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eponastory · 8 months

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THE LEGENDARY PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE

A short story for Pizzalover8969 involving a harrowing trip across town to find the last pumpkin spice latte.

I will say that it started out as one thing, but went completely off in another direction. I hope you enjoy!

Ai render is from Hayley Culverwell... check her out on Facebook! She has some pretty funny stuff and raccoons...lots of raccoons

If there were a day to try something new, this was it. It was not that Dante had a taste for anything spectacular, but it was this pumpkin spice crap that had Lady and Trish all in an uproar. Both of them came into the shop with one, and just the smell alone told Dante that autumn had arrived early.

Fall was his favorite time of year, but this was also when the girls came out of the woodwork with their 'sweater weather' wardrobes. He was fine. His preference was red leather and motorcycles. All year, every year. If a girl could not handle that, they did not know what they were missing.

Apparently, he had no idea what he was missing either.

As soon as Dante smelled the drink from the door with his enhanced senses, he felt the intense desire to smack the drink out of Lady's hand. It was sickeningly spicy sweet. Not like a strawberry sundae or a shake, but somewhere on the edge of cinnamon and pumpkin guts. It was undoubtedly a strange combination.

"Oh, come on, you don't even know you like it until you've tried it." That was the first thing Trish had said when he turned his nose up at the drink.

"There is no way in HELL you are going to get me to try that crap!" He pointed at the offending drink that sat innocently on his desk. Lady stood in the background silently sipping on her own latte with a devious look in her bi colored eyes. He knew that look. "Oh no... don't you dare. I can see the hamster wheel turning in that pretty little head of yours." He slammed a hand down on his desk with an accusatory glare.

"Just what am I thinking, Dante?" She glared back at him, stepping closer and slamming her drink down.

"You're about to make a bet." He pointed out as he crossed his arms. "I'm not falling for it this time."

"Okay, fine... I was thinking up a way to forgive your debt." She looked over at Trish with a smile. "But since you always lose to me anyway, I guess it's not going to work."

"I'll take you up on that bet." The blond demoness smirked. Why did gambling always revolve on how he was going to react? Could it be something else for a change? Dante sighed. His options were limited.

"Alright, here's the deal." Lady started out, then picked up the latte. "Dante is going to try the pumpkin spice latte. If he doesn't like it, then you win, and he gets some of his debt knocked out. If he likes it, I win, but he gets to buy the next round." The two women looked at him. He really wished he had locked the doors earlier. These two were the bane of his existence. He leaned back in his chair with an exasperated sigh. He made sure it was loud so they could hear his displeasure from this horrible nonsense. "Does this sound like a deal?" Dante watched as the women shook on it with smiles on their wicked little faces.

"That's a deal for me." Trish seemed very happy about this. He watched as she rounded the desk to stand behind him.

"Bottoms up, Dante!" Lady in her usual tone of excitement ran up with latte in hand. He barely had time to realize what was going on when Lady grabbed his jaw and opened his mouth. She quickly shoved the straw into his mouth with his eyes wide. This was nothing new. There was that one three way make-out session that lead to the two of them stuffing a pecan pie into his mouth. Turns out, he hates pecan pie.

With a passion.

Well, it could be worse. He could just go with the flow this time. Even though a make-out session would be preferable to this. He had his kinks and apparently so did they. But this was not at all like that. This was just his best friends being exactly what they were... best friends. Besides that pie incident happened right after Trish met Lady. That was years ago.

Dante decided that it was in his best interests to go ahead and take a sip. Lady still had his face in her hand and Trish was holding him down by the shoulders. Well, if you cannot beat them... give into their demands and hope for the best.

Or was it 'when in Rome'?

Ah well, who gives a shit?

He hesitantly began to suck on the straw waiting for the concoction of pumpkin and spice to hit his tongue. Well, it was not bad. Actually, it tasted like fall sounded. Or felt for that matter. Images of beautiful girls wearing their cashmere sweaters and knitted scarfs fluttered through his mind while a hint of vanilla made him think of this one particular girl he met recently. The spice itself, nutmeg, made him feel all warm inside like he was sitting in his mother's kitchen watching her make snickerdoodle cookies. Oh this was bringing on some memories. He was pretty sure he was feeling a little bit of joy from the taste. Not to mention the sweetness of the pumpkin making him think about carving jack o lanterns with Vergil when he was seven...

"Dammit!" He did not mean to throw the two women off of him, but he did. All the while grabbing the damn drink out of Lady's hand and savoring every bit of the liquid.

And that was when Dante decided Pumpkin Spice Latte's were not so bad. Actually, he really liked them.

Which led to the search of a lifetime.

The only problem was that every Starbucks in town had run out of the stuff and he owed the girls. This was no good at all because both of them were coming back from their own jobs. He wanted to get this debt off of his back and of course, he also wanted a latte himself.

So far, he had visited three Starbucks and not one had pumpkin spice. Not a single one and it was getting late. The later it got, especially this close to Samhain, the more demons liked to meddle in human affairs. Of course, when he walked into the first coffee establishment with Rebellion on his back and his guns, he was politely asked to leave.

He put up a decent rant that would make a Karen blush.

Was he turning into a Kevin because of this stupid drink? He hoped not. He tended to stay out of drama. Except now that he had been thoroughly enchanted by this thing called 'fall in a coffee cup' he was addicted and there was no twelve step program.

He decided it was probably a better idea to go through the drive thru instead of dealing with managers and police. All he wanted was a damn latte and he was beginning to think the rumors about Starbucks were true. Those rumors being that of demonic worship and whatnot. It had been making its way around the internet for a good while. There were even pictures to prove it.

The craving was worse than anything he had ever experienced. He had heard about the cravings of pregnant women from people he had the unfortunate pleasure of meeting, but this was on another level.

Just what is it they put in those drinks?

Cocaine?

He had no clue, but he craved is so much he was crossing town to get it.

Right as he pulled up to the next Starbucks, it was already dark. The worst part is that just outside in the parking lot was a bunch of the worst kind of demons...

A bunch of college age girls in a line with feral looks in their eyes.

Holy shit!

He had no idea if he should run or fight them off. Maybe he should use that charm of his to get into Starbucks before the pumpkin spice left forever? It was a thought.

There was also a line of cars going almost around the block. This was a huge problem for Dante. This was the last Starbucks before he would have to go to the next town over which was an hour drive. He sat there on his motorcycle trying to decide his fate. If he went back to Devil May Cry without that savory deliciousness, he was going to be impaled... twice.

Not for the first time of course, but possibly shot at as well. He never knew with Lady. She was a wildcard.

This was probably the bravest thing he was ever going to do. He turned off the bike, put the kickstand down, and hoped no one was going to take his weapons. He was going into battle with these ladies and he had no idea if he was going to make it out alive. If he did, he would finally achieve what he came to Starbucks to do.

At this point Dante was thinking about it like he was in a game. Battle the hordes of enemies, get the mcguffin, get out, and go home. It all seemed easy. Except it was not. Hormones were driving the young feral women to Starbucks. Their driving need for everything pumpkin spice was all they had. It was a cult Dante had been unceremoniously inducted into without consent. Cults were bad, very bad and now he was part of this witchcraft.

Oh the horror!

He was stopping at nothing to get into that building. It took every inch of willpower he had to make his way over to the group of rabid girls. Though, he did admit that some of them were pretty (pretty rabid if you ask me, but I'm the narrator that lives in his brain for right now) enough for him to consider taking out. Key word being 'consider'.

There was no convincing these beautiful (but completely blood thirsty) women to move out of his way without setting them off. The devil hunter could practically feel the demonic energy coming from them. He was positive that they were all possessed, but how come the latte did not effect him like it did women?

"So... anyone care to let a guy through to get a drink?" All eyes turned to him in a creepy way. If there was ever at time where he dreamed of being dog piled by a bunch of females, this was not it. They all had blank stares on their faces. The smell of their perfumes mixing was enough to make him want to run away. "Ladies?"

"Get him!"

"He wants the last of the pumpkin spice!"

"Stop him!"

"Oh shit." He was immediately swarmed by human females under the spell of the Legendary Pumpkin Spice Latte from the corporate demon named Starbucks. He could not hurt them, they were unknowingly addicted and under a spell. Just like he was, only he realized it was stronger on women.

When they were done with him, he laid there on the concrete rethinking his life's decisions and what led him to this moment. After thirty minutes, he decided to pick himself up off the sidewalk and trudge inside. The line had clearly shrunk down to zero, but at least he was closer to his goal.

Making his way up to the counter, he looked at the very tired and 120% done burista. Her name tag had clearly been knocked off a few times along with her sanity. Even the Narrator (that would be me) felt sorry for her. The rush of hormonal females dying of thirst was enough to make her want to quit her job right then and there.

Dante slammed his hands on the counter with a defeated sigh as he looked into the eyes of the one Starbucks employee that wanted to shoot someone. He could see it in her eyes. She had seen quite a few Karen's and she offered him a look of pity.

"Welcome to Starbucks, what can I get for you tonight?" She said in monotone. It looked like she was about to rip off her green apron and throw it at someone.

"Pumpkin... spice... latte... make it a grande." Dante was very close to triggering after the fiasco outside. He was trying his best to rein it in, but the demon in him was craving that latte as much as he was. The burista started taking off her apron and sighed.

"I'm sorry, sir, but we're all out." She said throwing her apron on the floor. "And so am I."

If anyone in the building had never seen a demon... well, they had now.

Dante could not hold in the demonic power anymore.

"I don't get paid enough for this shit." And that was when the Starbucks location not only lost a fed up employee, but also the building.

Luckily, no one had been hurt.

Two weeks later it had been confirmed that there was indeed something in the latte's that drove women to become feral. It was all thanks to Dante that the evil had been not only exposed, but completely neutralized.

It still did not curb his thirst for Pumpkin Spice.

#pizzalover8969 #devil may cry #dante #dmc #fanfic #dante sparda #devil may cry fanfiction #legendary pumpkin spice latte #pumpkin spice #starbucks #read more

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aerynwrites · 7 months

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Masquerade of Liars

Dad!Gale x Fem!Reader

A/N: Had to do a little something for Halloween! So i found out Faerun has their own kind of Halloween called Liars Night or Masquerade of Liars. Here’s a link if you want to read more about it, it’s actually super cool! But I also just wanted to write some soft Dad!Gale after so many of you seemed to enjoy that one shot of him finding out reader was pregnant. So hope y’all enjoy!

Word Count: 3k

Warnings: reader is referred to as mother/mum.

*not beta read, sorry for any grammatical errors*

The smell of sulfur fills your nose as you strike a match to light the small wax candles before you. You light the wicks before shaking the match to douse the flame, and grabbing one of the lit candles.

“Cassias!” You call, moving to place the light source inside of your son’s pumpkin. “Are you almost ready? We need to go. Gale-!”

Your husband materializes just as you call his name, his lips against your own cutting off your words. You sigh when you pull away, smiling despite yourself as you place the last two candles in the remaining pumpkins.

“Did you help Cas with his costume?” You ask, looking over the carved orange spheres before you, making sure they look alright before you put them outside.

Gale lets out a quiet laugh as he shrugs his shoulders, “I tried, but he could not be swayed to accept my assistance. He wanted to do it himself.”

You can’t help but roll your eyes playfully, “He is definitely your son - stubborn.”

Gale lets out a small scoff, as he steps forward to wrap his arms around your waist. “Me? Stubborn? I think he gets that from you, my love.”

You let out a low hum, as you reach up to straighten the collar of his robe, “I suppose he gets it from the both of us.”

Gale smiles. “That’s better,” he says, before leaning in to kiss you again.

You relish in the somewhat quiet moment in your lover’s arms, knowing that the rest of the night will be full of excitement and noise.

The approaching thunder of footsteps coming down the stone steps of the tower make you separate from one another, but not before you press one last kiss to his cheek.

“I’m coming!” You son calls as he barrels down the stairs, nearly tripping over the tail of his costume as he hits the floor.

You instinctively reach out for him, but he’s righted himself before you can help, and you’re unable to stifle the grin that splits your lips as you take in the costume Cassian wears.

He insisted on being a dragon. A red dragon specifically. And it had to have horns, and giant wings.

And well…who were you to deny him?

His mask looked like that of a red dragon, tall pointed black horns rising from the top of it, even pointy teeth peeking out of the creature's mouth. The rest of his costume was just as elaborate, you and Cassian having worked on it for weeks leading up to the Masquerade of Liars. His shirt and pants are lined with hundreds of small metal scales that glint in the candle light. He even has a tale pinned to his pants, which may prove to be more of a hindrance now that you see it dragging the ground.

Even Gale helped with the costume, adding his own magical flare in the form of gentle smoke coming from the mask's mouth as if Cassian could breathe fire.

“Look, father look!” Cassian jumps around in his costume, the scales tinkling softly as he does so and reflecting a beautiful dappled light pattern all through the kitchen.

Gale ‘ooo’s’ and ‘ah’s’ at his son’s costume before picking the child up and smiling at the giggles that pour out from behind the mask.

“You’re just as fearsome as the legendary Ansur of Baldur’s Gate,” Gale tells him seriously before reaching up to tilt the mask up to the top of Cassian's head, revealing his face to you both.

Cassian is basically a spitting image of Gale. Warm brown eyes and dark hair. Gale insists he got your nose though, and your smile, which you’re happy about if not a little begrudging. You carried him for nine months! The least the gods could have done is given him your eyes…

But you wouldn’t change a thing, not really. Cassian has turned into a wonderful child, all chubby cheeks and laughter and kindness. Even now you watch in silent admiration as Cassian talks animatedly with his father. Despite being only six his vocabulary is as big as Gales.

“Are you ready for a night of trickery and lies?” Gale asks, voice dropping to a playfully low octave.

Cassian nods, eyes lighting up. “And candy!”

Glae laughs, moving to set Cassian back on his feet. “And candy of course. Do you have room in your pockets?”

Cassian nods fervently, face serious as he pats both pockets on his costume. “I even have candy in my other pocket so no one steals our coin.”

You stifle a laugh at the seriousness with which Cassian takes the holiday.

Liars night, though now more commonly known as the Masquerade of Liars is a night to pay tribute to the dirties Leira and Mask. While it started centuries ago as a more serious holiday it’s evolved into more of a fun tradition to celebrate the gods.

The particular tradition Cassian is referring to is pickpocketing. It used to be so common back when the holiday was first created that people started keeping candy in their pockets instead of coins - this soon evolved into people taking the candy and leaving behind trinkets or a small note in return.

Now most people just give the candy out, especially to children. But the occasional trinket still makes it into a pocket here or there - and you aren’t about to ruin his fun.

“Very good, Cas!” You praise, turning to face the carved pumpkins once more. “We should be ready to go once we put the pumpkins on the doorstep. Do you want to carry yours?”

“Yes, yes! Can I?” He reaches his hands up expectantly, and you smile, looking over at Gale.

“What do you think, my love?”

Gale nods, a smile matching your own on his face as he takes Cassian’s pumpkins from the counter. “I think a dragon as fearsome as Cassian can carry his own pumpkin to the stoop this year.”

Cassian cheers and takes the pumpkin carefully in his arms, Gale keeping a watchful eye until he’s sure he has a secure hold on it.

You take your pumpkins and Gale takes his as you all move to the front door of the tower, moving slowly to keep the candles lit.

“Be careful Cas,” you say, following close behind. “You don’t want the candle to blow out, remember?”

“I remember, mum,” he says, “It’s bad luck.”

You nod as Gale reaches out with one hand to open the door for all of you, the cool night air kissing your skin. “That’s right.”

You watch as Cassian moves to set his pumpkin at the top of the stairs right next to the door, turning it this way and that until he’s happy with the placement. You and Gale place yours nearby before locking the door and taking Cassian’s hands in your own.

Once at the bottom of the stairs, you all turn to look at the small display, the candles flickering gently in the night. Cassian hops impatiently between you and your husband, his little hands squeezing yours tightly.

“Can we go?” He asks, excitement bleeding into his words.

You chuckle and nod. “Of course. We wouldn’t want to miss the festivities.”

The three of you walk from your home towards Waterdeeps town square. While the night is celebrated throughout the city, most people gather in the square. Vendors set up to sell food or other festive items and children run around trying to collect as much candy as they can in one night. Even the adults partake in the costumes and activities. You and Gale have dressed up in the past, but this year you decided to forgo a disguise.

Cassian chats animatedly as you make your way down the quiet streets, the sounds of celebration getting louder the closer you get to the center of Waterdeep. His steps get more impatient until eventually, both you and Gale are stumbling to keep up with the energetic child as you finally reach your destination.

The square is decorated for the holiday, lanterns hanging all around, and some even floating in the air thanks to some other magic wielders. Autumnal colored banners and draping shirt line the various vendor stalls and the fountain at the center, and lively music fills the square as well.

Cassian breaks away from you and Gale when he spots one of his friends, a little tiefling boy named Allon who looks to be dressed as an owlbear.

Gale laughs as you both follow him, watching as he embraces his friend before gesturing excitedly at their costumes. “I don’t understand where all that energy comes from - it surely doesn’t come from me.”

You let out a chuckle of your own as you stand a few paces back to let Cassian talk to his friend. “That’s just how children are, I’m afraid. But it dies down. Eventually.”

Gale just hums quietly in response, watching your son with adoring eyes as he and Allon take turns roaring at each other.

You remember a time many years ago when Gale told you he didn’t feel like he was father material. Granted it was in the middle of some tumultuous times for everyone, but you had thought he truly meant it. And despite him being overjoyed when you told him you were pregnant with Cassian several years ago you couldn’t help but worry those doubts would creep back in.

But they never did.

Gale took to fatherhood like a fish to water. Despite it being a learning curve for the both of you, he took everything in stride and a new glow settled into his being. Even in his most dour moods from hours of fruitless research or a failed spell experiment, his face would always light up at the sight of his son.

This adoration just seemed to grow as Cassian got older, the boy taking after his father in almost everything. You remember thinking that Gale was going to die of happiness when Cassian started to show an affinity for magic and a certain connection to the weave.

You know he would have been happy even if Cassian showed no interest in the weave or magic in general, but the fact that he does has only pulled the two of them closer.

“Mr. Dekarios!”

Allon’s voice pulls you from your reverie, watching as him and Cassian come running up to you and Gale. You look past him to see his parents watching you all and give them a small wave which they return.

Gale takes his hand from your own as the boy approaches and crouches down to his level.

“Yes, Allon?”

The boy, whose mask is tipped up to sit on top of his head, looks slightly sheepish as he looks at Gale.

“Can you show me that magic trick again?” He asks politely.

Gale feigns to think for a moment, hand on his chin as he scratches his beard. “Do you mean this one?”

With a flick of his wrist and a faint purple aura, Gale produces a small foil wrapped chocolate in the palm of his hand just to the side of Allon’s face. The tiefling giggles in delight before snatching the candy and stuffing it in his mouth.

You hear a small gasp come from behind him as his mother approaches, placing a hand on his shoulder.

“Allon, what do you say?”

His eyes widen as he speaks around the chocolate in his mouth. “-‘fank you.”

Gale laughs before pulling two more chocolates from his robe and handing them to him. “You’re most welcome.”

Allon’s mother gives you both a small apology before leading her son back to where her husband stands.

Gale’s trick for Allon starts to attract a small crowd of children, all of them begging to see him do more tricks and other magical displays. Your wizard stands next to you as the gaggle grows, a huge grin splitting his lips as he complies with the tiny demands.

He pulls candy out of thin air, handing them to the small grabby hands that reach out before moving to pull hard candy’s from behind some children’s ears or even making them appear right in their pockets. You watch from a few feet away, as Cassian fights his way to the front of the crowd. Gal hoists him into his arms and pauses his display as yours son leans in to whisper in his ear.

Gale’s eyes light up, and he nods. “That sounds like a grand idea, Cassian. Would you like to help me?”

At the prospect of helping his father with magic, Cassian nods fervently, his mask shaking funnily on his face. Gale instructs the other children to back up just a few feet before setting Cassian down beside him. He turns to face him and takes his little hands in his own, palms facing up.

“Now, remember,” he instructs gently, “You have to think about it very hard, try to picture it in your head.”

Cassian nods firmly, and you can practically picture the look of serious determination on his face.

Gale continues. “And remember, do not be discouraged if it does not work because…”

“I’m still learning and mistakes are okay,” Cassian recites the words Gale tells him so often.

Gale smiles, squeezing Cassian’s hands. “That’s right. Now, are you ready?”

Cassian nods again and Gale turns to face the small crowd, which has now grown to include adults as well. You’ve now moved to join the crowd a few paces back from the front row of children in order to watch your family. You bite the inside of your cheek, hoping that Cassian isn’t nervous in any way.

Gale places both hands out in front of him, palms together and waits as Cassian mimics him. After a moment of concentration he separates his hands to reveal a small area of purple and blue light. You wait for Cassian to do the same but find yourself slightly perplexed when he stays still, his hands held firmly together in front of him.

You watch as Gale whispers something to him before he thrusts his hands skywards ending out a cascade of purple and blue light that settles over the crowd. Moments later you watch as Cassian does the same but instead, pure starlight springs out from his palms, creating a magical night sky above the square as the pinpricks of bright white light settle among the colorful aurora.

Cheers and gasps of pleasure erupt from the crowd, but you don’t stay to watch their faces as they marvel at the magic. You’re already rushing forward, taking Cassian in your arms as you gasp.

“Cassian, that was amazing!” You praise, hugging him close before looking at Gale who gazes proudly at his son. “When did you learn to do that?”

Cassian pulls away so he can look at you, tugging his mask up so his brown eyes can look into your own, excitement and utter joy sparkling in his eyes.

“I’ve been practicing for over a tenday!” He says proudly.

Finally gale approaches, finally free from attention as they all marvel at his handiwork. “It’s true. He would not rest until he was sure he could do it,” he leans in to press a kiss to your cheek. “In fact it was you he wanted to surprise most.”

You smile and turn to look at your son again. “Well consider me surprised,” you tell him before peppering his face with kisses, causing him to squeal. “I’m so, so proud of you, Cas.”

“Muuum!” He whines, causing you to relent in your barage of kisses.

“Okay, okay,” you say, moving to set him back on his feet. “Why don’t we go explore the rest of the square? I think I saw someone selling cinnamon buns…”

At the mention of his favorite treat, Cassian’s face lights up again and he tugs his mask back down as he grabs your and Gale’s hand in each of his one.

“Yes! Let’s go, let’s go!”

———

The moon is high in the sky by the time you three make your way home. Cassian is sound asleep in Gale’s arms, pockets building with candy, and chocolate staining the corners of his mouth.

You approach the tower soon enough, the facing flicker of three candles greeting you through the carved mouths of the pumpkins. You smile as you make your way up the steps, getting the door for Gale before following them both inside.

You follow them up to Cassian’s room and help Gale gently remove his costume, careful not to wake him. But despite your best efforts, just as you're tucking him into bed, Cassian stirs awake.

His eyes flutter slowly as his hands come up to tug the blanket further around him.

“Did the candles go out?” He asks sleepily.

You shake your head, leaning down to press a kiss to his forehead. “Nope. They’re still lit, my love. No bad luck this year.”

Cassian nods before turning onto his side, eyes slipping closed as he falls right back asleep.

You smile and press another kiss to his forehead, Gale doing the same before blowing out the candles and leaving the room, leaving the door cracked so a small amount of light can filter in from the hallway.

You both move about readying for bed once Cassian is settled, neither of you speaking as sleep starts to tug at your minds as well. Only when you’re settled beneath the covers with Gale’s arms snaking around you do you finally break the silence.

“You’re an amazing father,” you tell him softly, lips brushing against his own.

Gale is silent for a moment, eyes trailing over your face before his eyes slip closed and he pulls you closer, face nuzzling into the crook of your neck.

“That is praise most high - praise I sometimes still feel unworthy of.”

You shake your head, wrapping around him further. “You deserve that and more, my love.”

He presses a kiss to your neck, the underside of your jaw, before eventually pulling away to capture your lips with his own. It’s a slow, languid kiss, both of you just taking each other in until finally breaking apart and settling against the pillows.

“I love you,” gale says simply, pressing one last kiss to your cheek. “Thank you, for giving me this. Giving me a family.”

Your heart swells at his words and you move to bury your face in his chest, wanting him as close as possible.

“I love you too.”

#gale dekarios #gale dekarios x reader #gale x reader #bg3 gale x reader #bg3 x reader #gale #bg3 #bg3 gale

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