Holly Poly 2025
Nov. 14th, 2025 11:16 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dryadfionaFirst of all, thank you! You're making something for me, and on that merit alone, I'll cherish it. The good news is, I like a whole heck of a lot, so don't feel obligated to hit most or even any of the beats in my general or fandom-specific likes! As long as you're avoiding my DNWs, I'm happy.
My fandoms for this exchange are Dimension 20, Dragon Age, Baldur's Gate, Dishonored, and Life is Strange. I have this letter sorted by fandom and by pairing, but if you want to mix-and-match one idea to another pairing or another fandom, go for it. If you want to add a character from one relationship tag into another, go for it! I'm a multishipper and easily pleased.
I like canon compliance and canon divergence and AUs that have nothing to do with canon. I like a healthy dynamic where everyone does their best to communicate and meet in the middle and I like a dynamic where everyone involved shouldn't be in the same plane of existence as the other. I like fluff and angst and smut and plot and whatever intersection of those things your heart desires. If you can't tell, I like a lot and am generally easy to please! If you have fun writing it, I will almost certainly have fun reading it.
With any and all pairings, you can ship in whatever conjunction you want. V-style relationships or true throuples or casual orgies or messy polycules with completely different dynamics between each person or whatever you personally jive with. As long as you're not bashing any character in a relationship tag, I'm totally set :)
Dimension 20
While I'm only requesting Fantasy High, The Unsleeping City, and Neverafter, I've seen every campaign and adore quangles, so if you want to do a crossover within these or even with other D20 campaigns, go nuts! As stated in the initial signup, I don't want smut for the non-TUC pairings but am a-okay with smut for those, and I also don't want Ayda cheating on Fig (though other infidelity is fine, if you prefer that to healthily negotiated polyamory; I'm easy to please there!).
I worked on Hey, Girlie! Game and so am partial to the dynamics present there, which is why all the poly routes from it have been requested here. I say that to let you know if you WANT to use that canon you can, NOT to make you feel beholden to something other than regular canonverse. I also very much enjoy takes on these characters and pairings entirely separate from that game.
3C/3Cleric - Kristen/Nara/Tracker
Dating your ex and your ex's ex at the same time. What could go wrong? I love these three. I like the complications of Tracker and Kristen being each other's first love and Tracker's very next partner being Kristen if she were elven and rich; I like Nara as genuinely endeared by both Tracker and Kristen but also deeply anxious about her own place next to that storied history; I like Kristen being so genuinely STRANGE in her jealousy about it. Now taking all that and making it polyamorous? Oh, baby, now we're talking. So much potential there!
Kissing out of anger. Going on a quest together, growing as people and adventurers on the way. Fandom AU. Married life. AU where Nara and Tracker both attend Aguefort. An adventure on Leviathan. Huddling for warmth. Superhero AU. Omegaverse in a "how do secondary genders affect this already messy relationship" way. Working together in a shitty little diner AU.
Frostkettlebees - Kristen/Kipperlilly/Lucy
They make me so deeply unwell. I am of the opinion that Kipperlilly did do wrong, a LOT of things wrong even, but also that she isn't, like, incorrect. The Bad Kids are favored by the narrative, canonically, and it's not her fault that instead of someone sitting her down and explaining why that's ALSO bad, she got groomed by someone who wanted apotheosis. She killed her friend (and first love?) about it, and Kristen brought her back, and I think there's just the juiciest potential for Feelings there.
Western AU. Dimension hopping between different parallel universes (perhaps even quangles?). Two of them cast as romantic leads in a play and the third being so jealous of BOTH of them, somehow. The quiet, intimate conversations two people have in a car when someone else is asleep in the backseat. Fandom AU where they all get into the wankiest possible discourse with one another. Getting injured keeping the others safe. Huddling for warmth, made difficult by the fact Lucy runs cold. Arguments. Cultural differences from growing up Helioc/Ruvinan/generally agnostic. Going to the same adventurer's college post-canon.
Figaydabees - Ayda/Kristen/Fig
Figayda my beloveds. I really enjoy adding Kristen to this dynamic to make things as sweet and confusing and chaotic as possible, but I'm also a fan of all three of these dynamics apart from one another, too. Ayda's devotion to Fig (and Fig's devotion to Ayda!) is probably my favorite part of FHSY, so devastatingly romantic, and Kristen complicates that. Maybe Fig realizes she cares about her president as more than just security detail and refuses to betray Ayda, or maybe Kristen realizes she likes her best friend's girlfriend, or maybe Kristen just thinks she's obsessed with Fig and Ayda because she's tragically single and there's nothing more to it. Do what makes your muse sing here!
Lazy mornings together. Fig performing for her girls as she gets more and more frustrated with her inability to make this new album work. Going to a party together. Fig kissing Kristen as practice when she first realizes she likes Ayda; Kristen thinks it's more than that; Ayda thinks she's lost her chance. Class-swap (wizard Fig diving into the magic of the Hells? cleric Ayda following one of the chaotic gods of the sea? bardlock Kristen who hard pivoted from Helio at a younger age than she did? whatever works!). Modern AU. Fig worries she's bad for Ayda; Kristen's not great at mediating. Post-canon, Figayda as parents and Kristen as the kid's favorite and most irresponsible babysitter. Bets and wagers. Haunted houses.
Copetesofie - Pete/Sofia/Cody
Full disclosure, I think Cody kind of sucks, and I get a little bored with fanon that softens him into just an awkward guy. He ADMITS he sucks, and him sucking is often hysterically funny. Part of what I like about this particular throuple is that Pete is genuinely fond of him and Sofia kind of hates him, but Pete and Sofie adore and support each other, and I think those dichotomies and where those dynamics intersect is SO fun and crunchy. Okay with Pete having two hands or with Sofia putting Cody through his paces or whatever your heart desires here.
Kiss cam at a sporting event. Tony Simos/Gladiator/Null/some other antagonist wins AU. One moping at the wedding of the other two. Accidentally causing a minor crisis in the Unsleeping City and arguing over whose fault it was, really. Porn star AU. One of them third-wheeling the other two's dates enough that people start to wonder about it. Social media AU. Cody tries and fails to start a band, Pete's their biggest fan, Sofia despises their music. Cody bottoms for Sofia while Pete watches. Bodyswap.
Copetemaddie - Pete/Maddie/Cody
I still think Cody sucks, but I also think he would genuinely and earnestly think Maddie is cool as fuck, and their mutual fondness for Pete could take them far. I tend to see this as starting V-style with Pete before Cody and Maddie realize they like each other, too, but go nuts!
Rough sex. Soulmate AU. Epistolary fic (texts, emails, letters, etc). One night stand turns into two night stand turns into actual relationship. Wild magic surges creating some type of magical bond between the three. Dancing together at a wedding and none of them are particularly good at it. High school AU. One of them is the other two's wedding planner. Having their bachelor/bachelorette party together because they only ever want to spend time with each other. Coffee shop AU.
Pete/Ricky/Esther
I really love these three. Ricky and Esther are so in love and I think Pete has the potential to be deeply jealous of both of them about it, especially Ricky, but I also think Ricky and Esther are very supportive of Pete in ways that Pete covets and doesn't know how to handle at the same time. All very fun!
Sharing secrets. The snowiest day the city's had in years. More and more of Pete's clothes ending up at Ricky and Esther's place. Watching the sunrise. Alejandra adores Pete, and that means more to Ricky and Esther than they can say. The Princess Diaries AU. Pete's broke as shit and Ricky and Esther let him stay with them. Esther meets Pete first. Going to a support group only to see one or both of the others already there. Action/adventure fic.
Pete/Sofia/Ricky/Esther
Everything I said about Pete/Ricky/Esther, but with my beloved Sofie in the mix, too! She adores all three of them and they all adore her, and I think she's direct in a way that'd be a real shakeup for them (and in a way they'd appreciate).
No magic/Unsleeping City AU. Diving into the city's history together. Going on a road trip, taking detour after detour because they want it to last forever, even though it can't. All four of them are, for their own reasons, Not Doing Well, and try to help each other. Sofie's still mourning Dale, Pete's still rebounding from Priya (and Rowan), and Ricky and Esther have each other, so they really shouldn't be entertaining this, And Yet! Debating martial vs magic. Whump. Blindfolds. High fantasy AU. Pete doesn't rejoin the Dream Team after that conflict with Kingston in S1.
Kristen/Gertie/Tracker
Dropping her situationship the second her ex came back to town was one of the most bonkers decisions Kristen made. I think Tracker and Gertie could bond over that, which would make the whole situation even worse (for Kristen. As a reader, I'm delighted). Also very fond of them building something sweet and good together, so go where your muse takes you!
Building a healthy, happy, long-term relationship post-canon. Tracker goes to Aguefort AU. Gertie challenges Kristen to a duel. Tracker thinks Gertie's pretty cool; Gertie thinks she and Tracker are bitter nemeses for Kristen's affection. Loneliness. All three of them on-again and off-again with each other in the messiest ways possible. Magical bonds of one kind or another. Angsty hurt/comfort. Rat Grinder Gertie AU. AU where they're all part of the same adventuring party.
Kristen/Kipperlilly/Lucy/Tracker
I would love to see them reckoning with the events of FHJY with a bit more gravity than canon, a comedic DND show, did. Maybe they resurrect Porter to kill him again like the Seven with Kalvaxus; maybe they go to a therapist that isn't Tracker's uncle; maybe Kristen and Kipperlilly start dating each other's exes as a ploy to piss the other off and then it gets even messier. I'll love any and all of it.
Inherited curses. Moving in together. Amnesia. Kristen and Kipperlilly are each other's assigned roommates at college; Tracker and Lucy are their long-suffering girlfriends. Kipperlilly runs a moderately successful baking blog like it's the navy. Holding onto pictures of the others after the relationship's fallen to pieces. Porter wins, and Kipperlilly realizes that's not as good a thing as she'd thought. Post-canon, world-class thief Kipperlilly and beleaguered adventurers trying to stop her Trackettlebees. Two of the four are each other's date at the other two's wedding. Quietly studying together in the library despite animosity outside of it.
Trackettlebees - Kristen/Lucy/Tracker
-I think clerics should date each other forever, amen. But seriously, I think there's something really interesting here. Kristen so devoted to doubt she brought a god back about it, Lucy so convicted to Ruvina that she never once shook even when it meant her death, Tracker so loyal to Galicaea she'll shape the world to reshape her god (which means that she's not as satisfied as she wants to be). Very fun things to play with here!
Volunteering at an animal shelter together. Alliances. Soulmate AU where Tracker and Kristen aren't soulmates, so the tattooing each other's names on was a Choice, especially if one of them has Lucy's name instead. Aguefort faculty AU. Forehead kisses. Lucy honestly can't stand Kristen for what she did to the other Rat Grinders, but she thinks Tracker's alright. Modern AU. Refusing to leave the others in danger. Coffee shop AU. The Bad Kids and the Rat Grinders try to match-make and/or sabotage said matchmaking.
Muffet/Pinocchio/Ylfa
I really like these three characters separately, and I think some polyamorous puppy love could be a very interesting way to study all three of them. They're all inhuman and they're all children and they're all beholden to their destinies to varying degrees in a world that's all the more horrible for those things. Maybe they can be each other's escape from that, however temporary. Maybe there's no escape from it at all.
Cuddling despite the awkwardness of one of them being a puppet. Surprise parties. Overcoming the Times of Shadow is more of a slowburn than a sprint. Dissociation, and it's difficult to be grounded by physical touch when your body isn't made for gentleness. Underwhelming first kisses. Falling asleep together. Fake relationship but it's a little ridiculous because they're all kids so it's just, like, holding hands. Pinocchio trying to wrest his destiny under his control; Ylfa taking on the mantle of Death. Totally normal modern AU with definitely no undercurrents of horror and having not actually left the Neverafter to it at allllllll. The Lines Between are haunted by terrible things.
Dragon Age
I am requesting a bunch of Veilguard ships. This is mostly because Veilguard fills me with a feeling of wasted potential than because I think it's a perfect game, so don't feel beholden to stick to Veilguard's tone. Make these dynamics messier, more tense, more inclined to reckon with the complex sociopolitical aspects of the earlier games! Write within a worldstate that the game didn't accommodate for! Now, if we've matched and you really only like Veilguard's tone/setting, that's okay too! I do enjoy the game as it stands as well.
I am absolutely okay with specific OC Rooks rather than a generic Rook. I love reading about other people's OCs, genuinely! Treat your OC as a character I'm as excited for as Bellara or Lucanis and I will adore them. I've listed a Rook for all of my pairings that have Rook included, but don't feel obligated to use them at all. Just to spark inspiration or to give you ideas if you don't want to use an OC of your own! You also don't have to stick with fem!Rooks even though mine are.
Bellacerook - Harding/Bellara/Rook
My love of these three is entirely driven by making a Rook who would absolutely have flirted with both and then struggled to decide between them and my own love of jealousy dialogues from the earlier games that Veilguard didn't give me. This could be as messy and toxic or as sweet and healthily negotiated as you like!
The gods win and everything is Good and Definitely Not A Blood Magic Hallucination At All. Burns. The drudgery of saving the world. Glimpsing an alternate timeline where things worked out better. Taking care of the griffons in Arlathan. Modern Thedas AU. Bellara and a mage Rook trying to teach Harding about magic, but it's so different that their advice isn't very helpful. Infiltration. What should've been a one night stand turns into something else. Dirty talk.
A Rook, if you'd like:
Actually crazy how little dialogue these two get about the fact their gods are a) provably real and b) evil. An elven Rook can't say much either, but I was really surprised by how little a dwarven Rook could talk about the Titans, too. I think the potential here is really underwritten, and I would like to see these three kiss about it.
Davrin's hunting the werewolves from DA:O with Bellara and Rook's help. Taking debilitating and disabling injuries while trying to save the world. Mistaken identity. Truth serums. All three are childhood friends. Dancing. A little chance is still a chance. Sharing a tent when they can't go back to the Lighthouse for awhile. Sharing an actual bed. Griffon dad Davrin is so endearing it's ridiculous.
A Rook, if you'd like:
I wish the relationships between this group were as complicated as the previous games' companions could be, and I think making them all involved is a fun way to do that!
A small mistake is the domino effect to an absolute disaster. Sleeping together in both the literal and metaphorical ways. Everyone wants Rook, and Rook is both flattered and overwhelmed by that attention. Dancing. Reckoning with the complexities of Thedosian sociopolitical dynamics and how those intersect with each other. The Veilguard taking care of each other in whatever ways they're able: making sure everyone eats, watching each other's back, helping each other blow off steam, whatever. Wearing each other's clothes. Grieving their failures and those they've lost. Interparty conflict. Drunkenly debating stupid shit about their enemies.
A Rook, if you'd like:
When I was first playing this game and growing disappointed with its direction, the reason I persevered was twofold. One, a very talented mutual of mine wrote a Rookanis fic that I absolutely wanted all the context for to be able to read. Two, Bellara my absolute fucking beloved. I think making those two things mix is very fun! Fine if Spite is included or ignored, though I do like him a whole lot.
Rook's romancing one and cheating with the other. Spite only wants to talk to Rook; Rook's mostly concerned with Lucanis's well-being. Revenge by proxy. Bellara's uneasy around Lucanis, but they work together well. Soulmate AU. Taking care of the Lighthouse; the strangeness of living in the Fade. Sex that's more emotional than any of them are prepared for. Modern Thedas AU. Looking at the stars together. A formal event.
A Rook, if you'd like:
I love Bellucanis, and I think mixing Spite in can be SO fun. She's (rightfully!) uncomfortable around unproven spirits/demons, but she also knows more about magic than the average layperson and can't help but be curious. I think Spite would welcome that attention even as Lucanis despairs at it.
5+1 fic. Bellara sees "Lucanis" walking around the Lighthouse and spends time with him, not realizing it's Spite. Getting drunk at the Cobbled Swan. Bitterness. One of the gods taunts the Veilguard about taking and Blighting Bellara. Bellara and Lucanis/Spite are enemies, not allies, but the sexual tension in unbelievable. The Crows are closer to their portrayal in DAO than in Veilguard, and Bellara's disgusted by it. Taken hostage. Florist/tattoo artist AU, but Spite's still a literal demon possessing Lucanis. Something's haunting the Lighthouse.
Nevellarook - Neve/Bellara/Rook
"Sisters"? Nah. I think all three of them are very sweet with one another, even a hardened!Neve. This is a throuple I'm more interested seeing in the early negotiation stages than the others (though I'm never opposed to it), just because I think they're different enough people that it could be really interesting.
Exploring Arlathan. Neve investigating a mystery with Bellara; Rook turns out to be the one responsible. Healing one another after they get hurt. Rook and Bellara are way more into Thread!Neve than they probably should be. Discussing magic. Wisps keep bringing Bellara and Rook's things to Neve. Neve and Rook helping Bellara with the Nadas Dirthalen. Rook mourning whoever was taken/Blighted with whoever's left behind. Having more gold and political standing than any of them know what to do with after the game. Risk-aware consensual kink.
A Rook, if you'd like:
My forever game. I love everything here. Truly, if it's not my DNW, go for it, even if it's niche or gory or kinky or requires you to be a real Forgotten Realms lorehead or is entirely OC-centric. I will love it and cheer you on in the comments.
For Tavs: feel absolutely free to slot a Dark Urge in place of a Tav, if your heart desires, or vice versa. Or add a Durge and make it a foursome/however-many-some! You can use your own OCs, I love reading about people's OCs. For any pairings with a Tav listed, I've listed at least one of mine. Do NOT feel obligated to use them or get stressed about characterization or anything like that; that's just to potentially spark inspiration. My Tavs and Durges are pretty much all women but I love an m!Tav or nonbinary!Tav too, go nuts.
Haarlep/Raphael/Tav
I love these three. The dichotomy of Raphael's obsession and Haarlep's predatory playfulness and the sheer variety of how you can have Tav feel about them both is catnip to me. My favorite Raphael is one that leans into ALL aspects of his personality: the whimsical and the dangerous and the dramatic and the pathetic and the properly threatening. I love when he's not a suave, debonair daddy dom type but also not just a whimpering mess; he has layers! He contains multitudes! He can be both! (That being said, I'm thrilled if he tops OR bottoms or whatever you like. In general, any characters I've submitted for can do whatever your own preference is.) Any pronouns for Haarlep, my genderfluid beloved, are fine! If you want to stick to they/them or switch with forms or get funky with it, I'm down. Also, if you write a modern AU and put Haarlep in drag, you can have my firstborn if you want it.
An elven or otherwise long-lived Tav sees Raphael throughout the years, becoming more convinced he's the one making use of Haarlep's copy of their form. An infernal scholar Tav who takes a more academic than romantic interest in Raphael and Haarlep, something they'll try and twist to their advantage. Haarlep distracting Tav during the fight with Raphael; Raphael's absolutely delighted by that turn of events. Haarlep and Tav making Raphael come over and over again until he can't anymore. Tav dies in and haunts the House of Hope. Fighting in the Blood War. Raphael resentful that Tav appears to have moved on entirely from his presence in their life after their contract's resolved. Hope dies in the fight with Raphael; Raphael plans on putting Tav in her place. Raphael wants Tav's soul, which is a shame because they gleefully promised it to Haarlep. Whatever romance, not just sex, looks like between a devil, a demon, and the person dumb enough to enjoy them both.
Tavs you can use if you want to:
I love these four. Every dynamic between them is already so compelling individually, and adding polyamory to it makes it so damn fun to play with. Their complexities and contradictions and hypocrisies are what make them interesting to me, so please, don't feel like you need to sand down their rougher edges. Easy fluff is also very fun, as long as you're not defanging them of what makes them interesting!
Wyll has more devilish/infernal characteristics than just the horns and ridges, to the enjoyment of his partners. Arranged marriages (Grand Duke Wyll? Gith diplomat Lae'zel? Never-Sharran Shadowheart representing Selune? unwillingly part of Zariel's inner circle Karlach? whatever you jive with!). Trying not to draw too much attention in the mind flayer colony underneath Moonrise. Shadowheart and Wyll discuss magic while watching their more martial partners spar. Kissing just to kiss. Endings other than the ones the game lets you get. All of them hungover after sustaining themselves just on alcohol the previous long rest. Significant eye contact. Getting caught up in just how pretty the others are.
Astarion/Gale/Halsin/Karlach/Lae'zel/Minthara/Shadowheart/Wyll:
If you can find a way to make this everyone being involved with everyone, I will love you forever, but also do not feel obligated because goddamn, what a wild set of characters and dynamics to balance. But I love all the relationships within this individually and together, so do what you like!
Realizing just how much they all miss each other after they're apart at the end of the game. The Dead Three win and all these characters have is each other. Packing up camp to keep traveling onward towards the Gate. One of the more power-hungry party members (Minthara, Astarion, whoever feels right to you) takes control of the Absolute and finds it difficult to build the world they want with how pissed the others are. Some party members are more experienced than others; they're having difficulty not being embarrassed about it. The party splits in goals in Act 3 and add each other to their already-long list of enemies. Anal play. Some of these characters fall in love easily and immediately; other relationships within the group take a lot more work. Killing people to avenge the wrongs done to one another. Arguments and interparty conflict.
Astarion/Gale/Halsin/Karlach/Lae'zel/Shadowheart/Wyll:
I love a poly party, what can I say! I am a fan of all configurations within this relationship, whether it's an incredibly convoluted web or just "everybody's dating everybody". As before, do whatever feels best for you :)
The journey from Moonrise to Baldur's Gate is long and dull. Casual physical affection. Infiltrating a fancy event of Gortash's, something everyone is uncomfortable with for their own reasons. Modern slice-of-life with copious angst. Pirate AU. Canon retellings. Loyalty taken way too far. "Platonic" cuddling. Reassuring Wyll his devilish transformation has not made him any less dashing. Bonding by viciously mocking their enemies.
Astarion/Gale/Karlach/Lae'zel/Shadowheart/Wyll:
I like Halsin and Minthara a lot but y'know, sometimes it's fun just to mash the origins together and see what happens.
Finding and making use of fetish gear in Sharess' Caress. During the game, they all had and fucked up and ended relationships with one another in a convoluted clusterfuck; they meet again in the epilogue. Recovering after succumbing to some form of enchantment magic. Astarion bringing the others to his grave. Incredibly specific niche AUs. Mirrors. Regrets. Blindfolds. Figuring out just how bad it is to have pissed off a hag. Getting together.
Astarion/Karlach/Lae'zel
I adore pairing Astarion with physically powerful women who think his shtick is ridiculous but can also grow to have a real, genuine respect and fondness for him, and I think Karlach and Lae'zel are at least a LITTLE into each other no matter how the game plays out.
Karlach sleeping with Astarion and Lae'zel (either separately or at the same time) after her engine's fixed because they seem to want her and she wants touch, except she can't stop thinking about either of them. Lae'zel being the person Karlach leans on after ascended Astarion rejects her for the sin of, uh, him not being able to turn her into a vampire. Blasphemy. Soulmate AU. Lae'zel and Astarion burying Karlach after she refuses to go to Avernus. Fake relationship(s). Angry sex. Astarion still wants to wait before having sex again, but he's happy to watch Karlach and Lae'zel sate each other's needs instead. Hurt/comfort. Sitting for a portrait after saving the Sword Coast.
Astarion/Durge/Gortash
I'm not ordinarily a fan of "two awful man playing tug-of-war with another (usually female) character" but honestly, these guys make it work. They're terrible, of course, in ways both very similar and different, but they've got wonderful voices and that goes a long way. They're also genuinely interesting characters, which goes even further!
Dressing to present the perfect, unified picture of the saviors of Baldur's Gate, all the while thinking about ruining/debauching/defiling said picture later. Durge gets stuck somewhere compromising, something Astarion and Gortash both think is hilarious. Astarion and Durge breaking into Wyrm's Rock, preferring its comforts to the Elfsong. Gratuitously violent sex. Astarion and Durge fighting Gortash. Durge mourning the memories they'll never get back. Hugs and the strangeness of gentleness to monsters such as them. Allying with Gortash to control the Brain, except he doesn't die when it breaks free. The logistics of managing the Cult of the Absolute. Modern Toril AU.
A Durge, if you'd like:
What, like I'm gonna knock the Selunite threesome? I love them dearly. I would like to see them being freaks a little more if I'm honest but I do love the potential for fluff here, too.
Shadowheart choosing between Shar and Selune. Aftercare. Shadowheart and Isobel worrying about Aylin after the fight with Lorroakan. Isobel and Aylin helping Shadowheart cope with the pain after she saves her parents. Aylin and Isobel proposing that Shadowheart join their marriage, serious about their relationship in a way she hadn't realized. Isobel holding Aylin as she dies, Shar having swayed Shadowheart back to her. Building a life together after they've all lost everything they had before. Sharran Shadowheart meeting a never-captured Aylin and a never-dead Isobel. Trust.
Aylin/Durge/Isobel
Resist!Durge my beloved. I think the relationship between Isobel and Durge is so interesting, both rejecting their fathers' wills to offer each other kindness and the room to be good. Aylin and Isobel are of course deeply in love. Aylin is a god's daughter just as Durge is Bhaal's child, but that filial devotion is so different (if present at all) in Durge. Really, really fun stuff.
Royalty AU. Futuristic Toril AU (so scifi, but still with Selune and Bhaal and DND races and all that fun stuff). Durge is Bhaal's scion and Aylin is Selune's sword, and neither of them slot as easily into those roles as they used to. Stargazing. The road to Baldur's Gate. Cuddling. Arguments. Durge wants to save Orin from Bhaal; Aylin and Isobel help as best they can. Isobel is taking by Orin; Aylin and Durge have to save her. Giving a guest lecture at Waterdeep.
A Durge, if you'd like:
For all I've said about wow I love mess and angst and misery, these three are a gentle comfort pairing for me. That's not to say you can't write angst or lean into their harsher edges, if the muse strikes, just that I love the potential for tenderness between these three.
In-universe reporting on the new professor at Blackstaff, the new Grand Duke of the Gate, and the githyanki revolutionary very publicly endeared with both. Modern Toril AU. Gale and Wyll really enjoying how strong Lae'zel is. Two of them are vying for the affections of the third, not realizing they're catching feelings for each other along the way, too. Superhero AU. Lae'zel and Wyll ragebaiting Gale for fun and profit. Going to a fancy party together, one they're not, strictly speaking, invited to or allowed at. Soulmate AU. Gale inviting Lae'zel and Wyll over to his home, and they're both surprised by how nice and not depression-cave it is after all they'd heard about his time pre-game. Two of the three are not-so-amicable exes; the third tries to maintain a friendship with both.
Karlach/Lae'zel/Nocturne/Shadowheart/Wyll:
Someone else nominated this tag last year and I'm so glad they did because I've been thinking about it ever since. Honestly a huge fan of any configuration of these characters, so whatever you vibe with!
Following Lae'zel to her revolution in the Astral Plane. Battle couple/throuple/quintuple. Dysfunctional relationships. One of them is trapped in a time loop, and no matter what they do, at least one of the others die. Learning one another's likes in bed. Shadowheart spurning all the rest for Shar. Mutual and interwoven jealousy and envy for each other's relationships, not realizing they're jealous of everyone involved. The Dead Three win and together, they watch the world end. Teasing. Kissing to keep each other quiet on an infiltration mission, definitely for no other reason.
Karlach/Lae'zel/Shadowheart:
I call this the "girls' night" party. Their banter brings me such joy and I think any relationship involving any of the two of them, let alone all three, would be a delightful disaster and I want to see every second of it.
Getting together. Meddling party members. Hurt/comfort. Sleeping together and swearing it's a one-off. Karlach trying to mediate Shadowheart and Lae'zel's constant arguments, to mixed success. Shadowheart healing them when they're both injured. Dark Justiciar Shadowheart wants to corrupt them both into perfect Sharrans. Post-game, they're all options at a date auction for the reconstruction efforts. Talking in their sleep. Class swap (paladin of vengeance Shadowheart, swearing to defy all gods for playing with her as they did? wizard Lae'zel, one of Vlaakith's finest gish? warlock Karlach, unhappily pacted to Mizora to survive in the Hells? whatever you like!).
Karlach/Lae'zel/Wyll
Lae'zel and Wyll are both characters driven by duty and obligation to what they believe is right, and I LOVE the idea of them setting that aside for Karlach's sake. Wyll puts his quest to kill Mizora on hold until Karlach finds a fix for her heart; Lae'zel follows Karlach to Avernus though it means abandoning her people. It's what Karlach deserves!
Wyll inviting Lae'zel to dance. Learning martial techniques from one another. Holding hands. Keeping promises. Lae'zel attempts to follow Faerunian courting practices, but she doesn't really get it. Both Karlach and Lae'zel thinking Wyll deserves better than what Ulder did to him. Resoundly mocking Raphael as they go through the House of Hope. Stuck in an enclosed space with one another. Grand Duke Wyll navigating politics, though none of them have any particular patience for patriar selfishness in the wake of the Absolute crisis. Jealousy.
Lae'zel/Minthara/Shadowheart:
I support women's wrongs! And also women's incredibly complicated relationships with each other and the world in which they live and the place they fit, or don't fit, within that world! These three are great for that individually AND together.
Shadowheart torn between following Lae'zel to the Astral or Minthara to the Underdark. Minthara dies in Act 1 and haunts the party. It's supposed to be just sex, but in the midst of it they realize they all genuinely enjoy each other's company. Shadowheart works on recovering her memories from Shar. Going way overkill when attacking that woman who's mean to Scratch. Minthara mentoring the other two, something they resent and yearn for in equal measure. Modern Toril AU. Getting arrested. Lae'zel taking her partners dragon-riding. Shadowheart torn between Shar and Selune; Lae'zel and Minthara think she should reject both.
Lae'zel/Shadowheart/Tav:
If you could romance both of these two characters together, I would never romance anyone else. I love Shadowzel's dynamics as companions, I love both their romances, and I love the idea of mashing all three of those together.
The Dead Three win, and the three of them are the only ones left resisting. Modern Toril AU. Lae'zel and Shadowheart think Tav is too naive, and they're not necessarily wrong. Teaching Shadowheart to swim. Lae'zel and Shadowheart pretend to be together so Tav will stop harping on party bonding after their fight. Wearing each other's clothes. Shadowheart meeting Lae'zel and gith!Tav after the attempt at recovering the artifact fails. The Iron Throne. Softness. Scrounging for camp supplies.
A Tav, if you'd like:
Minthara/Karlach/Lae'zel/Shadowheart:
I support women's wrongs x2 combo! I think Karlach adds a really nice element of raucous joy to the other three that makes the dynamic feel vivid and distinct from how it is without her, and losing her makes it shift again, albeit for the much sadder. Super compelling. Also, hot!
Minthara takes control of the Absolute to build a "better" world. One of them being held as they cry. Breaking out of jail. Lawyer AU. Tentative, exploratory kisses. Shadowheart is brought to the limits of her magic trying to keep three frontline fighters alive. Temperature play. Minthara having very high standards for and of her girls. Dom/sub. Minthara having to heal Shadowheart because Shadowheart's too tapped out to heal herself.
Karlach/Lae'zel/Shadowheart/Tav
Women kiss each other NOW!!! I've already rambled about all of these pairings separately, you get the drill.
Fandom AU. The awkward adjustment period of a new relationship. Intimidating everyone who stands in their way. Omegaverse (bonus points for alpha/alpha action). Kissing Karlach for the last time, bearing the burns because that's better than leaving her alone. Taking care of Xan. Tav flirting with all of them as a means to get them to stop arguing and cooperate, which works better than they're intending. The aftermath of Orin taking Lae'zel. Two of them being each other's date and the other two's wedding. Proving their affection for one another.
A Tav, if you'd like:
Astarion/Karlach/Tav
Listen. These three were my first ever Baldur's Gate OT3, before I'd even played the games. I have a huge soft spot for them. BUT. I love the mess. (You'll hear me say that a lot.) Astarion sleeping with Tav as manipulation and catching feelings? Love it. Karlach and Tav wanting each other so badly they ache with it but not being able to touch without burns? Faaavorite. Astarion and Karlach liking each other but certainly not TRUSTING each other? So good. How they get past all that to form a genuine connection? This kills the me. It's all so good.
Karlach exasperatedly tending to Tav after Astarion gets carried away during a bite. Astarion ascending and doing all he can to repress the faces of all the spawn he'd damned, made more difficult by Karlach and Tav reminding him of it every single day. Joyful kisses. Casual kisses. Arcane trickster Astarion trying to learn plane shift to follow Karlach and Tav to the Hells. Karlach and Tav defending Astarion, who enjoys not having to do so himself (though he remains capable of it). Karlach's engine overheating. Piercings. Body worship. Tav adjusting to the Hells and then to the night for their partners, missing the sun and feeling terrible for even thinking that, considering.
A Tav you can steal, if you like:
I adore Aylin and Minthara as the angel and devil on Shadowheart's shoulders; Aylin encouraging Shadowheart to do good, Minthara enabling her worst impulses OR Aylin demanding Shadowheart's devotion to Selune while Minthara allows her the space to figure out who she is apart from the gods. I generally ship this with Aylin and Minthara seeing Shadowheart and not each other, but I think they could kill it as an actual throuple, too. Dealer's choice :)
Social media AU. Drunken adventuring. Debating divinity and mortal relationship with it, made more tense by everyone's complicated relationships with this topic. Shadowheart trying to believe Minthara can be better; Aylin doesn't think her so kind; Minthara remains unapologetically herself. Lies. Whump. Sunrises. Shadowheart and Minthara ganging up on Aylin, in whatever way you want that to mean. Comforting one another after nightmares. Aylin asking to be put under enchantment magic just to avoid thinking for even the briefest moment.
Keene/Shadowheart/Tav
SO crazy about the potential of this one. Keene is so much Shadowheart's type that it's ridiculous, and when my Shadowheart romancer who also is a rogue with a past with Keene interacted? It was so over for me. Totally gone on them, much like they are with each other.
Pillow humping. Comforting kisses. Operant conditioning using affection. Keene keeping a close eye on them both. Shadowheart not feeling fully Sharran OR Selunite. Tav venting to Keene about her relationship with Shadowheart, despite Keene insisting she did not ask. Shadowheart healing Keene after Aid the Underduke. Tav and Shadowheart gathering information for the Guild. Pre-game Sharran Shadowheart trying to charm rogue!Tav as an easier in to the Guild than Keene herself. The Guild works on reclaiming and recovering the Gate after the Absolute destroys it.
A Tav you can use if you like:
Corvo/Billie/Outsider
I'm still making my way through Dishonored 2, but I found myself really, really charmed by the dynamic between Corvo and Billie, and their dynamics with the Outsider are equally as interesting. That said, I do not mind spoilers and probably already know whatever endgame/DoTO spoiler you might want to write about, so if you've got a plot bunny that you're worried might give away a plot beat, go nuts.
Billie insists she doesn't want the Outsider's attention, and that it's a pain that Corvo being onboard brings that with him. Corvo and Billie going undercover as a couple to infiltrate some target's home, much to the Outsider's amusement. Billie following Corvo back to court after the game, though it never really feels right. Corvo and Billie researching the Outsider, finding nothing but biased or wildly incorrect information. The Outsider watches them both closely, something nearly resembling concern flickering in his chest when they get hurt. The Void. Modern AU. Corvo mildly disgusted by his own loyalty to anyone other than Emily, but that doesn't change the fact that it's there. Messy sex. Corvo using every shred of his powers to hunt down a target.
Corvo/Daud/Martin/Outsider
WHAT is going on with Martin and the Outsider? He's an Overseer with experience with black magic, and that's fascinating. What does he think of Corvo's mark really? What does he think about Daud? What do they think of him? What does the Outsider, distant from all three, think of whatever ends up happening there? Open to pretty much whatever your take is here.
Corvo, Daud, and/or Martin meeting at Outsider shrines enough that they start to wonder if they're being tempted there on purpose. Martin trying and failing to understand the Outsider and his Marked. Martin's equal parts impressed and disgusted with how good of a killing machine Daud and Corvo are with their powers. Corvo feeling out of place with other people after time in prison and as a human weapon; none of the others are particularly good at or interested in helping. Grief. Actual love where there should've just been convenience and intrigue. The Outsider's touch being physically painful and addictive at the same time. Gunshot wounds. Different kinds of infiltration. Corvo out of place in high society, skulking away to the others and the gutters.
Corvo/Daud/Outsider
If we matched on this one, you're probably already on the same page as me, but just in case, some of what I like. The Outsider's fascination with Corvo and Corvo's begrudging fascination right back; Corvo and Daud as diametrically opposed except they're really not that dissimilar, are they?; Daud having and losing the Outsider's attention and resenting having had it long enough to know the loss.
Corvo and Daud spar while the Outsider watches. Bitterness at being seen and understood. Corvo exasperated with Daud's resentment towards the Outsider after they've struck up some sort of accord. Daud teaching Corvo about his powers; the Outsider knows about half of it's wrong but is content to see where this goes. Literally sleeping together. Quiet moments. A final goodbye. Gentle kisses that feel alien to men such as them. Sharing some form of sensation due to the mark. AU where the Outsider and his magic isn't taboo, though it's still incredibly rare.
Corvo/Jessamine/Outsider
Sometimes I wonder how far back the Outsider's fascination with Corvo and his family goes. Jessamine died because of the Outsider's magic and was avenged by the same. That's something Corvo knows and must resent. Plus, the Heart? What pushed the Outsider to make/take that? How does it feel about that, if it indeed it feels anything at all anymore?
Corvo dealing with threats to Jessamine's life; the Outsider watches, knowing it'll all be for nothing. The Outsider watching Corvo and Jessamine's early relationship, an increasingly-less-indifferent voyeur. Rumors spread that the Empress was a witch just like her alleged sister. Reuniting in the Void. Jessamine distrusting the Abbey and its influence. Corvo attempting to "free" the Heart from the Void to disastrous results. Bloodstains. Jessamine is marked by the Outsider instead and rejects it, knowing an Empress cannot wear that mark. The Void is shaped by the Outsider's attention to Corvo. Corvo gorging himself on luxuries from the Empress and magic from the Outsider in much the same way.
Life is Strange
I like every single one of these games, including 2 and Double Exposure, though I think some are better than others. (Namely, 1 stands leagues above the rest, 2's phenomenally well-done but in a way that I'm not as fannishly interested in, and Before the Storm and Double Exposure are Fun but not necessarily Good). That said, use characters and settings and bits of lore from any of these games! I'll enjoy anything. Some other miscellaneous opinions:
- Chloe would not have dumped Max like she did in Double Exposure, but that doesn't mean they wouldn't have broken up under different circumstances. I just don't think Chloe would ever think Max was using her powers to manipulate her after all they'd been through.
- Bae > Bay, 99% of the time. Not ANTI-bay > bae, but if you're unsure, I've got a strong preference.
- Anything Max has with a guy is comphet, and I'm including Warren and Vinh.
- I like Rachel and Chloe's relationship after Before the Storm getting more ambiguous and stressful for both of them like we see it in LiS1, but again, not married to that if you think they were deeply in love throughout!
Rachel/Steph/Chloe
I tend to prefer LiS1 to Before the Storm, but I adore Steph and I think she and Rachel and Chloe have a really fun potential dynamic going on. I don't know if they'd ever be a happy, healthy throuple what with Rachel and Chloe's issues, but I would love to see them try.
Rachel lives. Passive aggressive advice. Going to college together. Going camping together and it's a total disaster because none of them know what they're doing. Chloe and Steph mourn Rachel together. Distracting each other in class. Getting way too drunk at a party. Getting high together, Steph realizing Chloe and Rachel go a lot harder than she does. Cunnilingus. Sharing a bed that's too small for two, let alone three.
Max/Alex/Steph
I'm so fond of the idea of Max and Alex meeting, and I think Steph would be so endeared by Max's specific brand of nerddom. I tend to prefer a timeline where Arcadia Bay is destroyed and Chloe lives, but I'm not married to that if you have a Bay > Bae fic in mind!
Alex goes to Blackwell AU. Max ends up in Haven Springs because she has nowhere else to go. Running for their lives. Max worrying she's a homewrecker while Alex and Steph are both actively trying to woo her into their relationship. LARPing. Alex surprised by the depth of Max's fury and sadness. Wearing matching costumes to a Halloween party. Bodyswap. Max missing Chloe like a missing limb and having to be talked out of chasing after someone who broke up with her. Max trying to convince Alex or Steph to pretend to date her so her parents don't think she's tragically single, even though she is.
Rachel/Max/Steph/Chloe
I really love adding other characters to Amberpricefield to see how much we can change and shift that dynamic. Steph's a pretty even-keeled character and I think she'd be good for them, but I also think she might exacerbate all the others' abandonment issues. Go in whatever direction you so choose!
Max is Internet friends with Steph before coming back to Blackwell. Coffee shop AU. Mistletoe kisses. Chloe feeling like people are lying to her or keeping things from her, correctly or otherwise. Getting into heated discussions over the assigned reading for class, though Chloe's mostly just ragebaiting. The dorm walls are pretty thin and not very good at blocking noise. Playing Dungeons & Dragons together. Making fun of bad movies together. Max trying to use her newfound powers wisely. Max constantly hopping timelines to see if she can find one where Rachel and Chloe both live.
Rachel/Alex/Steph
Putting Rachel, a character with volatile emotions and a whole lot of trauma, next to Alex, a literal empath, is probably a bad idea, and that before factoring in Alex's girlfriend used to have a thing for her. I would like to see it.
Talking about the Dark Room in a world where Rachel survives it. Making really bad jokes that crack the others up. Competing to get Ethan the most candy when trick-or-treating. Awkward first meetings. Meeting through LARPing. Watching the sunrise. Alex thinking about Rachel and Steph to get through the mines alive. Alex getting worried about how much time Rachel spends at the Black Lantern. Rachel running to Haven Springs after LA doesn't work out and finding it's still not far enough from Arcadia Bay. Rachel and Alex getting into a messed-up feedback loop of anger and destruction.
Max/Victoria/Steph
I think Max and Steph are both Victoria's type, not that she'd ever admit that to anyone, including herself. Steph's chill enough not to be too fucked up when Victoria's a bitch, and Max will snap back if she's pushed too far. In a weird way, I think they could actually all be good for each other after they get through an inital adjustment period of snippiness.
AU where they're teachers at Blackwell instead of students. Steph trying to figure out why Max and Victoria are all of a sudden close after being at each other's throats for so long (it's the Dark Room trauma). Studying together because for all they don't like each other, they're all driven to do well here. Max being as nosy as ever; Steph enables, Victoria dissuades. Shower sex in the dorms where they have to be really, really quiet or get caught. Taking Max to the ER after she overdoes it with her powers. Max dating Steph and cheating with Victoria, or vice versa. Hanahaki disease. Jealousy. Moving in together.
Alex/Taylor/Steph
Taylor's a really minor character compared to everyone else I nominated, but I like her a whole lot. I like how if you treat her with empathy (something Alex might be good at, just a hunch), she mellows out considerably and actually ends up being pretty sweet. Alex and Steph would be good for her, and she'd be as bitchy to people who deserve it as they need.
Taylor and Steph not wanting to talk about Arcadia Bay and what happened there, but Alex can feel how much it's bothering them still. Buying the perfect bouquet from Lethe Flowers. Trying and failing to bake something nice for each other. Long distance relationships. Slow burn. Painplay. Vampire AU. Alex making cocktails she knows her girls will love. Taylor being both Alex and Steph's go-to for comfort after they break up. Taylor and Steph as childhood friends.
Rachel/Victoria/Steph/Chloe
Rachel and Victoria are bad for each other, adding Chloe to the mix doesn't help matters, and Steph would think all three of them are actually insane in how they act about each other. Her as the straight man, no heterosexuality intended, in their shenanigans, is both very funny and very endearing to me.
Couch sex. Finding out about Jefferson without time powers on their side to help keep them safe. Victoria survives the Dark Room but anyone can see something's wrong with her after it, even if she doesn't remember exactly what went down. Working together on a group project, though no one's happy about it. Rachel haunting the Bay after it's destroyed, and not just as the doe. Chloe drawing the other three. Victoria's disowned by her family after she comes out and the others take her in. Pain. The golden hour. What the plot of the first game might've looked like if Max never came back to town and also Steph was there from the start and not written in later.
Pricemarshfield - Max/Kate/Chloe
My loves! My first poly ship for LiS and my Tumblr URL to this very day. I love them all so much, but I've got an especially soft spot for Chloe and Kate. I'm uninterested in plotless porn for these guys or for any pairing involving Kate; if you're going to write smut with her, I'd far more interested in seeing how she got there than the actual end result.
Each of them are huge nerds in their own way. Kate helping Chloe bake something for Max's birthday. All three of them going to someone else's wedding (another pairing on this list, maybe!) and wondering if they'll ever get that far. Kate doesn't trust anyone to guide her through her first time more than Max and Chloe. Kate doing Max's makeup while Chloe watches and wonders if she's imagining the tension. Moving into their first apartment together. Staying up all night for a movie marathon. Kate realizing with horror she's fallen in love with not only a girl, but another couple, so she's doubly fucked. Chloe's guilt after Max picks her over the Bay. Max tries to escape the Dark Room without a deus ex David there to help.
Amberpricemarshfield - Rachel/Max/Kate/Chloe
My loves but with Rachel there to make things even more complicated! I'm really fascinated by the relationship between Rachel and Kate, because I think it could be really, really good and healing for both of them or could trigger/worsen each other's issues, to the delight or despair of Max and Chloe. Do whatever you're happy with here!
Rachel dreams of stardom and glitz and glamour that the others can't give her. Kate's fucked up at the Vortex Club party and Rachel realizes what's going on (or at least some of it) and gets her the hell out of there. Max doesn't manage to save Kate; Kate meets the other ghost haunting Arcadia Bay. High fantasy AU. Chloe and/or Rachel getting way too drunk at a party. Rachel and Chloe get into a fight and refuse to speak to each other for days, using Max and Kate as go-betweens. Kate's parents find out about her "proclivities" and pull her from Blackwell. Late night phone calls. Kate joining Max and Chloe in trying to solve what's going on in Arcadia Bay to get her own closure. Rachel flirting more forwardly than the others are ready for.
Amberpricefield - Rachel/Max/Chloe
The OG LiS OT3! I am not picky at all with these three, do literally whatever you want and I'll eat it the hell up. The only reason they're so "low" on this list is because I also have a lot of rarepairs and what are exchanges for if not to see those?
Rachel and Max helping Chloe out of her house night after night when the stepdouche of it all gets too much for her to handle. Trying to have nuanced conversations about their relationship but absolutely none of them have the language or emotional intelligence to do so. A glimpse at their relationship years later and how it's still going strong or spectacularly burned out. Max and Chloe run into Rachel buying condoms at the gas station; either she's honest and it's a blow-up fight or she's not and it's still a blow-up fight. Lies. Chloe drawing Rachel, Max taking photos of Rachel, and Rachel trying to figure out if they see her for her or for the muse she is for everyone else. Rachel taking Max and Chloe to plays, and Max is surprised by the fondness they both have for Shakespeare. Trust. Camp counselor AU. Florist/tattoo artist AU.
My fandoms for this exchange are Dimension 20, Dragon Age, Baldur's Gate, Dishonored, and Life is Strange. I have this letter sorted by fandom and by pairing, but if you want to mix-and-match one idea to another pairing or another fandom, go for it. If you want to add a character from one relationship tag into another, go for it! I'm a multishipper and easily pleased.
I like canon compliance and canon divergence and AUs that have nothing to do with canon. I like a healthy dynamic where everyone does their best to communicate and meet in the middle and I like a dynamic where everyone involved shouldn't be in the same plane of existence as the other. I like fluff and angst and smut and plot and whatever intersection of those things your heart desires. If you can't tell, I like a lot and am generally easy to please! If you have fun writing it, I will almost certainly have fun reading it.
With any and all pairings, you can ship in whatever conjunction you want. V-style relationships or true throuples or casual orgies or messy polycules with completely different dynamics between each person or whatever you personally jive with. As long as you're not bashing any character in a relationship tag, I'm totally set :)
Dimension 20
While I'm only requesting Fantasy High, The Unsleeping City, and Neverafter, I've seen every campaign and adore quangles, so if you want to do a crossover within these or even with other D20 campaigns, go nuts! As stated in the initial signup, I don't want smut for the non-TUC pairings but am a-okay with smut for those, and I also don't want Ayda cheating on Fig (though other infidelity is fine, if you prefer that to healthily negotiated polyamory; I'm easy to please there!).
I worked on Hey, Girlie! Game and so am partial to the dynamics present there, which is why all the poly routes from it have been requested here. I say that to let you know if you WANT to use that canon you can, NOT to make you feel beholden to something other than regular canonverse. I also very much enjoy takes on these characters and pairings entirely separate from that game.
3C/3Cleric - Kristen/Nara/Tracker
Dating your ex and your ex's ex at the same time. What could go wrong? I love these three. I like the complications of Tracker and Kristen being each other's first love and Tracker's very next partner being Kristen if she were elven and rich; I like Nara as genuinely endeared by both Tracker and Kristen but also deeply anxious about her own place next to that storied history; I like Kristen being so genuinely STRANGE in her jealousy about it. Now taking all that and making it polyamorous? Oh, baby, now we're talking. So much potential there!
Kissing out of anger. Going on a quest together, growing as people and adventurers on the way. Fandom AU. Married life. AU where Nara and Tracker both attend Aguefort. An adventure on Leviathan. Huddling for warmth. Superhero AU. Omegaverse in a "how do secondary genders affect this already messy relationship" way. Working together in a shitty little diner AU.
Frostkettlebees - Kristen/Kipperlilly/Lucy
They make me so deeply unwell. I am of the opinion that Kipperlilly did do wrong, a LOT of things wrong even, but also that she isn't, like, incorrect. The Bad Kids are favored by the narrative, canonically, and it's not her fault that instead of someone sitting her down and explaining why that's ALSO bad, she got groomed by someone who wanted apotheosis. She killed her friend (and first love?) about it, and Kristen brought her back, and I think there's just the juiciest potential for Feelings there.
Western AU. Dimension hopping between different parallel universes (perhaps even quangles?). Two of them cast as romantic leads in a play and the third being so jealous of BOTH of them, somehow. The quiet, intimate conversations two people have in a car when someone else is asleep in the backseat. Fandom AU where they all get into the wankiest possible discourse with one another. Getting injured keeping the others safe. Huddling for warmth, made difficult by the fact Lucy runs cold. Arguments. Cultural differences from growing up Helioc/Ruvinan/generally agnostic. Going to the same adventurer's college post-canon.
Figaydabees - Ayda/Kristen/Fig
Figayda my beloveds. I really enjoy adding Kristen to this dynamic to make things as sweet and confusing and chaotic as possible, but I'm also a fan of all three of these dynamics apart from one another, too. Ayda's devotion to Fig (and Fig's devotion to Ayda!) is probably my favorite part of FHSY, so devastatingly romantic, and Kristen complicates that. Maybe Fig realizes she cares about her president as more than just security detail and refuses to betray Ayda, or maybe Kristen realizes she likes her best friend's girlfriend, or maybe Kristen just thinks she's obsessed with Fig and Ayda because she's tragically single and there's nothing more to it. Do what makes your muse sing here!
Lazy mornings together. Fig performing for her girls as she gets more and more frustrated with her inability to make this new album work. Going to a party together. Fig kissing Kristen as practice when she first realizes she likes Ayda; Kristen thinks it's more than that; Ayda thinks she's lost her chance. Class-swap (wizard Fig diving into the magic of the Hells? cleric Ayda following one of the chaotic gods of the sea? bardlock Kristen who hard pivoted from Helio at a younger age than she did? whatever works!). Modern AU. Fig worries she's bad for Ayda; Kristen's not great at mediating. Post-canon, Figayda as parents and Kristen as the kid's favorite and most irresponsible babysitter. Bets and wagers. Haunted houses.
Copetesofie - Pete/Sofia/Cody
Full disclosure, I think Cody kind of sucks, and I get a little bored with fanon that softens him into just an awkward guy. He ADMITS he sucks, and him sucking is often hysterically funny. Part of what I like about this particular throuple is that Pete is genuinely fond of him and Sofia kind of hates him, but Pete and Sofie adore and support each other, and I think those dichotomies and where those dynamics intersect is SO fun and crunchy. Okay with Pete having two hands or with Sofia putting Cody through his paces or whatever your heart desires here.
Kiss cam at a sporting event. Tony Simos/Gladiator/Null/some other antagonist wins AU. One moping at the wedding of the other two. Accidentally causing a minor crisis in the Unsleeping City and arguing over whose fault it was, really. Porn star AU. One of them third-wheeling the other two's dates enough that people start to wonder about it. Social media AU. Cody tries and fails to start a band, Pete's their biggest fan, Sofia despises their music. Cody bottoms for Sofia while Pete watches. Bodyswap.
Copetemaddie - Pete/Maddie/Cody
I still think Cody sucks, but I also think he would genuinely and earnestly think Maddie is cool as fuck, and their mutual fondness for Pete could take them far. I tend to see this as starting V-style with Pete before Cody and Maddie realize they like each other, too, but go nuts!
Rough sex. Soulmate AU. Epistolary fic (texts, emails, letters, etc). One night stand turns into two night stand turns into actual relationship. Wild magic surges creating some type of magical bond between the three. Dancing together at a wedding and none of them are particularly good at it. High school AU. One of them is the other two's wedding planner. Having their bachelor/bachelorette party together because they only ever want to spend time with each other. Coffee shop AU.
Pete/Ricky/Esther
I really love these three. Ricky and Esther are so in love and I think Pete has the potential to be deeply jealous of both of them about it, especially Ricky, but I also think Ricky and Esther are very supportive of Pete in ways that Pete covets and doesn't know how to handle at the same time. All very fun!
Sharing secrets. The snowiest day the city's had in years. More and more of Pete's clothes ending up at Ricky and Esther's place. Watching the sunrise. Alejandra adores Pete, and that means more to Ricky and Esther than they can say. The Princess Diaries AU. Pete's broke as shit and Ricky and Esther let him stay with them. Esther meets Pete first. Going to a support group only to see one or both of the others already there. Action/adventure fic.
Pete/Sofia/Ricky/Esther
Everything I said about Pete/Ricky/Esther, but with my beloved Sofie in the mix, too! She adores all three of them and they all adore her, and I think she's direct in a way that'd be a real shakeup for them (and in a way they'd appreciate).
No magic/Unsleeping City AU. Diving into the city's history together. Going on a road trip, taking detour after detour because they want it to last forever, even though it can't. All four of them are, for their own reasons, Not Doing Well, and try to help each other. Sofie's still mourning Dale, Pete's still rebounding from Priya (and Rowan), and Ricky and Esther have each other, so they really shouldn't be entertaining this, And Yet! Debating martial vs magic. Whump. Blindfolds. High fantasy AU. Pete doesn't rejoin the Dream Team after that conflict with Kingston in S1.
Kristen/Gertie/Tracker
Dropping her situationship the second her ex came back to town was one of the most bonkers decisions Kristen made. I think Tracker and Gertie could bond over that, which would make the whole situation even worse (for Kristen. As a reader, I'm delighted). Also very fond of them building something sweet and good together, so go where your muse takes you!
Building a healthy, happy, long-term relationship post-canon. Tracker goes to Aguefort AU. Gertie challenges Kristen to a duel. Tracker thinks Gertie's pretty cool; Gertie thinks she and Tracker are bitter nemeses for Kristen's affection. Loneliness. All three of them on-again and off-again with each other in the messiest ways possible. Magical bonds of one kind or another. Angsty hurt/comfort. Rat Grinder Gertie AU. AU where they're all part of the same adventuring party.
Kristen/Kipperlilly/Lucy/Tracker
I would love to see them reckoning with the events of FHJY with a bit more gravity than canon, a comedic DND show, did. Maybe they resurrect Porter to kill him again like the Seven with Kalvaxus; maybe they go to a therapist that isn't Tracker's uncle; maybe Kristen and Kipperlilly start dating each other's exes as a ploy to piss the other off and then it gets even messier. I'll love any and all of it.
Inherited curses. Moving in together. Amnesia. Kristen and Kipperlilly are each other's assigned roommates at college; Tracker and Lucy are their long-suffering girlfriends. Kipperlilly runs a moderately successful baking blog like it's the navy. Holding onto pictures of the others after the relationship's fallen to pieces. Porter wins, and Kipperlilly realizes that's not as good a thing as she'd thought. Post-canon, world-class thief Kipperlilly and beleaguered adventurers trying to stop her Trackettlebees. Two of the four are each other's date at the other two's wedding. Quietly studying together in the library despite animosity outside of it.
Trackettlebees - Kristen/Lucy/Tracker
-I think clerics should date each other forever, amen. But seriously, I think there's something really interesting here. Kristen so devoted to doubt she brought a god back about it, Lucy so convicted to Ruvina that she never once shook even when it meant her death, Tracker so loyal to Galicaea she'll shape the world to reshape her god (which means that she's not as satisfied as she wants to be). Very fun things to play with here!
Volunteering at an animal shelter together. Alliances. Soulmate AU where Tracker and Kristen aren't soulmates, so the tattooing each other's names on was a Choice, especially if one of them has Lucy's name instead. Aguefort faculty AU. Forehead kisses. Lucy honestly can't stand Kristen for what she did to the other Rat Grinders, but she thinks Tracker's alright. Modern AU. Refusing to leave the others in danger. Coffee shop AU. The Bad Kids and the Rat Grinders try to match-make and/or sabotage said matchmaking.
Muffet/Pinocchio/Ylfa
I really like these three characters separately, and I think some polyamorous puppy love could be a very interesting way to study all three of them. They're all inhuman and they're all children and they're all beholden to their destinies to varying degrees in a world that's all the more horrible for those things. Maybe they can be each other's escape from that, however temporary. Maybe there's no escape from it at all.
Cuddling despite the awkwardness of one of them being a puppet. Surprise parties. Overcoming the Times of Shadow is more of a slowburn than a sprint. Dissociation, and it's difficult to be grounded by physical touch when your body isn't made for gentleness. Underwhelming first kisses. Falling asleep together. Fake relationship but it's a little ridiculous because they're all kids so it's just, like, holding hands. Pinocchio trying to wrest his destiny under his control; Ylfa taking on the mantle of Death. Totally normal modern AU with definitely no undercurrents of horror and having not actually left the Neverafter to it at allllllll. The Lines Between are haunted by terrible things.
Dragon Age
I am requesting a bunch of Veilguard ships. This is mostly because Veilguard fills me with a feeling of wasted potential than because I think it's a perfect game, so don't feel beholden to stick to Veilguard's tone. Make these dynamics messier, more tense, more inclined to reckon with the complex sociopolitical aspects of the earlier games! Write within a worldstate that the game didn't accommodate for! Now, if we've matched and you really only like Veilguard's tone/setting, that's okay too! I do enjoy the game as it stands as well.
I am absolutely okay with specific OC Rooks rather than a generic Rook. I love reading about other people's OCs, genuinely! Treat your OC as a character I'm as excited for as Bellara or Lucanis and I will adore them. I've listed a Rook for all of my pairings that have Rook included, but don't feel obligated to use them at all. Just to spark inspiration or to give you ideas if you don't want to use an OC of your own! You also don't have to stick with fem!Rooks even though mine are.
Bellacerook - Harding/Bellara/Rook
My love of these three is entirely driven by making a Rook who would absolutely have flirted with both and then struggled to decide between them and my own love of jealousy dialogues from the earlier games that Veilguard didn't give me. This could be as messy and toxic or as sweet and healthily negotiated as you like!
The gods win and everything is Good and Definitely Not A Blood Magic Hallucination At All. Burns. The drudgery of saving the world. Glimpsing an alternate timeline where things worked out better. Taking care of the griffons in Arlathan. Modern Thedas AU. Bellara and a mage Rook trying to teach Harding about magic, but it's so different that their advice isn't very helpful. Infiltration. What should've been a one night stand turns into something else. Dirty talk.
A Rook, if you'd like:
- Maxine de Riva: human warrior. Never the best of assassins, too open-hearted and bold and brash and loud, but incredibly loyal to her city and to whatever cause she's thrown herself into as of late. Deeply curious about both Bellara's relationship with elven history and Harding's connection to the Titans, feeling generally unconnected from the world herself. Mourns every life they can't save. Pretty easily manipulable, to Viago's great disappointment.
Actually crazy how little dialogue these two get about the fact their gods are a) provably real and b) evil. An elven Rook can't say much either, but I was really surprised by how little a dwarven Rook could talk about the Titans, too. I think the potential here is really underwritten, and I would like to see these three kiss about it.
Davrin's hunting the werewolves from DA:O with Bellara and Rook's help. Taking debilitating and disabling injuries while trying to save the world. Mistaken identity. Truth serums. All three are childhood friends. Dancing. A little chance is still a chance. Sharing a tent when they can't go back to the Lighthouse for awhile. Sharing an actual bed. Griffon dad Davrin is so endearing it's ridiculous.
A Rook, if you'd like:
- Kalala Mercar: dwarven rogue. Former lyrium smuggler who joined up with the Shadow Dragons after seeing just how bad it is in Tevinter. Outwardly stoic and pragmatic, the heart of an idealist underneath it all. Very, very mad about what happened to the Titans and planning to kill Solas about it. Deeply admires Davrin's heroism as a Warden, something she doesn't think she'd ever be able to do knowing it'd kill her one day. So charmed by both him and Bellara that it makes her stupid.
I wish the relationships between this group were as complicated as the previous games' companions could be, and I think making them all involved is a fun way to do that!
A small mistake is the domino effect to an absolute disaster. Sleeping together in both the literal and metaphorical ways. Everyone wants Rook, and Rook is both flattered and overwhelmed by that attention. Dancing. Reckoning with the complexities of Thedosian sociopolitical dynamics and how those intersect with each other. The Veilguard taking care of each other in whatever ways they're able: making sure everyone eats, watching each other's back, helping each other blow off steam, whatever. Wearing each other's clothes. Grieving their failures and those they've lost. Interparty conflict. Drunkenly debating stupid shit about their enemies.
A Rook, if you'd like:
- Yona Ingellvar: kossith (Qunari) mage. Raised largely by spirits and liches, she's not got the best understanding of social norms. Sex and romance to her are things she enjoys sharing with as many people who want to share them with her, as far from monogamous as she could possibly be. Tends to prefer sex earlier in a romance than the game allows for, but meets people where they're at. Relatively grotesque ideas of what's romantic.
When I was first playing this game and growing disappointed with its direction, the reason I persevered was twofold. One, a very talented mutual of mine wrote a Rookanis fic that I absolutely wanted all the context for to be able to read. Two, Bellara my absolute fucking beloved. I think making those two things mix is very fun! Fine if Spite is included or ignored, though I do like him a whole lot.
Rook's romancing one and cheating with the other. Spite only wants to talk to Rook; Rook's mostly concerned with Lucanis's well-being. Revenge by proxy. Bellara's uneasy around Lucanis, but they work together well. Soulmate AU. Taking care of the Lighthouse; the strangeness of living in the Fade. Sex that's more emotional than any of them are prepared for. Modern Thedas AU. Looking at the stars together. A formal event.
A Rook, if you'd like:
- Veryl Aldwir: human warrior. She and Bellara were friends and amicable exes before the events of the game, and she was gone for Lucanis (and Spite) the moment she met him. Very determined and driven, but tends to take things at face-value. More comfortable with magic and spirits than she probably should be, considering how easily things can go wrong. Wants to punch Solas more than she's ever wanted anything. If she's guilty about something, she'll ignore it rather than face it.
I love Bellucanis, and I think mixing Spite in can be SO fun. She's (rightfully!) uncomfortable around unproven spirits/demons, but she also knows more about magic than the average layperson and can't help but be curious. I think Spite would welcome that attention even as Lucanis despairs at it.
5+1 fic. Bellara sees "Lucanis" walking around the Lighthouse and spends time with him, not realizing it's Spite. Getting drunk at the Cobbled Swan. Bitterness. One of the gods taunts the Veilguard about taking and Blighting Bellara. Bellara and Lucanis/Spite are enemies, not allies, but the sexual tension in unbelievable. The Crows are closer to their portrayal in DAO than in Veilguard, and Bellara's disgusted by it. Taken hostage. Florist/tattoo artist AU, but Spite's still a literal demon possessing Lucanis. Something's haunting the Lighthouse.
Nevellarook - Neve/Bellara/Rook
"Sisters"? Nah. I think all three of them are very sweet with one another, even a hardened!Neve. This is a throuple I'm more interested seeing in the early negotiation stages than the others (though I'm never opposed to it), just because I think they're different enough people that it could be really interesting.
Exploring Arlathan. Neve investigating a mystery with Bellara; Rook turns out to be the one responsible. Healing one another after they get hurt. Rook and Bellara are way more into Thread!Neve than they probably should be. Discussing magic. Wisps keep bringing Bellara and Rook's things to Neve. Neve and Rook helping Bellara with the Nadas Dirthalen. Rook mourning whoever was taken/Blighted with whoever's left behind. Having more gold and political standing than any of them know what to do with after the game. Risk-aware consensual kink.
A Rook, if you'd like:
- Athewen Mercar: elven rogue. A former slave who is understandably devoted to the cause of liberating Tevinter's elves. Admires Neve for being a human mage who refuses to exploit others to advance herself even when she easily could and admires Bellara for her commitment to her people, even if that looks very different between Dalish elves and city elves.
My forever game. I love everything here. Truly, if it's not my DNW, go for it, even if it's niche or gory or kinky or requires you to be a real Forgotten Realms lorehead or is entirely OC-centric. I will love it and cheer you on in the comments.
For Tavs: feel absolutely free to slot a Dark Urge in place of a Tav, if your heart desires, or vice versa. Or add a Durge and make it a foursome/however-many-some! You can use your own OCs, I love reading about people's OCs. For any pairings with a Tav listed, I've listed at least one of mine. Do NOT feel obligated to use them or get stressed about characterization or anything like that; that's just to potentially spark inspiration. My Tavs and Durges are pretty much all women but I love an m!Tav or nonbinary!Tav too, go nuts.
Haarlep/Raphael/Tav
I love these three. The dichotomy of Raphael's obsession and Haarlep's predatory playfulness and the sheer variety of how you can have Tav feel about them both is catnip to me. My favorite Raphael is one that leans into ALL aspects of his personality: the whimsical and the dangerous and the dramatic and the pathetic and the properly threatening. I love when he's not a suave, debonair daddy dom type but also not just a whimpering mess; he has layers! He contains multitudes! He can be both! (That being said, I'm thrilled if he tops OR bottoms or whatever you like. In general, any characters I've submitted for can do whatever your own preference is.) Any pronouns for Haarlep, my genderfluid beloved, are fine! If you want to stick to they/them or switch with forms or get funky with it, I'm down. Also, if you write a modern AU and put Haarlep in drag, you can have my firstborn if you want it.
An elven or otherwise long-lived Tav sees Raphael throughout the years, becoming more convinced he's the one making use of Haarlep's copy of their form. An infernal scholar Tav who takes a more academic than romantic interest in Raphael and Haarlep, something they'll try and twist to their advantage. Haarlep distracting Tav during the fight with Raphael; Raphael's absolutely delighted by that turn of events. Haarlep and Tav making Raphael come over and over again until he can't anymore. Tav dies in and haunts the House of Hope. Fighting in the Blood War. Raphael resentful that Tav appears to have moved on entirely from his presence in their life after their contract's resolved. Hope dies in the fight with Raphael; Raphael plans on putting Tav in her place. Raphael wants Tav's soul, which is a shame because they gleefully promised it to Haarlep. Whatever romance, not just sex, looks like between a devil, a demon, and the person dumb enough to enjoy them both.
Tavs you can use if you want to:
- Tav Khoury--tempest cleric of Talos/lore bard multiclass, human, sage background, as obsessed with Raphael as he is with her, generally indifferent to Haarlep until they realize their mutual love for driving Raphael insane. Refuses to submit without a fight. Brat extraordinaire. 20 wisdom, 20 charisma, 8 intelligence. Would not let Raphael take her soul if he promised her the world (and trust him, he's tried that).
- S'batynrae--Dark Urge, wizard, Lolth-sworn drow. Intelligence and calculating and pragmatic until she gets around Raphael and all of that flies out the window. DESPERATE for him, practically worships him, enjoys Haarlep's company only in conjunction with their similarities. Wants him to own her soul because she doesn't want Bhaal to have it, nor does she trust it in her own hands but knows that just giving it to him will lose her her hard-won respect.
- Xullafay--storm sorcerer, Lolth-sworn drow, urchin background. Massive hedonist. Into Haarlep, not Raphael; will sleep with Raphael because he's pretty and because Haarlep seems to enjoy bossing them both about. Raphael's furious at her lack of deference for him but deeply into how eagerly she submits (even if it's not under HIS command, it is at least in HIS bed). Gave Haarlep her soul but they're holding off on eating it since it drives Raphael insane that they won the mouse rather than him.
I love these four. Every dynamic between them is already so compelling individually, and adding polyamory to it makes it so damn fun to play with. Their complexities and contradictions and hypocrisies are what make them interesting to me, so please, don't feel like you need to sand down their rougher edges. Easy fluff is also very fun, as long as you're not defanging them of what makes them interesting!
Wyll has more devilish/infernal characteristics than just the horns and ridges, to the enjoyment of his partners. Arranged marriages (Grand Duke Wyll? Gith diplomat Lae'zel? Never-Sharran Shadowheart representing Selune? unwillingly part of Zariel's inner circle Karlach? whatever you jive with!). Trying not to draw too much attention in the mind flayer colony underneath Moonrise. Shadowheart and Wyll discuss magic while watching their more martial partners spar. Kissing just to kiss. Endings other than the ones the game lets you get. All of them hungover after sustaining themselves just on alcohol the previous long rest. Significant eye contact. Getting caught up in just how pretty the others are.
Astarion/Gale/Halsin/Karlach/Lae'zel/Minthara/Shadowheart/Wyll:
If you can find a way to make this everyone being involved with everyone, I will love you forever, but also do not feel obligated because goddamn, what a wild set of characters and dynamics to balance. But I love all the relationships within this individually and together, so do what you like!
Realizing just how much they all miss each other after they're apart at the end of the game. The Dead Three win and all these characters have is each other. Packing up camp to keep traveling onward towards the Gate. One of the more power-hungry party members (Minthara, Astarion, whoever feels right to you) takes control of the Absolute and finds it difficult to build the world they want with how pissed the others are. Some party members are more experienced than others; they're having difficulty not being embarrassed about it. The party splits in goals in Act 3 and add each other to their already-long list of enemies. Anal play. Some of these characters fall in love easily and immediately; other relationships within the group take a lot more work. Killing people to avenge the wrongs done to one another. Arguments and interparty conflict.
Astarion/Gale/Halsin/Karlach/Lae'zel/Shadowheart/Wyll:
I love a poly party, what can I say! I am a fan of all configurations within this relationship, whether it's an incredibly convoluted web or just "everybody's dating everybody". As before, do whatever feels best for you :)
The journey from Moonrise to Baldur's Gate is long and dull. Casual physical affection. Infiltrating a fancy event of Gortash's, something everyone is uncomfortable with for their own reasons. Modern slice-of-life with copious angst. Pirate AU. Canon retellings. Loyalty taken way too far. "Platonic" cuddling. Reassuring Wyll his devilish transformation has not made him any less dashing. Bonding by viciously mocking their enemies.
Astarion/Gale/Karlach/Lae'zel/Shadowheart/Wyll:
I like Halsin and Minthara a lot but y'know, sometimes it's fun just to mash the origins together and see what happens.
Finding and making use of fetish gear in Sharess' Caress. During the game, they all had and fucked up and ended relationships with one another in a convoluted clusterfuck; they meet again in the epilogue. Recovering after succumbing to some form of enchantment magic. Astarion bringing the others to his grave. Incredibly specific niche AUs. Mirrors. Regrets. Blindfolds. Figuring out just how bad it is to have pissed off a hag. Getting together.
Astarion/Karlach/Lae'zel
I adore pairing Astarion with physically powerful women who think his shtick is ridiculous but can also grow to have a real, genuine respect and fondness for him, and I think Karlach and Lae'zel are at least a LITTLE into each other no matter how the game plays out.
Karlach sleeping with Astarion and Lae'zel (either separately or at the same time) after her engine's fixed because they seem to want her and she wants touch, except she can't stop thinking about either of them. Lae'zel being the person Karlach leans on after ascended Astarion rejects her for the sin of, uh, him not being able to turn her into a vampire. Blasphemy. Soulmate AU. Lae'zel and Astarion burying Karlach after she refuses to go to Avernus. Fake relationship(s). Angry sex. Astarion still wants to wait before having sex again, but he's happy to watch Karlach and Lae'zel sate each other's needs instead. Hurt/comfort. Sitting for a portrait after saving the Sword Coast.
Astarion/Durge/Gortash
I'm not ordinarily a fan of "two awful man playing tug-of-war with another (usually female) character" but honestly, these guys make it work. They're terrible, of course, in ways both very similar and different, but they've got wonderful voices and that goes a long way. They're also genuinely interesting characters, which goes even further!
Dressing to present the perfect, unified picture of the saviors of Baldur's Gate, all the while thinking about ruining/debauching/defiling said picture later. Durge gets stuck somewhere compromising, something Astarion and Gortash both think is hilarious. Astarion and Durge breaking into Wyrm's Rock, preferring its comforts to the Elfsong. Gratuitously violent sex. Astarion and Durge fighting Gortash. Durge mourning the memories they'll never get back. Hugs and the strangeness of gentleness to monsters such as them. Allying with Gortash to control the Brain, except he doesn't die when it breaks free. The logistics of managing the Cult of the Absolute. Modern Toril AU.
A Durge, if you'd like:
- Jemruzyl: githyanki rogue. Before she lost her memories, she was an unsettling, still, pragmatic Bhaalian, focused on death in droves, less a person and more an instrument of her Father's will. Gortash was useful, and she liked when things were useful, which means she liked him, full stop. After she lost her memories, she's a far more mirthful, chaotic character, doling out violence for fun but not necessarily relishing in emotional harm. She adores Astarion fully; Gortash is more interesting as an alliance of times gone by, but he could easily twist that towards a new alliance (perhaps more?).
What, like I'm gonna knock the Selunite threesome? I love them dearly. I would like to see them being freaks a little more if I'm honest but I do love the potential for fluff here, too.
Shadowheart choosing between Shar and Selune. Aftercare. Shadowheart and Isobel worrying about Aylin after the fight with Lorroakan. Isobel and Aylin helping Shadowheart cope with the pain after she saves her parents. Aylin and Isobel proposing that Shadowheart join their marriage, serious about their relationship in a way she hadn't realized. Isobel holding Aylin as she dies, Shar having swayed Shadowheart back to her. Building a life together after they've all lost everything they had before. Sharran Shadowheart meeting a never-captured Aylin and a never-dead Isobel. Trust.
Aylin/Durge/Isobel
Resist!Durge my beloved. I think the relationship between Isobel and Durge is so interesting, both rejecting their fathers' wills to offer each other kindness and the room to be good. Aylin and Isobel are of course deeply in love. Aylin is a god's daughter just as Durge is Bhaal's child, but that filial devotion is so different (if present at all) in Durge. Really, really fun stuff.
Royalty AU. Futuristic Toril AU (so scifi, but still with Selune and Bhaal and DND races and all that fun stuff). Durge is Bhaal's scion and Aylin is Selune's sword, and neither of them slot as easily into those roles as they used to. Stargazing. The road to Baldur's Gate. Cuddling. Arguments. Durge wants to save Orin from Bhaal; Aylin and Isobel help as best they can. Isobel is taking by Orin; Aylin and Durge have to save her. Giving a guest lecture at Waterdeep.
A Durge, if you'd like:
- V'naarurzyth, nicknamed "V'na": githyanki evocation wizard. A perfectly devoted spawn of death before her memories were lost, and steadfastly resistant to anything to do with the Urge afterwards. Looks at both Aylin and Isobel as examples of who she should be: using the divine energy with her for good, taking her "resurrection" as an opportunity to spit in her Father's eye. Overintellectualizes her feelings and magic to avoid getting too into death.
For all I've said about wow I love mess and angst and misery, these three are a gentle comfort pairing for me. That's not to say you can't write angst or lean into their harsher edges, if the muse strikes, just that I love the potential for tenderness between these three.
In-universe reporting on the new professor at Blackstaff, the new Grand Duke of the Gate, and the githyanki revolutionary very publicly endeared with both. Modern Toril AU. Gale and Wyll really enjoying how strong Lae'zel is. Two of them are vying for the affections of the third, not realizing they're catching feelings for each other along the way, too. Superhero AU. Lae'zel and Wyll ragebaiting Gale for fun and profit. Going to a fancy party together, one they're not, strictly speaking, invited to or allowed at. Soulmate AU. Gale inviting Lae'zel and Wyll over to his home, and they're both surprised by how nice and not depression-cave it is after all they'd heard about his time pre-game. Two of the three are not-so-amicable exes; the third tries to maintain a friendship with both.
Karlach/Lae'zel/Nocturne/Shadowheart/Wyll:
Someone else nominated this tag last year and I'm so glad they did because I've been thinking about it ever since. Honestly a huge fan of any configuration of these characters, so whatever you vibe with!
Following Lae'zel to her revolution in the Astral Plane. Battle couple/throuple/quintuple. Dysfunctional relationships. One of them is trapped in a time loop, and no matter what they do, at least one of the others die. Learning one another's likes in bed. Shadowheart spurning all the rest for Shar. Mutual and interwoven jealousy and envy for each other's relationships, not realizing they're jealous of everyone involved. The Dead Three win and together, they watch the world end. Teasing. Kissing to keep each other quiet on an infiltration mission, definitely for no other reason.
Karlach/Lae'zel/Shadowheart:
I call this the "girls' night" party. Their banter brings me such joy and I think any relationship involving any of the two of them, let alone all three, would be a delightful disaster and I want to see every second of it.
Getting together. Meddling party members. Hurt/comfort. Sleeping together and swearing it's a one-off. Karlach trying to mediate Shadowheart and Lae'zel's constant arguments, to mixed success. Shadowheart healing them when they're both injured. Dark Justiciar Shadowheart wants to corrupt them both into perfect Sharrans. Post-game, they're all options at a date auction for the reconstruction efforts. Talking in their sleep. Class swap (paladin of vengeance Shadowheart, swearing to defy all gods for playing with her as they did? wizard Lae'zel, one of Vlaakith's finest gish? warlock Karlach, unhappily pacted to Mizora to survive in the Hells? whatever you like!).
Karlach/Lae'zel/Wyll
Lae'zel and Wyll are both characters driven by duty and obligation to what they believe is right, and I LOVE the idea of them setting that aside for Karlach's sake. Wyll puts his quest to kill Mizora on hold until Karlach finds a fix for her heart; Lae'zel follows Karlach to Avernus though it means abandoning her people. It's what Karlach deserves!
Wyll inviting Lae'zel to dance. Learning martial techniques from one another. Holding hands. Keeping promises. Lae'zel attempts to follow Faerunian courting practices, but she doesn't really get it. Both Karlach and Lae'zel thinking Wyll deserves better than what Ulder did to him. Resoundly mocking Raphael as they go through the House of Hope. Stuck in an enclosed space with one another. Grand Duke Wyll navigating politics, though none of them have any particular patience for patriar selfishness in the wake of the Absolute crisis. Jealousy.
Lae'zel/Minthara/Shadowheart:
I support women's wrongs! And also women's incredibly complicated relationships with each other and the world in which they live and the place they fit, or don't fit, within that world! These three are great for that individually AND together.
Shadowheart torn between following Lae'zel to the Astral or Minthara to the Underdark. Minthara dies in Act 1 and haunts the party. It's supposed to be just sex, but in the midst of it they realize they all genuinely enjoy each other's company. Shadowheart works on recovering her memories from Shar. Going way overkill when attacking that woman who's mean to Scratch. Minthara mentoring the other two, something they resent and yearn for in equal measure. Modern Toril AU. Getting arrested. Lae'zel taking her partners dragon-riding. Shadowheart torn between Shar and Selune; Lae'zel and Minthara think she should reject both.
Lae'zel/Shadowheart/Tav:
If you could romance both of these two characters together, I would never romance anyone else. I love Shadowzel's dynamics as companions, I love both their romances, and I love the idea of mashing all three of those together.
The Dead Three win, and the three of them are the only ones left resisting. Modern Toril AU. Lae'zel and Shadowheart think Tav is too naive, and they're not necessarily wrong. Teaching Shadowheart to swim. Lae'zel and Shadowheart pretend to be together so Tav will stop harping on party bonding after their fight. Wearing each other's clothes. Shadowheart meeting Lae'zel and gith!Tav after the attempt at recovering the artifact fails. The Iron Throne. Softness. Scrounging for camp supplies.
A Tav, if you'd like:
- Hisborys: ranger, Mephistopheles tiefling, acolyte background (Selunite). Initially doesn't get along with Shadowheart by virtue of the Selune/Shar thing, and initially doesn't get along with Lae'zel due to her insistence on not aiding those too weak to defend themselves. But of course they're both beautiful, and of course she gets to enjoy their company the more time she spends with them, and uh oh! Feelings and all. Not the most charismatic herself; prefers the company of animals to people, more often than not; quietly devoted, once her affection is earned.
Minthara/Karlach/Lae'zel/Shadowheart:
I support women's wrongs x2 combo! I think Karlach adds a really nice element of raucous joy to the other three that makes the dynamic feel vivid and distinct from how it is without her, and losing her makes it shift again, albeit for the much sadder. Super compelling. Also, hot!
Minthara takes control of the Absolute to build a "better" world. One of them being held as they cry. Breaking out of jail. Lawyer AU. Tentative, exploratory kisses. Shadowheart is brought to the limits of her magic trying to keep three frontline fighters alive. Temperature play. Minthara having very high standards for and of her girls. Dom/sub. Minthara having to heal Shadowheart because Shadowheart's too tapped out to heal herself.
Karlach/Lae'zel/Shadowheart/Tav
Women kiss each other NOW!!! I've already rambled about all of these pairings separately, you get the drill.
Fandom AU. The awkward adjustment period of a new relationship. Intimidating everyone who stands in their way. Omegaverse (bonus points for alpha/alpha action). Kissing Karlach for the last time, bearing the burns because that's better than leaving her alone. Taking care of Xan. Tav flirting with all of them as a means to get them to stop arguing and cooperate, which works better than they're intending. The aftermath of Orin taking Lae'zel. Two of them being each other's date and the other two's wedding. Proving their affection for one another.
A Tav, if you'd like:
- Torroris Goldrest: high elf oathbreaker paladin, entertainer background. A gladiator who'd sworn to serve her lord but violated her oath to only raise a blade in the ring to defend a woman who'd been being menaced by powerful men. She doesn't regret doing so in the slightest; better to be an oathbreaker in the right than have her oath sullying her honor. In love with all three women and their capacity for goodness; could not be assed about any of the men (Wyll can stay (platonically. she's gay as hell)).
Astarion/Karlach/Tav
Listen. These three were my first ever Baldur's Gate OT3, before I'd even played the games. I have a huge soft spot for them. BUT. I love the mess. (You'll hear me say that a lot.) Astarion sleeping with Tav as manipulation and catching feelings? Love it. Karlach and Tav wanting each other so badly they ache with it but not being able to touch without burns? Faaavorite. Astarion and Karlach liking each other but certainly not TRUSTING each other? So good. How they get past all that to form a genuine connection? This kills the me. It's all so good.
Karlach exasperatedly tending to Tav after Astarion gets carried away during a bite. Astarion ascending and doing all he can to repress the faces of all the spawn he'd damned, made more difficult by Karlach and Tav reminding him of it every single day. Joyful kisses. Casual kisses. Arcane trickster Astarion trying to learn plane shift to follow Karlach and Tav to the Hells. Karlach and Tav defending Astarion, who enjoys not having to do so himself (though he remains capable of it). Karlach's engine overheating. Piercings. Body worship. Tav adjusting to the Hells and then to the night for their partners, missing the sun and feeling terrible for even thinking that, considering.
A Tav you can steal, if you like:
- Leta Brereton: berserker barbarian, human, criminal background. A bandit who so badly wants this fucking tadpole out of her head because she doesn't understand it and it freaks her out. Likes Karlach in her entirety; thinks the vampire thing is the worst thing about Astarion but enjoys his ruthlessness and bitchiness. More pragmatic than evil; helps the tieflings because she's not a monster, but isn't going out of her way to be a saint. Lets Astarion bite her for the first time when they sleep together (isn't particularly into it, but hey, he seems to be).
I adore Aylin and Minthara as the angel and devil on Shadowheart's shoulders; Aylin encouraging Shadowheart to do good, Minthara enabling her worst impulses OR Aylin demanding Shadowheart's devotion to Selune while Minthara allows her the space to figure out who she is apart from the gods. I generally ship this with Aylin and Minthara seeing Shadowheart and not each other, but I think they could kill it as an actual throuple, too. Dealer's choice :)
Social media AU. Drunken adventuring. Debating divinity and mortal relationship with it, made more tense by everyone's complicated relationships with this topic. Shadowheart trying to believe Minthara can be better; Aylin doesn't think her so kind; Minthara remains unapologetically herself. Lies. Whump. Sunrises. Shadowheart and Minthara ganging up on Aylin, in whatever way you want that to mean. Comforting one another after nightmares. Aylin asking to be put under enchantment magic just to avoid thinking for even the briefest moment.
Keene/Shadowheart/Tav
SO crazy about the potential of this one. Keene is so much Shadowheart's type that it's ridiculous, and when my Shadowheart romancer who also is a rogue with a past with Keene interacted? It was so over for me. Totally gone on them, much like they are with each other.
Pillow humping. Comforting kisses. Operant conditioning using affection. Keene keeping a close eye on them both. Shadowheart not feeling fully Sharran OR Selunite. Tav venting to Keene about her relationship with Shadowheart, despite Keene insisting she did not ask. Shadowheart healing Keene after Aid the Underduke. Tav and Shadowheart gathering information for the Guild. Pre-game Sharran Shadowheart trying to charm rogue!Tav as an easier in to the Guild than Keene herself. The Guild works on reclaiming and recovering the Gate after the Absolute destroys it.
A Tav you can use if you like:
- Rose Ferguson, thief rogue, human, guild artisan background. Painter turned calligrapher turned forger turned thief under Keene's tutelage, until she gets kidnapped, romances Shadowheart, and comes back only to realize she has not lost any of the feelings she had for Keene, nor vice versa. Vain but incredibly kind with a near-pathological need to help anyone who asks.
Corvo/Billie/Outsider
I'm still making my way through Dishonored 2, but I found myself really, really charmed by the dynamic between Corvo and Billie, and their dynamics with the Outsider are equally as interesting. That said, I do not mind spoilers and probably already know whatever endgame/DoTO spoiler you might want to write about, so if you've got a plot bunny that you're worried might give away a plot beat, go nuts.
Billie insists she doesn't want the Outsider's attention, and that it's a pain that Corvo being onboard brings that with him. Corvo and Billie going undercover as a couple to infiltrate some target's home, much to the Outsider's amusement. Billie following Corvo back to court after the game, though it never really feels right. Corvo and Billie researching the Outsider, finding nothing but biased or wildly incorrect information. The Outsider watches them both closely, something nearly resembling concern flickering in his chest when they get hurt. The Void. Modern AU. Corvo mildly disgusted by his own loyalty to anyone other than Emily, but that doesn't change the fact that it's there. Messy sex. Corvo using every shred of his powers to hunt down a target.
Corvo/Daud/Martin/Outsider
WHAT is going on with Martin and the Outsider? He's an Overseer with experience with black magic, and that's fascinating. What does he think of Corvo's mark really? What does he think about Daud? What do they think of him? What does the Outsider, distant from all three, think of whatever ends up happening there? Open to pretty much whatever your take is here.
Corvo, Daud, and/or Martin meeting at Outsider shrines enough that they start to wonder if they're being tempted there on purpose. Martin trying and failing to understand the Outsider and his Marked. Martin's equal parts impressed and disgusted with how good of a killing machine Daud and Corvo are with their powers. Corvo feeling out of place with other people after time in prison and as a human weapon; none of the others are particularly good at or interested in helping. Grief. Actual love where there should've just been convenience and intrigue. The Outsider's touch being physically painful and addictive at the same time. Gunshot wounds. Different kinds of infiltration. Corvo out of place in high society, skulking away to the others and the gutters.
Corvo/Daud/Outsider
If we matched on this one, you're probably already on the same page as me, but just in case, some of what I like. The Outsider's fascination with Corvo and Corvo's begrudging fascination right back; Corvo and Daud as diametrically opposed except they're really not that dissimilar, are they?; Daud having and losing the Outsider's attention and resenting having had it long enough to know the loss.
Corvo and Daud spar while the Outsider watches. Bitterness at being seen and understood. Corvo exasperated with Daud's resentment towards the Outsider after they've struck up some sort of accord. Daud teaching Corvo about his powers; the Outsider knows about half of it's wrong but is content to see where this goes. Literally sleeping together. Quiet moments. A final goodbye. Gentle kisses that feel alien to men such as them. Sharing some form of sensation due to the mark. AU where the Outsider and his magic isn't taboo, though it's still incredibly rare.
Corvo/Jessamine/Outsider
Sometimes I wonder how far back the Outsider's fascination with Corvo and his family goes. Jessamine died because of the Outsider's magic and was avenged by the same. That's something Corvo knows and must resent. Plus, the Heart? What pushed the Outsider to make/take that? How does it feel about that, if it indeed it feels anything at all anymore?
Corvo dealing with threats to Jessamine's life; the Outsider watches, knowing it'll all be for nothing. The Outsider watching Corvo and Jessamine's early relationship, an increasingly-less-indifferent voyeur. Rumors spread that the Empress was a witch just like her alleged sister. Reuniting in the Void. Jessamine distrusting the Abbey and its influence. Corvo attempting to "free" the Heart from the Void to disastrous results. Bloodstains. Jessamine is marked by the Outsider instead and rejects it, knowing an Empress cannot wear that mark. The Void is shaped by the Outsider's attention to Corvo. Corvo gorging himself on luxuries from the Empress and magic from the Outsider in much the same way.
Life is Strange
I like every single one of these games, including 2 and Double Exposure, though I think some are better than others. (Namely, 1 stands leagues above the rest, 2's phenomenally well-done but in a way that I'm not as fannishly interested in, and Before the Storm and Double Exposure are Fun but not necessarily Good). That said, use characters and settings and bits of lore from any of these games! I'll enjoy anything. Some other miscellaneous opinions:
- Chloe would not have dumped Max like she did in Double Exposure, but that doesn't mean they wouldn't have broken up under different circumstances. I just don't think Chloe would ever think Max was using her powers to manipulate her after all they'd been through.
- Bae > Bay, 99% of the time. Not ANTI-bay > bae, but if you're unsure, I've got a strong preference.
- Anything Max has with a guy is comphet, and I'm including Warren and Vinh.
- I like Rachel and Chloe's relationship after Before the Storm getting more ambiguous and stressful for both of them like we see it in LiS1, but again, not married to that if you think they were deeply in love throughout!
Rachel/Steph/Chloe
I tend to prefer LiS1 to Before the Storm, but I adore Steph and I think she and Rachel and Chloe have a really fun potential dynamic going on. I don't know if they'd ever be a happy, healthy throuple what with Rachel and Chloe's issues, but I would love to see them try.
Rachel lives. Passive aggressive advice. Going to college together. Going camping together and it's a total disaster because none of them know what they're doing. Chloe and Steph mourn Rachel together. Distracting each other in class. Getting way too drunk at a party. Getting high together, Steph realizing Chloe and Rachel go a lot harder than she does. Cunnilingus. Sharing a bed that's too small for two, let alone three.
Max/Alex/Steph
I'm so fond of the idea of Max and Alex meeting, and I think Steph would be so endeared by Max's specific brand of nerddom. I tend to prefer a timeline where Arcadia Bay is destroyed and Chloe lives, but I'm not married to that if you have a Bay > Bae fic in mind!
Alex goes to Blackwell AU. Max ends up in Haven Springs because she has nowhere else to go. Running for their lives. Max worrying she's a homewrecker while Alex and Steph are both actively trying to woo her into their relationship. LARPing. Alex surprised by the depth of Max's fury and sadness. Wearing matching costumes to a Halloween party. Bodyswap. Max missing Chloe like a missing limb and having to be talked out of chasing after someone who broke up with her. Max trying to convince Alex or Steph to pretend to date her so her parents don't think she's tragically single, even though she is.
Rachel/Max/Steph/Chloe
I really love adding other characters to Amberpricefield to see how much we can change and shift that dynamic. Steph's a pretty even-keeled character and I think she'd be good for them, but I also think she might exacerbate all the others' abandonment issues. Go in whatever direction you so choose!
Max is Internet friends with Steph before coming back to Blackwell. Coffee shop AU. Mistletoe kisses. Chloe feeling like people are lying to her or keeping things from her, correctly or otherwise. Getting into heated discussions over the assigned reading for class, though Chloe's mostly just ragebaiting. The dorm walls are pretty thin and not very good at blocking noise. Playing Dungeons & Dragons together. Making fun of bad movies together. Max trying to use her newfound powers wisely. Max constantly hopping timelines to see if she can find one where Rachel and Chloe both live.
Rachel/Alex/Steph
Putting Rachel, a character with volatile emotions and a whole lot of trauma, next to Alex, a literal empath, is probably a bad idea, and that before factoring in Alex's girlfriend used to have a thing for her. I would like to see it.
Talking about the Dark Room in a world where Rachel survives it. Making really bad jokes that crack the others up. Competing to get Ethan the most candy when trick-or-treating. Awkward first meetings. Meeting through LARPing. Watching the sunrise. Alex thinking about Rachel and Steph to get through the mines alive. Alex getting worried about how much time Rachel spends at the Black Lantern. Rachel running to Haven Springs after LA doesn't work out and finding it's still not far enough from Arcadia Bay. Rachel and Alex getting into a messed-up feedback loop of anger and destruction.
Max/Victoria/Steph
I think Max and Steph are both Victoria's type, not that she'd ever admit that to anyone, including herself. Steph's chill enough not to be too fucked up when Victoria's a bitch, and Max will snap back if she's pushed too far. In a weird way, I think they could actually all be good for each other after they get through an inital adjustment period of snippiness.
AU where they're teachers at Blackwell instead of students. Steph trying to figure out why Max and Victoria are all of a sudden close after being at each other's throats for so long (it's the Dark Room trauma). Studying together because for all they don't like each other, they're all driven to do well here. Max being as nosy as ever; Steph enables, Victoria dissuades. Shower sex in the dorms where they have to be really, really quiet or get caught. Taking Max to the ER after she overdoes it with her powers. Max dating Steph and cheating with Victoria, or vice versa. Hanahaki disease. Jealousy. Moving in together.
Alex/Taylor/Steph
Taylor's a really minor character compared to everyone else I nominated, but I like her a whole lot. I like how if you treat her with empathy (something Alex might be good at, just a hunch), she mellows out considerably and actually ends up being pretty sweet. Alex and Steph would be good for her, and she'd be as bitchy to people who deserve it as they need.
Taylor and Steph not wanting to talk about Arcadia Bay and what happened there, but Alex can feel how much it's bothering them still. Buying the perfect bouquet from Lethe Flowers. Trying and failing to bake something nice for each other. Long distance relationships. Slow burn. Painplay. Vampire AU. Alex making cocktails she knows her girls will love. Taylor being both Alex and Steph's go-to for comfort after they break up. Taylor and Steph as childhood friends.
Rachel/Victoria/Steph/Chloe
Rachel and Victoria are bad for each other, adding Chloe to the mix doesn't help matters, and Steph would think all three of them are actually insane in how they act about each other. Her as the straight man, no heterosexuality intended, in their shenanigans, is both very funny and very endearing to me.
Couch sex. Finding out about Jefferson without time powers on their side to help keep them safe. Victoria survives the Dark Room but anyone can see something's wrong with her after it, even if she doesn't remember exactly what went down. Working together on a group project, though no one's happy about it. Rachel haunting the Bay after it's destroyed, and not just as the doe. Chloe drawing the other three. Victoria's disowned by her family after she comes out and the others take her in. Pain. The golden hour. What the plot of the first game might've looked like if Max never came back to town and also Steph was there from the start and not written in later.
Pricemarshfield - Max/Kate/Chloe
My loves! My first poly ship for LiS and my Tumblr URL to this very day. I love them all so much, but I've got an especially soft spot for Chloe and Kate. I'm uninterested in plotless porn for these guys or for any pairing involving Kate; if you're going to write smut with her, I'd far more interested in seeing how she got there than the actual end result.
Each of them are huge nerds in their own way. Kate helping Chloe bake something for Max's birthday. All three of them going to someone else's wedding (another pairing on this list, maybe!) and wondering if they'll ever get that far. Kate doesn't trust anyone to guide her through her first time more than Max and Chloe. Kate doing Max's makeup while Chloe watches and wonders if she's imagining the tension. Moving into their first apartment together. Staying up all night for a movie marathon. Kate realizing with horror she's fallen in love with not only a girl, but another couple, so she's doubly fucked. Chloe's guilt after Max picks her over the Bay. Max tries to escape the Dark Room without a deus ex David there to help.
Amberpricemarshfield - Rachel/Max/Kate/Chloe
My loves but with Rachel there to make things even more complicated! I'm really fascinated by the relationship between Rachel and Kate, because I think it could be really, really good and healing for both of them or could trigger/worsen each other's issues, to the delight or despair of Max and Chloe. Do whatever you're happy with here!
Rachel dreams of stardom and glitz and glamour that the others can't give her. Kate's fucked up at the Vortex Club party and Rachel realizes what's going on (or at least some of it) and gets her the hell out of there. Max doesn't manage to save Kate; Kate meets the other ghost haunting Arcadia Bay. High fantasy AU. Chloe and/or Rachel getting way too drunk at a party. Rachel and Chloe get into a fight and refuse to speak to each other for days, using Max and Kate as go-betweens. Kate's parents find out about her "proclivities" and pull her from Blackwell. Late night phone calls. Kate joining Max and Chloe in trying to solve what's going on in Arcadia Bay to get her own closure. Rachel flirting more forwardly than the others are ready for.
Amberpricefield - Rachel/Max/Chloe
The OG LiS OT3! I am not picky at all with these three, do literally whatever you want and I'll eat it the hell up. The only reason they're so "low" on this list is because I also have a lot of rarepairs and what are exchanges for if not to see those?
Rachel and Max helping Chloe out of her house night after night when the stepdouche of it all gets too much for her to handle. Trying to have nuanced conversations about their relationship but absolutely none of them have the language or emotional intelligence to do so. A glimpse at their relationship years later and how it's still going strong or spectacularly burned out. Max and Chloe run into Rachel buying condoms at the gas station; either she's honest and it's a blow-up fight or she's not and it's still a blow-up fight. Lies. Chloe drawing Rachel, Max taking photos of Rachel, and Rachel trying to figure out if they see her for her or for the muse she is for everyone else. Rachel taking Max and Chloe to plays, and Max is surprised by the fondness they both have for Shakespeare. Trust. Camp counselor AU. Florist/tattoo artist AU.
