#And I thought about how Volo might want his hands on that

[ultipoter]

Pokemon Legends Arceus fan comic, where Jirou has disappeared and Volo has complicated feelings about it. (And maybe figures out that there's a bit of a God in that little phone of Jirou's)

[cambion-companion]

Here’s ya girl who has gone completely feral over astarion. He’s the babiest baby. Okay, here’s the prompt. My characterisation could be a bit (or a lot lol) off bc I haven’t played the game Y E T so feel free to change the things that seem OOC.

Established relationship, but the beginnings of it, on a mission to find a way for astarion to be in the sun again. Reader has given astarion time to work on his sexual trauma so they haven’t been having sex for some time. Reader is 100% ok w that. But they have a big argument over something (not related to sex) and astarion doesn’t know how to resolve the situation other than reverting back to his seductive artifice and using sex as a way to ensure his safety (in this case, emotional safety). Reader figures it out because they (or she) are not dumb. They reassure astarion and he lets himself be vulnerable but also, it turns out that astarion wants that sexual intimacy. But reader decides this will be all about astarion and making him feel good and loved. Body worship, astarion’s praise kink, just everything focused on astarion’s pleasure in a way he has never experienced and that makes him completely unravel once he comes. Not a subby reader, tho. You know me, I don’t do subby.

If this is too long of a prompt, just the sexy part will be ok. Thank you so much, i have such astarion brainrot DDDD:

I Want to Live

word count: 1700

gn!reader x Astarion | Baldur's Gate 3 fanfic | 18+ only

"I don't think we should use the tadpoles for anything, Astarion." You put your hands on your hips, glaring at the sulky Elf in front of you.

This tense conversation between the two of you had gone on far longer than you'd have liked. Astarion seemed insistent on using whatever advantage the Illithids had unintentionally given your party. Despite not yet knowing the implications of doing so.

Astarion's silver hair glinted in the firelight that warmed your back, his eyes shone like droplets of blood. "You might as well leave me alone, spoilsport." He waved an imperious hand in your direction, sneering at you in the way he knew would hurt you most. "Since you insist on being boring and unimaginative."

You ground your teeth. "I'm trying to keep us safe."

"And a fine job you're doing, my sweet." His lilting voice was dripping with sarcasm. "Why don't you ask Arabella how her parents are doing?" He paused, then feigned surprise. "Oh wait..."

Your eyes widened as a jolt of genuine pain lanced through your heart at his callous words. Astarion was aiming to do damage and, like always, he knew how to push your buttons.

Magic sparked at the end of your fingertips as you fought to control your rage. It was the lack of verbal response that alerted Astarion to the fact he might have pushed a little too far with you. His face almost looked regretful for a moment, or perhaps it was a trick of the firelight casting shadows across his features. You didn't gain much insight because of the tears blurring your vision as you quickly turned away and strode as far away from the vampire spawn as you could.

Shadowheart, who always seemed to overhear everything, cast a worried glance your direction before leveling a glare on Astarion who still watched after you with a blank look.

You sat yourself upon your bedroll before the campfire and listened to Volo squeakily tune his lute. Wyll and Gale were over by their tents chatting and Lae'zel sat on a boulder by the river sharpening her sword.

You had thought Astarion would understand and perhaps even agree with you, and the rest of the camp for that matter, that the parasites should not be utilized to gain control of other beings. It was convenient and downright useful, yes...but not worth an unknown cost.

You had thought...since that night when the two of you had become intimate...that he'd maybe come to care for you. But that jab about Arabella's parents, who you'd failed to save, only confirmed that the vampire did not have your best interests at heart.

Sighing, you moved your bedroll away from its usual place beside Astarion's and arranged it next to where Karlach slept. You could feel multiple pairs of eyes watching you move about but you didn't much care at the moment.

Karlach gave you a curious and concerned look as she came over and got comfortable for the night. "Are you alright? I could hear you and Astarion going at it...and not in the fun way."

You grunted and moved your body to the side so you could scrape out a rock that had been digging into your back. "It's fine. He's just an ass." You said these words loud enough for him to hear.

Karlach shrugged and nodded as if this were common knowledge. She gave you a jolting pat on the back before getting comfortable in her own bedroll.

As the breathing patterns of your companions slowly deepened in slumber, you could not find any rest. You tossed and turned as best you could in such primitive sleeping arrangements. You missed your bed back in Baldur's Gate above the taproom of the Shadowcat Claw, the familiar bustle of voices and a mug of ale in your belly lulling you to sleep. Out in this wilderness, with the thought of your argument with Astarion tugging at your thoughts...you had to get up.

As quietly as you could, you slid out of your bedroll and got to your feet. A quick observation of your companions told you they were all in a deep sleep. All except Lae'zel who sat on the boulder still, keeping silent watch. She nodded at you curtly as you passed and didn't ask any questions, for which you were grateful.

You crept through the foliage down to the place in the forest by the river where you and Astarion had had your midnight tryst. You could still feel his moonlight hair running through your fingers, his fangs on your neck as you arched it just for him. The trust...you thought you had at least earned a little bit of his trust.

"I thought I'd find you here." His voice was velvet, it shivered straight through your defenses to your heart.

"I wanted to be alone, Astarion." You tried to keep your own voice cool and collected, but you ached to hold him in your arms again.

Astarion had followed you from the campsite into the woods. He'd been fully aware of your restlessness, of course he had. He entered your line of sight now, looking very much like a cat stalking its prey. His ruby eyes were dark and trained on your face. "Come now, you're far too obvious for all this bluster. Do you not want to feel me again?" He gave you a crooked smile, showing his teeth. "A second taste, perhaps?"

You felt the hollowness of his words and saw the carefully arranged expression he wore like a mask. Beneath the facade you could make out the telltale twitch of a facial muscle, the tenseness of his eyes, indicating anxiety.

You sighed. "I thought we were passed these games."

"Games?" Astarion's tongue flicked out to wet his lips. "Games are all part of the fun, my dear. So good at getting the blood pumping."

You folded your arms. "I want an apology."

This tripped him up. For a moment the facade slipped, and he seemed genuinely taken aback. "Apologize?" Then he was back to his usual bluster. "Me? Apologize for what?"

"For having a go at me today. Bringing up Arabella's parents when you know how upset I am about it." Astarion made a noise as if to speak but you cut across him. "That was cruel, Astarion, and I deserve better from you."

"I didn't..." Astarion sighs heavily, his eyes glancing down to the ground then back at your face. "I apologize." The words seemed to pain him in some way. "I wanted to get a rise out of you, that's all. Now let's forget about that and have some fun."

You raised an unimpressed eyebrow, saying nothing, simply watching his face lit in the silver moonlight. His unconvincing grin slowly slipped off his face, a troubled frown replacing it. The two of you looked at each other for a long moment. Finally, you spoke.

"You're testing how much I care for you, aren't you?" Your voice was soft, almost inaudible over the rippling stream.

Astarion seemed momentarily taken aback, he seemed to consider taking shelter once more behind his mask of pompous indifference. But then his shoulder's slumped slightly, the fists at his sides loosened. That was all the answer you needed.

You stepped forward and placed your hands around his, tugging him closer. He did not resist, his footfalls light as ever as he drew near. Close enough to feel his breath warm your lips.

"I care about you, Astarion." Your voice was still soft amidst the rustling leaves and sparkling water. "I discourage you from using the tadpole's powers because I couldn't bear to see your will overtaken by yet another monster."

Astarion was silent for a long time, his scarlet eyes turned silver as a moonbeam fell across his pallid face. When he spoke, his voice sounded strained. "What if it's too late for me? To be anything other than a monster? My only choice is which one." He laughs forcefully, bitterness twisting his mouth.

"I won't let that happen." You encircled him tenderly in a hug, pulling him to rest flush against your body. "We're in this...together."

"Together." The word was echoed back to you, his voice framing the syllables as if it were a foreign tongue.

You turned your face into him and kissed his neck softly, feeling his body tense in your arms and then slowly relax. You kept your lips against his skin, over where Cazador had sunk his fangs all those centuries ago.

Astarion's hands slowly slid up your hips to rest against your lower back as he held you close. Your lips caressed his neck, throat and trailed up to his jaw until you pressed a soft kiss to the corner of his mouth. "I love you." You murmured.

You felt him tense again, not pushing you away, but his hands tightened on your back. "I..." Astarion hesitated. "I'm not quite ready to say those words back to you, my dear."

"I know." You felt no anger, no hurt. You accepted him however he wished to come to you, grateful for this rare moment of vulnerability beneath the stars.

You pushed him back gently until his back made contact with the base of a large sycamore tree. A huff of air left his lungs, quickly claimed by your mouth as you kissed him hungrily this time. Your hands made quick work of his clothing and Astarion became eager to help the process along.

"Vixen." He murmured and you laughed against his lips, your tongues teasing each other.

"You're beautiful, Astarion." You held his face in your hands and kissed his mouth lightly, not allowing him to turn away even as the compliment made his eyes search yours for hints of disingenuity. "I want nothing from you in return." You said firmly, reading his emotional turmoil through your shared Illithid connection. "This is just for you." You kissed his mouth, his cheek, his forehead. "To keep."

Astarion's head fell back to rest against the tree trunk as you continued lavishing affection upon him. He moaned your name softly to the night sky as you slowly sunk to your knees before him, the dirt and rocks digging unheeded against your knees. His fingers twisted in your hair and guided you to where he wanted you most.

"Good, my love." You praised him, your words causing his body to shake with increasing pleasure. "Show me."

The night was long and full of bliss. A genuine exchange of pleasure, without the previous facades and plays at affection. You felt the change as surely as he did, and when the others awoke in the morning it was to find your bedroll pulled back right next to where Astarion lay curled against you.

~

"You owe me five gold, Shadowheart." Gale mumbled.

[djmorn]

Anniversary

A/N: Kind of a fluffy piece because I was in one of those moods, but there do be smut!

Summary: One year has passed since the defeat of the Absolute, but Tav is in no mood to take part in the festivities organised by Duke Ravengard. To avoid having to make a public appearance as is expected of the heroine of Baldur’s Gate, she steals away, seeking the peace and quiet of her homestead. Unbeknownst to her she is followed by an old friend.

Wyll had followed his father’s speech with some heartfelt words of his own. It had been clear to see that his addressing the citizens of Baldur’s Gate was important to the noble heir and it reflected in his praise of their bravery and promises of a better future. A year had passed since the defeat of the Absolute, not nearly enough time to have healed every wound, rebuilt every building or erased every memory of the losses suffered, but Wyll’s empathetic nature could at least offer some comfort. It was good to see him in action again. Her friend seemed equally talented in the art of oration as he was with the blade and Tav gladly shared in the crowds’ jubilation and applause.

After all was said and done she sought him out, wanting to give her congratulations personally. Wyll graciously thanked her with a smile but was in a hurry to get going again.

‘Maybe we’ll see each other once the proper celebration starts,’ he said. ‘There will be music, hopefully also quite a bit of dancing, and the evening is to be accompanied by fireworks.’

He further ensured Tav of Karlach’s well-being and her apologies for not being able to attend the festivities, then excused himself in turn, having to rejoin his father and indulge him some more in political discussions. Tav understood. She was proud of her friend and how much he’d grown ever since their first meeting back in the Grove. Still, it would have been nice to have someone to talk to, someone she knew.

The once tadpoled party of adventurers had since disbanded, everyone busy with their own new lives. All except her. Tav had occupied her mind and hands by helping to rebuild the city but had found no greater personal purpose for herself. All things considered she appeared to be right back at the beginning: A tadpole-free and utterly anonymous life just as it was with most other citizen of Baldur’s Gate. Well, a few more people recognised her nowadays. Some of them were currently patting her shoulder as she made her way through the crowd once more; they offered their own congratulations, followed by questions if they could expect a speech from her as well. No way, she thought to herself while smiling at them.

Tav did not tell a single soul she was in no mood to make a public appearance. The sadness of her loneliness weighted heavier than ever and her encounter with Wyll seemed to have made it all the worse.

Was she really needed here in the first place? Would anyone even notice her absence? A handful of folks might find it peculiar, but really now: Wyll was able to make up for all of them. And the former warlock himself would be busy enough with all sorts of people seeking his attention tonight. Who was there to dance with her? Or watch the fireworks with? No one really if Tav seriously thought about it. So what harm would be in instead spending the rest of the day far away from the festivities, indulging in the peace and quiet offered by her homestead? Not much really. She would be no more lonelier than here.

The crowd’s attention was drawn towards the podium again as Volo was now occupying it, and Tav took her chance and sneaked off, removing herself from the eyes of the madding crowd and any wonderment at her own, now brimming with tears.

She managed to escape notice of all but one. Against the corner of a quiet alley the devil leaned as he watched the heroine of Baldur’s Gate remove herself from any opportunity to bask in the glory and adoration of the public, leaving Raphael himself rather disappointed: Surely she would have given a more interesting speech than the sanctimonious rigmarole of the Ravengard boy. With keen eyes he watched after her disappearing figure. Was she to go home so soon? And here he had been hoping to pay her a surprise visit, for old times’ sake.

Without clear purpose Raphael followed the reluctant heroine. Maybe a more personal meeting would be preferable anyways, and he might also finally get so see how his little misadventurer lived.

He was lead towards a remoter part of the city. Tav quite obviously preferred a home as best as possible removed from the bustling streets and main gathering places, a realisation very much to his liking.

He watched her approach a multistorey house which offered a nice outlook over the Chionthar river. Good for her.

Tav did not look around before entering her home, and Raphael remained out of sight as she closed the door. He stood were he was a while longer, wondering what he was hoping to gain from an encounter with her. It was clear that the woman was of no mind to entertain the company of her fellow citizens, and he figured she would be even less keen to welcoming a devil into her need for privacy. And yet…

Having never thanked her for the delivery of the Crown weighted on his desire to appear polite and proper, always taking pride in his superior demeanour and charms compared to devil-kin and mortals alike. Raphael remembered he had even proposed a dinner to her as well as the chance to sample from his luxurious collection of wine. Better get this whole ordeal done with as promptly as possible so he could finally check off this pending arrangement. And what better opportunity than the anniversary of her triumph?

The knocking on her door was unexpected to say the least. Why was there still someone besides her not attending the celebration? Did one of her neighbours see her? And if so, why did they take her coming home earlier as an invitation to idle chit-chat and meaningless small-talk?

Nevertheless, Tav got up again with a sigh and approached the door. When she opened it she wondered for a brief moment if this whole day had not been a dream after all.

‘Raphael?’

‘Well, hero. Long time no see.’

‘Um, yes,’ she said, still astonished at the sight of the devil on her doorstep. Why had he come for her? All their dealings had been resolved to mutual satisfaction, with him the owner of an all-powerful crown to rule the Nine to his dark heart’s desires, and her… Well, she had her peaceful little life back, didn’t she? No more tadpole to complain about and a city saved. Raphael had no reason to begrudge her anything.

‘Would you like to come in?’ she asked, fully expecting him to decline. He probably had even more urgent business to attend to nowadays, following his dreams of becoming Archdevil Supreme, and would be loathe to spend any more time than necessary in the mortal realm. His call would be a quick one.

Instead he smiled at her: ‘An admirable display of manners. Thank you kindly.’ And the devil brushed passed her, entering her home.

It was a peculiar thing to have Raphael standing in her living room, taking in his surroundings, the state of her furnishings, and herself. Tav folded her hands uncomfortably.

‘Have a seat,’ she offered, trying to relieve both of them of the tension. She joined him at her small dinner table. ‘So, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit? I thought you would be busy conquering the Hells by now.’

Raphael leaned back with crossed arms, tapping his fingers on his upper arm. ‘I do not expect you to understand these things but overthrowing the Nine requires certain… preparations. And I always plan to perfection.’

How very condescending of him. Nice. Raphael seemed to have not changed a bit.

‘Nevertheless I owe you thanks for bringing me the Crown. It will be put to good use in time, rest assured.’ He started rubbing his chin in thought. ‘I realised I never showed you my gratitude in person.’

Tav shrugged. ‘We had a deal. One we both held up to. As far as I’m concerned there’s nothing left to be said. Although your courtesy is not lost, not even on me.’ Did Raphael not understand the concept of a simple thank-you card?

‘I promised you a dinner.’

‘I did not realise you were being serious about that,’ she said, eyebrows raised.

‘You wound me,’ he said, putting a hand over his chest. ‘It seems you don’t know me at all.’

She regarded him, lost in thought for a moment. Raphael was right: She didn’t know him, not truly. What was he looking to gain from this strange visit? Tav wanted to be alone, not looking to spar with the trying devil.

‘I apologise, Raphael, but I’m not in the mood today.’

‘Clearly. Seeing as you were so eager to flee the festivities, made in honour of your very triumph at that.’

‘The only person there I care about is Wyll… and Volo, I guess. Both of them have far better things to do than mingle with an old friend.’

Raphael looked at her, rubbing his hands together, a wicked smile forming at his lips. ‘Ah, I understand. You miss your friends. Neither of which have made any effort to indulge you.’

She sighed. ‘Correct. Thank you for clarifying it so sympathetically.’

‘And still you are reluctant to indulge me in turn, despite my effort in coming to your realm, spending my precious time with you.’

Was he being serious? Putting himself above her friends who had stuck with her through their adventures, the hardships and all the fighting? Although it did struck Tav like the devil had a point. Whatever his true intentions may be he did still think of her and had indeed come to make conversation.

‘So you are telling me you really just wanted to what? Visit me?’

He shrugged innocently. ‘Why not? I thought you and I had a real friendship.’ And then Raphael snapped his fingers and upon the table appeared a feast for the eyes: A bowl of grapes, both red and green, a plate displaying a finely roasted duck bedded in a field of steaming potatoes, a basket full of baked bread, and even more bowls, some with apples, some with pears, and the two shiniest and beautiful pomegranates Tav had ever seen. In front of her and Raphael two plates had materialised, accompanied by two cups ready to be filled with the wine waiting in the bottle Raphael was holding in his hands. Tav was reluctant to admit it but the wonderful sight and smell of the food made her mouth water.

‘I’m afraid that is all we have room for,’ Raphael said, smiling benevolently. He began to fill Tav’s cup. ‘For a more lavish meal you’ll have to visit my House of Hope sooner or later, little mouse.’

‘You have to be joking. This is a lot more than what I’m used to.’

The devil raised an eyebrow at her. ‘You are the hero of Baldur’s Gate. Pray tell: Why don’t you treat yourself a bit more?’

‘It is as we’ve already discussed: None of my friends are left. What is there to celebrate? We defeated the Absolute and saved the city, our one mutual goal accomplished.’ Tav averted her eyes from his and started filling her plate with food. ‘Now I have to come to terms with the fact that that was not all to be had in life. I will have to find a new quest for that.’

‘Well,’ Raphael said, raising his cup. ‘To new quests and new horizons then.’

‘Yes,’ Tav said, clinking her cup to his reluctantly. ‘And thank you… for the food and drinks.’

‘I always uphold my promises, dear,’ Raphael said as he started to cut one pomegranate and offered half of the fruit to Tav.

They had attacked their meal with fervor and started to fall into more easy conversation, reminiscing in the adventures of the past year. Tav found that talking with Raphael was a lot more pleasant than she would have thought and quietly admitted to herself that his company had turned out to be a welcome one after all.

The sun had started to set, tinting the sky outside a pink shade and from the direction of the festivities they could hear the faint sound of music rising to a pleasant volume to go with their sumptuous repast coming to an end.

Listening to the cheerful melodies being played Tav felt that she dreaded their oncoming departure and just as she’d feared Raphael started to get up, dabbing his mouth and chin with a napkin, but instead of offering his goodbye he extended his hand towards her, a sly smile on his lips. ‘Care for a dance?’

Tav had to stifle a cough. Quickly she held up her hands. ‘Oh, thank you but… I don’t… I don’t think I’m all too good at it.’

‘Well, good thing then that I am,’ the devil said, hand now reaching out to hers, taking it with insistence but also an unexpected gentleness. ‘I will lead you.’

Raphael pulled her up towards him, placing his free hand on her waist. Tav’s skin prickled at the sensation. Keeping true to his word he started leading her through the room, baby steps first until they began to fall into a pleasant rhythm befitting the music.

‘See? It is a lot easier when you have someone to guide you, little mouse.’

‘Yes,’ she admitted, her hand on his shoulder relaxing a bit.

The orchestra fell into a more mellow tune and Raphael adjusted their pace to the softer piece. It was not lost on Tav how he slowly started to pull her closer to him. Their chests were touching now and she thought he’d for sure feel the beating of her heart against him. The devil smiled at the heroine in his arms.

Eventually the music died down and their dancing with it. Soon now Tav would know loneliness again. She never wanted this night to end. But Raphael did not let go of her hand. Instead he started dragging her up the stairs, Tav following silently, letting the devil continue to lead her through her own home. Once upstairs they made their way to the balcony that offered an outlook over the city.

She could hear the crowd cheering and the first firecrackers were set off, drawing her gaze towards the spectacle, but then her face was being grabbed by a set of long elegant fingers pulling her in the direction of her infernal guest. Tav could still see the sparkle of the fireworks in Raphael’s eyes. In their dark brown depths all of the exploding colours appeared a flaming red and she found herself lost in their hellfire gavotte.

Raphael’s lips came crashing down on hers. All too willingly she let herself be engulfed by his embrace, kissing him back with fervor and her fingers roaming through his hair, eyes closed, oblivious to the sight of the lit-up night sky and never even missing it.

Once they pulled apart Raphael’s eyes locked with hers again, mirth clearly visible on his handsome features, his hand still resting on her neck, his thumb gently caressing her cheek. ‘Now I can finally start conquering the Nine.’

He pulled her back inside. Her bedroom. And onto the bed they both landed, Tav’s legs straddling the devil left and right. Their kissing turned more passionate, wilder, filled with hunger. Tav’s heart raced at the sound of Raphael’s moaning and her fingers quickly fiddled with the buttons of his doublet.

As they stripped each other’s clothes off Tav finally found her words once more: ‘I sure am glad you decided to come.’

The devil looked up at her, hair out of place and his chest heaving but the look on his face as smug as ever. ‘Oh, there will be a lot more coming tonight, my dear. Let me assure you of that.’ And his hands grabbed her rear, pressing it to his hips, the tent in his pants rubbing against her nether region. She was already mewling atop of him and quickly went to free Raphael of the rest of his clothing.

Finally their naked bodies tangled around each other and Tav stilled for a moment to take in the sight of him, the devil’s eyes looking up at her expectantly. How could she ever think to turn him away from her home? He truly was her saviour, come again to rescue her from the dull life that had started to creep into her walls, her bones, her mind. She started showering his neck in kisses, her hand roaming over his chest, fingers fondling the fluff of hair, ministrations all spent in the hope of declaring her worship to him. Eternally.

‘Ride me,’ he whispered in her ear. All too compliantly she started guiding his length towards her entrance, already leaking with want, with need. At this moment Tav was willing enough to do anything he asked of her, and still found power in the realisation that now she had become the leader to their horizontal dance.

As his hardened cock slipped inside her she was aware of the ongoing crackle of the fireworks still rocketing into the skies but it was nothing compared to the sound of rapture coming from the man beneath her.

Raphael bucked up his hips, pleading with his body for her to start moving. Following his example earlier, Tav started with a slow rhythm, sinking down on him until her hips were flush against his, his cock buried deep inside her. He groaned at the sensation of her walls engulfing him so sweetly and her name fell from his lips like a prayer as his eyes fluttered shut.

Their mutual rutting was accompanied by the explosions outside but the pair remained oblivious to the celebration, both lost in their own merriment, chasing their pleasure and getting drunk on the sounds of their fucking: The snapping of hips and the delicious squirting coming from Tav’s cunt as it slipped over Raphael’s cock again and again.

She could feel him hitting the right spot over and over and finally Tav moaned his name in ecstasy. Blind from the rush of her orgasm she barely realised that Raphael began to turn her over, climbing on top of her so she now lay beneath him. The devil wasted no time in chasing his own release and started pounding the heroine into the sheets of her bed, its frame creaking dangerously. It did not matter if they were to break it. He would have her again in his own chambers, in every room of his House of Hope and all the beds they would conquer on their way through the Hells. Together they would find their purpose.

These thoughts and the clenching of Tav’s cunt around his length finally sent Raphael over the edge in turn but he found himself unable to stop in his movements, continuing to pump his hips, filling his little conquest with cum, letting her milk her new master for all he had to give her.

Outside the fireworks died down, making way for the jubilation of the crowd, each and every citizen of Baldur’s Gate unaware that they were cheering on the coupling of a newfound hellish alliance.

[mr-jack-letterman]

I thought it would be fun to give some insight into how the circumstances detailed in Covalent Twins are effecting the characters :D.

So, here's Covalent Emmet Progress Report #1 (as I will probably end up making more of these)(maybe)

Despite popular belief, Emmet....is not doin too hot with this new situation.

The 2 years Ingo spent in Hisui were the worst years of Emmet's life. When Ingo finally returned, naturally, he was overjoyed. Hearing about what his brother faced in Hisui however....was quite concerning.

Every scar on his brother's body felt like a bullet wound to Emmet's heart. He hated seeing his brother so hurt and scared of what used to be their everyday lives. Thankfully, the amnesia almost entirely cleared up after a few months. But that didn't change the fact his brother was hurt, and there was no way for him to fix it other than supporting him the best he could.

Immediately jumping from that to their apartment being haunted by the dead ghost of Ingo from an alternate timeline made Emmet want to rip his hair out.

It's all just so unfair.

Emmet and Elesa had done nothing to deserve having Ingo torn away from them. Ingo did nothing to deserve his sudden derailment nor his treatment in Hisui, but most of all, Warden did absolutely fucking nothing to deserve being left for dead in the past by a God.

Emmet didn't care if the space-time continuum was at risk if Warden's timeline wasn't created. Emmet didn't care if Warden being sent to the future the same way Ingo was might have caused even more problems.

In Emmet's mind, there is not, and will never be, a riotous justification for Arceus leaving Warden stuck in the past. Not. One.

Not after all the pain and grief it caused Warden- his brother.

Warden is as much as Emmet's brother as Ingo is. And Emmet with never forgive Volo or Arceus for what happened to them. Not ever.

The worst part about it all is that the ones truly to blame aren't even here for Emmet to pass blame onto.

Volo is dead and gone, nobody can survive 150 years. (Unless you're Warden and live on as a ghost, of course.)

Giritina was only a tool, a terrifying and powerful tool, but still, only a tool for Volo to get what he wanted. Even through all his pain and resentment, Emmet can recognize Giritina as somewhat of a victim in all this as well.

Arceus is quite literally nothing, and also everything. Aside from pieces of Arceus (that Dawn allegedly fought and captured at one point.) Emmet would get nowhere trying to make an entire deity take responsibility.

The entire weight of Emmet's guilt, resentment, grief, and fury just sits in his hands. And with no one around to give it to, he keeps it close. Emmet blames himself.

Logically, Emmet knows it's untrue. He knows it's ridiculous. He knows he doesn't deserve any of the built up emotions he's taking out on himself, but he simply doesn't know what else to do with them all.

He knows it was all out of his control, but that alone is what makes it all so scary.

Emmet has never done well without a protocol or a script. But there is no script for this type of situation, let alone such a complex trauma. Emmet doesn't know what to do, and it seems like the only thing anyone can tell him is what not to do. Which for Emmet, isn't helpful in the slightest.

Emmet is veeeeery scared, and the total lack of proper answers and the uniqueness of his situation has only left him paranoid and flighty.

He's getting better. He will get better. The fear will slowly fade with time.

It's just gonna take a lot longer than originally expected.

[leggerefiore]

Silly little idea but what if Volo in the masters timeline meets someone who looks just like his S/O from the past

so do you mean like they were pulled through a portal or like their descendant. going for former but latter is interesting too

cw: short, pasio volo,

pairing: Volo/Reader

Many things in life made curiosity swell within Volo's mind. It was why he was often scolded by Cogita and Ginter about abandoning his duties to explore old ruins or investigate artefacts that he found lying around the region. This sense of wonder only would increase in such a land as Pasio. That portal truly had brought him to a place that seemed almost mythical in its existence. Powerful trainers abound in droves, legendaries were almost as common a sight as their regular counterparts, conspiracies, and organisations devoted to various beliefs found their way to this strange place. It was truly little wonder that Volo himself had ended up here.

His desperate prayers for a place to finally extract the will that he so desperately wished for were answered. Arceus would likely appear here sooner than one might think. All three of its creations were here, after all. In possession of trainers that he would not dare poke alone… No, Volo would have to tread these waters carefully. Rei had been pulled here, too. Foolishly, it seemed that he had not alerted anyone to the meeting they had on Mount Coronet. Volo had more than enough room to act and gather the information that he needed.

It was as he strolled through the city square, observing conversations among the people around, that one person particularly caught his eye. That hair colour reminded him of someone… He blinked as he turned to observe the person from the front. For a moment, he truly believed that his heart stopped. You…? What were you doing here? Had you pulled here? He stood stiffly as the wind blew through the area. You gazed back at him with eyes that held no strong emotion.

You… It was you, was it not? Did you not recognise him? He was not in any disguise… He was plainly himself. There were a few people who had resembled those of his time around the island, but he knew that they were entirely separate people. This person before him was without a doubt his lover, however. Too many small details aligned perfectly with his recollection of them. He swallowed. But… That Rei and Lucas… Their similarities were chief in his mind as he contemplated his thoughts. They barely had few things that separated them. Only memories.

This you… A version of you before you had fallen into Hisui. One that had no idea of the plans Volo had — One that lacked the relationship that he had with you. Part of the blond wanted to yell about how cruel the creation continuously was to him, but another knew that this situation was partly on him. He shook off whatever negative feelings wanted to consume his mind and brought his friendly smile to his lips. “Hello,” his hand waved at you, “Sorry for staring, I thought that you were someone I knew!”

Those words seemed to make whatever distress you had vanished.

Volo easily would worm his way into this you's life. He truly had been missing his partner… Perhaps, this was his wish granted again.

You, foolishly, were just happy that a handsome man clearly wanted your time and attention.

[volostogekiss]

hello… do you have any thoughts on adorably clingy Volo? Wanting so much attention and love he can’t get enough of it?

ohh that’s a good one! yes, i have some thoughts :3c

I think when you initially start showing him affection, even the smallest things, like just holding his hand or reaching up to brush some leaves out of his hair, that makes his heart warm in a way he can’t quite understand at first. I think it’s because he’s so touch-starved that he doesn’t realize how much he’d missed being comforted with the warmth of someone else’s love, so tangible and real, that he subconsciously latches onto it so so sincerely. It’s as if that will make up for all the years he’d spent alone. Oh, and I’m sure you can make up for all those years.

❥ When he’s more aware of how he feels about you, Volo eases himself into it. I think how quickly he begins truly enjoying your attention and little acts of love depends on how often you show him that affection, but once you start, he knows what it’s like, and he’ll slowly want more. It’s the small things with him at first, too: He takes your hand before you have a chance to grab his, or he straightens out the overcoat that’d bunched up near your shoulders, or he takes it upon himself to sweep away the dust on your pants. When you realize that he’s reciprocating because he wants you to give him that same attention, you really should, or the subtlest pout might show up on his lips. (And that pout becomes more obvious the longer you’re around him.)

❥ Once he’s very comfortable with your affection, he’ll just start asking you to indulge him, though. He’s kind of dramatic but only because he realizes how much you’re affecting him, and that he needs you. “My love, why don’t you kiss me? I’ve been dreadfully lonely.” Meaningful winks and wandering hands. If you tell him that you’ve literally been by his side all day, he’ll just ignore you and play silly. “Oh, it’s been so long since I’ve last hugged you!” Volo’s not asking anymore, he’ll just start doing. Sweeping you up into a hug, nuzzling into your neck, kissing your cheeks and then your lips in a surprise you won’t see coming until it happens. He really doesn’t want to let you go, and it’s a fight to get him to do anything else besides that. But who wants Volo to let them go?

❥ If you’re not paying him enough attention, and he just can’t get enough of you, Volo is certainly the type of man to not quite show or tell you directly that he’s impatient or fed up, minus the little hints you’ve probably picked up on—that slight pursing of his lips, huffing beneath his breath, or even a few mild complaints here and there. But he’ll definitely go and show you once he’s reached his limit, pressing you up somewhere and showering you in his affection. Preferably away from prying eyes, unless he’s trying to make someone jealous.

❥ Though Volo turns to mush when you treat him the same, and especially when you’re gentle with him. It’s when he least expects you to turn to him with such kindness and love that he always falls apart beneath your touch, even if he’s still standing. You know, however, the effect that you have on him. His eye is slightly glazed over, there’s that meaningful pink on his cheeks, and he’s silent for just a little too long. (It’s cute.) It happens often when you spend a quiet moment together, as if he can’t believe that you’re giving him your love. You might have to wake him up from his blissful disbelief with a reminder of how real you are—he’ll certainly appreciate that! Volo loves you a lot, and after all, he’s just terrible at letting you go.

[rurpleplayssims]

❗❗❗SPOILERS for Baldur's Gate 3 - Act 2 + Act 3 transition. ❗❗❗ I wrote another little scene between these two 🥰

"You are...exquisite."

The Emperor sounded breathless. If it had been anybody else, Rhaenyra would've interpreted his shaky tone as being turned on, but she highly doubted he'd be looking at her with such longing. She wasn't sure that mind flayers found humans attractive in the same way.

But the way he was now gazing at her, clearly stunned that she'd actually accepted the astral tadpole, made part of her react in kind, heat flashing through her.

Her companions had been vocal in their unease at partaking, but Rhaenyra didn't fear it as much as they must. Whilst she must've been vain enough to not become a full illithid, she was content to take on a partial transformation, especially if it tricked her original tadpole into not transforming properly.

Have I ever told you how breathtaking you are each time you surprise me?

She blinked once in her own surprise as she realised the Emperor was addressing her telepathically again. To add to her confusion, she felt her cheeks darken at his praise.

No, she replied tentatively. You haven't.

Rhaenyra could feel him in her head, delicately placing an image there and she saw her transformation from his own eyes, accompanied by all his feelings of surprise, pride...and arousal.

That was, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful things I've ever witnessed.

Her blush darkened and she saw how much it pleased him to see the effect of his flattery.

You don't want to admit how much you like it when I call you a tease, huh?

The phantom chuckle vibrated through their mental connection. I do not...dislike it, no.

Tease, she repeated and winked at him. Be honest though, how scary do I look?

He frowned. You do not frighten me...or rather, you don't frighten me right now.

The memory of him hunched on the ground before her, awaiting her judgement after the big reveal flashed across his mind. She tried to send a wave of comfort towards him, reminding him that she forgave the deception and understood why it was necessary.

Thank you, he said, and a wave of affection and relief permeated her mind. You...you are...I did not expect you to be so open minded.

I've seen and experienced too much in the past few weeks to be otherwise, she admitted. But no, I meant, will I alarm others? Is it obvious that I'm part-illithid?

He saw where her train of thought was going. Hmm, maybe...this might help.

The Emperor raised a large clawed hand and gestured towards her. Almost at once she felt a warmth spread through her.

"Well, would you look at that" Gale commented lightly. "He's reversed your condition!"

Rhaenyra rose an eyebrow and the Emperor scoffed lightly in her mind. The fool. I have merely placed a glamour on you. You look like your previous self, without the darkened veins and black eye.

Oh yeah, she remembered with a smirk. I only have one real eye now.

How did that come about? he asked. I distinctly remember that you had two functioning eyes and now that I inspect it closer, it's a slightly different shade to your other one.

She flushed as he leant forwards, tilting his head as he stared into her eye. Volo, he tried to remove the parasite...with an icepick.

The Emperor flinched as she recalled the sensation of her eye's hasty exit from its socket. Why did you let him do that?

I was desperate, she reminded him. I think that was before our first meeting, in the dreams. Luckily, I gained a perk with the eye he gifted me in apology, and I knew not to take the same chance with Ethel the hag.

At the words of their first meeting, she saw his memory of said meeting occur in his mind. This time, she saw it from his perspective and the thoughts around each action, word spoken. She saw how careful he’d been with each phrase, trying to read her expression and to see if she bought what he was telling her. He recalled how pleasant her voice had been and he’d been taken aback when, after taking his hand, he’d felt an electric shock go through him and how…beautiful he’d found her mind to be.

And then she saw what he'd thought of her when she disappeared, having awoken back in the real world outside of the prism. The fleeting sense of loss had touched him, and he realised, as he'd morphed back to his true form, how much meeting her had made him...happy. He remembered how he'd been surprised by the thought that he wanted to see her again, speak to her and to see the kindness shining back from her eyes. It was quickly dismissed by the reminder that he knew she'd be angry when she knew that her guardian was a mind flayer. Self-loathing filled him as he floated away, trying to forget the way she'd made him feel when she'd smiled at him.

My apologies, I... I didn't intend for you to see that. He sounded...embarrassed.

Her heart warmed at his shyness, the open vulnerability. None of it was faked and only reinforced her faith in him. Don't apologise. I had no idea I made such an impression on you.

You did, he said, a quiet fondness radiating through the bond. You still do.

She smiled, a bright wide smile at him, eyes lighting up. You are too kind to me.

No, it is you who is too kind to me. I'm...I'm not sure I deserve all of this...but I am pleased that you are who you are. I couldn't have done any of this without you. Whilst I've had partnerships in the past...none of them have been like this.

I hope that what we have is a good thing in your eyes...?

His gaze flashed to hers. You are the best ally I've ever had and...it has made me question some of my methods...I am unfamiliar with the feeling...

"Hey, you two done gazing at each other?"

Karlach's tone was amused and loud. The pair of them jumped, having forgotten their company.

This conversation is not over, she told him gently before. I'll wait until the next time we can speak freely in private.

Of course.

As he withdrew, Rhaenyra felt the echo of a hand brushing across her cheek, which tingled as if he'd touched her skin. Composing her expression as she turned to face her companions, she didn't miss the wink that the mind flayer sent her.

MASTERLIST OF BG3 PICS is here.

[r0-boat]

Can we please have some soft Bull Volo x MC plz?

Holy crap I don't think I've gotten a Volo one in a long time

Talking

Sfw

Cut for length

Bull!Volo x reader

You always find your gaze falling upon the newest member of the farm.

His long blonde hair flows in the wind as he sits alone, staring up at the sky. He always smiled when he saw you. However, his smile would instantly drop.

You've always seen him around the farm a couple times he was silver tongued pissing off whatever poor sap that came to visit the farm whenever he could as if it was an amusing game to him; however, when it came to you, he seemed distant, almost conflicted.

Now sitting up on a hill underneath a tree while you stack some hay bales to use later, you can't help but notice his eyes dropping down to the floor, poking at the ground with a stick.

Broken memories of what he could remember from his distant past. Faces of who he used to be close with now twisted unrecognizable, as they slowly slip from his hands like sand with passing day.

So engrossed in his thoughts, Volo almost didn't notice you waking up to him. His ears flick an annoyance as he feels the presence of another, only for his luck to soften when his eyes meet yours, the wet grass crunching as you sit beside him. He gives you a soft smile before asking

" Is there something I can help you with?"

"no... just thought you looked lonely."

He felt warmth in his chest. Something he hadn't felt in a long time.

"You're a strange one... not many humans like to be among monsters."

You tilt your head and confusion thinking about your boss who certainly liked monsters over people "What about Holt?"

Volo just laughed," That man... he is not human." You can help but chuckle, at the way he treats you. Yeah... he is more akin to a demon. If anything.

Volo relaxes his hands against the wet grass while he leans back looking up at the sky his tails wishing from side to side.

You remember when he first came to the farm and what your boss told you.

How he was basically a science experiment, how he was an extinct species of Bull hybrid.

" How are things on the farm? Are you doing okay, Volo?"

He looks at you then back at the clouds.

"....yeah..."

Volo look back noticing your frown, he brings his hand up to your head his finger is going through your hair.

" Worrying about a hybrid like me? You really are a strange one. Im okay."

How long has it been since he had someone worry for him?

Now he sees why you're so popular with the herd. So sweet and caring; no wonder all the other hybrids crowd around you, begging for your attention.

" You can stay if you want, dear Farmer; I don't mind if it's you."

Volo moves closer to you, his storm-gray eyes now focused on you. You smile and nod, enjoying his company, your cheeks dusted pink of how close he was to you.

Being close to you like this, he doesn't feel so alone anymore. He never recalled how full his heart felt until now.

He has never really thought about taking a human as a mate, he thought the other Bulls were out of their minds for even thinking about such a thing... But now look at how the sunlight makes your eyes sparkle like platinum. He might consider it. He knows full well how much competition he'll have when he tries to court you.

He won't give you up so easily

[henry1986]

Guiding (Gale x Tav)

This is my first ever Tumblr post after years of lurking. I wanted to format it differently, but it's been so long so I've written anything that I can't get back into my ao3 account, so here we are. (BleuHenri on there, btw. Wrote a kickass Labyrinth fanfic some years ago now).

This may be the only thing I write or share, but something in me has been longing to share fic again after so long. Had a shitty relationship that crushed my spirit so I stopped doing anything that brought me joy...you know how it be. Now I'm super happy and adjusted to life and letting my old self come back.

The TLDR: Random oneshot about Gale and my named Tav (Fits) from Baldur's Gate because this game is insanely amazing and I fucking love Gale and I love my little oc Fits (urchin tiefling druid who named himself 'Fits' with an s because he just wants to belong).

Summary: Fits doesn't do well with the unknown. So being blinded by a spell in the middle of a battle is not his ideal situation. Cue panic attack, and cue the voice of a certain adorable wizard he's been flirting with for weeks now. Gale to the rescue!

Story Below:

It’s all fun and games until someone loses an eye. Dry and rot, what he wouldn’t give to be a child once more, laughing off his mother’s cautions with the arrogance of youth. His current situation is neither fun nor remotely game-like, so it seems unfair that he still has to suffer the drawbacks. Today one of Fits’ few childhood memories has come back to bite him in the tail.

                He’s probably going to murder Volo if they make it out of this mess.

But who is more the fool, he wonders briefly, the one with the ice pick or the one offering himself up like needlepoint? Either way he knows it’s not fair to blame the bard. Mistakes have been made, his party has been ambushed by bandits, and now he can’t see a godsdamned thing, false eye or no. Where just minutes ago his sharp tiefling vision would catch movement in any shadow, now he sees nothing but black. And what’s worse, his companions seem not to have noticed. Well, that’s his fault for breaking formation and getting separated. Stupid, stubborn rock that he is. And now that stubbornness has cost him his sight – possibly even his life.

The sounds of the battle thrash his ears, now sensitive in compensation. Somewhere to the left Karlach’s grunts mix with the dull thud of hammer on shield. The bandits shriek and curse and scream and…gargle? Perhaps that one has just met Astarion’s fangs. It would serve them right for thinking to rob a half-starved group of exhausted travellers. The thought of Gale’s stew simmering back at camp has been on everyone’s minds during the long trek back. To be delayed further has no doubt pissed them off to no end.

                “Desperados and cutthroats I don’t mind, but why did we have to find the only bandits clever enough to find a mage to fight for them?” Karlach had lamented as their attackers had unleashed their secret weapon. Gale had snorted, deriding the man in torn robes as nothing more than a charlatan with a few spell scrolls on hand.

The origin of the magic is a moot point – it hasn’t made Fits any less blind. And now he’s wondering if he should call for help, or if that will alert nearby enemies, and just what is he supposed to do? His mouth is dry as a creek bed in summer. His tail flicks an anxious metronome. The not knowing has always been his undoing. Fits is no stranger to pain and loss, same as many others. If there’s a burden that needs shouldering, he’ll take the weight with few complaints. But the not knowing…the archer he’d seen earlier might still be perched atop that rocky outcrop, not yet aware of his advantage on the blinded druid. Or he might already know, and there are precious few seconds left to find shelter. He might be knocking a fresh arrow right now, as Fits stumbles backwards over a rock and hits the ground. He might be lining him up in his sights as Fits grasps desperately around for anything to use as a shield, for a tree to hide behind, for his dropped staff or –

                ­­He’s a child again, youthful arrogance snuffed to embers, no longer lucky enough to have parents to caution him. The streets are filthy and bustling, danger lurking in the shadows. He’s small, so small in this big city with no idea of where to go or around which corner the next beating will take place –

                 Sounds blur into a single crushing weight, ringing in his ears. His breathing is fast as a swallow bursting from its nest, like a thousand swallows in a thousand nests trying to fly free all at the same time. Usually so dextrous, his stiff hands curl in on themselves like gnarled trees aged by time. Hopelessly he drags one numb hand across his face, risking damage to his good eye by rubbing at it so viciously, desperate to make it see, please just see…

                Someone’s gentle hand stills his movements.

                “Come on now, no need for that. Just breathe,” someone says, prying fingers away from his face. And then three words to change everything: “I’ve got you.”

The voice is fixed with the luxury of knowing – of always knowing – and tempered by reassurance. It’s so familiar his heart leaps into his throat. Relief douses his panic so violently it’s difficult not to collapse with the intensity of it. The city streets and their thugs are cast out of mind, thrown back to the recesses of memory to haunt another day. “Gale. I...my – eyes.” The words won’t come. They’re still struggling against the tide of his laboured breathing. Through the numbness in his hands he feels the barest hint of warmth; Gale’s fingers do not stray from his, lending him strength.

“Ah, so your hearing is still keen as ever, good to know. Though how you can hear anything over the utter racket Karlach is making, I don’t know. Honestly, get between a barbarian and her next meal and may the gods protect you…”

                Fits doesn’t hear the rest of the wizard’s rambling. I’ve got you. Has anyone ever said that to him in his life? Surely his parents must have at some point. There must have been a moment where he existed not as an urchin to be kicked but as a child that belonged to someone. If ever that time was, he doesn’t recall it. I’ve got you. It’s difficult with legs that feel like dead weight but he manages to climb to his feet and throw his arms around Gale. Grace is not his strong point in this moment. Gale catches him with a gently breathed ‘ooph’ as Fits bumps into different bits of him all at once.

Everything is intensified in his blindness: the pressure of Gale’s hands slipping around his waist to keep them upright, the pulsing scent of their mingled sweat and the tang of blood that speaks of fresh injury. “You’re hurt.” His fingers stumble along Gale’s arm and find a tear in the fabric. The skin beneath is slick with blood, coating his gently probing fingers.

                “How in the hells did you know that? You’re blinder than the proverbial bat.” Gale sounds as if he’s trying very hard to sound amused. Fits hasn’t missed the sharp breaths that begin and end his question, a parenthesis of doubt.

                “Your blood…smells strange. Different.” He inhales both to calm himself and to further investigate Gale’s scent. Fascinating.

                “Ah. That would be the orb’s influence. Let me assure you, in normal circumstances my blood is indistinguishable from any others’. I’m sorry if the odour offends your sensitive nose.”

                “I said it was different, not bad.” The sounds of the fight flicker and die for the briefest moment as they stand together. Gale’s hands flutter around his back before settling on a place below his shoulder blades. His fingertips meet at the spine and stay there with gentle pressure. So decisive. He wonders if the man has ever been unsure of anything in his life. What that must feel like… “I didn’t think anyone saw me go down,” Fits murmurs against the starched collar of Gale’s robes. The smell of him is grounding, chasing away his panic. “I cursed my own stupidity for straying so far off.”

                “Yes – well. I admit I did question the intelligence of your decision to pursue that ‘mage’ –” he spits the word out with scorn – “On your own. And good thing I kept an eye out for you, too. I saw the spell hit you and I thought...” His voice lilts with care, stepping over the words as though they themselves are creatures to be soothed. “I know you don’t do well with the unknown. I didn’t think you’d much care for blindness.”

                Fits’ anxiety has become no secret to the wizard in the last few weeks. He’s never been more grateful to have such a confidant. Especially when a hail of somethings whizz right by, spraying around them like deadly rain, and he feels the warmth of Gale’s magic envelop them both in a shield. It’s like stepping into honeyed sunlight from a cool spring shadow. His skin prickles. He can feel it even after they’ve stepped apart. Gale’s magic always feels so different to his own.

                “Will you two stop flirting for one gods-damned minute and do something useful?!”

                Fits winces at Astarion’s tone. Usually, the elf takes great delight in watching the two of them dance awkwardly around each other. Apparently his patience only stretches so far on long days. Fits shakes the moment off, refusing to imagine a lovely blush on Gale’s cheeks when he hears the man cough pointedly. It’s difficult to focus with nothing to visually keep his attention, but he figures they should probably start helping.

“I don’t suppose you could be my seeing-eye wizard until this spell wears off?” he asks lightly, amazed at the recovery of his confidence.

                “It would be my absolute pleasure,” Gale replies.

Fits can hear the curved edges of his smile. When they clasp hands, it feels as if for the first time – every ridge and dip of Gale’s palm is treasured new information. He catalogues the placement of each ring on the man’s fingers, evaluates the silver clang of them against his own single allowance of metal: his mother’s ring. Their hands sway as Gale swoops down momentarily with a soft grunt – his knees often protest such actions – and then he returns the precious weight of Fits’ staff to his free hand. With that the last of his anxiety pools to dull thunder in the back of his head, and they get to work.

When the last bandit collapses to the ground a short time later, Karlach’s triumphant call for dinner is echoed back by all. They trudge back to camp, tired but enthusiastic. Astarion asks if there’s any of that half-decent wine still left. Usually this leads to a quick but snarky conversation between him and Gale. ‘If you took any interest in maintaining the camp supplies, you’d know the answer to that.’ ‘But you do such a fine job of it darling, I’d simply mess it up if I tried to help.’ ‘That sounds awfully familiar to your arguments against chopping firewood and washing dishes.’ ‘But true nonetheless.’  They say no such things tonight. Gale’s thumb brushes Fits’ and he tells Astarion in a distracted voice that yes there might be some left, certainly, he’d have a look.

They find a comfortable alignment on the path back, Fits trusting the wizard to guide him. Each time the party changes direction or pauses to scout, Gale murmurs a soft instruction. It’s an experience that would have been terrifying for him at most other times in his life. He’s never completely given himself over to the care of someone else, let alone someone he’s known so short a time. But Gale is different. They’ve been friends from the moment Fits pulled him out of that portal. And now…well, Gale warns him about rocks in the path and at one point helps him climb a fallen log. The sensation of straddling the tree with Gale’s voice so close in his ear – “That’s it, up you go, just like that –” does things to his insides that are better left for late night contemplation.

Eventually his vision returns, the comforting greens of nature a welcome sight, Lae’zel’s torchlight too bright for his sensitive eye - the one that hasn't been gouged out by an ice pick. Yet for all his relief he somehow feels a pang of loss, like the unravelling of a well-kept secret between two people. So as his eyes readjust Fits says nothing, enjoying the feel of Gale’s fingers jostling his in their loose grip, walking along in silence. If Gale notices at some point the druid’s steps become more confident, his pace not at all like that of a man still blinded…well. He doesn’t say anything, and they don’t stop holding hands the whole way back to camp.

[terrible-eel]

Thank you @piipaw for tagging me! Here's a game to show off your Tav, feel free to reblog and add your own or take the layout to make your own! I have a million ideas for my guy so I'm so glad I have somewhere to put a few. (Also feel free to ask me questions if you're curious, my dms are always open)

Althea|| Drow || Druid || He/it || 127

What’s your Tav’s…

Favorite weapon: Whips. When in the Underdark Althea whips were his weapon of choice. Once Althea learned how to wield magic through the Old Faith, he grew a thorny vine and nurtured it to maturity before taking a piece for his thorn whip.

Style of Combat: Althea is used to guerrilla warfare from fighting the Loth Drow, but he prefers direct confrontations, taking wildshape and eating whoever’s in front of him.

Most prized possession: He doesn’t care much for material things so he just gives everything he finds to everyone else. He does feel accomplished seeing his companions in the things he gives them though.

Deepest desire: Althea had broken away from the Underdark and traveled alone for so long that he hadn’t given it much thought until he began to get to know everyone. Now he wants to make sure his companions are free.

Guilty pleasure: He makes a terrible Druid by most Druid standards. He’s a complete hedonist and does whatever he wants,( drinks, fucks, fights etc.) feeling that following his own base nature is true worship. He doesn’t care about any gods and has no illusions about “harmony” not implying “savagery” in some ways because everything has to eat and exists on a food chain. (That being said, he hates cruelty)

Best-kept secret: His entire past is a secret. He still has family in the Underdark who chose to remain there. He’d die before revealing anything about them.

Greatest strength: Althea’s sense of fear might be a little broken. It’s not quite bravery so much as an absence of caution, which can be great in combat but might not be so good a trait in a leader.

Fatal Flaw: He falls into caretaking everyone before realizing it. He had left his responsibilities once before, thinking he’d stay independent, but now he can’t help but pick up strays and aid every person who asks, just because he feels like he can.

Favorite Smell: Amber and cloves *wink*

Favorite spell or cantrip: Wildshape. 100%. Learning that specific magic was really the first time he felt free.

Pet Peeve: Volo. The entire man.

Bad Habit: Althea doesn’t enjoy doing one thing for too long. He lacks followthrough with a lot of plans and will just think “Bored now” and find a way out of a situation if it becomes too tedious, even if it means killing someone he had built trust with.

Hidden Talent: The man could command a small army pretty successfully if needed. He has the experience. Not his proudest talent, but it’s there.

Leisure activity: Althea will gamble any chance he gets. Gold is for gambling as far as he’s concerned. Dice, cards, tests of strength. He loves watching people play games more than he cares about winning.

Favorite drink: At some point Gale makes him a cup of sipping chocolate and his life is changed forever. He lurks around when he sees Gale cooking, hoping to get another cup.

Comfort food: Any kind of roast with potatoes and carrots. He loves to eat anything he can get his hands on but roasts are nostalgic.

Favorite person: Aside from his dog and owlbear friends, he’s growing very close to Gale and maybe falling for Astarion.

Favorite display of affection, (Platonic and/or Romantic): Romantic: Althea loves directness and straightforward honesty, but Astarion’s complicated combinations of flirtations and confessions has him fixated. He wants to take Astarion stargazing and let him calm down. Platonic: Gale’s sharing of knowledge is his favorite form of friendship. He’s never bored with what Gale has to say. He wants to show Gale all the secret little magics he’s learned living in the woods. How even smaller mushrooms can reveal secrets, or how bird eggs hold life-lines like the palms of one's hands.

Fondest childhood memory: Building little forts between giant mushrooms with his siblings and pretending they had a little house together.

@basuralindo And anyone else who plays Bg3!

[archersxartxblog]

Master post

finally got this one done, might as well post it today.

Chapter 26

Math

Why the heck did it have to be math?

Akari sighed as she paced back and forth, running over Unxie's question with her mind in an attempt to find the answer. 

" Combee, Zubat,Unown, Magneton, Dusclops, how many are their eyes? Tell me one by one but all at once."

Okay, so it wasn't technically a math quiz, but she was guessing that Unxie wanted her to figure out how many eyes each pokemon had and then condense it into a single number.

At least that's what she hoped Unxie wanted. 

Behind her the twins sat against the wall with Irida, safe and sound, chatting quietly with each other and sometimes their clan leader. 

Lampent floating casually through the air near the three. A precautions made Lil Ingo with the hopes that she could keep any psychic intrusion at bay. Given what happened at the last two lakes. 

Luckily, Unxie didn't seem to be up to such shenanigans. And Akari wasn't about to tell him that Lampent might not be able to do much against the power of one of the lake guardians. If having the ghost out of her pokeball made him feel safe she wasn't about to take that from him.

She couldn't help but notice the large gap between those of the Pearl clan and Volo. But really she thought nothing of it. Ingo and Emmet weren't really outgoing individuals, at least not with anyone new. Ingo tended to be quite shy until you got to know him, and Emmet wasn't really a big talker. top that off with all the nonsense happening at the moment on top of that and Akari could understand we the two hadn't been overly friendly towards the merchant.

As for Irida, well she was the leader of the Pearl clan, so anyone who made members of her clan feel uncomfortable would no doubt rub her the wrong way as well.

But with any luck, once all this was solved, proper introductions could be made and twins could warm up to Volo the way she had.

That being said…

This would all be solved a lot faster, if she could ask for a bit of help.

But alas… Unxie had made its point very clear that this challenge was for her and her alone. The pokemon even went so far as to put up a soundproof barrier around the two of them.

Now how many eyes did a combee have? Most pokemon only had two, but then again, combee had three heads. So was it two to each head? So that would be six, right?

And what about Zubat? Did they even have eyes? She honestly wasn't sure, she'd never really looked that hard. Maybe she could check her pokedex ?

And a Magneton? They had one eye right? No, wait, that wasn't that magnemite? She hadn't even seen a magnemite since she got here, at least not outside Ingo's team. Magneton was the three magnemites stuck together, right?

Unown and Dusclops were easy at least. They both only had one eye each.

"Are you ready to answer?" The lake guardian asked, and Akari was positive that the lake guardian was staring down at her through its closed eyelids. 

Was she…

"Yes," She nodded, taking a deep breath.

She wasn't going to be able to fix anything if she stayed here second-guessing herself.

Akari just hoped that her answer was right.

"Your answer then…"

"It's…"

—

"Why didn't you wanna catch the Alpha Zoroark?" Ingo asked as he leaned against the wall of the cave, watching as Akari paced back and forth deep in thought on the other side of Unxie's barrier. 

His brother sat next to him with a deep pout on his face as he turned the empty pokeball around in his hands.

"That big Zoroark would have made a great part of your team." He continued, glancing over at his twin. "You would have been the first one of us to catch and train an Alpha. And there's no way it would run away on you."

"Yeah, but…" Emmet sighed, his eyes locked on the handmade ball in his hands. "It's not my Zoroark… and I want my Zoroark."

Guess he couldn't really argue with that logic. 

Ingo probably wouldn't be too keen on just catching a replacement to one of his pokemon, even if it would be cool to have an Alpha as part of their team.

"To think your father lets you near a Zoroark. He, out of everyone, should know how dangerous they are." Ingo heard Lady Irida mutter from the otherside of his brother. Less than happy about the topic of discussion. "A Gyarados and now a Zoroark, maybe I should have a talk with your father about what kind of pokemon are appropriate for children."

Right, while Lady Irida had talked a big game about Ingo's Gyarados, the moment she had been confronted with actually interacting with the pokemon her resolve started to fade. Emmet had never been fond of flying but it had been Lady Irida who had been the quickest to get off Gyarados's back.

She had been even less pleased to learn about Emmet’s Zoroark.

“There are much more dangerous Pokemon at our Uncle’s house. Yep! He trains dragon types, wrestles them too.” Emmet chipped in, a slight smile returning to his face, and Ingo couldn’t help but feel homesick once again at the mention of his uncle.

“That doesn’t exactly make me feel better.” Irida sighed leaning back against the walls. “Since you both have a strange form of Pokeball, I assume you have them back in your homeland. So I am guessing your Uncle does not just let these dragons roam your home so freely, would that be correct?” she asked before muttering quietly something along the lines of ‘Almighty Sinnoh forgive me, for I am starting to see use behind these devices’.

Ingo hummed a bit in thought. It felt like it had been almost a year since he and his brother had been at his Uncle’s place even if it had only been a couple of months. Uncle Drayden was probably really worried about them. 

“Yeah, sometimes. Larger ones, and new catches mostly.” He answered with a simple shrug, remembering how their Uncle allowed his partners and new hatches to wander the halls of his house. while fresh catches and newly evolved Dragon Pokemon were kept in Pokeballs and were only allowed out in the yard until they were trained up. He missed being Woken up by Axew crawling into bed with him, and seeing his Uncle spare with his Flygon out in the yard. “Dragon Pokemon can be like big Growlithes when they're trained right.”

“I guess that makes sense, though it would be better not to interact with such dangerous creatures to begin with and just let them be, in my opinion.” Lady Irida shook her head, looking down at Emmet’s belt. “But if interacting and bonding with such dangerous pokemon is normal where you are from I suppose the use of Pokeballs would come in handy, especially  for children.” 

she paused and hummed a bit in thought, as she reached down and plucked Elektrik’s ball from his brother’s belt, causing Emmet to squawk in protest. “Though these contraptions seem to be much sturdier than those used by the Galaxy Team.” she turned the ball over in her hand, running her hands over the smooth surface. “But it does seem very resource intensive, they must be quite expensive to make.” She handed the ball back to his twin. 

“Expensive? They only cost 200 poke-Ow! Ingo!”

It was a bit of a knee-jerk reaction, roughly digging his elbow into his brother’s side. But it was the only thing Ingo could think to do to get Emmet to stop talking.

“Y-yeah! They're really Expensive to make… reason why Trainers-ah- Pokemon wielders in Unova only tend to have one. Unless they take the path of the Dragon master…” It was probably his worst lie yet. 

Even Emmet was giving him a look that said ‘what the heck are you talking about’.

but he panicked, forgetting all the history lessons both school and his Uncle had drilled into his head. So he just made something up. 

It was better than hinting they might be from the future, right? Sure they had not been that careful before, and really it was only a working theory currently, but there was no reason they couldn’t be watching their wording from here on out.

And if a normal Pokeball from their time looked resource intensive to someone in Hisui then it was probably best to play into that scarcity…right? 

Even if most kids their age could probably get about five of them with a week's worth of allowance down at the local Pokemart.

“Ah, yes. That would make sense." Irida smiled, giving a slight nod. Effectively turning Emmet's disbelieving look on to her.

Ingo couldn't believe it either…she actually bought that.

"Perhaps, should your Uncle travel to Hisui, you can give him the recipe for The Galaxy team's pokeballs to take back with him." She continued, seemingly oblivious to the twin's befuddlement. "I am sure he would find them much more cost-effective for pokemon like Litwick and Tynamo. Your father has seemed to take a shine to them, much to my displeasure."

"Ye-yeah…I-I'm sure he would like th-that…" Ingo stuttered trying to ignore the fact that it would very much be unlikely that their uncle even could travel to hisui, unless there was some major rip in reality in chargestone cave. 

He also didn't like the implication that if by some chance their Uncle did come to Hisui, that they wouldn't be returning with.

But before either he or Emmet could even reply, the odd yellowish glow of the barrier started to noticeably fade, as Akari started to make her way towards them.

"Akari!" Ingo yelled, wincing slightly as his voice cracked with the volume. 

It wasn't like he was excited to get away from this conversation or anything. No, not at all. They had a job to do, and a world that needed saving…yeah that was it.

"Did you get the last piece?" He cracked, standing up and running over to the teen, his brother in tow.

"Yep!" Akari answered, holding up her prize, which was some kind of claw. "So this is the last piece we need." She smiled as she put the claw into her satchel. "Now we can form the Red Chain and close the rift and everything can go back to normal.

how a plume, a fang and a claw were going to form a chain that was capable of closing the rift was beyond Ingo. But he wasn't about to question it if it worked.

"Now, all we have to do is head to the Shrouded Ruins in the Mirelands."

Ingo nearly jumped out of his skin as the merchant spoke up. He had completely forgotten Volo was with them.

"Then let's hurry." Akari nodded, jogging towards the exit, with Irida and Volo in tow.

Ingo had just been about to follow them, recalling Lampent back into her ball, when Emmet suddenly punched him hard in the shoulder.

"Ow! Emmet?!"

"That was for elbowing me in the ribs." Emmet shot back with a frown causing the two to look indistinguishable from each other briefly. "That really hurt, Ingo!"

"I know, I know. I panicked!" Ingo replied, rubbing his sore arm. "But we shouldn't talk about stuff from home with people here."

"Why not?"

"Cause…um…" He didn't know how far the others were or how far his voice might travel through the tunnel. "Remember that thing I mentioned back at Lake Verity? When we were looking for the entrance to the cave."

His brother hummed, bringing a finger to his chin as he tilted his head in thought. "The only thing you told me was…you figured out where we really are, yep, but you wouldn't say any more. You said you'd tell me later."

Oh, right… 

Guess he forgot to tell Emmet…

He’d been so worried about other stuff that he had completely brushed it off.

Passing out at the first Lake probably didn’t help matters either.

“So is it later?” Emmet asked, giving him an expectant look.

“Y-yeah… ah…” Ingo paused trying to get his words together. “ I think…Okay…maybe it’s still just…um…a theory…but I think…we’re in…Sinnoh?”

“What?!”

“I mean it.” Ingo pushed, starting to pace back and forth. “Think about it, Emmet. Lake Verity,Lake Valor, and Lake Acuity. The Lake Guardians, Mesprit, Azelf, and Unxie.Mt Coronet!” he rounds on his brother. “What other region do you know of that has all of that!”

Emmet was slightly taken aback by this, his eyes darting back and forth from his twin to the interior of the cave. “But Sinnoh has cities, maybe not as many as Unova. They have Gyms and a Pokemon League. Hisui does not.”

“Okay, yeah, that’s true…But…” Dragons, his brother is probably going to think he’s going insane. “A-and, please, just trust me on this, but I think Hisui might be some kind of ancient version of Sinn-”

“Hey! What are you kids talking about?!” 

Ingo’s jaw snapped shut quickly, making him wince as he felt his teeth click together, and Emmet swung around in surprise only to see the merchant walking towards them.

Was there no privacy in this cave?

"I was just telling Emmet, that they would probably hear me down in the Pearl clan settlement if I screamed right now." Ingo replied quickly, forcing himself to meet Volo's eye, as he moved closer to his twin. "Wanna find out if I'm right?"

Ingo held the merchant's gaze for as long as he could, thankful for once that his face wasn't as expressive as his brother’s.

He was fine.

 He and his brother were safe. 

Volo couldn't hurt them. 

Lady Irida and Akari were just outside of the cave, all he had to do was scream and they would come running.

To Ingo's surprise Volo was the first one to look away, closing his eyes and giving a little shrug and a smile Ingo almost thought looked genuine.

 "If your vocal range is as loud as Akari says it is, then I think they'd probably hear you all the way in Jubilife village." Merchant laughed, throwing the boy off by how casual it came off. "But maybe we can test that later." He turned away, motioning for the twins to follow him. "Common, Akari's waiting on you two."

Ingo could feel his brother shift uncomfortably behind him, as he kept his eyes locked on the merchant's back. Trying to figure out what it was Volo had planned.

“You two coming?” Volo paused in his step when the twins didn’t immediately start to follow him. 

His fingers tighten around Lampent's pokeball. 

The last thing Ingo wanted to do was to follow Volo anywhere. 

In fact he would have preferred if the Merchant just left him and his brother alone so he could continue talking to his brother in private.

But…Volo had a point.

Akari was waiting for them.

Besides, Ingo wasn't fond of being trapped in a dead-end cave with only one exit. It didn't turn out so well for them last time. even if Volo did leave them alone, that strange pokemon from before could be lurking anywhere.

So, he carefully took his brother’s hand and hurried towards the exit with Volo.

"There you two are." Akari greeted them as they finally exited the cave. "I was starting to think another space-time rift took you away."

"Nope. Still here." Emmet stated, rushing forward toward the teen, dragging his brother behind him as he put some more distance between them and Volo.

"So, we're heading to the Shrouded Ruins to forge the Red Chain." Volo stepped forward with a smile. "That will be quite the trip back to the Mirelands." He glanced towards the twins before turning his attention to Lady Irida. "I assume you and the twins will be taking Gyarados once more."

Almost without thinking, Ingo reached for Gyarados's pokeball, barely noticing how white lady Irida got.

“No!”

Ingo nearly dropped his pokeball, as all eyes suddenly turned to Irida after that outburst.

"I mean" She coughed into her hand trying to compose herself once more. "The journey to the Icelands was no doubt quite long and tiresome. I would hate to impose once more on one of Almighty Sinnoh's… mighty… children, once more before they have had a proper rest." She explained, head held high in an attempt not to look anyone in the eye. "Akari, would you mind summoning both Lord Wyrdeer and Lord Ursaluna."

"Sure, but what's your idea Lady Irida?" Akari asked.

"Well, since one of the twins will eventually be trained to take their father’s place as Warden." Irida reached behind her back and pulled out the flute she had kept tied in her bow. "What better time to start that training than now." She smiled and held the flute out towards the two brothers.

—

The sound of distant flute playing flowed on the wind, causing Lady Sneasler’s to halt her step and look over towards her Warden.

That call, she knew it well…

It was the summoning tune the Wardens and Akari used to call on the nobles. And though it had not been directed at her, it still got her attention.

That sound, and the heart it belonged to, she knew it well.

It belonged to her Warden, who was only a few feet from her, crouched low in the bushes as he watched two Galaxy team grunts set up camp.

It sound was wobbly, and slightly off key, and nowhere near are loud, sounding alot like it had when Ingo had first started as Warden. 

But it was undoubtedly his call.

Slowly she walked over to him, and gave him a small nudge with her claw. She was almost positive that it was truly her Warden, his small was correct, but she just wanted to make sure. 

It would not be the first time that young Emmet’s Zoroark tried to pull the wool over her eyes.

“My Lady, please” Her Warden whispered, pushing her claw away gently, his eyes lingering on the grunts before looking up at her. “We must tread carefully, or risk being caught.”

So, she was correct. Her Warden was right here.

Then why was she hearing his call somewhere out towards the icelands?

She listened once more, trying to see if she could hear the call once more, but sadly all she could hear was the sounds coming from the rift. Maybe the call had come from the rift to begin with?

Suddenly her Warden ducked lower into the bushes, and the horrible sound of clanking metal could be heard approaching the camp.

Sneasler quickly ducked down next to her Warden, her eyes narrowing as she saw a tall human adorned in metal plates walking towards the camp. His human face fur and stern look reminded her slightly of an Abomasnow.

“Commander!” a pair of grunts called as they ran towards the man. 

“We have secured the campgrounds as well as the path to the tunnel leading to the summit.” 

“Beni is currently setting up supplies further up in cave”

“Good,” the human in metal nodded. “Once everyone is ready, we’ll will being our final push towards the summit.”

“Right!” one of the grunts brought a hand to their forehead before quickly removing it and running off. 

But the other remained behind.

“Is there something else you wish to add?” the armored human, the commander questioned turning his gaze towards the remaining human in red.

“Y-yes sir.” the human seemed to wither under his gaze a bit. “The-the Diamond clan Warden has been poking around the base camp, demanding to know what we are doing.” he paused. “It has been very distracting, as he will not take our rejections as a proper answer. And a few of us even got lost and attacked in Wayward Cave after he removed all the torches.”

“It would seem Melli has done his part to delay the Galaxy team’s departure.” Ingo whispered, keeping his voice as low as possible as he spoke. “Though I must remember to get the boys to replace those torches once this is all said and done.”

The Commander was quiet for a moment, his eyes closed as he let out a low hum. “Inform Warden Melli that if this continues then we will remove him if necessary.” The Commander continued passed human in red, his hand resting on his strange human weapon. “Let us hope it does not come to that, but we can apologize to Lord Adaman once we have taken care of the threat trying to push its way through the rift.”

“Looks like Warden Melli has worn out his welcome.” Sneasler looked towards her Warden as he slowly started to back away from the bushes, still keeping as low as he could. “Let us try and find him, before the Commander’s Men do.”

“Snee.”

[dancingwiththeshadows-inthenight]

[Commission / Drabble] Pokemon Legends Arceus - Volo x Fem Reader - Good Morning ~

If you're curious about my commissions, visit my Carrd!

Fandom: Pokemon [Legends Arceus] Title: Good Morning Pairing: Volo x Fem Reader Word Count: 762 Genre: Fluff / Domestic Married Life

“Wife? Oh, wiiiiiife?”

You roll your eyes, smiling softly at the sound of your husband’s sing-song voice carrying through the house. The two of you were far past being newlyweds, but he made that fact easy to forget. It was one of the things you loved most about him.

“In heeeere!” You called back musically to match his tone. You had risen before him to fix breakfast and when you had left him, he had been snoring quietly in a mess of pillows and blankets.

You remained standing at the counter where you were whisking eggs to make omelets. After a few moments passed, you jumped slightly at the sudden feeling of hands on your hips, laughing as Volo slid his arms around your waist and rested his chin on your shoulder.

“Good morning, darling,” he murmured, pressing a quick kiss to the side of your neck.

“Good morning, Volo,” you replied, smiling as he began to hum softly while rocking you gently from side to side. “Did you sleep well?”

“You were by my side, weren’t you?” Volo asked cheekily, making you blush. “Naturally, I slept like a baby.”

“You’re too much,” you laughed.

“Or am I just enough?” He moved from behind you to press a quick kiss to your lips, flashing you a flirty smile. “Is there anything I can do to help, love?”

“Hmmm,” you murmured in thought. “Could you make some tea? I forgot before I started cooking.”

Volo gasped dramatically. “My beautiful wife hasn’t had her morning tea yet? That won’t do!”

You rolled your eyes again in fake annoyance, but truth be told, you wouldn’t have him any other way. Why else would you have married him? Some might think he went out of his way to make you laugh and feel loved, but the truth was, it was just how he was and how he manifested his love for you.

As you began heating up the pan for eggs, Volo whistled while putting on water to boil, then set out your matching mugs and retrieved your favorite tea. There were several different kinds in the cabinet, but he never had to ask what you preferred in the morning. He had all those little details about you memorized, and it was just one of the many things you loved about him.

“That smells amazing,” Volo commented as he walked over to where you stood at the stove, handing your tea to you while simultaneously taking the spatula from your hand. “I’ll finish these, you sit and drink your tea.”

“Excuse me, but I wanted to cook breakfast for you,” you huffed playfully, causing him to smirk.

“Well I’m sorry but I’ll simply have to take matters into my own hands. I could never consider myself a good husband if I let you do all this for me before you’ve had your first cup of the day.” He winked.

“I hate to say it Volo my love but you’re not a good husband,” you smirked at him over the rim of your mug. “You’re an amazing husband.”

He leaned forward to steal another quick kiss before nudging you gently with his hip, urging you to go and sit down, which you promptly did. You watched him as he finished cooking, a wistful smile on your face as you sipped your tea. You had known married couples who fell out of love over time or simply grew bored with their partners, but you knew with all your heart that would never be the case with you and Volo. Your love for him was far too great; in fact, you knew you could say without a doubt that you loved him more now than you ever had. The best part was you knew for a fact that Volo felt the same way about you.

You snapped out of your reverie as Volo set two plates of delicious-smelling eggs on the table, next to the cutlery you had already placed earlier.

“Thank you, love,” you told him with a smile when a sudden thought occurred to you. “Oh! Should I make some toast? Or maybe some pancakes…will eggs be enough, do you think? We do have a busy day today.”

Volo laid a hand on your shoulder, leaning down to gaze sweetly into your eyes. “Darling, if I can be honest, you alone is all I need to make it through any day for the rest of my life.”

You couldn’t even pretend to roll your eyes this time, your smile quickly smothered by his lips on yours. `

[klonoadreams]

If I remember right scarnoa's main outfit is miriam's hand me downs right? Since she's basically adopted by the entire school staff are any of the other teachers contributing to her wardrobe?

The first set she gets are hand-me-downs, since Scarnoa's on the petite side, but Mimi eventually just buys her actual clothes - like new stuff that fits her super well. And the old stuff just becomes casual lounge wear of sort, since it's very comfy.

Raifort actually got Scarnoa the boots. Heard her lecturing Jacq for his chanclas (sandals) in the lab and thought it was hilarious, and just decided "have these boots. It's on me." Thank you for entertaining her by making a man know fear.

Tyme went all out on making sure that she got Scarnoa some quality tights and a nice thermal turtleneck that she KNOWS her sister wears at the Montenevera Gym, where there is snow and it's cold, and Ryme is knocking it out of the park in her dress. :V

Keeps Scarnoa's legs nice and toasty without having to really change much of her uniform wear. good for the Autumn uniform. Except she rarely wears the damn school uniform so oop.

Saguaro got her the thigh highs after she asked for some, because the sock catalog DIDNT have them and she WANTED them. Because tights are nice, but she doesn't WANT tights.

But also, Mimi's being doing so much for her, that she didn't want to bother her. and Saguaro also likes cute stuff too, so she's all "do you know where I can get some cute socks? The one that go up to the thigh?"

She's got a few more colors and patterns besides solid black, but yeah, that's something. Living the dream I wish I could have in this game sob sob.

Salvatore gives her hair accessories that his wife has been picking out, because she's been hearing a lot about the child that the school has collectively adopted.

And Jacq gave her a cute phone cases (and more) for her efforts but also as an apology for setting her off with his terrible lab habits. Please go easy on him, he literally just got hired alongside Clavell after they left their previous positions as researchers, where Jacq was Clavell's assistant (fun fact: this is probably why I see a lot of Jacq/Clavell art on pixiv, so...good for them - especially Clavell, get it old man. You somehow managed to land one of the handful of Pokemon characters that made the 2022 Yumejoshi popularity poll, in which Arven was #5 and Rika was #1, beating both Getou and Gojo - Volo was #38 and Steven, despite all these years, was #77...ftr, Jacq was #85)

(I didn't know the ship existed until I saw it at the side while I was looking up Larry/Rika on Pixiv, and then went "INTERESTING."...*adds it to my list of ships*)

Dendra is still looking for the perfect gift - it might not even be clothes, but just battle items, BUT SHE'S TRYING.

And Hassel contributed to MANY of Scarnoa's living expenses, because of how SUDDEN she appeared. And obviously, he's got the funds, so he just... "Here's your room."

Will find out what she likes and proceed to sent it to her room, like random plushes, figurines, cute curtains and throw rugs....want a different wallpaper? Here's a catalogue - pick what you want.

Hassel is genuinely still choked up about Scarnoa's situation, like...where are her parents??? IS SHE OKAY???

"Did I make you mad?" because she missed out on one of his math classes, only to find out that "oh, you got a badge." and then he immediately nyooms to the next gym the instant he gets a notification to congratulate her and give her a headpat, BECAUSE SHE IS STILL PLAYING HOOKY, GOD DAMN.

later finds out she just has shit memory, and that she still is attending school. Eases his concerns, but also, "Try not to get hurt - your Rotom Phone has an app for these sorts of things. It's excellent for keeping you on task, should you get distracted with thing such as the fineries of art."

She says she'll use it, and then promptly forgets about it until Hassel sets it up herself...and then her Rotom Phone decides "Nah, TOO LOUD."

Because each Rotom inside one's phone is unique and has its own personalities, so if you have one that clashes with you, you can either switch with someone else...or deal with it. Most people choose to deal with it because by that point, they're attached to that Rotom like people get attached to Roombas. :V

[leggerefiore]

Yeah I meant dick sizes 😭

bravely announce penis plz😔

cw: 18+ content and not real, penis size hcs

characters: Maxie, Archie, Colress, Cyrus, Volo, Lysandre, Guzma

🌋 Maxie is probably a grower and not a shower, much to his past few lovers' first comments towards him. He is average length, around, say 5.5 inches (around 14cm). He doesn't really feel one way or the other about his penis, since he rarely goes out of his way to engage in sex. And, then, even with a partner, he focuses on skill over anything else. He is also uncircumcised, and the carpet does, in fact, match the drapes. His pubes are well trimmed and cared for, much like the rest of him.

💧 Archie is girthy and long. It's a wonder that his wetsuit can hide anything at all, truly. He is at a staggering 7.5 inches (19cm) and is admittedly a bit smug about it. There are not many opportunities to bring it up, of course, but he deeply enjoys seeing his partner's surprise and excitement about it. It is no wonder he would have, pardon such outdated language, “big dick energy.” He, too, is uncircumcised. One might think his pubes are a bit messy, but just like he cares for his beard, they get trimmed and managed.

🛸 Colress is lanky, in multiple ways. But, what he lacks in girth, he more than makes up in height. He has measured his dick properly according to modern techniques to 7 inches (18cm). Noted to be above the true average of 5 inches (13cm). He barely thinks any of it outside of statistical anomaly. Of course, he does find his partner deeply enjoys it, so perhaps there is more to this than he thought. Though, he also has a heavy focus on the act itself over just length. He sadly, as an Unovan, is circumcised. He finds it a bit foolish his family gave into social stigma over science but accepts reality is what it is. His pubes are naturally well cared for, as he is a firm believer of maintaining oneself.

☄️ Cyrus does not like to think about his penis too much, but his partner asked if they could measure it just once, he begrudgingly allows it. 6.5 inches (17cm). He shrugs in response. It is also noted that he has some decent girth. He later feels a bit smug upon learning he's longer than the average length and girth. Cyrus is uncircumcised, too. His pubes are as well groomed as the rest of him. He quietly debates going bald down there but resists. This looks best, he supposes.

💀 Guzma is endlessly smug about his length, naturally. 7 inches (18cm), and he always loves seeing his partner's reactions. He is girthy, too. Though, he is messy down there. Guy feels a nervous having scissors or shavers anywhere near his dick. Even his partner offering a hand goes rejected. Not happening. He is uncircumcised as well. His dad probably wanted him to be circumcised, though.

☕️ Lysandre is large in many, many ways. His dick is another. 8 inches (20cm) and girth tends to scare off most of possible partners, unfortunately. He supposes they simply were unworthy or something similar. The Flare Boss is more than attentive and would never hurt his lover. His grooming down there is extremely well done and reflective of the rest of him. Uncircumcised, naturally.

⭐️ Volo reflects his height with 7 inches (18cm) with his dick length. He doesn't really think about it too much, since survival is more important in Hisui and his love of archaeology keeps his attention. Of course, with his partner, he loves how stunned by it, they are. He has a reasonable girth, too. Uncircumcised, naturally, and also well groomed. Volo takes pride in his appearance somewhat.

[jossambird]

In the moon’s light 🌕 P6

Ingo x F!Reader

Word Count: 2.6k

Warnings: Adaman being angry, Melli being Melli

Ao3 for all parts!

-

(Day of the gathering)

Ingo stood outside of this tent, thinking, staring absentmindedly at the brightening sky. He knew not of another sky to compare it to but felt deep within himself that it was just as beautiful as the sky he once knew. Had known, had seen. The sky he once shared with… the other man.

Ever since Lady Irida had come by the day before to inform him of the gathering there would be later today, Ingo had felt a certain kind of nervousness roiling in his gut, occupying his mind with easy success.

A gathering between the Pearl and Diamond Clans… for you.

Oh how far away his conversation with Lord Adaman now felt, but nothing could change how frighteningly fresh it remained in his mind. Sleep had been hard to come by since, paralyzing dreams and nightmares plaguing him as he’d imagine what Volo could have done to you, could still do to you, would have done to you-

“Keep your brows like that any longer and they might remain so.” A voice spoke behind him, startling Ingo as he registered the woman’s sudden clipped words.

“Lady Calaba, good morning!” Ingo greeted her, turning away from the orange and pink sky above that reminded him of your flushed cheeks after winning a battle against him.

“To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit today, Lady Calaba?”

“I am here to prepare you for the gathering, of course.” She spoke after a moment of observing him, as if to assertain if he was stupid.

“This is a formal gathering, Warden Ingo, and to my knowledge, you do not know how a formal gathering works, correct?” The elder woman asked, a devious twinkle in her eyes as she continued to watch him but a frown occupying her aged lips.

“I apologize, Lady Calaba, I do not.” Ingo answered instead of enquiring any more questions, not wanting to garner the woman’s ire this early in the morning.

“That’s what I thought. Now, follow me, I must take your measurements.” Calaba spoke, already halfway towards his tent.

.

..

.

“Why do you appear nervous, Warden? Are you not a people’s person?” She quipped after a quiet moment had passed, eyes just as sharp as she continued her work in adjusting the hakama in her hands. Ingo cleared his throat, wondering just how deadly Warden Calaba had been in her young age, watching her skillfully work the needle in her hand.

“I…” He tried, mind muddled as he tried to find a way how to explain to her just how-

“You are nervous about the young woman, Y/N, correct?” Calaba cut him off, never removing her eyes from the fabric laid before her, continuing her work as if she had said nothing.

“Formidable, is she not? Be it taming Pokemon Deities or unknowingly attracting suitors, she has done both with surprising ease since she arrived. That poor Captain Cyllene of hers…” She trailed off, side eyeing Ingo as he stiffened beside her. His aire of nonchalance felt far too forced as he cleared his throat again, but it couldn’t amount to just how damning his icy voice incriminated him.

“Suitors, you say?” He quietly said, meaning for it to sound rhetorical but Calaba continued, eyes watching him.

“Hm, yes. Lady Irida told me that Y/N’s Commander and Captain have received a few letters some days ago from varying suitors, asking if they may court her. So far, none have been accepted by that father figure of hers or that daft boy that sees her as his sister and I don’t blame them.” Calaba honestly replied back, pretending not to notice the way Ingo gripped his cap closer to his visage.

Ingo felt his thoughts swirl, felt how his insides burned at the elder woman’s words. He knew he shouldn’t simply sit here and imagine you calling out his name again, imagining you under him or above him, thighs swung over his shoulders or held around his waist.

Though, neither fantasies helped ease the molten hot jealousy that now coursed within him, trying to dash away the new images of your thighs wrapped around another man's body instead, lips moaning someone else’s name.

“Do not be nervous of being in her presence, Warden Ingo, I doubt she will pay much attention to you.”

Ingo cringed, heart beating erratically as her words struck fear into his heart.

.

..

.

To say you had barely slept during the night was an understatement. Excitement and nervous fear had coursed through your veins the whole time but luckily you had been able to pass out, sleeping the remainder of the time until Rei knocked on your door as promised.

Lord Wyrdeer stood dutifully beside Rei, as if he were supposed to be there.

“I have no idea why Lord Wyrdeer is here, he was actually already outside of your door when I started making my way here.” Rei commented at your confused gaze, petting the Lord as it stood before the both of you. It seemed to wait for something, turning its eyes back towards you.

“Lord Wyrdeer, are you here to accompany me to the gathering because Adaman could not make it?” You asked after a moment of searching your brain, watching as the Noble pushed its head down in a nod before looking at you once more.

“Thank you Lord Wyrdeer. I have a few stops to make and then we can depart.” You finished, smiling at Pokemon as it nodded once more, laying down infront of your abode as if to wait for you there.

You instructed Rei to go to Anthe’s shop and retrieve your kimono whilst you moved towards the Galaxy Hall, seeking Cyllene out.

There she stood dutifully as ever in her office, waiting as if she were waiting only for you, a small tilt of her lips letting you know she was delighted to see you.

“Good morning Y/N. I trust you were able to sleep?” She asked as she motioned to the chair behind her, smiling wider as you groaned.

“If by sleep you mean paralyzing nervousness until I passed out, then yes, exactly.” You answered with a sigh but you couldn’t keep your frown, smiling along with the woman as she seemed to chuckle at your comment.

“Yes, love does that to one when nervous.”

You choked on the gasp that silently left your body, coughing as you tried to breathe once more. How had she-

Cyllene simply smiled a sad smile, watching you for a moment before speaking again.

“I feel like I must apologize, Y/N, for many a things. Once more have our actions robbed you of happiness, and you have my deepest apology.”

What actions? Instead of voicing your thought outloud, you remained silent, watching the way Cyllene silently ran her fingers over her desk as if she of all people were nervous.

“I was glad when you had promised me to stay in the village and recuperate, instead of throwing yourself left and right on that broken knee of yours…” She continued with a sigh, hands moving to her desk drawers and retrieving what seemed to be an antique comb before combing through your locks slowly.

“I had heard the rumors, bits and pieces and… it was not my place to ask you of such things, so I didn’t.”

“Why did you inform Irida and Adaman about the rumor?” You asked, voice cracking as you finally asked the question that had plagued you.

If she hadn’t informed Irida and Adaman, would Ingo have perhaps come back to the village?

To you?

“Commander Kamado believed it was the right thing to do due to Warden Ingo’s position as a Pearl Clan Warden, after seeing as the rumor had already spread throughout the whole village in a matter of hours… I hadn't fathomed that the Warden would no longer show up..”

It now made sense, as you listened to her pained words and sighs, watching the way the normally serious woman chewed at her bottom lip: Cyllene regretted having informed Irida and Adaman of the rumor, feeling that it was her fault that Ingo had never returned to Jubilife, to you.

You turned in her chair, eyes connecting with her vulnerable gaze as she tried to get out her next words.

“I understand now what my actions have cost you, and I apologize Y/N-“

You cut her off, hugging her from where you still sat, face against her clothed stomach just like a child would to their mother, equally seeking comfort and to comfort their mother.

“It’s alright Cyllene, you did what you thought was right. I understand that and I'm not cross with you.”

The regularly stoic woman held you just as tightly as a comfortable silence enveloped the both of you. She held you, hand stroking down your back as if you were the one on the verge of crying, but you didn’t dare mention that out loud. You weren't sure how much time had passed but you continued to embraced eachother a moment longer, enjoying the comfortable hug.

“Now, let’s get that hair of yours ready for an… active night.” Cyllene softly said with a light smirk, eyes sparkling as you groaned at her words.

Rei had quickly returned to your side, talking along with you and Cyllene as the woman combed and styled your hair. It hadn't been too long after that you found yourself once again in your small lodgings, packing items you thought you would need.

Your eyes drifted to the package Anthe had wrapped for you, cheeks flaming red as you were reminded of the unorthodox request you had asked of the woman.

You could only commend her though; She had taken the whole thing in strides, how you had showed up at her shop a week before, asking her to replicate the bundle of cloth you’d firmly held hidden in your pockets.

“What would the item be?” She had asked, suspicious as to why you hid the item in your pockets so fiercely.

“Uh… a type of uh… undergarment, from where I am from. I wanted to know if you could replicate it for me.” You had fumblingly answered. You knew that it was illogial; regardless of who might accidentally see your panties, they would most likely not know what they were, and would in turn not shame you out loud for having panties out in the open like this but the fear had remained nonetheless.

For a moment, you silently thanked Arceus you hadn’t fallen into Hisui with panties written “Daddy” on them.

You were especially glad that Anthe had not mentioned anything whilst Rei was there with you yesterday, knowing that you would never have lived down the humiliation.

You moved towards the bundle and opened the cloth, staring down at the multiple pairs of panties that Anthe had crafted you. Sure they didn’t quite resemble the pair you currently were wearing that you had been sent here in but you didn’t mind, simply happy to have other pairs to wear. Your fingers slowly picked up the lavender pair she had crafted for you and held them, mind wandering.

You hadn’t specified what colors you wanted, but her knowingly smug gaze had been too knowing.

Would Ingo like these? Would he adore them, kneading your behind and loving the feeling of your new panties against his hands? Would he notice that they were the same shade as his Warden uniform, wondering if you had planned this all along?

You hoped he would love them, smiling as you stuffed them into the packsack you had decided to bring along with you and headed outside to greet Lord Wyrdeer once more.

.

..

.

Calaba smiled as she finally stood up, placing the fabric softly onto the Warden’s bed to admire her own handywork.

“There you go, Warden Ingo, it is ready for you to wear to the Gathering.”

Ingo followed to where the woman’s outstretched hand motioned, silver-gray eyes landing on the beautiful ensemble laid out for him to see.

“Lady Calaba, I thank you, I am indebted to you. If I may ask, to whom does this Gathering attire belong to, so that I may thank them as well?” Ingo asked, fingers trailing over the newly done seams as if to verify them- Had he done that in his previous life, with the smiling man? Had he always checked the man’s work, going over it all in search of errors?

“To my late husband.” Calaba softly said, eyes trailed onto the haori before them both, pulling Ingo out of his faraway thoughts.

Ingo balked, eyes shooting back to the woman, throat tight at her words. Why was Lady Calaba-

“Stop looking at me so, Warden. If I was not comfortable giving you my husband's Gathering attire, I would not have brought it all the way here for you to try and wear.” Calaba spoke back, sharp eyes cutting through him in an instant, effectively killing any words he had been prepared to speak. He nodded, turning towards the elder woman once more and bowing, a chuckle exiting her at his manners.

A silence reigned within the tent as Ingo silently stared down at the garments. Calaba wondered what he was thinking, his silver-gray eyes seeming far far away-

“I-If I may, how do courting rituals work for members of the Pearl Clan?” Ingo asked, voice not even over a whisper, as if he feared being heard, as if he feared having his words mocked.

“F-For you and your husband I mean!” He quickly added, cheeks far too dark for someone asking such a question.

Calaba smiled inwardly, eyes closed as she listened to the man panic beside her.

.

..

.

Melli stared across Lord Electrode’s home, hands held tightly behind his back as he pondered.

Adaman confiding to him was nothing new, they had been eachothers confidantes since forever, but something about Adaman’s words yesterday had struck him…

“Melli, I need you to listen to me-“

“Adaman, can you not see that the Great Melli is busy?” He’d replied, busy doing absolutely nothing, watching Lord Electrode play with its children instead of listening to his leader’s plies.

“Melli I’m serious, I need you-“

But he hadn't listened, cutting the man off once more, determined to shut up his friend and instead pass a displeased face at his leader’s choices.

“Whatever it is, it surely cant be as important as your dumb little Gathering with the Pearl Clan-“

“MELLI!” Adaman yelled, face red with anger for what seemed to be the first time in his life, hands roughly grabbing at the taller man’s uniform. Silence reigned over them now, Melli startlingly staring into his friend’s eyes.

“You’ve been blowing me off left and right, ever since I announced the Gathering! You didn't even stay to hear the why!” Adaman barked, eyes reflecting more anger and pain than Melli had thought, startling the Warden further, regret coiling hotly in his gut at the sight of his friend and leader in distress. Oh, he had fucked up.

“I-“

“NO! You are going to shut up and listen to me for just one moment in your life!” The Diamond Clan leader cried out, tears beginning to leak down his cheeks.

Nothing could have ever prepared Melli for the words Adaman spoke next, whispered between them like a promise.

“I think Volo’s been trying to kill Y/N.”

He sighed, frustration coursing through his veins as his fingernails cut into his palms. Melli didn't even know what he was supposed to do to help; it's not like he was the best of friends with you. He had constantly blown you off for the past month since Adaman had brazenly told him how enamoured he was with you.

Electrode’s Warden had been so scared that you would somehow sniff out his own crush on you and call him out on it that he had done the only thing he knew to do: hide it under his rough words and attitude.

Maybe all of this was Karma for him pushing you away so much, acting like you weren't important, acting like you were beneath him… and yet, that's where he constantly dreamed of you being.

Melli cringed as he refocused his eyes, catching sight of the man who had captured your heart instead of him

[a-tale-of-legends]

Hmmm. Okay. I keep feeling that there's something missing from TLH that makes it feel complete. Now, that's probably the lack of a timeline that I keep forgetting about, BUT I also have another opposing force in the mix: Team Rainbow Rocket. Now I've been avoiding talking about them bc talking about them would mean talking about Poppy, who was very under characterized with no real backstory. Now, he's still in development, but him being a faller has helped me piece together who he could be and how he plays as a protagonist for usum. Rainbow Rocket doesn't even appear until the end of USUM. I don't know if Poppy has actually encountered them or not, since they end up becoming a rival to TLH for a period of time.

Here's what I do know/ ideas that I think would be cool:

Each leader is essentially Cursed-Chosen. I'm adding Chosen cause they ended up winning in their timeline, so something gotta balance out the Curse that the legends pokemon has placed on them.

So yes, these guys have powers of their own alongside their given legendary. This guys are a threat.

The members of Rainbow Rocket are the ones seen in the post game, with the addition of Lusamine from a different dimension. Rose and Colress I'm debating on though. Not Rose from this au, he would refuse their offer( given that he did ultimately win in the end/hj),and alternate reality Rose. Same with legends! Colress, I feel like Eva has eagle eyes on him so even if he wanted to join( he is slightly curious) he wouldn't.

For Admins, I know for a fact that there's a RR! Silver, one who never doubted that his father was the best and continues to push his ideology onto others.

Maybe an RR! Blue or Red? I already got TLH! Green, so I'm left with those. I wouldn't be surprised if Giovanni tried to make Red or Blue a weapon on his side. I think Blue might be more interesting, only because he was the more "weak willed " of the two. Giovanni would know where to strike the child where it hurts, making him feel vulnerable enough to strike. Not saying that Blue would join willingly - hell no. This is Blue we're talking about. No, this is an abduction. He must likely get mind controlled and turned into a super soldier( Giovanni keeps him in line by mentioning how maybe if he chose Rec, he wouldn't be so disappointed all the time).

Yeah, that would probably mean RR! Blue and RR! Silver would but heads a lot.

Not entirely sure if I would add rivals or other canon characters to RR's ranks. I feel like they're pretty stacked already.

....okay maybe RR! Shauna. Maybe.

Okay to actually plot stuff: they are basically competitors with TLH for 1) gathering Legendaries and 2) Finding a way to break apart a Chosen and Chooser. As a refresher, this formula for that was created by Sakura and Volo individually, but not together. Both sides thought the thing wasn't complete and ditched the project, not knowing the other had the missing link. Lysandre is probably the one who really kickstarts this, however. Someway or another, he had gotten his hands on Volo's half of the formula and has been experimenting with it ever since. Once TLH got wind of this, it started a back and forth of who has the formula and even funnier, who has Volo( I think it would be funny if he was being thrown around like a football ).

So basically, the job of the Chosens is to stop TLH and RR and make sure the legendaries aren't being interfered with in general and do whatever their day job is. Pour one out for Jude y'all. He's gonna fucking need it.

The only good thing about the TLH - RR rivalry is that they are often going to focus on each other, wasting resources on each other. This makes it slightly easier for the Chosens to divide and conquer. Slightly.

And I think that's it? For now. I....really need to make a timeline, fucking hell.