get seen maybe-

gray eyes connect with red and green.

well shit.

and then his body decides now is a perfect time to fail, thanks body, can always count on you.

(that’s sarcasm, for your information.)

most people would probably have something meaningful to say, as they watch the darkness slowly creep up in their sight, but the exhaustion’s caught up on him, and he can barely think of anything else to, well, think about, as everything slowly fades to black.

—————

okay.

okay.

okay!

this is happening now, he guesses.

when tubbo decided to go for a midnight stroll to satiate his insomnia, he did not expect to see a tiny little man- person- thing??

he also did not expect whatever it was to pass out almost immediately after eye contact.

and.. is he?? dreaming?? that’s a much more logical explanation than whatever this thing is.

he slowly kneels down, and gently pick up the small person, and.. what even is this.

it was a... he doesn’t want to say demon, but like... it would be accurate, what with the small horns, fangs, claws, and tail. and those eyes.

he’s never seen anything with red and green eyes,,, what was it called.... hom.. no, het... heter... heterozygous?? that doesn’t sound right.

well, whatever it was, it.. was currently passed out on his hand, and- wow thing thing was tiny. barely even the size of his hand.

....should he call it a thing? those eyes were full of terror, muted as it may be. and like.. he didn’t like being feared, but.. terror is sign of sentience, right? at the very least, it- or, they?- they, were intelligent.

....and they were knocked out... because of him. and... they are pretty thin, too.

maybe.... he could take them home? give them some food, as an apology for startling them? yeah, yeah that could work!

and with that, he his hand in his hoodie pocket, still carefully cradling the tiny, and headed his way on home.

[peachhyychenle]

clear skies | b.jc

pairing: jacob x reader

genre: fluff, soulmate AU (idk if its a genre but here we are)

word count: 0.9k (or 949 if you wanna be precise)

warning: mention of food, mention of bugs

for the stars aligned event hosted by @knet-bakery

playlist: cover up taeyeon, stay gold bts, sunkissed khai dreams

soulmate au: the world is monochrome until you lock eyes with your soulmate.

a/n: this was inspired by the picnic I went on the other week and it seemed to also fit perfectly with the A to BOYZ that jacob did which you can find here!

summary: picnics were always a fun thing to do, whether it be with friends, family or partners. Clear skies and a cool breeze always ideal for feasting on strawberries and cherries, however they made the perfect weather for finding soulmates, too.

The blanket felt soft as you sat cross legged on the chequered fabric, a punnet of strawberries and grapes, along with a few sandwiches littering the inner portion of the space. It was the first day that you and your friends were all able to meet properly, and with the gorgeous weather your country was currently experiencing, a picnic felt like the perfect option. The birds happily chirping, the warm dry air that was complemented by the cooling breeze felt perfect. It was a perfect day.

Much of the conversation between your group revolved around debates between your current favourite shows, with the current battle being between Loki and WandaVision. However your mind drifted. The whole soulmate system was never really a prevalent topic in your group and so you never really think about it, however for the past week, you were just aware of how many people had found their partners for life and how many people could see the world so differently to you.

You would sometimes even forget about your grey scaled world until it came to your mother taking you out on her shopping sprees and asking your opinion on shirts that looked exactly the same to you, but in her eyes were completely different colours.

Colours always intrigued you. People would always talk about how blue the sky would be, or how green the grass was on days like today, hell even your mum mentioned it to you before you left. You just felt you were missing out on a life that everyone else was in touch with.

Drifting back into the group conversation, they had put on some music and were presently talking about different bands. At some point, a couple of your friends had gotten up and decided to dramatically act out the rest of the song which was definitely a highlight of the day.

A few more songs passed and collectively, you guys had decided to walk around and to find a different, more shaded spot. And so away you went.

It had been about five minutes and you were walking near the back of the group, an umbrella in hand from when you guys tried shading yourselves with it but inevitably gave up, minutes later. The group came across a diverting pathway leading into a small meadow.

There was an array of flowers, crickets were busy chirping away, joining the chorus of birds doing the same thing. And whilst the place looked like a painting you would find hung in a museum, you were merely passers by, there were trees that enclosed this small piece of paradise, however the grass looked way too overgrown to even attempt wading through.

A couple of your friends ran ahead, making the group laugh and as your laughter died down you heard a melody. At first you were going insane from the heat, but you heard the same melody again coming from the other end of the meadow. And so with a call to your friends that you would catch up, you began your mini adventure through the open undergrowth.

As you grew closer, many of the small critters hiding in the grass grew silent, whilst the strumming guitar became louder, and eventually this tune was accompanied by a voice.

You weren't a big believer in any religion but my oh my did this voice sound so pure. The only word that came to your mind to describe this voice was angelic.

You saw his shoes first. They were discarded a little away from where the music was and so when you peaked your head around some shrubbery, you were stunned.

A boy that looked to be around the same age as you was sitting on a tree stump, and was dressed up considering he was alone, and it didn't really fit with the warm day. His button up hung loosely on him, looking slightly too big but then somehow fitting him all the same, and paired with his jeans, it was definitely a simple look but one that suited him well.

If his voice sounded angelic, then his face definitely matched. He looked like a literal angel. His eyes were closed, as he sang. He looked so at peace, so content. So ethereal.

You weren't really sure why, but a smile had worked its way onto your face, seeing someone look so calm and peaceful yet you could hear how passionate he was in his playing and singing, it made you feel content.

A final strum on his guitar rang out and you began to quietly clap, so you didn't freak him out.

His eyes landed on you and he gave a chuckle and a grin afterwards. He got up from the stump and made his way over to you. He seemed a lot taller than what you were expecting.

As he walked over, you guys finally locked eyes, and as soon as you did, the world exploded around you.

Various shades of green took over, the pops of yellow and red from the flowers complementing it nicely and the sky. It was such a beautiful colour. You definitely understood why people would often love days like these.

'Woah'

'Yeah woah, this is beautiful', you responded to his exclamation. Never in your life would you have thought this was how you would meet your soulmate.

'Hi soulmate, I'm Y/N' you greeted, a warm smile on your face, finally looking away from the greenery and focusing on the guy in front of you.

His hands reached forward to grab both of your own and as he held them he introduced himself.

'Hi soulmate, I'm Jacob and I'm glad to meet you at last'

[chancedarling]

"Twelve feet? If they start up a basketball league, I'm on your team."

He flashes another of those quick grins. Managing to look both impressed and joking at the same time.

"Seriously though - can you control it at all? Like decide when it happens, or if you're going to embiggen or go teensy tiny?"

Something to note - a tiny Selin would be handy to go unnoticed. To places she shouldn't, to hear things not for the ears of others. She could be the perfect little spy. But a caution also. If she could spy on others... She could be watching Chance too - when he least expects it. He'll have to bear that in mind. Make sure the mask was firmly affixed - no slips.

"Interesting. Sure. Though I'm not sure how useful it is..."

Chance offers a small shrug at his own ability. A negligible little thing that was of no concern nor threat to anyone.

Tossing coins... Not to mention that he'd already had a taste of both bad and good luck... Being mauled by the beast in the woods. Significant enough to know that what had been inflicted on him were surely mortal injuries... Lucky enough that the big-dog-puppy boy without his memory was there to our some kind of life juice back into him... Those injuries closing and healing before his eyes. Remade. Rejuvenated...

...That... Was fucking lucky.

"I, uh... No not really. I don't know how it works. And I don't really know how I might test it... But if you have any ideas, I'm all ears!"

He's as bright and enthused as he can be. And it's very fucking convincing if he does say so himself. And he does. Let see if there's some kind of brain in there or if it was just a case of moths rattling around an empty jar.

But before he has the chance to probe to see if there's anything more, her sway of attention to a point behind them and small exclamation is enough to have him turning to look.

He does see it. Though he's not entirly sure what 'it' is. Some kind of dog-gerbil-monkey freakish furry looking fucker.

"That's what you saw?"

It's small. And while it might be making something of a beeline for them... Chance is fairly confident that a long legged kick would yeet the little bastard far enough away to think twice. It's a freakish little mutant of a thing. Not one animal or another... But as it gets closer, it's certainly more 'monkey' than anything else.

Tilting his head to one side, Chance does take a step forward (and in front of Selin as she seemed more freaked out than him right now), because he's curious.

"Hey little guy."

He's practically cooing (a voice generally reserved exclusively for the likes of Miss Piggy).

"You want a banana?"

The words don't seem to make much difference. But while he's watching the little critter skittering their way, there's a small movement from the treeline... Closer than the hub, and another furry ball rolls out. Rolls out. Stands up... And starts heading toward them.

"Oh, you got a little friend?"

A quick look back to Selin.

"It's kinda weirdly cute."

Curious but cautious. After all, the 'wildlife' around here hadn't been overly friendly so far.

The sand about 30 feet away seems to erupt with a small 'pop' - another one?

Three. Three critters.

"Uh... Selin? I think we should back up now. Ummm... Rapido!"

"I guess it's a good thing I'm not much of a gamer then." she mused, knowing that competitive online games were just not her speed. Plus, it wasn't like she had the time to sit back and enjoy playing games. When she had so much work to do, it felt undeserved to take a break and unwind.

"So far I haven't seen anyone with suddenly more or less features, thankfully. For the most part I think everyone looks and seems normal until whatever they can do is activated. I think they started passing around a sheet for that registry of everyone's powers Lindi thought we should make. I should get my hands on that to add myself."

She was mostly talking to herself, an attempt to distract herself from her admitting her own power. Focusing on her words rather than any sort of reaction from Chance until he asked her a simple question. "I didn't exactly measure but, I got pretty small, like the size of a mouse if it was standing on its hind legs. And I think I must have…at least doubled in size. Like maybe eleven? twelve feet tall?"

She watched curiously as he pulled out the coins from his pocket, delicately grabbing a quarter, Canadian, familiar, before doing as he instructed and flipped it a couple times. Each flip, his guess was correct. Well, could she really call it a guess? Chance stated it so easily, with the confidence of someone who knew the result before it was decided. Her eyes widened slightly at the revelation of what he was capable of.

"That's…fascinating. That's a really interesting ability to have." She said as she handed the coin back to him (not like they would need money around here after all). "Have you tested it out on anything else besides coin tosses?" At least how Selin saw it, not really sure how to envision harnessing the power of good luck, it was like knowledge of future events. On a small scale, low stakes of simple coin tosses, but perhaps he could also figure out a way to see more, to know more.

Before Selin could figure out a way to ask if he could figure out how to see bigger outcomes, whether they'd be rescued, if they could find a way off this island, there was a sound of something scuttling through the sand towards them.

It came from the direction of The Hub it looked like, Selin looked at it, a little creature, unsettling to look at as it approached. It reminded her of a furby, at least the way its eyes looked so haunted and soulless, but it had arms and legs, the rest of the body looked furry and soft, almost monkey like.

"Uh…you seeing that thing?" As if it's dark fur and piercing eyes wasn't obvious.

It wasn't moving very fast, but in an attempt to maneuver around it, she held onto Chance and pushed them to give this thing a wide berth, only for it to change it's trajectory to keep on them. "I think…this is the thing I saw. At the hub during the feast. And I'm not a fan of the look in it's eye..."

[fruitcoops]

ahhh *le gasp*

you know what would be even better?

Pads meeting Harry for the first time 🥺😳

Thank you for suggesting this, anon! Sweater Weather credit goes to @lumosinlove!

“You okay?” Remus murmured, sliding his hand around Sirius’ waist. They had been standing on the doormat for an eternity, his hand poised to knock without actually moving. Sirius nodded. “Do you want me to do it?”

“No, I’ve got it.” He took another ten count to steel himself, then knocked carefully. The soft sound may as well have been a sonic boom in his ears.

The door opened a moment later, revealing Lily, who was wreathed in the warm light of the house. She looked tired, but the vibrancy that made her so fantastic remained. “Hey, you two. Come on in, it’s cold out there. James, they’re here!”

“Be right down!” Jams called back, his voice echoing in the staircase. A happy babbling sound followed it and Sirius froze midway through removing his scarf. “I know, buddy, it’s so exciting!”

“He’s been talking about it for days,” Lily said wryly from a million miles away. Sirius’ eyes were fixed on the stairs. “Pads, is something wrong? Do your ribs hurt?”

Pads. Pads, that’s me. “Quoi?” He shook his head after a moment as reality trickled back. “No, I’m fine. Um, there’s a baby upstairs.” Duh.

Lily’s smile held no trace of judgement. “Yeah.”

“That’s your baby. And—and James’.” His brain was short-circuiting. “Your actual child is upstairs.”

“Your actual godson is upstairs.” Lily practically glowed with happiness. “Come on, the living room is warmer.”

He fumbled to grab Remus’ hand and held it tight, doing his best to take steady breaths as they sat down on the couch. “Alright. Alright, I’m okay.”

“You’re going to be the best godfather,” Remus said, giving his hand a squeeze and kissing his wrist. His chest ached, though whether it was from his half-healed ribs or something entirely different, he wasn’t sure.

Slow footsteps came from the hall and Sirius closed his eyes. Deep breaths. Slow and steady. “Are you ready?” James asked from the doorway. He swallowed thickly and nodded.

There was a soft whine as they entered the room and Sirius opened his eyes, immediately checking for any problems. He heard Remus gasp, and then James was standing in front of him with a bundle of red blankets; there were dark shadows under his eyes and a beaming smile on his face.

“Okay, Pads, here we go.”

“I can’t,” Sirius blurted suddenly, tucking his hands under his arms. “I can’t. He’s so small. I’m going to drop him or—or squish him, or something. My palm is as big as his face, James!”

“Crazy, right? Give me your hand.” James reached out with one arm and both of them reflexively lurched forward to catch the baby. He rolled his eyes and fixed them with a patented James Potter Look. “Guys. I’ve got the kid. Sirius, give me your hand.”

His fingers trembled as he held it out and James carefully adjusted him so his arms formed a cradle against his chest. Sirius could feel his heartbeat in his ears and his throat at the same time as James leaned down; there was a brush of soft fabric, a gurgling sound, and then Sirius was holding the baby.

Harry had Lily’s eyes, and James’ nose. Sirius would swear on any holy book that the stars themselves lived in those eyes. His chubby cheeks were rosy as he stared at Sirius with an open mouth. He let out a shaking breath and Harry smiled, toothless and squishy and absolutely wonderful. A couple drops of water splashed onto his round little face. “Stop crying on the baby, Pots,” he murmured.

James huffed. “That’s not me, man.”

With more care than he would use for the greatest treasures on earth, Sirius nestled Harry into the crook of his arm and reached toward his own face—his fingers came away damp. “Oh. Sorry.”

“Don’t worry, we cried all over him at the hospital and he’s fine. Look at how he’s cuddling into your chest. That means he likes your heartbeat.”

“He’s perfect.” Harry reached two chubby hands toward his face and Sirius leaned down, tracing one finger along the unbelievably soft skin before holding his tiny, warm fist to his cheek. “Bonjour.”

“Abababababa!”

Sirius grinned. “Bonjour, Harry. I’m your godfather. And you’re perfect.”

Harry wrapped his hand around Sirius’ finger—his little palm barely made it three-quarters of the way around, but his grip was solid as Sirius tickled his chin. He squealed and Sirius laughed.

“Oh, god, they’re so cute,” Lily sniffled from her armchair. Sirius hummed his agreement, never taking his eyes off the baby. He didn’t think he ever would. “How’re you feeling, Sirius?”

“Everything. I’m feeling everything right now.” Another tear dripped down his cheek and he quickly wiped it on the shoulder of his sweater so it wouldn’t touch Harry; this baby would never have tears in his life if he could help it. “You are the most precious thing,” he said softly, just for Harry to hear. “I will never let you get hurt.”

“That’s what we all promise.” James’ voice was low and a little choked up from the seat next to him. “I wouldn’t count on it, though. Babies are surprisingly accident-prone.”

Sirius shook his head as Harry made unblinking eye contact with him. “No. Not this one.”

A warm hand curled around his shoulder as James leaned into him, reaching out to tap his baby on the nose lightly. They all laughed when he sneezed, looking shocked at the noise it made. “You’re a lucky kid, Harry. You’ve got the best godfather in the whole wide world.”

“Re, you should hold him.” Sirius finally tore his gaze away from Harry and looked at Remus, whose eyes were red-rimmed. “Woah, are you alright?”

“Fine,” Remus said hoarsely, taking a deep breath as he held his sleeve to his eye. “Totally fine. You’re both just incredible and I love you.”

“I love you, too. Hold the baby.”

“Are you sure you want to let him go?”

“You get thirty seconds before I’m stealing him back.” Sirius cracked a grin. “This is your warning.”

“I better make it count then,” Remus laughed, reaching for the blanket bundle. “Hey, kiddo.”

“Watch his head,” James reminded him as they passed the blanket bundle between them. “He has too many bones right now.”

Sirius blinked. Did I hear that right? “He has what?”

“Too many bones,” Lily repeated. She raised an eyebrow. “What, you thought I was about to shove a full human skull through my hips? Hell no, the baby needs to fold.”

“Fold?” Sirius asked, horrified. “When does he stop folding?”

“Somewhere around eighteen months.”

His jaw fell open. They were barely three weeks in, and the baby wouldn’t be safe for another year at least. “But he’s already out?”

“Mhm.”

“So he doesn’t need to fold anymore.”

“We were thinking about making a bubble wrap outfit for him.” Lily glanced over at Remus and smiled. “Aw, Re, are you okay?”

“No.” Remus’ voice was thick with tears. “Yes. I don’t know. This baby is the only thing in the whole world that matters.”

James smiled at Lily. “Hey, that’s what I said!”

She shook her head. “The nurses were getting worried, I think. He was crying more than I was.”

Remus was whispering to Harry with a small smile as the baby gnawed on his sweater cuff, and Sirius rested his chin on his shoulder. Harry’s eyes went wide again when he saw Sirius and he shrieked, lighting up with a smile. “Did you find your favorite person?” Remus asked, leaning some of his weight on Sirius’ chest. “I know, buddy, he’s the best.”

“We’re about to be outranked by the godfather,” Lily sighed. “I knew it was coming, but still. Ouch.”

“It’s cute that you think we’re giving him back,” Sirius teased, reaching down to feel the pitch-black fuzz on Harry’s head. “He’s got your hair, J.”

“I know.” James sounded absolutely thrilled.

Out of the blue, Harry’s face began turning red. His smile slipped and he began wiggling around, flailing his little fists as he let out the most eardrum-piercing, window-shattering screech Sirius had ever heard. Remus paled and Sirius went still.

“Oh, no, no, shhh,” Remus soothed, rocking him gently. “It’s okay, you’re fine, Pots what do we do?”

“He’s probably hungry.” Lily stood up and stretched her back out. “Come here, parasite.”

“Parasite?” Remus and Sirius chorused with equal degrees of offense.

“Relax, mama bear, you know I love him,” she said, rolling her eyes as she hoisted the baby out of Remus’ arms and let him curl up against her. He quieted immediately and an indescribable kind of affection covered her face. “I grew him for nine months in my belly. This little critter made me eat pickles and ice cream together.” She tickled his belly and he burbled happily. “You did! Do you know how gross that is, honeybun? Do you? Oh, mama loves you so much.”

They all stood up as she left the room, though Sirius couldn’t really place why. James wiped his hands on his jeans and turned to them with a mischievous smile. “So, what do you think? It wasn’t super clear—”

Sirius wrapped both arms around him and pulled him in for a crushing hug. “Thank you. And congratulations. But mostly thank you.”

“Love you, Sirius.”

“Love you, too, J. You are going to be the most amazing dad.”

“I meant what I said. Harry’s lucky to have you.” James squeezed him tight and stepped back to hold him at arm’s length. “Dude, I’ve got a baby!”

“You’ve got a baby!” Sirius laughed, wrapping an arm around Remus’ shoulders as well; they swayed for a moment, all laughing and all slightly in shock. It was perfect.

[drabbles-of-writing]

Reverse Au! Dump

Don’t mind my idea dumping here. Brain decided to have fun while I was at work and I have too many wips as it is, so… Thought I’d ask before I dumped, experience. Used morningmark’s comics as a base, so if you want reference. Now this isn’t all that well compiled, but here it goes.

~

Magic in the Other World is varied as it is crazy. So many styles over the generations and not a lot of organization. There are some that try to categorize it all, but that works as well as you’d expect. Some were lost, some erased, some weren’t passed down/recorded because “the power is all mine! Ahahaha!” It took a lot of time and collaboration, but eventually a sort of system was installed to help out. Still a lot of work to do, but its a step forward. Nowadays the term Wild Magic is generally reserved for those that aren’t all that well documented and understood.

Some Magics are very powerful and desirable, but also tend to be very high risk/high reward, kinda pass/fail, pretty literally Do or Die most times. So not a lot of people can use those or are even willing to. Story says this one guy named Odin hung himself on a massive tree by his own spear for nine days, no food water or rest in constant pain before he could unlock the secret of Runes. But it’s also said he gouged out his own eye to drink from the Well of Wisdom so… 

There are lots of different ways to channel magic too: wands, staves, jewelry, certain gems, familiars, potions, enchanted armaments, chants, scripts, etc. Each tool has its own advantages and disadvantages and play into a Witches’ style. Every Witch has at least two methods of spellcasting. Only children have one. Haven’t thought of how Luz gets her Palisman though. Maybe its one of those magic Artifacts like Dr. Strange’s cloak, Elder Wand, Thor’s hammer, or a Green Lantern’s Ring. Something that can’t be recreated because the secret is lost, materials no longer exist, too hard/dangerous to make, accident that can’t be recreated, etc. Happens more often than people like.

Camilla is sometimes called the Blue Witch. She’s a healer by heart and trade, but push her and she will become a one Witch Battleship. Bismark who? Aaaaand she just deleted a whole battalion. And the fortress behind them. Hide me. There are the very rare occasions, like count on one hand rare, when someone near and dear to her heart is in trouble that she takes up her other job. She’s especially terrifying when she decides to torture, those who know how to heal the body know best how to break it. Many shades of Blue, some are very close to Black. She doesn’t necessarily hate Humans exactly, but doesn’t have the highest of regard from past experiences.

Luz has training and is a proficient Witch for her age. Camilla and her father were adamant about having a general knowledge/skillset alongside her specialized skill. Jack of all trades and a master of none, still better than a master of one. She has gone through the system for her magic with varying success. Oracle magic? Zero talent. Bard classes? She can play an instrument, but can’t sing at the same time. When she does sing she tires too hard and messes up. It’s only when she doesn’t try, like absently singing along with a song or playing by her heart, that she’s good at it. Beasts? Can use them, but would rather play with them. Bleeding heart and all that. She does have a good handle on healing magic partly due to Camilla drilling necessary skills into her and partly osmosis. Her father arranged for some CQC lessons from an old friend of his which the girl loved. You get the idea. It wasn’t until she discovered Glyphs that she found her niche and her skills took off. Glyphs are one of those ‘eccentric’ or 'archaic’ styles since they haven’t been used in so long after being lost and are barely understood. She still has a long way to go, but she is on her way.

Luz never really had much in the way of friends, partly cuz of high profile parents which leads to certain pressures and a target on her head, partly because of her magic style and personality, and partly because of the trouble been going on. Luz grew up her whole life with this tension of a group of anarchists trying to burn society that’s just trying to do the right thing. The anarchists started small, but have been a growing problem the past few decades with talk how to 'reshape the world’ in not a good way. Anyone with critical thinking skills can tell this is a bad idea, but they are too brainwashed to notice. They harass anyone who doesn’t follow their rhetoric and attack anyone who even questions them. Luz’s parents put a real kink in a lot of their plans for years, which makes Luz guilty by association. 

Luz got caught in one of those sudden larger scuffles and was accidentally chucked/blown through a portal created by an attempted tactical retreat that went off course. Hence why she can’t go home because she hasn’t learned how to do portals yet. Those are high level anyway so how did these guys pull it off so easily? Luz has a hard time blending in obviously. Learning how to use a phone was a fun endeavor. Internet was a trip. Luz is amazed how these people can do all this cool stuff without magic. Keep a low profile sure, she can pass off as a weird out of town kid. Keep the beanie on, underperform in gym and stuff because some things don’t change, like genetics. Someone sharp eyed will see discrepancies. The Beanie has a small Glamor spell built in that covers her witchy traits but she forgot the ears which is why it sits like it does. Luz can erase memories in case she has an accident, but it’s less of a 'remove my face from this picture with a scalpel’, and more of a 'lemme just hack off the past hour or three from your brain with an axe.’ If she tries to take any more then she starts burning into some more dangerous territory and those Wiped are groggy and disoriented for a while after already. Then the magic attacks start happening and her heroic instinct/anti-bystander complex kicks in and there goes that. It runs in the family so Camilla isn’t surprised in the slightest when she finds out.

“Oh titan, why did you curse me with another me?” “I’m right here Mami!”

Eda has a shack very akin to Grunkle Stan. Lots of junk that Lilith can’t believe that people are dumb enough to buy. She’s also involved in some not so legal dealings on the side. Well, Eda isn’t actually hurting anybody and the tax dollars she should be paying would only go towards some politicians’ next yacht or another pointless overseas 'investment’ instead of where it’s supposed to go so. Eda does give some good intel on occasion and a place to vent so Lillith overlooks her. Lil’s more of the secret police for witches and a petty crook isn’t part of her job anyway. Eda understands Luz’s predicament and is willing to help. The cover story is that Camilla work in hospitals and has to work crazy hours while her dad passed away so is living with Eda for a while. King is that kind of critter that grew up weird and acts like ten different animals all the time.

Gus is the nerdy kid who infodumps on everybody, even if they’re not listening. Loves anything fantasy/sci-fi related and plays Minecraft too. A good kid at heart, but needs some social skills. Keep him away from anything more sugary than tea. Luz learned a lot listening to him. Not all of it is entirely useful, but still. Some of his ramblings give her some good ideas for magic and stuff, like putting Glyphs on cards.

The Blights are the cool rich kids obviously, and have some discipline and social issues. Big family name makes them intimidating for normies and a meal ticket for the unsavory. These kids need real friends. They decided to act out to get some attention from the parents who then decided to ignore them. “If you’re going to act like a child tantrum, get treated like one.” Ed is perfect for Drama classes, if he were allowed to partake. Can’t decide what Em is great at, hacking perhaps? Amity’s car is an inheritance from the only family to treat her as such Twins aside, even if she’s too young to remember it. She only remembers that she has feelings surrounding the car. All three of them were pretty impressed with Luz for standing up to them, calling them out on their shit, and not giving a crap about their family name. Being treated like a normal person is pretty weird. Can we get her to do that again?

Amity tried dating Boscha once, didn’t work out very well. Boscha is still hurting over Amity’s comment of “I’d rather go date the new weird kid (Luz) than go back to you.” It’s one of the reasons she goes after Luz. She has that kind of Bud personality from Spider Man, feels lesser and so acts out so much. 

“Wow, this new Witch is amazing. Not as cool as the original Witch.”

“What is it with the Witch with you?”

“Oh, she’s a hero. Looks out for the city and the little guy. She inspires me. Makes me want to be a bigger person. *sees Luz* What’s up Luz-er?”

~

And that’s what I got right now. I know there was more, but it’s lost to the void right now. Might come back later, maybe not. Lemme know what you think.

............

DAMN you weren’t lying when you said you had an info-dump this is *chefs kiss* you got me intrigued now

[domesticandlovingmonsters]

I know requests are closed but I would love to see a little snipet of the mimic shop au. Its just so cute

I'm happy to do a snipet since I am in love with idea

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

The front door creaked open as a customer slipped into the shop. The ambient chittering that usually filled the dusty shop ceased into silence as the woman approached the front desk. Greeting you with a friendly smile and a ‘good morning’.

“Good morning, what can I help you with?” You asked as you leaned against the counter between you and the customer.

“I talked to you about an hour ago on the phone? I was bringing down my grand-mother’s earrings for you to inspect?” The woman replied. Opening her purse to retrieve a small wooden box. She flipped open the plainly carved lid to display a set of beautiful pearl earrings.

“Oh, yes! You wanted to sell them. I forgot to ask you on the phone if they were magical at all?” You held out your hands and the woman passed the small box to you. They were gorgeous. With thin rose gold metal twisting around the pearls like vines. Tiny thorns could be seen along the metal and you felt your fingertips tingle as you brushed your fingers over one of them.

“A Curse was recently removed from them.” The woman informed you. “My Grand-Mother was a crazy old bat. Always thought her grandkids were trying to steal her jewels. She Cursed them before she passed. So, none of us could have them. Even though I was left with all of her jewellery in her Will. She made it difficult to love her sometimes.”

You politely nodded along to the story as you inspected the pieces. Placing down the box with one of the earrings still in it as you let your Magic flow into and around the pearls. There were traces of the Curse. Nothing but harmless remnants of Dark Magic. You were relieved to sense that the last of the Curse was disappearing and it had been removed by a professional. Not some home-body novice who merely hid Curses behind walls still within the pieces.

“They’re very beautiful.” You said, letting your Magic fall away. “I can give you a hundred and ten dollars for the pair. Since the pearls are natural and the metal seems almost new.”

“That’s fair. I am sad that I’m giving them away but…oh, where’d the other one go?”

You looked down at the counter to where you had placed the box. Only to find the box bare and facing your clutter of trinkets by the register. You frowned and waved your hand over the area. Your Magic pulsed gently. Tendrils of energy flowing over your ornaments and small trinket boxes until you heard a giggle radiate from a music box. Your frown deepened. The music boxes were near the back. And you weren’t expecting anyone to pick up one today.

You scooped up the music box and placed it between yourself and the customer. Who was looking around her feet for the missing earring. Muttering that she must have knocked it off the counter.

“Cough it up.” You said firmly. Placing your hand in front of the box. Nothing answered. Unsurprisingly. The giggling stopped and the customer looked at you with a cocked eyebrow. “Sorry. Mimics. My store is home to a few of them.” You said rolling your eyes. You went to the drawers by the register and opened each one until you found the shiny collection of buttons. You scooped a few into your hand and waved them in front of the music box. “Look, shiny right? Give me the earring and you can have one.”

For a moment, the box stayed perfecting still. Until it creaked open with a soft gurgle and a long, pink tongue rolled out from within the porcelain box. The earring slid off the slimy tongue and thin furry hands eagerly reached for the buttons. You allowed the mimic to take two polished buttons. Placing them on its tongue and then snapping shut with a little giggle. The creature shivered as you patted the lid and slid the box back into its original place by the register.

“Again, sorry. They’re sneaky little critters.” You mumbled as you took a rag from your pocket and started to clean the earring of slobber.

The customer had recoiled away from the counter the moment the mimic revealed itself. Her fingers clutched her bag tightly and her eyes were wide. Glancing about feverishly as you finished the earring. “Y-You have a lot of them in here?”

“A few. Nothing big enough to hurt anyone.” You replied with an affectionate smile. “The biggest one I have is a cabinet at the back. But they’re not really a threat. They get a steak burger every morning when I come in. So, they don’t need to eat the customers.”

The customer didn’t want to believe it, but she swore there were a pair of glowing orange eyes glowering at her from the shelf by the window. Peering through the cracks of a vase that was covered in dust and looked like it had been dropped many times in its life. She spun back around as you carefully opened the plain wooden box to ensure no small critter had slipped inside, before placing the earrings back into the cushioned lining.

“Do people buy them? Or sell them to you?” The customer asked. Holding her purse tightly shut and in front of her as you counted out the money.

“Most of them just find their way in here. I don’t purchase anything that could harm people. And since Mimics can be considered pets or beasts, I’m not licensed to sell them.” You held the money out to the customer and she thanked you with a shaky smile. “You don’t like Mimics I take it?”

“Childhood trauma,” She said with another shaky smile. “Um, thank you. I hope those earrings go to a good home.” She was quick to flee from the shop after that. You glimpsed her go through her purse and check everything thoroughly outside the shop. Until she was satisfied that no mimics had entered her stuff, she quickly strutted away without a glance behind her. You sighed and removed the earrings from the box and carried the earrings to the back for labelling and placing. You left the lid open and placed the empty wooden box on one of the shelves as you passed. When you returned, there were many more small to medium boxes on the shelf than normal. And the plain wooden box was closed tightly shut. You could hear growling from many of the boxes. But with a few small pats to the lids and softly cooed words. The critters calmed and you returned them to their usual places on various shelving’s and cabinets.

[justlikethefish]

Somewhere outside the borders of the world is a giant scorpion made out of teeth. The main reason we're safe from it is that it's too big to fit inside the world, so it's kinda stuck outside.

You know how elemental spirits that get real strong end up dragons? Sometimes a dragon is also a big ol' frog or a really weird, mean bear. They're still dragons, though!

Sometimes, groups of down-on-their-luck gods will band together and form street gangs. There's probably two cities where this happens most often, and only one of them is Heaven.

The colossal weird titan-things that made the world packed it full of big, weird prototypes of regular critters.

One of them is a mammoth that's practically a mountain, surrounded in a perpetual freezing fog. It herds glaciers.

Another one of them is a mantis so big that its legs are mistaken for redwoods and its body and head are obscured by the canopy of the forest it inhabits. It spends most of its time just vibing and thinking deep mantis thoughts, but every now and then it'll munch on travelers as a little treat if it gets real hungry.

And another is a 20-foot tall puma that once wrestled a hero for three days straight and they had such a good time that they decided to become bros and hunt down the enemies of the Sun. One time, they impressed a guy so much he made them matching armor. Another time, when the puma got all messed up trying to rescue a sorceress, she healed him so good that armor became a part of his body. He's currently hanging out, probably waiting for his old pal to be reincarnated. Hey, his old pal could be you!

And yet another is, like, the first dude, and he's 15 feet tall and made of clay and he swims around through the dirt and if he gets mad at you, he'll just pull a magic sword or something out of the dirt and beat you up with it. He's kinda mad because the folks who made him didn't even finish him before making actual humans, but mostly he just loves to travel and see the world.

For some reason, there's like, a billion things that will parasitize you, or take over your body, or mimic you or something like that.

There's two kinds of wasps that do this! One is a giant wasp that will xenomorph you, while the other will enter your body en masse and hive up in there, puppeting your corpse around all grossly. They'll do this to whole towns!

There's colonies of parasitic orchids that will take over the minds and bodies of their victims with different colored blooms that perform different roles.

There's an evil bog that takes human sacrifices, then uses those bodies to do evil bog stuff.

There's a rubbery, three-eyed squid-bug that'll make one precise cut, then crawl inside you and eat you from the inside. They can learn human language and eventually learn to mimic it in their puppet-bodies.

There's these big, weird, white-furred cat-goblin guys that just absolutely hate religious and virtuous people, and they love to kill, eat, and—you guessed it!—wear their skins and impersonate them. They're immune to attacks made by normal people for some reason.

There's these big, green cyclops-monkeys with goat legs and ram horns that love caring for small, defenseless things but just absolutely love eating people... Especially old people. Oh, and they're perfect vocal mimics, so they'll call out to you in your own voice.

Actually, there's a whole bunch of monkeys, too. The forest mimics listed above, ink monkeys, panic monkeys, (arguably) grate monkeys, tree-singers, chillikin, sleepers-in-the-sand at least look like gorillas, there's blood apes... Heck, you could do a whole post on weird monkeys.

Some of my favorite weirdass shit of all the weirdass shit in Exalted:

An off-balance, amnesiac elemental dragon who travels the world as a ragged human hobo and gives people he likes magical pillow creatures with faces that explode in the owner’s face when he gets pissed

Tiny, pissy, bitter multicolored sparkledeer that are eternally enslaved to giant sentient mountains that read their thoughts

An ancient race of dinosaur-people with names straight out of a Thundercats cartoon who start out life as Jurassic-park level vicious monsters and have a limited and non-replenishable pool of reincarnating souls

bio-engineered giant reptiles who eat drugs, use their stomachs as refineries, and piss out stronger drugs

a man so done with the state of the world that he has spent centuries as a killer whale eating giant squids

a giant imprisoned primordial who affects the form of an angry boarlike being and a giant imprisoned primordial who comprises a vast silver forest who are probably totally boyfriends

faeries that are actually every-shifting entities of chaos who approach simple things like “identity”, “euclidian geometry”, and “feelings of any sort” like they are cosplay props

[delimeful]

the end of being alone (1)

A WIBAR AU (that’s right, an AU of an AU) where the circumstances of Virgil’s introduction to the group-- or rather, Virgil himself-- are... a little different. A commission for @bumblebeekitten! 

warnings: unknowingly referring to a person as ‘it’, panic, fear, child endangerment

---

Patton woke up to the distinctive clamor of his teammates bickering. It was a familiar sound. 

“-- has been three days, are you certain we aren’t simply chasing a local legend with no basis in reality?” That would be Logan!

“Look, you two are the ones that decided to come with me, I would have been perfectly fine going alone!” And there was Roman, the swish of his tail betraying his agitation. “Besides, there’s something suspicious going on here, I’m sure of it.”

“Oh? And what evidence do you have to support your assertion?” 

“... I’ve just got a feeling.” 

Logan made a sound of disgust, and Patton sat up in time to see his friend throw all four hands out in an exasperated gesture. He sleepily rubbed at his eyes, shaking out his mussed-up feathers. 

“Are you tired of camping already, Lo?” 

The Ulgorian exhaled slowly, his ears twitching irritatedly. “No. I simply am uncertain that this venture will prove beneficial. We don’t have the budget to waste time on a vain attempt to soothe superstitious locals.” 

“Don’t be so heartless, Professnore,” Roman snapped, quickly checking his pack for everything he would need while out traversing the woods. “They’re asking for help because they’re worried. Something out there has driven the Humlilts into hiding, for all we know, the livestock could be next!” 

“They suspect the local fauna are being threatened, but that’s only one potential explanation--,” Logan started, and Patton swiftly tuned out the argument, remembering suddenly what he’d intended to check on. He hopped to his feet and checked on his ‘Humlilt bait’-- a small dish with sweet sliced fruit he’d set out.

Humlilts’s were relatively small, timid creatures, hoofed quadruped mammals that stood even shorter than Patton. They weren’t fond of being directly approached, and even initiating eye contact could scare them off, but if they took a liking to someone, they tended to be fiercely loyal. The fact that many had strayed from the nearby town was concerning, no matter the reason.

“Yes!” Patton chirped in glee when the plate proved empty, only a few spots of juice left behind. Behind him, the heated discussion faltered. 

“Something you’d like to share with the team, Feathers?” Roman asked, one of his ridged eyebrows twitching up curiously. Logan frowned at the dish, and Patton quickly replied before he could be lectured on leaving ‘fauna attractants’ out by mistake. 

“I’m one step closer to making a new friend!” he announced gleefully. “Good morning, little critter! Are you still around?” 

There was no response from the forest, but he remained cheerful, his antennae barely flickering. “Aw, feeling shy? I’ll befriend you yet, little critter, just you wait…” 

“Patton,” Logan started. “Do you mean to imply that last night, you intentionally placed food out to lure local creatures to our camp while we are in the middle of trying to track down an unknown, potentially dangerous beast?” 

“Of course not!” Patton responded, picking up the plate to stow it away. Before Logan could relax too much, he continued. “I’ve been leaving snacks out since the first day we made camp!” 

He scrunched his eyes closed to show his happiness, and not at all to avoid the incensed look Logan would be giving him right about now. 

“Have you any idea how dangerous—“ 

“Woah, Lo, it’s a-okay!” Patton hurried to reassure him. “I know for sure that it’s a little hummer and not anything else. The last two sunrises, when I woke up and greeted the day, I would hear it call back, just like the noise Logan said they make! The little critter is following us around, and soon we’ll be best buds, I can feel it.”  

Logan waved a spare hand dismissively, already well into his datalog, muttering as he scoured the articles he had saved for this journey for any mention of on-planet predator animals using mimicry. Roman shuddered his scales in fond exasperation, his tail thumping against Logan’s ankle.   

“Relax, Specs, I’ll be sure to protect us from any malignant beasties.” He paused, and then cast a slightly admonishing glance down at Patton. “That is, so long as there aren’t any more secret surprises you’ve been keeping from us, Pattoncake?”  

“No secrets here! The next time I try to adopt a new member into our little family, I’ll make sure to let you kiddos know in advance,” he chirped with his eyes crinkled. The gleeful expression didn’t fade a bit as his words prompted Roman and Logan to burst into brand new diatribes.  

“Wait, is ‘lure them with sweet snacks’ your usual go-to? Did that work on me--?” 

“Patton, we are not kidnapping local fauna--!” 

Yup, familiar sounds indeed. 

---

The rest of the morning was spent trekking through the woods and filling the air with companionable bickering, but by midday, Roman had found tracks. And then he found more tracks. And finally, he found The Tracks.

Unlike the first few instances, Logan was unable to confidently match the bipedal mammalian prints to any native creature in the area. After some triumphant crowing about his skills, Roman led the way with significantly less chatter, prompting the other two to follow suit as dusk slowly began to fall. 

Patton kept his feathers sleek against him so they wouldn’t brush roughly against the foliage, and made sure his glow was as muted as possible as the sky darkened. He didn’t come on bounty trips often, but every proper Ampen knew how to be stealthy when need be. Some made a whole career out of it!

Between one heavy step and the next, Roman suddenly stilled, holding up a clawed hand to ensure they did the same. His ear cones shifted subtly, searching. The moment stretched, tension so thick it felt stifling, and then--

A slight sound to the left. Movement.

“There!” Roman shouted, and a dark shape flashed past Patton, silhouetted by the moonlight off the pale rock wall behind it. It was big. Definitely not a Humlilt. “Cut it off!” 

Logan was already in motion, spines raised as he held out his staff and barred the creature's way. He flicked the glow light at the top of the staff on and illuminated the outline of the being, which seemed almost fibrous in nature. Patton knew of some planets with mostly chlorophyll-based lifeforms, and this almost seemed to match. The creature had a body erupting with brush and plant matter, and a face of flat wood.

“Drive it this way,” Roman called. “I’ve got the unit ready!” 

It hissed furiously as Logan swung the light closer, and Patton saw the moment it turned its head slightly and realized it was being corralled. It lunged forward in a feint, and then ducked away from Logan’s swing and grabbed the staff, wrestling viciously with the smaller alien for it. The reflected light seemed to shine eerily in the back of its hole-like eyes.

Patton hurried forwards, but he wasn’t close enough to stop the creature from wrenching the staff out of Logan’s grip, knocking the Ulgorian over in the process. Roman shouted, too far away to intervene. Logan shot a few spines, but they weren’t laced and barely seemed to phase the creature. It screamed gutturally as it lifted the staff up, and Patton forgot every promise he’d made to stay out of the way of any quarry larger than him.   

“Stop!” he screeched, throwing his arms out and letting his feathers flare up as bright as they could go. 

The distraction worked; the creature twisted away from Logan to focus on the new element, jolting forward a few steps before distinctly pausing, its shining eyes fixated on Patton. It took another smaller step towards him, tilting what Patton assumed was its head. 

“Little critter!” 

“Wh-- what?” Patton replied, stunned.

“Little critter? ...Good morning, little critter?” the creature chirped again, uncertainly. Every syllable was a perfect imitation of the phrases Patton had called out the three mornings they’d been there, just a little muffled.

The creature dropped to a crouch, and the abruptness of the motion made Patton flinch, startled. As though repentant, it set the staff on the ground slowly, and then made the distinct musical tone of a Humlilt. 

Patton gaped, the pieces clicking into place. Not a Humlit. The Humlit. The one he’d been working so hard to befriend, the one following them around, the one that apparently wasn’t a Humlit at all. 

In the next moment, Roman’s charging footsteps arrived, and all traces of softness vanished from the creature’s demeanor as it rose to its feet with a snarl, turning to face off against Patton’s crewmate. 

This isn’t right, Patton thought, and didn’t wait another moment before inserting himself between the two larger aliens, whistling shrilly. “Wait!” 

At his back, Roman skidded to a halt, incredulous half-formed protests spilling from his mouth. 

At his front, the creature held its aggressive position for a heartbeat longer, and then lowered its hands slightly, stumbling back a step and looking between Patton and Roman with uncertain antsiness. 

“Little critter? Little critter good?” it chirped, and Patton could feel the way Roman and Logan stiffened behind him. 

“Hey, little critter,” Patton said, slowly moving to sit down on the dirt. “I think we got off on the wrong claw. You don’t really want to fight, do you?” 

The creature shuffled anxiously, and Patton tapped the ground behind him. “Roman, why don’t you join me?”  

“Pat, come on,” Roman started, and then grumpily lowered himself to a seated position at Patton’s imploring look.

Across from them, the creature visibly relaxed, head cocking to the side inquisitively. After a moment, it lowered itself into a crouch like before. 

Patton’s antennae fluttered, and his happy glow increased slightly. “Good job! We’re already halfway to being friends, huh?” 

“Good,” the creature echoed, voice still uncertain and so small. “Hurt no?” 

“We won’t hurt you,” Patton replied, and the creature’s head lifted up to look at Roman doubtfully.   

After a moment, Patton heard the click of Roman’s scales flattening out in a show of nonaggression, and the Crav’on sighed. 

“On my honor, I won’t hurt you if you remain peaceable,” he said, extending a hand palm up to symbolize his oath. 

To their surprise, the creature reached out and touched him, grazing the dull talons and poking some of his smaller scales with cautious curiosity. It mumbled something to itself in a language Patton didn’t know, and folded Roman’s fingers into a loose fist before finally releasing him. 

“He’s pretty cool, isn’t he?” Patton whispered conspiratorially, and the creature held a hand out to him in a mirroring of Roman’s earlier gesture. He reached out and put his little clawed fingers on their palm, marvelling at the size difference. “You’re no critter, huh?” 

He turned to the side, the strange alien following his gaze. “Lo, I can hear you taking notes from here. You wanna come say hi?”

“Don’t patronize me,” Logan replied sourly, clasping his hands behind his back. “I simply didn’t wish to startle-- oh!” 

Logan’s eyes went wide as the stranger stalked over, body still low in its crouch. The behavior read as classically predatory, but the curious mumbling of the stranger made it clear that they weren’t acting aggressively. He hesitantly offered one of his own thin-fingered hands, the stranger pressing their palms together as though to compare the shapes. 

“Hello there,” he greeted belatedly. “Can you understand me? I am Logan, and those are Roman and Patton.” 

“Little critter!” the stranger offered enthusiastically, and then dissolved into another string of that unfamiliar language before bounding off and returning with the glow staff in hand. 

Patton could feel the way Roman went tense, but the stranger slowed down as they got closer and then set the staff on the ground a little bit in front of Logan, rolling it a few inches towards him.  

Logan made no move to pick the staff, and it was easy to see why. The fluorescent lights installed in the head of the staff lit the stranger up from below, illuminating the details that they’d missed before.

Four thin, pale limbs were smudged with dirt and grit, the edges of tattered old textiles peeking out from under the carpet of greenery that cloaked them. They could now see that the foliage wasn’t part of them, but a dedicated attempt at camouflage, built up for so long that some of the plants were growing around their shoulders or tangling in their dark hair. Most striking of all, the wooden plate that had covered their face had been knocked slightly askew, revealing half of a round face with big eyes and tiny features.    

“You’re just a fledgeling,” Patton said, something in his chest tightening at the way the child’s gaze flickered between them, nervous but hopeful. The curiosity, the nervousness, it all made sense knowing that this was a youngling.

“No, that’s not just a child,” Roman spoke up, shaken. “That’s… that’s a Human child.” 

Patton and Logan turned to him, shocked, but the child reacted the quickest of all, shooting into a standing position. They clumsily darted back a step as all eyes fell on them, chest rising and falling rapidly. “No! No! No Human, go away!” 

“Kiddo,” Patton tried, but before he could do more than reach out, the child turned on their heel and vanished back into the underbrush. The rustling of their movements quickly faded, leaving the three of them sitting in the clearing in silence. 

“Are you certain?” Logan finally said, rising to his feet and approaching them. “Roman, you’re absolutely sure about this?” 

“I… yeah.” The Crav’on flexed his hand, almost dazed. “I thought they would be more-- I mean, yeah, I’m sure. There’s no mistaking those eyes.” 

“Very well,” Logan nodded, hands already dancing delicately around him as he committed the encounter to memory. “In that case, I suppose we’ll be staying on-planet for a little longer.” 

“Wait, what?” Roman asked, both of them turning to look at the Ulgorian with surprise. 

Logan glanced up at them with a raised brow, knowing and smug. “I don’t believe either of you are the type to leave a semi-feral Deathworlder child alone on a planet where the locals believe them to be a monster. Thus, we are staying to help rectify the situation. Am I incorrect?”

“It’s not that simple,” Roman cautioned, but faltered after a moment. “However… you’re right. We can’t just leave them here. They need help, Human or not.”

“That’s right!” Patton agreed enthusiastically, his feathers ruffling up in excitement. “Looks like we’re getting a new member of the family after all!”