#volo fanfiction

[volos-togepi]

PLA boys finding out you’re pregnant with their child

i love these boys and i will die on this hill

Adaman 

oh he’s so happy

a little surprised at first

but ultimately he’s so ready for this new journey with you

not like you haven’t been planning this or anything… 

and he’s sure to ask how you’re feeling

because your thoughts are more important to him

“Let’s talk about it.”

he’s so comforting

and he’s so good at helping you stay in a good headspace

compliments are a constant

and if you’re ever feeling down or uneasy, he’s there to support you 

he’s there EVERY step of the way

he works on how he presents himself as a leader

and he thinks about how this role will compliment the other

he’s so helpful at home

and he loves to cook for you

“Just relax, y/n! I’ve got it.”

you both have so many conversations about your pregnancy

and you bet that he’s been asking around for parenting advice

knowing he’s becoming a father absolutely gives him an ego boost

and you know he’ll be the best dad a kid could have

Volo

“Come again?”

he’s perplexed

scared even

he’ll force a smile to please you

but he’s DEFINITELY not ready to be a father

while he’s traveling, he’ll often think about the situation 

and mostly cons come to his mind

he’s TERRIFIED to talk to you about it

but he’ll eventually speak up

“I just don’t think I can be the father you want me to be; the father this child deserves.”

you both chat for HOURS

and you both cry about the situation you’ve found yourselves in

but one day, it hits him

HARD

he’s traveling, and he thinks about how wonderful it would be to have a daughter

someone to protect; to share his countless stories with; to bring home little trinkets or flowers and get a squeal of joy in return

not that he doesn’t already have you, but…

that switch just flips

he RUNS to your home and immediately takes you in his arms

he’ll apologize SO many times, bawling into his hands

“I want this. All of it.”

he won’t stop holding you for a moment

because he needs to let you know how much he loves you

and he has to make up for all the time he’s been away somehow

he’s eager to cook for you; to clean for you

literally whatever you need, he’s there

and he doesn’t plan on leaving anytime soon (if at all now)

Melli

oh he’s ecstatic 

Melli only wants the BEST for himself

so clearly, you are the best

and this baby…

“This is SO EXCITING!!!”

this gives him so much more to brag about

he’s already got a list of names written out

and it’s LONG

he talks about how much he wants this

and how much he loves you 

#1 hype man

he makes you feel so good about yourself

and you better believe he’s telling everyone how excited he is to be a father

he’s actually REALLY attentive during your pregnancy 

because he wants you to feel your best each and every day

you and Adaman both try to talk to him about how gross babies are in the beginning

because you know how easily disgusted he is

and he clearly doesn’t listen

“Blah blah blah… Babies are fun!”

he’s just wayyyy too excited

after a while, he does start to have doubts about his role as a father

and you assure him that it’s okay and that he’ll be great at it

he learns and grows so much during your pregnancy

his narcissistic qualities tone down a bit (but not too much)

he just wants to be the best he can be for your family

and he’s so eager for that next milestone to come

[capogalassia]

I am yours, but you are mine

Fic I am writing. Don't read if you are a minor. English is not my first language and it shows. I'm sorry for mistakes and for not providing a good quality prose. I don't really know where to go with this fic. I love Volo. That's it. If you wish, you can contact me here on Tumblr. Every feedback is appreciated. Thank you very much!

You clinged with your fingers to your bag, swinging on your feet. As soon as you realized what you were doing, you stopped: that was childish, and you were not a child anymore.

In fact, you were an adult.

You gazed around, looking for the man you had to meet: he wasn't there.

Did he consider you too young?

How stupid, you told yourself. He certainly would come. You unlocked your phone screen: he had sent you a message saying "on my way", and his last online time was just a minute later. He had to be on his way.

You looked more carefully: there were families - a lot of families - with screaming children, some couples, old and young, holding hands or sitting on the benches under the lighthouse. The sky was so blue it was almost painful, and the sun was gently warming your skin.

Maybe Sunyshore City wasn't a good place to meet: it was packed.

«Y/n?»

You screamed and jumped, turning around. At least he was there. How did you not hear him?

You looked at him: he was way taller than you, but he wasn't big: he was pretty thin, even though his bare arms revealed some muscles. He kept his hair tied in a chignon on his neck, but his fringe covered one eye. The other one was grey, fixed on you as attentively as you were fix on him. He chuckled.

«Did I scare you?»

«Not at all.» you answered, giving him your hand.

«Y/n. Nice to meet you.»

«Volo. My pleasure.» he answered, firmly shaking your hand.

«Where shall we go? I know some places.»

You shrugged.

«I don't really know Sunyshore City. Wherever is fine.»

He smiled.

«Follow me, then.»

You went down the stairs and enter the main street. There were a lot of people, mainly tourists and outsiders, that were taking photos of everything and were looking everywhere amazed. Volo slowed his pace when he realized you could barely follow him.

«My apologies.» he said, when you were able to catch up.

«It's ok.» you shrugged again.

Volo stopped in front of a cafe. The glass door was open, and a smiling waitress was standing there. As soon as she realized you wanted to come in, she approached you.

«Welcome! What can I do for you today?»

«We'd like to have a seat. Inside, if possible.»

You silently agreed: outside there were too much people.

«Please come.»

You followed the waitress and entered the cafe. Upstairs there was a quiet room with small tables. The noises coming from outside were muffled. This is better, you thought.

«Thank you.» Volo said to the waitress, and then he shifted your chair so you could seat.

A true gentleman.

You smiled and took your seat, then he placed himself in front of you.

«How was the journey?» he asked, taking a menu from the table. You did the same.

«Luckily, all good. I took an earlier train, I was afraid to miss our appointment.»

He gazed at you again.

«So I made you wait. You could have text me.»

You blushed.

«It's ok, really. It was a nice day. And the walk from the train station is pretty long. I didn't wait that much.»

He smiled again.

The waitress came to your table, a block notes in her hands.

«What can I get you?»

Volo nodded at you.

«A piña colada, please.»

«And for me white wine from Verdanturf Town. Sparkling. A chalice.»

The waitress took the orders and went downstairs again.

«Interesting choice of beverage.» Volo said, his eyes following the waitress.

«Thanks?» you answered, a bit of perplexity in your tone. Was it a compliment? Did you mess up?

«Perfect for a big child.»

You weren’t new to his teasing. He always pointed out your young age online.

«Come on! There’s alcohol in it!»

«And yet it tastes pretty sweet, doesn’t it? When you grow up, you’ll appreciate more bitter drinks.»

«I am a grown up.» you pouted, crossing your arms.

«At least you don’t have to drive.»

You sighed.

«I wanted to borrow my mom’s car, but…»

«Does she know you are here?»

That was a weird question. If it had come from someone else, you wouldn't have hesitated to say that yes, everybody knew where you were and that you had some tracking device on your phone, so please don't kidnap me if you don't want trouble.

But Volo didn't seem to have bad intentions. And anyway, the city was packed... What could he do? He couldn't just force yourself to go wherever.

«She doesn’t. She wouldn't be happy to know I'm meeting with you.»

A different waiter came with your beverages.

«Is this a personal thing?» Volo asked.

You blushed and almost choked on your piña colada.

«What... No! I mean... You are...»

You had said something stupid. You lowered your head, looking at your knees. The appointment was practically over.

«Hey, I'm kidding. I know. It's because of my age, isn't it?»

«I don't mind that.» you answered, rapidly.

«I mean, I feel fine with you. I just wanted to meet you and spend a good day.»

You gulped. The man's expression was unintelligible.

«I see. Well, I agree with you. Age is just a number, they say. I think you are pretty mature to think like that.»

You felt sincerely flattered: that compliment was coming from the same man that teased you about your age. You took another sip of your drink.

«Piña colada here is good.»

You didn't taste many piña coladas - basically just the ones they made in the only bar in Twinleaf Town. They weren't bad, but they weren't as good as the one you were drinking.

«I sometimes come here. They change their wine selection pretty often, it's a good way to taste something new.»

«You are like a wine connoisseur?»

«I like it. I'm far from being a sommelier, but I can appreciate the differences between one wine and another.»

You chose the wrong topic: you already had nothing more to say.

«Homework's already done?»

Another weird question coming from him.

«Yes.» you answered reluctantly. He chuckled.

«I'm sorry, y/n. I don't mean to be like your parents or to baby you. I'm just making sure you have some more time.»

«I can go home whenever. Well, my parents scold me at whatever time, so I guess it's the same.»

You looked out of the window. You didn't really like talking about your family: it was problematic, and you were aware of that.

The man seemed to notice that.

«My apologies. I don't want to put you in a bad mood. What shall we talk about?»

You thought about it. When you texted Volo, it was easy to find topics to talk about, but now that you were meeting in person, you were nervous.

«Which car do you have? I'm looking forward to suggestions to buy one, one day.»

This time, Volo laughed heartily. You stared at him, wondering what was so funny. You were too young, for sure.

«I'll show you. But that's no car for a new driver. It's a Honda NSX.»

Another topic you didn't know much about. You started to think that that Volo guy could be out of your league.

«I've never seen one.»

«I have it parked around here. Well, in the west parking lot, the one near the highway. Shall we go there?»

«Of course.»

You felt better. Apparently, Volo was interested in staying with you. That thought filled you with a warm sensation.

You finished the drink and Volo insisted for paying for the both of you.

You then followed him through the still packed city: the nearer you were getting to the parking lot, less people there were.

Volo entered the big parking lot and guided you between the parked cars. You were still wondering how a Honda NSX looked like.

«Here she is.»

«THIS is your car?»

He was right: it was no car for a beginner. Heck, it was no car for you specifically. You weren't even sure how someone could control a monster like that. You looked at the car body, of a deep and lucid black: your reflection returned the gaze.

«It's amazing.»

«It is.»

Volo nudged a rear mirror, smiling: he was evidently proud of his car.

«Want to have a ride?»

You decided you could trust him.

«Why not. Where do we go?»

«Hearthome City? I live near there. I can show you my house, and then I'll drive you home.»

Things were getting interesting. You didn't expected to be invited at home so soon.

«Sure.»

Volo inserted the key and opened the car. You sat on the edge of the passenger seat and looked for the safety belt.

«You can rest on the back, you know.»

«It's just... It's so clean. I fear I could somehow dirty it.»

«Don't be silly.»

You rested on the back and fastened the belt.

The car was indeed powerful, but Volo respected all the traffic laws. Getting outside Sunyshore City was a bit slow, but, when you were on the highway, Volo showed you how fast that car could accelerate. It was amazing.

You arrived to Hearthome City in less than half an hour. Nothing compared to the infinite journey by train.

As Volo said, his house was just outside the city: it was in a newly built residential complex. Your first thought was that living there had to cost a lot of money.

But apparently Volo could afford it: you knew he was a businessman. Well, he had explained what he did, but you couldn't remember the details. He parked in his garage, then guided you to his apartment. It was at the second floor.

The house was clean and smelled good. It was almost perfect: not a thing out of place, everything was colour coordinated, the decorations were essential.

Volo closed the door behind you and took off his shoes.

«Could you take off your shoes, y/n? I washed the floor yesterday.»

You imagined Volo had a sort of housekeeper or someone who would clean the house for him. But probably living alone made chores easier. You thought of the disastrous state your own bedroom was and felt embarrassed.

You took off your shoes and followed Volo in the living room. He sat on the sofa and invited you to join him.

«You have a really nice house.»

«Thank you. It's a pity to be out for work so often.»

«It is.» you answered.

«I have a housekeeper that, well, keeps the house clean while I'm not here. But I prefer to do everything alone. Chores distract me.»

«From what?»

«From being alone. Sometimes it's nice to be, but other times I miss company.»

«I would come every time you ask.»

You didn't even know why you said that. But you knew it was true, somehow.

«Would you? That's nice, y/n.» Volo said, smiling.

«And what would you do if we were together?»

«We are together.» you pointed out.

«Smart girl. Then, what will you do now to help me feel less alone?»

You gulped. In an instant, you forgot all the activities that could be done in two.

«I guess… I would talk to you… and, like…»

You realized Volo was closer to you. He looked so tall, even when he was sitting.

«Talking is nice, y/n, and I really appreciate that. But… I miss something in particular.»

Oh. OH.

That? Your thoughts started racing. Did you want… that? With Volo? Right now?

Volo laughed at your missed answer.

«I’m sorry, y/n. I assume you are too young for this. I didn’t mean to…»

«I’m not too young.» you blurted out. You were sick of that phrase: not that Volo had used it so much, but your parents did. You’re too young for this, you’re too young for that.

«I am legally an adult. I can decide what I want.»

«Then decide. What do you want now?»

You gulped. What did you want?

You looked in Volo’s eyes.

You wanted to prove him you were an independent girl. That what your parents said did not matter. That you were able to make your own choices.

You leant towards him.

Luckily he took the lead: he put his hand behind your neck and pressed his lips on yours. That contact made you shiver, but it felt nice.

Volo played with your hair and licked your lips. You somehow understood and slightly opened your mouth, so that your tongues could meet.

Now it felt good.

Volo interrupted the kiss.

«Good girl.»

He caressed your cheek with his hand.

You realized you didn’t know how to continue. Did you have to touch him? Was he about to touch you? The only thing you knew is that being called “good girl” really turned you on.

«Y/n, have you ever done this before?»

«I…»

You didn’t want to tell the truth, but lying wasn’t an option. He certainly could tell if you were experienced or not.

«I’ll take the lead. You will do what I say. You will like it.»

You nodded.

Volo kissed you again and placed his hands on your hips. You focused on his smell – eau de cologne and shampoo. He still tasted like wine.

When the kiss ended, you were gasping for air.

«Calm down, y/n. We’re just getting started.»

He stared at you, eyes filled with desire, as if you were a delicious meal and he was deciding where to get started.

«Will you take your shirt off?»

You nodded and started undoing the buttons.

Volo emitted a satisfied sound.

«Very good. Now, let me see.»

He opened your shirt, revealing the white bra you were wearing underneath.

Oh shit. Your underwear didn't match.

He caressed your breasts, making you squirm.

«What a fine woman we have here.»

In another moment, this phrase would have really flattered you, but you were too focused on his hands on your bare skin. It was a totally new sensation for you, and you really liked it.

Without warning, Volo grabbed your hips and pulled you closer. You followed his movements and found yourself on his lap.

He started making out again, touching you, kissing you, giving you small pinches on your belly.

He took off your shirt, and you didn't stop him. But you ended the kiss when you felt his hands on your bra's hook.

«Volo...»

He seemed dissatisfied, but he looked in your eyes.

«What is it?»

«I...»

You weren't sure about what you were feeling. Was it too soon? What if he just wanted sex and then he abandoned you? You really wanted to have sex with a thirty-four years old?

You thought about your friends and how much you were sick about having nothing to say when it came to relationship.

«Nevermind.»

You threw yourself on Volo's mouth again. He chuckled and undid your bra, going with his hands to your breasts. He started immediately playing with one of your nipples, making you squeak.

You remembered you probably had to touch him to.

You timidly started to undo his shirt's buttons, revealing the skin under. It was as pale as his face.

«You're a fast learner.» Volo said. He was certainly happy with what you were doing.

He slipped his hand under your skirt and started massaging your leg. You didn't even realized how heavily you were breathing.

He then pulled you even closer, making your intimate parts touch.

Damn. That felt so good.

You started moving on his erection, finding your own sensitive spots.

«Fuck, y/n.» he muttered while you were moaning. It was awesome.

He grabbed you again and laid you on the couch. He then quickly undid his belt and pants.

Well, you were about to see a real cock for the first time.

Volo, showing some acrobatic skills, took off his pants and his underwear, leaving on his open shirt.

«Touch yourself, miss. Let me see how much you want me.»

You passed a finger under the fabric of your panties and started touch your clit. You weren't new to that.

«I want you...» you murmured.

«Louder.»

«I want you, Volo! Inside me!»

You were definitely horny. You really wanted to feel that man, to touch him and kiss him...

«How desperate.» he noticed, looking at your hand playing with your clit.

He grabbed your wrist and pulled the hand away, while with the other hand he pulled down your underwear. He didn’t seem to notice the fact that it didn’t match your bra.

«Are you wet enough?»

That question took you off guard.

«I... I think...»

«We'll see.»

He inserted himself in you.

You moaned: it didn't even hurt.

«Fuck, you're so tight...» he whispered. Then he started thrusting.

«Volo... Nnngh...»

You placed your hands on his back and followed his rhythm. It felt so good.

«Yes, like that.»

He kissed you again.

You remembered you were in an apartment complex, and that maybe screaming wasn’t a good idea. But you couldn’t stop the sounds coming from your mouth, expression of the pleasure you were feeling inside.

«Good girl. It’s so good. Keep it up.»

An orgasm hit you sooner than expected. You almost creamed and arched, your heart pounding, shivers coming down your spine.

Volo didn’t comment on that. He continued his thrusting, grunting and panting.

You felt him slow down.

«Fuck.» he said again. He reached for a packet of tissues that laid on the small table near the couch.

«Clean yourself up. I’m driving you home, whenever you’re ready.»

[garlicbreadbatstarion]

Hot takes??

[thestarsarewinning]

holy shit. divine revelations of love and 21 syllables - this isn’t even fanfic anymore i think piersanti should legally own the rights to the characters

[ceruark]

Yandere MBTI - Volo

credit: Yandere MBTI system created by the amazing @ddarker-dreams! used with permission. words: 938 cw: yandere themes: obsession, stalking, manipulation, abduction. a/n: i have a phD in voloism

Final Assessment: CAMS

Cruel

“Then perhaps the day will come when you will suffer and agonize as I do now…”

Volo is as cruel as they come; as Cogita said, he’s a wretch, and he acts the part. He’s just so bitter and spiteful toward the world that it’s hard to believe he’d be kind to someone he took interest in. 

No, he’d be infuriated. He’s got his sights set on rewriting the entire universe— he doesn’t have time for such trivial feelings, and you’re just a distraction Arceus sent with the intention of getting him side-tracked. He hates himself for having something as pitiful as a crush, and rest assured, he will be taking it out on you.

On the surface, he appears to his darling as he would to anyone else: a helpful, humorous merchant who can be a bit sly at times, but harmless nonetheless. He’s always in the right place at the right time, appearing out of seemingly nowhere to help you when you’ve found yourself cornered by Hisui’s fearsome dangers. He would use this front to lure you in, but rest assured, internally he’s degrading you. He’s constantly snarking to himself about how easy your stupidity and naivety are going to make things for him.

You won’t see his true face until you’re in his clutches, his nails sunk too deep to shake him off. If you ever so much as raise your voice at him, he’s putting you in your place, reminding you of all the times he’s had to save you from Hisui’s harsh terrain and wildlife. You’re absolutely helpless without him, and you should show nothing but respect and love for him, who has devoted precious time and attention toward taking care of you. You’ll never survive without him, and you should show your appreciation for your savior by keeping your mouth shut and your head lowered.

Despite all of this, though, I feel as though a part of him would be somewhat reverent of his darling— all the friendship-evolved pokémon on his team speak to a softer side of him, and it’s in his nature, of course. He’s so obsessive over Arceus that anything else in this godforsaken universe he deems worthy of his attention and devotion would be worshipped in a similar manner. This manifests in such ways that you’ll never recognize it for what it is: tenderly stroking your hair while you sleep, tediously meal-prepping to ensure you’re receiving all the nutrients you need to be in good health, and mentally cataloguing all of your likes, dislikes, and fears to ensure that you’re comfortable when you’ve earned it and terrorized when you’ve displeased him.

Aware

“Ah, that is a problem, isn't it? What shall we do about that, indeed?”

Volo knows that you don’t love him back, and even if you do, he knows damn well that he isn’t deserving of it considering everything he’s put you through. But at the end of the day, he simply doesn’t care. He already believes he's the chosen one entitled to catching Arceus and rewriting the world, so who else could possibly be more worthy of his beloved? And what’s more, you were sent here by that merciless god to stop his heretic plans— you were sent here for him. Though having your affections and being worshipped by you like he so deserves would be nice, it’s something he can do without. So long as you’re by his side, where you belong, nothing else matters.

Manipulative

“Ah, I do beg your pardon. I suppose I must seem to be behaving strangely!”

There is not an honest bone in this man’s body.

As aforementioned, he’s pulling strings from the beginning to get you caught in situations where you’ll have to rely on him to get to safety so that you’ll start seeing him in a positive light. 

Even after he has you where he wants you, he won’t stop. He’ll do whatever it takes to keep you at his side by ensuring that he’s the only person you can rely on. He’ll tarnish your reputation with Jubilife Village and the clans so that you’re isolated from anyone in Hisui who has the power to help you. He’ll allow you to get hurt in the wilderness so he can come to your rescue and prove to you just how much you need him. He’ll show just enough affection to leave you feeling conflicted— you’ll resent him for his actions, but never enough to overcome the guilt that would come with leaving him alone.

Strict

“But not to worry. There are still corners of the Hisui region where we can stash you away in secret.”

Volo wants you all to himself, and he’s not willing to share your attention or affection with anyone else, regardless of whether they’re a family member, a friend, or— Arceus forbid— something more. He already sees himself as being the one destined to remake the fabric of reality itself, so he doesn’t believe there’s any reason for you to associate with people other than him. Besides, if things go his way, you won’t remember any of them, anyway.

He’s even worse after his defeat at the Temple of Sinnoh. He disappears off the face of Hisui, and he takes you with him. In a distant, unfamiliar region, you have no choice but to find comfort in the only person you’re familiar with. At this point, all the bitterness and hatred in his heart cause him to lash at you in crueler ways than ever before, yet cling to you even tighter— a combination that is sure to leave you both crumbling in each other’s arms.

[thefallenangelsgang]

the choke-hold Piersanti has on a subsection of Conclave (2024) Tumblr users, seemingly without knowing, should be studied

[bulbagarden]

please feel free to check out the winners of our spring 2024 bulbagarden fanfiction contest, trainers! they were all incredibly written and deserve lots of praise! one of the winning entries is by a certain mod of this tumblr...! (-lisia)

best overall: birdcage effect (m/m, emmet x volo)

runner-up: if i could become a comet (m/m, ash x gary)

best romance: dream (m/f, lucian x shauntal)

runner-up: farewell letter (m/m, ash x gary)

best usage of theme: blossoming (m/f, soldward x sonia) and farewell letter

runner-up: a betting takeoff (f/f, m/m, skyla x elesa, steven x jasmine)

best lgbtq+ romance: there was a union/of heart and mind/the likes of which are rare/and, oh, so hard to find (m/f/m, wallace x winona x steven)

runner-up: if i could become a comet

best polyamorous fic: there was a union/of heart and mind/the likes of which are rare/and, oh, so hard to find

readers' choice: birdcage effect and if i could become a comet

runner-up: blossoming and there was a union[...]

[theredhotsillypeppers]

Don't think I ever posted the cover art to my fic here but here it is :p

(Volo x female player fic set 4 years after the events of PLA, all characters are young adults)

[r0-boat]

hey :’) it’s my birthday today and i was wondering if you’d write a volo x reader piece, anything you want ofc, just for funsies. noooo pressure ofc and you can also just ignore this ask lol

Happy birthday it isn't much but I gave you a small gift.

Volo's Gift for your birthday

Sfw under cut for length

Volo had never known his family hell; he didn't even know his birth date. He just had a slight inkling or speculation of what month or maybe a week, so he never really had much thought on celebrating one day of birth. However, it did not at all change when you gave him a gift on the exact day he told you when you asked him. Before, Volo seemed unsure, but you still went out of your way to prepare not only a gift and something that it looked like you baked or handmade.

As your birthday drew closer, admittedly, Volo could not stop thinking about that day. His mind wanders of what he should get you in return.

He would tell himself that it was just to pay you back, but he knew in his heart it was a lie. The man who was fascinated and even a little obsessed with you was ashamed to admit that, knowing he hated you before, he knew everything about you.

Whatever pastry you baked for him looked too complicated to copy, but he could cook you at least a decent meal. Volo was clever, but he was not usual with crafting. He could make simple Pokeballs, but that was it, so he couldn't make you anything, even if he tried. So he did what he did best: scoured the lands and ancient ruins of the caves of Mount Coronet. A glimmer catches his eye, tracing his echoing steps to get a closer look at what he caught a glimpse of.

There coming loose out of the rock, it was rough yet smooth polished beautiful.

The perfect gift.

With his dragon-type partner, he broke stone free from the rocky wall easily, using a Dragon Claw attack to strike the rock with force and precision even when the wall came down after, which his trusty Garchomp protected him from.

He didn't think much of it at first, but when he held it up to the light outside the cave, his eyes lit up. That luxurious glimmer reminded him of your eyes and that elegant, almost transparent look, from how round and smooth it was and how small it fitted into the palm of his hand even as he clutched it in his fist.

It was just small enough to make a lovely pendant... now his reputation with his previous connections wasn't as strong as it once was, but he at least knew one person who could carve this into a beautiful necklace...

He could imagine it now, his lips kissing softly against your head, slowly and lovingly gliding the two ends of the rope around your neck, the stone, his gift now carved into a familiar teardrop to match his.

His heart beats into his chest hand covering his mouth to hide the blush creeping across his face as he toys with the smooth gem in his hand. Volo wonders if you would like his gift.

He truly hopes so.

[volos-togepi]

Intentions - Volo x reader

“heyyyy i loved ur last fic!! do you think you’d be willing to write another? i thought this sounded like a fun idea: a volo x reader fic where the reader is just as secretly unhinged and resentful as him and have the same goal. they think they’re manipulating each other into what they want, but then they realize that they’re both after the same thing and escalate their friendship into something more? 🤭 thanksss <3” - anon

i FINALLY got this one finished!!! it only took me a month and a half :')

i hope you enjoy! <3 (also thank youuuuuu!!!!! <333)

y/n - your name 2k+ words (2,076) friends ⟶ lovers

Plates.

Plates are what you’re after.

You’ve been searching and searching, seeking them out to meet with a higher being: Arceus. You’ve devoted so much of your time and efforts into studying the Almighty Sinnoh. Laying low is so hard to do. But, despite how much you want to express your true feelings toward this land you call ��home’, it’s better you didn’t.

You’ve been watching Volo and the new recruit from afar; watching them both gather the plates you’ve been longing to find. You sigh in frustration. 

They were supposed to be yours.

Once you return to the village, you run into Volo. It seems he’s stocking up on wares to ‘sell’. You already knew he had the lowest numbers in the Ginkgo Guild. It’s not that hard to overhear, especially where you like to sit on Kamado’s balcony to do your work. 

“Seems like someone’s heading back out.”

He turns to you with a rather shocked expression. “Y/n! You startled me.” Quickly gathering himself, he calms down and and smiles. “How did you know I’m heading back out?”

“Well,” you begin, tilting your head. “firstly, you’re stocking up on more wares. Perhaps to sell, or… to use for yourself.” 

You see his cheeks flush slightly. “How do yo—”

“Second, your trousers are already splattered with fresh mud, most likely from the Mirelands. Nowhere else has dirt so… red.” You pause. “What were you going to say? I’m sorry for interrupting.”

He purses his lips. You can tell he’s trying to read you. “Nothing… we’ll pretend it didn’t come up.”

“Mhmm…” 

Silence takes over. It’s not like either of you to stay this way for very long, as you both like to carry on lengthy conversations on the interesting facts of the region. Volo finishes stocking his bag and throws it back on, grunting as the weight of it almost pulls him to the ground. “Well, I’m off to… sell.”

“Before you go—”

His eyes widen, eager to hear what you have to say. Any information to him is important, and you know that oh so well.

“Would you mind telling me why you were the one chosen to help the new Survey Corps recruit over me?” 

He’s taken aback by your question, almost offended that you had asked. “You know how well versed I am in these studies, y/n. You wouldn’t understa—”

“I wouldn’t understand?” Your eyes grow angry. “Do you know how long I’ve been studying each and every ruin and artifact I’ve found in the Hisui region? How much time and effort I’ve put in to piecing together this stupid binder for Cyllene, just so I can spend more time out in the open air? I wouldn’t understand?”

“I didn’t mean to—”

“What I don’t understand is why they let an outsider take the lead on this one.”

You’ve offended him.

Oh, how you’ve offended him.

“Excuse me?!” he shouts. 

You glare at him, lowering your voice. “You heard me, Volo.”

—————

It’s been a few weeks since your argument. Volo’s been trying to apologize since the day after is happened, but you don’t want to hear it. 

“Y/n, please! Do you think I want to help Akari on my own?”

“Who?”

“The new recruit…”

You shrug.  “I never bothered to learn her name.”

Volo lets out a hearty laugh. You’ve never seen him so genuine; so true, even in your past conversations. “That was good.” he responds. “I wish I could say the same.”

You both joke around for a while. It’s nice to have a friend back on your side. 

“Hey…” You break the silence, a more serious tone taking over. “What if I… help you? You know, with finding plates?”

A coy smile spreads across Volo’s face. “I love that idea.”

—————

“For safe keeping. You both travel quite a bit, and I would hate for either of you to lose them.”

Weeks have passed. You’d convinced Volo and ‘whatever their name is’ to let you keep the plates in your possession. Volo was a bit apprehensive at first, but the girl seemed to trust you. “I think it’s a good idea, Volo. Y/n does have a point: we do travel a lot.”

“Fine.”

More days pass. You have all but one. You cannot believe how easy it was to just… take them. You smile as you sit on the bank side of Lake verity, taking in the fresh air around you. You feel a hand touch your shoulder. Startled, you look up to see Volo.

“What are you doing here, y/n?” He sits down next to you, setting his bag to the side.

You shrug. “I needed some air, and Lake Verity is so pretty this time of year.”

He nodded in agreement. “And the plates? Are they safe?”

“Of course! Do you think I’d let them out of my sight?”

He smiles, looking to the water glistening in the sunlight. “Good.”

You sigh. “Hey, this may sound strange, but…” You take a deep breath. “Do you ever feel that… the girl is… getting in the way.”

His eyes light up, and even though he’s not looking at you, you can tell he’s interested in what you have to say. 

“I mean, she wouldn’t even know where to look if it weren’t for you. And, if I’m being honest, you know more about these plates than she does.”

“She’s gotta get home somehow.”

You shrug. “All I’m saying is that you deserve this more than her. We deserve this more than her.”

You watch as Volo’s lips curl into this small, almost unnoticeable smile. “You know,” he says, looking out at the water, “I was wondering when you’d come around.” He turns to you, the smile on his face growing bigger. “I mean, it was only a matter of time.”

“I’m not quite sure what you’re getting at.” you reply. “I was only trying to ma— wait… you’re not doing this for the sake of helping are you?”

He laughs.

Oh how he laughs.

It’s a beautiful sound; a melody. Tears start to roll down his cheeks from the laughter. “Oh, y/n!” he chokes out. “I never have been!”

You start to giggle. 

“I was only trying to get you on my side.” he continues. “I figured it would be—”

“Volo,” You interrupt. “Why do you think I asked to keep the plates?”

He stares at you, unsure of what to say. His eyes are wide, and he seems surprised that you, you, would be trying to sabotage not only the girl, but the entire Survey Corp? “Y/n…” His voice is soft; hushed. “I never thought that you—”

“That I’d want to turn my back on the people of Jubilife? Because I’m not.”

He’s silent.

“I’ve always had this intention. It just took me years of acquiring the knowledge and the connections to feel comfortable enough to go for it…” You pause, watching a Magikarp leap out of the water. “Besides… the girl makes it easier.”

Volo gently slides his hand over yours. You don’t think anything of it. 

You’re friends.

“Meet me in the Highlands tonight.” he says. “There’s something I need to say.”

—————

The Coronet Highlands were so pretty at night. You lay on your back in the patch of flowers at Fabled Spring, looking at the billions of stars just above you in the sky. Volo arrives not too long after you, setting his bag against one of the trees. For once, he’s not in his uniform, wearing a dark green kimono and matching trousers. “I thought I’d dress little casual this evening.” He sits down next to you, pulling something out of his pocket to hand to you. “I thought you may like this.”

You sit up and carefully take what he’s holding. “A comet shard!” you squeak. “How did you—”

“I found it in the Mirelands; the day you caught me with mud-stained pants.” He bit his lip, looking to the ground. “The day of our little spat.” 

You’re silent.

“I’d been wanting to give it to you for so long, and…” He looks at you, eyes filled with starlight. “I just didn’t know how.”

“Volo, I…” You exhale. “Thank you.”

He shakes his head. “No need to thank me, y/n.”

You both lay there for a while, listening to the nature around you. It’s so peaceful; serene, the fireflies lighting up the spring.

“I wish every night were like this.” 

Volo squeezes your hand a little tighter. You watch as his lips curl into the smallest, yet sweetest smile. It makes your heart flutter. 

Had you always felt these things?

“Feeling content with sharing the experience of a serene, summer night.” he continues. “It’s easy with you.”

“I agree.” you reply in an almost whisper. “It’s… it’s nice.”

You can feel his eyes on you, even when you’re focused on the stars above. “So what did you want to talk about?” you ask, trying to break whatever tension you were both feeling.

“Never mind that.” 

You look to him once more. “Volo, I—”

“I just want to share this moment with you.”

He rolls over on his side to face you, his hand caressing your cheek. “Do you know just how pretty you are?”

Your abdomen feels like it’s going to explode. You can’t help but to blush as Volo says these things to you. You hope he doesn’t notice, but…

“Do you like it when I say these things?” He scoots closer, his chest barely touching your arm. “Hmm?”

You look at him, and it’s hard to keep yourself contained.

“I did, actually, want to talk with you about something tonight.” he whispers. “If you’ll allow me to.”

You nod. He takes a deep breath, his hand still placed on your cheek. “Y/n, I— if we’re to use the plates for ourselves, and forge this new world, would you… would you mind if we did it together?” He gulps. “Because I don’t want to do this without you.”

“Volo…”

He pulls you in close. 

So, so close.

“I can’t do this without you, y/n.”

You wrap your arms around him tightly, tangling your limbs together in the patch of flowers you lie on. Volo nuzzles his face into your neck. His breath is warm against your skin, his fingers tracing the seams of your Survey Corps uniform. You feel your breath hitch. Volo feels it too, looking up at you when he does. “Are you alright?”

You nod quickly. Maybe too quickly. 

“Y/n, promise you’re not lying to me.”

“I promise.” you breathe. 

His fingers continue to trace your uniform, every seam; every outline; every wrinkle in the fabric. “Y/n?” 

“Hmm?” You watch as his fingers slowly trace their way up to your neckline. 

“You do know I meant it when I said you were pretty, right?” His tone has completely shifted. He smirks lightly as he looks at you, lust in his eyes. “Because you are.” Untangling himself from your grasp, he sits up, pulling you up with him. “My pretty y/n.”

You were feeling those things again.

And he knows it.

He leans in as close as he can, noses almost touching. “Promise you won’t leave me behind.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it.”

He grabs your waist tightly and presses his lips to yours, pulling you into his lap as he does. He’s so passionate, yet so soft; his lips warm against yours in the cool, summer night. He pulls away to look at you, his eyes meeting your gaze as your lips part. You both smile at one another, and Volo is quick to kiss you once more.

“I’ve been wanting to do that for so long.” he says, holding your hands in his.

“Then why didn't you?”

“Because I needed to know where your intentions were.”

You giggle softly at his remark. “Obviously, I made the right choice.”

“That you did.” He pushes a stand of hair out of your face. “Not completely off topic, but how many plates do we have so far?”

“Seventeen.” you respond. “Why?”

He starts to get up, you sliding off his lap into the flowers. Volo extends his hand to you to help you up, not letting go once you’re standing. He looks to the mountain just up above, and a mischievous grin quickly forms on his face. He turns back to you, squeezing your hand tightly.

“Let’s go.”

[capogalassia]

Fic I'm writing.

Please read notes!

[tavyliasin]

Fooling An Incubus - April Foolishness One Shot! Haarlep x Multiple

Haarlep is bored... They manage to organise another little event, a buffet of desire to feast upon all night as various couples and groups enjoy their aphrodisiac tainted wine and specially prepared rooms. However, the wine was a gift from one Volothamp Geddarm. The wizard seems to have something other than tall tales up his sleeves, as Haarlep finds themselves experiencing pleasure through a different lens. It still feels good, of course, but there's something different to normal...

---

This is the April Fools "write terrible smut" challenge to use as many awful words for genitals and sex as possible. I gave it a paper thin plot as an excuse to throw Haarlep into the ring with a bunch of favourites.

5,157 Words (Split into 5 Chapter headings)

Click Here for AO3 Version And Click Here for the AO3 Collection with everyone's wonderful terrible works for the challenge! Pairing: Haarlep with: Astarion/f!Tav/Halsin, Dammon/Karlach/Wyll, Abdirak/He Who Was, and a passing mention of Volo/Blurg/Omeluum at the end SPICE Rating: 3.5/5  Content Warnings and Tags: Intentionally Bad Smut, Biting, Blood, Vampire Bite, aphrodisiac, Oral Sex, Group Sex, Restraints, Power Play, BDSM, Hand Jobs, Spitroast, Pegging, Sex Toys, magic sex toys, Cockwarming, using tails for sex things, furniture play (mild), Exhibitionism, Voyeurism, pain play, riding crop whipping, Anal Sex, overstimulation

Spoilers Barely a thing besides characters and the House of Hope existing. Canon Compliance HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA no. Other Notes I gave myself psychic damage writing it and now you can join me as you read it.

Song Pairing Ok maybe this time I'm being less interesting, but I tried looking for something with fitting lyrics and came up short. So instead, listen to the elevator music that I put on while writing it, that should fit the mood just fine~

FULL ONE SHOT BELOW THE CUT!

--- ---

Chapter 1 - Boredom and Wine

Haarlep was bored.

A known dangerous state for an incubus to be in, they were not only bored but they were hungry . Few guests had entertained them of late, so their mind turned over their options. No events they were aware of were due in the near future, and after their last little party Raphael had said in no uncertain terms that he would not be entertaining another orgy. They rolled their eyes. Surely there was something…

—

A week later, the rooms in the House of Hope had been prepared and a banquet thrown. A Spring Feast, Haarlep had argued, a way to bring together those who should be reminded of Raphael’s influence and affluence. They even invited Volothamp Geddarm to ensure that the fiend’s grandeur could be properly recorded in his rise to greatness - or that’s what they told him to soothe his ego and push him to allow the event to go ahead.

The incubus stalked the banquet hall, observing with no small amount of pride the couples, throuples, and other groups of guests that were slowly falling to the spiked wine. They sipped from their own glass, allowing themselves a slight smile of satisfaction as Volo himself strolled over.

“Ah, there you are! Are you enjoying the wine? I had it imported over myself, you know, from a very special supplier. I assume you’ve already tainted it? The flavour has a distinct edge of spice that I don’t recall from my last sampling.” The bearded wizard was already talking a mile a minute asking plenty of questions without awaiting a single answer. 

“You are already aware, then, of its effects? My usual guests should be retiring shortly~” Haarlep grinned a little wider, glancing down at the strange little man who had far too bright a look in his eye as he took a sip himself.

“That’s exactly what I’m counting on, my friend! A fine experiment, I should say, though it was not entirely of my own devising. You see there is a custom in a far off land for pranks at this time of year - nothing harmful of course, and I wouldn’t dare to interfere with your own particular feedings. I’m actually rather looking forward to a little dalliance with my fellow inquisitive minds.” He waved across the room at a hobgoblin standing next to an illithid, the sight itself making Haarlep relieved that Raphael had chosen to sequester himself away from the festivities for a change to focus on his contracts. “Now, do tell me everything tomorrow, I shall be very interested to hear of your experience.” 

Before Haarlep could so much as enquire what in all the hells the odd little man was on about, he was already walking away. With several of the couples already making their way to their rooms, the incubus chose to finish their glass and begin to visit the rooms they had arranged earlier.

---

Chapter 2 - The Pleasures of Elves

The first door opened to a sight that Haarlep drank in like a well aged spirit. 

A familiar looking elven rogue was on the bed, her vampire lover on one side and their druid on the other. All three looked as hungry as the incubus felt, licking their lips as they padded softly across the cool floor to the bed where the trio were waiting. 

“That didn’t take long, you owe me 5 gold.” Tav smirked, her body an open invitation which had been addressed to everyone in the room, and Haarlep was ready to lick the edge of her envelope to seal the-

They shook their head for a moment. That wasn’t right, was it? They looked back at her, admiring how her heaving bosom danced arousal with every breath. 

“Come on, Haarlep, there’s room for everyone.” She beckoned them over, as her lovers began to ply her with kisses. 

The incubus blinked away their confusion, savouring the rising lust in the room. Halsin was already guiding her hand towards his growing meatstick, while Astarion favoured pressing his mouth-hole against Tav’s neck, sharp points chomping down into her soft flesh. Tav moaned as his fangs penetrated her pale skin, legs spreading to reveal her moist garden of delight.

They felt their own ridged phallus beginning to try the strength of the leather harness that held them in place, though they were not concerned about seeking their own pleasure yet. They climbed onto the end of the bed, lifting her legs over their shoulders, savouring the little gasp as their spiked clothing pricked the underside of her thighs. Haarlep coiled their arms around her hips, fingers reaching around to dip into the well of her desire before using the ample lubrication to circle her hardened nubbin of pleasure. 

Tav’s sounds grew ever more lewd as Haarlep began to taste the nectar of her private rose, with a tongue that could put a hummingbird to shame. They glanced up, seeing her head thrust back into the pillows, her own dirty pillows quivering with excitement as Astarion’s bite had moved down to her chest. The larger of the two elves was enjoying the ministrations of Tav’s clever fingers dancing waltz along the length of his organ, the chord sounding from his throat still far from its crescendo. 

“My heart,” Halsin began to find his voice, “I need…more…” 

“My, my, darling, greedy today are we?” The vampire looked up, a thin trickle of body ketchup trickling over his bottom lip making his teasing question outright hypocritical. “Whatever shall we do?” 

“Astarion,” Tav moaned, cheeks hot and flush with arousal, “I have an idea…” Haarlep didn’t hear what it was that Tav whispered, but they saw the pale elf’s ears tint red.  A moment later, he was kneeling on the pillows, straddling Tav’s head but facing towards where they were still drinking in her sweet love-juice before it could spill down her thighs. They slowed their motions, holding her back from finishing while her lovers rearranged. 

They were almost disappointed that Tav’s soft little moans were being muffled by Astarion’s firm peach, her tongue clearly occupied with finding the pip at the centre of his forbidden fruit. Meanwhile, Halsin was eager to follow the vampire’s lead as he guided his lover’s head to devour his pink banana with a ravenous appetite. 

Seeing all three giving way to such intense desires only served to whet Haarlep’s own already drenched hunger. They curled their tail around to tease a line up from Halsin’s knee, teasing the soft and tender flesh of his juicy ham hock, feeling a thin trickle of oil slick betraying his readiness for what they were planning. 

The incubus was delighted to feel that the huge elf’s nether pit was ready to receive a fiend. They teased at his heated taint for a moment, relishing how he moaned his desperate need around the length of Astarion’s schlong bulging in his throat. The delicious noise only grew louder when they slid their tail several agonisingly slow inches into his tight and welcoming cave… They took a moment to imagine how good it would feel to slide their turgid meat-popsicle deep inside the druid instead, but that would have to wait for another day.

Haarlep refocused their efforts on Tav now, shifting slightly to change how they were teasing her planes of pleasure. Their fingers reached to curl inside her, tongue tracing out limericks on her sensual protuberance, sharp teeth just grazing her skin as she keened a wail deep into Astarion’s pleasure pocket. 

She was, of course, the first to break. The incubus was well versed in how to reduce Tav to a quivering mess of flesh, her liquor of desire coating their lips and tongue as they sucked every last moment of her climax into full and shaking overstimulation. Her lovers were not far behind, Astarion spilling his essence into Halsin’s waiting throat, the larger elf happily devouring it all as his own orgasm began. For a moment, Haarlep was concerned their tail might be bruised by the clenching of the druid’s muscular sphincter, a volcano of spicy mayonnaise spurting forth from his thick tally-whacker as Tav continued to pump it in a tight grip. Satisfied that the three would be more than able to continue without them, Haarlep licked the last of Tav’s personal syrup from their fingers. Above them, Astarion was doing the same for Tav’s hand which was dripping with Halsin’s honey-milk. Everyone had eaten well, and their shared pleasure had easily risen the incubus’s greed to sample something from as many rooms as they could before the dawn brought an end to the festivities. Although, as they stepped back out into the hallway, they couldn’t help but wonder what exactly it was that Volo had put into the drinks. Or, perhaps more concerningly, how they were becoming accustomed to the pervasive strange mood permeating their sexual exploits. 

---

Chapter 3 - A Tiefling Roasting in Hellfire

The second room was hot. Hotter than usual, which Haarlep soon realised was due to the presence of a certain one-horned Teifling who was eyeing them suspiciously. Wyll’s eyes almost mirrored Karlach’s asymmetrical horns as he leaned back on the chair with his arms folded behind his head, watching as the incubus closed the door. 

“You look…comfortable~” Haarlep greeted the pair, before indicating the third in the room with them. “Though he looks distinctly less so.” 

They were referring to the other Tiefling, peach hued skin completely devoid of clothing as he was on his hands and knees, blonde strands falling from the messy bun tied high at the back of his head. He didn’t turn to look at the new entry to the room, nor did he make a sound as his head was completely flush with Wyll’s lap. “Not to worry,” Wyll smiled, “Dammon’s fine where he is for now.” The blacksmith’s tail twitched slightly at the mention of his name. “Shh you stay where you are, good boy.” Karlach shifted in her own seat, bringing her legs up to use her lover’s back as a stool as she addressed Haarlep now. “Listen, demon-” 

“Incubus.” They corrected her, a little annoyance in their voice only quieted by the wave of arousal that beckoned to them, drawing their eye to the dripping manhood beneath Karlach’s footrest. 

“Whatever. I don’t usually associate with your sort, but given we are here on your invitation, and I’m able to breathe pretty freely here, you can stay.” Her brow furrowed, the glow in her chest looking all the more like a flashing warning. “But there are ground rules.” 

“And what would those entail?” Haarlep began walking towards the trio, inspecting the slightly trembling limbs of the man on the floor with interest. 

“First, no touching me. Look all you like, but I don’t want your hellish rod anywhere near my womanhood, and if even one drop of your infernal splooge gets near my minge I will personally incinerate you.” Her tone left no room for argument, and beside her the warlock was nodding. 

“Him you can touch, me perhaps. But it might be best if you sit back and watch.” He paused for a moment in thought. “You don’t need to be a direct participant in fornication to feed from it, right?” 

“I do not.” Haarlep nodded. “Although most find it far more enjoyable when I am an active player in our little games~” Wyll idly stroked the his lovers horns, pushing him down a little further onto his semi. “Good boy, a little more tongue now.” A slight mewl sounded from the blacksmith, muffled but carrying the taste of his lust in the noise. Haarlep licked their lips, savouring it. “Be that as it may, we have enough pieces on the board without your assistance, no matter how capable that might be. Do you agree to our terms?” 

They took a moment longer, considering the offer, and the other offers that awaited them in the other rooms. “Very well, entertain me.” The incubus pulled up their own chair, choosing a position with the perfect view of the trio. 

Karlach removed her feet from the blacksmith’s back and leaned over to lay a sloppy smooch on Wyll’s waiting lips, guiding his fingers to find the pearl of her dripping clam. “I’ve been waiting all day for this, soldier, please -” 

He wasted no time in drawing her to breathlessness, the man below still warming his swiftly stiffening pipe and shifting to accommodate the growing swelling in his mouth. Wyll made short work of whipping his lover into a frenzy, expertly twiddling his thumbs around the nether-nipple between her folds. He added to her sensation with his fingers hammering into the meat of her snatch, savouring the howl that fell from her lips as she creamed over his hand. Haarlep licked their lips involuntarily as they watched Wyll devour the splooge from each finger in the manner one might enjoy the last hint of icing from a slice of cake. They continued to watch, enraptured, as the Tiefling woman recovered her senses and began searching through her pack that had been left carelessly on the floor nearby. Their eyes widened as she pulled out several metal dongs, increasing in size until she was finally satisfied with the one she held. 

The final one she chose was almost impressively large - even by their own standards. She held it out towards the warlock first as she sat back in her chair, legs spread and feet resting on Dammon’s back again. Her weeping quim was clearly desperate to be filled, and Wyll obliged by casting mage hand to grip and manipulate the huge steel tickle-stick. “Gods, more!” She cried, gripping at her own heaving bosom as the mage hand increased its thrusting with a motion from Wyll’s hand. “We have to get it…good…good and warm…for him…” She panted heavily like a dog with its head sticking out of the window of a fast moving carriage, her hips bumping around like the carriage was going down 3 flights of stairs with the thrusting of the toy. 

The tiefling on the floor remained as still as he could, his tail betraying his excitement as it quivered behind him. Karlach managed just enough presence of mind to coil her own tail beneath him, taking a grip of his turgid knob to give it a good yanking. 

She jizzed with the force of a typhoon, barely releasing the blacksmith’s favourite hammer in time before she risked ripping it clean off his body with the force of her explosion. Her breasts danced erotically, nipples spinning with delight in the waves of pure bliss that took over her mind and body.  

Haarlep raised an eyebrow as they watched, not entirely certain what tricks reality was trying to play with physics, but it didn’t seem to matter to the three. Wyll was holding Dammon’s head gently, soothing the blacksmith while he still did not empty his mouth of the warlock’s mighty staff. Karlach took a few minutes to recover, finally fishing the leather harness from her pack and fixing the huge unit to it with ease, though it seemed a little difficult even for the barbarian to move around with it swinging about in front of her drenched muff.

She made sure to spread more of her slick moistness over the ridged metal before taking hold of the blacksmith’s tail and lifting it up. She pulled out a plug that was about half the size of the massive wanger she was wearing and tossed it casually to one side. It didn’t take much longer for her to knock on his backdoor, taking his muffled approval as invitation to thrust all the way in with one strong motion that made him almost choke on Wyll’s skin flute. 

The barbarian soon set a pace that could be described as barbaric, her breasts dancing to the rhythm with enthusiasm. Her tail curled around again, taking a grip on the blacksmith’s wing-wang and guiding his tail underneath herself to stuff it into her flesh pocket. Meanwhile, Wyll had his hands wrapped around Dammon’s horns, imitating a pole rub as he continued to have his soul sucked out of his ween. 

Haarlep felt a little pang of jealousy, but the lust in the air tasted better even than the lingering hint of Tav’s body on their lips. The licked them, straying one hand over their harness as they watched the trio spill out across the floor - or in Wyll’s case down his lover’s throat as he held the man close in place, hips bucking into him as he spooged enthusiastically. 

The incubus stood to leave while the trio were still regaining their breath. “Done so soon? I thought you devils had more stamina.” Karlach called out, still thrusting slowly as her overstimulated lover whimpered into Wyll’s groin, twitching and dripping onto the floor below. She slapped his toasted buns and drew a longer, muffled moan. “You could keep count if you like, see if we break our record with him.” 

“A tempting proposition,” they replied already turning to head to the door, “however I have plenty of other guests to attend to. Ones who are not averse to my participation.” 

“Suit yourself,” Karlach shrugged, looking back towards Wyll. “Ready, soldier?” 

“Gods, Karlach, give me a minute…” He stroked the loose hair of the man betwixt his thighs. “Good boy, keep me warm a bit longer…mmmyes right there, your tongue-"

---

Chapter 4 - A Dictionary of Discomfort

Haarlep strolled down the halls, passing through a few rooms as they went. They spent some time with Shadowheart and Lae’zel, helping them to settle an argument about who was taking which role by taking their Archduchess form and allowing the two to compete. It was a spirited debate, and it was nice to finally have their own personal Cania flooding at last.

The gith and the half elf were not done when they left though, the ‘argument’ turning into a full battle of stamina. The incubus made sure to leave them with plenty of water in reach, neither seemed willing to back down until the other passed out from the exertion. 

The next though… They paused in front of the next door, hearing the sounds of a far more intense session. They could almost taste the desire emanating from behind the solid wood, the door creaking open to reveal the sounds of the penitent and the priest beyond. 

— 

The scene was even more enticing than Haarlep imagined. He Who Was balanced on his toes, ankles chained to a sturdy pole with the hint of the toy at the top of it between his pale rear cleavage. At least a third of its length was filling his tight hole, a little oil trickling down his thighs. Abdirak was stalking around the nude Shadar-Kai, still fully clothed and wielding a thin crop that was leaving reddened welts across pale skin. 

“You are here to witness his penance? Or to join it?” Abdirak turned towards Haarlep, a wicked light reflecting off the cold steel of his face orbs. He had a way of looking right through Haarlep that sometimes put even their iron nerves on edge. They closed the door behind them, the click of the latch adding to the metallic mood of the room. 

“That depends~” The incubus stalked forwards, tail swishing behind them, wings rising and stretching in anticipation. “Do you wish to remain in this role? Or to endure your own pain for your Maiden’s blessings?” 

“I will not object.” He Who Was gasped, still trying to stay upright on his toes as Abdirak walked around to his front, tilting his chin up with one finger to observe his reaction. 

“You are certain, Dear One, that you can endure the agony delivered by another’s hand?” The priest checked, still watching closely even as Haarlep stalked around behind him to peer at the bound elf balancing on his toes. The incubus leaned over the spiked pauldrons of his shoulder, sliding their arms around his waist and savouring the jealousy in the green tinted eyes of He Who Was. 

“You need not concern yourself with what I can endure.” The Shadar-Kai responded firmly, the inky void of their gaze meeting the fire in Haarlep’s own eyes with a dauntless intensity, despite his current predicament. 

“Then so be it.” Abdirak leaned back towards the incubus. “I trust you will not disappoint. He has been… prepared , as have I.” 

Haarlep caught the meaning of his words - there would be no need to butter up the back alley of either man, nor would they need to be concerned about an abundance of pain. That was what they both wanted most, after all. 

It was the work of a few moments to pull the strands of the Weave in a spell that summoned a handful of red imps from another part of Avernus. The creatures sprang into the air with a brief and acrid scent of smoke and sulphur, and issuing orders in the infernal tongue was just as swift. Haarlep stepped back from Abdirak, though their hands drifted across his bare torso first, lingering and dragging a hint of claws as they moved away. Before parting completely, they slipped the crop from his hand, tapping it against his side to make a point.

“You won’t be needing any of this either~” They commanded the imps to remove the priest’s clothes, stacking though they saw no point in reminding the creatures to be careful with the sharp edges. Abdirak appeared pleased that the blades and points of his outfit tore at his flesh. Next, the imps wrapped their tails around his body. Some on the legs, some on the arms, a couple around his tender belly meat, fully supporting him as he was lifted into the air and suspended in a manner similar to the intricate rope patterns he often enjoyed. Haarlep stood facing the pair as they were held apart, eyes locked on one another. First they gave He Who Was a little whippy whip with their tail, striking his legs and watching with delight as the elf struggled on his toes, the end of the pole sinking deeper to probe his desperate prostate. Abdirak was granted a firmer slap to his nip nop with the whip crop, a deep grunt of appreciation reaching Haarlep’s approving ears. Both men were clearly craving the sweet agony of well applied domination, which the incubus was more than happy to provide. They continued a while in the same manner, alternating which got the crop and which took the hit from their tail instead. They were like a cat toying with its prey, adding their claws and teeth to the mix when the impact became dull.

They needed more though, more than just the panting and keening of two masochists who were about ready to nut if someone bit them in the gonads. Although…there was an idea. The imps followed instructions well, lifting Abdirak and turning him face down, bringing his face close to the elf’s twitching stiffy. Haarlep moved behind the priest, pressing his legs apart and digging their claws into the soft meat of his rump.

Their height worked to their advantage, finally dismissing their harness to let their gurt wanger flop out - although if there was one thing to be said about their sex right now it was certainly not floppy . They pushed into him, feeling how tight his ring felt despite the ample preparation, commanding him with a simple motion to begin to give He Who Was a little sucky-sucky. 

The incubus stretched their wings behind them, pleased that the only sounds they could hear were the wet slaps of their bollocks smacking against Abdirak’s ass, and the keening wails of both men enjoying and enduring their session. They made sure to provide the priest with as much pain as Loviatar demanded, sinking claws and teeth into his back and arms, commanding the imps to tighten their grips and pull at his joints so he moaned with a mouth full of elf-boner. They wrapped their tail around his hot manhood and teased at his leaking hole with the tip, threatening to plug it before it could spill, yet not following through on that threat either.  

He Who Was appeared to be struggling to control his voice, calling out long and loud, torn between succumbing to the pleasures of Abdirak’s skilled mouth and trying to prevent the pole he was balanced on from driving too deep and filling him completely. Eyes flashed from inky black to bright glowing green and back again, names Haarlep didn’t care for leaving with his composure presumably through an open window somewhere. Did the room have windows? Did it matter? Eventually Haarlep felt the building peaks of both men, licking the flavour from the air and savouring it before they blew their respective loads. Abdirak dutifully took every drop of his lover’s protein shake, swallowing with a satisfied moan as Haarlep filled him from the other end, the pulsing inside finally shattering him into squirting his jizz across the floor. 

Once all three had regained their composure - hardly a tough task for the incubus, though they did enjoy teasing both past their limits before they were done - Haarlep commanded the imps to set Abdirak on the floor once more, even motioning for a couple to support He Who Was. The Shadar-Kai was drunk on pleasure, the shaped end at the tip of the pole now fully seated within him. 

“You were both…delicious…” They mused, taking a moment to caress the cheeks of both men in an almost loving gesture. Almost. “I trust you can take care of yourselves from here?” 

“Until next time.” Abdirak nodded, before releasing the ankle restraints and taking He Who Was into his arms, lifting him from the pleasurable prison he had been placed upon. “Ah, Dear One… Let me savour your pain like a fine wine. You still wish for more, do you not?” Haarlep left them to it, knowing the screams of pleasure and agony entwined would echo from the walls from both for hours to come.

---

Chapter 5 - Coming to an End

“There you are, my friend!” Volo beamed excitedly as Haarlep finally arrived at the last room. Their other guests had all been attended to and left more than satisfied, though the remnants of the wizard’s particular wine still left their head full of strange words and thoughts. “Come, come. We have been awaiting your report rather eagerly.” The incubus followed the excitable man inside, noting the mindflayer and its partner were sat, fully nude, discussing a notebook whilst filling its pages. “They’re here.” The hobgoblin spoke plainly, turning to face them. 

“Take a seat, my good incubus, I have been so desperate to hear how inspirational the evening has been!” The wizard’s grin spread to every whisker of his beard, pulling a chair close to where the lovers sat together, Omeluum’s tentacles idly caressing Blurg’s body as it greeted them telepathically. “The wine has been of great interest to our studies. One has been taking note of everything within your mind, recording it, for posterity. Do all of your kind possess such an appetite?” It regarded them, with what they could only assume was a judgemental gaze, though something in its eyes also looked…impressed? Curious? Haarlep wasn’t entirely sure how to read the expression of a being with tentacles for a face and no genitals to speak of. 

“You’ve been…writing what’s in my mind?” Suddenly things began to make more sense, and they turned to Volo who was still smiling like a fool. “Is this what you poisoned the drinks with?” 

“Oh, no! No no no, picking up on thoughts is a particular skill of our tentacled friend here. I just added a little of my personal supply, a particular potion developed in the far lands of-” “The point, if you please.” Their tail batted at his shin like an irritated cat. 

“No appreciation for a good story these day-” Another swipe, higher up his thigh and dangerously close to the end of his personal staff. “It’s one I drink when I wish to write the more…erotic literature, you see. I find it makes the words flow far more freely, dissolves away all those nasty little blocks where one can’t find the right word to describe the situation.” “So you end up with the wrong words…” Haarlep sighed, the plethora of wizard sleeves and tickle-sticks running through their mind finally adding up to the sum total of fuck this guy. Although, that might not be such a terrible idea… “Tell me, do you have any other uses for that mouth other than running it a mile a minute?” 

“We do have room for another chapter.” Omeluum addressed the room through their collective minds. “One might wish to experiment with the effects of an incubus…” 

“Agreeable. Fine data to add, while the opportunity presents itself.” Blurg agreed, dutifully presenting himself as another point of data. 

“Hmmm I have yet to bed such a collection of creatures at one time, but I shall endeavour to please one and all, in the name of research!” Volo ejaculated, from his mouth this time but it was clear he was quite keen for other options with the speed in which his clothes hit the floor. 

Haarlep contemplated their options. By now, Raphael would be passed out over his desk, drenched in sweat and his own emissions from the amount of stimulation through their deal’s connection. They had planned to go there soon, wake him and make him beg for a their full attention, to feel pleasure firsthand and not just ecstasy’s lingering echoes through Haarlep’s copy of his form. But…this was an intriguing proposition, and it would be a way to take a little revenge on Volo for tainting their night’s pleasure for his own gain. Not that they hadn’t enjoyed their time, of course, but…

“Agreed.” They nodded. “But the wizard will need a gag.” 

—

By the time Haarlep was in the baths in the Boudoir, the light of whatever passed for dawn in Avernus tinting the room a brighter orange, they were entirely satisfied. Raphael’s stomping around and complaining washed over them like the scented soaps that smoothed their skin, as they completely ignored his rampage over how they had taken far too many lovers in one night and ruined his favourite underclothes. A copy of the manuscript, complete with the final chapter with the wizard and his cohorts, was already tucked safely away under the bed. Perhaps they could bind him to the bed and read it to the furious Master of the House later. He might quite enjoy hearing about how his Little Mouse had let her breasts bounce boobily as she squeaked with delight… They shook the thought from their head. Later. For now they continued to wash the kisses of a hundred lovers from their skin whilst trying to scrub the last of the terrible literature from their mind.

--- --- ENDING NOTES --- --- Thank you for joining me on this misadventure! Be sure to check out the other works in the collection or tagged on here with "BG3AprilFoolishness" This was...an experience? Let's call it that~ Really though it was fun to play with things being silly and using the worst terms I could drag from the depths. If you found this erotic, I'm not sure if I should thank you or apologise, either way NO REFUNDS! Until next time, loves, I promise I will never write anything this intentionally awful again. Probably. Until next year.

[melonthesprigatito]

A collection of totally self indulgent Witch of the Woods memes (with accompanying context excerpts)

[artsy0wl]

Sweet Little Thing (Mysteriousstoneshipping VoloxJacq Fic)

A little something for this ship. A touch of fluff while I think about possible angst fics.

“And that is how you know your Arcanine trusts you.”

Kids gravitated towards Arcanine as he rolled around on the grass. A lesson on Pokémon behavior and how to recognize trust sounded like a simple enough topic. And with Arcanine being a pretty lax and friendly Pokémon, he was the perfect practice.

“He’s so soft.” A girl stated while petting Arcanine.

“That he is.” Jacq agreed. “He loves bath time. So much so that he’ll play around and get messy every time a storm rolls through.”

“But I thought Fire types hate water.” A boy chimed in.

“They do,” Jacq confirmed, “but primarily in battle. Even big, strong Fire types get thirsty and need water. And sometimes, they need to get clean. For example, a Flareon’s coat needs to be brushed and maintained to keep its coat fluffy. So they need to be lightly bathed and groomed. On the flip side, it’s a known fact that you shouldn’t douse a Charmander’s tail in water because it would have life threatening effects. It’s all about the Pokémon and their limits. This fella,” Jacq gestured to Arcanine, “just likes getting spruced up every now and then.”

Arcanine’s tail wagged steadily and joyously as he rolled onto his stomach, knocking Jacq over in the process. As the kids giggled at his fall, Jacq sat beside him. Softly nudging his head against Jacq’s, Arcanine apologized then proceeded to stand up.

“I can’t stay mad at you.” Jacq chuckled as he pulled himself up. He ran his hands through Arcanine’s fur, ruffling it as the sound of a bell chimed. “That’ll conclude today’s lesson.”

As he watched the kids leave, Jacq’s arm rested on Arcanine’s back and gently brushed through his fur. He commended Arcanine for his patience, knowing that it took a lot of energy to keep up with the kids. Pulling out a Tamato Berry, he offered it to Arcanine, who devoured it in seconds.

“Boo!”

Jacq yelped, jumping forward. Turning around, he sighed once he realized who snuck up on him. Volo chuckled, scratching the back of his head.

“Sorry for startling you. I couldn’t help it.”

“It’s okay.” Jacq assured.

Smirking, Volo approached him. “Your lessons are intriguing. Simple yet engaging.”

“If it helps them understand things better, I’m okay with keeping it simple.” Jacq chuckled. “I’d be a terrible teacher if I didn't help my students.”

“Perhaps,” Volo shrugged, “but I refuse to believe that such a well informed and charming man could ever be ‘bad’.”

Jacq’s face turned red as he chuckled. He tried yo cover it to the best of his ability, a little embarrassed by his reaction. Volo, in response, chuckled, as he closed the gap between them even more.

Arcanine let out a curious growl as his eyes focused on Volo. He stood by Jacq, his tail drooping low as his head followed suit. It caught Jacq’s attention as curiosity and confusion arose.

“Hey, it’s alright.” Jacq assured, patting Arcanine’s head. “Volo’s a friend, remember?”

His tail flicked as Arcanine continued to focus on Volo. Scratching the back of his ear, Jacq tried to soothe the canine. But when his stance did not falter, Jacq decided to recall Arcanine.

“I’m sorry about that.” Jacq apologized, shaking his head. “Arcanine’s not usually like that.”

“It’s okay. Mine’s like that too.” Volo shrugged. “She’s very protective.”

Silver eyes lit up. “You have an Arcanine?”

“Of course.”

Pulling out a Pokéball, Volo released his Pokémon. An Arcanine emerge from it, dark fur dancing as she shook her fur out and stretched. Her ears twitched and flicked as her tail followed suit. Looking at Jacq, Arcanine’s head tilted slightly before approaching Jacq.

Jacq, all the while, kept his posture calm as Arcanine started sniffing him. Holding his hand beneath Arcanine’s head, Jacq let him sniff it. Once the Arcanine finished her inspection, her cloudy tail excitedly wagged as she licked Jacq. Jacq chuckled, petting Arcanine. A soft smirk escaped Volo as he watched the display.

“She is from Hisui,” Volo admitted, “or Sinnoh before it was officially called such. So, as I’m sure you’re well aware, her temperament isn’t identical to his Kantonian counterpart.”

“All too well.” Jacq confirmed as Volo’s Arcanine licked his face. “They’ll have different needs based on their physiology and typing. And, based on their environment, they’ve adapted to deal with it and its threats. However,” he ruffled the fur on Arcanine’s head, “I’ve also learned that they share some baseline traits.”

“Oh?”

“My colleague, for instance, works with Kantonian, Alolan, and Galarian Meowth. The Alolan Meowth tend to prefer sweeter treats and like to go swimming. The Galarian ones are mischievous and adventurous, and have a completely different evolution that has very different needs compared to Persian. While the Kantonian Meowth tend to be loyal, but easy to anger. However, regardless of region, wild Meowth usually travel in packs and seldomly mate for life. Of course, there will be exception, but those are the more common factors.

“Arcanine are the same way.” Jacq held Arcanine’s face, cooing. “They may have their differences, but they are loyal and good judge of character.”

Arcanine nudged Jacq, rubbing her head against Jacq. Jacq continued to praise her as Jacq studied Arcanine. Jacq was so engrossed in the Pokémon that he didn’t notice Volo closing in on him.

Volo put a hand on Jacq’s shoulder. “You’re so sweet.”

Startled, Jacq’s face turned red. “Oh… uh… I… uh…”

“So sweet it’s downright adorable.” Hands clamped on the sides of Jacq’s face. “Although, I think your assessment on Alolan Meowth is a little faulty.”

“Oh?”

“They aren’t the only ones who enjoy a little sweet treat.”

Jacq’s head tilted slightly, curious. Before he could inquire about it, he was brought in for a kiss. His eyes widened as his arms floated to his side. When he released Jacq, one of Volo’s hands held the back of Jacq’s head as the other wrapped around his waist. He snickered as Jacq was speechless and red in the face.

“I think you can be trusted. Maybe.”

Pulling Jacq back, he hugged him. Lost in thought, Volo mentally noted how naïve Jacq. How easy to use he could be. But if Arcanine was willing to trust him, maybe, just maybe, Jacq could be trusted.

[taintedbenevolence]

Enough is enough | Ft. Volo ( CONTAINS MAJOR [ PLA ] SPOILERS )

Theme: Volo has betrayed you, and you frankly don't give a shit about what he could possibly say to try and heal you anymore. You're far too broken to care. Category: Short drabble; Angst

Warnings - Use of profanities

"You betrayed me."

Your eyes are dull, with a small, faint, but dampened glimmer of light. Smears of dirt and rubble have left you bruised and cut, the last fight having exhausted you. The words leave your mouth but hold no weight, only a numbed pain.

The blonde merchant in front of you sighs, his eyes half-lidded. "You almost sound like you care about me," he replies, laughing bitterly. But you don't respond. You blink absentmindedly.

Volo's comment ends in an awkward laugh as he simply stares at you, a dead look on your face planted as you stare. "...I did," you murmured, hissing in pain as the blood continued to trickle down your knees. "And this.. is the thanks I get."

The blonde purses his lips, unsure what to say for a second, before taking a deep breath. "I never asked to be loved," he started, a pang of pain within you resonating. "I only sought out that which Arceus would bestow upon this miserable world."

"And you indeed were the key," he continued. "I can thank you for that, Y/N." His smile brought nothing but hatred and rage that slowly bubbled up inside of you. "You truly made things so much easier." His face then contorted to one of desperation and anger.

"I'd prayed to that thing," he spat with a smile. "I'd prayed and prayed a thousand times over for my entire life, devoted like a priest of high honor, wasting away what I could've used to gain power and trust, only for you to fall out of the goddamn sky and be showered in praise by the almighty himself. I was left behind." He stared at you with a crazed face, but you weren't fazed. "Tell me why it had to be you!" he screamed. "Of all people, why were you the wanted child?! What'd Arceus see in a pathetic shit like you?!"

Your hues gained color as you grit your teeth, clenching your fist. "Oh, I would love to know," you spat. "I would love to know why the fuck I was put up for this, why I was taken away from everything I love, why I was stripped from everything and everyone I knew and cared about, why I had to deal with your bullshit when it wasn't even my fucking problem in the first place!" You glared at the blonde who swallowed hard, maintaining his angered stare.

"I'm sick of this long, drawn-on-out parody called life," you spat. "You used me, gave me hope, and then brought me to this because of some stupid plates? I refuse to believe you think I'll grant you another chance after this." Volo groaned, looking at you.

"Listen, I—" "No."

You walked up, grabbing Volo by his collar with whatever poor strength you had left. "I want you to listen to me, for the first time in a long time." The blonde stared in silence, allowing you to continue. "In what distant, dastardly dream did you think you'd get the happy ending and play god?"

"You see the world through black-and-white colored lenses and I hate it," you said. "You tried to fucking kill me. Tell me just what part of that idea seems delightful or righteous to you." He doesn't respond, infuriating you.

"Answer me!" you scream, as you begin to choke on your tears. "Why did you have to do this to me?! What did I ever do to you?!" The blonde merchant stared, your eyes brimming with tears.

"You did nothing wrong," he whispered.

You looked into his eyes, and they seemed just as broken as yours. You'd fallen into the very same despair he had years ago. He pitied you. "I can never ask for your forgiveness. It is undeserved. But know you did nothing wrong." A bitter laugh left your lips as you cried, your face buried in the chest of the same man you swore to never talk to again.

"...You truly are incomprehensible.."

[doodlejoltik]

the unwinnable game

[~2.7k words. Read it here or on Ao3]

Zugzwang (from German 'compulsion to move'; pronounced [ˈtsuːktsvaŋ]) is a situation found in chess and other turn-based games wherein one player is put at a disadvantage because of their obligation to make a move.

Centuries after their battle atop Mt Coronet, Rei confronts Volo in a nondescript forest, somewhere on Pasio. But the answers he's seeking aren't so easily given.

aka. a continuation of that one dialogue cliffhanger in the Mysterious Stones chapter because I'm extremely normal about these two

///

“There's something you'd like to say, isn't there… Rei?”

Volo turns around and Rei musters up the bravest expression he can.

Now that he's here, he doesn't know what to say first; all his planned questions bounce around his head, clamouring for dominance. Why are you here? How? Since when? You have a Togepi and a Togekiss? Why a tournament? What do you know about the mysterious stones?

Were we ever really friends?

That is, it takes an embarrassingly long time for Rei to respond. In the end, what he says isn’t a question at all. “That Togepi in the ruins was yours.”

Volo only shrugs. He's got a languid smile on his face. “It might've been. She likes running around.”

Internally, Rei is relieved. So he hasn't been seeing things. But he doesn't let it show on his face, and crosses his arms. “Why’d you hide from everyone for months, and only show yourself now?”

“Now, I wouldn't call it hiding,” Volo replies, waving his finger. “This is a big island, and I've made a good few acquaintances here on Pasio already! Perhaps our paths simply didn't cross.”

With the number of times Rei has visited the ruins for mysterious stone research, the odds of that are vanishingly unlikely. “But why didn't you even try? It's not like I've been keeping a low profile.” Of course, the reason is probably something like I tried to end the world and it would be awkward. And that's what Rei needs Volo to say.

The Arc Phone sits heavily in his belt satchel, recording every word.

“Oh, I was just preoccupied. The ruins here are simply fascinating! Even though they're replicas, teasing apart all the ancient cultures used in their construction is such a fruitful area of study. You know me.”

Yeah, I know you. “Find anything interesting about Arceus?” Rei snarks.

“Not particularly!” Volo shakes his head, looking disappointed. Then he perks up, and continues, “Now, Dialga and Giratina however…”

“Oh?” Rei seethes quietly. Of course he had been watching. Why hadn't Giratina said anything?

“It’s curious, isn’t it, how they have seen fit to partner themselves with new wielders?” Volo smiles. “And Palkia too, I’ve heard.”

“It is interesting,” Rei forces out, adjusting his scarf. He recalls Volo's last parting line about Arceus, all those months ago. “Nice to know that they've bonded willingly with people in this time,” he says pointedly.

Ignoring Rei's tone, Volo continues, “That man, Cyrus, who controls Palkia. What a character, wouldn't you say?”

Rei has a lot of thoughts about the Sinnohans’ decision to allow Cyrus - a man who has literally tried to remake the world and not disavowed said goal - to keep the embodiment of Space with him. He'd thought Adaman and Irida had to be joking, at first. What would the Captain think if she saw what her descendant had turned the Galaxy Team into…

“I suppose you see yourself in him.” Rei says flatly.

It's only the two of them here, in the middle of a forest, in the dead of night, so Volo should have no reason to be evasive. And yet -

“Hardly,” Volo laughs off. “Intellectual curiosity, nothing more.”

This is going nowhere. Does Volo seriously think he can fool him again? Probably not - every remark is undoubtedly purposeful, but with just enough plausible deniability to appear innocent. So maybe he just wants to mess with him. Great.

A different strategy, maybe. He’ll surely make a mistake at some point if Rei keeps pushing. “This… tournament that you proposed,” Rei says. “I suppose you're participating?”

“Naturally!” Volo says cheerfully. “Battles on Pasio are done in teams, are they not? Perhaps you'd like to-”

“No.” Rei glares at him. Oh, now, that was going too far. Going to shut that line of conversation immediately.

“So hostile,” Volo sighs. “A united Hisuian contingent would've been a sight to see. Well, the clan leaders should be more receptive, at least.”

“Not if I can help it,” Rei says, crossing his arms. He’s well aware of how childish it sounds, but the thought of his friends falling for Volo’s innocent merchant act, again, is too horrible to consider. Mentally, he rapidly revises his priorities - he has to meet with Adaman and Irida as soon as possible and explain everything. Tomorrow, ideally. Does he have the energy for that? It’s something like one in the morning, right now. He's dead on his feet. But he’ll make it happen. He has to, before Volo does.

But what if he’s already too late? When had Rei last spoken to them? The dance competition, that wasn’t that long ago, right? At least a week, maybe more, his mind supplies. He'd just been so busy… and surely they would have told him if they'd met Volo.

This little anxious spiral must be evident on Rei’s face somehow, because Volo chuckles, stepping closer. “The world doesn't revolve around you, Rei. Not here.”

“You don’t get to act all high and mighty,” Rei snaps. “Not when you’re pulling everyone along on your own strings. I suppose you think you make the world go ‘round.”

But Volo has a point, no matter how much he hates to admit it. Rei’s been assuming he was someone significant to this whole saga. The appearance of the mysterious stones coincided with his and Akari’s arrival to Pasio, after all, so was he really wrong for thinking that?

And Arceus spoke to him first. That had to mean something.

“On the contrary, I simply meant that we’re all on equal ground,” Volo says. For the first time, goes unspoken.

“I’ll still beat you,” Rei vows. He’d done it before, he could do it again. No matter if he was still favoured by Arceus or not. “Because my bonds with my Pokemon, and my friends, are real. And you don’t know what that feels like.” Though intended to be a sharp jab at Volo, instead, a deep bitterness colours those final words.

Volo’s expression twists into something briefly unreadable before it settles into a polite half-smile. “You’re quick to assume the worst of me.”

“Quick?” Rei barks out a harsh laugh. “No, it was exactly the opposite.” He’d been strung along so thoroughly, accepting every strange behaviour as simply one of Volo’s little oddities. Only up at the Celestica Ruins did those allowances start to crumble – and by then, it was too late.

Volo’s look at Rei is one of intrigue. The way Rei's seen him examining ancient ruins, like he's something Volo wants to observe, or study.

And Rei has had it. Enough dancing around the subject, trying to draw it out of Volo; clearly it’s never going to happen. “Is this all just a game to you? You tried to destroy the world! You want me to think you care about anyone?”

Volo raises an eyebrow. “That's a bold claim. Surely if that had happened, it would've ended up in the history books, somewhere.”

Well – okay. The only person who knew what happened was the Professor, sort of. And Cogita. Arceus knows how she found out. But Professor Laventon didn't know half of it, even, Rei had just incoherently vented everything emotional and hurting at him, swore him to secrecy, and then hoped that he'd never have to unpack that again.

Clearly Arceus had other designs.

“We were friends.” Rei’s voice cracks a bit, there; he hates how true it is. “I thought we were friends. But you were going to kill me for standing in your way!”

Volo frowns. “Now, why would I do that?” He takes a few paces towards Rei and smiles, purposefully, grin stretching tight across his face. “I wouldn't want to lose my favourite customer, after all!”

Stumbling backwards to regain the distance, Rei exclaims, “I’ve bought maybe one thing from you. Stop calling me that!”

“Recipient of free samples, semantics,” Volo shrugs, entirely unaffected, and Rei wars with the competing urges to punch him or bolt into the treeline.

“Play dumb all you want,” Rei hisses, “but you’ve already shown your hand. I could tell them everything. You won’t be able to fool anyone ever again.” Least of all me.

Volo tilts his head with a smirk. “Well then, why are you here?” he asks, calling Rei’s bluff.

And though he can’t know that the Arc Phone is listening in Rei’s satchel, Rei realises that his motivations must be laughably transparent. Maybe Volo thinks Akari, or Cynthia, is watching the whole thing from the treeline. The specifics of it don’t matter, really. Rei’s been outplayed from the very beginning.

Volo makes a little movement with his hand. There's a sudden rustle of movement behind Rei, and he whips around, hand on Decidueye's Pokeball -

But it's just Volo's Togepi, who warbles in alarm and quickly toddles past him.

“What would people rather believe in?” Volo says lightly. “The accusations of a boy who jumps at shadows?” He bends down to pick up Togepi. “Or in the innocence of their friend?”

In Volo's arms, Togepi lets out an adorable squeak.

Over the Pokeball on his belt, Rei’s hand is trembling with misfired adrenaline. He carefully drops his hand to his side and raises his head up high. “Cynthia trusts me. I’ve been here for months, and we’ve worked together on the mysterious stones since they were first found.”

“And so?” Volo shrugs. “A working relationship is hardly worth much. I thought you would've known better, with what Kamado did…”

Rei flinches.

The worst part about it all was that no matter what ulterior motives Volo might have had, back then, when he’d been thrown out into the wild with barely a few days’ worth of supplies – Volo had been there for him when nobody else was.

Volo had seen Rei fall apart and put himself back together with forced cheer. And so, he knew exactly where the cracks were, where to strike with his words to disassemble Rei all over again.

Of course Rei knows Cynthia is responsible, and smart, and has been nothing but friendly to him – but he doesn't really know her, does he? And Volo is her ancestor. Which is pretty obvious, honestly. She’d probably like him immediately.

Just like everyone else did. Including Rei.

“Besides, you're not the only one who's been making friends in high places,” Volo adds smoothly. “I’ve heard that Bettie’s word is quite well regarded.”

So now that Rei had wised up to Volo's true nature, he'd gone and found himself new people to use. “You’ve always been like this, then,” Rei huffs. None of it had been real; their entire ‘friendship’ had been predicated on Rei's usefulness. “They deserve to know the truth about you.”

“Truth? Or your own opinion?” Volo scoffs. “You think so highly of yourself, Rei, but you're not the beloved Hero of Hisui here. No…” he smiles. “You're entirely ordinary. Do remember, it was everyone in that stadium who heard Arceus' voice.”

Admittedly, that stings. He'd thought - maybe - that Arceus was finally telling him why He'd brought Rei here. What he was supposed to do in this strange new land. But he'd failed, unable to clearly hear Arceus’ voice.

Rei spares a thought for the Arc Phone, once a vessel for divine inspiration, now reduced to recording mortals’ petty feuds. His messages to Arceus have been left on read for months. He's probably allowed to be a bit petty, at this point.

Volo continues, “Imagine! Any one of us could become Arceus’ champion.” Togepi makes a little noise. “Yes, even you,” he says indulgently, lifting her up to face him, and she goes cross-eyed following his waving finger.

It's horribly cute, the sort of thing Rei would've been charmed by before. And it's clear Volo is no longer taking Rei seriously at all.

What starts out as a wavering thought suddenly asserts itself with startling clarity. “I don't need anything from you,” Rei realises. He'd told himself he was here for evidence, something concrete he could hold against Volo, and that was true. But beyond that, he'd been after something entirely more personal.

He can walk away.

“I don't need anything from you,” he repeats, with force this time.

Volo turns his attention away from Togepi, and this of all things is what finally seems to make him genuinely confused. “Leaving so soon, Rei?”

Rei doesn't elaborate. He turns on his heel to stalk through the forest back to civilisation. Now, because if he says anything more he doesn't know if he'll ever bring himself to stop. Because he's asking for something he'll never get.

Volo's saying something. He doesn't care to catch all the words, though some of it filters through - “challenge”, “tournament”, and “rivals” among them. The general shape of the message is clear. They'll meet again; Rei's powerless to stop that. But as best he can, he'll shake off whatever lingering grip Volo still has on him.

He doesn't stop walking as the trodden earth turns to paved cobbles under his feet, and he makes it all the way up his building's winding stairs to the little studio apartment that he's been given. Home, for now. Collapsing onto the lone armchair, he takes the Arc Phone out of his satchel and turns off the recording. Thank Arceus for divinely bestowed infinite storage, he supposes.

Rei knows that if he were to listen to it, there'd be nothing of use. Only hidden barbs and Rei’s own ugly, wounded anger. It feels fitting to delete it, to banish the whole encounter to memory, and perhaps eventually, less than that.

He doesn't, and instead tucks it away in a folder several layers deep.

Maybe Professor Laventon wrote about the whole disaster in his private diaries. Rei knows he has them, bless the man. He'd once stumbled into the Professor's office late at night, after an exhausting, terrifying escape from an Alpha, ready to tell Laventon off for sending him there – and startled the Professor fiercely, who quickly shut the manuscript he was writing with a blush. So even if Rei had sworn him to secrecy, he might have confided in the written word.

That's something he can set Cynthia on digging up, then. Even just the suggestion that Laventon, the First Pokemon Professor, had such personal writings, would probably send her into an unstoppable research frenzy. That much about her, at least, he knows. If it still existed in this era, Cynthia would almost certainly find it.

And maybe he doesn't need evidence. Not for the people who matter, anyway.

Akari’s only a few doors away, their apartments close neighbours just like back in Jubilife Village. If he wanted, he could wander over there once the sun rose, have her fantastic tamago rice, and tell her everything.

Is he ready to take that step into thin air? To trust that he'll be believed, in something that's infinitely more convoluted and improbable than the simple plea – “I don't know why the sky is red, it's not my fault, I only ever did what you told me to” –

Well. Volo might've been the last one to break his trust, but he was in no way the first.

Can he make good on those words that he’d levelled so confidently against Volo? That his bonds with his friends are real?

Akari had never doubted. And Adaman and Irida had gone against Kamado's will, risking the standing of their people, just to help him. He would be doing them a disservice if he didn't at least try.

And in this dangerous game, it might be the only winning move.

Even as he makes this decision, he feels the pull of sleep. It's offensively late, or early, in the morning now, depending on perspective, and all of this is Tomorrow Rei’s problem.

There's no energy left to even stumble to bed. Rei falls asleep right there in the lumpy armchair, hand loosely gripped around the Arc Phone, Adaman and Irida’s Poryphone numbers on the screen, ready and waiting.

And, though Rei will certainly wake up sore with a crick in his neck come the morning…

For the first time in a long while, his dreams are not restless.