#pup really needs some structure

[yellowlikelemons]

Dont doubt me.

Bedtime at midnight from now on

-💜

But Mommyyyyyyy.... really? I'm staying up tonight cause I literally woke just now... (you can punish it if you want) but after that i'll try my best, okay? I want to be a good boy for you, Mommy 💛

[quarterlifekitty]

cw: dubcon, manipulation, babytrapping?

You ask Alpha!Gaz to spend your heat with you because he’s so chill. He’s always treated you just like one of the guys— since day one. Never once mentioned your designation, because he doesn’t care about that kind of thing, right? So when you ask him why his teeth are at your throat he smiles and laughs like you’re being silly, and says “I’ve been courting you for as long as I’ve known you, love.”

You ask Alpha!Soap to spend your heat with you because he’s so promiscuous. He’s slept with everyone on base, no strings attached, no broken hearts— obviously he’s a man who knows how to keep it casual, right? But when you’re pressed against him, stuck on his knot, he’s rubbing your stomach and asking “How many pups ye want, bonnie? Ah was thinkin’ we’d have a proper big family.”

You ask Alpha!Ghost to spend your heat with you because he doesn’t really seem to like anyone. Not the type to form attachments. Won’t give any part of himself to anyone, right? But he keeps you prone and pinned with his massive body, oriented so he can watch the door, grunting “You’re mine now, understand? Anyone who tries to get between me and my mate s’gonna end up torn apart.”

You ask Alpha!Price to spend your heat with you because he’s your commanding officer. He’s always been calm, cool, and completely professional with you. He wouldn’t compromise the structure of the team over some biological event, right? But he’s panting, tongue soothing over the fresh mark in your neck, telling you he’ll have a talk with your landlord once your heat is over about breaking your lease. “Gotta get you moved in with me, darl’. Pups’ll need more space to run around. What color do y’want the nursery?”

You ask Alpha!Nikolai to spend your heat with you because you trust him, but you don’t exactly have a relationship. You work with him some of the time, and he’s a good man, but he lives across the globe. He wouldn’t disrupt his globetrotting lifestyle to settle down with some omega he barely knows, right? But he’s cooing honeyed words in your ear that you can’t understand, one hand pawing at your abdomen while the other is at your throat, rubbing your gland and bringing the blood to the surface in preparation for his bite. “Imagine the look on John’s face— when he sees I’ve poached his prettiest little sergeant for myself…”

[a-lurking-fae]

Credits to @zealousgoldcollective for the ideaaa!!!

◇ SELKIE READER x BATFAM

◇ WORD COUNT ¡ — 2.0k

◇ SYNOPSIS ¡ — You were a halfling selkie - but due to the family's neglect, you have become one with the ocean.

Your mother was a beautiful selkie that had simply come to sunbathe — yet, how could she have ended up like this?

Bruce was travelling to Ireland to enjoy his vacation, walking on the beaches, and - there she was, in all her glory.

Your mother was humming a tune, sunbathing as she enjoyed the sea breeze, unaware of the man who had fallen in love with her at first sight. Her long locks flew gently, arranged by the wind lovingly, the sun shone on her skin — she was the epitome of beauty herself.

A beautiful stranger — she was truly. If Bruce had simply left, maybe your fate wouldn't have ended up like this. But he approached her, like a predator moves - his eyes never leaving his prey. She was a stranger, but she didn't have to be.

“A lovely afternoon to you, sir — ” by the gods, even her voice was beautiful. A tune that no words could ever hope to explain. The moment she had spoken, your mother had sealed her fate. “It truly is. Magnificence has finally gotten a meaning.”

The woman chuckled, “A poetic man — you are, dear sir. Might share some inspiration?” .

Her- she had become his beacon, his muse, his sun, the very being that he will forever tie himself into. Was this what his parents had told him? A love so strong — it can not ever be called love. So what was he feeling?

“I - uhh… it just comes naturally, sometimes it gets to you - it explains itself in words…” oh gosh, what the fuck was he talking about. But that didn't really matter, she was laughing. “Well, I hope I'll get to experience that too!”. Her laugh had started to cease, “Could I get your number?” Shit. Did that come out from his mouth?

“What's that?” She tilted her head in confusion, the humans that approached her always asked about this “number”. Bruce was also confused, but understood that some do not have the luxury of phones. But — he misunderstood why she didn't know what a number was. “Ah… never mind, will you still be here tomorrow?” Bruce asked her, well — he hopes she will.

“Hmm, I most likely will!” Well — wait, really?

From there, their interactions spiralled into something more, a spark - you could say. For your, mother this seemed like a revelation that not all humans are pure evil — but, Bruce? Well, his obsession worsened day-by-day. He craved for her touch, he needed her to be his. And finally, he soon figured out her secret.

She was a selkie — with further research, he figured out how to tie her to him. At the dead of night, he stole her pelt, hiding it away from her grasp.

She was devastated. She should have expected this. The tales of older selkie were all truths. How could she have been that naive? Bruce brought her to the manor. She met Richard Grayson, a son she never bore.

Your mother was crafty, she conceived you in the manor while she made her grand heist. She had figured out where her coat was. She was getting desperate, the ocean screamed at her to return. The rain's whispers — always so quiet - now have started to weeping noises. How could she? The ocean was her home, not here.

You may join her one day, among her own people, just not now, she swears she loves you. Amongst the sobs of the water around, your mother weeps at what might never be. Her baby, oh, her baby.

Her pup will be left to fend for herself until she can reach her. Your mother hopes she could whisk you away, but that human has trapped both of you here. And in a way, when she leaves — a part of her will be left behind in this cold — desolate structure.

‘Goodbye, my precious cub.’

She leaves, and you are left behind — wondering what it would be like to know the love of both your parents.

❀•°•═════ஓ๑♡๑ஓ═════•°•❀

Bruce had sent you abroad for senior high. Your siblings never really cared where you were. You had chosen Ireland — its infrastructure, history, and folklore screamed to you.

Everything was fascinating! You had read about selkies, which were kind creatures that sometimes assisted humans. You knew how most stories ended up with them getting taken advantage of. (You are unaware you were a result of the exact situation. How ironic.) You return to your Airbnb, opting to rest after classes.

At the dead of night, you trailed to the beach, you never realised you had walked all the way here! It was a good few kilometers from the bnb, how could you have not noticed?

You decided to enjoy the sea for a while, think about life? Sure, why not? A melodic tune enters your ear, words couldn't describe how beautiful it truly was. You follow the tune — entranced, you find a woman with long locks, singing away her heart. She spots you, and familiarity hits you — akin to a tidal wave, it sweeps you away. Leaving that feeling of being stranded on the shore. She runs to you, her sobs pulling your heart as well. And — “My pup, you have finally returned to my arms once more!” You weep along with her, you're not even sure that if she truly is your mother. Well, in the future you can deal with that problem!

The woman embraces you from midnight to the early rising of the sun. She tells you her story, and you are unsure. She senses the hesitation from you, after all, how could she not? You came from her womb, and she tells you your heritage. Your mother had started her own selkie family. You had half–siblings that enjoyed your presence. You weren't used to this. Your mother's husband, Liam, was surprisingly accepting of you. Watching you and your siblings from far away. His mother had a similar situation to his wife, Cahira — he was conceived by his mother after her escape a few millennia ago.

Liam protects you like his own pup. Wounds? Patched up. Need someone to talk to? A good listener is here. Boy problems? Need him to drown them? He loved you like a father. Liam saw you for you. Not because you were Cahira’s daughter, nor just a pity party — but because he genuinely thought of you as his pup.

Anytime you went swimming, they would all trail after you. You weren't a full selkie, and had a risk of dying since you weren't immortal like them. They showed you the wonders of the ocean. No matter how dark it ended up, they always knew how to find you. When graduation came around, they decided it was time to ask you —

“Join us, my child — ” Your mother randomly blurted out one day. “You can become a full selkie, and I truly wish to have you with us until the end of time.” She chose her words, knowing that you may decline their offer. “If I become a selkie, Bruce might hunt you down — again.” You rest your hand atop hers.

“I love you, all of them too. But — I do not want to risk your happiness over mine.” You hug her, burying your head unto her shoulders. This was nice, you imagine a place where it was only you and them. The cruel truth will always haunt you.

“You silly girl!” Liam hits your head in a chopping motion. “We would love to have you, and honestly? It is safer if you stay with us — away from that man.” Well —

“Not to mention the neglect you have been facing all these years, my dear — We love you so much, if he ever tries to break us up, I will go to the depths of the Otherworld and back to make sure you are with us.”

You don't notice the tears cascading down your face — it was only after Cahira had kissed them away. Did you finally realise.

Finally, after graduation, you had decided to become a full selkie.

❀•°•═════ஓ๑♡๑ஓ═════•°•❀

You returned to the manor, wishing to say goodbye to Alfred one last time. Your pelt was in your bag, although it would have been safer with your parents, an emergency might arise and you would need it.

Your room had been the same as before, the posters during junior high were still stuck up the walls. Alfred had told you to go downstairs since you would all eat together. You honestly had a bad feeling about this —

Laughter could be heard echoing against the manor walls, inside jokes ran rampant between them — you wished to return to your room. Your paradise in hell. Entering the dining room, you could feel the stares of all your siblings upon your figure. They pale in comparison to the little gremlins back home. (You didn't realise you had stopped calling the manor your home, have you?)

Silence was suffocating, and Bruce felt the awkwardness dawning on them. “So, how was Ireland (name)?” He shuffled with his collar, he came from another one of his charity events, and he was too tired to change. “It was lovely, the country is interesting.” You wanted to taunt him, let him know you were going somewhere kinder, you knew better than that.

The silence dragged on until dinner ended, it was the polar opposite with the Selkies. You truly missed them.Your days went on without a hitch, not much has truly changed. It was only a few days until you'd return to Ireland.

“You'll be staying in Gotham for college.” No! No fucking way! Did he seriously just say that shit? “I already made friends there, it's hard adjusting to another environment again and — ” Bruce sighs, he hadn't expected this, should he just let you be? “I want to spend time with, I — I regret all the things I haven't done with you. I want to become a father to you, I hope you'll give me that chance.”

You stormed out of his office, packing your bags in a haste, preparing your pelt carefully. For some reason, your siblings in the manor had all tried to spend time with you today. Richard attempted to get you to go with him to this restaurant that opened a few blocks away — you opted to run instead. Damian had dragged you to paint with him, he surprisingly didn't attack you during this process. Cassandra and Stephanie wanted to watch a movie with you, while Babs and Jason bought you ice cream. Duke joined you and Alfred in baking. Your plans I'm running away kept getting ruined. They used to patrol until dawn!

You felt a sense of urgency to return to the sea. You made up you mind and ran with your stuff, your flight had been booked, and a friend picking you up secretly. You searched your room for the hidden pelt — wait, where the fuck was it? Shit. Shit. Shit! You turned your room upside down and — nononono! You can't delay right now! “Are you looking for something, (name)?” It was Bruce, he had to have it. “I am, and I know you have it.” You'd glared at him.

“Have what exactly?” He was a bitch alright. “My pelt, Mr. Wayne.” Bruce was taken back by your cold tone. One he always used on you. “You will stay here and that is final.” He goes outside as he locks your door, chains clanking at his every move. You never knew that there were chains! “You will not leave me, no. This is your home, my dear. Dad is sorry.” Bruce walks away from your screams, he will burn your pelt soon. Until he is sure that it will not give you any harm.

You attempt to break the windows, but all the windows in the manor have been reinforced by Dick and Jason. A feeling of dread washes over you, as your selkie family senses something has gone awry.

•.:°❀×═════════×❀°:.•

Damn that was long lol —

[stevieschrodinger]

Part One Seven

Eddie cradles his can of Coke, sipping slowly. He’s trying not to be aware that there is not a single drop of alcohol here; he’s failing miserably. He’s also trying not to blame himself, but it feels like everyone else here is being punished for his fuck up.

It’s sunny and warm, everyone else rocking tee shirts and shorts, enjoying the weather, while Eddie wraps his hoodie around himself even tighter, convincing himself that he’s chilled.

Eddie slithers lower down in the fancy garden lounger he’s got half tilted back; he’s watching two pups chase each other around in clumsy circles at the other end of the yard. He’s vaguely mortified that he doesn’t actually know which one of them is Gareth’s kid.

Eddie wants to curl up and disappear when Gareth comes and sits next to him, offering a plate. There’s a burger on it, and considering Jeff’s on the grill, it’s a damn good looking burger. Eddie’s stomach turns over at the sight of it. “Don’t worry, I didn’t bother getting you any of the green stuff.”

“Thanks,” Eddie says vaguely, haunted by Steve’s not there frown, “I would have, you know, maybe a couple of carrot sticks or something.”

“Oh I’ll-”

“No. No. I’ll go in a bit,” Gareth sits back down, an uncertain look on his face, which makes Eddie feel even more shit. Gareth isn’t his fucking servant, and the guys treating him like he’s made out of glass is getting really old really quick, “you guys can drink, you know, if you want to,” Eddie offers, as an apology.

“Nah, we don’t really anyway, because of the pups,” he seems genuine enough, “and...I mean it just felt kind of harsh, I guess.”

Eddie shrugs, “I’m going to have to get used to it at some point right?”

“Yeah, totally. But it doesn’t have to be today.”

They sit in silence for a while, just people watching. It’s only a small group; Gareth’s mate who keeps giving Eddie the side eye when she thinks he isn’t watching. Jeff and his girlfriend. Chrissy. Jeff’s sister and her mate, plus Gareth’s Mom is around somewhere, Eddie’s pretty sure.

A few people have said hello to him, made polite conversation. It’s all so stilted and awkward and Eddie is already wondering how soon he can ask Chrissy to take him home again.

It’s quietly kind of devastating; Eddie had been really looking forward to this.

Eddie bites the bullet, “which one is Arlo?”

Both pups are vaguely the same age, and Eddie can’t remember seeing Arlo properly since he was basically a new born. He looked like a pink potato, so impossible to work it out from that.

“Blue shirt,” Gareth answers, “also the fucking loud one,” Gareth chuckles.

Eddie joins in, chuckling even though it’s not funny, not really. He can hear both pups squealing with joy from here. Until one of them falls over, and then the squealing turns upset and Gareth’s getting up to retrieve his pup. He ambles over, the pup just took a tumble on the grass, so he isn’t hurt, and Gareth doesn’t move with any urgency, simply scooping his pup up.

A kiss on each knee and a loud raspberry blown on a tummy and the pup is off again, like nothing happened at all.

Eddie manages a mouthful of his burger. It’s as good as it looks, and the moment he’s chewing he realizes he’s actually hungry. After a couple of mouthfuls he actually feels a little better.

“You get anywhere with the lyrics?” Gareth asks as he sits back down.

Eddie had read through everything the guys had given him, some of it good, some of it great, but as usual all of it disjointed and in need of a lot of structuring. Not to mention the actual music.

None of it has spoken to him though. He used to just look at words and the tune would come to him. Just kind of...appear, from some unknown place. Eddie’s written complete songs in an afternoon before, feeling like he wasn’t really involved, merely the delivery system for something that was being dragged from somewhere deep inside himself. Something that simply floated onto the page, funneled through Eddie’s hands and into his messy pigeon scratch.

Eddie with nothing but his guitar and a pen, creating something that spoke to literally hundreds of thousands of people.

He hasn’t lost the music, he’s pretty sure...he just doesn’t know how to get it to come back. Like a wayward pet that Eddie’s abused and neglected one too many times.

Eddie is struck vaguely by the image of his inspiration, his talent, being something like a cat. Maybe it’s gone off and moved in with a neighbor who feeds it better stuff than Eddie ever did. Maybe it’s purring up a tuney storm somewhere, for some kind old lady who dispenses tuna and has no idea what she has.

He’s pretty sure Steve would have some advice on the matter. Steve isn’t here though. Eddie wonders vaguely if he’s ever even going to see Steve ever again.

“I’ve read through it all. Some really good stuff in there...maybe I could bring it to the studio and we could have a little play?”

“You haven't written anything, have you?”

“Not a thing.”

Gareth snorts a laugh, and it kind of feels a little better, a little more natural, “okay. But don’t put any pressure on yourself okay, I guess these things take time and...you’re still getting better, you know?”

“Right. Sure.”

“How was that?” Chrissy asks, not looking at him. He’s glad she’s not looking at him, considering she’s driving, but, still.

“Yeah. It...well it was fucking awkward.”

“Uh hu, saw you got talking to Gar though.”

“Yeah. Yeah that felt better. They’re...they’re being so good about all this and I don’t know what to do with that, you know? It’d be so much easier if they were just...fucking angry with me. All this understanding is...it’s not right.” He’s not even angry. He’s not anything really. He feels like his insides have been scraped out.

“It’s because they actually like you,” Chrissy tells him, “fuck knows why,” she mumbles after.

Eddie sinks down in his seat, arms crossed tight. He decides to spend the rest of the journey staring out of the window.

“What?” Eddie squints up at Chrissy.

“The nurse is here to do a blood draw, it’s been a week since your rut, they want to check on you.”

“Oh,” Eddie scrubs at his face, manages to drag himself upright and flop on the edge of the bed for a second, gathering himself.

He doesn’t put it together until he’s slumped his way into the kitchen. It’s Robin. Steve’s best friend.

She already has her stuff laid out on the counter, a cushion from the couch ready to support Eddie’s arm. Chrissy faffs with the coffee machine, “how do you take it?”

Robin responds with what Eddie is sure is an illegal amount of sugar and creamer. He just shrugs to himself, taking his seat, Chrissy sliding him a coffee too.

“Okay, you know the drill right?” Robin asks as she tightens the elastic thingy around the top of Eddie’s arm.

Eddie holds his arm out, braced on the pillow, making a fist and giving a couple of squeezes. Robin mumbles something about a small scratch, and everyone waits quietly while Robin fills four little blood thingies up before deftly removing the needle and replacing it with a plaster. She ditches her gloves, downs her coffee, and then washes her hands and her mug at the sink.

She packs her things away, Chrissy’s phone rings and she heads out the French doors onto the deck to answer it.

Eddie takes the chance, “I’ll see you out.”

Robin finishes packing all her bits and bobs away in her cool box looking thing, “sure, thanks.”

Eddie calls himself plenty of names on the way to the door, Robin trailing behind. Thinks about how Steve is nothing to do with him. He’s stupid for asking. What’s the point of asking, even, it doesn’t change anything. It’s polite, no, it’s fine, he could ask? No, it’s weird and pointless-

Eddie’s so deep in his own thoughts Robin’s out the door and he nearly misses his chance, he’s landed on being pretty sure he definitely shouldn’t ask, but it slips out without his permission, “how’s Steve?”

She shrugs smiling, “yeah pretty good thanks, I’ll tell him you were asking after him,” and then she’s gone, getting in her little car and heading off down the drive. Eddie doesn’t know what he even expected. He doesn’t understand why he even cares. Steve’s a dick.

Eddie was just being polite, or whatever.

Part Nine

[frownyalfred]

I didn't expect to see everyone trying to solve the knotting problem today but here we are

But it also brings up a point, to me anyway

But how taboo is sex in this universe

Obviously public sex is a big no no, but between pack members is seeing or scenting it happening a no or just kinda accepted as part of pack life

Does a pup sometimes need to be held by their omega mom and just disregards the fact that their father is currently stuck to them

Does the Beta caregiver (Alfred) stay far away when mating is happening because that's his child doing the deed or is it buisness as usual, doesn't go in the nest/room but if he has to will talk to them through the door

I've talked about this before in the actual fics, but what is "socially acceptable" in a pack setting is very different, in my mind. In ASOH Alfred walks straight into the nest while Bruce and Clark are knotted and hands him the phone. Lex and Alfred barge in on the same situation during the shock heat and get Bruce to drink water. The taboo is definitely nonexistent or just heavily subdued. I also mentioned it briefly in one of the side stories, but the sex pheromones also make pups pretty sleepy, and combined with the impact it has on other pack members in the nest (adults) pretty much everyone is somewhat impacted by sexual activity happening near them. You get tired, you're vaguely interested in it, the smell makes you more interested in pairing off with your own partner, or you're off to take care of the nest because you know that's needed (betas).

The structure of the nest is important here -- I talk about this in the ninth wave, where the "old" pack style living quarters are communal but with somewhat separate spaces. They're not all hanging out in one room/nest 24/7, even though currently that's where they are in the lake house. A situation that Alfred is desperate to change, and that Jason probably aprpeciates being changed soon. But yeah, if Jason had to walk through the main nest to get to his room/separate nest and Clark and Bruce were going at it or something? I'm sure he'd roll his eyes and just go on with his day. The taboo is just so different. Lex could be on his ipad in the corner eating snacks and making snarky comments whenever he looks up. It's really a very different view on the privacy/shame/etc related to sex. The nursing/pup rooms also mean there's some separation there as well.

Someone else asked about Jason and future partners/nests, and feeling like he might need his own. I think the communal quarters make sense still. He'd have his own nest, but it would be connected to or near the larger nest. A nest within a nest, with optional communal time if he really just needed to lie there with Bruce for a while. If he wanted to start his own pack and separate nest -- I think that's a different situation.

[midala-of-the-valley]

Your Heart Pulling Against Mine - pt 5

David 8 x Reader Words: 1184 Part 4 is here Crossposted on Ao3

Standing before the structure, you tilted your head back, a strange sensation settling in your chest.

High above, at the top of the dome, something caught your eye, something no one else seemed to really notice.

“Prometheus, are you seeing this?” You tried to focus the camera upward.

“It looks like... a fucking skull.”

A moment of silence followed before Janek’s voice crackled through the comm.

“Affirmative. We see it.” Another pause. “Damn. It really does.”

You took a slow step back, your eyes narrowing as the realization sank in.

Glancing toward the others, you hesitated before speaking, trying to keep your voice light.

“Anyone else getting major The Mummy vibes? Or is it just me? Because this feels like we’re walking right into a deathtrap.”

The crew’s expressions were mixed.

Holloway rolled his eyes, clearly unimpressed, while Shaw’s gaze lifted to the top of the dome, her face tightening as she took in the skull shape.

Fifield’s brows knit together, the lines of concern deepening on his forehead.

Millburn, who had started out looking eager, now seemed visibly unsettled.

Only Ford and David remained quite blank, their brows furrowed, but nothing more.

“We’ve come too far to let something like this scare us,” Shaw said finally, breaking the silence. Her voice was steady, but there was an edge to it, as though she was trying to convince herself as well.

“If we’d heeded every warning, we never would have unearthed the Egyptian tombs.”

Her words rang true, but they did little to ease the fear.

You nodded anyway, swallowing the doubt that threatened to surface. She was right. But being right didn’t make it any less terrifying.

As the team announced they were entering the Pyramid, you stood frozen, your nerves getting the better of you. You wanted to move, to follow, but the fear held you back.

Suddenly, you felt a hand on your lower back.

Turning, you saw David standing beside you, his calm smile instantly easing some of the tension.

“I will be right here with you, ma’am,” he said softly. “There’s no need to worry.”

You nodded, exhaling shakily, and reached for his hand.

He tried to retain the impression that he did not share your room or kiss you before you fell asleep, but you didn’t care anymore.

The warmth of his touch steadied you, his gentle squeeze reassuring you that you weren’t alone, that he had your back if danger was near, and you really wanted to believe that.

When you two reached the opening, your heart melted a bit - Fifield and Millburn were waiting.

They gave you a firm pat on the shoulder, just like the one you’d given them earlier. The gesture brought a small, grateful smile to your face as they took you into their middle.

David's hand slipped away, now that you were in their company, his focus shifting back to the mission.

Carefully sliding down the dark gravel slope and observing the stone tunnel around you, it felt as though you’d stepped straight into one of those old adventure movies. Well, with your luck, this could easily turn into an action-horror-thriller - though you figured it was better not to tempt fate by saying it out loud.

Right.

Holloway asked Fifield for a grid of the structure's interior, and you watched as he reached into his bag and pulled out some fancy-looking orbs.

“If there is anything in here worth looking at, these pups will find it.” he said, extending his arms and releasing the orbs into the air.

A red scanning field began to fill the passageways, casting a glow on their way.

“Pups?” you and Millburn asked in unison, both of you a bit puzzled by the nickname.

“Parameter Uplink Spectagraph,” Fifield clarified with a smirk. “Or just pups.”

To emphasize the point, he gave a playful yowl as he launched another pair of orbs into the air.

“Prometheus, we are now mapping.”

Following the others, you kept your flashlight focused on the ground, kicking aside dirt in vain. There was no sign of vegetation - no moss, no fungi, nothing.

"I’m starting to get the feeling I’m not needed for this mission," you mumbled, earning a huff from Millburn beside you.

"Who are you telling that to? It’s all rubble and dust so far. Wait-"

He froze, his expression shifting. "Do you hear that?"

You paused, holding your breath, and there it was: a faint trickling sound. Could it be? "Water!"

You exchanged a look, eyes wide, and without another thought, you both tossed your worries aside and ran towards the source of the sound like two kids running towards chocolate, stumbling into the cavity and staring mesmerized at the water drops falling through an open hole in the ceiling.

"The sun is heating the water," Millburn mumbled, and Ford added, "Check out the humidity."

Then you heard Holloway's voice. "And look at the CO2 levels, outside it’s completely toxic, but in here..."

You glanced at your own scanner.

"Nothing. It’s completely breathable," you said, awestruck.

"So life should be possible."

Just then, the alarm on Holloway's suit went off, and Shaw’s voice rang out in panic. "What are you doing? Charlie, don't be an idiot!"

You quickly joined her, your own worry growing again. "Doctor Holloway, the air may be breathable, but we don’t know if this place is safe! We don’t know about foreign germs and bacteria!"

But Holloway wasn’t discouraged.

Instead, he ignored Ravels troubled orders to keep his helmet on.

"Calm down. Don’t be a skeptic. Something is generating an atmosphere."

When both you and Shaw didn’t seem reassured, he threw you a sly smile, then looked past you. "David?" he asked, clearly seeking the Synthetic’s opinion, knowing you’d trust his word.

"Doctor Holloway is correct. The environment is safe." David responded, calm and short.

"It’s cleaner than Earth, actually," Ford added.

"See? I’m not wearing this anymore. Wish me luck!" Holloway announced, his voice full of relief.

Still, you pursed your lips as you watched Dr. Holloway take off his helmet and cap, inhaling deeply and sighing in contentment as he was freed from its confinement, cheering.

You exhaled as well, noting that he didn’t instantly collapse or foam at the mouth.

"You crazy bastard," Shaw muttered in disbelief, and you agreed to that statement.

As everyone started removing their helmets, you walked over to David, who had already discarded his own.

"Are you sure nothing will happen if I take this off?" you asked, still uneasy about the whole situation. But he just gave you another soft, reassuring smile.

"I would not allow you to if there was any risk."

You trust him.

And so, with a deep breath, you removed your helmet and inhaled the alien air, feeling it rush into your lungs. It tasted sweet, like the springs your grandmother used to tell you about, before the seasons bled into one big heap of hot and cold.

“Please tell me if something harmful comes along.”

“Of course, ma’am”

He wished he could call you by your first name.

You wished for it as well.

[tinydefector]

So ther was this Australian show that was called h2o just add water and another show called mako mermaids that was featured in the same universe. In the show the mermaids/ mermen had powers and can go from human to mermaid as long as they stay dried. But I’d like they get splash by liquid even something as small as dropping a glass of water on themselves. They had seconds before they transformed into their mermaid selves. Question is if this was a concept that could happen with the future pups or in another version of a merformer au?

These were two of My favourite shows when I was younger outside of the movie Aquamarine.

1. I'm not planning on the mers having powers outside of what the outliers already have and I'm just modifying it so it fits more for underwater. Such as Rodimus can withstand lounging in underwater Volcano's, Skywarp can blip himself further through water, Mirage can go full invisible and uses it to hunt very efficiently. And such on with the outliers in transformers.

2. I'm not a big fan of the oceanides being able to shift into humans, the closest thing they would look like if they were to shift would be the amphibian man from shape of water, humanoid but not the same, and they would be much taller than humans. But I'm not really branching into that side in Marine Centre, might be a cool idea if someone wants a shape of water type fic later on becuase I'd be all for the oceanides shifting into a creature like that, still needing the water to survive but having the ability to walk from pond to pond. Or a crude version of a Näcken.

3. For the pups in Marine Centre I'm sticking with they still look very much like the oceanides with jsut a few different features, such as their eyes are more human like and their vocal range is much better with talking than the main oceanides due to skull stucture. And that also adds into their bone structure. I do like the idea of once the pups get older in their tails you can clearly see the outline of what was meant to be legs but they didn't develop. I might actually have to do some drawings of the bone and cartilage stucture of the mers at some point for people. But I'm keeping with they look pretty much the same as the oceanides outside of a few little changes.

But I'm not aposed to writing tadpole like pups later on for another fic becuase at this rate I'm pretty sure Human Effects, Labratory logs and Marine Centre are my three most request fics.

[writing-whump]

How about Isaiah's POV after Seline took care of him? Maybe she gets sick on the way back to Vienna and he takes care of her? I don't know if they took the train or drove, but I'm picturing a "holding her up while she throws up by the side of the road" kind of scenario. And Matt is purposely hanging back because he's happy to see Isaiah stepping up for his pack.

And, and, and, before that happens, maybe Isaiah and Matt are talking about the conference, and Shawn, and Rip, etc. And Seline is getting quieter and quieter . . .

No pressure if this doesn't work with your plot. But I somehow want to see Isaiah returning the favor to Seline. Love you, Sol!

Lis, this fits so perfectly to everything happening, I was like, whoa, what is this🤩 thank you, thank you, thank you! I just changed the location from car to train, cause I got an idea how to use it ;).

Sick on the train

"All in all, the conference was a great success," Isaiah said as the train got moving.

They had two and a half hours in front of them, which was alright. Considering they planned a day trip and ended up staying four days, had a crisis over Dylan's fever over the phone, and Isaiah and Matt got sick only once...

Matt was currently leaning against the window, watching it with a strangely thoughtful expression. They left the opposite side for Seline, so she had more space with seat next to her empty.

"Yeah? Taking you as the Executioner and all?" Matt asked.

"It was success in the sense I figured out a lot of things. State of affairs," Isaiah said. "There is a big rise in the number of wolves coming to Vienna and the other towns for studies and jobs. The packs are a little overwhelmed by it. Handling that many wolves, especially new and young requires capacities for training they currently don't have."

Isaiah leaned back in the seat, adjusting the collar of his shirt. He didn't wear a tie today, just the suit jacket and the white button up. His chest felt still tender and a deeper breath hurt, but he was mostly back to normal. Still crazy he felt the aftershocks for three days after.

"Don't the packs want more members?" Seline said. She had a suit jacket too, a blue one she liked. While he and Matt basically inhaled the croissants they bought at the station before boarding, Seline still had half of hers on the table between them, looking at it unenthusiastically.

"They do, but it's hard with wolves not socialised in their structures," Isaiah said. "It's a sign of progress really. The conditions are so good that wolves don't need big packs to have families and raise kids anymore. But when the pups grow up, they are drawn to bigger places, territories, cities. Want action, contact, witches, rivals, to train and develop. And the packs don't know how to train them, so lot of them give up or end up as strays."

Seline wrinkled her nose. "That's really brutal, to end up on the streets cause you can't get the right training."

"According to the tradition, older male relatives raise the pups in the pack. Maybe that's the root of the problem here—that no one feels responsible to take over," Isaiah mused. Or maybe it was also the lack of techniques. Someone used to teach by example wouldn't know how to work with grown pups with hierarchy issues.

"Roy has been adopting lots of strays though, hasn't he?" Matt interjected.

Isaiah nodded with a smile. Street fights and wolves outside the Big Three were more of Matthew's domain. "Yep. Roy Jung raised his pack from new wolves alone after his father's defeat and death. He's definitely figured out things that work."

Roy founded a restaurant at the start to finance his wolf activities and to give his wolves some place to stay and work out the kinks of interactions with humans and territories.

For not having any experience with cooking or bussiness, Roy managed that really well. He was creating a network of reputations over the city, making his own brand. Building on the people he gave a chance and brought up.

"It's a good model, but not one that the bigger or more conservative packs could learn from," Isaiah said. There was nothing to connect the newbies or the bigger packs with the smaller ones.

He looked at Seline for comments or questions. The train ride was a great opportunity to talk it over with her, analyze the problems, and gather what she and Matt observed and came up with on their own.

But Seline closed her eyes with an uneasy expression. Did she not get enough sleep last night? Or was the socializing more exhausting for her and then he realized?

Isaiah took a deep breath. He was not supposed to be disappointed, but grateful. "Thank you again. Both of you." He looked at Matt and then at Seline. "For coming with me and showing your support. That really helped a lot."

Seline's eyes fluttered open at that.

Matthew snorted. "No worries, man. Besides, weren't just showing you support. We are supporting you."

Isaiah rubbed the back of is neck a little sheepishly. "Yeah. Thank you. I just don't-" He broke off with a sigh.

"You don't want to rely on us, cause you are obsessed with being able to handle everything on your own?" Matthew suggested with a smirk.

Isaiah groaned. "That's not it." Sorta. Not all of it, at least.

The black-haired wolf shook his head, rolling back his shoulders. "The point is, that I was forced into a position before I knew what I wanted to do or who I wanted to be. And it was very confusing figuring out what was wrong, what was right and what was just me. I don't want to put you guys through something like that."

He propped his elbows at the table, intertwining his fingers. "I don't want you to agree or follow me or feel like you have to get involved because I'm an Executioner or your leader or because we are friends. I want you to be able to keep your lives and do what feels right to you, outside of what I'm doing and whether you agree with it or not."

That was what Isaiah was the most afraid of at the end. Once he took up that role again, once he got active and started making decisions, it would alienate him from Matt and Seline.

Maybe they would resent him for his decisions. Maybe they wouldn't understand them or maybe he would make mistakes or their philosophies would part. But someone had to make these decisions.

Executioner job wasn't one up for a debate, councils or democratic votes. One person had to be in charge, take the responsibility and realize their vision. No room for compromises for someone else.

That's why each city or region's Executioner was a bit different and made their territory to their image. Packs tended to move between them, when they didn't like something instead of trying to force their Executioner to change.

Matthew put his hands up on the table as well, leaning forward as if to mirror Isaiah's pose. That was a good sign. "Okay, I hear ya. But that doesn't mean we can't agree or help you, when we like what you are doing, right? Or would you like it more if we don't get involved with your Executioner work at all?"

That was a good question.

Isaiah was quiet for a minute, watching the sunny mountains passing through the train's window. "It's just that my decisions as Executioner might not be something I, as Isaiah, would have done," he said finally. "I'll have to explain this to Hector as well—that I can't be siding with the Wolfson interests just because he is my brother. I want to help him when I can, but as Executioner, I might end up opposing him in certain matters."

Matthew nodded, no humor in his expression now, dark brown eyes sparkling in the sunlight.

"So basically, you leaving us out of matters in the future doesn't mean you don't trust us," Seline said suddenly into the silence, "but that you want to give us the freedom of choice. We can get involved however much we want, but we must respect that as an Executioner, your interests are different than when you are just you."

Isaiah swallowed heavily but didn't dispute that. It was an excellent summary, as always. He would like to have a place where he could just be himself. Taking on the role necessarily meant he was splitting himself up to fulfill it.

"Okay, I can live with that," Matthew said, running a hand through his dark red hair. "But I would still like to get involved more. Like preferably before you bleed out somewhere or have a heart attack while at 'work'."

Isaiah tensed. "You don't have to feel obligated just for that-"

"And because," Matthew gave him a wide grin, "with your shadow training or not, I really do like the fights."

Isaiah snorted, relaxing a little. He looked at Seline with a smile, trying to gauge her reaction, but her face was all closed off, eyes shut again.

His expression fell with confusion. "Are you tired? There was a kitchen wagon on the way, I can get us some coffee if you want?"

Seline's eyes opened just barely, as if she was looking at him from under her whimpers. "I'm alright, thanks. I don't want anything."

Isaiah looked at Matt this time, but the red-haired wolf just shrugged. So he wasn't missing anything obvious. It was strange.

Seline balled up the half-eaten ham and cheese croissant up in paper and put it aside, then got to her feet. She had to hold against the seat as the train swayed. "Gonna be right back," she mumbled.

Isaiah watched her go, noting she left her handbag behind, so she probably wasn't going far.

"You think...it was too much? Maybe I shouldn't have ask her to come," Isaiah said quietly.

Seline was a huge help there during the conference. He knew how much she loathed exerting her influence as a witch, but it didn't lessen the effect. He himself seemed much more reliable with a witch on his arm. Not to mention how amazed he was at the socializing she was able to pull off.

And Isaiah thought he was the one with great masks. Seline could charm the fur of a wolf, when she wanted to.

"Nah, man. We are glad you asked instead of vanishing off there alone," Matt said. "And if she hated it that much, then she'll say no next time. No worries."

But another fifteen minutes passed and Seline was nowhere near sight. Isaiah had trouble not bouncing his leg under the table. Right now he hated she didn't have her bag, cause he couldn't even text her what was wrong.

"Girls sometimes need time for themselves in the bathroom," Matthew suggested without much confidence.

"Yeah, but not Sel." It was rare to see her remaking her makeup during the day. Lipstick and eyeshadows were also reserved for special occasions (like the conference). She hated that stuff and that everyone seemed to be wearing it and pushing women to wear it to be taken seriously.

Actually, the whole visual side of girly look seemed to tick Seline off something terrible. Isaiah only noticed after they broke up that she stopped wearing it and was a lot more vocal about her distaste of beauty standards for women. Apparently, she felt obligated to put it on with him to be a good girlfriend.

If he knew, he would have stopped her a long time ago. Very stupid of him not to notice.

"I'm gonna go check on her," Isaiah said, getting up before Matthew gave an approving hum. What if she fell down between the seats and couldn't walk?

"Maybe she just met someone she knows...?"

"Hopefully so." Isaiah headed in the direction she disappeared in, focusing on his senses. Around crowds, it was challenging to be so sensitive to sound and scent, so he tended to ignore and muffle it, but now it would come in handy.

But that had been a conference for wolves. He should have escorted her from the start, witch or not.

Isaiah passed two "Ruhezone" wagons until he reached the in-between connective part with two toilets. The train was marching forward with great speed, the view blurring together into a green mess.

There he found her.

Seline was sitting on the steps next to the toilet cabin, head between knees, hands tightly curled into her jeans.

Isaiah hurried to her side, kneeling next to her. "Sel? Hey, what's wrong?"

Seline lifted her head slowly, squinting at him. "'feel sick," she got through gritted teeth.

"Motion sick? Is it the train?"

She gave a tiny shake of the head. "I'm fine with trains. But..." she put her hand in the air to her jaw, "I can feel it over here. The nausea. Like I'm drowning..."

Isaiah brushed her haif from her face. No fever. "Okay, okay. Is that why you stayed here? Cause you feel like puking?"

Another tiny nod. With another sudden lurch of the wagon, she went pale as a sheet, squeezing her eyes shut. "'t's moving too much...I can't-" She let out a whimper. Isaiah felt like getting punched.

"Alright, alright, we can figure this out." Isaiah opened the bathroom to get an overview. It was tiny, and with how much the train was moving from side to side, it was hard to aim or stay still.

He returned to her side. "Come on, I'll help you. Take my hand."

Seline looked up at him, eyes glinting with tears. "Zaya?"

"Yes, sweetie, what is it?" He was doing his best to sound calm and collected although he was anything but.

"My handbag- there is-there is a scrunchie in there-" she gulped down heavily, pressing the back of her hand to her mouth with a wince.

"Can you hold on until I get back?" He didn't have his phone on him or he could have texted Matt for help. Damn it all.

The blond nodded, curling into herself, arms around her chest. "Hurry."

Isaiah did so, even summoning up his shadow to help with the speed. It could take his weight, which was usually handy for sound and sneaking around, but it also meant the unreliable gravity of the train didn't slow him down so much as he ran through the corridor.

He muttered a quick explanation to Matthew as he was turning around with Seline's handbag, running straight back.

The sick girl was leaning over her lap and panting when he got back. He had her bag thrown over his shoulder and took her by the elbows from behind to help her stand up. "Come on, darling, let's get you up."

Isaiah wasn't aware of what weird nicknames he was using (utterly inappropriate since they weren't together anymore), just trying to somehow ease that painful discomfort on her face.

He maneuvered her into the bathroom, so she was standing over the toilet, locking the door. It was more than tight with both of them, but this way she could lean against him.

Seline spit out a string of saliva into the toilet with a quiet moan. Isaiah gathered her hair awkwardly from behind to pull it into a messy skewed ponytail (he should really learn how to tie up someone's hair), then held his arms around and in front of her.

Seline grabbed onto them like they were the railing. Isaiah had his feet steadily pressed against the walls, so while the train was swaying from side to say, he wasn't. An anchor point for her.

"I'm gonna vomit," she said tightly, both her hands digging into his sleeves on his forearms. She was leaning over them, but he was careful not to bump into her stomach.

"Go ahead. You are safe, it's gonna be okay."

For a while, nothing happened; she just held herself tense as a string and dug bruises into his arms while he fought the train's gravity to keep her as still as possible.

Suddenly, she shuddered, back arching into him. A thick wave with the bits of the croissant and water felt into the small metal toilet.

"There you go," he said quietly into her ear, wishing he had more arms.

Her shoulders hitched with the next retch, barely getting up a thick mouthful of glob. Then she sagged into him, strength leaving her all at once.

Isaiah caught her around the waist and pulled her upright against his chest. He managed to sneak out a hand to flush the toilet, the loud scrapy sound vibrating over the walls.

"Okay? Feels better?" Isaiah asked anxiously.

"I'm sorry," she whined, tears streaming down her face. "I'm so sorry, that was-"

"Jesus, what do you have to apologize for?" he said with a tinge of disbelief in his voice. "You are sick, it's alright."

"Sorry, that was so gross," she sniffled, taking a wad of toilet paper to mop at her mouth.

"You know, right now I really don't care. Priorities, you know?" He pulled her against his shoulder so he could get a better look at her face. "How are you feeling?"

"Still don't feel good. Stomach hurts and I still feel nauseous. Don't think I'm gonna throw up again though."

"Okay. Would it help to lie down?"

She let out a huff. "At the train? How?"

"Leave it to me," Isaiah said, already coming up with an idea.

Once Seline had her bag and felt half-way steady, he took her into his arms, bridal style and went up to the wagon with the second floor. It was some kind of VIP class with almost no people with a line of those one-seats on the side.

Isaiah put her into one of them, then shook of his suit jacket to lay it out on the last one, then held the seats next to it down with his knee. "Come on. Your bed is ready."

She gave him a curious peek with a tiny shake. "I can't belive you."

"What? I bought all the seats, we are in the clear. Come on, you can lie against my jacket, right?"

Seline looked like she wanted to protest, but then swayed as the train took a turn and climbed up the one-seats as he suggested. She could stretch out all the way, laying through three of those, nuzzling her face against the inside of his suit.

Isaiah crouched down next to her. "Anything else I can do? Water? Meds? The kitche's gotta have mint tea in it somehwere. I can get my coat as a blanket for you, if you feel cold?"

She sighed almost contentedly, looking up at him. "I'm fine. This is helping." She muffled a quiet burp against the fabric under her face, cheeks reddening.

"It's alright," he said softly. "You are okay. Little sick but okay. I'm going to take care of you, deal?"

"Thank you." Her eyes narrowed a little with mischief. "You are fussing."

Isaiah snorted. "Is it helping?" He reached over to let her hair down, brushing the golden strands behind her ear.

Seline gave him a small smile, opening her hand. He took it without hesitation, feeling her fingers curl into his sleeve again. If it helped against the moving sensation, all the better.

"Can I sleep a little?"

"Of course. I'll watch over you."

[diy-fire-water-pups]

(( End of the "Troll Gift" story, in which a follower of this blog gifted Marshall a small stone statue, but Marshall didn't know it was a magical Troll item which would become a large destructive Golem. For those unfamiliar with this item, it's from the "Tales Of Arcadia" series. ))

Marshall had no time to waste- kind of literally.

What used to be a small stone statue of sorts, now had grown to be a giant made of mud, some grass and small stones, all from the Lookout yard. It took a couple steps ahead and looked around, like an angry grizzly bear which had just been woken up from hibernation before due time.

Marshall gulped as he began stepping back as quietly as possible, but just as he was succeeding in getting far from the monster, he stepped on a squeaky toy, forgotten on the grass after being played with.

The Golem turned to look. Spotting the startled pup, it advanced towards him, lifting its arms. With a scream, the Dalmatian pup took off running away.

For a moment he was relieved to notice the monster wasn't really fast, but he was heavy and definitely wasn't happy. When he ran past the Lookout's playground, he heard Zuma calling and got pulled by his collar into one of the structures.

“Marshall, what the hell is that thing?” Zuma questioned in a hushed tone, hoping they wouldn't be heard.

“I don't know what happened!” The spotted pup panicked. “One minute it was a small stone statue, the next it was just growing out of control. I don't know why or how–!”

“Ssshh!”

The Lab placed a paw over Marshall’s mouth as the Golem stomped by and went ahead, looking for them.

“Last thing I saw before running was that we need to hit it dead center and destroy the stone statue inside.” Marshall whispered as soon as Zuma released his mouth. “I don't have anything to hit with, though!”

“It's made of dirt, do you think we can wash it away with your fire truck hose?”

“I'm not sure, it looks too solid– Oh no.”

“Oh no…? What are you seein- Oh no.”

Zuma followed Marshall's glance and saw that the Golem, seemingly annoyed for not finding the pups, was now heading towards Chase’s Pup-House, which was the closest.

“Dude he's gonna wreck Chase's house! We gotta find a way to get it away from here before he starts destroying everything!”

“He's looking for me, right?”

Not waiting for an answer, Marshall ran out of their hiding place and barked as loud as he could to call the monster's attention.

It worked.

Maybe a little too much.

Not even five full seconds later, Marshall was now running for dear life down the road to the woods with the Golem hot on his tail.

“Zuma, get the crystals! I'll keep it distracted but I don't know how long!”

**********//////////**********

Rocky was on his way back home from his Garage, just about to finish crossing the bridge towards the Lookout and he did NOT like what he saw. For a moment, that large creature glared at him as he slammed on the brakes and skidded his truck to a stop, but it lasted just a moment. The monster seemed to lose interest quickly and resumed its pursuit after the Dalmatian.

Just a few moments after, Zuma piloted his hovercraft down the ramp going after them.

“Hey Rocky! No time to explain, follow me!”

Revving the engine, the mixed breed pup accelerated until he caught up with Zuma.

“Where did that thing come from?”

“Marshall's stone statue! We gotta destroy the statue inside it, the problem is how to reach in there and that's where you can help!”

Before Rocky could question, Zuma threw a meteor crystal for him, which he barely caught and it immediately magnetized to his Pup-Tag.

“I don't know if you're aware, Zuma, but we're in the woods! There's nothing here I can use to hit–”

“Really? Don't tell me your truck's empty! It's NEVER EMPTY!”

Of course. Rocky would've facepalmed if he wouldn't have his paws busy steering his truck on the dirt road. Marshall and the mud monster were just ahead now, the Dalmatian didn't go far and was now dodging the Golem's attempts to smash him.

“I'll try to slow it down for you!” Stopping his hovercraft, Zuma sat on the front hood and sprayed water from his paws, creating large mud puddles on the ground around the giant. The Golem slipped and lost balance, falling down.

“It's working!” Marshall celebrated, taking the chance to run over to their side, climbing onto the recycle truck. “Now we just need to…”

He fell silent as the three pups witnessed the Golem getting back up and assimilating more mud onto his already massive body. Rocky and Marshall both turned to look at Zuma, who shrunk in place with an awkward panicked smile.

“Oops. I think I only got him angrier.”

“Angrier? You gave him MORE MUD!” Rocky nearly screamed but held it back.

“There’s gotta be a way to–!! WOAH!!”

Again Marshall was interrupted, this time as Rocky floored it and drifted an U-turn to run away from the Golem, which was now targeting his truck - probably because Marshall was there now. The Dalmatian held onto the cargo's top to not fall off and crawled over next to the front where Rocky was driving as fast as he could on the bumpy road.

Zuma came right after them. “We gotta find a way to restrain it somehow!”

“You called?”

A loud engine roar could be heard just before a coral-pink colored motorcycle with turquoise blue and white highlights arrived from across the woods, quickly aligning to drive beside Rocky's truck.

“Liberty???” All three pups were surprised.

“What are you doing here?” Zuma asked from behind.

“I got a message saying you guys needed urgent help! Let me guess, that statue over there got tired of standing still?”

“You could say that!” Marshall chuckled awkwardly. “It's all my fault…”

“No, it's not!” Rocky was quick to cut him off, as they reached the paved road once more. “You had no idea!”

“Well, I do have one idea, but you won't like it!” Liberty looked back at the Golem before turning to the pups. “I can hold it for a moment, so Marshall can melt the pavement to get it stuck and Zuma can blast water to wash off as much mud as he can…”

“... And then I can hit it with something until we break the stone statue!” Rocky completed with a grin. “Why wouldn't we like this idea?”

“Guess who's probably getting wet, fixing the road and cleaning all the leftover mess later?”

“... Oh.”

**********//////////**********

Liberty went ahead to put her motorcycle aside and prepared to do her part as soon as Rocky and Zuma would drive by her.

This first part of the plan worked well, as she managed to wrap herself around the Golem, but it only slowed him down from somewhat running to walking. With its short legs still free, she couldn't make it stop entirely.

“Marshall!!!” She called, grabbing onto a tree to try and hold the monster back, with little success. “Little help here???”

The Dalmatian gulped and leaped from the truck, rushing back with his crystal already magnetized to his Pup-Tag.

“Here goes nothing…!” He stopped at a short distance from the Golem and pressed his front paws to the pavement, overheating it as fast as he could. It acted as a very thick and stinky quicksand, as the Golem sank half to his short legs into the newly melted tar pit, unable to pull himself out from that hot black goo.

Liberty had to let go of the giant, as it was getting now too hot for her to stand being there just above melted tar. As soon as she shrunk back to her normal size, the Dachshund rushed to hide behind Zuma, who jumped off from his hovercraft and focused on blasting the strongest stream of water he could manage.

With such strength, the water blast was able to slowly wash a lot of mud away from the Golem, weakening him as he had less and less mud armor around its core - the stone statue - to protect it. The water spraying on the melted tar immediately steamed with a loud hiss and refreshed it, making it harden again, which caused the Golem to get even more stuck, completely unable to escape.

Furious, it started flailing around, flinging whatever mud balls and stones were still a part of its body at the pups. They all retreated, sheltering themselves behind the vehicles.

“Ow, I just buffed my truck yesterday!” Rocky protested as some stones hit his vehicle, leaving some scratches on it. He groaned while digging through the pile of random stuff inside until he found a thin metal pipe. That should do it! But the Golem kept shoving rocks at his truck, so he also picked up a broken chair to use as a shield.

Fully equipped, the gray pup ran away from his hiding spot, with his improvised shield protecting himself from whatever the Golem threw at him. Startled, Rocky noticed the ground was also cracking… The Golem was about to set himself free again! He had to be fast!

“Alright, you wanna play baseball? Catch these!!”

Rocky approached the monster, hitting the stones and flinging them back with his metal pipe, moving it with ease by using his magnetic powers. Once he was close enough, he swatted the pipe at the Golem.

Even weakened, the mud around it was still strong and sticky, Rocky couldn't get through it like that... Not to mention every time he beat mud away, it would crawl back to regenerate the damaged parts of the monster! So, Rocky changed tactics and focused all his might to move the pipe away and then bring it back full force, stabbing across the Golem just below the chest area.

The stone statue was successfully pushed out of the Golem, falling to the ground a few yards away, such was the force of the impact. Without it, the Golem collapsed and broke down, defeated. Not satisfied yet, Rocky rushed to the place where the smaller statue fell and hit it several times with the pipe until it was broken beyond recognition.

“Woah, chill it, Rocky!” Zuma chuckled as he came closer, still slightly wary. “I'm pretty sure it won't get back up anymore.”

“Well, not after that, for sure.” Liberty came right after the Labrador, eyeing the remains of the statue.

Marshall walked up to them as well, slower and making himself as small as possible, ears and tail down, with a sad expression as he glanced over at the damage caused on Rocky's truck. “I'm sorry for all this…”

“No, you can stop right there.” Rocky cut him off again and let go of the pipe, placing it on the ground as his front paws ceased glowing. He turned to Marshall with a serious look on his face. “It's not your fault. None of this was your fault.”

“Yeah, you literally had no idea. None of us knew about it!” Zuma stood beside Rocky, agreeing with him. “It could have happened to any of us.”

“But… Someone tried to warn me and I didn't understand it.” The Dalmatian tried to insist, sitting and looking down while circling the ground with his paw. “I should be more careful. We got so many gifts lately, I was just… I don't know.”

“We should be more careful when accepting gifts from strangers, sure.” Rocky sat down as well. “But even then, you couldn't have possibly guessed this statue was gonna grow and attack you.”

“It was really a gift from someone?” Liberty glanced at the broken pieces again, raising an eyebrow. “Looks more like someone tried to take advantage and attack you guys!”

“One way or another, if there's someone who should be sorry, it's the dude who gave you this thing.” Zuma glared at the pieces too. “He should know it's dangerous!”

“That's assuming it wasn't his intention from the start.” Rocky growled. He hated to think someone really did that and his protective instincts were rising up, he could feel it.

“Deliberate attack?” Zuma frowned, as Marshall looked away.

“We may never know.” The gray pup sighed. “But one thing for sure, I don't trust him anymore.”

“I don't even know who it was, but I'm with you.” Liberty agreed. “This… Statue thing was very strong, I could barely hold his arms to slow it down. Who would give anyone a statue that attacks you? It's crazy!”

“Okay, guys, I think that's enough.” Zuma called their attention, motioning his head towards Marshall, who had gotten up and was walking away, towards the Lookout down the road. “He's not okay and I bet he's gonna keep blaming himself for this mess, you know how he is.”

“That's what makes me even angrier.” Rocky growled again. “Why him? He was just finally back to being himself after that whole deafness issue. This is gonna take ages for him to recover and stop blaming himself and it wasn't even his fault!”

“Deafness issue?” Liberty questioned. That was new for her.

“Long story.” Rocky sighed. “Turns out Marshall might become deaf when he grows up due to some bad genetics stuff. We've been over this by now, but it took him some time to stop brooding all over the Lookout yard.”

“Anyway, yeah, I'm angry now too...” Zuma sighed, looking at the Dalmatian go. “But now Marshall needs our support. We won't do any good if we just get mad. He probably thinks it's his fault for just accepting all gifts without suspecting from anything or anyone.”

“As if we weren't all doing the same thing.” Rocky rolled his eyes.

“Should we go after him?” The Dachshund questioned. “I can stay here for a while if you need me. I'd like to help him.”

“What about the city's HQ?” Zuma asked her.

“Carmen and Tony can keep an eye on things and the tots will be around with them too.” Liberty smiled proudly. “Those furballs are doing really well with their few duties and training. They can handle themselves for a day or two!”

“If you say so…” The Labrador shrugged. “Come on. I'll give Marshall a lift back home, we can worry about fixing this road later.”

**********//////////**********

It had been a few hours after they went back to the Lookout. Rocky, Zuma and Liberty reported everything that happened to Ryder and the other pups, while Marshall locked himself in his Pup-House and hadn't left ever since. Not even Chase managed to convince him to open the door, so Ryder told them to leave him be. He would come out when he would feel like it, they just needed to give him some time.

In the meantime, the other pups went out to the location where the fight happened, to clean off the debris and fix the damaged road. Only Zuma and Liberty stayed behind, chilling together in the front yard, from where they could see Marshall's Pup-House. Ryder insisted Rocky should stay back and rest as well, but the gray pup was adamant on helping fixing the damage, feeling responsible for part of it.

When the sun was going down and the sky was just turning several shades of red, orange and pink for the sunset to come, the two pups heard a sound and looked up. Marshall had just come out from his house and was now drinking water from his bowl.

His body language made it clear he was still very upset, so both pups approached slowly and kept a respectful distance.

“Hey, buddy.” Liberty offered a sympathetic smile, when he looked up from his bowl to her. “How are you feeling?”

“Still frustrated, I think.” The Dalmatian shrugged.

“Sad and mad...?” Zuma in turn had a small grin, which Marshall didn't miss and it made him roll his eyes.

“Please, don't.”

“Smad, perhaps...?” The Labrador dared, getting a small chuckle from the Dalmatian in response.

“I hate it when you do that.”

“I know, and I love you too.”

“Well, no wonder you feel like that.” Liberty chuckled too at their friendly banter, while Zuma nodded in agreement. “This whole thing was a total mess.”

“Before you go about that again…” Marshall sat down, now looking at his own wavy reflection on the water in the bowl. “I'm not blaming myself anymore. But I just can't stop wondering… Why?” He looked up to the two pups, who now stepped closer and sat down as well. “Why did he do that? Why make something so dangerous? And then give it away like that? If it were anyone else instead of us, people could've gotten hurt or even worse!”

“Yeah, that's really messed up.” Zuma agreed again. “Things like that shouldn't even exist. But I don't think we'll get an answer about it, and even if we do, we probably won't like it anyway.”

“I wouldn't trust any excuse this guy would give about it.” Liberty shivered. “Who would know if he would be lying anyway?”

“I remember he said he was forgetting about something, but if he couldn't remember what it was, then it shouldn't be important.”

“You really believe that?” The Chocolate Lab raised an eyebrow. “How can someone carve a stone statue which can come to life, grow giant and mad, and just forget it happens, then make more statues?”

“Yeah, that's not something one can just forget about.” It was Liberty's turn to nod in agreement.

They fell silent for a moment, until Marshall looked up again. “Thanks for helping, by the way. You too, Liberty. I don't know who alerted you, but I'm glad they did. If you wouldn't be there to hold the giant back, I wouldn't be able to stand close enough to melt the road and get it stuck in place.”

“Not to mention the plan to defeat that thing was yours!” Zuma bumped her shoulder with his paw, grinning. “That was some serious fast and great thinking!”

“I only came up with the idea, you guys did most of the work and you should thank Rocky for doing the worst part.” She giggled back.

“It was good teamwork.” Zuma smiled, to which both Marshall and Liberty smiled back. “So, we good?”

“We good.” Marshall snorted. “Won't you go back home, Liberty? It's getting late and you live far…”

“Nah, I'll stay over for the night.” She waved a paw, dismissively. “I talked to Ryder about it already. We should take the chance and catch up on the news before sleep!”

“Sounds good to me!” Zuma wagged his tail. “Wanna check our toys room? We had to get a room for them because we got too many plushies and Marshall received a ton of gifts on his birthday.”

“Wow, really?” She looked over to Marshall, who smiled sheepishly.

“Yeah, some plushies are kinda… Huge too.”

“I got a stingray that's so big I can use it as a blanket!” Zuma beamed, now standing up and trotting over to the front door of the Lookout. “Come on, we'll show you!”

Marshall and Liberty chuckled and got up, following the young Labrador inside.

**********///// THE END /////**********

(( THANKS FOR READING!!!

Just a few things now.

First, thanks to @stretch-n-fetch for letting me "use" her muse in this. I figured it was fair, given the fact Liberty posted that she was on her way to help them before I started writing this story. And I know she uses the pink text for Skye but I also figured it could be used in this story, as Skye wouldn't show up in this anyway.

Second, I'd also like to thank @cottoncandyswirl828 for helping me out with a few bits in this story. English isn't my first language so there are things I'm still learning.

And last, please enjoy this because I don't intend to do anything like this again for a LONG TIME... XD It's "just writing" but it took me two days and two nights, and I literally had to stop blogging to not have more asks incoming and possibly changing what I had written already so far. For example, whoever called Liberty to help them, also called other blogs while I was already writing. If my pups inbox would be open, they would probably have sent asks offering to help and it would have me rewriting everything again and again as more characters would join the story. Just... Nope. Have mercy.

Also on a last note, FOR THE LOVE OF EVERYTHING THAT'S GOOD IN THE WORLD, ASK ME BEFORE SENDING CROSSOVER ASKS and giving a continuity to the replies. Again, you were lucky I've watched Tales Of Arcadia and decided it was worth going with it. If you guys try to send anything from another fandom that I don't know about, there's nothing I can do at all!

That's it, hope you guys enjoy this short story, I died to type it all on my phone, now I need a break, bye 💀 ))

[meowsgirldrawing]

Prince Astarion vs Princess Anna (BG3)

Prompt: The ragtag gang of tadpole holders saves a princess (daughter of a grand duke) from a miserable fate by some monsters, then decides to help escort her back to her town. Astarion didn’t mind any of this, but after weeks since his and Tav’s exchange of real affections and confessions, he’s not too keen on allowing her fluttering eyelashes and obvious thing for heroes to go on any longer.

Note: Tav is a tiefling in this, because I love tieflings so much, but I'm trying to keep it mostly open so people can imagine their Tav's easier. More or less a little self-indulgent on my part.

Warnings: Little spicy moment, nothing explicit, just Tav and Astarion being in love and maybe a little bitey here and there. 🤷‍♂️Cussing, noble insults, some violence but it's Baldur's gate so nothing new right?

Word Count- 9,948 (I was having fun, alright? Sue me)

A03 Link

Masterlist Link

“Let’s save the little princess, they said!”    “It’ll be harmless, they said!”   Astarion bristles, leaned up on the tough wood pole that holds up his tent. The pure white pup beside him pays no attention, his gnawing noisy and breaking the air occasionally with happy whimpers. “I mean really??” He manages to keep his words low-ish, but his hand movement, flaring up in mock dismissal, is rather the opposite. “Who does that little minx think she is?-”   “GO WYLL, GO!” Karlach’s booming voice interrupts him. Loud enough that Scratch finally peers up, tail wagging. Oh so you’ll ignore me but as soon as the big fire lady says one word-   Not that Scratch really needs to listen anymore, Astarion trails off, finally resuming on the scene before him. The scene he was so diligently watching for a few reasons only before his disgust came filtering in.  

Gale steps up, settling in beside Karlach,  “Do we really need to do this?”  “Have a little fun, Gale,” Tav huffs lightly, playfully, as they snatch up another log and set it up in the stump, axe glinting in the sunlight from their hand.  

“Of course we do! Since Tav thought it was oh so wise to comment-“   “It was just a joke, Wyll-“ They try.   “On my “princely-ness” I must show them exactly how prince-like I can be!” His shirtless chest puffs up in confidence, or faux bravo as Tav rolls their eyes and sighs. And that is through a friendly log-chopping competition apparently.   “Tsk’va-“ Lae’zel settles up next to Gale’s side, her eyes focused on the pile beside the two morons. “As long as we get firewood, I don’t care how it’s done.”   Tav nods, grateful “Thank you, sweet Lae’zel. See Gale, it’s harmless my guy!”   Lae’zel does her dismissal words, rolling her eyes. The friendliness form of ‘no problem’ a Githyanki, at least their favorite one, can offer apparently. 

  What? No, the competition is certainly not Astarion’s source of disgust. The sight of a bare chested, years of fighting showing in rippling muscles, Wyll going against their broad-shouldered, built in both structured and height Tav, whose upper half is covered by a mere tank top. That is absolutely not it. If anything, he could sit there all day watching both go at it like morons over a simple joke.  And no, it’s not how he can clearly see the others taking in the sight as well. Gale watches in more amused confusion compared to most, but if you looked harder, his eyes are certainly not straying from either’s form.  Karlach’s tail wags lightly, while her eyes glim with her hearty laugh. Perhaps if she wasn’t already burning up from her engine, she’d probably be visibly burning up in another way. Still, her focus is on Wyll, amused and thoroughly intrigued.

Lae’zel’s possibly the only one who isn’t doing much leering, but she isn’t so innocent. She goes from watching their forms swing down the axes on Tav’s call to being unable to take her eyes off Tav’s arm stretching out for another log. She huffs but does nothing more besides crossing her arms. He can’t blame them, not at all, his Tav alone is a sight to behold. Not to mention their overall friendly and sweet persona that takes no real effort, a gentle giant is what he’s heard multiple times by Shadowheart. Added with Wyll, an admittedly gentleman despite his profession at slaying off monster heads, his demeanor also alone can melt the strongest of hearts.  Pair them together, and you got a nice show to sit back and enjoy. Especially with the banter thrown left and right.   “Ready to give up, Tav? Even by your tail I can tell you’re struggling.” He grins, eyes crickling in mirth.   Tav scoffs, their tail adjusting the log before swinging back to behind them. “Try me, warrior boy. I’m just getting started!”   “Well-” At the next call, both heave up their axes and slit the wood in two. 4 more added to their respective collections. “So am I, my friend!”   Astarion’s lip quirks, but then turns into a full frown as soon as he hears it again.   A high pitched giggle.   A little ways behind the two competitors, there sits a young woman in a fair and fluttery day gown, dark long locks curled over her shoulder, manicured and well cared for hands trail near her full and red lips as she giggles out her response, “You’re doing just amazing, both of you!” But her eyes stay on Tav. His Tav.

  His lip curls, eyes piercing from the other side of the camp. There she is, the little princess he and his group just so happen to come across when dealing the final blows on a goblin camp.   Annalisa, or rather, Lady Annalisa-Daughter and heir of Duke Salton. Who just so happens to be from the town they planned to head to next before her untimely landing into their group.   They had just taken down the last of the slavers; Astarion retching his arrow from his latest kill’s head. He grimaces as he looks over the chip on it’s side. Great now he has to make a new one. He’s all too ready to un-proudly announce his discovery and wills to leave, but an explosion cuts him off. His companions all brace themselves at the sudden arrival of flames. Gale whipping up a new spell, one to counter fire possibly. Lae’zel who didn’t even put her sword away yet, already making her stance beside Tav. Tav slides out their last blade, their other one lost in one of the bodies scattered about them, yet freezes. Tail stiffening up high.

“HELP!”

There, on the cliff side connected to the burning stairway, stands a young woman, arms tied infront of her, a makeshift gag hanging around her sweating throat as she peers down at them with a crazed fear in her eyes. She must’ve been one of the most recent captures, if her ripped and ruffled clothes and tangled hair have anything to show for it. She’s going from them to the burning stairway, “It’s too hot! I can’t make it!” Gale tries to shoot out his spell, but- surprise, it just grows further. Licking up the sides of the cliff she’s on, the woman is tittering back as a scream tears from her throat. Ringing through their ears and into the night sky.

“There must be a source fueling it on the other side.” Lae’zel deducts. “Shit.” Astarion glares at the flames. His mind reeling for ideas.

Before anyone else lets out another word, Tav rushes forward. Their dagger making a mark in the dirt as it lands. Boots thump hard against the earth all while they ignore the calls from their companions. As they get as close to the fire as safely possible, arms fly forward in an improve net.

“Come on! I got you!” “What?!” She gapes at them. “Jump and I’ll catch you!” “But-“ “Theres wooden planks under you, yes?! It won’t be long before that ground is covered too, so jump!” The woman whimpers, tears fueled with fear drip down her cheeks, “I can’t!”

Astarion, from his position amongst the others’, can’t see it but something changes with Tav that has the woman altering aswell. They’re smiling.

With a friendly grin as sweat drips down their forehead, dirt and blood milled on their armor, the Tiefling simply lifts their arms more at her, “I promise you can! I’ll be right here for you!” Something shifts in the woman’s gaze, but she nods, backing up. She’s still shaking. “Y-you’ll…you won’t drop me?” She begs, and it could almost break Astarion’s undead heart. Could…if his heart wasn’t so set on the sight of his lover literally on the edge of flames.

“Of course I won’t!” Tav actually laughs. They have a way of keeping the air light, even in the most heated environments. A skill they use especially now, the gentle giant keeping their expression light and open as they call out to the frightened young lady, “You have my word, I won’t let you go for even a second!”

Another stilling moment. Another moment were Lae’zel almost decides to go up there herself to get the woman off. Another of Gale searching his mind for any fire deucing spell as a backup plan. Another moment of Astarion glancing from the flames to Tav, not liking the lack of distance as flames brew. “Tav-!”

Then she falls. Astarion feels his words lodge in his throat, his yell coming out instead. All as Tav ducks further near the flames, arms awaiting for the impact. Fire licks at their arms as the woman is caught, before swiftly pulling out. They twirl on their heel, yanking both to the arms of safety. Just as another explosion lets off. Immediately covering the area Tav once took.

He knows damn well their resistance to fire is apparent. Still, he’d rather them be afraid of it or wary at the very least than walking into it, arms open. Literally. It didn’t help that as soon as the bindings were off, gag cut from her throat, the woman turned to his lover with the sweetest little smile, “My hero!” She sung.

Lae’zel merely rolled her eyes at it, stashing her sword away. Gale chuckles, an anxious finger scratching at his beard. Tav blinked but soon chuckles, a palm at their neck, “It was nothing.”

Yet the praises kept coming. And to the point were a side of Astarion wished they never even found the practical puppy at their presence. Especially when Tav later got it out of her that she was the daughter of a Duke, having been snatched up in the night, ending up with a bunch of slavers who’d sell her off for some dirty coin. And especially when her hand lingered, cupping their bicep far too long for his liking.   Now…

“HELL YEAH!” Karlach’s engines spur, her excitement fueling Gale’s astonished laugh. Wyll had won.

“Well,” Tav gives a laugh of their own, offering up a handshake. A nice show of good sportsmanship. “Congratulations, my friend, you know how to chop wood faster than I.” Their hands clasp together as both allies grin.

“Oh, don’t beat yourself too hard, pal. I’m sure you have more suitable talents that will show themselves soon enough.” As Tav barks a laugh, giving good ol’ Wyll a pat on the back, one that has him stumbling forward some, Astarion immediately notices movement behind them.   He can’t even get up before Annalisa is running words off her tongue. “That was wonderful, Tav!” Her fingers tangle together, the show of shying as her eyes can’t necessarily stay on Tav too long. If you’re too shy to say one sentence, perhaps you shouldn’t speak at all. “37 logs in an 30 minutes…that m-must be a record of some kind.”

His eyes jump to Tav. Desperately hoping no expression can have his chest squeezing uncomfortably. They smile, cheeky, “Oh you don’t have to save my ego, Anna. I stopped counting by the 12th, I simply wanted to see how much Wyll had in him for such a short time.”   “And yet,” An arm is wrung around their neck, tugging them down a slight. Wyll’s horn knocking into theirs lightly, almost as much as a hip bump, “I still obtained 51. I’d say keep the compliments coming, Lady Anna! This one might need it.” He gently pats their shoulder, as if consoling them.

 At that, Tav’s eyes roll and they’re shoving the Warlock off. Both he and Anna, who once the woman realizes the playfulness, are swept into a small fit of laughter each.

  The camp air is light, a nice break from the overall dampening gore and violence that plagues their days. The scene, seeing his companions tossing banter back and forth, doesn’t exactly feel exclusive for Astarion. He feels fine, watching the others prattle around like children.

His only wish..

For Anna to finally give an extra meter to the feet apart she is from Tav. Like 12 meters, perhaps 15 if he were so lucky.

Or rather simply..or kindly drop dead. Either way satisfies Astarion.

--------------------------------------------   It’s late. Crickets are alive and making their music to the world known. Distant owls coo and stay wary of the fire crackling in the middle of the camp. Or rather it’s people surrounding it.   Wyll and Jaheria have already staggered off to bed, the high moon clear to everyone of it’s dark hours. Halsin too, the druid tired from a long day of happily helping Tav on their village run. They plan to stay one more night before packing up and heading off to the next area, the one where Anna will be promptly dropped off and their next assignment picked up.

The only people left up and about were Shadowheart, Gale, and Lae’zel. For once, the two women aren’t at each other’s throats, simply for the nice reason of Tav and Astarion settled in between their positions. Oh and Karlach’s watchful but friendly eye from her bedroll, chatting easily with Gale over a new spell he’s experimenting with at the moment. She may look lost, tad confused, but whose to say she isn’t interested to some degree. Especially with how hyped up the little wizard, half her size, prides himself joyously.   Astarion huffs, “Did you really have to go on and handle that heinous creature all by yourself??” Ah yes, what the camp lovebirds were up to. He tugs their arm closer, pushing their rolled up sleeve higher. Only to reveal more purple and blue forming at it’s slow-ish pace.

“Halsin was already busy with the herb finding, “ Tav’s eyes nearly roll to the back of their head, “If I didn’t settle the horse down quickly, I’d possibly have more than scrapes and bruising.” “And your response was to go to it’s front and stand in the cross fire of it’s flying, hard hooves?” Shadowheart chimes in, her held tilt making her pause in her fire poking.   “I’ve handled horses before, I knew what I was doing.” They defend again. “Yes, and now you being a moon painting on legs is clear proof of such knowledge.” Astarion drops their arm into one elbow, throwing up the other. His face twisted in clear and loud irritation. “I’m fine, Star,” Their laugh breaks out at the sight. Pulling the arm out and behind his shoulders, they tug him close, “At least they are just bruises-“   “Big, growing bruises as we speak-“   “Bruises, Astarion! It’ll heal in a few weeks from now and I’ll be back to my regular color in no time.” He wants to push further, wants to lecture them until they agree to not even look another horse again. But with their cheek rubbing into his hair, hand trailing on his side in a gentle caress, his argument is faltering. He huffs, ‘attacking’ their arm in a light slap around the wrist. They feign an OW! Chuckling into his white curls.

“I swear, if Halsin comes back again with a report of you being a complete and utter idiot-“  “You know very well it’ll continue, why even threaten them in the first place?” Lae’zel mutters aloud, her steel sharpener giving little shrieks with each slide.   “Well-“   “Hello everyone!” That voice chirps rather loudly from behind. Tav’s grip loosens in a way that has Astarion growling from his throat at two things instead of one. Shadowheart shoots him a look he arrogantly ignores. Tav’s head twists, a smile quirking up on their features. “Hey, Anna!”   The princess beams, cutting around the log the two sit on and coming into everyone’s view. What she has in her hands, or rather platter, has Shadowheart furrowing her brow and lightly tilting her head, “What you do have there, Anna?”

“Drinks! Gale showed me the recipe.” If she wasn’t holding the platter, she’s sure to be fiddling with her fingers. Her head faces downward instead. So shy and sweet. Astarion’s grip on Tav’s waist grows. Enough so that Tav takes their attention of Anna and to their vampire lover, eyes asking ‘are you ok?’ He simply flashes a smirk, waving off their comment and detaching from them. Fast and quick. Like a youngling found out by their parents.

Tav’s concern only grows. Astarion, while fine flaunting their relationship around of the rest of their misfit crew- holding hands as they tred along, pulling them down for a quick peck before splitting off, showing no shame as he walks out of their tent at early sunrise- he’s surely one to tone it down in front of strangers unless he feels reason not to. Like at the festival they recently went to, the one with the druid and her love test, he was proudly holding their palm and strutting along like a newly wed afterwards. It must be that.

Their face tenses a little, concern warping their brow. As much as they want to ask further, wane for an answer, they know it won’t help. Most definitely not while in front of their crew plus Anna. Astarion will always refer to their shared tent if he had a problem, somewhere private and safe. Easy for him to unload whatever plagues him. It must be that. Hopefully, he can talk then.   When Anna isn’t looking, they check and peck his forehead, all before releasing him themselves. He doesn’t react, eyes on Anna.   She passes around the drinks, all merrily and happy as can be. A hum to her lips, eyes crickled and flashing with joy every time someone thanks her for their drinks. Of course Astarion doesn’t miss the lingering fingers against Tav’s as she hands over theirs. He keeps his hiss quiet and nudges closer to their side once she changes course.

She still smiles as she offers up her gifts to Astarion and Lae’zel. To which Lae’zel declines, her palm up as she critically eyes the concoction, “ Is it sweet?” “Of course, I-“ “Then I have no need for it.”

Astarion giggling mind stirs at Anna’s slightly puppy, dejected face, all before being put to a stop by Anna’s switch to him. “Would you like a cup, Astarion?” She flutters sweetly.

He hums, staring at the juice that came from that of an apple. If he has his scents correct.  He lets a smile polite enough to etch on his face, “Apologies, my dear, but fruit isn’t for me. I prefer something with a different type of juice.”

Tav nearly chokes on their latest sip. So does Shadowheart, who giggles rather nervously. Anna, feeling a joke she’s missed out on, doesn’t take it to heart. She tilts her head but accepts his decline with a light expression.

Gale immediately recognizes the flavor as it hits his tongue, awing in gratitude, “Oh, Anna! This is amazing! It hits the nerves just right.” She bows her thanks, “Thank you, Gale, where had you learn this recipe anyway? I found it the most fun to experiment my brewing skills with!” “My mother,” He says as proudly as he always mentions her, “After spells and incantations, my mother made and taught me such wonderful recipes the Dekarios family has been passing down from generation to generation.”

“Well, remind me to give my additional thanks to Momma Dekarios, this is awesome, Anna!” Karlach as always, is loud in her approval. She swallows down a gulp, licking up the excess as a hearty smile dawns her face.

---------------------------------------- “If you don’t mind my asking….how’s Tav?”   It’s about time the fire is put out and people retreating into their tents for the long day tomorrow. Gale pauses in his storing, leftover porridge poured into a sealable bowl for another time. Shadowheart too, her bedroll under her arm and a second one, for Anna, on the ground next to her. “How’s Tav? As in health or character?” Gale can’t recall anything odd about Tav. They finished their fill and left a little soon after, yawing out a goodnight as Anna left for a moment. Of course with the oh so friendly vampire of the group not too far from following suit.

Kalach did the same after another fill of the juice Anna shared before heading off to her bedroll. Anna blinks, “Oh, character! I’m sorry, I’m merely curious as I seem to know only one side while everyone else is more or less open in comparison.”

Ah that’s true. As open as a listening Tav is, their stories and dreams aren’t shared as much amongst the group. They only want to focus on others, not themselves. Shadowheart, with a knowing chuckle accompanying, tells Anna such. “Don’t take it personally, Tav has always been that way. It’s rare to see any drastic difference.” To be fair, they can’t seem to remember half their life story, amnesia being a killer on their soul.

Gale nods along, “But what we do know is they have a good heart despite it, always willing to help, even if they could loose limb or life along with way.” “They are also such a jokester, don’t forget,” The bedroll spreads, palms finding rocks and nicks in the dirt and pulling them out from beneath, “Gods only know how that mind works for the especially stupidest ones.” Anna giggles, taking the last of the supplies from Gale. Who smiles in thanks. “Oh really? Well, I did get a hint of that with Wyll that one time.”   Gale’s head tips back, long tangles waving down, as he groans out, “Oh they have been much worse from that.”   Anna hums, eyes thinking, “So…uhm…is Tav perhaps..single?”   That, not Gale’s ice spell for the cooking fire, freezes them. They share a look and glance back to a fidgeting Anna. Did she not see Tav and- A wince pulls on Gale’s face, apologetic almost,“Anna-“ You gotta give it to him, he tries.   “I’m sorry!” Her hands fly, “I’m sure they have a different life behind this whole journey you are all gathered for, but I simply can’t help but ask! They seem so sweet and noble, not to mention so handsome and beautiful! I couldn’t help but become curious.” Her cheeks are aflush, bright red upon fair skin.

Yet they can’t get an answer out. Gale flushes, remembering all the times he’s accidentally stumbled upon a sneaky Astarion and flustered Tav in his search for privacy in the woods, all to the point he thinks some are purposeful. Shadowheart feels the same. The tadpole isn’t active, but she still ends up in the same predicament. Flashes of glimpsing at their tangled hands as the two converse at the back, shared pecks (mostly Tav to Astarion) when they think no one is paying any attention, lovey-dovey shit that can make anyone, relationship or not, feel as single as a tree in baren woodlands. “Anna-“ Gale tries again.

Anna cuts him off again, “You know what, I’m too tired, that’s it! Let’s forget this ever occurred, please!” She winds up snatching up her bedroll from a grimacing Shadowheart, tucking tail and fluttering off with a short but rushed, “Good night, my friends!” over her shoulder.   At the silence that follows, the two left behind blink at one another. “Oh..Astarion is going to loose it.” Shadowheart clicks her tongue. Remembering all the times Astarion smirks as Tav’s attention flies to him instead of anyone else, Gale can’t help but agree wholeheartedly.

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

“Excuse me?” The hiss hits Gale hard enough that he’s no longer wondering why Shadowheart left the idea up to him. His fingers trail up to rub his forehead, he feels Astarion boring into him, red eyes pinched in a sneer.   “She merely asked a question-“   “Yes, a simple and innocent question on if MY lover was single or not.”   “I tried to tell her no!” He whisper-shouts back, eyes drawing up to meet his. “She flew off like a scared squirrel before either of us could tell her such!” So much for being a good friend and trying to warn Astarion ahead of time. Ugh..he should have went to Tav themselves instead. They’d at least wouldn’t keep interrupting him. “Look, I’m not one to go about messing with anyone’s relationships, but I think the best thing is talking to either Tav or Miss Anna or both.” He waves his hand around, “Clear the air so they say.”   “You’re right, surprisingly.” Astarion blinks. Gale pauses, still walking beside him. Is he actually going to- “You aren’t one to go about messing with relationships, at least until after you get it through that oddly shape skull of yours that it isn’t your place.” And that’s how the small spark of hope of Astarion’s redemption arc died in Gale’s heart. His shoulders lower in his defeat. But perk right back up as a palm slaps on his and another onto Astarion’s shoulders. “What we talkin’ about?” A sharp whisper fills his ears. Astarion jerks, Gale just about yelps out his soul. Both turn, meeting dark eyes of their favorite baalspawn of the group. They grin, eyes hooded, “What? You boys kept whispering a little too much, Tav asked me to check on ya’ll!”

“Durge!” Astarion, once again, hisses with their common nickname, “Did you really have to sneak up on us?”   “You’re a rouge..” They blink slowly, diligently, as if the concept should be obvious to all, young and old, “You didn’t think to keep an eye on your own purse?”   “I think you meant to say back.” Gale’s head tilts. Astarion’s hands start wandering around, patting his sides.   “Nope.” Astarion confirms the opposite, a grumble falling as his gaze clicks upwards. The well flourish decorated pack goes bouncing from the little rope that secures it as it hangs from their grasp. Their lip bit in their covered chuckle.

The bag is snatched, Astarion stuffing it as deep as it can go in his pocket, stink eye glaring down at the thief in front of him. Gale picks at his brow, rubbing as he groans. “Durge…” “Yes, handsome?” They purr, turning to him with the biggest look of innocence that Astarion has ever seen. Hands clutched behind their back, head leaning sweetly, eyes fluttering.   “It’s not rather becoming to eavesdrop…” His eyes do that weird softening as he says that. Mystra, then Tav, then them? No wonder the man has the oddest relationship with romance. Astarion feeling his eyes draw to the back of his head nearly with how hard he rolls them. Maybe he goes any farther, he can see that tadpole that gotten him in this mess in the first place.  The idea then turns a tad too grotest for his liking so he stops with mute boredom. 

“Hey!” They start, “I told ya, Tav asked me to check on ya.” Gale fixes them with a look.

“Anyhow!” They send one right back, no hesitation. However, it isn’t hard to see the twinkle of fondness they share. Astarion feels his eyes about to roll a second time. “Wanna spill?” They wink.

Gale looks at Astarion. He boredly blinks back. He takes that as the equivalent of ‘go ahead’ as he huffs. “Anna’s been showing a rather kindly interest in Tav as of late, yet doesn’t seem to get the hint that Tav and Astarion are…a thing?” He looks at Astarion again, edging the last words carefully.

“That’s one way to put it.”

“Ohhhh.” Durge walks in stride with them. Their eyes squinting ahead at Anna talking animatedly with Tav. Hands parading about in some clear story, Tav’s fluffed shoulders bouncing in presumed chuckles. If they look hard enough, focusing really good, they barely see the red that fits her cheeks. And they don’t seem to be from the sun at all, hells, it’s chilly more than anything this odd morning.

“So that’s a thing.” Such drama in this camp. Their giggling mind can’t get enough. “So what are ya gonna do about it?” The question is for Astarion pointedly, but their glance at Gale keeps the conversation opened. “I was just telling Astarion that he should speak with Tav about it, maybe drop it in casually or say he’s just noticed things here and there.” He too looks at Astarion pointedly. “I think it’s the best thing to do when you notice someone’s throwing heart eyes at one’s lover.”

“And I think that if it’s how you say, my relationship, I should handle it my way!” 

Gale’s jaw drops, about to defend his statement with ever breath he has, but the arm looping around his shoulder chokes those words up. His breath freezes in hit throat as Durge yanks him closer to them, easy smirk meeting his confused gaze. It promptly drops the moment heat meets his skin, burning his face red. 

Durge throws an eyebrow his way, grin growing, then focuses on the vampire glaring intensely at the back of Tav and Anna’s skulls. His eyes darting down the moment Tav seems to glance over their shoulder. “Alright then.” Durge shrugs, whistling their contempt. “Keep it and store it in until little miss princess figures out the same way you got Tav to bend over backwards for your wayward soul.”

Gale pales. ‘What are you doing??’ His whispers a harsh breath on Durge’s ear. The Baalspawn looks nothing close to uncomfortable, they only grin at Gale. ‘Don’t worry about it, handsome, just focus on our little magic date later, k?’

That clamps the wizard up. “Way-Wayward soul??” Astarion squeaks. His glare intensifies onto Durge. It’s then a bubble of laughter, nothing of joy, all full of sarcasm-Gale and Durge exchange a look- spills from his lips. 

He scoffs, “I’m just going to ignore that comment, please and thank you, and besides that, I highly doubt some daddy’s little brat stain will be able to get through, and while I adore them so, Tav’s platonically-stricken head.” His hand flies up and places delicately over his chest, claws out. “I hate to announce it to the class but it took me explaining the basic idea of sex for Tav to understand what I wanted from them at the Tiefling party!” 

Before Gale or Durge could go on any further, or Durge just encourage Astarion’s sass fess, the spawn turns heels and marches to the front. He sends the last comment in a hiss over his shoulder, “Like that butterfly flapping, pampered parasite would even try it anyway if I have anything to say about it!”

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

He thought the privileged princess wouldn’t try anything. Afterall, she sounded like a blushing virgin at the mere thought Tav knew what plagued her as she attempted in asking Gale and Shadowheart, at least by what Gale told him.  But…he should've realized something.

If he can go thinking he easily seduce their unofficial leader with batting eyes and whispered promises with no issue, only to get turned on his metaphorical side and end up in the first committed, healthiest relationship he’s had in over 200 years by accident- then he should’ve realized all things don’t go as planned.

And by that he means that Anna definitely didn’t act a blushy nun, keeping her feelings locked up safe from the world, she decided to do the rather opposite.

Any chance she got, she was trying to either stay by Tav’s side or help them out around camp. Even going as far as to interrupt some conversations with their companions, mainly Shadowheart- suppose she saw how the two bonded over loss of childhood memory and supporting each other in most arguments amongst the group- enough so that it took Lae’zel directly ignoring her input as she was talking to Tav. Oh and doing it again one time because Tav was late for their planned training. 

Yeah, he remembers snickering on the side with a not so quiet Durge as the half-twit fumed red in the background, all the while their astral-dwelling companion grabbed Tav by the collar and dragged the poor, apologizing sheepishly tiefling double her size to their usual area.

At least he got a chance to ‘soothe’ Tav’s bruises that night, tent flap tied up tight.

She isn’t the fighting type at all, so surprising for Astarion-Gods!- so the only time Astarion got Tav to ‘himself’ was when picked to go out.

And even that got limited!

The crew recently found a mining crew in need of muscles to get their buddies out of an explosion gone wrong, amongst other things, so they’ve yet to move their camp for the last few days as Tav took Karlach, Gale, and Shadowheart out to help. They would’ve brought Halsin too, possibly to help with the healing bits they are sure to come across, if not for the warnings of the mining crew about sightings of a creature wandering around too.

So yeah. Tensions be high. And higher for the two who unknowingly/knowingly pine for the same sweet leader of their stitched together group.

Astarion’s been pointedly ignoring Anna during the day, immediately retiring to his tent the moment Tav’s safe and sound. And the others too he supposes.

Thankfully everyone has enough sense to not pry the vampire about it, merely giving him glances or odd looks whenever he excuses himself from anything Anna wants to talk to him about. Save for Lae’zel who honestly could care less about brewing drama afoot in the camp and fills the silence by sharpening or training just about all day. 

After yet another failed attempt by Anna in her new request to speak to Astarion privately, he once again guesses wrong in thinking she finally stopped, finally got the point he wants nothing to do with a prancing bird, parading around his lover day in and out.

Imagine the dear’s surprise that first thing he walks into in the morning is seeing Anna waiting outside his tent, fidgeting and picking at a small sack in her hands. His eyes dart to Tav, the teifling wrapping a conversation up with Halsin it seem, sack thrown over their shoulder with a casual grip.  Seems Anna won’t be putting on fluttering eyes and sweet smiles for Tav today. 

“Astarion!” She perks up immediately as the man slips from his tent. Face immediately fitting into place with a light smirk and narrowed eyes. 

“Lady Annastasia, and to what do I owe the pleasure to?” He stands straighter, arms folding lightly. 

She bites her inner cheek, “Oh nothing big, I merely need to ask a question of sorts.”

“Ah I see.” His head tilts, studying her. Going up and down. She sways in place, as if nerves are biting at each angle of her sides. “ Is it wrong to assume it’s about our Tav?”

As he expected, she blinks wide at him, freezing in place. Her eyes dart from him to the taller hero who just made their way to their three traveling buddies for the last day at the mines. Tav told him as he curled in their lap, getting his fill in as they carded their fingers through his locks last night. He didn’t mind their rambles as he ate, if anything, started to encourage it as of late.  Doesn’t have anything to do with their absence of voice filtering around his tent, oh no.

Anna’s voice can’t help but come out as a waver. “Is…Is it that obvious?”

Admittedly, Astarion lets the sympathy slide through, “As obvious as  a little puppy longing for it’s owner?” He makes that gentle hissing sound through his teeth, “I’m afraid so, darling.”

She visibly drops, a pout pulling. “Oh.”

“But not to worry, my dear, Tav isn’t the brightest tool in the shed when it comes to romance, so I think you’re safe.” For now. He wants to add. “As a rogue, these things are quite easy to catch amongst other things.”

She nods, agreeing with him as a small bout of hope pools her eyes once more. She blinks up at him, a gentle smile relaxing her features. “If so, I still want to ask my request of you! If you don’t mind, of course.”

Why the hells should I? 

“Of course, whatever the Lady desires!” He says instead. 

She begins speaking her request to him and he listens for a bit till he realizes she’s close to telling her life story as she rambles. So his ears do the most rational thing and begins drowning her out, getting only bits and pieces, enough to be able to nod or agree without seemingly ignoring her.

All the while, Tav stands at the edge of camp, close enough for them to catch his eye with little exaggeration. To others, they may look fresh and bushy tailed, ready for another adventure. To him, they look exhausted. Without even being near them a whole lot, he knows right away they’ve been restless the past few days. 

Call him silly, but they can’t help but remind him of a giant puppy in a way. Always eager to please him, always looking forward to talking with him or following him around, even while he’s doing the following most days. They miss him. 

Despite the non-angsty but hollow look in their eyes, he kept help the slight, odd satisfaction on knowing he’s the only one able to make that happy unintentionally. 

They smile, grim and tired wrinkles around their corners. 

He smiles back, Anna thinking he’s still listening throughout. 

Tav does a quick, funny look around, as if trying to make him laugh, which he has to stop himself with a clearing of his throat, before bringing up their hands in an overall cliche heart symbol. Someone could see it and they don’t care. 

He keeps himself from acting any stranger in front of Anna. For the few times too many, he’s glad he can’t physically blush in front of others. 

With that, Tav wanders over to their group and begin their last day to the mines.

“-I know you’re close with, so I was hoping to get your opinion of this gift I bought them?”

Astarion blinks out of his little dream world of pink clouds and sweet nothings, and comes back to the ever nervous Anna in front of him. 

“Oh right! Yes, I’m sure whatever it is, they’ll adore it.” 

Anna beams and takes no time to pull out a silver necklace. Red gems, rubies possibly line the chain in small drops. It’s beautiful. Clearly carefully crafted and made for the loveliest lads or ladies.

Astarion makes his stand back as subtle as possible.

“Lovely, isn’t it?” She raises it high, thankfully close to her. “I saw it in town with Durge the other day and couldn’t help but snatch it right up!”

“Terribly sweet.” He marks. Winces carefully hidden.

“Yeah! It could also help with their little ‘problem’.”

Astarion perks at that. Ears winding. 

‘Huh?’

Questions on his face must be evident cause Anna immediately jumps to an explanation.

“Oh, I’ve noticed these odd markings or rather…” She looks left and right, leaning in just a slight. As if whatever she says would bring panic to all around them. 

“...Bites!” 

He blinks, again. 

“I understand if Tav has some…arrangement with someone of the night, but I worry for them!” Her eyes fill with an emotion he’s seen way to many times. Pity and anger. 

“Vampires are..vile, dangerous things! The vampire that Tav lets them feed from must be seducing them, using them a mere cattle!”

Tav said something to him once about comments they get as a tiefling. How they obviously look like devils but the real insult is being compared to livestock. Namely bulls or..

“Cattle?”

Something sparks in him. The whispers he had when he first met Tav and their small group of Shadowheart and Gale begin again. 

Anna nods dutifully. Almost sadly. He hides the grit in his teeth as his claws scream at him to rip that nod clean off. 

“I feel this necklace could help them scare whoever it is off, yes?” Then her expression shifts, eyes turning downward in that shy act once more. No, coy.

“I just think it’s best for them, you know?”

THATS NOT YOUR FUCKING CHOICE TO-

“Of course! Such wretched creatures need to be purged from this world!” He may be playing it off a little too much. He adds in a wiping motion, swift and able to startle Anna. But she looks at him with big, woefully hopeful eyes and he knows he has her.

A feeling he welcomes greatly, especially in this moment as anger shakes his very soul, comes to play. It claps it’s hands, plays it’s tunes, drafting it’s first idea with gleaming eyes full of mirth.

He keeps it hidden with a gentle smile, dare he say gentlemanly. So charming he’s sure Anna would’ve been swooning if not for Tav.

“I suggest giving it to them tonight, my dear.” He wraps a friendly hand over hers, ignoring the light sting he feels from one of the dangling bits passing through her fingers and onto his. “Afterall, with how much Tav has been working tirelessly with this whole mining business, who’s to say that fiend won’t be lurking about when embers cool? They’ll be too tired from the mind to be able to have their guard up, this might just be their savior.”

Anna makes Astarion realize something new as she giggles, feeling suddenly heroic for her idea as she agrees fully to his idea. 

She’s the biggest fucking idiot he’s ever met. And he’s met plenty.

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

Lurking he does. 

The moment Tav says their farewells to their companions, treading to their tent in wavering steps and light winces. Body full of a long recent days that guarantees how their next morning will go.  Resting and allowing their body to recuperate, hopefully with a certain cold lover at their side. Oh how they’ve missed such a face, such a presence bursting with sassy jokes and dreadful touches. 

Its no surprise how fast their tail starts swinging left and right the moment they hear the flaps of their tent open, pulling their tank down with no real speed. 

They turn and see him in all his awaiting glory. His crimson eyes lure from up to down, taking in their freshly washed appearance. 

“Long day?”

“The longest.” Their body sags. 

Astarion tuts, pulling the most pitiful, sympathetic pout only a mother could give. “Oh you poor thing. A guess saving a loud, smelly bunch of miners is a big killer on the whole heroic motive, yes?”

“Wish I could agree with you, lovely.” Their lip quirks, “Still into the heroic image, unfortunately.” “Pity. Thought I could finally pull you into the dark side of things.” He moves closer, grabbing the towel from their neck and begins dabbing the remaining drops on their collar. “You know, evil laugh, lunatic planning, leather galore and dark lairs, all the sorts.”

“You know…” It’s now they can pick up his, and he hates when they say it, perfume he keeps refilled. The smallest luxury behind the many books he tends to the most. It’s not strong, subtle enough for the allspire bit to mix in surprisingly well with the woodland essence they must be all drowned in by now. “I might be persuaded a bit?”

His eyes slide to theirs. Cheeks making them squint with his smirk. “Oh?” His head tilts. “And with what exactly?”

“Blame the miners actually, but perhaps this ‘hero’” Their hands prick quotation marks, he snickers, “wants a little time with their favorite little villain.”

“Little?!” He grabs the towel in a firmer hold, swatting them on the arm. All gentle, no worries.

“Astarion, I’m nearly as tall as Halsin and taller than Karlach.” Their words deadpan, tone full of underlining giggles.

His fangs show and he wastes no time in pulling them to the bed on the side. “ It doesn’t matter, my dear! I will not be resorted to such words like ‘little’!” 

“Then why are you getting on my lap?” They ask as he indeed does so, huffy as he goes.

“Shut it, now.”

“Whatever his majesty desires.” His hand covers their mouth, eyes glaring. Their palms face up in a surrender. 

“I will do what I desire..” His arms curl around their neck, nose nuzzling into theirs. Tav began doing that at one point when he was still getting used to the intimate but nonsexual shows of affection. A quick nuzzle when one of them felt off and they immediately perk up as if the action itself forced new energy into them.

He feels arms close around his waist, low enough to not touch his back scars directly but also not too low to suggest anything past cuddling. He huffs at their tenderness, patting their arm to tell them what he wants.

They curl tighter in response. They appear to have needed that cause in mere moments, they go from tight body and straightened back to relaxed and curling into his front.

A long breath escaping. 

Astarion purses his lips, ducking into their neck. 

“Are you alright?” His whisper soft.

Their shoulders lift and fall back as if that took alot of effort in itself. “Tired.” They’re knowledgeable about the horns as they nudge further into his collar, “And missed you. ‘M sorry for not bringing ya. It was really dark and cramped and I just didn’t-”

“Hey-” He’s quick, finger flicking under the chin and pulling up. “What did we say about unnecessary apologies? I believe they were your own words, love?”

“They are unnecessary, therefore we don’t need to say them.”

“Exactly!” His finger boops their nose. The silly act making them smile onces again. It’s tired but happy so he’s happy. “Wow, you are so wise! Perhaps Gale needs to watch his tracks.”

“Pft- Nah. I like swords more.” Their head shakes as laughter spills.

“More things for us to bond over, I suppose.”

“You like daggers more.”

“A blade is still a blade. Doesn’t matter how long.”

Their eyebrow pricks. “Why do I sense an innuendo?”

“Perhaps you’ve just been in that mindless gutter far too long.”

“Eh.” Their forehead knocks back into his chest. A slither around his thigh and a touch from his fingertips confirms the scaly tail. “Maybe.” It begins wagging as he curls a palm around it, thumb rubbing circles in the side, before letting it do it’s clinging thing.

It’s late. And he’s sure Anna will show soon. And as according to his plan, Tav stays locked in his arms in such a way that would be impossible for even the most idiotic of idiots to mistake it for platonic.  Especially when they’ve just begun trailing kisses up his neck. Soft and delicate. Going from his collar, to his adams apple, to the edge just under his sensitive ear. 

His arms tighten, claws digging into the tank top underneath them.  “Tav-”

They pause, pulling away a bit and a side of him whines at the loss in milliseconds. Before, he would have pulled a pity party at himself for having such an inward reaction, being made into mush just over a few kisses.  But the other side of him now? HA, he’s more concerned over that look in their eye. Thinking they’ve done something wrong. Their grip loosens too and he knows he needs to stop that.

His arm unhooks from their neck and grabs their forearm.  “Don’t. I just wanted to ask you something?”

They blink and tilt their head. All ears as he would say. 

A thought plagues his mind. He knows it’s really silly but…Something about what Anna says kept replaying in his mind all day. No idea why, he already knows the answer to what he wants to ask but..

“What is it, Astarion?” They frown lightly up at him.

His legs under his thighs, pressed against theirs, shift as he works through his question. With them waiting all patiently of course.

“I understand if Tav has some…arrangement with someone of the night, but I worry for them!”

“Im used to comments of how damn devilish I look, literally. Not figureativ- stop with that look, Astarion. And I guess it’s not the worse but..cows or cattle gotta be a real ego destroyer.”

“Vampires are..vile, dangerous things! The vampire that Tav lets them feed from must be seducing them, using them a mere cattle!”

“Do you feel weird when I feed from you?” He blurts.

Their stare is loud. Looking all over his face as if he’s mere seconds from breaking into laughter, playing up into a joke.

When that doesn’t happen, they stay silent a moment longer. 

“..No?” They glance around, thinking, “Should I?”

“I just-” He inhales, a burst of dustration bubbling up, He’s not a feelings person but he wants to try. Tav’s always telling him to talk if he’s worried about something. Might as well get used to it now. “I know our circumstances were an agreement of sorts but..I suppose.” His eyes dart down. A wave of vulnerability washing over him.

“I suppose I’ve been overthinking and…and can’t quite seem to get it out of my head.”

“Are you asking about side effects or ‘feelings’ feelings?” They try to match his gaze.

“..The latter.”

Tav hums, tugging him closer. 

They’re a planner. Always have been, might always will be despite this fucked up situation they might be in. Unconsciously, maybe that’s why if anyone in this group were to be asked who the leader is, even durge who likes doing their own thing, everyone would point to Tav.

Thus, he gets an immediate idea as why they ask if he trusts them enough to pull them to the bed. With him under them. He shrugs but after a look, says his consent with a roll of his eyes.

Pulling him down, they make sure he’s absolutely comfortable amongst the silk pillows and fur blankets before wrapping themself over him. Legs straddle their hips, arms playing boredly at their neck, and he can once again feel their tail tapping on his thigh, all before wrapping around it in a soft cage.

They smile at his questioning gaze, assuring him they won’t try anything funny without his explicit consent, all before leaning into his neck for a kiss. 

He stops the yelp in his throat. They’re right on the mark, teasing the sensitive skin from earlier. Their chest vibrates with their chuckle, end of the tail wagging. 

 “It’s ok, lovely. I won’t do anything more than this.” Lips murmur as they trail up his neck again, going to the other side. 

His legs jerk, wrapping around their waist just they hit his ears again.  His teeth grit, “You’re doing- doing this on..p-purpose!” he accuses. Another kiss lands at his lobe, canines only a tiefling could have probing it’s edge, “T-trying to distract me from my question??”

Was it that silly they would ignore it outright?

Before any odd feeling could come in place of his non-beating chest, their arms circle his waist, pulling their bodies closer. Making a tangled mess of the shorter elf and tall tiefling. 

“On purpose? Mm, Maybe.” They nip the skin just above his scar, not directly on it. A part, deep and nervous, but somehow longing more, whines for a little lower. “But I wanna prove a point.”

“What point?” A hiss escapes and his claws dig crescent moons into their shirt again. They pause in making a mess out of the man beneath them, pulling away and meeting his hooded gaze with a soft look. So soft and uncensored for it’s immediate openness he nearly stops from trying to catch his breath.

“That I want this too.”

Then they drag their head back down again and he’s back to drowning.

“I want you satisfied. I want you happy.” They lick a small line up and his unlatches from the fabric to catch his moan. “Want you laughing, teasing, sharing feelings, and when you need to” Their words stop as they get a little into it, tightening their hold and suckling a small bit into one spot. He just about bites his tongue when a squeak wants to make itself known, nearly tearing a new hole into the shirt as he stops himself from jerking up and more into their hold. Not that he could move much if he wanted to. They keep a safe hold on him. As if they knew how he’d react. 

He curses and bites back a groan from that.

They let go and lick their lip. “I want you to feed.”

“Cheeky devil!”

“I thought you adored that?” They chuckle in his face, nuzzling into his neck immediately afterwards. 

His hand swats their back.

They keep on chuckling, and they keep on their attack on his neck. 

He lets them, despite all the clawing into their shoulders, leaving marks that make it look as if they lost a fight to a feral cat, occasional tightening and shaking of his legs on their hips, groaning and small whimpering melting into their neck. He holds them tight against him, letting them show how much they want him, Astarion, their little, sassy, vampire elf. Bites and all.

His eyes open from their clenched state the moment his ears pick up something. They twitch but Tav’s too busy on one particular spot on his neck vein to notice. 

Crimson eyes land on the figure at the tend opening. The same one who clutches the horrid necklace in one hand and clenches the tent cover in a tight fist with the other. Dark eyes staring on the curled up form looming over Astarion, tail wagging furiously as if they’re getting the bestest damn treat in existence.

Anna. The doe eyed little princess they picked up on their journey. The same one who doesn’t look at them with the same little doe eyed expression she’s been throwing left and right since they’ve saved her. They scorn with a glaring envy Astarion has been all too familiar with since she arrived and made moves on his lover. 

Speaking of which….

He looks her straight dead in the eye as Tav makes a new mark into his pale skin, curling his fingers deep into their tank as he lets his jaw drop and hang to a loud groan that filters the tent. The corner of his lip curled at her immediate response.

She stiffins. Eyes pooling. Pooling with all he's felt every single time she rested a delicate hand on Tav's arms. The same ones that wrap around him and have become the first nearly-safest place since his escape.

The same feeling he got every single time she looked up into Tav's unknowing gaze with huge hearts for pupils. The same person that looks over every moment he opens up, makes a joke, or even gets just the tiniest bit about a book they got for him simply because they heard his low comment about it. 

Only he isn't the one mourning some fairytale. Not anymore. His relationship with Tav might not be one he could only imagine every cold and sickly night in Cazador's reign, but gives the same exact feeling he's always looked for underneath and that's plenty enough for him. 

A sharp prick at his neck and he's letting out a louder moan than the previous, hand curling around their bicep as they adjust to get even further into him. A hand snakes up to his head and when the thumb brushes his ear, he gets closer to loosing it again. 

Perhaps he should've warned her. Tell her who was really making Tav happy every night and day. Save her from inevitable heartbreak of her wanton fairytale image being shattered. And he was planning to the moment she showed up to his tent this morning. Yet…

“Vampires are..vile, dangerous things! The vampire that Tav lets them feed from must be seducing them, using them a mere cattle!”

His eyes dart to Tav’s neck, recently healed sometime today. 

He believes a mark of their own should be the best for them.

He wastes no longer in letting his fangs show, shining fleetingly in the tent's handing lamp, and pledging them into Tav’s neck. Eye slamming close the second iron hits his taste buds.

He hears a gasp but it gets drowned out by Tav’s grunt turned moan. Hugging him tighter. He drinks like every night, but maybe a tad less than usual. They really did have a long day after all. 

Blood drips down his lip, onto his chin as he pulls back and looks at the entrance. 

Gone. The girl ran off. 

Good. More time to reconnect with his dear again, and in the best ways possible too.

A laugh escapes him as they tickle his side for the surprise, turning to end in another moan as they get to his under chin now.

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

Bonus:

“That’s odd, Anna doesn’t seem like she wants to speak to me anymore.” Tav mentions as they wonder back into their tent the next morning, finished with their morning check in it seems, “In fact, she’s asking how long until we get to her home town.” 

Astarion hums ‘thoughtfully’, reclined and the almost relax on their bed. The only thing he wears is one of their shirts, loosely buttoned together and opened up enough to let the world see exactly how far their little ‘time’ went last night, plus some shorts he’s left from time to time in there. They actually didn’t get farther than leaving a trail down his chest and him, many marking bites around their shoulders and collar (those he can see clearly with the spare button up half heartedly put together) but it leaves enough for anyone to assume and like hells he’s gonna correct anyone if they did. “I did find this though.”

He glances up from his book, page carefully marked so as to not lose it. It’s getting rather good. It may be some silly romance genre Tav found for him, but it’s Tav. Why wouldn’t he indulge a little outside his usual?

“Oh, a necklace.”

“Yeah, silver and honestly extremely eye-catching. Not something I’d wear however.”

Oh yeah, he forgot. Tav likes the less complicated jewelry. Think of single chain or lonely gems in the center type. Says it makes it easier to wear under the pelted heat and armor.  Ironic he supposes.

“I mean silver? Really? When I have a vampire for a lover?” Their head shakes and they stuff it in the ‘to sell’ bag. 

His ear perks up, “What does my state of being relate to your choice of jewelry?”

Their stare into him offended him slightly. As if they are questioning his very wits. 

“Lovely, unless my reading is fucked, vampires are basically allergic to silver.” They state, a small deadpanning in their tone.

…Wait, they read about vampires….for him?

Something stirs in his chest, the same feeling from last night as he blanks at them. 

“....Get your ass over here right now darling and kiss me.”

Their tail shoots up, expression thrown back, but soon a grin grows, canines begin flashing and demonic eyes sparking. “Oh like you have to ask me twice!” They laugh.

—----------------------- “Should I tell you who tried to give you the necklace by the way?”

“Huh? Oh, sure, lovely.”

“You know our dear Anna, yes?”

“Yeah…I just told you how she keeps ignoring-...”

“....”

“Did she know about the silver?”

“Yes, very much so in fact.”

“Was she at the tent last night?”

“Possibly-maybe.”

"........."

"............"

“....She leaves tomorrow.”

“ :)”

[madamejadex]

Hello, Miss Jade!

I come with a question, today. I was wondering whether you tended to keep your subs purely in a D/s dynamic, or whether they tend to be your partners as well.

For me personally, I usually keep my dommes purely inside of the D/s dynamic and then just stay friends outside of that. I found after my first relationship that it’s really difficult to meet my partners on the equal playing field necessary for a romantic relationship when 1) I met them as a dominant and/or 2) they’re pretty significantly older than me.

Do you have an advice on navigating this dynamic on a romantic level? I personally would never be comfortable in a 24/7 dynamic because I’m very independent in a lot of areas in life, but it’s hard to not always fall into a submissive role when that dynamic is already such a large part of our relationship.

(I don’t know if this makes complete sense, but feel free to DM me if you have any questions or don’t want to answer this publicly)

-🪶

Hi there, my favorite little pup. 🤍

You always ask such thoughtful questions, and this one’s a tough one. I truly hope I can do it justice, so let’s dive in.

What you’re explaining in your ask and the kind of dynamics you tend to gravitate toward now, is actually pretty common, at least in my experience. I’ve known plenty who prefer scene-based dynamics or more casual D/s engagement, especially after having difficult or negative experiences. It can feel safer, more manageable, and more on your terms. And that’s completely valid.

I even explored that casual dynamic myself during public scenes at BDSM clubs. It was fun, exciting… but I quickly realized I missed that deeper emotional connection, the part that makes Dominance feel meaningful to me. Without it, I felt too disconnected from my submissive on an emotional level, and that’s something I deeply cherish and rely on in my role.

Now, regarding 24/7 dynamics, as I’ve mentioned before, they can sound incredibly hot in writing, but I find them overwhelming and emotionally exhausting. So yeah, they’re not for me, and I don’t see them working for my style of Dominance. I value structure, care, and intention but I don’t want to dominate every moment of someone’s life.

My own dynamics have always leaned toward romantic relationships. Perhaps I’ve been lucky or maybe I’ve just naturally drawn submissive women toward me. Honestly, in some cases, I didn’t even seek it out. I’ve been with women who were bold and bossy in their everyday lives but would melt beautifully into submission in the bedroom. And I’ve also been with more timid partners, where the D/s dynamic would gently bleed into our daily lives, not with constant control, but with care: making sure they made it to appointments, picking them up, offering stability and structure.

When it comes to navigating a romantic relationship, I can only speak from the perspective of a Dominant. My needs and expectations are clear. I don’t tiptoe around them. I sit down early in a relationship and openly share what I want, what I expect, and invite my partner to do the same. Mutual respect starts there.

And I believe boundaries are key. I've only ever brought out my dominant side in our everyday life when a partner has explicitly approved it or requested it. Consent and clarity come first, always.

So, my advice to you: 🔷 Be clear with your boundaries from the beginning. 🔷 Communicate what kind of dynamic you want, and be honest about your needs. 🔷 Don’t be afraid to speak up and reinforce your boundaries if the dynamic begins to spill into your everyday life outside of the scene. 🔷 And be patient, misunderstandings and missteps can happen, especially early on.

Now, people are free to disagree with me here, but I still firmly believe this: The Dominant carries more responsibility in maintaining the integrity of the dynamic. Because we should never forget that these dynamics are built on power exchange and with that power comes a level of responsibility that should never be taken lightly. Dominants often carry a naturally overpowering presence, especially during scenes, and it’s their role to ensure that power remains within the agreed space.

Okay, darling, not entirely sure if any of this made any sense at all, but fingers crossed it helped just a little.

xo Miss Jade

[moreespressoformydepresso]

TBOSAS where the thing that fixes the pain and suffering is the Capitol’s cruelty. Because I love positive irony like that.

Somehow, the zoo enclosure where the kids are kept is destroyed. Since it’s so unbearably hot in the books say something caught on fire and the tributes were taken out of the enclosure because there won’t be any games if all of them are dead. This conveniently sidesteps Brandy’s death because it happens either just before or right after she stabbed Arachne. If she did kill her bitch of a mentor the fire was so beautifully times that all evidence of her little crime was destroyed and nobody knows it was her. How convenient. One could almost say it’s divine intervention. Now, the kids need to be kept somewhere, and the zoo was sooooo annoying for the mentors, so the tributes are put in cages around the city. Near the academy so those poor oppressed rich kids who aren’t about to die don’t have to suffer even more for traveling 10 minutes to see the vile district scum. This… backfires horribly for the Capitol. See, the tributes are separated. For the sake of this story they’re all in separate cages on their own.

How does this lead to a fix-it? Well, it’s now much harder to not interact with the tributes. You don’t have to go to the zoo to see them, and you won’t have to pay money either. The tributes can’t hide in the enclosure, so everyone can see the discomfort plain on their faces as they try to cling to some kind of privacy. The cages have one side agains some kind of structure, so seeing these kids ducked agains the one solid part of their cage is very hard hitting because it’s impossible to ignore what they’re going through now. Even the biggest tributes look small, all alone and helpless.

And then the mentors get involved, and things really kick into high gear. All the tributes like Sejanus, and at first people thought it’s because he’s district. Now they can see it’s because he’s actually nice to them. The nicer mentors are trying their best to help their tributes, and the less amazing ones receive a bit of a cold shoulder. Several fights between different pairs of mentors and tributes happen, and all of them color in the kids’ perspective of everything in a way that’s undeniable. I feel like a big part of why the Capitol citizens had so little empathy is because they refused to see things from the tributes’ perspective due to not seeing them as people. But when massive crowds witness these arguments, it’s hard not to. When all you see is a figure deep in the enclosure and a face on a screen it’s easy to chalk their anger up to some irrational grudge or just vile beasts being their vile beastly selves without thinking about it too much. It’s a lot harder to do that when you have Facet screaming at Livia for treating him like a disposable object and shirking all her duties as a mentor, such as providing his basic needs, while pretending she’s done jack shit for him. When the citizens hear the raw emotion in his voice, it’s very difficult to not feel even the slightest bit of empathy.

And when they watched Lamina cry on a screen, it was easy to laugh at her for being so weak. But when this young girl is sobbing right in front of you, and you can see the pain on her face? Suddenly it’s a whole lot less funny. Even more so when she calls Pup over and ignores the food he offers her in favor of asking about her district partner. The crowd can’t ignore what they’re putting these kids through when they watch a clearly starving girl only accept food when she’s reassured a boy that has to die for her to live is being fed. When Lucy Gray sings for food it feels like the beggars in the city until she asks her mentor to bring more than half of what she got to Jessup and whichever tributes have gotten the least that day. And when all the tributes keep asking about each other with clear and obvious worry, even for the tributes from other districts who they’ve only known for days, suddenly the people find themselves stuck with the unescapable notion that these are kids who are being forced to perform like circus animals, who are about to be forced to kill each other, yet still find it in themselves to show empathy. It’s especially inescapable when the tough, strong tributes who everyone expects to be vicious are the ones doing this. Reaper and Coral for Dill and Mizzen, of course, but even more impactfully Marcus for Sabyn. Two of the stronger tributes showing concern for one another, despite neither having that underdog or innocent air the younger tributes have.

At one point, Treech is performing for a crowd and some of the mentors pass by, including Vipsania. As soon as they approach he stops what he’s doing and retreats to the one solid side of his cage. Vipsania calls for him, and he utterly ignores her existence. All he dignifies her with is a hateful glare. Then Pup comes into his line of sight, and he shoots up immediately to ask whether Lamina’s okay. It’s only when Vipsania gets huffy about this that Treech actually acknowledged and responds to her. Not nicely though. Rather, he goes “now why ever would I not want to talk to you? It’s not like you starved me so I’d perform or anything. Gosh, it’s such a mystery!” Before turning back around intending to sit down. Vipsania tries to defend herself and it goes about as well as you may expect. By which I mean, a one-sided screaming match ensues. More like Treech giving into the urge to start ranting and raving about all the shit he’s been through while finally telling Vipsania how he feels about her treating him like a toy to use and discard once he’s no longer of use to her. When she says she just wants to help him now, he reminds her that her “help” so far has come down to actively making his life harder for her own benefit. “You’ve done enough, Sickle. Go back to your prissy princess palace and leave me alone.” Very similar to Facet when he finally gave Cardew a piece of his mind, actually.

And slowly people start giving the tributes food, even when they’re not performing. Slowly they start to change their minds about the games, and once the interviews happen they finally realize all these kids have families and friends waiting for them in the districts. And only one of them gets to go home. But… they’ve seen how sweet these kids are to those that don’t treat them like shit. And honestly, nobody really wants to see them die anymore. And they realize if they don’t act now it’ll be too late. So they act. And long story short the games are finally stopped for good.

[frownyalfred]

This chapter has really reminded me that some my first impressions of Jason post-presenting was "wow this is Bruce and Lex's pup" cause like just as Bruce was a parent to Jason in his early years thru now, Lex was a guiding figure as he was presenting and finding out his new identity. I can't remember if it was in the later chapters of ASOH that I first had that thought or the early chapters of TNW that I had that thought, but it just makes so much sense in my brain.

Like the relationship between Jason and Clark kinda feels like a son and his stepdad. But I feel like people could see how Jason acts and think that Lex was his carrier. Especially when you get Jason in a desperate scenerio like this, he tries Bruce's tactics (get all the info and wait) first and when that fail he goes to Lex's emergency tactics (throw all the shit you can at them to distract them and overwelm them)

Lex and Bruce coparenting an almost full adult is so iconic (it has to be a non-child they have to coparent cause they could never do the united front tactic that small choldren require)

!!!!! Yes this exactly!!! Lex has shaped him so much at a formative time. And of course Bruce is everything to them both. Of course Jason would try to replicate Lex, to be Bruce’s bold and brash sword when the pack omega needs him. Because he and Lex share the same goal, deep down. Even if Lex might deny it. They would be lost without Bruce tying them together.

Part of it is also that Bruce was raised omega, and shunned those instincts and structures. But he still grew up with them. Jason never had that instruction or even the ability to truly refuse like Bruce did. He’s learning it all from the start, and Lex is such a formative part of that.

Robin and the new vigilante persona Jason is building are Bruce’s children. Jason the omega — the public facing one, at least — is all Lex.

[coolwyous]

eyyy its ur resident brain picker anon crashing back in… and omfgggg this chapter!!! ur so fast at updating?! girl im still recovering!!! this yunjin x chaewon dynamic is my new lifeblood, i swear. the way u got me glued to every word of them just bickering… im straight-up addicted. yunjin being so baffled at how chaewon is so grumpy (but still trying hard to get her approval and attention) is just so her—peak loser energy, and im here for every second of it!

but u wrote her so real, i can feel her burnout and desperation. i forgot about her injury for a second there and how serious how it was tbh. its like… shes a hot mess, but u cant help rooting for her, yknow? and shes also dealing with some team drama, so shes out here acting tough, but u can tell shes hurting, and it makes her leaning on chaewon even more compelling. like, chaewons her lifeline, but said lifeline is still acting so so strict and cold to her. ugh, my heart!!!

then theres chaewon, OMG. this girls got ice in her veins and a tongue sharp enough to cut diamonds. like omg chaewon im totally assuming that u never had a boyfriend/girlfriend ever in ur life bc why are u acting like u wanna bite someones head off every 2-3 seconds! yunjins just an overgrown pup! shes not gonna hurt u! im really curious about her interactions with non-yunjin people now bc she must be acting like a saint to get all those good reviews!

and ur also dropping these tiny hints—like that nose twitch or her trying not to check yunjin out—that she’s not completely immune to yunjins charm. i see u bb, ur gonna crack eventually, just u wait!

my fav scene has to be the changes in the contract tho… im obsessed. yunjin pushing for amendments like she’s got any leverage? chaewon shutting it down but still humoring her? her calling yunjin ran through is so funny too like asdhfjdnd and yunjins dorky ass with that dont fall in love rule?! now u got me wondering whos gonna fall first...

oh and then them pulling an all-nighter together yeaahh i love ittt. chaewon chugging a monster like a frat boy was such a good image.

the end sceneee yesss its happening! yunjin leaving the gift card and that glitter pen note? (who even uses glitter pen anymore, yunjin, u dork). and chaewon not shredding it?! thats the biggest win in my book. im so pumped to see where this goes! will chaewon soften up? will yunjin get her shit together? whats the deal with chaewons mom? and what exactly is chaeyoungs beef with yunjin lmaoooo i need answers!! but im also enjoying this good slow burnnnn. hope ur out there having a great day bc u got me losing my mind yet again <3

brain picker ILYYY you just spoiled me w such a long review of this chap what the hell ;-;

yj is truly just a loser in a hot girls body 100000%! i can't say much more on anything else u said besides just that everything u mentioned will get elaborated on in the upcoming chaps <3 next chapter is a shorter one but it's the first one where yj gets to see chaewon w other people. im having fun writing it so far hehe. i have the next few chapters structured out and im excited to keep diving into everything ppl have been asking about! i assure you the slow burn will be burning! pls keep letting me know what u think so glad u enjoyed <333

[sus1ezilla]

oc introductioon numero UNO

yoyo it's ya girl . arbi . probably

anyways i said i would explain my anthro rain world oc in the tags of my last post so i sort of have to.

This is Arbi! (she/they/it) Also known as "The Seer," she's a spear-totin cowpoke with a love for bug pupa and pong. yep!

(art by clownvomited on discord)

storywise, it was adopted by an iterator named receding tides (who's design i can't decide on for the life of me) after getting lost as a pup.

tides is pretty lenient/laid back as an iterator but does go about showing her basic survival stuff. the two also watch EXTREMELY old ancient entertainment.. like.. cowboy shows.. ehh? ehh?? you see what i did there? anyways. the two also play pong in tides' chamber. tides is WAY good at it but arbi has probably beat her once or twice. they bond alot is what im trying to say.

The two are very much like parent and child but there's also that weird "hey i need you to go on this really dangerous mission for me" thrown in there occasionally. Usually it's just to check in on members in the outskirts of their local group given tides isn't super well connected as a result of their structure being a little outdated. the missions are never too far but they still cause problems!

quick side tangent about the outfit: the outfit came as a result of her fascination with the really old ancient shows. tides wasn't super sure about it first but thought it was too cute not to humor her past a certain point.

to explain that "the seer" thing: arbi is half blind. one of her missions took her through a scav toll, which resulted in her being attacked. a bomb lobbed at her damaged her hearing, as well as tearing up the left side of her face, rendering that eye permanently damaged. struggling her way back home, tides would obviously be like. Mortified that this happened because of something she did. she'd take care of Arbi as best she could and, in the future, would create an overseer that Arbi could take with them so they'd have a little more assistance. thus they are called the seer.

i'd explain more stuff BUT this post is already very long winded. i hope u enjoyed this in some form or another.

here she is again but litoler :) (by picopubbydawg!)

[mint-shrike]

Fauna around SBAC's structure

Fauna around Soft Breeze is unique in its temperature and lowered amount of oxygen in the air. Many creatures have evolved and changed to better survive in the harsh climate, changing their colours to whitish to blend in with the snow or choosing to live inside of the can or really close to it

It is worth mentioning that while the mountain SBAC lays upon is extremely cold at the top, the hyperstructure emits some warmth, so the closer to SBAC's can - the warmer it gets, thus many creatures live near it, while others avoid it

Read more for descriptions

1. A common snow lizard/yeti lizard. Those specimens have evolved to have thick fur and a good layer of fat beneath their skin, they are solitary creatures, ignoring each other at most upon any accidental meeting. They are bigger than a usual lizard, tankier, can't climb pols and can be tamed pretty easily, but beware, is you tame two of those they'll fight over who stays with you until one of them is no more. Just run away from them and they'll be no problem because they're slow

2. Snowdeer. A descendant of a common raindeer. Due to harsh climate they've lost their long legs because they were getting frostbitten. They've also got fur and are facultative herbivores, meaning they won't shy away from eating a piece of meat or two when given an opportunity. They usually come in large groups of 5-8 specimens (not counting fawns) and answer with aggression to any provocation. Try avoiding bringing any weapons around them and don't harm any of them or the whole colony will come for you. Sometime very old snowdeer leave their colonies and become much easier prey

2.1 snowdeer fawn. Very small and fragile creature, they are always surrounded by adult snowdeers that protect them from predators and harm. Not aggressive, but if you harm one an adult one will go for you

3. Harverger. Basically a distant relative of scavengers that is much smaller and fragile. However, they travel in large groups, scattering around on danger and confusing predators. They live close to snowdeer, seeking protection from them while looking out for any predators and warning snowdeer with high-pitched squeals in exchange. A good source of food, as long as they're not near snowdeer

3.1 Harverger pup. Harverger pups have long fur on their backs to make them look bigger and like yeti lizard's pups to make predators avoid them. Harverger are extremely protective over their pups, being good parents and never leaving them alone. Not worth eating. Can be used to lure adult harvergers wherever you need

4. Lesser vulture. Vultures have surprisingly evolved to be smaller, hunting down small lizards and harvergers. Most creatures no longer see them as danger, thus carrying a vulture mask would make every creature aggressive to you instead of scari g lizards off. Pretty easy prey, but they do try to get away upon taking damage

5. Burrower lizard. Those lizards have evolved to be much smaller, they live by burrowing through the ground, creating small underground and undersnow. They live in big colonies, and while one burrower lizard is barely any danger, they never travel alone, subduing much bigger creatures with the amount of them. They also use their red spines for communication between each other and intimidation of larger creatures. Easy of alone, practically impossible to fight when many. When you're taming one of them, you're actually taming the whole colony!

6. Needlefish. A relatively small specie of fish that lives in the water reservoirs of SBAC's structure. Due to their thinness they are able to swim against the water and quickly get wherever they need to. Just be wary of their sharp snout and you'll be fine

6.1 Needlefish roe. A string of needlefish roe. One day it'll hatch into many more needlefish that will immediately swim away wherever they see. A good source is food! Just try to avoid adults that protect their future generations

7. Par. Pars are large, rotund creatures, capable of rolling. The only reason they haven't gone extinct yet is their foul taste

8. Scolipede. Scolipede live in dark places, usually inside SBAC's structure. Despite not having the ability to shock like their relatives centipedes, Scolipedes have strong mandibles, capable of crashing bones and mauling creatures

9. Slugcat. Some slugcats live around SBAC's can, preferring. They are largely carnivores and very territorial. They have evolved to have long fur and small ears to fight the coldness

10. Overseer. SBAC's overseers, they largely track how far into the structure creatures wander to avoid allowing any of them to reach much more intricate parts that can be easily broken

11. Suckerfish. Cannot be picked up as long as it's alive and connected to any surface. They largely clean insides of tubes the water comes through. Unironicly the only living creature SBAC doesn't mind living in his structure

12. Big eyed fish. Their big eye is actually just a mark, their real eyes are located closer to their nose. They live inside of water reserves and eat any plants that grow there