#;; mistletoe2022

[leylayilmazx]

The picture had her frozen in place. It's not because she didn't have any pictures around her place, she took most of them when she moved out from her parents' house and the rest after the funeral when she saw her parents were ready to throw everything out. No, it was the memory of it all, seeing her sister so happy, seeing Berat so damn happy.

It was one of those moments where everything seemed right. Where there was no right or wrong, no nothing to deal with that would later have repercussions. No. It was them in a little bubble, one that even when she was little, even when she knew she was annoying them with her presence, they were happy. Truly happy, the kind that would have been so hard to come by given who they were, where they were.

"Berat..." Her voice is low as she stares at the picture, her hand finding his the moment he reached for it. "This is..." There were no right words for it, nothing that would have explained the kind of emotions she was feeling. Leyla was just thankful he was there, right there by her side. That even though her sister was gone, even those of his and her cousin's relationship was strained... He was there. He came back to her.

"Don't... Don't say anything... Please." She turned her head towards him, her eyes leading. Because she didn't want to hear anything from him because Berat was there. Whatever he had been going through, whatever was happening, he still came back to her. That was all that mattered, that was all that would ever matter to her. Because she wasn't a person who believed in words. Her parents taught her that much. She was a person who believed in actions, and his actions spoke for themselves.

As he kissed her hand, her free one found its way to his face, cupping his cheek as she nodded. "Me too. I miss her so fucking much." Ceren was a part of her and always would be, it was why she had been feeling so damn empty. "I don't want to miss you." She said, pulling his face closer, so their foreheads were resting against each other. "You're already here, that's all that matters to me. Just you."

leylayilmazx​:

See how you’re doing…

There was no answer to that, it was simply pretending. Pretending that everything was okay, that she didn’t know what had happened, that she didn’t know the way that her sister’s and brother-in-law’s bodies were mutilated… Not as if any of that haunted her.

“I’m good. You know, just settling into this new place.” A lie after a lie, but he didn’t need to know that. Instead, Leyla reached out for her glass of wine, drinking the whole glass in one go before quickly pulling up to refill. “Sorry, I’m just thirsty from the moving.” Another lie. Those came so easily to her in those days. 

Some kept telling her it had been over a year, everything should feel like a memory of the past. She was supposed to think only of the good things that happened. The moments they have shared as a fucking photo album. 

Surprised, she arched her brow, still patting a place next to her to make sure he sat down. “For me?” She laughed, taking another sip of her wine, and then another before putting it back down on the table. “Berat… The only present I need is to see you.” She smiled, taking his hand in hers. “I just missed you, you know? You and… You were so close and I just…” She didn’t want to lose more than she already had, but it was something she didn’t say out loud. 

It was nice, for the first evening in her new place, to have someone there beside her. Even better that it was him.

“Come beside me and I will open it. Deal?” 

.

‘I just missed you, you know.’

But Berat didn’t deserve that, and neither did she, and as she took a hold of his hand, he felt guilty for fooling her into thinking he was ever worth missing at all. Just as he felt guilty for wishing that she wouldn’t let him go again. 

When they sat, his hand didn’t retreat until she opened the gift.

It was a photograph. A little old, slightly faded, with four figures clear enough that seeing them again, even from the corner of his eye, was enough to tighten his throat. When his mother had first handed it to him, Berat realised that whilst he couldn’t recall ever having seen the photo before, he could absolutely recall it being taken. The memory was still etched in his mind crystal clear; remembering it a miracle given the state his head was in these days. He could barely remember reasons to keep fucking breathing, and perhaps that’s what made the ease of returning to happier times so much more devastating. He would never feel how he did that day again.

The frame wasn’t much, but it’d been all he could afford to save. And he had saved it. No asking for help, no stealing from people who deserved better when he thought they wouldn’t notice. Berat had wanted this to be from him.

He’d gone without and it was worth it. She was. 

“I know it’s not a lot but, I just thought you should have it…” 

It was him who stood at the centre of the photo, about the broadest grin he could ever remember wearing plastered across his face. They were just kids. Happy. Ceren was held up on his back, arms tightly wound around his neck as he carried her like the damn princess she was. Ayaz was beside him, and the fact it might well have been the last photo he’d been a part of before he left them made the memory that much more bittersweet. Berat mightn’t have been so keen to admit it, but he missed him, too. And then there was Leyla. A tiny dot of a thing, tormenting her cousin like always, the spitting image of her sister… 

Finding the words felt more difficult now. Maybe he should’ve just left it for her instead of delivering it himself, as he’d initially planned. 

How had everything unravelled so fucking badly..? How had it come to this?

“Leyla, I’m sorry I wasn’t here for you.” It was a sentiment he’d tortured himself with plenty, but had never found the courage to admit out loud. Until now. “Don’t excuse me being a shitty human being by saying I was grieving, too. It doesn’t matter.” The weight of his selfishness, the realisation of how far it reached, seemed to be crushing him. Berat took her hand in his again. Careful not to startle her in a particularly sombre moment. Maybe he’d only brought it to his lips, kissed the back of it gently, because he needed time to steel himself. Because he wasn’t sure he could’ve gotten words past the lump in his throat even if he’d wanted to…

“I miss her every day.” Every single one. “But we never should have had to miss each other, and I’m sorry I couldn’t be better. I want to, though. Let me try.”

[whirlwindflux]

Mistletoe at the beach? More likely than you’d think! Be kind to Sail, he’s never done one of these before ^^

[theblindfoldedprince]

Merry Merry!!

[Princely] As voted by the masses, SHADE had won the popularity vote! hence he get's his chance under the mistletoe~ He doesn't exactly enjoy the idea of others giving him kisses; but he'll get into the spirit since he was asked soooo very nicely!

Shade prefers wing bumps or a wave- he doesn't enjoy kisses... so if you can keep away from romantic intent he'd tolerate you more!

-------------

[Nickname] Shade [Gender/Pronouns] Male (He/Him) [Age] 32 [Occupation] Bodyguard/Assistant to Ruby Circuit

[Personality] Aggressive, Mistrusting, Easily Influenced by Emotion, Grumpy, Lonely [Species] Dragon Pony [Romantic Interest] Single - Lost Paradise ( @rememberangels232 ) [Sexuality] Aromantic

[thatvoidedpegasus]

Hadpy Holᴉdays!

["Void"] "I'm ready for the smooches!! Come and get some~"

——————————————————

[X] "Greetings, we have allowed an opportunity for you all to interact with ██████████████ for the 'holiday' known as Christmas. Any actions are allowed with him. We thank you for your patronage."

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Fanart Tag || Story Tag || Introduction

[lefebvre-emilia]

Mistletoe 2022 | Canon

When: Dec 17th, 2022 Where: Hyde Park Winter Wonderland Who: @hasan-demir​​

Emilia loved the holidays. She loved being out to experience what the city had to offer and being her first time in London for the full season, she was going to experience it all. Sometimes she could go with her friends and some she would go alone, like tonight.

Though, she wasn’t truly alone, there were her bodyguards. 

Her hands tucked in her pockets, bundled for the cold weather, she walked through Hyde Park taking in everything around her. It was moments like this that she wished she had someone to share it with. Not that it should bother her, the last time she had someone was years ago, and it was done in secret. 

The blonde came up to the ice rink, glancing over at the rentals then back to the rink. It had been a long time since she had been on the ice. She gave a small snort and shook her head. It felt kind of pathetic to go alone. 

About to move on towards the carnival she felt a body come stand beside her and one of her bodyguards moved closer to her. Her head turned and she couldn’t help but chuckle when she saw who it was. 

“It’s fine. Leave us.” She waved the bodyguard off, having him fall back a bit.

“I might start to think you are stalking me Hasan Demir.” There was a part of her that was glad to see him. “Should I be worried, oui?” She turns to face him. 

[amescastaignede]

MISTLETOE 2022. 

For: @vinnievespucci

Type: Canon. 08th of December, 2022. 

Where: Chelsea and Belgravia

‘‘I’ll be...um, honest? If that’s the right word. Well, I’m being honest--- I’m not trying to say I’m being untruthful... I just...don’t know how to speak it seems?’’ She laughed out of embarrassment, more common than she’d like to admit. ‘’I was pretty...shocked that you called...I mean I did unintentionally turn your restaurant into a swimming pool’‘ 

It hadn’t been unintentional, though, had it. 

Being here, with him was unlike her. Completely out of character, and yet, it was exactly what Felicity had been pushing her to do for months. However, she remembered her bosses words clearly when her phone had started buzzing in the office 'You won’t get information sitting around waiting for it to fall into your lap, Amés’ --- and she was right. She’d been to worried about approaching the French for fear news would get back to Mathias. What would he think? But the leader of the Italians? What were the chances of him knows Mathias?

And now here she was in Belgravia, bundled in a coat with the notion that Vincenzo needed help with Christmas gifts. But why invite her? She’d never made an impression on anyone. Let alone someone of his status, but she’d ‘gladly’ accepted as she painted it. Walking beside a killer.

A monster. 

But even taking a quick side glance, knowing what she knew, it was sometimes hard to picture them for what they really were. She wouldn’t forget, she wasn’t stupid. But she couldn’t help but wonder how they became so utterly and devastatingly bad. 

‘‘Not...Not that I’m not grateful, of course. I’m...I’m new to the friend thing.’‘ 

[milaxkorshunova]

MISTLETOE 2022 | CANON

With: @mikhailvorshevskyx​ Date: Christmas Day Dinner, January 7 – before the official engagement of Lyudmila Korshunova and Konstantin Vorshevsky Place: Moscow, Russia

A throaty laugh engulfed the room, followed by numerous lighter ones from the guests around the table.

Ilya's Korshunov face turned red after his fifth or six joke, he almost began to resemble the stuffed pig's head in the middle of the table. Lyudmila would laugh along any other time – there haven't always been many occasions seeing her father so carefree – however, all she could muster up was a little twitch of the corner of her lips while her eyes lowered to her untouched plate.

They did not talk about it face to face. But Mila wasn't stupid.

The more frequent visits, the dinners, the galas, the tea parties, the subtle hints of the oldest of the Vorshevsky brothers' charisma and interest in their family. Interest in her.

Lyudmila knew what was coming, but she refused to believe it as of yet. Maybe he hoped her daughter would find Konstantin attractive enough herself, by keeping them close, making them spend more time together.

With the thought, Lyumdila's gaze turned up to meet the icy stare of the man her father longed for her to fall in love with sitting opposite of her, along with his brother beside him, with an equally chilling look. The apple doesn't fall from the tree, indeed.

No matter the attractive attributes and the charismatic smile he could always portray on his face, Lyudmila has heard enough about their family. Enough to make her stomach turn in a twist.

“Would you care for more caviar, miss?” Before seeing the face of the servant, a polished white glove holding a silver tray appeared in front of her, diverting her attention from the two men.

The last thing she needed... folding her serviette from her knees, she stood up: “Excuse me.”

So many servants, yet none of them hold a glass of proper drink.

[mrofontaine]

 MISTLETOE 20202′ 

For: @hasan-demir​

When: 14/12/2022 - CANON.

Where: Gay Bar. Circa Embankment, Hungerford House, London. 

Olivier was really questioning his own actions right about now. 

He couldn’t believe of all the people he’d ended up here with, it was Hasan. The flash lights of Circa Embankment on a Saturday night were well raved about, and it hadn’t taken long for Olivier to find out where he’d find his brother. 

A gay bar, none the less. 

However, his reasoning for being here was the complete opposite of Thomas. He was here to see what he was up too, spy if you will. There’d been some talk of the things he’d been up to and as much as Olivier tried to shut it out. He had to know. He couldn’t involve the French, he knew that much. Would they worry about him rebelling? Question why he was around him? He didn’t want them questioning his loyalty when he was so close to potentially making something of himself in the coming years. 

No. He wouldn’t do that. So he turned to the only man he could think of.

Hasan Demir. 

‘‘Look, let’s just get this over with and we can both go on with our lives, okay?’‘ 

[peyton-harrow]

We Need a Little Christmas || Peyton and Emilia

@lefebvre-emilia​ 

Event: Mistletoe 2022 Status: Canon Setting: Mid-December, 2022

“Okay, so the goal: make it look like Christmas puked all over the walls,” Peyton giggled as she put down yet another box of Christmas decorations down. “It’ll be fun, it’ll be cute, we’ll make sure that everything is sparkling like Christmas snow. You’ve been down lately, so I think that we should try to make it impossible to be sad when you’re looking at it,” she admitted, “get you truly in the spirit of the season.” 

[amaroadriana]

MISTLETOE’22 - Canon

With: @aviv-kasyanenko​​ When: December 17, 2022 - close to midnight Where: Thames Path

Hanukka was just around the corner, a few minutes and it would the bells would signify the beginning of the end. It had been over a year since their relationship had taken a turn, probably for the worse. The prayers didn’t even give them a year before they burnt out like the candles at the end of a long cold night. For some, the smoke would still linger, for some the smoke signified the possibility to light the match in hoped that the smoke would catch fire and light the flame for its last few breaths.

They didn’t have that, they never had that. 

She found herself walking along the Thames' path, not knowing where she was going until she stopped. At the same spot, she and he were last there before their trip to Tel Aviv. The last happy moment she had. All because it was before the call she got from Andrew telling her what happened, telling her what she had to do, what secret she had to keep. The last moment before she knew her already fragile and calculated happiness was going to disappear. 

Where did it all really start? Was it from that bottle that they shared back and forth? Forcing them to meet each other again and again, cross paths at every event that mixed Rutherfords and the Russians?

Was is after those words he shared with her after the first night together? Ones that still rung in her mind as if he said them yesterday? 

“You don’t have to stay,” he said bluntly, hesitating for a while before finally deciding to add the rest of the thought: “But I don’t think I’d mind it if you did.”

Was that really the point where her mind wondered if this could ever be anything more than a simple fuck and infatuation? Did that make her easy? A fool? 

Maybe it was the way he claimed her, calmed and grounded her. He was always the calm to her wilderness. Yet instead of trying to diminish all she was, he embraced her, he allowed her to be who she was without making her feel she was supposed so be or act like anyone else. 

Did they get half a year? At least those six months where she could pretend they were one and the same. Even if they fought a lot, even if they barely agreed on anything, it was always good between them. 

Borrowed time. 

It was barely even a fucking fairytale.

“You’re not alone. I’ll be here when you need me. And I’ll be here when you don’t.”

He didn’t know he could not make those words come true. 

Adriana touched her star of David, which still hung around her neck as she closed her eyes, letting a tear drop down her face. Was it okay to say goodbye when she didn’t want to? 

Understanding all the reasons was easy. She understood him, she understood herself, too. More than anything, she understood that no matter if time had changed, if she was able to do it all again - the outcome would have been the same. 

It didn’t mean it hurt any fucking less.

At least she got to tell him how she felt once.

When she opened her eyes, she wished she kept them closed.

[jessi-reyes]

Mistletoe 2022

Where: Brixton When: December 2022 Who: @franciscovidal

She felt it fitting to meet him in his space. Brixton meant a lot to Vidal, and Jessica was keenly aware of that. Perhaps she had subconsciously chosen the location to try to cater towards him- put him in a good mood before seeing her. Though the location she picked was truly because of what she was looking at now. The lights and decoration. Up and down the street was decorated in christmas lights off all different colors. Several stores displayed holiday scenes and even the church towards the end of the street had a nativity scene out front.

With a light snow falling around her, Jessica thought back to their brief text messages. His proposal to meet. Her agreement and location suggestion. His thumbs up of understanding. It had all been so staral and impersonal, or was that just how she interpreted it? There was a time when she considered Vidal her greatest protection. He had always had her back and supported her. 

Then everything imploded.

Turning her head up, the light flakes of snow touched her cheeks as she stood leaning back against a light pole. Even bundled in her multiple layers and thick coat it would never be enough to make the Southern California girl to be comfortable in the snow. Though it was truly a magical sight to watch the lights glow in the soft snow.

“As much as I prefer the summer, snow is a beautiful sight,”

[anatolyveselov]

MISTLETOE’22 - Canon

With: @viktoriya-kurylenko​ When: December 2022 Where: Tolya’s Flat

“Have you come to destroy my home?”

Anatoly teased as he opened the door for Vika. No matter the case, he would have always been non-cchalant about everything that was going on. There was a microbic part of him who wanted her to at least have understood the kind of person he was from the years they were friends. 

It was hard to care, hard to pick a side when there had never been anyone onn his side. Anatoly wasn’t some kind of ddim witted dog who ran to an owner every time they waved a bit of food in front of him. He didn’t give up his all just because there was. some sort of a connection formed. 

What was the point in that when he could turn everything around and use it all for himself? 

There was not one person on this planet who would have taken a bullet for him, who would have went down to the darkest hell for him or with him. That was okay, he didn’t ask for it, nor did he want it. But it was, it should have been, a good thing for othrs to understand exactly the kind of person he was.

Any talk of loyalty would always be only towards himself. 

“Could have given me a heads up at least.”

[whirlwindflux]

Looks like Slice has found the mistletoe! What will you do?

[emine--yalaz]

Mistletoe 2022 - Canon

When: Dec 14th, 2022 Where: A Club Who: @etiennecanet​

“Kahrestin.” Emine mumbles under her breath. 

This is not going to plan.

Emine liked when things went the way they were supposed to. She had spent the last couple weeks watching him, finding his routine and tonight she was going to kill him. It wasn’t the person she wanted from the Rutherfords for what they did to Berat, but still, it would make her feel better with them feeling the pain she did when her brother was hurt. 

No mercy!

Everything was lined up, she had the perfect shot, and then some asshole showed up, making her shot go wide, thankfully she had a silencer on Carlos. She only grazed the man’s arm and attention was drawn to her. Their eyes met for a second, shadows hiding most of her face, the the shouts started to be aimed in direction. 

A quick exit was needed but that meant going through the club and potentially being followed.

The Turks pushed through the door, the drumming of the beat from the music filling her ears and their voices fading away. She weaved through the crowd never looking behind her when a body moved in front of her and she was met with oceanic hues.

He was blocking her from her exit.

"You're in my way." Her head tilts back to look up at him, her voice keeping calm.

[lismarstclair]

Mistletoe 2022

Location: Shopping area of Chelsea Date: 17th of December, 2022 Who: Lisette & @theo-chaussard (Feat: Chloé & Olivia)

“We have Christmas trees because of Queen Victoria”

“-who got it from the Pagans”

“And we have stockings because of St Nicholas-”

“-was grand-père named after a saint?”

Between her two daughters, Lisette could not find a moment of peace. THough she greatly loved and encouraged their interest in understand the holiday traditions, their endless information spouts and new questions were exhausting. The two of them together- Olivia always ask questions and Chloé insisting on finding answers- could bring a grown man to his knees with fatigue.

“mes amours,” Lisette interrupted Chloé’s newest fact, “I need you both to find a gift for your new cousin. Aurélie is due any day and it will mean a lot to her,” she instructs them. Just as they are about to depart on their mission she adds, “And something for Ms. Leyla. She and your godfather are having a little boy soon,”

The two dart off into the store to complete their mission, finally allowing Lisette a moment of silence. Leaning her back on the side of an archway, she allows her hand to come down and graze her now unmistakable 23 week pregnant belly. Grateful that the majority of the time it is masked by her large jackets; however, once inside of a store that garment came off. With her hand resting on the underside of her bump, Lisette found her eyes meeting a pair she had not intended to see for a long time.

“Théo,”

[franciscovidal]

MISTLETOE’22 - Canon

With: @kathleenzhao

Date: December 2022

Location: Struy, Beauly

Perhaps it was more on his end, the fact that he did not want to go to some luxury hotel, to be disturbed by people coming in and out. Perhaps he wanted to be disconnected from everything for a weekend. Even if it was his selfishness, the place was beautiful, and he made sure that everything was set up for when they came in. 

This time, he did not ask his crew to help him, for he did not want anyone knowing where they were. In some world it would have been considered a kidnapping, but for Vidal - it was just some peace and quiet for him and for her. 

Kathleen had a tough year - with moving about, with the Russians, even the fight club itself was an event that others would have needed weeks to dig deep in their therapy sessions. Thankfully, this wasn’t the way he had been taught to deal with his issues. 

The trip was quite long, with the flight and later the trip to their location with a rented car - but Vidal enjoyed the time alone. The ability which allowed them to talk, to be around each other more than the time usually allowed them. A special time right before Christmas rolled out and the events with them. 

“Hey, hey. Stay out here for a second while I bring our things.” The man winked as he quickly brought everything in, placed their suitcases in the room. He didn’t want to do it later, plus he wanted to make sure that everything was set up.

And it was. The fire had been going, making the room all warm and softly lit up, making the view outside the windows that much greater. The dinner was placed on the table, with the wine ready to be opened. It was just as he had asked. 

“Okay, come on in. Your surprise is ready.”