Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Many years later, when they find each other again, they have their firsts all over again.

Their first meeting was when Percy heard rumours of a hunter and a bear in the woods around the city. The person he heard it from is just a gossiping guard that had been told the tales and legends of Vox Machina and wanted to know just how much truth was behind them. He watched Percy as he said this. Noticed the immediate change in his posture: how Percy’s shoulders straightened even more, how suddenly interested he was in the conversation.

Another guard ran up to them, breathless and spouting something about someone approaching. He looked Percy in the eye and said just two words.

“It’s her.”

Percy was on his feet and running in an instance. All sense of dignity and nobility abandoned as he ran down the halls. The doors swung open and Percy was running down the path. He could see a line of guards blocking the way.

“LET HIM THROUGH.” Someone shouted, and the line parted before him.

Percy slowed his run to a jog and then to a walk, straightening his vest as he went. The other figure is smirking at him, standing proud and tall beside a bear that was watching him knowingly.

Percy stopped a respectable distance away, just… looking. Taking in her appearance, her new weapon, her.

“Vex’ahlia.” Percy said, awkwardly aware of how he had entered this conversation. There was a smile on his face that he couldn’t seem to budge. It had been years since he’d seen any other member of Vox Machina. They’d kept in touch, of course, but Whitestone was so remote and they all had lives to get on with. He was no exception.

“Percival.” Vex said, smiling up at him. Percy smiled back and felt like she was the sun that broke down the snow in spring.

“How are you? I hope life has been treating you well.” Percy said, forcing himself to keep his hands to himself.

“I’m well, Percy.” Vex said, honestly. “Trinket’s missed you terribly, though.” She looked down at her companion and gently scratched the top of his head.

“I’ve missed you too, Trinket.” Percy said, crouching down so he was more level with the bear. Trinket took this as a positive sign and surged forwards, licking Percy’s face and bowling him over. Vex’s laugh resonated and Percy’s mingled with hers. He laughed as he patted and scratched the bear, surprised at just how much he’d missed this wild animal that he’d adventured with for so long.

Eventually, Vex took pity on him and called Trinket back, extending her hand to Percy. He smiled up at her, looking more disheveled than he did and accepted the help to his feet. They didn’t pull their hands away, standing and just taking in the other person.

Vex looked thinner than he remembered, and Percy was aware that being holed up inside his family’s house and helping the council had meant that he wasn’t as fit as he had been in his Vox Machina days. She looked barely older than she had, and Percy knew that his years were just beginning to show on his face.

“I- I’ve missed you, Lady Vex’ahlia.” Percy said eventually, his old habits and nerves coming back to him for a moment. “Your house has been waiting for you.” He said, looking out onto the town. It had grown since he’d lived there permanently. More people milled about and the land was healthier than ever (partially thankful to Keyleth, Percy reminded himself).

“Well, I’ve missed you, Lord Percival.” Vex said. “Adventuring hasn’t felt the same without the constant smell of black powder in my nose.”

“I’ll be sure to give you some, then. Unless you’d like to stay for dinner.” He said, trying to hide what he was feeling. He wouldn’t ask her to stay. That was foolish and could only lead to disaster. He’d given her an out, and if she took it then so be it.

He could never describe the relief that flooded him when he saw Vex smile.

“Dinner sounds delightful.” She said, looping her arm in his and beckoning Trinket along as Percy lead them inside.

The guard’s eyes suddenly snapped away and Percy knew they’d heard the stories. (Some of them had even been around at the same time as Vox Machina). He wondered what this looked like to them: Lord Percival of Whitestone running like a young hooligan towards a scruffy and weathered huntress, and then being pinned by her bear of a companion while they both laughed wildly.

“You arrived at a good time, Vex.” Percy said, his hand resting over hers absently. They walked close together, all the familiarity coming back in an instant.

“Is that so?” Vex said, looking around them as Percy lead her down the path towards the Castle.

“I think so. Spring is always lovely in Whitestone.” Percy said. He walked absently, more focused on his companion than where he was going. “Have you seen Vax recently?” He asked. All he knew was that his last letter from Keyleth mentioned Vax in passing.  

“I haven’t seen him in a month or so, but he’s happy. The Air Ashari treat them very well.” Vex said, looking up at Percy and judging his reaction. His eyebrows rose on his face for a moment before Percy schooled his expressions like he’d been taught all his life.

“That sounds like the three of them are happy. I’m glad.” Percy admitted, nothing but honesty in his voice. He hadn’t seen them in years, but the idea that they were happy somewhere in the world was a warming one.

“How’s Cassandra?” Vex asked, seemingly satisfied with Percy’s answer.

“Very pregnant.” Percy said bluntly. Now it was Vex’s turn to be surprised. “Yes, she was married last year and is due to give birth in a few months. She’s terribly excited.”

“You’re going to be Uncle Percy!” Vex teased, squeezing Percy’s arm as they walked. “Are you going to sing to them in Celestial?” She asked innocently.

But Percy knew. He knew what Vex was thinking of. Those nights in their Temple of Sarenrae, threats flying above them and people crying around them. Of that young, sweet baby and her terrified father. He’d wondered over the years if they’d ever found the mother. He also wondered what had happened to them after the dragons: Percy knew they’d migrated back to Emon several years ago, as had a lot of the refugees.

“I haven’t sung in a long time.” Percy said, neatly side stepping all the memories and corresponding emotions. “But I’m sure I could if I was needed to.” He added, looking at her.

“I’m sure you still sound wonderful, Percy.” Vex assured him, settling into his side as they walked. He wondered when was the last time that Vex had been this relax in someone’s presence. Something inside him seemed to warm at the fact that she still trusted him so immensely.

Their second-first kiss felt like coming home.

After dinner, Percy offered to give her a tour of the town. She settled Trinket in the stables and let Percy lead her around the town that he’d grown up in.

“Cassandra seems a lot happier.” Vex said as they reached the Sun Tree. She broke away from Percy’s arm and sat on a bench near it. Percy followed, keeping a respectable distance between them. Old habits were hard to break, after all. “Her husband seems lovely.”

“He’s a good man.” Percy agreed, a small smile on his face. “I’m glad that they found each other. She’ll be a wonderful mother once the little one is born.” He said, turning and looking at Vex. She could see his genuine happiness in his eyes. She knew that Percy couldn’t be happier at his sister having a nice, normal life now, even if it meant that he was the diplomat he never wanted to be.

“What about you, Percy?” Vex asked suddenly. “Have you found anyone?”

“Between the Council and my general lack of courting skills, romance hasn’t been a priority.” Percy admitted, feeling the weight of her words. “Have you?”

“No one that lasted more than a night.” Vex said, a small note of sadness in her voice.

Their words hung heavily between them. The night above them was beautiful, and the Sun Tree was gently lit by the nearby lamps.

Percy wanted so badly to reach out and touch her. He wanted so badly to take her hand in his. But it had been years since they held each other. Years since they’d even spoken face to face. Of course there had been letters; sent when they could and kept in a safe place, hidden from any prying eyes.

But letters couldn’t capture how the moonlight made her Elven features otherworldly, or how bright her eyes shone when she talked about the forest and her hunts, or the new scars on her hands that were old but not fully healed.

“Percival, are you happy?” Vex asked suddenly, turning to him and forcing him to keep her gaze. He floundered for a second, thrown by the intensity in her eyes.

“I suppose so. Whitestone is growing strong again, my sister is happy and in love, and the council is planning to establish trade with Emon.” Percy said. But he sighed and let his defences fall. “But no, I’m not as happy as I was when Vox Machina was together. Defeating the Chroma Conclave, liberating Whitestone, saving the world… Being with my friends. I don’t think it’s possible to be truly happy again once the best time of your life is over and you’re only left with the memories.”

He spoke honestly. Painfully honestly.

Then he reached out and took Vex’s hand in his.

“Are you happy, Vex?” Percy asked, abandoning any emotional walls he’d built up. She had a knack for destroying them, anyway.

Vex looked down at their linked hands and then back up at him. Her eyes shone with unshed tears.

“I want to be.” Her voice was as honest as it had been in the Feywild all that time ago and he wanted to just hold her like he had back then. “I should be glad that my brother’s finally happy with the loves of his life, and that Pike and Grog are happy in Vasselheim, and that Scanlan’s happy wherever he is now. I’ve travelled all across the continent, but I’m still not happy.”

Her hand gripped his and Percy felt the ache in his chest that he’d ignored for so long. He knew this feeling. This… malcontent. Vex leaned in and rested her forehead on Percy’s, shutting her eyes to stop the tears.

“That’s why I came back.” Vex said, her voice as soft and private. “Because I knew if anyone knows what I’m feeling, it would be you, Percy.”

“I do know.” Percy promised, covering her hand with both of his own. “The loneliness of being your own person after years of being surrounded by the people who made you who you are.”

Vex’s free hand rested on Percy’s cheek and they sat there for a little while. Two lost souls that had found each other once again after so many years.

“Percival,” Vex said suddenly, opening her eyes and pulling her head away to look at him, “you have no idea how badly I’ve missed you.”

“I feel I have a good idea.” Percy said, a small laugh in his voice.

His laugh faded into the night and they both just looked at each other. A smile broke across Percy’s face suddenly as an idea struck him.

“Lady Vex’ahlia. Baroness of the Third House of Whitestone and Grand Mistress of the Grey Hunt,” He said grandly, watching the small smile growing on Vex’s face, “may I kiss you?”

Vex finally let out a laugh, wiping her eyes as she did so. Her expression was so open and so vulnerable, but also so full of hope and something else that Percy hadn’t seen in awhile.

“Percival Fredrickstein Von Musel Klossowski de Rolo the Third.” Vex said, her voice just a little thick. “I’m offended you haven’t already.”

That was all the invitation he needed.

If their first kiss was clumsy with unsaid emotions and unresolved tensions, then this kiss was an apology. It was a way of making up for not falling into each other’s arms sooner, for not staying that way, for thinking they could be anything more than just okay when apart for so long.

It was also reassurance. Percy felt it in the way Vex gripped his shoulder and pushed his head closer. Vex felt it in the way Percy didn’t hesitate to pull her closer, his hands settling on her hip and her back. They felt it in the familiarity of being wrapped up in each other and the warmth amongst the cool air.

“Have I cleared myself of any offense?” Percy asked, leaning their foreheads together.

“That depends whether I get another kiss or not.” Vex said, weaving her worries into her words.

“As many as you’d like.” Percy promised, offering his heart with his words.

“Bold promise, Percival.” Vex said, her heart beating hard in her chest. This was new and exciting. Uncharted territory between them. The promise of forever was looming over them and they were both choosing to face it head on.

“I know.” Percy said, smiling at her like he used to. “It’s one of the few that I endeavor to keep.”

“I’ll keep you to that.” Vex said, gently pulling him in for another kiss by the cravat.

“Please do.” Percy said against her lips.

The angle was a little awkward, but it carried the same sweet feeling in his chest as it did all those years ago. The same safety and the same insecurity. Percy had to remind himself that they were older now. They were wiser and they were softer than they were back then.

They were free to do whatever they wanted. They weren’t the heroes anymore.

But maybe…

Maybe that was okay.

Their first real discussion of the future came from a quiet afternoon together.

“Percival?” Vex asked. “How long was I gone for?”

They’re both sat in the library, books open on their laps and the fireplace keeping them warm. A tray with a lovely tea set sat on a table between them and their chairs faced each other. Vex sat with her feet pulled up underneath her on the plush cushion and leaning against the arm of her chair; Percy sat back in his chair, the book balanced on his knees.

Of course, Percy’s read almost every book in the library - twice - but Vex hasn’t even scratched the surface, and reading was always a luxury that she could never indulge in much while she travelled.

“About four and half years, I think.” Percy replied, casually flipping the page of the history tome he was reading. “Maybe longer.”

“Why didn’t you marry?” Vex asked suddenly. “I know you said that romance wasn’t a priority for you, but I thought that nobles were expected to carry on their family name.”

“We are. And I still am.” Percy admitted, looking up at her over the top of his book. He no longer had the magnifiers on his glasses and now he looked like the portraits of his parents. “But why create a legacy if you can’t stand the person you’re making it with?”

“You mean you had potential suitors and you turned them down ?” Vex closed her book on her thumb and sat up slightly, watching Percy with an amused look on her face.

“They were all so dull.” Percy admitted, sounding like a child complaining about a boring teacher. “Yes they were from well-standing families, but Gods they didn’t have any personality. New money, the lot of them, and they didn’t care for travelling at all. Every correspondence was by letter.”

Vex laughed and settled back into her chair, seemingly satisfied with the answer. But Percy was watching her now, curiously.

“Do I get to ask you a question now?” Percy asked.

“I suppose it’s only fair.” Vex admitted, watching him curiously now.

“Tell me, Vex,” he began, clearing his throat awkwardly, “when did you learn Elvish if you were raised by a human mother?”

Vex’s shoulders stiffened and she looked up at Percy curiously.

“I always forget that you can speak many languages.” She said, switching to Elvish fluently. She preferred not to speak it, but it always was pleasant to the ears.

“I’ve been practising.” Percy admitted. “But you didn’t answer my question.”

"My tutors in Syngorn would only speak to us in Elvish, so Vax’ildan and I were forced to learn it quickly. And of course, most - if not all - people of Elven descent know it in some form or another. Tell me, Percival, when did you learn Elvish?”

“As a teenager, I think. It always sounded so beautiful and I knew that it is a widely spoken language.” Percy said. His pronunciation was good, but it was obvious he hadn’t been immersed in the language like Vex had been. He’d been taught it at length, probably by someone else who hadn’t been exposed much to Elven culture.

If Vex’ahlia wasn’t such an outcast amongst her own people, she would suggest a trip.

But she was, so she didn’t.

"Percival, would you teach Cassandra’s child different languages?” Vex asked, reaching out and taking her tea cup.

“If they showed an interest in it, then of course. It’s a useful skill to have; the ability to converse with many flavours of people.” Percy replied, thinking over his phrasing carefully. The language was not natural for him and he stumbled over some of the rarer words.“ I would teach my own child from an early age how to speak different languages.”

“Do you want children?” Vex took a sip of her tea, looking at Percy curiously.

“Some day, I think.” Percy admitted, his expression faltering for a moment and his eyes cast down at the book in his lap. “Though I’m sure I would make a mess of it.”

“Percival, don’t say that. You’d be a good father.” Vex assured him.

“I destroy everything I touch, Vex.” Percy slipped back into common, still not looking up from the spot on the page. “I can’t do that to my child.”

“Percy,” Vex gently put her book down on her chair and crossed the space to kneel in front of him. “Percy look at me, please.”

Slowly, Percy forced himself to meet Vex’s gaze and she could see the fears hiding in there. Vex took his hands and held them firmly in hers. It was a simple connection, but it was powerful enough to assure them both.

“You will be an amazing father one day. But you will make mistakes. Every parent does. There will be times when you’re a bit too harsh with a punishment, or when you snap when you didn’t mean to, but we’ll learn. And we’ll make up with our child and they’ll be more loved than any child has ever been before.” Vex promised, her eyes never straying from Percy’s. “Never doubt that.”

There was a moment of quiet as the words sunk in. Wood burnt and crackled in the fireplace. Stream gently rose from the abandoned tea cups. Dust slowly gathered on the book. Thunder rumbled over the distant mountains.

“You said ‘our’.” Percy said quietly, the faintest blush on his face.

“What?”

“You said ‘our child’.” Percy repeated, his eyes searching over Vex’s face. “You’d want to have a child with me.”

It was Vex’s turn to flush.

“Of course I would Percy.” She said, honestly and wholly. “Maybe not right away , but…”

“But?” Percy prompted, slightly worried for the answer despite his better knowledge.

“Percy I’m going to outlive you.” Vex said bluntly. “Half-Elves live for much longer than humans. I can afford to take my time with these things, but I know that realistically, you can’t.”

“I’m never going to pressure you to have a child just because I’m growing old, Vex.” Percy said, a small smile on his face.

“I know, I know, it’s just been on my mind.” Vex admitted. “And if we had a child together it would also be part Elf and live for longer than your family.”

“That’s hardly a death sentence, Vex.” Percy said. He pulled Vex towards him and she went willingly, sitting on his lap sideways so her feet hung over the edge of the chair. Percy’s arms wrapped around her and Vex rested her head on his shoulder.

“Yes, well, all this talk of babies and you haven’t even proposed yet.” Vex teased. Percy smiled as her and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.

“One day, Vex, will you do me the honour of becoming my bride?” Percy asked, a playful edge to his voice.

“When you get me a fancy ring I will, darling.” Vex replied.

They were both joking. They were both serious at the same time. They also knew that there was going to be a perfect time, someday in the future to ask that question again. When that time arrived, they would be serious. And they would begin to plan.

Their first and only proposal happened on a trip to Vasselheim.

It was a rare and exciting time when Percy wasn’t needed by the council and they could go on an extended trip. Cassandra was busy with her child and her husband agreed to step in for Percy if needed.

It felt nice to wear armour and weapons again. And walking through the familiar streets felt even more so.

Meeting up with Pike and Grog felt the best, though.

They drank like old times, laughed like old times, teased Scanlan when he finally showed up. It felt nice enough for them to wonder why they even split apart in the first place.

The streets were lowly lit as they walked through them, arm in arm. It was so different, but so much was the same. Even the Slayer’s Take stood just as tall and proud.They both pretended they didn’t feel the phantom burn from their brand.

As they passed the doors of the Slayer’s Take, Percy stopped. Vex watched him curiously as Percy looked around the street with idle curiosity.

“Is everything alright, dear?” Vex asked, moving into Percy’s side ever so slightly. Her words were slurred very slightly from the waning alcohol in her blood.  

Percy looked at her and she could see his bright eyes and brighter smile.

“Marry me, Vex.” Percy said, half drunk but thinking clearly. He was slightly thankful that the street around them was dark and empty.

“What? Are you drunk?” Vex was looking at him with a strange expression. Part weary. Part hopeful.

“Yes! But so are you, and I love you Vex. I want to marry you. This time I have the ring.” Percy said grandly. He reached into his pocket and Vex’s eyes were wide as she watched Percy sink to one knee right there in the middle of the street.

He held up a small box and displayed the silver band inside.

“Lady Vex’ahlia, will you marry a drunk fool like me?” Percy asked.

“Well you do have the ring.” Vex said, a wide smile on her face.

“Is that a yes?”

“Of course that’s a yes, Percy.”

The ring was simple and it slipped onto her finger perfectly. Percy stood and Vex immediately pulled him into a fierce hug.

Vex kissed him and she felt something flutter down around her shoulders. Confused, she blinked and pulled away from Percy.

Small flakes of paper were fluttering down around them and Percy had a wide smile on his face. The confetti glinted in the low light and mimicked the snow that Vex loved to watch from the windows of Whitestone Castle.

“What is this?” Vex stuck her hand out and collected some of the confetti in her palm. The wind started to pick up around their feet and Percy’s arm tightened around her.

Vex watched, wide-eyed as the confetti began to spiral around them and was suddenly thrown up into the air above them. Her gaze followed the movement and when she looked back down, she saw the faces on her friends looking back at her.

She felt the arms of her past companions hold onto both of them tightly, their congratulations spilling from their lips and their laughter echoing in the air.

Their wedding took place in Whitestone, under the Sun Tree.

Keyleth, Gilmore and Pike whisked Vex away a few weeks before the wedding, leaving Percy, Vax, Grog and Scanlan to set up the ceremony. Cassandra was, more often than not, the voice of reason and oversaw the questionable choices Scanlan tried to slip past her.

(“The bride and groom riding a spectral lion is not appropriate for a wedding, Shorthalt!”)

The ceremony was more of a formality, really, but it was something to celebrate and none of them could bare to deprive Whitestone of a celebration.

As the days grew closer, Vax found himself trying harder and harder to convince Percy to leave his workshop, or to calm him down from his agitation.

Vax’s breaking point happened the morning of the wedding when he spent the better part of an hour scouring the castle for Percy. When he found the groom-to-be, he was stood in front of an old portrait. He was dressed in his suit, and his hair was less disheveled than normal.

(Scanlan had worked tirelessly on formal outfits that were as flattering as possible on the wedding party - including Grog’s shirtless ensemble that Vax had to barter him into.)

Silently, Vax stopped beside his old friend and looked up at the painting. The formal clothing and the brown hair were familiar and Vax realised with a start that they were de Rolos.

“My parents.” Percy said suddenly, almost startling Vax.

“They look happy.” Vax said, appearing next to Percy’s shoulder. There was a beat of quiet before Vax gently laid his hand on Percy’s shoulder.

“They were happy.” Percy said, looking down at his hands. Vax looked at the small locket held in the man’s gloved hands. “Most of the time.”

“Percival, what are you worried about?” Vax asked, very obviously concerned. Percy took a breath before he answered, looking back up at the portrait as he did so.

“I’m worried about Vex.” Percy admitted. “Before, she felt trapped in Whitestone. And she left. I don’t want her to ever feel that way again.”

Percy looked up at Vax and there was genuine distress on his face.

“You’re an idiot, Percy.” Vax said bluntly. Percy blinked and the distress was replaced by confusion.

“I beg your pardon-”

“You know Vex visited us in those years she was away from here.” Vax said, looking back at the portrait. “She told us all about Whitestone and Cassandra and you , Percy. She never shut up about you. Always talking about your little adventures and the castle. Vex loves you. And if she needs a little adventure in her life, then she needs some wild beast to hunt down before she returns to Whitestone and wanders the castle again. And I know for a fact, that you need a little adventure too once in awhile.”

“Whitestone needs me-”

“Whitestone can handle a month or two while you and Vex go on some adventure like old times.” Vax interrupted, meeting Percy’s gaze. “You could always stop by the Air Ashari.”

They were quiet for a moment. Stray sounds of commotion reached Vax’s ears and he gently reached out for Percy.

“Come on, you have the love of your life waiting for you.” Vax said gently. Percy took one last look at the portrait before meeting Vax’s eye. He nodded sagely and allowed Vax to lead him back towards the town centre.

The day crept into afternoon and Percy stood a little ways away from the Sun Tree. An aisle lead away from the trunk and people lined its entirety: some guests, some townspeople with flower petals or grain.

Cassandra stood by Percy, her dress a matching blue and tweaking his attire every so often. Scanlan stood beside her, dressed in purples and giving final instructions to the band he hand-picked. (Percy smiled when he saw Kaylie amongst them.)

Vax and Grog stood alongside Cassandra, surprisingly well-behaved for the event - though that could have been put down to the appearance of Kern with Grog that morning and the threats that now hung over Vax’s head.

Time ticked on and Percy grew fidgety.

His eyes were trained on the end of the aisle, the crowd murmuring excitedly with speculation.

The band began play and Percy’s spine straightened. He focused down the aisle, but frowned as no one began to approach.

A sound caught his attention and Percy turned around. Towards the Sun Tree.

Its trunk tore open and figures flooded out. Keyleth, then Pike, then Gilmore, then Velora, then Zahra, then Vex.

Percy couldn’t breathe.

The Sun Tree closed behind them and Vex looked up.

She wore a shimmering gold dress that looked like it had been crafted from silk and made only for her. A veil covered her face and Percy would make out patterns of leaves and stars and woodland creatures adorning it.

Zahra whispered something in Vex’s ear and they both smiled to each other. Vex reached out and held onto Zahra and Gilmore’s arms as the band played louder.

The music played as Pike lead the way to where Percy stood, Keyleth behind her and crafting flowers that gently descended.

Percy was mesmerised.

He couldn’t look away as Vex slowly walked towards him.

Someone nudged him and Percy glanced to the side, to see Vax and Grog grinning at him with a knowing look on their faces. Percy’s gaze snapped away and he adjusted his jacket, a small flush on his face. It deepened when he saw Vex laughing as she watched them.

The music grew quiet as Vex stopped in front of Percy. She leaned over and kissed both Gilmore and Zahra on the cheek, handing Zahra the bouquet she had been holding.

Percy reached out and took Vex’s hands, unable to really focus on anything else. Vex was grinning behind her veil and Percy was enraptured.

“You look beautiful, Vex’ahlia.” Percy breathed.

“And you’ve never looked better, Percival.” Vex said, squeezing his hands gently.

Someone cleared their throat and both of them looked to see Keeper Yennen standing beside them. He was dressed in fine robes and there was a glow about him as he looked over the crowd.

“Shall we begin?” He asked, looking between them.

“Ready for this, Percy?” Vex asked, looking back at her husband-to-be.

“More than you can imagine.” Percy promised.

Their first miscarriage had happened in the Feywild.

Vex hadn’t really realised at the time, either. She had just thought that it was the prospect of seeing her father again that was making her feel sick. She thought that it was just the unfamiliarity of the Feywild and the idea of the corrupted tree that was throwing her off.

It wasn’t until the night when Vex saw all the blood that she realised and she panicked. The others couldn’t see it. They couldn’t know.

Vex ran out the Mansion’s doors and vomited into the grass. Then she cried.

Maybe it was just because of all the pent up emotions since they entered the Feywild; maybe it was the hormones from a lost child; maybe it was grief. Vex didn’t know. She didn’t want to know.

Vex curled up in the grass and it seemed to curl around her. Maybe it was threatening her, or maybe it was comforting her, she didn’t know.

Someone walked up beside her and Vex turned her face away. She really hoped that it wasn’t anyone in Vox Machina that would see her like this.

It was almost a relief when she saw the Satyr sit down on the grass beside her.

“Whose was it?” Garmelie asked, looking up at the duskward sky.

“How did you know?” Vex asked, resting her head on her knees and looking at him.

“The blood on your pants was the first clue. Might want to clean those.” Garmelie said, not looking at her.

“Oh.”

“So whose was it?” Garmelie asked again, his voice a bit far away and gentle. “I thought you were bluffing with that polyamorous stuff.”

“We were.” Vex said. “And if I tell you, you can’t tell another soul.”

“I don’t think a secret like this is worth much.” Garmelie admitted, finally looking at Vex. “So no, I won’t tell anyone.”

“It’s was Percy’s.” Vex said, shifting her gaze to the sky above her. “I didn’t even know I was pregnant.”

“If it means anything, I’m sorry.” Garmelie said quietly. “The Feywild has a habit of taking things and rarely gives them back.”

“What has the Feywild taken from you?” Vex asked quietly, looking back to the Satyr curiously.

“That is a very valuable secret. One that I don’t give out for free.” Garmelie admitted, looking back at Vex with an unreadable expression on his face.

“I don’t want to know that badly.” Vex said, honestly. She stood up and dusted herself down, watching out of the corner of her eye as Garmelie did the same. “We should get some rest.”

“You more than me.” Garmelie said, playfully gesturing for Vex to lead the way.

Garmelie never told a soul - he either never found a way to use it or never found it interesting enough to share - but Vex never told anyone either.

Her second miscarriage was years later but just as devastating. That time, Vex had no bizarre plane of existence to blame and no mysterious Satyr to provide comfort.

But she had Percy, at least.

She told him when she woke up with searing cramps and blood staining the sheets. He’d rushed her to a healer without even thinking about it, carrying her in his arms as she clutched her middle with tears down her face.

Percy had held her hand tightly as the healing magic passed through her. He stroked her hair as she cried when she realised that she’d lost another baby. He kissed her wedding ring and whispered reassuring words and let his own tears fall.

They both grieved that night. Percy had the bed sheets burned and Vex didn’t sleep in the castle for a week. Percy joined her some nights, sleeping in his own room and letting Vex have her space.

Cassandra feared that their marriage wouldn’t last. Her husband tried to find words of comfort when Vex began to visit the castle again. The servants left her small treats whenever they could and placed fresh flowers around the castle to try and brighten their moods.

But time healed their wounds, eventually.

Vex slept in the castle again, curled up next to Percy. Percy went back to the council meetings, helping nurture the town he called home. Vex went around the town, helping where she could, exercising Trinket, occasionally going hunting and distributing the meat to those who needed it the most.

Life went back to normal.

Just like before.

The third time Vex got pregnant, she refused to accept it. Every day was terrifying and Vex was waiting for when the world would come crashing down for the third time in her life.

But that day never happened.

Percy watched as Vex’s stomach slowly swelled and Vex would never forget the dopey grin on Percy’s face when she told him officially that she was pregnant again. She didn’t want to forget how he kissed her and how tightly he held her that night, his arms wrapped around her and one hand on her belly.

They both watched with baited breath as Vex stayed pregnant after three months. Four months. Five, then six months. Whatever powers there were left in the world were kind to them and they began to plan for their child.

Around six months, they sent letters to the others. Within a week, Vox Machina was reunited and Vax held his sister tightly with tears in his eyes.

Keyleth and Pike were ecstatic and showered Vex with small gifts and never seemed to want to leave her side. Grog kept trying to get her to realise that ‘Grog’ was a perfect baby name, and could be used for a boy or a girl if they wanted to.

Percy accepted the parenting advice from Scanlan graciously and was visibly moved by the gift Gilmore had presented to him. Small, twin figurines that would light up if it there was noise around it. One for the child’s room, one for the parents.

He promised that it was just a simple scrying enchantment that would let them know if the baby made any noise in the night, but Percy knew there was more to it than Gilmore let on.

Percy had seen enough protection charms to recognise the runes.

Their first child was born in Greyskull Keep. They weren’t meant to be, but it happened, nonetheless.

They still owned it, technically, and now that Emon was much more on its feet, they liked to visit more often. In a rare turn of fate, both Percy and Vex were able to make the visit, despite Vex being heavily pregnant and Percy fussing over her.

In a compromise, Vex liked to stay in Greyskull Keep while the others explored the town or gave advice to the current Council or met with important figures. Her brother didn’t like leaving her side while she was carrying his future niece/nephew, and they spent a lot of time sitting in their familiar dining room, talking and drinking tea that Pike had brewed for them.

Gilmore joined them when he was satisfied with how his shop was being run, sitting beside Vax and asking Vex jovial questions about Whitestone and the baby and Cassandra and anything else they could discuss.

It all went a bit downhill when Vex stood up to get some more tea. Her cup broke against the stone floor as Vex suddenly double over in pain. Vax was by her side in an instant, holding her up as she clutched her stomach. Her breath was ragged for a few seconds before the pain faded and Vex could straighten her back.

“What the fuck was that?” Vax demanded, more afraid than anything. He was looking at his sister with wide eyes and he still hadn’t let go of her.

“Vax, darling?” Gilmore said, appearing beside Vax. He nodded towards the liquid on the ground around Vex’s feet that was certainly not from the broken teacup.

“Oh Sarenrae.” Pike hissed, one hand instinctively reaching for her holy symbol. Her posture hardened and the shift was almost tangible. “Okay, Vax, help Vex into the closest bedroom and make sure she’s comfortable. Gilmore, help me find all the blankets we can.”

Vax only nodded and began to lead his sister away, holding her tightly. He could hear the other two running to try and help while he tried to say soothing things to his sister.

Suddenly, Vex stopped and gripped the cloak around Vax’s neck. She pulled him slightly towards her. Her eyes are wide and she was smiling wildly.

“Vax, Vax, I’m giving birth.” Vex said in a hushed revivre.

“Well done,” Vax tried to make her move again and they began to take small steps forwards.

“I’m going to be a mother. You’re going to be an uncle, Vax.” Vex still spoke with a weird wonder in her voice, like the reality of the situation was finally hitting her.

“You have to give birth first, Vex.” Vax reminded her, but there was a smile on his face now.

The first bedroom they came across was actually Grog’s, which was fortunate because it also contained the biggest bed. Big enough to settle Vex on comfortably, at least.

Pike burst into the room not long after, carrying enough blankets to obscure most of her vision. Gilmore was hot on her heels, holding just as many blankets and balling some of them to prop Vex up with.

“Are the others still in the Cloudtop district?” Vex asked, forcing herself to breathe deeply as another wave of pain crashed over her.

“I think so.” Gilmore said, following Pike’s instructions. He stopped suddenly and looked at the rest of them. “You stay here, I’ll bring them back here.”

“Shaun-” Vax looked up at him as he held his sister’s hand tightly. He looked concerned and it wasn’t clear who for.

“Get a midwife as well.” Pike said, barely glancing over her shoulder as she rushed back into the room carrying a mug in her hands. Gilmore nodded his affirmative before looking back to Vax.

“You need to stay here with Vex, and Pike is the only one who seems to know what to do.” Gilmore suddenly broke out in a smile, gesturing grandly in his usual fashion. “Don’t worry: I’ll be back before you know it.”

He blinked out of the room with a flash of purplish smoke, but none of them could give it much thought as Vex cried out in pain once again.

It felt like hours as the time crawled by. Sweat coated Vex’s skin as a bout of pain left her. She leaned against the pillows and balled up blankets, rolling her head to look at her twin. Vax brushed her hair back from her face gently.

“You’re doing so good, Vex.” Pike said, encouragingly. During their travels as part of Vox Machina, there had been many moments when they had seen each other in various states of undress. It just happened, and they usually all laughed about it afterwards. In a band of misfit adventurers, privacy was a rare commodity and they all learned to just get over it.

That being said, having Pike as the one looking up Vex’s skirt to monitor how close the baby was to being born was definitely the best-case scenario.

“Agh!” Vex cried out, reaching out blindly for her brother’s hand. She felt him take it and tightened her grip. The pain was really starting to get to her.

It was pathetic, really: they’d fought dragons, beholders, literal demons, Vex had even died! But giving birth was what was almost too much for her to take.

“Vex, I’m here.” She could feel Vax gently stroking her hair and holding her hand as tightly as she was holding his. “I’m right here, Vex, you can do this.”

“How long do you think they’re going to be?” Vex asked, forcing herself to look up at her twin.

“They’re almost here, sister. I promise, he’s almost here.” Vax said soothingly. Vex nodded. Another bout of pain tore through her stomach and her grip tightened painfully.

“You’re doing so well, Vex! You’re doing so great!” Pike encouraged, kneeling on the mattress between Vex’s legs.

“I’m so sorry you have to do this for me, Pike.” Vex said, relaxing as the pain subsided. Her breathing was laboured and she forced herself to take small sips of the water Vax was holding to her lips.

“It’s no problem, Vex.” Pike said, patting her knee sympathetically. “I just wish that I had a spell that made this painless.”

The warmth of a healing spell washed through Vex and her breath came to her easier. She knew it was Vax’s, and she silently took his hand in both of hers.

“Thank you for being here, Vax.” Vex whispered, looking her brother in the eye. No matter how far apart they lived, Vex knew deep in her soul that they would still have that connection. The same connection that told her when the Briarwoods had tried to abduct Vax. The same connection that had almost been severed when Vex died. The same connection that had kept them alive all these years.

The same connection that meant they would always be there to hold the others hand when needed.

Vax leaned down and pressed a kiss to his sister’s forehead.

“I’ll always be there for you, Stubby.” He promised.

Loud, thunderous knocks on the door seemed to echo and Pike sprang to her feet. She looked just a little panicked but she smiled and ran to the Keep doors.

As soon as she was gone from the room, Vex gripped Vax’s arm.

“Vax, I need to tell you something and I should have told you it a long time ago.” Vex said, not pausing for any kind of reply. “That night I came back with Trinket, a couple of poachers had come by our camp and tried to abduct me. They talked about what they were going to do with me, they- you know what, it’s not important, but they were drunk and I managed to escape this small cage they put me in. I- I killed them, Vax. They were the first people I’d ever killed. And they had this bear that was still alive and they were cutting up for the meat and this tiny cub was chained up next to it and I- I couldn’t leave him. So I took him back to our camp. I took Trinket back to our camp.”

Vex blinked the tears away furiously. It felt so raw talking about that night when she hadn’t thought about it in so long. The fears, the guilt, the anger… it all came flooding back.

She looked up at her brother and saw the tears in his eyes. He knew that wasn’t the whole story, but it was much more than Vex had ever told him. Vax held his sister’s hand tighter.

“Why are you telling me this now?” He asked, forcing himself to look his sister in the eye.

“Because I’m scared, Vax.” Vex said, her voice barely above a whisper. “What if this baby kills me?”

“Then we’ll bring you back, Vex.” Vax promised. “You’ve earned a death by old age. Not before. I promise you that.”

“Doesn’t that go against everything the Raven Queen stands for?” Vex asked, a small teasing smile on her face. Her brother’s words were reassuring.

“That’s not my problem.” Vax said, letting his sister squeeze his hand as tightly as she needed to.

The door to their small room burst open and Percy stood frozen in the doorway. He stood frozen for a second before running to Vex’s side, immediately taking her extended hand.

“I’m so sorry, Vex, I should have been here sooner.” Percy apologised, leaning half-on the bed beside Vex. He kissed her white knuckles and gently wiped away the tears from under Vex’s eyes.

“You’re here now.” Vex said, leaning up as much as she could and kissing Percy very gently.

“I brought a midwife.” Gilmore said, rushing into the room with two figures in tow. An older woman dressed in simple, clean clothes with her assistant dressed the same. The older one quickly walked up beside Pike and had a hushed and hurried conversation with her.

“What about the others?” Vex asked, following Gilmore as he walked over to crouch beside Vax.

“Keyleth’s bringing them back. I could only get Percy here as quickly as I did.” Gilmore explained.

“That’s alright, if they’re coming here by tree they shouldn’t be long.” Percy said reassuringly.

Just under an hour passed before more people piled into the room and Vox Machina was all reunited. Just in time to hear Vex almost scream in pain and the midwife to shout at her assistant to get ready.

“The baby’s almost here.” The midwife looked around at the motley group that was surrounding the bed (some of them actually on the bed with Vex). “Anyone who’s not immediate family, wait outside.”

No one made a move to leave. After a few seconds, Gilmore stood up and picked up the mug Pike had brought Vex before he left.

“I’ll go get you some more tea.” He said, winking at Vex and leaving the room.

The midwife looked at the others expectantly, but they stubbornly refused to leave. She just sighed and settled back down again.

“Adventurers.” The midwife muttered to herself. “Alright, now this is going to be the worst few minutes of your life, dear, but you need to keep breathing and you need to keep pushing. Understand?”

Vex nodded, her breath already laboured and getting shallower as she sensed the moment approaching. A final lash of pain thore through her.

“Push!” The midwife shouted, almost instantly drowned out by the encouraging shouts of Vox Machina as they cheered on the birth of the first baby.

Their second child was born one minute and forty five seconds after their first.

“Twins?!” Percy exclaimed, still holding Vex’s hand tightly as she panted and clenched her teeth. Pike was currently holding the baby girl, gently washing away the blood from the crying child. The midwife’s assistant was helping her but Vox Machina was reluctant to let the baby go just yet. Keyleth was standing close to Pike, cooing over the adorable newcomer, crafting a tiny flower blanket in a traditional Druid fashion.

“Evidently, it runs in the family.” Vax said, unhelpfully.

“Oh, god twins.” Percy repeated, his free hand  holding his forehead. “I was terrified to have one child, and we’re having two!”

“Dear, you’re going to have to push soon. Get ready.” The midwife said, ignoring the crisis Percy was in the middle of.

“Percy, you’ll be fine. It’ll be like raising a little Vex and Vax.” Vax said teasingly, wincing as Vex began to vent her pain as she pushed again.

“That’s not reassuring, Vax.” Percy said, gripping Vex’s hand just as tight as she began to give birth for a second time in under five minutes.

Grog had been banished from kneeling on the bed beside Vex by the midwife, so he stood by Vax, chanting his encouragement along with Scanlan.

The baby was born and Vex just fell back against the pillows, a smile on her face and her lungs slowly recovering to a normal pace.

But the baby didn’t begin to cry.

Percy leaned forwards, tears in his eyes as he watched the midwife wrap the quiet child in a blanket.

“Are they alright?” He asked, his voice cracking as he spoke. The others seem to realise something was wrong.

The midwife began to rub the baby’s back, muttering something to herself.

The room was silent and everyone seemed to hold their breath.

Even the firstborn baby had grown quiet now.

Then, ever so softly, there was noise again.

Pike walked over to the midwife, holding the baby in her arms. They started to fuss at the noise their sibling was making and cried again.

Following their sibling’s guidance, the second born child began to cry.

The tension in the room evaporated and Vex just covered her face with her hands and cried along with her children. Vax gathered her up into his arms and ignored the tears on his own face.

“You did it, Stubby.” Vax whispered.

“Congratulations, dear. You now have a beautiful baby girl, and a beautiful baby boy.” The midwife said, finally leaning back and wiping off her hands on a small towel.

“A boy and a girl?” Percy repeated, hastily wiping his face. “We have one of each.” He whipped around to look at Vex, a grin on his face.

“One each.” Vex said, reaching out and grabbing Percy’s jacket to pull him closer. He reached out and held her, kissing the top of her sweaty head.

“We need another crib.” Percy said, the realisation hitting him.

“I don’t know about you, but I’m not letting these two out of my sight for a long time.” Vex said, watching as Pike gave Keyleth the girl so she could clean off the boy.

“Oh heavens, no.” Percy agreed instantly. “I finally understand what Cassandra meant.”

Keyleth walked up beside Percy, gently bouncing the girl baby in her arms. She had a comically happy grin on her face. Vex sat up on her own, adjusting her ruined dress around her legs to make herself feel relatively comfortable.

“Here’s your baby.” Keyleth said, very gently leaning over and handing her to Percy. Percy held her gingerly, supporting her head as he’d been told to countless times by Cassandra when his nephew had been born. Pike walked over to the other side of the bed with the cleaned up boy baby in her tiny arms.

“And here’s the other one.” She said, passing the child to Vex. Vax sat back slightly, looking down at the baby with a strange look on his face.

“I love them so much, Vex.” Percy said, looking between their children with a look of wonder on his face.

They both looked up at the crowd of faces above them with Percy’s eyes, and their ears were slightly pointed like Vex’s. The girl reached out a chubby hand towards Scanlan and Vex barely kept back the laughter at Scanlan’s watery eyes as he reached to take the small baby’s hand. (His hand was barely bigger than hers.)

“Always a lady killer.” Grog said, clapping Scanlan on the back.

“She’s too young for you, Scanlan.” Percy teased. His voice was deadpan but he couldn’t stop smiling.  

“Oi, Vex,” Vax said, gently stroking his nephew’s cheek with the back of his forefinger. “What are they called?”

Vex looked over at Percy. Percy looked back at Vex. They came to an agreement.

“Well, we said that if it was a girl, we’d call her Elaina.” Vex said, looking up and locking eyes with her brother. “After mother. Elaina Allura de Rolo.”

“I think you’re forgetting a bit in the middle there, sister.” Vax teased, gently bouncing the baby’s closed fist around his finger.

“We’re still working that part out.” Vex whispered in a low voice, smiling at her brother’s smirk.

“And if it was a boy, we’d call him Tiberius Percival Von Musel Klow-” Percy began, before Keyleth just patted his arm in a silent plea to shut him up.

“If you keep adding names to that long ass title, your kids will never be able to spell their names.” Keyleth said teasingly.

“Keyleth!” Scanlan gasped loudly, feigning a heart attack. “Don’t swear in front of the babies.” He lurched forwards and covered Elaina’s small ears with his small hands.

Immediately, Keyleth’s hands flew to her face in horror. She drew them down slightly and her eyes were wide.

“Am I the bad influence?” Keyleth hissed, looking between Percy and Vex imploringly.

“Vex is the mother, and Vax is the uncle. I’m pretty sure that they’re bad influences.” Grog said, ignoring the looks from the older twins.

“In all fairness, dear, Grog has a point.” Percy said. “These two will be sneaking around as soon as they can walk.”

“As much as I love you, darling, but you’re the children’s father,” Vex said, “they’re going to be too busy reading every book that’s ever been written.”

“You children are either going to be the sneakiest or the nerdiest kids.” Pike said, looking down at the two babies.

Vex glanced at the babies, then at Percy. Percy looked at her.

“Fifty gold says I can teach them to stealth before you can teach them to tinker.” Vex said, a familiar smirk on her face.

“A hundred gold. And the others can’t help.” Percy said, feeling an old gambling bug begin to rise again.

“Deal.”

The first adventure the twins went on was a family event.

And by family, that of course meant all of Vox Machina came along.

Vax, Keyleth and Gilmore arrived first.

The moment they stepped through the Sun Tree, two bodies slammed into Vax’s midsection, almost throwing them back through the portal.

“Uncle Vax!” Two small voices called out, both somewhat winded but ecstatic.

Keyleth gently righted Vax by the shoulder, laughing as the two small children dangled from his waist.

“Hello you two,” Vax said, gently petting his niece and nephew’s hair. (So much like their mother’s.) “Where are your parents then?” He looked up finally, scanning the area for the familiar faces. The children released him and stepped back.

He got a good look at them then, and smiled at how much they had grown.

“Still in the castle.” Tiberius said. It amused Vax to no end to see him dressed in his armour already with his daggers tucked away at his side and the bow slung across his chest.

“Auntie Keyleth! Uncle Shaun!” Elaina cried, lurching towards the other two, her cloak billowing out behind her slightly. “Look what I can do! I’ve been practicing.”

Keyleth crouched down as Elaina pulled a smooth stone out from a pouch at her side, displaying it in her palm. A bright green light began to emanate from the stone and Elaina looked up at them proudly.

“Well isn’t that wonderful!” Gilmore said, looking at the stone with an open, fascinated expression on his face.

“That’s so cool, El!” Keyleth gently touched the stone with the same expression that people looked upon miracles with.

Elaina beamed brighter at the praise. She closed her hand and the light vanished.

“I told you they’d like it.” Tiberius said, pulling his sister into a hug and ruffling her hair.

“Incoming!” A old and familiar voice shouted out and Vax braced himself for impact. His vision became obscured with fur as the bear collided with him, knocking him to the ground. A sloppy tongue began to lick Vax’s face in excitement.

His laughter was parallelled only by his twin’s as Vex tried to push Trinket away so he wouldn’t smother Vax.

“Get off him you silly bear!” Vex dug her heels into the ground and tried to heave the bear, but Trinket moved when Trinket wanted to. Unless Keyleth was stood there thoroughly unhugged and unlicked. Luckily, Trinket knew the cure for that.

The bear lumbered over to Keyleth and demanded her attention.

Vex held her hand out for her brother to help him to his feet. Then she proceeded to almost knock him back onto the ground with the force of her embrace.

“Oh, I’ve missed you Vax.” Vex said, her words muffled by the feathers on his armour.

“I’ve missed you too, sister.” Vax said, holding her impossibly tight.

“Mother! Auntie Keyleth and Uncle Shaun liked my magic!” Elaina boasted, grabbing her mother’s attention as her brother still held onto her, continuing to gently mess up her hair.

“Why wouldn’t they, ‘Laina?” Vex said, breaking away from her twin and gently pulling her children into a fierce hug. “Your magic’s the best thing ever.”

“It’s not as good as my aim.” Tiberius boasted.

“It’s just as good as your aim, Tibsy.” Vex said, standing up and putting a hand on either of their shoulders. “Now remember what we told you-”

“Stick together, keep at least one member of Vox Machina in sight at any time, keep Trinket with us at all times and call for help if one of us is injured.” The children said in perfect unison. They looked proud when they were finished and Vex just laughed.

“Exactly.” She said, standing back.

Vax realised suddenly that it had been a long time since he had seen either Vex or Percy in their old gear and he had a sudden thought.

“Vex, are you as sharp as you used to be? I mean, you’ve been out of practice for while-”

He didn’t get to finish his thought as Vex pulled out her bow and fired a single arrow into the air over the Sun Tree. She then pulled out an apple from the satchel at her side and gently threw it as far as she could.

A few seconds passed before the arrow fell to the ground incredibly fast, piercing the apple and displaying it inches above the soil.

“I’m not that out of practice, Vax.” Vex said, examining her work with an odd sense of pride.

Gilmore clapped reservedly, throwing up an illusory board with ‘10’ displayed on it.

“Woah.”

Vex turned and looked at her starry-eyed children who were looking between the apple and her. It struck her that they had never seen the extent of her skill before, or really heard all of it.

Percy walked up behind their children and crouched down, gently pulling them close.

“And that is why we don’t push your mother too far.” He said, teasingly.

The twin’s first battle was against a Manticore.

Trinket had stuck to their side like glue and valiantly tore into the creature as best he could.

The flare dissipated in the sky and Elaina prayed that the others would see it.

They didn’t mean to wonder off.

They didn’t mean to get separated.

They didn’t mean to get ambushed.

But now they had to deal with it.

“Tibs! Remember what we were taught.” Elaina said, letting the arcana coagulate around her hands even as they shook. Tiberius simply nodded and pulled out his bow, notching an arrow and letting it fly. Sparks of arcana swirled around the arrow and it struck true.

The battle went like that.

Tiberius fired arrow after arrow after arrow. His arms ached and his muscles strained as he dodged claws and teeth.

Elaina commanded flames and lightning to descend upon the creature, slowly feeling her strength wane.

Trinket fought as bravely as always. (The twins found it almost scary as they watched the usually-docile bear turn monstrous.)

A stray claw struck across Tiberius’s back as he tried to dodge. His yelp of pain echoed through the trees. His body thumped against the grass.

Elaina was stood over him in an instant. Her hand gripped the small pendant that hung around her neck and she felt the air in front of her shimmer and harden. The Manticore’s claws scraped across the shield harmlessly.

She took a deep breath.

“STAY BACK TRINKET!” Elaina shouted, focusing even harder on the pendant clutched in her fist.

Her eyes glowed and she reached out a hand. It swung as if trying to strike the creature, but didn’t touch.

A long black streak laid across the creature’s chest and it screamed in pain. It stumbled backwards, desperately trying to get away.

It got ten feet before a flurry of arrows and bullets peppered the creature until it lay on the ground, dead.

Elaina dropped to her knees over her brother, gripping his head as she muttered strings of words that made no sense. Her hands glowed and began to spread over Tiberius’ unconscious form.

He gasped as life came rushing back into him, almost headbutting Elaina as he did so. She fell back onto her butt as the laughter just escaped her out of sheer relief.

“Did we win?” Tiberius asked, looking around wildly before his gaze landed on his twin.

“We won.” Elaina said, feeling her strength completely leave her. But she still reached a hand out to her brother.

He grasped her hand tightly. The imprint of the raven on her palm stung at the contact.

“TIBERIUS! ELAINA!”

The twins looked over and saw the adults running over to their side, their weapons out and worried expressions on their faces. Trinket gently nuzzled Tiberius’ face, mewling.

“Are you two alright?! What happened?!”

“Why weren’t you right behind us!?”

“Did you kill this?”

The questions hit hard and fast and neither of them were in the right state of mind to answer an interrogation.

Luckily, Percy just stepped forwards and kneeled down beside his children.

“Are you unhurt?” He asked, his voice calm and sombre.

Elaina nodded, gripping onto her brother’s hand tightly.

“We’re okay, father. Elaina saved the day.” Tiberius said, nodding towards his sister.

“Trinket did more than me,” Elaina said humbly. “I just used some spells.”

“Well you both did extraordinarily well.” Vex said, holding out a small bundle of arrows towards Tiberius. “But I think we should keep a closer eye on you for the meantime. Wouldn’t want you to kill a dragon without us cheering you on, now would we?”

They both smiled, tired and bruised and exhausted. But they nodded and let themselves be pulled onto their feet.

Grog walked over, his axe stowed away, and hoisted both of them up into his arms. He began walking back towards the temporary camp they had constructed for the night.

“Grog, put them down!” Pike shouted out, hurrying after him.

“No! I refuse to be shown up by Vex and Percy’s children. We are going to sleep . Right now.” Grog didn’t look back as he carried off the two young adventurers in the making, gently jostling them and eliciting small giggles.

Vex twined her hand in Percy’s and watched them walk away.

“We could have lost them today, Percy.” Vex said quietly.

“We could lose them on any given day. Today it was just more likely.” Percy said just as quietly. His hands shook gently. “But before you ask, yes I am still terrified.”

“They did a lot of damage,” Vex said, looking at the carcass of the beast. “All our training seemed to pay off, and they won.”

“What are you saying, Vex?” Percy asked. He had a small smile on his face.

“I’m saying, I think adventures are in their blood.”