Critical Role Summer Wildflowers: Info, Schedule, & FAQ
Critical Role Summer Wildflowers is a fic or art exchange running between May-August 2026. It’s hosted on AO3, and focuses on rarepairs (platonic OR romantic).
Sign up with multiple requests, offer what pairings and ratings you’re comfortable creating yourself, and receive an assigned request that you’ll fill for someone else.
In short: give a gift, get a gift!
And, at any time, anyone (whether they're signed up or not) can also create treats based on any submitted prompts!
The AO3 Collection is available here!
Schedule
Current stage: Treating time - works revealed soon!
1st - 15th May - Nominations open (Optional)
Anyone (not just participants) can nominate any rarepairs they’d like to see in the exchange. This creates the list of pairings that can be requested during sign-ups. If a pairing is not nominated during this period, nobody can request it.
16th - 30th May - Sign-ups open
Choose which of the nominated pairings (and what ratings) you’d be happy to write/create art about, and which you’d like to receive a gift about, with the option of including more specific prompts, and Do Not Wants. You’ll also decide what pairings (and ratings) you’re comfortable offering.
You then get matched up with someone to create a gift for, and, secretly, someone else gets assigned to make a gift for you!
~1st June - Assignments go out
Create one fanwork based on any of your giftee’s prompts. If your assignee has a prompt that isn’t for a pairing you signed up for, you can fill it anyway! Keep it anonymous!
Additionally, if you’re feeling inspired by other prompts as well, you can also create treats for anyone taking part in the exchange! This is completely optional!
29th June - No-penalty default deadline
The cut-off date for backing out, if you don’t think you’ll be able to complete your gift by 20th July. If you don’t finish on time, and haven't defaulted by this date, you won’t be allowed to participate in CR Summer Wildflowers the following year.
20th July - Assignments due - Midnight EST
27th July - Works revealed
Every fanwork created for the event becomes public, and who it was created for, but the creator remains anonymous.
2nd August - Creators revealed
What is a rarepair?
We’re defining it as any pairing with fewer than 500 works on AO3, or, in the case of Campaign 4, excluding the top 5 most popular ships. That means any pairing OTHER than the following:
C1:
🌸 Keyleth/Vax'ildan
🌸 Kima/Allura
🌸 Percy/Vex'ahlia
🌸 Percy/Vax'ildan
🌸 Pike/Scanlan (newly disqualified this year!)
🌸 Vax'ildan & Vex'ahlia
C2:
🌸 Beauregard/Yasha
🌸 Beauregard & Caleb
🌸 Essek/Caleb
🌸 Fjord/Caleb
🌸 Jester/Caleb
🌸 Jester/Fjord
🌸 Jester/Beauregard
🌸 Mollymauk/Caleb
🌸 Nott & Caleb
🌸 Yasha & Mollymauk
C3:
🌸 Laudna/Imogen
🌸 Orym/Dorian
C4:
🌸 Julien/Occtis
🌸 Hal/Bolaire
🌸 Hal & Bolaire
🌸 Julien & Aranessa
🌸 Thaisha & Occtis
Characters that are not from Exandria or Aramán are also disallowed.
Crossovers between campaigns are allowed and encouraged!
FAQs
Nominations
1. Are platonic relationships allowed?
2. What about polyamorous pairings?
3. How do nominations work?
4. Why are nominations and signups two separate things?
5. Can I include an ineligible pairing in the background of my work?
Sign-ups
6. What needs to be included in my requests?
7. What needs to be included in my offers?
8. What if I don't have an AO3 account?
9. I missed the signup, how can I still participate?
Creating works
10. What are the minimum requirements for gifts?
11. How should I post my gift?
12. What is a treat?
13. What are the rules for anonymity?
14. How do I get a beta reader?
15. I really want to check something with my giftee, how do I do this without breaking anonymity?
Other
16. What is the code of conduct?
17. How do I contact a mod? (And who are they?)
18. Do I have to join the Discord?
Nominations
1. Are platonic relationships allowed?
Yes! Platonic relationships are allowed and encouraged, and this includes platonic versions of the disallowed romantic relationships - unless they’re also in the list of disallowed pairings (currently Hal & Bolaire are the only pairing that is disallowed as both platonic and romantic).
2. What about polyamorous pairings?
Polyamorous relationships (and friendships featuring more than one person) are considered a different relationship than a relationship with only two of those characters, so polyamorous relationships that include a popular pairing are allowed. However, if someone requests A/B, you shouldn’t fill that with A/B/C.
3. How do nominations work?
While nominations are open (1st-15th May), pairings can be nominated via a tag set on AO3 (link incoming when they open!). Anyone can nominate pairings they'd like to see during the exchange! You're not required to nominate in order to later sign up. Nominating a pairing means it can be requested or offered as the subject of fic or art during sign-ups - if nobody nominates a pairing, nobody can request or offer it!
Everyone can nominate up to 20 pairings in each of the following categories:
Campaign 1 (Vox Machina)
Campaign 2 (Mighty Nein)
Campaign 3 (Bells Hells), ExU: Prime & ExU: Kymal
Other Exandria - ExU: Calamity, ExU: Divergence, Downfall, Wildmount Wildlings, Darrington Brigade, Re-Slayers Take
Campaign 4 (Aramán)
Critical Crossovers (for pairings from different campaigns that we haven't seen interacting!)
Type the category into the fandom box - Other Exandria and Critical Crossovers won't autofill, but the others will. Don't worry if you don't get it quite right - any mistakes can be fixed on our end.
Confused as to whether to nominate a pairing in the Critical Crossovers subfandom, given the smorgasbord of Campaign 3? Well:
a) If the characters largely interact in one campaign, nominate that pairing in that campaign. For example, Ludinus Da'leth/Trent Ikithon would be in Critical Role Campaign Two; Ludinus Da'leth/Predathos would be in Critical Role Campaign Three.
b) If the characters interact in multiple campaigns, nominate that pairing within the campaign they are featured in the most. For example, Keyleth & Percy interact in both Campaign One and Campaign Three, but because they are more heavily featured in Campaign One, they should be nominated there.
c) If the characters are from a miniseries (Exandria Unlimited: Prime, for example) and are also seen within a main campaign, go with the one where they have more screen time (approximate). For example, Dorian & Fearne and Fearne/Opal are pairings that have interacted in both Campaign 3 and Exandria Unlimited: Prime, but Dorian & Fearne would be Campaign Three, while Fearne/Opal would be Exandria Unlimited: Prime.
d) If the characters feature in different campaigns and haven't interacted or you're not sure if they've interacted, nominate them within Critical Crossovers. This goes for characters from Aramàn and Exandria crossing over as well!
Use your best judgement, you're not going to be yelled at for getting it wrong.
4. Why are nominations and signups two separate things?
Basically, because there are a lot of characters, and a lot of possible combinations. Since this is an exchange, offers and requests have to be able to be matched - so we need to limit which relationships can be offered and requested somehow!
You are not required to nominate, to later sign up - but if nobody nominates a pairing, you can't request or offer it.
You’re under no obligation to offer or request the same pairings you nominated. (Maybe someone else nominated them, or someone else has an idea so brilliant that you want to steal it, or maybe there’s a pairing you’d be happy to write but don’t have a request for!)
5. Can I include an ineligible pairing in the background of my work?
As long as they’re not the focus of the work, go for it! (Unless they’re listed in the prompter’s DNW list.)
Sign-ups
6. What needs to be included in my requests?
You can make 4-10 requests, specifying which pairings you’d like to receive a gift focusing on. Each request can only include pairings from one single campaign (or Critical Crossovers), but can include up to 15 different pairings. Requests can include one or many prompts. Group these pairings into requests however you’d like.
Specify in Additional Tags if you want Fic, Art, or Any. Specify in Ratings which ratings (General, Teen, Mature, Explicit, or Any) you’d like for the creation you receive to be.
Optionally, you can include any other details - such as prompts, likes, and a Do Not Want list.
Only request pairings you want as the main pairing of your gift. If there are side ships you’re comfortable seeing included, mention that in your prompts or Dear Critter letter, otherwise you might get matched to someone who only signed up to write that background ship.
Prompts are allowed and encouraged for requests, but following those prompts is not mandatory. Creators should treat prompts as general guidance rather than feel the need to follow it to the letter. Broad prompts and themes will give your creator their direction, while specific ideas will be more considered as inspiration. The more prompts you can give for each request, the more likely it is that you will receive something you'll love. Prompts shouldn't be used to attempt to "box" a creator into creating one specific gift.
While kink, dark, and other risqué prompts are allowed, please keep in mind that there will be certain themes and topics that not everyone will be comfortable including in works they create. As such, when requesting prompts, please be sure to include multiple options for your creator to work with.
DNW lists are used for things such as triggers, squicks, NoTPs, or things that would otherwise spoil your gift. Again, they should not be used to "box" a creator into creating one specific gift. DNWs should also not be vague or very broad - it's better to be overly detailed than to leave your creator guessing, or have them accidentally write a DNW.
Examples of acceptable DNWs; Non-Con, Clowns, Jon Doe/Jane Doe, Coffee Shop AU, Vore, specific kink scenario, pairings not included in my request
Examples of unacceptable DNWs: Anything that isn't [Specific pairing/Setting/Plot element/Kink], SPAG errors, unrequested likes, gross stuff/weird stuff.
Optionally, you can also include a link to a Dear Critter Letter that you have written and which is publicly accessible. It gives you more space to talk about your likes and dislikes, what you enjoy about the characters and relationships you requested, more detailed prompts, etc. You’re not required to write one, and your assigned creator is not required to read or follow it. However, most creators like and follow (as best they can) letters written by their recipient. DNWs can only be enforced if they are written in your signup, although you are free to repeat them in your Dear Critter Letter.
You can look through last year’s requests to get an idea of what is expected here! (You will need to be logged in to AO3 to view requests.)
7. What needs to be included in my offers?
You can make 4-10 offers, specifying which pairings you’d be happy to focus on when creating your work. Each offer can only include pairings from one single campaign (or Critical Crossovers), but can include up to 15 different pairings. You can make multiple offers for the same campaign, if you have more than 15 pairings you’re comfortable writing (or if you are not comfortable writing in every campaign).
Specify in Additional Tags if you want to create Fic or Art, or select both if you’re willing to do either. Specify in Ratings what rating(s) (General, Teen, Mature, Explicit, or Any) you’re willing to create.
In the description field, you can write any stipulations about the specific relationships in that offer (eg. you're offering Essek & Verin, but you don't want to write about their childhood, because you don't like writing children). This is optional, since you're not required to follow any prompts specified by your giftee - but it can help us match you with someone you'll enjoy writing for.
8. What if I don't have an AO3 account?
Since this event takes place on AO3, you need an AO3 account to participate. If you don't have one, contact us (see Q.17) and we can send you an invite right away - it's quicker than waiting in the queue!
9. I missed the signup, how can I still participate?
A couple of ways!
Browse the prompts, and create a treat (at any time, up to the very end of the fest, ie. creator reveals on 2nd August). Treats can be shorter or less polished than standard exchange works (150 words or a sketch), but otherwise are expected to comply with the same rules.
Watch out on Tumblr or on Discord to see if we need any pinch hitters (to fulfill prompts after any participants drop out) - you'll be given less time to fulfill your prompt, but you'll be ensuring everyone gets a gift.
Join the Discord and become a beta reader, help brainstorm, or just cheer on the folks who are writing/creating art.
Creating works
10. What are the minimum requirements for gifts?
For writing: 750 words, in a coherent structure with no placeholders (ie.: no unintentional trailing off sentences or 'Insert Scene Here')
For art: One completed piece that has the equivalent amount of work as one would find in an artist alley or similar space - the work does not need to be to that level of skill, but cleaning up sketch lines and unintentional rough edges is expected.
The work should focus on any one relationship that was part of the request. Other relationships can be depicted within the work, but should be secondary to the requested relationship. You can combine requests if you're feeling inspired, but this isn't necessary.
Do Not Wants (DNWs) that are included on the sign-up form must be followed. The gifting of a creation that includes any stated DNWs will result in a forced default.
The work should stick to one of the requested ratings (AO3's guidance on ratings is available here). Your assignment may only show the highest accepted rating - hover over the symbols to see all of the ratings included in the request.
Assignments must be posted to the collection by the due date deadline (20th July). You can make edits and changes to the work after that date, but whatever is posted must meet the minimum requirements. Not doing so will result in automatic default.
If you need to default on your assignment, please do so as quickly as possible so that a pinch hitter can be found and given plenty of time to create. To default at any time, please use the "default" button located on the right hand side of the applicable collection assignment, found on your assignments page. If you default after the no-penalty default deadline (29th June), you become ineligible to participate in next year’s Summer Wildflowers exchange.
11. How should I post my gift?
For assignments, you can use the "fulfill" button located on the right hand side of the applicable collection assignment found on your assignments page, OR click on the assignment on the associations section in 'Post New Work'.
When posting your completed works, please use Archive (AO3) canonical tags rather than the collection tags for fandoms, characters and ships where available. This will ensure that your works are searchable Archive wide and will show up properly when someone is looking for that type of work. You may add the collection tags to the additional tags section if you wish.
If you want your work to include images, but you're not sure how, there are instructions available here.
If you need any other assistance with posting your work, see the AO3 Posting and Editing FAQ or contact a mod.
12. What is a treat?
Treats are additional works based off of any submitted prompts (browsable on the AO3 collection), and can be created by anyone - whether or not they signed up for the exchange. They are very welcome, and encouraged! Don’t worry about the fact that they might also be getting another work following the same prompt from their gifter - this is very much a two cakes situation!
Treats must be at least 150 words for fic and can be the "rough sketch" phase for art. They should adhere to all of the stated Do Not Wants (DNWs). They should be tagged "Summer Wildflowers Treat" in the additional tag section. Add them to the "Critical_Role_Summer_Wildflowers_Exchange_2026" collection. It's important to add them to the collection while posting instead of editing them to add them to the collection later, since otherwise your treat won't be properly anonymised, and AO3 may send the recipient an email about the fic, showing the title + tags.
Treats can be posted at any time, all the way up until creator reveals (on 2nd August)! If they're posted before work reveals on the 27th July, they'll remain unrevealed (not publicly visible) until then, but you yourself will be able to go back and edit them if needed, as soon as they're accepted into the collection.
13. What are the rules for anonymity?
The expectation is that you keep who your recipient is a secret - you don't want to spoil the fun! So avoid posting snippets on places that are open for anyone to see them, like Bluesky or Tumblr, and be very careful in Discord servers. In the CR Wildflowers Discord, avoid posting snippets or identifying information. In other Discords where you think you might be the only one participating, or one of a few, you can put the information under spoilers. If you need a cheerleader, we definitely understand! Consider messaging a friend that you know isn't participating, or even contacting a frequent kudoser or commenter on your work, and ask if they'd be interested in being in on the secret.
In the week between work reveals and creator reveals, do not claim your work anywhere (eg. by making a Tumblr post saying hey here’s a fanfic I wrote) - but you can respond to comments on AO3 (they automatically anonymise you). After creator reveals, feel free to repost your work or discuss it wherever and with whoever you like.
14. How do I get a beta reader?
You are more than welcome to contact someone outside the exchange. Read the post here to find out more about the list of people taking part in the exchange, who have volunteered to beta read, bounce ideas, give a second pair of eyes on art, etc. This list is only available on the Discord server (see Q.18).
15. I really want to check something with my giftee, how do I do this without breaking anonymity?
Contact a mod, and we’ll pass the question on via email for you, and let you know their answer. However, we cannot guarantee that you'll get a response.
Other
16. What is the code of conduct?
Violating the code of conduct is grounds for not being allowed to participate in future Summer Wildflowers exchanges. If you see any of this behaviour, please let the mod team know.
Do not bash characters, pairings, or the cast, or kinkshame. (Saying you don’t like a certain ship or don't want a certain character included in your gift(s) is fine.)
You must inform the mods if you are unable to complete your gift before the No Penalty Default Date (Monday, 29th June) or you will not be allowed to participate in next year’s CR Summer Wildflowers Exchange.
Do not leave any rude or disparaging comments on any collection work, whether or not it is your gift.
Please comment on your gift and treats - your creators worked hard to give you a gift tailored to you. If you don't have time for an effusive comment, a quick 'thank you so much for writing this!' will do. In order to be eligible for future Summer Wildflowers participation, you will be expected to respond within one week of reveals.
The use of generative AI in this exchange is disallowed. Because attempts to check for genAI often penalize non-native speakers of English and digital artists, this will rely on the honor system - however, it is strongly against the spirit of this exchange. We would much rather see your own imperfect work, and feel free to reach out for a beta.
17. How do I contact a mod? (And who are they?)
If you need to contact the mods for any reason, here are the ways in which you can do so. These are roughly ordered by how quickly you can expect a response, but please use the method which suits you best.
Send a Discord message on the Critical Role Summer Wildflowers Exchange by posting in the server or DMing a mod.
Send a Tumblr DM or Ask to the Summer Wildflowers blog.
Please reach out to us if you have any questions, or feel at all confused! We want you to participate, and we’re here to help make that happen however we can!
As of 2026, the exchange is being run by @CitizenMocha (AO3), @warmer-gaze (AO3), and @just-a-funny-little-brain (AO3), with @iiitsnotbase (AO3) helping with the Tumblr.
18. Do I have to join the Discord?
Nope! The Critical Role Summer Wildflowers Exchange Discord is available for anyone who wants to join but it’s completely optional! We’ll be using the Discord for questions, resources, sprints, reminders, encouragement, and general camaraderie, but if it’s not your jam - or you’re just in enough Discords already - that's perfectly fine.
However, if someone wants a mod to pass a question onto you, and you're not in the Discord and have no other means of contacting you in your AO3 profile, we won't be able to send it your way.
read my beau/transfemme!caleb fic that i didnt plan to write at all but really got to me, the thoughts about what transitioning and transforming could mean to caleb got to me, okay? im very glad to got assigned @/raviary as a giftee who prompted this. one!
Know that this wild road will go on forever (5190 words) by bearperson
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Critical Role: Campaign 2 - The Mighty Nein (Web Series)
Rating: Mature
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Beauregard Lionett/Caleb Widogast
Characters: Beauregard Lionett, Caleb Widogast
Additional Tags: trans!Caleb Widogast, transfemme!Caleb Widogast, Trans Female Character, Trans Character, character in transition, wlw, Beau POV, Empire Kids, Friends to Lovers, set during episode 71, set in a really nice bathtub, Bathing Together, Sexual Content, (Some) Alcohol, canon typical banter, Beau's fuck-ass inner monologue, Wizard, just wizard, cr-summer-wildflowers's Critical Role Summer Wildflowers Exchange 2026
Summary:
Very late at night, Beau shuffles along the quiet corridors of the Lavish Chateau and knocks on Cal’s door.
Happy weekend, everyone! We hope you've all been enjoying the many (many many) works in the Wildflowers 2026 AO3 collection!
As we approach the weekiversay of Creator Reveals, we wanted to remind you all to comment on any last-minute treats that may have come your way! We had works coming in right up to the last minute, and commenting on works made for you within a week is a requirement for participating again next year.
And while it's not required to comment on any other works, it is very much encouraged! Leave some kind words (or some kind emojis if that's how you're feeling) on any of the works you enjoy to share your appreciation with the creators and make their day!
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Deposition of Astrid Becke, taken 12th Cuersaar, 837 PD, in the Mudtop Ward of Rexxentrum. Transcribed by Acolyte Dalal Adyra: submitted to evidence as Exhibit 3 in the matter of Ermendrud v. Ikithon.
An unconventionally formatted trial fic about when it serves (or doesn’t) to tell the truth.
This was my gift for @cr-summer-wildflowers, written for @warmer-gaze! (6K, T, Beau &/ Astrid).
Fandom: Critical Role
Relationship: Taryon Darrington/Percy de Rolo/Vex'ahlia
Prompt: @rightpastnowhere Married couple and their equally important platonic third who may or may not become Not Platonic with one of the members (eyes emoji).
"You know, we do have the car," Vex points out.
“Well, now we have two bikes,” says Taryon. He’s beaming, showing off teeth white enough to match Vex’s jacket, and nearly dancing as he and Vex circle the motorcycle together. “And we can leave this fucker in the dust!” He tosses his head to indicate Percy in jest and the blown-out curls of his hair bounce around his shoulders in emphasis.
Taryon makes himself a motorcycle, to match Vex. And Percy definitely could have done the same if he'd wanted to.
Modern AU Darollos set in time period equivalent to episode 95. Based on this conversation:
Written for @cr-summer-wildflowers! Beta read by @celestialpinay and @it-is-not-a-fck-castle!
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
[xenia]
"They found out," Essek said. The words feel fat and unwieldy on his tongue, especially as Eadwulf looked up keenly at him. "Not the Mighty Nein." He tried instead, "It was a dangerous situation. I thought—"
Eadwulf's lips had quirked up. "You thought to come to dangerous people?"
written for @tangereendream and @cr-summer-wildflowers !
Rating: T
Relationships: Eadwulf Grieve/Essek Thelyss, Astrid Becke/Eadwulf Grieve/Essek Thelyss, background Astrid Becke/Eadwulf Grieve
Characters: Eadwulf Grieve, Essek Thelyss, Astrid Becke
Words: 3189
Posted: 19 July 2026
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Critical Role: Aramán (Web Series)
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Thimble/Tyranny (Critical Role), Thimble & Tyranny (Critical Role)
Characters: Tyranny (Critical Role), Thimble (Critical Role)
Additional Tags: just two girls bonding in a crazy crazy world, what could be sweeter than this, thimble is a great hair braider, they are just so so sweet you guys, a couple of gal pals (or maybe more???)
Summary:
Thimble was light. She was sunshine and all the bright colors in the world. Thimble was safe.
Or:
Tyranny and Thimble have a quiet moment in the woods.
My fic for CR Summer Wildflowers written for @cabbagiez :D
A fun little fic about Kingsley, Fjord, and Jester post-campaign 2 (but before Mighty Nein Reunited) that sees them spending the day at the beach with the rest of the m9 (except for Caduceus and Essek). Later that night Kingsley has a surprise for Fjord and Jester :)
It's a little more than 2300words so pretty short
You can either click the link above to go to ao3 or find it below the Keep Reading
Hope you enjoy!! This was so fun 😊
It was a bright and sunny day on the shores of Nicodranas, and Fjord didn’t think he could have asked for a more perfect week.
The Nein Heroez had docked for a resupply and everyone was enjoying their well-deserved respite. Jester especially, this being her chance to fill in Marion on their most recent travels and mishaps.
As luck would have it, most of the Mighty Nein were all in the port city too for one reason or another. Well, except for Essek and Caduceus. Essek for obvious reasons, and Caduceus under the claim he was needed at the Blooming Grove.
It was everyone’s last full day in the city, and wanting to take advantage of the beautiful weather, it had been decided that they’d all spend it at the beach.
Jester was currently out in the water Beau and Yasha, shrieking with laughter as the three of them played some variation of tag.
From where he was sitting on the beach, his and Jester’s picnic blanket a stone’s throw from the water, Fjord could see Veth had a firm grip on Luc and Yeza’s hands as they all waded and splashed through the shallows. Luc seemed to be on a personal mission to collect every shell within his reach, giving them all to Yeza who still had a free hand to accept them.
Though he couldn’t be certain, Fjord suspected Yeza was slipping the prettiest ones into Veth’s pockets when Luc wasn’t looking.
Fjord let out a contented sigh as he laid back and closed his eyes, relishing the fullness of his belly as his friends enjoyed themselves in the water. Between all the sweets Jester had bought from her favorite bakery, the kabobs he had bought from a food cart, and the early afternoon sun, Fjord was almost tempted to drift off into a nap.
“Not thinking of falling asleep on us, are you?” came the voice of Kingsley.
“Of course not,” said Fjord, shaking away his drowsiness as he slowly sat up. “Just basking in the moment.”
“Hm,” said Kingsley as he plopped down next to Fjord. “Got another book for you to read.” As if to prove his words true he smacked it into Fjord’s stomach, who in turn tried not to flinch at the sudden contact.
“I think you’ll really like this one. There’s a mystery...” He snapped his fingers a few times, as he tried to recall a word. Fjord waited patiently, knowing that Kingsley would ask for help if he wanted it. “Subplot!” he exclaimed when he finally got it, a pleased look on his face.
It had been five months since Caduceus’ Divine Intervention had given them Kingsley, and one of the more rewarding challenges Fjord and Jester had dealt with had been teaching him to read. A task Jester had undertaken with romance novels that she picked up in every port town they landed in. So far Tusk Love was his favorite, much to Jester’s elation.
Flipping through the book Fjord noted the pink and black ink writing throughout the margins. He always read books after Jester and Kingsley. Their annotations and commentary often more entertaining than the books themselves. It also hadn’t escaped Fjord’s notice that in only a few short months, Kingsley’s handwriting and spelling had both improved immensely.
“Any complaints?” asked Fjord. Jester usually only gave glowing reviews of books, while Kingsley tended to give more thorough critiques.
“Yeah, the main female character,” started Kingsley. “She was... I’m sure there’s a word for it, but she wasn’t...” a look of concentration crossed his face as he trailed off, the end of his tail swishing back and forth in the sand as he thought. “She wasn’t brave? About herself I mean.”
“She was cowardly?” offered Fjord.
“No, I wouldn’t say that... No, she was quite brave actually, just not about herself. Or perhaps, she wasn’t confident about herself might be a better way to put it? But only about whether or not the leading man really loved her or not.”
“Oh!” exclaimed Fjord, realization dawning on him. “She was insecure?"
Kingsley cocked his head to the side, evidently unfamiliar with the word. “In secure?”
“No no, insecure. One word. It’s another way of saying not secure, but mainly just referring to people. It’s a way of describing someone as not confident in themself,” Fjord said with a nod, wanting to let Kingsley know he’d been on the right track. “It’s when a person doubts themselves, usually because they’ve either been told something or haven’t been told themselves their entire lives.” Fjord gestured to the book. “It’s common in romance novels. From what you described it sounds like the main character was insecure about being worthy of love? Usually, people are insecure like that because either they’ve been told they aren’t worthy of love, or no one’s ever told them that they are,” finished Fjord, hoping this was a clear enough explanation.
“Hmm,” replied Kingsley, his brow furrowing as he considered this. “Makes sense. I only wish she had gotten over being insecure—” he said the word while looking at Fjord, that pleased look back on his face as he used the it for the first time—” much quicker in the story. Would have saved me having to read about it so many times,” he said with a roll of his eyes as he stood up.
Without another word Kingsley sauntered over towards Caleb who was sat further back from the water, reading under the shade of an umbrella. Before Fjord had time to wonder what Kingsley could want to speak to Caleb about, a soaking wet Jester was tackling him.
“Fjord! Fjord! Come on! You’re missing all the fun!” she exclaimed, taking a firm hold of his wrists and pulling him towards the water where Beau and Yasha were waiting.
Fjord was helpless to resist.
*
“Jester! Fjord! Wake up!” yelled Kingsley as he pounded on the door to Jester’s childhood bedroom. The combination of which had almost resulted in a startled Fjord sending an Eldritch blast through the door.
“Kingsley, enough!” Fjord called as struggled to disentangle himself from Jester. She had her arms around his torso, hugging him to her, and her tail wrapped around one of his legs as she slept. She let out a groan of protest as Fjord got to his feet. Kingsley was still pounding away on the door, though he had at least stopped yelling.
While Fjord tried to be grateful Kingsley was at least knocking at all, instead of his usual habit of either barging into rooms unannounced or lock picking them—he still wasn’t entirely sure who had taught him how to do that—he made a mental note to explain the concept of polite knocking.
“Sweet fuck, took you long enough,” said Kingsley as soon as Fjord had opened the door.
“Kingsley, do you have any idea what time it is?” groaned Fjord as he wiped at his eyes. He actually didn’t know himself but knew it was too late for anyone to be knocking like this. Especially if nothing was wrong, which appeared to be the case.
“I have a surprise for you,” he said as he swept into the room, ignoring Fjord’s question.
While she had been dead asleep barely a moment ago, Jester was now sitting up, looking wide awake, her pink and flowery nightgown perfectly in place. “What kind of surprise?” her voice impossibly excited.
Kingsley took a moment to consider this. “A helpful one. And possibly a touching one."
“Oh!” gasped Jester, a wide smile cutting across her face. “Is it a dildo?”
“Sadly no,” replied Kingsley, sounding genuinely remorseful as he planted himself on the edge of the bed. Fjord sent a quick prayer of thanks to the Wildmother as he shut the door.
“A surprise that couldn’t have waited until morning?” grumbled Fjord as he got back into bed. Without even thinking about it he wrapped an arm around Jester’s waist, pulling her close to his side.
“Oh, come off it Fjord, it’s not like you were doing anything important,” Kingsley said with a wave of his hand.
Fjord knew by now that arguing sleep was important wouldn’t get him anywhere with Kingsley, so he merely sighed in response. “Well, what is it? What’s this surprise you just had to show us right now?”
“Actually,” started Kingsley as he glanced around the room. “This might be better with a little light.” Fjord took that as his cue to turn on the reading lamp Jester had next to her bed. “Perfect,” said Kingsley as he peeled off his shirt, revealing a brandnew tattoo that spanned across his chest.
It was a fully rigged ship with three masts cresting over breaking waves, done entirely in black ink. In an instant Fjord recognized the artistry as Orly’s work.
“Wow!” breathed out Jester as she and Fjord both leaned forward to get a closer look. “That mermaid has got huge boobs, Fjord,” Jester giggled, pointing at the ship’s figurehead.
“Uh-huh,” said Fjord, only partially listening. He was too distracted trying to take in all the little details. He couldn’t help but notice that it was a Captain Tusktooth flag flying from the main topmast.
“You won’t be surprised to know that Orly did this,” said Kingsley, gesturing to the tattoo. “It was his suggestion that I get a ship. Apparently, it’s traditional for sailors to get a ship on their chest if they survive going through the Shattered Teeth. He's been working on it since we left the beach and only finished it half an hour ago,” he explained, a wide grin on his face. “I’d originally planned on waiting till the morning to show you, but I was too thrilled with how it turned out to wait that long. So, I hauled ass all the way here, and, well, here we are.” He shrugged his shoulders, indicating the end of his tale.
“Yeah, I can see why you wouldn’t want to wait,” relented Fjord. He found himself biting his tongue about Kingsley walking alone all the way from the ship to the Lavish Chateau at night. He knew his worry was unfounded. Kingsley had already proven himself lethal with his rapier, but Fjord couldn’t help feeling just a twinge of apprehension about it. “And you said this would be helpful?” asked Fjord, remembering what Kingsley had said earlier.
“Yes! I had Orly use black sapphire dust in the ink, so I’m cold resistant now.”
“Cool,” said Jester with a giggle.
“Why cold resistance?” said Fjord. He would never have said it out loud, but he probably would’ve opted for Orly using ruby dust. He knew from training him in swordsmanship that a boost to Kingsley’s strength wouldn’t have hurt.
“Because it’s why Mollymauk died,” answered Kingsley, his tone matter of fact. “I asked Caleb earlier today what had happened exactly, you know, with the whole failed attempt to rescue the two of you and Yasha,” Kingsley continued, unperturbed by the way Fjord and Jester had stiffened as he laid out his reasoning. “He said Mollymauk had been hit with a Cone of Cold, which was part of why he was killed. So, I thought it might be a good idea to take some precautions. Because, well, you never know. I might have to rescue your sorry arses again one day, and I don’t want a little dip in the temperature to get in the way of that.” He gave them both an impish grin.
Before Fjord had time to even think of an adequate response to that, Jester was lunging across the bed and pulling Kingsley into a ferocious hug.
“Kingsley!” she cried, barely get the words out. “You’re so—it’s too,” she buried her face into his neck. “That’s so touching!” she finally exclaimed, remembering the other word Kingsley had used earlier.
“Uh, Jester,” Fjord said softly, noting the way Kingsley was wincing at the hug. “I think you’re hurting him.”
“Oh!” said Jester, releasing Kingsley. He let out an audible sigh of relief now that she was pressing into his raw skin. “Do you want that healed?” she asked, only a little choked up.
Fjord felt his eyes widen at hearing her offer to heal Kingsley unprompted. He had been about to make the same offer himself but if Jester wanted to, he certainly wouldn’t take away this moment of generosity from her.
“If you don’t mind,” Kingsley replied.
“Of course not!” said Jester. She turned back to Fjord. “Fjord, you don’t mind, do you?”
Ah, there was the woman he knew and loved. “Not at all,” he said, not even trying to hide his fond smile as he healed Kingsley.
“Much better,” Kingsley sighed after Fjord was done. He reached for his shirt as he stood up from the bed. “Well, I suppose that’s enough excitement for one night,” he said. He stretched his arms above his head and yawned in an exaggerated manner. “I suppose I should head off to my own room.”
“Don’t be silly Kingsley,” Jester chided. She gestured to the space in the bed next to her. “There’s plenty of room here.”
Fjord opened his mouth to protest this. There most certainly was not plenty of room here, and besides, Kingsley’s room was just down the hall, so it wasn’t like he’d have to journey far. But before Fjord could get a single word out Kingsley was already pulling his boots off.
“Well since you insist,” he said, and proceeded to leave his clothes and rapier in a pile at the foot of the bed. Fjord sent out another quick prayer of thanks to the Wildmother that Kingsley had opted for wearing underclothes today.
It was a tight fit, but soon all three were nestled in the bed together in their usual positions. Kingsley was facing the wall, his tail draped across both Jester and Fjord under the blanket, while Jester and Fjord acted as the medium spoon and big spoon respectively.
Right as he had begun to drift back to sleep, a thought suddenly struck Fjord. “Kingsley...”
“Hm?” came a sleepy reply.
“You’ve washed your teeth already, right?
“Of course,” he lied.
Fjord made another mental note to talk to him about that too.
As we announced in our Author Reveal post, this was by far the biggest turn out for any Summer Wildflowers. Whether you did or didn't participate this year, we'd love to hear your thoughts on how the exchange went, which you can submit through this anonymous feedback form (or drop us an ask or email). Thanks to everyone who already sent in a response!
Now, on to the numbers!
We had 39 sign-ups and 135 works posted to the collection, and we're going to break down the numbers on those below the cut!
Overall stats:
By medium: 6 art/129 fic
Total word count: 312,830 words
By participant: There were twenty-three people who created 1 work each, four who made 2 works each, six who made 3 works each, and some participants made up to 10, 12, 14, and even 17 works each! Plus, 5 works that were posted anonymously! (That means the six most prolific creators made almost half the works in the collection!)
By rating: We received 47 General Audiences works, 51 Teen +, 19 Mature, 15 Explicit, and 3 works that were not rated.
By campaign: 20 for Campaign 1, 37 for Campaign 2, 22 for Campaign 3, 55 for Campaign 4, 5 EXU! (There are 83 works set in Exandria and 55 works set in Aramán, with three being crossovers!)
By character:
Unique characters: 87
Most popular characters were Caleb Widogast (22 appearances!), Bolaire Lathalia (15 appearances!), Astrid Becke (14 appearances!), and Ashton Greymoore (13 appearances!)!
By relationship:
Unique relationships: 124! Talk about biodiversity!
Most popular relationships were Astrid/Eadwulf/Caleb (5), followed closely by Bolaire & Azune, Bolaire & Murray, and Hal/Thaisha, all with 4 each! The vast majority of relationships had only one appearance!
Relationship Categories: Gen fic accounted for nearly half of the works produced, with 67 works, followed by a tie between F/F and F/M for 22 works each, Multi with 16, M/M with 11, and the Other category with 7 works.
Biggest output by number of works: @masterqwertster (MasterQwertster on AO3)
Biggest output by word count: @wodestonemanor (stoated on AO3)
Most art pieces: Our very own @warmer-gaze (nsfwildflower on AO3), who submitted two art pieces!
Longest fic: While We Play the Game They Fix by @wodestonemanor (stoated on AO3), with 20,240 words!
Shortest fic: Good to be king by Anonymous, with 227 words!
Those are are stats, and now, we present to you:
Guessing Game Results!
Most right answers: Rolery, who correctly paired 16 works to their creators!
Highest % of correct guesses: @iiitsnotbase (PurpleLaptop1 on AO3), who made only one guess, for a perfect 100%!
Most guesses: @schemer-aishama (Aishama on AO3), who submitted guesses for 34/39 works!
A few other things, before we call it the end of the summer:
You are welcome (and encouraged!) to keep making more works based on any of the prompts if you're still feeling inspired! The collection is closed, but you'll brighten the day of the requester!
As you browse our collection, you might notice a few more works tucked away in our bookmarks! These are fics that are not officially part of Wildflowers exchange, for one reason or another, but were inspired by either official requests or by conversations or prompts in our Discord Server during the 2026 exchange.
If you liked any of the works, please leave the creator a comment! It's one of the very best ways to encourage them to make more, and we hope to continue to see the Critical Role rarepair community bloom!
Please continue to @ us as you post your works to Tumblr so we can reblog them! And you can use the following banner on your posts, if you so choose!
From the mods
Thank you all so much for taking part in this year's Summer Wildflowers Exchange. It's been such an incredible honor to get to make this happen, and we are so lucky to have gotten such a fantastic group of people making so many wonderful works.
Three of our mods are already at work on their next events, so if you're excited about more fandom participation, you can follow @warmer-gaze on over to @cr-aspec-fest, @just-a-funny-little-brain for an upcoming Caduceus Clay themed event (go vote on the event format here!) and keep an eye on @citizenmocha for... something currently secret!
The event is over, but keep an eye on this blog for more reblogged Wildflowers works, general updates, and other Critical Role events.
We love you all very much, and, is it Wildflowers yet?
Fandom: Critical Role
Relationship: Vax'ildan & The Matron of Ravens
Prompt: @gauzemer: I love angst and horror (especially body horror)
In the Raven Queen’s domain, he walks-swims-flies through what is vast cosmic space and a cold winter’s breeze and the long-chilled blood of the fallen, where he once drowned. He needs no longer breathe, so it does not matter that he cannot, and he moves in all these three ways and more, all at once.
As he had before, he beholds fate itself. It is easy, with eyes no longer mortal but truly made of this place, to find his family’s threads. It is only when he lays eyes on them that he he at last begins to understand.
A Vax POV fic spanning episode 115 to "Dalen's Closet."
Written for @cr-summer-wildflowers! Beta read by @wodestonemanor, with @cigaretteburnslikefairylights to thank for the title!
I participated in @cr-summer-wildflowers this year and ended up writing six fix (sics fics). I love women and wrote F/M, F/F, F/NB and F & M (Gen). It was a lot of fun, and good to get back into it as it was two years since I'd written something.
For my giftee whyyesitscar: Wrong Footed Fearne Calloway/Essek Thelyss
Also for whyyesitscar as their prompts slapped: Ominous Sunshine Fearne Calloway/Beauregard Lionett
For PissHimself: Autre Corps Fearne Calloway/Ashton Greymoore
For CobaltSoulSearcher: I think about you all day long.gif Murray Mag'Nesson & Azune Nayar
For CelestialPinay: Curtains for Laequaryn? Laerryn Coramar-Seelie / Loquatius Seelie
For girlsonthetv: Creature - Laconic Paladin Vaelus & Occtis Tachonisc
beau voice: I don't know, I didn't know it was possible to speak celestial in a zemnian accent
aaaaand the other silly I drew for @cr-summer-wildflowers! yasha & caleb speaking celestial, as a treat for Vem_chan! But also go and read @cobaltsoulsearcher's fic about the same prompt because it is delightful
now that creators have been revealed, here’s @cr-summer-wildflowers piece for justlikeswitchblades. Many thanks to the Wildflowers organizers, this was so much fun!!
the weight of phosphenes and pasts
Percy & Keyleth | 3k words | No Archive Warnings Apply
“Keyleth!” Percy’s voice, followed by the clatter of tools being dropped onto a table. “Yes, come in!” Keyleth opened the door the rest of the way, and found Percy coming to meet her, using a handkerchief to wipe some of sweat and grease off his face. “I didn’t realize you were coming early!”
“It’s Grissen, Percy,” Keyleth said. “That’s when we said we’d be here.”
While visiting Whitestone, Keyleth brings a project to work on with Percy, in hopes of keeping both their cities safe.
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Critical Role: Aramán (Web Series)
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Julien Davinos & Thimble
Characters: Thimble (Critical Role), Julien Davinos
Additional Tags: Prompt Fill, CR Summer Wildflowers 2026, childhood friends to enemies to reluctant allies, Thjazi Fang Haunts the Narrative
Summary:
A younger Julien might have rolled his eyes at her, like the friend he’d once been, but the one who sits with his back propped up against the Hallowed Round’s outer wall just glares. At some point, the boy she and Thjazi had hardly thought twice about leaving behind in the Orchard had grown into a man who’d defeated them both on a battlefield, but neither of those people seem to be the one looking at her through this current Julien’s eyes. “If you have shit to say to Thjazi, just make it fast.”
“What if I have shit to say to you?”
(Julien and Thimble know each other better than either would ever care to admit.)
Blumendrei Regency AU for @celestialpinay! As a part of @cr-summer-wildflowers! Historical details under the cut because I had way too much fun researching & drawing this (but also if you're a historical clothing nerd and therefore definitely know more than me, please shout at me about what I got wrong):
Astrid is wearing:
--- a silk dress, with a cotton petticoat
--- a silk spencer (jacket), based on this one from the MET
--- kidskin leather gloves. I did think about giving her crochet lace mitts (because the fact that they can look so much like fishnet gloves is very funny to me), but I read something about how easily they would get stained and that sometimes they'd get thrown away after a single use, and then the allure of the bloodstains got to me.
--- a wool shawl. apparently there was a bit of a shawl crazy in France at the turn of the 18th century.
--- wool stockings, and dyed leather slippers, based on these ones from the MET, except I ended up making them brighter to help them stand out more in the composition
--- a feathered headdress.
- she has a flintlock St Anne’s pistol, which she had concealed in a pocket in her dress. It would’ve maybe been more period-accurate to give her a reticule (handbag) (since skirts of this period were slimming and therefore were less and less likely to have pockets because that would ruin the silhouette), but this felt more Astrid.
- to be period accurate, her hair should really be symmetrical, but, like. It’s Astrid. Gotta give her asymmetrical hair.
Caleb is wearing:
--- classic trousers & a tailcoat & cravat
--- a top hat (well, not exactly wearing, but still) because of course.
- he has a swordcane! it's a sword! hidden in a cane! besides, no foppish gentleman would be complete without a walking cane!
Eadwulf is dressed more as a sportsman (rather than being upper class formal wear like the other two), as a means of blending in on an estate, and being able to carry that rifle around with him! He is wearing:
--- breeches, shirt & waistcoat - he's already removed his jacket (forgive me, I wanted to draw those sexy sexy shirtsleeve folds)
--- top boots, with the boot loops tied into the boot garter of his breeches. They were going to be wellington boots, as a nod to Eadwulf's patriotism/link to the military, but, sue me, I like the design of top boots more.
Authors are revealed, so now I can post all my contributions!
Weighing in at 17 fics and 15,614 words, it was a productive event for me.
Given that length, I'll keep the fics themselves under the cut.
For my giftee PissHimself: In Your Closet
Ashton/Fearne
Sometimes you just have to steal your lover's look for a little while.
And then my many treats:
A Pinch of Salt for rightpastnowhere
Tary & Vex
Cooking and baking are not the same, as Vex learns from Tary.
Silence in the Night for CitizenMocha
Vex/Percy/Tary
Vex has a stealth mission tonight. Her boys won't see her coming.
Early Steps for IllusionOfDeath
Pike & Grog
Grog wants to do something that's really helpful, a special helpful that only Grog can do in the little Trickfoot household.
A Different Mask for Theatricuddles
Bolaire & Termina
In this timeline, Termina walks free with her host Amariya Cormoray. And she just received a certain coffin.
Down by the Banks of the Hanky Panky for justabrain
Milo/Ashton
Ashton and Milo take a break to cool off while on their way to the Heartmoor Hamlet.
Resonance for Aishama
Bolaire & Murray
"Hey, Bolaire!"
Blue ghostlight eyes meet hers as his head flicks up, wig a wild mess of red framing his pale clay face.
"Let's make another miracle," Murray grins, wide and vicious.
Deals and Souls for gauzemer
Occtis & Bolaire
Bolaire helps Occtis confirm a theory.
Life, Death, and Curses for Poetry
Julien & Bolaire
Julien seeks the counsel of the one person in this group who hates the damn hitchhiker in his shadow as much as he does.
Warming Up for turtleducknewton
Ashton/Essek/Caleb
Bringing Ashton Greymoore with them to Aeor is good for many reasons.
Dress-up Doll for jam_jarmusch
Ashton & Laudna
Laudna works on a dress design with Ashton as her mannequin.
You Could Ask for notkaaii
Ashton/Milo/Essek/Caleb
Milo needs Ashton's advice about how to get wizard laid.
Champions' Secrets for PurpleLaptop1
Vax & Morrighan
Morrighan and Vax'ildan lean on each other with the secrets they keep.
Wish Upon a Paper Crane for Vem_chan
Bolaire & Shadia
Shadia has a little chat with her uncle about wishes.
By Tooth and Claw for CelestialPinay
J'mon Sa Ord & Thordak
The end of Devo'ssa and Thordak's fight crica 636 PD.
A King and his Empress for Cabbagiez
Ashton/Kingsley
The Plank King invites the Empress of Earth to Darktow after their fateful encounter at a Nicodranas wedding.
Also slight Darktow Liveshow SPOILERS: when in the Exandrian timeline Kingsley becomes Plank King, and a special form of address from Kingsley to Fjord and Jester
Tiny Treats for girlsonthetv
Occtis & Thimble
Occtis meets with Thimble once again at a gala.
