#[EITHER WAY I LOVE THE BOTH OF YOU AND HAVE A GREAT XMAS!!]

[storiesofsvu]

Christmas Admirer

Elizabeth Donnelly x reader warnings: language, argument, minor stalking. Look! I did a thing! Thank you for the ko-fi and the request!! I hope this lives up to expectations lol. Covers the "fight before xmas" square for bingo. I'm slowly getting back into it y'all! I wanted to get a lot more done for bingo but I hate to admit I don't think I'm gonna get much done, which sucks. I still have the creative spurts but I think I'm so wrapped up in NCIS that other characters have fallen down the list lol. I'll do my best to get the more developed ideas out for bingo! Love y'all!

The first time it happened, you didn’t think a thing about it. Liz always had new staff in the early fall, clerks, paralegals, assistants, secretaries, baby prosecutors that you hadn’t met yet. Those who had graduated college and wanted some on the job experience before law school, those who had graduated law school and were killing time before being able to write the Bar. There was never a shortage of strange faces around Hogan Place, so you breezed through the halls with no worries, a handful of files tucked under your arm and two coffees balanced in your hand as you approached her office door.

“I wouldn’t!” The voice rang out from the desk situated outside of Liz’s office and you stalled in your steps, letting out a small laugh.

“I’m sure it’s fine. She’s expecting me.”

“That was probably before she found out Anderson lied about having a warrant.” The man winced slightly and you let out a sigh right before Liz’s voice boomed through the glass, clearly upset and about to tear Anderson a new one.

“Guess so.” You dropped down into a chair opposite the man’s desk, placing the coffees down on it, files on your lap as you tugged out your phone. “This the only headache she’s had to deal with today?”

“Aside from the damage control that’ll go along with it, I think so.”

“Great.” Your head tilted back as you let out a groan, there went your dinner plans.

You didn’t catch it, the way his eyes were lingering on you, examining the folders in your lap, recognizing them as legal ones, an NYPD logo stamped on the second one in the pile just peeking its way out. How he was putting together that you were in the legal field, but no badge or gun meant you weren’t a cop. How casual you were in the space meant you’d been here plenty of times before. His gaze dragged up your body, watching your hand reach out for your coffee cup, nearly frowning that you were using your right, your left hidden under the pile of files and he’d have to resort to a verbal tactic to figure out more.

“How long has Anderson been in there?” You asked, swallowing down your coffee.

“Oh, uh? Only a few minutes before you got here.” He replied, “I could always take a message Mrs…?”

You barked out a laugh, turning toward him with a grin on your face, “please, it’s Ms. Parker.” He stuck his hand out over his desk and you took it, shaking while he smiled.

“Thomas, it’s nice to meet you.”

Your eyes surveyed him for a minute, flicking around the room before you spoke, “you got a nice looking name plate,” you gestured to the desk, “you’ve either been here a while or you’re planning on it.”

“Hoping to be.” He shifted in his chair, sitting more upright, “figured this was the best way to save up for law school.” He laughed awkwardly, “not that I’m freshly graduated or anything, I just didn’t figure things out right away, you know?”

“I do.” You laughed, glancing back towards Liz’s door where you could barely hear Anderson stammering along as she continued to lecture him.

“She always this intense?”

“Depends.” You picked up your coffee, taking another swig, “but Anderson… he’s annoying. He’s one of those ones that has an excuse for literally everything and none of them are valid. He’ll never own up to his actions or accept the consequences and shit like that pisses her off even more. If this case sinks, he’s done for.”

A small pause in the conversation while you both tried to eavesdrop and ignore the argument on the other side of the office wall before he spoke again, “sounds like you’ve known Donnelly a while.”

“Five years, give or take.” You replied, picking up your coffee again.

Though it was the last two that were the most significant, a year of back and fourth flirtation whenever you ran into each other until Melinda practically dragged you to some gala she was forced to attend and one thing led to another and confessions of true feelings were whispered into the night. You’d never expected to fall in love with someone like Liz and you’d definitely never thought someone like her would fall in love with you, yet here you were.

“Bet you know all the best ways to make it into her good books.” Thomas practically teased and you laughed.

“Work hard, pay attention, be ready on your feet and up to date as you can be on any open or upcoming cases. She’s big on loyalty, don’t let her catch you fraternizing with the enemy or sweet talking other departments or firms. If you’re thinking about switching jobs, let her know up front and she’ll give you the glowing recommendation you deserve, but if you do it behind her back, your options will be limited. Don’t be a suck up, but on a really bad day, the shrimp scampi from Forlini’s is a life saver,” you were suddenly cut off as the door flew open and Anderson came scurrying by without bothering to stop and you glanced back to Thomas, “and her coffee order is an Americano or drip with two packets of sweetener.” You picked up the untouched coffee, placing it down directly in front of him as you stood from your seat, “but I have a feeling she doesn’t need any more adrenaline boosts today and you just might.” You shot him a wink before scooping up your own coffee and stepping towards Liz’s ajar door, knocking on the frame.

“What?” She snapped as you pushed it open, offering her a warm smile and she let out a sigh from where she sat behind her desk, “sorry.”

“No need.” You swung the door shut behind you, moving through the room.

“What’re you doing here?” She asked softly, hand reaching out to squeeze at yours as you perched on the side of her desk.

“Had lunch with Sophie.” You shrugged, dropping the pile of files into her inbox, “figured I’d save her the ten minute drive.”

“One of these days you’re going to remember you’re a writer and not my assistant.” She teased as you leant down to steal a kiss.

“Speaking of…” you glanced behind you to the closed door, “you’ve got a new one.”

“He’s competent so far.” She sighed, leaning back in her chair, “unlike fucking Anderson.” You laughed, squeezing at her shoulder.

“He’s been in the hotseat for nearly a year, it’s about time they let him go.” You frowned slightly, “but I am guessing this means our dinner plans are off?”

Liz let out a heavy sigh, pinching at the bridge of her nose as she muttered “this is why I hate this job sometimes.” She glanced up at you, “yes.” Taking both of your hands in hers she smiled at you, “but that doesn’t mean I won’t spoil you. You go home, I’ll send dinner to your place, dessert too, and probably another million little gifts.”

“Liz, you really don’t have to.” You giggled, leaning down to kiss her.

“No sweetheart, I really do. We made these plans a while ago and I know how much you were looking forward to them.”

“Alright,” you slid off her desk, “fine. I’ll accept delicious, free dinner and treats but you better send me a picture of your dinner too, even if it’s in your office. I need you to not forget to eat.”

“And you really think you don’t take care of me?” She grinned up at you and you giggled again when she pulled you back to her for another kiss, “thank you for understanding.”

“Always.” You smiled, “and hey, don’t be too hard on that kid out there, he doesn’t seem so bad.”

“As long as he’s not Anderson.” She replied with an eye roll and you pulled the door open with a laugh, shooting a wave and a smile to Thomas as you sped through the office, leaving the room fast enough that you missed the way he ducked his gaze and his cheeks flushed pink.

**

The second time it happened, you were none the wiser, more focussed on getting your daily tasks done through the first snowfall of the year.

“God it is freezing out there.” You grumbled, letting out a little shiver as you shook the snow off your shoulders, “hope you guys have the heat on.” You reached out, placing a coffee cup down on Thomas’ desk.

“Got a portable one under my desk.” He replied with a slightly bashful smile.

“Good.” You shot him a wink, wrapping your hands around your own coffee and letting out a warm sigh.

“If it’s that cold out you should really have gloves on.”

“I know.” You groaned, rolling your eyes, “my friend’s dog chewed through my last pair this weekend, haven’t gotten around to a shopping trip yet.”

“She doesn’t give you any time off?” He asked with a frown, nodding toward Liz’s door and you laughed.

“She’s not my boss.” You tugged around in your purse for a moment, pulling out a business card, “I write kid’s books… well, primarily. I’ve been known to dabble into true crime too.”

He took the card from you, studying it for a minute before looking back up at you, “oh, that’s really cool. And… wildly different departments.”

You laughed, smiling softly at Thomas, “yeah, I guess they balance each other out well enough. Gotta splash some colour in that drab, cruel world, ya know?”

“Yeah.” He twirled the card around in his fingers, placing it down next to his cup of pens, “I’d love to pick your brain about it.”

“Really?” Your smile widened, taken aback by someone showing genuine interest into what you spent your time doing.

“Yeah. I’ll even buy you a drink, or a coffee, for your time? Tonight?”

“I can’t tonight.” Your nose scrunched and Thomas thought it was the cutest thing he’d seen all month, “got a thing. Friday?”

“Yeah, yeah! That’s perfect.”

“Well,” grinning, you gestured toward the card, “you’ve got my number.”

You scooped up your coffee, briefly knocking on Liz’s door before entering her office, letting the door swing shut behind you as you crossed the room.

“You’re late.” She chastised, half teasing while you leant over to kiss her cheek, your hand resting just past the collar of her shirt and she winced, “and your hands are freezing! What did I tell you about buying new gloves?”

“I’ll get around to it.” You rolled your eyes, laughing softly, “and how am I late if all I’m doing is playing errand boy for you?”

“Cleaners’ only open until three today.” She replied with a shrug pulling a claim ticket out of her desk and passing it to you.

“Good thing it’s only one then.” You replied with a grin, swiping the tag from her and popping it into your purse. “Your dress will be in one piece and ready to go at my place once you’re done here. You’ll have just enough time to go over your speech before we head out.”

“You’re a life saver.” She tugged you back to her to steal a kiss, wincing again at the temperature of your fingers. “Thank you.”

“Anytime.”

You got home with Liz’s dry cleaning over your arm and take out in your other (still bare) hand to find a gift bag sitting outside of your apartment door. You managed to scoop it up and once you got inside you discovered two pairs of very warm, cozy and luxurious gloves inside. A smile crept onto your cheeks and your body relaxed with warmth at the thought of Liz thinking of you on an already crammed busy day.

**

The third time you were slowly starting to pick up on it but brushed it off as friendliness. Thomas had agreed to buy you a drink to pick your brain over your work and you were more than excited to have someone who wasn’t your agent or publisher to talk to about the creative thoughts flying through your brain. You spent more than a few hours at a small table in the corner of a bar picking over appetizers and a few cocktails while you got to know each other a bit more. Thomas was new to town, spent the majority of his time working and thus didn’t really have a lot of friends in the city yet. You tried to pay for your half of the tab but he insisted it was his treat and you weren’t about to complain. When he offered to walk you home you figured he was just being friendly, cautious as a man should be about letting their companion go on alone at night in New York. You didn’t have to argue too much as you already had a car coming and assured that you would text once you were home safe.

**

The fourth time things started to happen you were so wrapped up in the holiday season you wouldn’t have noticed even if you had been looking for it. All of your shopping was done online to avoid crowded stores, there were small piles of packages outside your door daily, more Christmas cards than you could count flowing through your mail box. An array of little gifts from Liz, some signed with her initials, some wrapped with a ‘do not open until Christmas’ warnings, others bare in their Amazon boxes. Some were shipped, some were dropped off and it seemed to change every week.

Flowers, chocolates and candy were frequently left at your work desk, a treat for the entire office, trinkets from fans or avid readers, it was just what happened this time of year. It didn’t matter if it didn’t have a card, it was just a little boost to get through the cold snap and into the new year.

Figuring you should get a start on wrapping the gifts you were giving you started to sort through the boxes littered underneath the tree, finding a surprising amount of things that had been on your public wish list. You were stuck in an internal battle between setting a reminder to thank Liz in the morning or not mention anything considering they were likely supposed to be Christmas gifts and you eventually decided on the latter.

Just as you were finishing up, putting the final bow on the final present there was a knock at your door and you were surprised with dinner from your favourite place. You were a little taken a back with this one, considering it was one of the pricier places you really adored, but hey, it was Christmas time, Liz was working late and cancelled a date night, you weren’t going to complain about a pricey apology.

**

The fifth time it happened Thomas had been away from his desk when you arrived, you figured he was already gone for the night and headed straight to Liz’s office. That was where you discovered that she was having the utter day from hell, more than one prosecutor getting served thanks to playing out of line during their current cases. Meaning she now had to comb through both of their cases from start to where they were currently to find any violations, possibly take them over herself and help them find the appropriate counsel for the suits being filed.

She apologized profusely, promising that she would make it up to you later that weekend and you simply smiled, nodding gently and pressing a kiss to her cheek. You’d known what level of workload she had when you started dating and you reminded her that you knew this wasn’t exactly work from home over a glass of wine type of work. Reluctantly, you finally left her office, quietly shutting the door on your way out before your eyes flicked up and you spotted Thomas back at his desk beginning to pack things up.

“Figured you’d left already.” You greeted with a small smile.

“Oh, just a few last minute things she needed me to take over. Done now.” His eyes slowly raked up your body, taking in the heels, form fitting dress, jewelry and curled hair and he gulped, “you look… nice.”

“Thanks.” You huffed out a laugh, “dinner plans.”

“You didn’t get roped into this somehow, did you?” He asked, gesturing towards Liz’s office.

“Oh no.” You shook your head, pulling your phone out of your pocket when it pinged to read the text message and let out another sigh, “but my date did cancel on me.”

“Really? It’s practically Christmas.”

“Meh, happens.” You shrugged, pocketing your phone again.

“You know… I was just on my way out; my plan was leftover pizza. If you maybe wanted some company, we could grab a bite?” He offered and you hummed over it for a moment.

“You sure?”

“’Course.”

“That’d honestly be really nice, I’ve been cooped up alone in my home office all week and was looking forward to the company.” You glanced up to him, “but I’m paying this time!”

“Not after you got stood up.” He chuckled and you let out a small laugh.

“I had reservations at Trattoria Dell’Arte, it’s not exactly cheap. Let me get it.”

“Only if I take care of the drinks.”

“You’ve got yourself a deal.”

You likely would have noticed that he was flirting, not just being friendly if you hadn’t been so preoccupied up in your head. Between both of your jobs you and Liz hadn’t managed to see that much of each other recently and you were beginning to second guess yourself, thinking that she was simply just too tired to want to bother seeing you after a long week. That the extra work was a welcomed excuse to have to take a rain check yet again.

Instead you played nice, laughed at most of his jokes and contributed the best you could over dinner. Spending time with him wasn’t bad, he was decent enough company you didn’t mind it, you just would have preferred your girlfriend. He did try to snag the dinner bill but you were quicker, taking care of it on the way back from the restroom, leaving him with the agreed upon bottle of wine to settle up.

He once again offered to walk you home, or at least split a cab and you agreed on the latter considering it was a chillier night and you didn’t want either of you to get caught out in the snow. The heavier the incoming storm got, the fewer cabs there would be out on the streets, so it didn’t even cross your mind. You thought nothing of the rose he presented to you after you flagged down the cab considering the street peddler was pushy, the assertive in your face type that wouldn’t take no for an answer until you’d agreed to buy something from them. You’d even both laughed about it on the way home, talking about how guys like that used to target tourists more than the locals and when you reached your apartment you thanked him for the fun evening and hoped he had a great rest of his weekend.

With your back turned you missed the way his eyes followed you all the way up to the entrance to your building, a small smile on his cheeks as the fantasies began to play through his head, some of which were already playing out in real life right in front of him.

**

Stepping out of the cab you cautiously jogged up the stairs to Liz’s brownstone, careful to avoid the ice in your heels, coat open and flowing behind you as you briefly stopped to ring the bell before letting yourself in.

“I’ll be five minutes!” Her voice rang through from her upstairs office, “make yourself a drink.”

“Okay.” You called back, wiping off your shoes and shrugging off your coat to be hung on one of the hallway hooks.

Liz’s house was no stranger to you, it was your home away from home, a place you spent many weekends curled in her arms on the couch or tangled in her bedsheets as the sun crept in through the curtains. It felt homier that your apartment, the place you often opted to work from home when you needed to, the long days that she worked that you missed her, wanted to still feel surrounded by her even if she didn’t come home until long after you were asleep.

You crossed the living room to the bar cart, pouring yourself a gin and tonic to pass the time while she finished whatever it was she was doing. Sipping on the beverage you pulled your phone from your pocket, scrolling through a couple of apps and replying to a couple of messages while your gaze was distracted out the window, watching the snowfall start to get thicker, coating the streets with white fluff.

“Well don’t you look absolutely stunning.” Liz’s voice broke through the silence of the room and you turned back to her with a small laugh, the smile staying on your warm cheeks as she approached you. Her hand cupped your cheek, pulling you to her for a tender kiss that you couldn’t help but relax into.

“Thank you.” You smiled across at her, “figured I should look a little extra nice considering how many nights we’ve missed recently.”

“You know you don’t have to dress up for me.” Liz replied with a small smile, kissing your cheek gently as she squeezed at your hand, “but I do deeply appreciate it.” Her fingers tangled with yours, pulling your hand up to her lips to lay a kiss on the back of it.

“With the amount you spoil me it’s the least I could do.” You replied with a quiet laugh, draining your drink before placing the cup down on a side table. Liz hummed, her eyes dropping to your bracelet on the arm she still held up. Her gaze focused on it, eyes narrowing slightly as she examined it, her brow beginning to furrow. “What?” You asked, heart picking up in your chest as you watched her expression harden.

“This bracelet… it’s awfully personal.” Her hand dropped yours before circling your wrist, twisting your arm back and fourth to examine the jewelry.

“It’s my birthstone, yeah.” You laughed awkwardly “surrounded by yours.”

Her eyes examined it for a moment longer, pulling your wrist closer until she let out a small huff, “that’s not blue topaz, those are diamonds. They’re pulling the light from the sapphires, where did you get this?”

“You.” You chuckled again, feeling your heartbeat pick up in your chest, “one of those little secret Santa gifts you’ve been leaving.”

“It’s not from me.”

“Liz, there’ve been so many packages delivered I can’t even keep track of them, you probably ordered it months ago and forgot.”

“That’s Buccellati. I think I would remember spending that much money on you.” She scoffed, dropping your arm as she turned from you with an eye roll. “And half of those gifts were a don’t open until Christmas.”

“I just said I couldn’t keep track.” You retorted, feeling the annoyance beginning to build up through your veins.

“And I know that’s not from me.” She replied, frustration bubbling up inside of her, she’d been dealing with so much already she’d just wanted to have a nice night out and now this was ruining everything. Then again, maybe things had been ruined before she’d even realized, “diamonds mean someone born in April, or someone that likes you an awful lot and you don’t keep in touch with any family and not to offend but none of your friends could afford that.”

“I told you, it’s from you.” Your voice hardened and she laughed, shaking her head.

“Come on y/n, you’re better than that. That’s the oldest lie in the book.” She picked up a bottle of scotch, pouring out a few ounces and taking a swig as she spoke, “go around galivanting with someone else and when you get caught gaslight your partner into thinking it was them all along.”

“What are you talking about?”

“You’ve been so distant!” Her voice raised ever so lightly, tensing as she spoke, her mouth tightening in that all too familiar pissed off way. “I’ve barely seen you all month, you always wait until the morning to call me back, your texts are far and few in between and the few times I’ve tried to stop by your apartment you’re out! God.” She shook her head with a heavy laugh, “I don’t know how I didn’t put it together earlier that you were seeing someone else.”

“Did you just accuse me of cheating on you?!” Anger jolted through you as you immediately saw red, an offended scoff leaving your lips.

“Well how else would you explain it!?” Her hands flailed in your general direction.

“You’re the one who keeps cancelling fucking dates Liz! I’ve been completely accommodating of your work schedule and how demanding it’s been recently. You’ve barely seen me because you keep blowing me off! Sorry that I’m not at your beck and call, I was trying to give you space and time to regroup from work! I didn’t realize I was supposed to mope around my apartment and wait for you to find a sliver of time for me, sorry that I have other friends to spend time with who actually give a shit.”

“So you admit you’ve been seeing someone?”

“I’m not fucking doing this.” Your hands shot up in surrender, “you’re being insane all over a fucking bracelet.”

“A seven thousand dollar bracelet!” She snapped back, “what would you like to do, go through my bank records?”

“No.” Grabbing your coat you headed for the door, “you can do that yourself and wake up from this fucking delusion where I would cheat on you. I cannot believe you would ever accuse me of something like that, I thought you trusted me!”

The door was pulled open and you were halfway down the steps by the time she called after you, “fine! Walk out on another fucking date, no surprise there!”

**

Christmas Eve was finally upon you and instead of being out celebrating like you thought you would be, you were curled up in the bay window of your apartment watching the snow coat the city in a thick blanket. The remnants of Chinese takeout splayed across the coffee table while the television blared quietly in the background, some marathon of holiday movies still going.

Letting out a heavy sigh you picked up the bottle of wine from beside you, topping up your glass before taking a sip as your gaze redirected out into the night once again. You hadn’t heard from Liz in nearly two weeks, the two of you no doubt trapped in a game of ‘Say Uncle’, waiting for the other to admit they were wrong before any reconciling could begin. It wasn’t the first time you’d fought and if things started moving forward again you were certain it wouldn’t be the last, she was strong willed and always would be. You were hoping that this time in light of the holiday season maybe you would be getting an apology but it appeared she was digging her heels in, burying herself in work while trying to push the image of you with another woman out of her head rather than talking her way through it.

You’d spent some time thinking about it, imagining the last couple of months from Liz’s point of view and you were starting to maybe see where she was coming from. There had been more time apart than usual, more nights of cancelled dates spent apart rather than her coming home late from work to find you making her home warm and welcoming. You’d been busy, actually accepting the offers for holiday parties and meet ups with friends in town for the season rather than sitting around bored at home. But you reminded yourself that just because she might have had the excuse to be suspicious didn’t mean the argument and her accusation was justified.

Letting out another sigh as you sucked back your wine you were debating reheating some leftover Chinese, your stomach beginning to rumble when your attention was pulled to the door. Your head tilted for a moment, wondering if you were hearing things from the television or not but the second knocking came though loud and clear. A small groan escaped your lips as you untangled yourself from the blanket, stretching out stiff muscles as you padded through your apartment to the door, pulling it open to a very lavish bouquet of poinsettias and red and white roses, it was only after a moment that you realized who was holding it.

“Thomas?” You let out a huff, “seriously, she’s making you do her bidding on Christmas Eve? You deserve a break, and a raise. If she can’t be bothered to drop them off herself I don’t want them.”

“Her?” He asked with a tilt of the head.

“Liz.” You rolled your eyes, “I knew she liked having minions to do shit like this but this is so not cool.”

“Ms. Donnelly?” His nose scrunched, “no, these are from me.”

“Oh.” You stalled in your movement, taking a step back from the door to open it wider, “I guess… come in then.”

“Thanks.” He flashed you a smile, quickly stepping into the apartment, following you so he could place the bouquet down on the kitchen island.

“You know, you really didn’t have to bring me anything.”

“Well, you’re pretty big on Christmas, aren’t you?” He gestured around your apartment, eyes sweeping through the decorations, the large tree in the corner with piles of gifts wrapped underneath it, “everyone deserves a little bit of holiday cheer.”

“Yeah.” You sighed, smiling softly across from him.

“Besides, after I saw you were actually wearing the bracelet the last time you swung through the office I figured I should stop playing secret Santa and reveal myself.” His eyes flicked down to your wrist and a frown took over his face, “but… you’re not wearing it now.”

“Hmph,” you mumbled over a sip of wine, “Liz and I got into a big fight over it, kinda left a bad taste in my mouth.”

“Oh…” He stuttered a moment, wringing his hands while he gathered his words and you took another sip of your drink, “I thought it looked quite nice. You know, my birthday’s in April, always thought diamonds and sapphires complimented each other well.”

The wine glass in your hand paused halfway back to the kitchen island and you did your best to not let it show on your face as ice began to run through your veins. The wheels were spinning in your brain, trying to make it make sense and if there was ever a moment to trust your gut, you knew this was it. Before you could fully process everything Thomas spoke again,

“I like what you did with the shadowboxes,” he gestured to the wall above the television, “they had them in your favourite colour too, but I thought that might clash with the rest of the room. I’m glad the silver looks so nice.”

“Thanks…” The glass finally met the island gently as your fingers slipped off it, gripping the edge of the counter.

“Oh and that blanket!” His eyes lit up with excitement when he saw the one you’d previously been curled up in, “isn’t it the softest thing you’ve ever felt?” You nodded slowly, “bought one for myself when I picked it up.” He was nearly two steps into your living room by the time you found your voice, clearing your throat before you spoke.

“Hey Thomas…”

“Yeah?” He whipped around, a gleam in his eye and wide smile on his face.

“How did you know where I live?” You asked slowly, keeping your tone calm and cool in an attempt to keep him in the same mood he was in currently, completely unaware that the hair on the back of your neck was standing up.

“After our date at Trattoria we shared a cab.” He reminded you, “dropped you off first.”

“Date…” You nodded slowly, an unsure smile on your lips.

“Well,” he laughed, “I guess it would’ve been more of a date if you’d let me pay for dinner, but I’ll take what I can get.”

“Uh-huh.” You picked up your wine glass again, taking another sip as you watched him take in your apartment, “you know, my name’s not on a buzzer. You go knocking on everyone’s doors?”

“Nope.” He smiled brightly over at you, “told the cabbie to wait that night, wanting to make sure you got in alright. I saw your light flick on when you got in, just did my own investigative work to figure out which suite was yours.”

“I’ll add detective to your resume.” You gently teased and he chuckled, his fingers trailing over the back of your couch while his eyes dragged through your living room.

“Chow mein noodles…” he muttered, “I should’ve known.” He clicked his tongue, shaking his head at himself, “hope you didn’t mind the shanghai ones I had sent over.”

“Hmm?” Your brow raised in his direction as your stomach began to churn.

“A couple of weeks ago.” He laughed softly, “you said you were dreading cooking dinner so I thought I’d help out a bit.”

“That was you…” You asked with a breath, feeling your heart starting to thud heavily in your chest.

“Well yeah.” He smiled brightly, “who else would it be?”

“Tell me something… how many times have you sent stuff to my apartment?”

“Food? At least once a week, I mean, you can’t forget to eat, it’s important.”

“Sure is.”

“The other stuff? Depended.” He shrugged, “I figured it’s Christmas so you should get treated a little more than usual, flowers, treats. I went through your Amazon list,” he nodded toward the tree, “though I’m figuring some of that’s still under there.”

“Okay, but why?”

“Because you deserve it.” He stepped toward you and you fought every instinct in your brain to step back, not wanting to get a negative response out of him, “you’re so beautiful, so kind and sweet. I mean, it didn’t take much to fall in love with you.”

“Oh Thomas I—”

“Was I too secretive with my Santa game?” He laughed, “did you not realize they were all from me?”

“No.. no I did not.”

“Well, surprise.” He replied with a sheepish grin, “I was your secret admirer.”

“I didn’t even realize I had one.” You replied with an awkward laugh, praying that he would stay the two feet away from you he currently was.

“What’d you mean?” He asked, his face falling, “who did you think they were from?”

“Well, to be completely honest, Liz.”

“Ms. Donnelly?” His face scrunched, “why would any of them be from her?”

“Because I am her girlfriend.” Liz’s voice growled through the apartment and you jumped, having not realized the door had never been shut behind Thomas. You had no idea how long she had been standing there or how much she had heard but one thing was clear; she was absolutely livid. “What the hell do you think you’re doing here?”

“It’s practically Christmas.” He gestured around, “I thought that was the best time to make romantic declarations.”

“Is that so?” Liz asked, her brow raising before whatever was in her hands found home on the entry way table and a dark gleam took over her eyes. “How about I tell you what the best thing to do is right now?” She stepped towards him and he visibly gulped, “you’re going to get the hell out of here and you’re never going to set foot on this block ever again. If I so much as catch a glimpse of you attempting to nose your way into her life, I’ll sick Stabler on you, understood?”

“Yes Ms. Donnelly.” He nodded, shrinking around himself as he ducked his gaze, attempting to step around her to get over to the door.

“And I think it’s very clear you don’t need to show up at work after the holidays, you’re fired. Don’t expect any good references either.”

She followed him toward the door, making sure he was scurrying his way to the stairs before she swung it shut behind him, flicking the lock for extra security. Her eyes closed for a moment and she took a deep breath before turning to you, noticing the way you were clutching the counter so tight your knuckles were white.

“Are you alright?” She asked, her voice impeccably soft as she cautiously stepped toward you, a hand soothing its way up your arm and you looked up at her, a slight shake in your voice.

“Kinda feel like I’m gonna be sick.” You ran your hand over your face, letting out a low breath, “god I was so stupid, how could I not realize?” You leant back into the counter, “I really did think it was you sending me everything.”

“Everything?” Her brow raised as her arm wound around your waist, pulling you to her so she could leave a soft kiss on your temple. “It wasn’t just the flowers?”

You shook your head, rolling your eyes at the lavish bouquet that you wanted nothing more than to toss in the garbage, “he’s been sending me things for months, and I don’t even know what was him and what was you.”

“Has he been following you?” She asked, worry taking over her voice.

“I dunno.” You shrugged, “we split a cab after drinks one night, dropped me off first but who knows, that was probably part of the plan.”

“I thought I was going overboard mentioning Stabler but now I’m starting to think it may be a good idea.” Her eyes swept through your apartment, taking in all the new trinkets that hadn’t been there the last time she was, “I’m going to get him to run Thomas’ name, do a more thorough background check, and let’s get you out of here, you’re staying at my place until New Years.”

“Are you sure?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?” She squeezed at your hand.

“You’re not…  mad anymore?” You asked and her face fell before she let out a weary sigh, shaking her head.

“Absolutely not. I was over worked and stressed and came to a very wrong conclusion when I should have seen how suspicious that was from a different angle.”

“You know I’d never cheat on you, right?” You couldn’t help the tears swimming into your eyes, both at the question and the fact that you were pretty shaken up considering your evening.

“Oh sweetheart.” Liz stepped forward again, her hands cupping your cheeks as she leant in to kiss you, her lips brushing against yours while she spoke, “of course I do. I know how much you love me and I love you even more than you could imagine. I’m so sorry I said those terrible things. You’re the greatest partner I could ask for, always so understanding when I have to shuffle things around, I should be praising the ground you walk on.”

“Okay well now you’re going overboard.” You let out a watery laugh, smiling as you leant forward to kiss her again.

“Nonsense.” She kissed the tip of your nose, “my girl deserves the absolute best.”

“The absolute best would be getting the fuck out of here; I feel like I need to burn half my belongings.” You shuddered and she squeezed at your shoulders, directing you toward the door.

“Grab what you need. We can come back in a couple of days to sort through everything and figure out what came from that creep and what I had sent over.”

“Okay.” You slipped into your coat, grabbing your bag grabbing Liz quickly before she ushered you out the door “thank you. I love you.”

“I love you more sweetheart.”

You’d fully calmed down a couple of hours later, curled up in Liz’s arms on her couch at her very comfortable and very private brownstone. A warm glow casted from the fully decorated tree in the corner, the main source of light in the room as Christmas movies played on the television and fluffy snowflakes drifted through the air outside. You let out a soft sigh, burrowing further into her embrace and in return her arm squeezed at you, her lips brushing against your hairline as the curved up into a smile. You both knew that no matter what the world threw at you, you had each other, you were safe and loved and there was no one else you’d rather spend the holidays or your lives with.

__________________

@svulife-rl @mickey-gomez @yesterdaysgone @momlifebehard @alexusonfire @alexxavicry @rainbowelshrhian @daddy-heather-dunbar @evilregal2002 @ladysc @dextur @disneyfan624 @kdaghay @svushots @onmykneesformarvel @kalixxh @kmc1989 @irishavengersassemble @louderfortheback @noahrex @temp0rary-bliss @wittygutsy @imlike-so-gaydude @gay-frogs08 @baubeautyandthegeek

[hallowpen]

It's 2:30am and I can't sleep AND I'm bored. So I'm goin to bother my dear moot and play either/or........ready?

Helen or Aline

Freen or Becky

The Nightmare Before Xmas or Hocus Pocus

Mermaid/Siren or Vampire

Boun or Prem

Hayley Kiyoko or Carly Rae Jepsen

UWMA or BUTS

SOTUS or BMF

Purple or Orange

Hero or Villian

Wonderland or Oz (this one's personal and you know it!)

Reading Fanfic or Writing Fanfic

Switch or Playstation

WinTeam or MonSam

Marissa or Penny

Horror or Romance

You can't cheat and choose both! It has to be one or the other!!! GO!

SAM! Some of these are just cruel. Hmmmm, okay.

Helen or Aline - I'm going to have to go with Aline Penhallow (sorry Helen, ily...but I mean c'mon. Namesake/name inspo trumps, amirite)

Freen or Becky - To pit Freen Sarocha and Becky Armstrong against one another is a crime against humanity AND MY SOUL. Uuuuhhhhhhh... uuhhhhh. 😭😭😭 ...Freen, okay? Jeez (Becky I love you so much, please forgive me my sins!!!)

The Nightmare Before Christmas or Hocus Pocus - The Nightmare Before Christmas! SJP from Hocus Pocus might have been my sexual awakening but I named my dog, my precious boy, my bestest fwend after Zero so no contest.

Siren or Vampire - I kind of blur the lines between the two when I picture my ideal representation of my fave cryptid creatures, but I lean heavily in the Vampire direction when I do. Vampire!

Boun or Prem - Prem! no...Boun! umm Prem, let's go with Prem! (I love them both dearly and Boun's vampire obsession is soo relatable but there's just something about Prem's acting that grabs me more. Though I prefer Boun's aesthetic in general. I don't know!) Boun! No...it's Prem! (I hate you Sam) PREM, FINAL ANSWER!!! 😭😭😭

HAYLEY KIYOKO IS QUEEN!!!

UWMA or BUTS - This may shock you, but Between Us. I know that I had my criticisms but I just really love BP's portrayal of WinTeam. They crushed it! And the emotional scenes were some of my favorite acting from the two! They nailed what they were given, ya know? I can binge re-watch just BP's scenes and be a very happy camper.

SOTUS or BMF - I WILL finish SOTUS eventually, okay? I just got tired from all the engineering BLs for a while hehe. So by default, Be My Favorite wins. Though it's one of my top five BLs in general, maybe even the top one. KristGawin were a genius pairing!!!

Purple or Orange - Purple. Easy.

Hero or Villain - I love me some great villains. (Even heroes that I like tend to be more characteristic of anti-heroes) Villain!

Wonderland or Oz - Wonderland. (I really don't care either way hehe, but I know you do)

Reading Fanfic or Writing Fanfic - It's very dependent on the mood. Obviously I put more pressure on myself while writing so I guess just for like the fun stress-free element, I'll go with reading fanfic.

Switch or Playstation - I just got done playing Spider-Man 2 and loved it even more than the previous two entries. Simply because I would cry if you took away my spidah-man, Playstation.

WinTeam or MonSam - FUCK YOU!!!

Marissa or Penny - In terms of content, I'd have to go with Miss Penny SnapCube (My love of Crystalyne was very time specific but Marissa is still my streamer crush that I will never ever talk to in chat hehe)

Horror or Romance - Horror!!! I know, very cliché of me. So what if I'm a Halloween baby, I like what I like.

Never talk to me again!!!

LOVE YOU!!!

[batwing27]

So I'm at work and one of my workers goes to complain to me about things in his life, I listened to him, I gave him advice but stating it's from my life and some others I know, so don't take it as the absolute answer.

His problem is with a love one, he works and does what he can and the other does nothing but say they hate him and stuff, he said he always thinks of how it first was (their first 2yrs) and has hope after 10yrs that it'll go back to that.

I told him that's not gonna happen, if they've been treating you the same way for 8ish yrs, being sweet after cussing you out, hitting you, and treating you like shit, then sweet again, that's a narcissistic, and those first 2yrs is the 2yr hump that alot of relationships change either for you love each other and work with each other (which is rare but I've seen it happen) or life becomes stressful and one person blames the other and instead of working it out they just treat the other like shit (been there lolz). I told him I can't make decisions for him, that's his thing, but after 8ish yrs in a 10yr relationship and that type of stuff is happening it probably won't change unless yall can talk evenly. Honestly good luck to him.

Personally, finding a relationship where your both equals and working stuff out and talking and being very much on consent, working together to better each other and just to have a life that your happy with is the dream, one day it'd be great to have such a thing but I work too much and I've got scars internally that I've gotten used to being alone after so many yrs. Not all ppl are the same and for some of you out there I hope you find a love and happiness that is rare.

Sorry lolz can absolutely ignore this.

Hope everyone had a decent Xmas and/or holiday that you celebrate.

[sawsomeghosts]

Merry Christmas @mortiiicia & @patriiiarch !

[buryyourdoves]

Writing Jewish Characters (what not to do, according to one jewish gal on discord) (a probably incomplete list):

(For reference, because I say it a few times: goyische = not Jewish, or relating to non-Jewish things/culture/etc)

Preface:

Many of these are things that some Jews do irl for various personal reasons, and that is 1000% valid and fine!! This is in no way dragging any Jew’s life choices whatsoever. When it comes to representation, there is a huge skew in one direction: the Jew-ish, bacon cheeseburger-loving, Xmas-celebrating, modern Jew whose nagging, kvetching Jewish family comes up for a special holiday or life event episode and is never heard from again. The implication is that Jewish traditions don’t fit modern people/society and that a non-Jewish audience can’t connect with a Jewish character who remains close to their cultural roots. All that to say, this piece is all about representation, not necessarily irl accuracy.

Primer:

Jewish characters don’t have to be “religious,” and definitely not in the way you might conceive of a religious Xtian character. But being an irreligious Jew doesn't inherently mean they won't follow any Jewish rituals or holidays. It’s a culture as much as it is a religion, and there are a million reasons an atheist Jew (not an oxymoron!) might follow any of these rituals/rules, including but not limited to cultural heritage, community, and religious family/friends <3

Eating treif (aka never-kosher food like pork and shellfish):

They don’t have to keep kosher (altho that would be a very welcome change just one (1) time ksdjg), just don’t make them actively not kosher. I know it feels super innocuous to talk about Erik Lensherr grabbing a bacon egg and cheese from the bodega, but it sticks out to me every time because it is, in itself, a statement. If that's a statement you want to be making, think about why. What are you trying to add to this Jewish character by giving him bacon, or shrimp, or a cheeseburger, etc etc. And is it something you think is a positive addition, or is the implication just that not eating bacon is silly, or outdated, or only something super duper religious Jews could ever want to do? If so, maybe skip the shrimp. It’s a tiny thing that can really make a big difference.

True bonus points: actively have the character keep a semblance of kosher. A simple, 2-second choice for a character to turn down a bite of their coworker’s pork fried rice because they’re Jewish feels SO NICE to read in an ocean of Jewish characters eating treif.

A lot of media codes Jewish characters by drawing attention to the fact that they’re eating bacon, even though they “shouldn’t.” Very little media codes Jews by having them leave the cheese off their burger.

(And if you do write them eating non-kosher, a friendly reminder that Jews who don’t keep kosher don’t think about how disappointed their mother would be everytime they bite into a piece of bacon. They just eat it lol.)

Interfaith parents/“half-Jews”:

I feel it necessary to reassure with this one in particular that there is nothing wrong with this, and both matrilineal and patrilineal Jews deserve representation. This is common enough irl and if they identify with the Jewish side of their heritage to consider themselves Jewish, that’s great! Variety is the spice of life. Once again, I want to emphasize that I am not making any judgments on irl Jews in any of these complaints.

This is only up for representation discussion because this feels like another trend in media and fandom, where it seems like one parent is Certified Not Jewish™️ almost as an excuse to…have Jewish characters not have to be Jewish except in name. Interfaith families are almost always shown mainly celebrating Xtian holidays, with a tiny nod to Judaism: agiant Xmas tree with a menorah to the side, or an Easter episode with a throwaway mention of Passover (if anything). Mainstream media especially will do either this, or have both parents be Jewish and the main character be such a ~disappointment~ to their parents for being less so, and of course falling into lots of icky stereotypes along the way.

Basically just, don’t not write interfaith characters, but be careful with them. Please don’t use interfaith characters as your reason excuse to let them do the Goyische Stuff, like celebrating Xmas. And speaking of…

Christmas (derogatory):

My opinion on Jewish characters celebrating Xmas, my prayer hands and shameless begging, is just…please don’t do it. I get it, plenty of irl Jews participate in Xmas activities or even celebrate it with their friends and extended families, that’s fine, absolutely no judgment. But without getting into the whole shebang of christian hegemony and the myth of secular Christmas, that’s already EVERYWHERE. Almost every tv show, every movie that has Xmas in it, if there’s a Jewish character, there’s a solid 98% chance they celebrate Xmas too. Maybe even LOVE it. Maybe there’s even a confused goyische friend going, “aren’t you Jewish?” and the Xmas-loving Jew happily informs them why that doesn’t matter, or how actually only their dad is Jewish (and he loves Xmas too so woo!) so they get to do the whole Xmas shebang and maybe have a lil menorah off to the side for the token representation.

Jews who participate in or celebrate Xmas exist, but this is a reminder that those who don’t also exist, and they are not remotely uncommon. And we don’t feel deprived for not having had Xmas, I promise. Go against the grain! For lols you can even have your Jewish character be half clueless about Xmas traditions because he never had them! Ben Grimm who has no idea what a garland is and at this point he’s too afraid to ask. There’s so much you can do with it and have fun with in a way that still keeps your Jewish blorbo unassimilated <3

There Was Only One Jew:

Most content has one (1) Jew and that’s that. It’s almost like there’s a rule that there can only be one (1) Jew per friend group. If you have more than one Jewish character, then slay! More Jews are always welcome, and the more you have, the more leeway there is, imo. It feels less egregious for, e.g., a Jewish character to loooooove shrimp if you’ve got another in the story who’s never touched it in his life and never plans to. (Although, when deciding which characters to do this with, consider making the more observant one your main, instead of relegating them to the background and/or parental characters.)

In Summary…

Thanks for reading!! There’s no one way to write Jewish characters, but I hope this helped give you something to think about! I’m always happy to answer questions if you want to learn more. You can also check out the Jewish and Judaism tags on the Writing With Color blog if you want to hear opinions from other Jews. (Not affiliated, just love their blog, haha!) These are just my thoughts on these things after reading a lot of Jewish characters (canon or headcanoned) in fic. 😊

B’hatzlacha! <3

[thegirlfromhawkins]

A Very Merry Christmas | Eddie Munson x gn! Reader ft. Uncle Wayne

This is seriously something I am so proud of and I truly wrote it with so much love. I hope you enjoy and have a wonderful Holiday time. ❤️

“Um a little more to the left.”

“Like this?” Eddie asked, tilting the star a little like you said.

“That’s too far.” You said, causing Eddie to turn his head, giving you an ‘are you kidding me?’ look.

“I think it looks great.” Uncle Wayne remarked stepping into the living area holding his mug full of hot chocolate.

“Thank you.” Eddie smirked, finally having accomplished decorating the tree with you.

The Munson’s never had a big tree up during the holidays but you managed to find the perfect one to fit in the corner of the trailer. Wayne hadn’t decorated for Christmas in years since Eddie became older. It was nice to have some cheer added to the humble home. He could see you were the one to bring the most joy to Eddie and him.

You brought content to Eddie’s life in this small town and boy was Wayne happy about that. Of course Eddie still would rant on about Hawkins and the population of sheep as he would say. When you came along though something changed in Eddie. You grounded him but also gave him hope for your future together. Living in Hawkins sucks but you have each other and that’s enough.

“Alright kids, I'm off to work.” Uncle Wayne waved to you both and opened the door to the cold winter night.

“We’ll save you some cookies!” You called out to him.

“If you’re lucky!” Eddie added, making you smack his arm.

“I’m feeling very lucky tonight.” He replied before closing the door.

Eddie and you broke into laughter as the Christmas music played through the radio on the countertop in the kitchen. It wasn’t either of yours favorite but hell it was Christmas time.

“Oh you know what time it is?” Eddie questioned looking down at his watch.

“What is it?”

With one swoop you were slung across Eddie’s shoulder with a scream leaving your mouth,”Cookie Time!!”.

The giggles coming from you melted his heart like a snowman in the sun. He carried you into the quaint kitchen then set you down.

“You’re crazy.” You said smiling up at the doe eyed boy.

“Me? No way, that’s you.” He replied in dramatic fashion making you laugh again.

“Only crazy in love with you.” You kissed his lips.

Eddie shook his head at your antics,”That was way too cheesy.”

You only shrugged at him and off to cookie making you went. The next hour was spent destroying the once somewhat clean kitchen and by the time the cookies were in the oven both of you were just as messy.

“I’ll go get some clothes to change into.” Eddie said, starting to walk to his room.

“Wait, I have a surprise!”

“What could it be this time? You know what, I bet it’s clothes.” He replied following you to a bag you had arrived with earlier.

“Very funny.” With a roll of your eyes you stuck your tongue out. Eddie snuck a kiss in when you weren’t expecting it. Smiles spread across your faces. Sure you’d been together for awhile but just as smitten as ever.

Out of the bag you showed three matching sets of flannel red plaid pajamas. Eddie grabbed one looking down at it and smiled,”One for Uncle Wayne too?”.

“One for Uncle Wayne too.” You smiled.

After getting cozy in your new jammies the cookies were out of the oven. You already set a plate of them aside for Wayne when he got home and set his pajamas down on the couch. With the radio still going ‘Happy Xmas (War is Over)’ began to play.

“A dance m’lady?” Eddie held his arm out bowing while your mouth was still full of cookies.

There you both were in your own world dancing in the kitchen light. The smell of cookies and holiday candles in the air as the snow drifted from the sky outside. And so began the many years of Christmas’ shared together. Each one filled with more love than the last.

[ebonyslasher]

Christmas....Slasher Edition 🔪🩸🎄

I'm not really into holiday type fics or reading but I wanted to give something to you all. From me to you. Happy Holidays!

Michael Audrey Myers is and always has been utterly obsessed with you. It's only logical that he would pay attention to your interests and what you like. He does appreciate it if you tell him what you'd want up front. He prefers things that way

If you ask for anything specific, he will either:

A) Steal from someone's house (might kill them too) or

B) Steal it from the store

Either way, you're gonna get your gift. He's very determined about it.

Michael is not a Christmas person- very loyal to his main love Halloween. He'll help you decorate but won't put his energy into it.

You had a brilliant idea to remix his favorite holiday in by doing Xmas pumpkin carving! Now there are a few pumpkins (expertly carved by yours truly) with some Santa hats and lights on the front porch. Michael is very pleased

So what'd you get him this year? A hand picked, hand crafted special made kill kit with unique killing devices.

Also a flame retardant, bulletproof mechanic jumpsuit too. Michael thinks you're wonderful and smart to think this up

Jason loves Christmas but never gets to celebrate anymore. Last time he did, it was when his mom was alive...

However, now that you're here, he has a reason to celebrate again!

The cabin still needs a good fix up, but that doesn't stop you two from dressing it up real nice. Multicolored lights were scattered across the house and roof, and plenty of dressed up snowmen and snow reindeer 🦌 were made too.

Jason chopped down a very pretty tree a few days ago to decorate. You use some ornaments you brought with you. Jason uses some that his mom kept hidden away.

He even bakes some cookies for Santa to eat. How cute

Jason hand makes whatever presents he wants to give. Or he can just give you all the debit and credit cards he's collected recently.

And you get him......a bunch of toys~. That way he can play and feel free whenever he likes.

Brahms loves Christmas cause he gets to be selfish and get away with it.

He'll give you a list of everything he wants. Including a few nice cardigans, blankets, fidget toys, a pocket pu-...my goodness gracious 🙄

Let's just ignore that last one

You make a great Christmas dinner with his help. And he actually helps this time. You'll have to watch over him since he messes things up pretty quick

What does he get you? Well him of course!

He's the greatest present of all. Really- he will let you tell him what to do without question and is pleasant all day.

Bubba is excited for the holidays since it's the only time his family gets along!

.....kinda but it's better than normal.

Their Xmas "tree" is a tree made up of an assortment of bones with ornaments hanging on them. It's low-key impressive. The only way you all get a white (with some yellow and black) Christmas in Texas.

Unless you're cool with cannibalism, I suggest making your own Christmas dinner off to the side.

Bubba can't really afford to give you gifts- so he makes something nice for you. He's very sweet.

You get him some very sharp and durable tools that make it easier to cut up corpses. The handles are different colors too.

You also get him the greatest apron ever.

Watching all the Christmas movie classes- a whole marathon. Grandma got run over by a reindeer, how the Grinch stole Christmas, A Charlie Brown Christmas, etc etc.

Also, you're all wearing ugly Christmas sweaters

Spiked eggnog going on for sure. Heavy on the spiked part

Part of the day entails dancing around with Stu singing some songs and playing random Xmas games with Billy

Also, someone's chasing everyone with a mistletoe...you all know who

They both are very good bfs and get you everything you wanted (it might be stolen but that's okay)

What you get them: Stu gets some joke/prank gifts, a couple of beanies, and a piercing gun (hey so he wants a couple of piercings...don't judge); Billy gets a nice watch and some of the newest clothes from his face brand

[aqqleshiqqing-archive]

TELL US ABOUT THE CONFESSION JIL

@fishy-moirails I GOT YOU BOTH COVERED

first of all thank you for being so interested HUUEHHEUE IT MEANS ALOT 🥺🥺🥺 OTL YYWYEEURHEYRHEE OKOK STORY UNDER READ MORE!!! Bullet point styled writing my beloved

sorry if it seems like it's moving too quickly?? LMAODOAS I JUST WANTED IT TO GO TO THE PART™ AHAHSHFHHSHD there's a lot of skips shshh no I am not rewriting this draft I am winging it on one go

ALSO THIS IS VERY LONG I WARNED U AHSHSHSHDHSHDHEJJR

• tom hates christmas. always does. it was already december 23, two days before christmas

• edd knew that tom would be doing stupid stuff like wrecking havoc, burning down beautifully decorated trees, crushing presents down, that kind of stuff

• he had to think of something clever so that tom wouldn't go ruin the celebration again, it was really exhausting. he NEEDS to be distracted... by something.... or someone

• suddenly, edd had a bright idea. jesse! he had noticed by now that tom and jesse may have a thing going on with each other, but never said anything about it

• edd was the only one who noticed them first being so, subtly sweet to each other, and witnessing tom overreact over the idea of liking jesse — his stunned and red face said it all.

• edd calls up jesse on the phone. a quick wholesome small talk ensued, after a few minutes he asks her for a favor

• "anyways, can you go out with tom, tomorrow?"

• huh!??? it was completely out of the blue. edd suddenly asking jesse to... to... go out with him?? wasn't she subtle about her adoration for him?? it sounded like he knew. but she digress

• edd's reason was that "matt and I are going shopping, and tom is gonna be ..... er... lonely by himself.... uh. yeah"

• (but in reality he really was begging her to keep him distracted from becoming grinch 2.0. he's bad at making reasons)

• that was ..... a very peculiar request. isn't he an adult already? he makes him sound like ton is still a baby. what a way to degrade a man's honor like that.

• "well, I mean.... I guess I can do that, bu-" her voice slowly trailed off into silence

• "GREAT. THANK YOU. SEE YOU LATER" and then edd signs out

• jesse stood there confused, that was incredibly odd??? but no matter, she did want to try to go out with him, she just didn't know how. but now with this prompt suggested by edd, she can't just let it slide — and the most fun holiday was just in a few days

• the next step was actually asking tom to go with her.

• it's probably best she texted him about it.

~~

• back in edd's house, tom sat on the couch minding his own business, and then his phone vibrated

• a message from jesse

• he couldn't help but, feel a little bit of excitement whenever he read that name. they rarely texted, and if they did, it was very short lived, but tom still cherished it

• still, he felt nervous because it was from her!! he was secretly admiring her too, how would you feel if you saw your crush texting you?? you'd wanna act cool even in text!!

• 'hi tom! :D' the message reads out

• he responded casually. 'heya, what's up?"

• 'its x-mas eve tomorrow, and i was wondering if you wanted to come along with me? maybe go to a mall? we can go buy presents for edd, matt and tor.d!'

• a tightness swelled on his throat. he's overthinking now

• xmas.... with her??? tom suddenly felt weird... he had huge distaste for this cheery holiday.... but with her???

• is this a date?? he felt nervous

• she didn't know about his opinion about xmas, nor does he wanna look like an asshole in front of her about it....

• he doesn't want to reject her either — he would love to go out with her anytime...

• ...

• ...maybe christmas doesn't sound so bad...

• he types out his response

• "oh sure, why not? :)"

• thank goodness did texting really mask their actual emotions and red tinted cheeks. but it's settled now

~~

• the next day, it's December 24. edd sleeps comfortably in bed, he's murmuring by himself.

• "mhm..n... christmas eve...."

• edd suddenly shoots up from his bed, eyes wide awake

• IT'S CHRISTMAS EVE.

• TOM BETTER NOT BE PREPARING HIS AMMUNITION FOR TOMORROW

• edd runs to his bedroom. he's not there

• CRAP CRAP MAYBE HE'S ALREADY DRAGGING HIS ROCKET LAUNCHER OUT

• edd runs out to the main door of the house. he's still wearing his pajamas

• as he kicks the door open. the area is covered in thick, white snow. and lo and behold — tom is idling in front of the mailbox, all dressed up

• "oh, good morning edd." tom had his hands on his pockets, his head turned back to see edd's terrified look

• edd pauses for a moment... he's going out?

• .... OHH SNAP HE ACCEPTED JESSE'S REQUEST!!!!

• edd played dumb, everything's under control now. he wiped off the nervous look off his face

• "morning tom, looks like you're going out today! where ya goin?" the smug face edd had plastered, ohh he's thriving so hard

• tom froze.

• "UH. NO, I AM JUST STANDING HERE"

• no he's not allowing edd to think he's on a date hell no he's not!!

• edd chuckles, ohh silly little boy he knows what's going on. but he'll let it slide for tom's sake

• "well, have fun standing there! I'm getting cola for breakfast" and edd walks back in, closes the door.

• tom sighs to himself. he's starting to wonder why he's here again, until a voice called to him.

• "tom, you're here!"

• that voice. in an instant his eyes quickly tries to scan for that, familiar sweet voice.

• his eyes lands on jesse, she's dressed in a fluffy jade jacket, and cute white ear warmers.

• he couldn't help but feel, soft inside. her cute stature and smile made him smile.

• "you look nice" he spoke up

• her eyes shrunk at the sweet compliment, she awkwardly twirls her hair and smiles

• "haven't worn this in a while, I'm glad you find it nice, haha" she chuckled

• she's so pretty. he thought

• ”shall we go?"

• he nodded.

~~

• they're in a mall now, as suggested by jesse

• the interiors was filled with christmas themed decorations, a big tree stood in the center of the building, jolly music surrounded the whole place. it feels so festive and bright

• tom cringed at this sight. eugh.

• but, it doesn't feel so, so bad? compared to last time? is it because she's around?

• tom looked at her, excitement filled her eyes, they were sparkling too. she's stoked

• gosh, he could look at her all day if he could

• jesse snaps him out of his trance

• "let's go look in here! maybe there's something here that i could give to matt!"

~~

• they're window-shopping, jesse scans every item available, she's really trying to find a gift for everyone. how thoughtful!

• tom wasn't really looking for anything special, he's just following her. he's not mad though, he's enjoying it actually.

• suddenly, he notices a rack with "mistletoes" labeled above. he stops to look at them. it look pretty.

• "ooh, mistletoes! they're really gorgeous" she notices him staring at them

• "what are these?"

• "...you don't know what are mistletoes?"

• tom shakes his head. he doesn't know. apparently hating christmas means he doesn't really know much about certain items

• "people usually like to hang mistletoes by a doorway, and if two people happen to stand on one together, they... they kiss!"

• "they kiss?"

• "yeah! it's really cute. right?"

• "huh, that's- that's cool"

• he ended up buying one after jesse finished shopping. he didn't show her though. who knows? could come in handy...

~~

• a few hours passed, they definitely had a great time bonding with each other, and being together alone.

• it felt like they truly got to know each other more, and their feelings for each other continued to swirl more

• jesse had to excuse herself to the restroom, so tom waited out for her. her shopping bags sat next to him.

• he was minding his own business, when he hears a couple pass by with an ongoing conversation

• "it's almost 12! we should go check the fireworks later!"

• "oh? where is it?"

• "it's at the outer area of the mall, it's the perfect view to watch the night glitter!!"

• fireworks... he should take her there to end the night

• and, maybe. maybe it was time he told her the truth.

• his face warmed with red, is he really going to tell her now?

• what if it backfires?

• 'am i going to hate christmas even more if things don't go the right way?'

• his worries gets shaken off into thin air when she comes back.

• "i'm back!" she runs to him, and picks up her bags of shopped goods

• "where do you want to go next? or should we go home now?"

• "actually... i heard there's a fireworks display starting soon..." he paused, and gulped

• "... do you wanna go there?" his voice got a little shaky there.

• "i'd love to" she nodded happily

• something about the way she said it, pulled his heartstrings too hard. she would "love to".

• walking outside, there's already a couple of people waiting. some are standing, sitting, and talking to others.

• there's an unoccupied bench, they both took the seat, and waited for the show to begin

• jesse suddenly felt cold, she's shivering a little. she tried to wear her jacket thoroughly and adjusted her earmuffs, but she still continued to shake in her seat

• tom couldn't just sit there and watch her freeze.

• not even saying anything, he scooted himself closer to her, and slowly placed his arm over her side and brought her closer. she jolted at the contact and felt a little flustered.

• "you could've told me you were getting cold" he teased her. that was smooth

• she was going to comment on his smug remark, but she simply thanked him and rested closely to him.

• 'tom. now's your chance'

• time to suck it up and say it here and now

• deep breath. breathe in — out.

• "jesse, can i say something a little odd?"

• "you're odd to me already" she joked. "but go on"

• he takes a moment

• "remember when we first met?" he started

• "i really didn't think we'd become friends from there"

• "i thought i wasn't interesting enough to be your friend"

• "heck, i feel like edd, matt and to.rd combined are far more interesting than me"

• "when you asked me to go out with you today, i-.. i felt — it means a lot to me, y'know?"

• "you're really kind to me. not just me explicitly — but even to my friends, it gave me this hope that maybe not everyone is absolute garbage here."

• jesse listened closely, not saying a word

• "what i'm getting at — jesse."

• he turns to her, and holds both of her hands. oh how she was not expecting this turn of events

• "i— i, i think i like you. and i'd do anything to take that next level"

• he said it, he did it. a weight off his shoulders has been lifted. he's been harbouring these feelings for months now. he needed to tell someone.

• he stared at her intently, his lips zipped shut and nervously expects her response. holding her hands firmly.

• meanwhile, as his words escalated, she almost knew what he was going to say, and she was ready to respond back.

• "can i say something a little odd, too?" jesse replies

• his eyes widened to respond to her

• "i like you as much as you do, tom."

• "i'd love to go further with you too."

• he was speechless. she felt the same way too. there's really nothing much he could say, but he smiled, and pulled her closer for a hug, she did the same

• suddenly, loud explosions can be heard, along with bright flashes in the sky. the fireworks started now

• the sky glittered the dark night with the wonderfully synchronized explosions. it was absolutely gorgeous.

• they looked in adoration, while still holding each other. she leaned her head on his neck. she felt comfortable now, there's no use in hiding how much she wanted to be close to him now

• he, in turn also snuggles his head on her soft hair, it was the best feeling in the world.

• "merry christmas, jesse"

• he said it, what a turn of events!

~~

• back at edd's house, the boys were also having a good time, because tom isn't doing anything stupid! loud music blasted their room as they all sung together happily

• edd started to wonder if things went well with jesse and tom, given that his friend wasn't even home yet.

• suddenly they heard door knocks — that must be tom!!

• "MATT, TO.RD!! GET THE PRESENTS" edd loudly whispered. the duo nodded and grabbed blue colored gifts and a party popper

• "okay, i'm opening the door. let's greet him in unison. got it?"

• "go on edd!" "we're ready!" the two responded

• edd swings the door open, and the boys were ready to yell

• "MERRY CHRISTMAS, TO-"

• tom fell down face first on the floor

• ????? what??????

• "tom??!" edd was confused

• "AAGHHH LOOK THERE'S BLOOD ON HIS CHEEK!" matt cried out

• tord leaned closer to inspect tom, he rolled him over to check his face. tom looked like he was smiling even if he's... unconscious?

• that's not blood.....

• ... is that a kissmark?

• "is that lipstick?" tord was confused too

• edd realizes.

• "looks like tom had a good holiday after all." edd chuckles.

[where-is-francis]

Happy holidays, Tyler! I hope you’ve had a great day ♥️ could I get Sam and Bucky for the Holidaze headcannons?

I have! I got to spend some time with family and then call my friends, it’s been pretty good. Alpine even got some ham (which is our little secret) so it’s been pretty good, I hope you’ve had a great day too 💕

Holidaze

Rules Of My Blog

Pronouns: Not Specified (Female Aligned Readers DNI)

A/N: I was at my family Christmas party last night (also please get vaccinated if you can) just imagining Bucky and Sam there like… tears. Tears in my eyes. I love them. Also just saying that Sam celebrates Xmas, but yours and Bucky’s holiday of choice is left rather vague.

TW: Mentions of very light drinking, that’s all.

Out of the three of you, Sam was — surprisingly — the most festive

Maybe because of his nephews, but either way, you and Bucky didn’t mind

The only tricky part was figuring out schedules

You had multiple houses to visit in a matter of a few nights

Christmas Eve was spent at Sarah’s

You think her and Sam went over the top with food on the weekends?

Oh no, absolutely nothing was like Christmas

Two days

That’s how long they spent making enough food to feed the whole town

When they weren’t in the kitchen, however, you and Bucky loved to make some cookies

His favorite is double chocolate; Sam’s is a classic sugar cookie with white chocolate chips

AJ and Cass literally couldn’t be happier

Sam didn’t have one partner, he had two

The amount of gifts? Ungodly

Practically flooded the living room

The night of celebrations ended with all of you watching some cheesy movies — you sandwiched between your lovely partners, of course

Celebrations with your family, however, weren’t nearly as calm

Not in a bad way, there were just more people

Bucky and Sam were a bit nervous at first, not knowing how they’d react to your specific dynamic

Everything went incredibly well, though

“Hey, I’d be happy enough with just one son-in-law, let alone two.”

As soon as you stepped in and introduced them to the people around the house, Bucky was soon being taunted (playfully) by your uncles to an arm wrestle competition

Sam was getting a big kick out of that (partially because he was just ogling over Bucky flexing)

It was so good to see Bucky coming out of his shell :,)

They were both so lively, it just made your heart flutter

Bucky literally had so much eggnog oh my god

FAMILY PICTURES

Oh my god those fucking dorks

Normal family pictures at first, and then they had to make some artistic choices for your throuple pictures

Poses included, but not limited to: standing like lawyers, awkward prom/conga line pose, and three-person piggy back ride

You did, however, get a very nice one with you in the middle while they both kissed your cheeks

“You make such a good looking trio,”

The night finally began to wind down, everybody tired from all the merriment, and you bid your farewells

“I love you both so much, did you have a good time?”

Sam nodded and Bucky smiled, each taking your hand and walking back to the car

It was absolutely perfect. Just you and your boys.

Like my work? I appreciate that! I’m a gn/male reader insert blog. Likes/reblogs/asks always greatly appreciated. 💕 be sure to check out more of my page for more!

[sassyhobbits]

16. "I can't believe you're making snow angels at a time like this!"

and here we have the ONS christmas special!! my last xmas fic this season and i hope you all enjoy! have a great holidays everyone!! <3

~~~

Aelin Galathynius loved Yulemas.

She loved the smells, the sights, the foods. She relished in spending time with her closest family and friends, giving them gifts she knew would make their faces light up. She loved laying by the fire and reminiscing.

This was Aelin's third Yulemas with Rowan. She fell more in love with her husband everyday, and always enjoyed spending the holiday with him. The only thing that she could have wished for this year was that their daughter had decided to join them.

Aelin was heavily pregnant. Their daughter was about a week late and Aelin wanted her out, out, out already. It wasn’t only that her feet were always swollen or her back ached constantly, but also that Rowan had become terribly overbearing. There wasn't a single thing Aelin tried to do that her husband didn't attempt to do for her before she could. At the beginning of her pregnancy, she enjoyed it. She liked when Rowan would grab the remote or get out of bed to fetch her slippers if she asked. But by now, it was beginning to lose its charm.

It was Yulemas eve. The palace was filled with their friends and family. They had even invited some of Rowan’s cousins to Orynth. Arlene and Isolde were excited to enjoy their first northern Yulemas. 

They had all spent a few hours lounging in the parlor, indulging in wine and other spiced holiday drinks. Aelin sipped on a hot chocolate, cuddled into Rowan’s side, his hand a steady weight on her belly. It had all been wonderful, but after a while Aelin began to feel a bit warm with the fire and the bodies stuffing the cozy parlor

"Hey, Ro?" she whispered to her husband.

"What is it, Fireheart?"

"Will you take a walk with me?"

He smiled and nodded. "I'd love to."

He helped her off the couch, grabbing her boots and her coat and helping her slip them on. No one noticed when they ducked out of the parlor, walking down the halls towards the entrance to the gardens. 

They had become a wintry wonderland in the recent days, covered in a fresh blanket of soft snow. The night was silent, the sky clear and beautiful. Aelin held Rowan’s arm tightly as they meandered slowly over the snowy path. 

Suddenly, Aelin hissed in discomfort, placing a hand over her huge stomach as their baby girl fussed.

“Is everything alright?” Rowan asked, brows knitted in concern.

“Fine,” Aelin assured him, not wanting him to go full mother hen mode. “She’s just making herself comfortable, apparently.” 

Her husband sighed heavily. “It seems she likes it in there.”

“Well, it’s cold as hell out here so I don’t blame her.”

Rowan released a bark of laughter. “I was hoping she’d be with us by now.”

“Me too.” Aelin pouted down at her belly. “I had some adorable little Yulemas outfits for her.”

“I know you did, love.”

They continued their trek through the gardens, admiring the lights that had been strung up and other holiday decorations. Aelin always enjoyed decorating the palace. It was one of her favorite parts of the season. 

The princess was just about to suggest they go back inside when she felt something strange. A sensation she had never endured before; a little pop followed by something decidedly wet between her legs. Aelin didn't have to be a rocket scientist to realize what, exactly, that feeling was.

"Rowan?" she rasped, tightening her grip on her husband's arm.

"Hm?"

"My water just broke."

"Your water just what-?!"

Rowan’s head whipped towards her, eyes wide in shock. In his bewilderment, her normally graceful husband wasn't watching where he was going, stepping on a slick piece of eyes. His feet flew out from under him, tumbling back into a fresh bank of snow.

Despite herself, Aelin released a laugh. Rowan leaned his head upwards, flakes scattered in his slicer hair, arms spread on either side of him like a star.

“I can’t believe you’re making snow angels at a time like this!” the princess cried playfully. “We’re having a baby!”

Rowan blinked once, a slow smile spreading on his lips. “We’re having a baby,” he repeated in a whisper. “We’re having our baby!”

Aelin could only grin.

…

It didn’t take long to head back inside and gather the things they needed to make the trip to the hospital. Aelin had thought Rowan was being ridiculous earlier, but it was nothing compared to his actions now. He was everywhere at once, not allowing her to pick up anything or even open a door for herself. Yet, Aelin was too nervous to even really scold him about it. 

She and Rowan were already getting into a car in the garage by the time they let their other friends and family know what was happening. Before she knew it, they were on the way to the hospital.

Aelin knew that she likely still had a fair share of time before things would get serious, but her mother had faced many complications when giving birth to her. Aelin’s entire family had agreed to play it safe. 

There was a private, secure suite waiting for Aelin by the time they pulled up to the hospital. She was only just starting to feel the first of her contractions when she slipped into the shapeless hospital gown. 

Aelin spent a few hours speaking with nurses and doctors, getting poked and prodded and questioned. She spoke with her friends and family over the phone, convinced Rowan to read to her even though her husband seemed much more nervous than she did. 

As the night wore on, Aelin’s contractions grew stronger and more frequent. A little after one in the morning, the doctor came in and informed her that it was time to start pushing. It was then that Aelin felt those first twinges of fear. 

“Rowan?” Aelin squeaked, looking to her husband who was seated beside her.

He reached out, brushing a strand of her hair from her sweaty forehead. “What is it, Fireheart?”

“I’m scared.”

His lips tightened a fraction of an inch, grabbing her hand and giving it a firm squeeze. She could see in his eyes that he was frightened too, but he would be strong. Strong for both of them, and the little girl they were waiting to meet. He leaned close and kissed her flushed forehead. 

“I’ll be here every step of the way, Aelin. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

…

The birthing process wasn’t easy, though no one was expecting it to be. Aelin felt as though she was being torn in two, her throat raw from screaming in pain. Even through the haze of the agony, she could tell that Rowan was beyond stressed and seeing her like this was likely shaving years off his life. It was a good thing his hair was already silver, because this experience probably would have turned his hair gray anyway. 

Still, he was nothing but supportive: whispering words of encouragement, letting her grip his hand as tightly as she needed, dabbing her sweaty forehead with a cool cloth. 

It was the wee hours of Yulemas morning, the sky turning a buttery yellow as the sun rose above the jagged peaks of the Staghorns. Aelin was beyond exhausted. She had been pushing and screaming for hours. All she wanted to do was sleep.

A ragged cry tore from her throat before slumping back on to her pile of pillows, tears streaming down her cheeks. 

“I’m so tired,” she sobbed, voice hoarse and crackling. “Ro, I’m so tired.”

“I know you are, love. You’re doing so good. You’re almost there.”

“I don’t know if I can do it.”

“Yes you can, Aelin.” Rowan squeezed her hand tightly. “You’re the strongest person I know. Just a little bit longer. I know you can do it.”

“He’s right, princess,” the doctor said from his position between her legs. “Your daughter’s nearly here. Just one more big push. Can you do that for me?”

Aelin clenched her jaw and nodded. She had survived much worse than this. She could do anything. The princess sucked down one last deep, bracing breath, preparing herself before giving a mighty push.

Aelin wailed as she put everything she had in her into this last push, sure she must have been breaking the bones in Rowan’s hand with how hard she was gripping it. 

And, where one cry ended, another began.

A shrill shriek that did not come from Aelin filled the air just as her own voice failed her. Her strength left her body, collapsing against the pillows just as she saw the doctor hand a screaming, bloody, wiggling thing to the nurse.

Her daughter. That was her daughter. 

Aelin forced herself to sit up straighter as the nurses carried a bundle of pink blankets towards her before carefully placing it into her arms.

The tears wouldn’t stop flowing as Aelin held her daughter in her arms for the first time. Her face was red, and her little face was pinched up as she cried, but she was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. 

“Hi,” Aelin rasped, giving another tiny sob. “Hello. It’s nice to finally meet you.”

Rowan was a warm presence at her side, looking down at his daughter in wonder. “She’s beautiful. She’s perfect.”

“I’m so in love already it doesn’t feel possible.”

The doctor smiled at the little family before them. “Have you picked out a name for the little princess yet?”

Aelin nodded, tracing the shape of her daughter’s nose. “Eliora. Her name is Eliora.”

The doctors and nurses took a few steps back, giving them a bit of privacy as they grew acquainted with one another. 

“Happy Yulemas, Eliora,” Rowan whispered to the newborn. 

“It is Yulemas, isn’t it?” Aelin asked. She had lost track of time during the birthing process. “It looks like we’re gonna have to wait to do presents.”

“No offence, Fireheart, but I don’t think you can out do yourself now.” He ran his fingers over Eliora’s silvery-blonde hair. “This is the best Yulemas gift I’ve ever could have asked for. Thank you. I love you. I love you both so much.”

Aelin looked up, beaming and kissing Rowan quickly, scooting over so he could sit beside her on the hospital bed. He perched himself on the corner, tucking Aelin under his arm and holding both her and their daughter close.

Now Aelin Galathynius had another reason to love Yulemas.

[hermannsthumb]

Could you do #40 cancelled holiday party? Thank you!

40. i just found out that a friend of a friend of a friend isn’t hosting their annual holiday party this year, so now how am i going to have my annual run in with you?

from winter writing prompts here

happy xmas eve, if you celebrate it!

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

Newt doesn’t really have many friends, and certainly not enough to warrant a flood of party invitations come December, but for the past few years he’s been able to rely pretty consistently on at least one. Back when the band was still together, his drummer had a pretty cool girlfriend who would sometimes let them tag along as the entertainment for parties around town, and her brother (who was almost as cool as her) ended up liking the way they sounded so much he invited them back to his own parties a couple times. Then he dated Newt’s guitarist, and then he broke up with Newt’s guitarist, and then he dated Newt, and then he broke up with Newt, and it sort of fell apart from there (and so did the band), but the breakup was actually pretty amicable, and he’s never failed to extend the invitation to Newt for his annual holiday bash as a courtesy. And Newt’s never failed to make an appearance. What’s there not to like, you know? It’s free booze, free food, and the chance to not feel like a total loser loner for once. Plus…well. Another reason.

But this year isn’t looking too good for Newt.

“Sick?” Newt says. “What do you mean he’s sick?”

“I mean,” Newt’s ex-drummer says, irritably, “he’s sick. Caught the flu or something. I don’t know, Jackie just wanted me to call and tell you, she didn’t give me any details.”

“Couldn’t he have called me himself?” Newt says.

“No,” Newt’s ex-drummer says, “I told you, he has the flu, he’s totally out of it, man. Party’s off this year. Hey, did you get our Christmas card?”

“What? Oh. Yeah,” Newt sighs. He tacked it up on his fridge: the two women with their arms around each other, one pink-haired, one blue-haired, holding up their cat in the middle like it was their son or something. Clever. Quirky. Newt just makes a generic Tweet mid-December wishing everyone a happy holiday season and calls it a success—less effort. “Yeah, it was cute. It’s definitely cancelled? He can’t just, I don’t know, take some Advil or something and—”

“Newt,” she says.

“Yeah, okay, fine,” Newt says. “Tell Jackie to tell him to—get well soon? Soon enough for New Year’s, maybe? Because it would be great if—”

She hangs up on him. Newt probably deserved it.

He stalks Jackie’s brother’s Facebook for a bit after the phone call to make sure he’s not just lying about the flu to get out of inviting Newt to the holiday bash he’s definitely having. It becomes clear pretty quick it’s pretty legit—he’s made exactly one post in the last few days, and it’s a selfie of him looking absolutely horrid in his bed, advising everyone to not be like him and get their flu shots. Not lying, then. Damn it. There’s not even going to be anything for Newt to crash.

“Damn it,” Newt groans, and slams his laptop shut.

In all honesty, Newt’s not pissed about missing the party itself. He’s pissed about missing the party guests. How else is he going to have his annual spat at the snack table with his mortal enemy, Dr. Bitchy, British, Badly-Dressed Gottlieb?

Mortal enemy is too strong. Rival, maybe? Though certainly not a friendly one. He’s fond of Dr. Gottlieb, really, in some insane, backwards kinda way, like he’s a specimen Newt would love nothing more than to cram under a microscope and study up close. What makes him tick? What makes him scowl like that, yell at Newt—more or less a stranger—like that, attend the same party year after year like that only to stand in the darkest corner like a vampire and avoid every single other person? The first time they met was at the party three years ago, when Dr. Gottlieb loudly accused Newt of deliberately snagging the last cucumber finger sandwich because he somehow knew Dr. Gottlieb was eyeing it up, too, and only did it to annoy him, and it’s only gone downhill from there. Or maybe uphill. He fascinates Newt.

He’s also insanely attractive to Newt. Bitchy, British, Badly-Dressed, but, my God, what a set of cheekbones, what a set of eyes, what a big ‘ole mouth that Newt can only assume would be awesome for kissing. And only a few inches of height on Newt, too; he wouldn’t even need to stretch up that far to test out his hypothesis.

Since Newt has Facebook open, he does another search for Dr. Gottlieb—Dr. Hermann Gottlieb, technically, though he’s furious whenever Newt tries to call him anything other than his full title. If Newt was normal, he’d just shoot the guy a friend request or something. A simple message. He just stalks his page instead, which makes him feel the sting of the cancelled party even more keenly: Dr. Gottlieb doesn’t post, like, any pictures of himself, but the ones he’s been tagged in by his company and someone who appears to be his brother make it very clear very fast that he kinda just got even hotter over the year. He’s started wearing his oversized glasses on a librarian chain, and his haircut—which had always been a severe sort of undercut—has grown out up top to be adorably poofy. Tragic.

He shoots his ex-drummer a text later. Can you ask Jackie to ask about that Gottlieb guy that’s there every year? Like, what’s his deal?

The reply comes later, while Newt is reheating some leftover Chinese takeout for dinner. they’re friends w gottlieb’s younger bro. mostly invite him to be nice.

“Figures,” Newt mutters.

Well, if there won’t be a party at which to have their annual run-in, Newt is simply going to have to orchestrate a run-in himself. The first step is finding out where Gottlieb works.

Newt picks a miserable day to set his plan into action. A snowstorm swept through the city a few days prior, and before the sidewalks were even finished dethawing, a sleet storm followed and turned them into eighty-percent sheets of ice. And then more snow comes. Newt slips and slides all the way to the cafe across from Gottlieb’s humble little robotics research facility, cursing himself for not having invested in proper winter boots yet. Docs are practical and cool, but they could be warmer, and Newt’s are so old the treads are basically nonexistent. He orders himself the most expensive coffee on the menu as a reward for his troubles and claims a chair near the large shop window in front, underneath a hanging fern. He would simply wait and watch for Gottlieb to walk out. The man had to walk out eventually. Lunch break, or coffee break, or even just clocking out for the day. He had to.

“Would you like to see our sandwich menu, sir?” a waitress asks Newt. “We have a new—"

“Nah, no thanks,” Newt says. He doesn’t tear his eyes away from the window. “You don’t have to call me sir, by the way. It makes me feel old. Does a Dr. Gottlieb ever come here?”

The waitress snorts involuntarily; she flushes a second later. “Sorry,” she says. “It’s just that—yes, Dr. Gottlieb comes in a lot, and he’s kind of…”

“Awful?” Newt grins.

“Particular,” the waitress says. “He has us remake his coffee if it’s not perfect enough for him. And we have to write out the whole thing, Dr. Gottlieb, on his cup, every time. He tips really well, though, so we don’t really mind.”

“Has he come in today yet?” Newt says.

She opens her mouth as if to answer the question, but then furrows her eyebrows. “Why do you want to know, anyway? Are you guys friends?”

“Not really,” Newt says. Deciding it’s not worth the effort to explain the complex homoeroticism of his dynamic with Gottlieb, and to random waitress who probably doesn’t give a shit at that, he amends “I mean, yes. Good friends. I’ll see that sandwich menu, actually.”

Newt has a nice breakfast of avocado and egg on a bagel, and pretends to do work on his laptop for a few hours, but—to his disappointment—Dr. Gottlieb doesn’t come in for a coffee. Newt doesn’t catch sight of any familiar dark-haired, scowling men walking in or out of the institute, either. Gottlieb must have off today. Maybe it’s for the best, anyway; Newt’s not totally sure what he would’ve done if he ran into the guy on the street, or how he would have even explained why he’s there to Gottlieb if he did. He was just sort of operating under the assumption he’d figure it out in the heat of the moment. He calls it quits around three in the afternoon, not wanting to walk home in the dark after sunset. “Happy holidays,” he tells the baristas gloomily, and steps out into the snow with one last cardboard cup of coffee.

He mulls it all over in his head as he avoids ice patches and passersby on the way home. Should he ask for Dr. Gottlieb’s number? Is it weird to ask your ex, or even his sister, for the number of a guy you’re sorta-interested in? Newt supposes it’s weird to invite your ex to a holiday party in the first place, but he really wasn’t lying about it being amicable. Maybe he wouldn’t care. He could always just send that fucking Facebook friend request. Or he could just wait until next year. It’s just a year.

He’s so distracted that he doesn’t notice the patch of ice directly in front of his apartment until he’s already stepping on it, and his stomach flips in a way that lets Newt knows he’s just fucked up; his worn-out boot loses traction, his arms pinwheel, his coffee goes flying, and he lands—

In someone’s arms?

Well, even that’s not totally right. He lands mostly in someone’s arms, but he hears a little oof, an exclamation of surprise, and then they both topple over and into a snowbank. The coffee lands somewhere next to Newt’s head. “Bugger,” a familiar voice groans.

Newt sits up. Dr. Gottlieb is laying on his back next to him, wrapped in a green parka and about three scarves. To Newt’s relief, he doesn’t look angry. More embarrassed than anything else. “Apologies,” he says. “You were heavier than I’d anticipated. Or perhaps I was not as strong as I anticipated.”

“I appreciate it anyway, dude,” Newt says.

He gets to his feet, locates Gottlieb’s cane from where it’s somehow landed on the other side of the sidewalk, then tugs Gottlieb to his feet as well. Gottlieb makes a face as he rights himself. “You ought to watch yourself, and be more careful,” he says. “You could break your neck next time.”

“Worried about me?” Newt says. He dusts some snow off Gottlieb’s shoulders. “What are you doing outside my apartment, dude?”

“Er,” Gottlieb says.

He goes a strange shade of pink, and clears his throat. “I fancied…a walk. In the snow. Fresh air. And I just happened to be—er—” He clears his throat again. “I happened to discover you lived here, and my walk happened to take me by. I wasn’t looking for you, if that’s what you’re implying. Or waiting for you. I have better things to do with myself.”

“Really?” Newt says. “’Cause I was looking for you.”

“Oh,” Gottlieb says.

He really is cute right now, with his red-tipped ears, his dumb coat, his dumb scarves, the snow sticking to his back and his poofy hair. Sticking to his long eyelashes. It’s the first time Newt’s ever seen the guy not, like, at least mildly annoyed at him; it’s doing something funny to his heart. “Hey, you wanna come in for a coffee or something?” he says. “Mine kinda spilled, and I could go for another.”

“I couldn’t possibly,” Gottlieb says.

Newt grins. “Come on, I know you want to. It’s cold as shit out and you’ve clearly been out here for a while. We can order a pizza or something, too.”

“Well,” Gottlieb says, and he ducks his head as he finally smiles back. It’s worth the wait, because my God, is it cute, all broad and crooked. Newt has the feeling not too many people get to witness it. “Perhaps for a bit. I was hoping to discuss your latest article with you, you know, and was very put out when I learned I wouldn’t be seeing you at the party this year.”

“Oh?” Newt says. He holds out his hand, and Gottlieb startles visibly a moment before taking it. Newt can feel how cold Gottlieb is even through his thick red mitten—he could use a little warming up. Newt can light a fire in the fireplace he rarely uses…maybe break out some wine…it’ll be nice and romantic… “Did you like it?”

“Not in the slightest,” Gottlieb says cheerily.

“Just what I was hoping,” Newt says. “After you, Doctor.”

[readymades2002]

ch 2 thoughts.....giggle

i think.....maybe this one goes over better for noelle enjoyers but i don’t really care about her </3 so sorry...there’s nothing objectively bad about her she is perfectly fine and nice and cool i just find that kind of panicky Useless Gay crush to be irritating in characters especially wuhluhwuh ones (and its usually wuhluhwuh ones. For Some Reason) and xmas themed shit is SOOOO.....BORING TO ME i think the main story of this game is just never gonna click for me. which is kind of a bummer! it seems like itll be interesting it is just not my thing. also delt of rune having a lot of like...xtian imagery in it is still so weird to me its not OBJECTIVELYYYYYYY bad but it is. um. i’m not interested ^_^

also berdley getting a storyline is the most baffling decision i’ve ever seen in my life. that is a burgerpants character! that is a character that makes you go wow this guy sucks but his expressions are really funny and i don’t have to see him that often so i can stand him. that is NOT a character that gets a hashtag gifted kid storyline fhdskjd what the fuck WAS that!!!!!!! i do think berdley bemoaning how stupid he feels and how he’s let everyone down in a room full of people who have been abandoned by everyone because they’re The Bad Kids is a good representation of that discourse but like. whyyyy did this happennnnn

the queen is the best character in all of fiction obviously. her final boss battle was kind of a pain in the ass and i’m really baffled by her like...whole Internet story i guess. i mean there are interesting things to say about the internet and The Algorithm and using it to try and escape your own misery and i think that that dovetails REALLY nicely with the actual characters!!! between the exploration of escapism and the evolution of the bosses as “sometimes you just need to kick someone’s ass, you can’t always talk it out”, it feels like we’re shaping things into a story about How To Deal With Being In The World That We Are In. maybe not a how-to, necessarily, but i think that that’s a really fascinating story for this one to be! i just think some of the representation of the internet stuff is, perhaps, maybe, a LITTLE bit corny. a little bit oddly done. i think the attack where she says “drama” and makes the whole feed angry is a bit eyerolly. maybe i am just wrong about that, though, i am wrong about things often. i don’t really find meta commentary on the internet or of social media very funny. i don’t laugh at the vague idea of “tumblr drama” either. its just not funny to me

storywise this chapter was kind of a letdown but the world itself is like CANDY to me i am SOOOOO OBSESSED with the aesthetic of the cyber world and the characters in it i love robots i love viruses i love old internet. hypnospace is my favorite game so naturally this is designed exactly to worm its way into my brain and keep me there. also the robots are named after a homestar runner bit. i love it. I Love It

actually jumping back to the best characters in all of fiction. kris and susie but especially kris for the moment. i think kris is a really compelling character and i think that if Certain Game Developers would stop playing off their possession shit as some creepypasta bullshit then we could go further with that! i mean at least this time its not like. the stupid fuckin ending chapter one had (i know it was a fakeout but it also took two? three? years for that to be revealed and i'm pretty cross about it). i think it was almost really good! if it hadn't included the red text part or toriel literally calling the cops which is like. WHY are there cops in deltarune there was no fuckin need for it. but if it hadn't done all that then i think it would've actually been an EXCELLENT portrayal of kris's Whole Deal. kris tearing the player's soul out and throwing themselves out the window to slash toriel's tires before coming back inside and washing their hands and resigning themselves to being posessed again is REALLY compelling!!! kris and the player both having no input during the entire "maybe this world IS better" sequence leaving their own reaction to it a mystery is great, and it makes them opening another fountain SO FUCKING GOOD because they have all the information and decide to go through with it anyway.

and the reasons they could have for it! maybe they agree with everyone else's initial reason for it, the idea that the dark world IS better, you can make friends and meet people that don't just constantly call you a freak and a weirdo. maybe they want the world to end! they're obviously really unhappy right now and being possessed is making it worse, and it seems like the best option for the world to be consumed by darkness. or to even just have another world to defeat. anything but this stupid world where their brother is gone and their mom hates their dad and won't talk about it at all and everyone hates them! maybe it's ralsei looking like asriel, the feeling that if they stay in the dark world, they can hang out with their brother again. they might not be themself most of the time, that boat ride with ralsei and ralsei going "i think it's good that you're so You, kris" while kris has literally no input at all and hasn't almost the entire time they've known each other with the possible exception of the astral projection bits, that was fucking AGONIZING, but they certainly seem to be getting something from their adventures! they seem to like susie! why not ralsei, too!

i think the fountain move was also clearly a measured response. they slashed toriel's tires and recollected themself before getting back to possession. its like...lashing out, very obviously. doing something violent for a bit to get those feelings in order. then opening the fountain after sitting with them. i just find that very interesting. kris is such like...they're so interesting. what a fucking character. i want to know more about them and unfortunately there is literally no way to do that that is good for them because the only way there is to interface with them is through taking their will away. god...

anyway overall feelings are i am kind of disappointed by the story stuff, but the character stuff for characters that i (buzz) enjoy is excellent and the world is, as always, so delightful that i will tolerate just about anything to stay in it for a few hours longer. which is kind of the opposite of what the story is trying to convey i’m pretty sure but! ah well

oh also the music kicks ass but you could’ve guessed that

[mysterylover123]

BNHA Chapter 242: The Christmas Chapter, 1 year later

Hey everyone! Since I wasn’t doing the MHA chapter reviews back in September (I really wish I had at the time, cause that arc was amazing) I never actually did a formal review of the Christmas Chapter. In honor of the day, I figured I’d go back and reread it, post my thoughts, and just generally have fun looking at Class 1-A having fun (because dammit it’s been a long time since Deku and co were actually happy.) 

Let’ go!

I’m sure that plan’ll go great. (Oh who am I kidding, the actual internships were awesome, it’s just the aftermath that sucked for all)

But all our fandom theories! I cry, pointing at the thousands of pages of speculation.

NOW ONTO THE PARTY

BEST PARTY EVER. My god they all look so happy and festive.

BONES. My folks at Bones. You know me and filler, we’re not friends. But you guys do such good original MHA content in general. At the very least - an OVA, a filler ep, a movie, whatever - you must find a way to give us some of these ladies internships from this arc. I have to know how Jirou (and Shoji) get along with Gang Orca. Show us what Majestic is like. Give us some idea of Ryukyu’s agency.

Mostly posting this cause  Deku is too goddamn cute to be allowed. Also, feels.

1) Mina and Kaminari doing the good work this chapter. Lowkey MVPs. 2) Bakugou in that lower right hand panel=Really Really Pretty. Damn. Prettiest Kacchan since the Glamouroki incident.

This foreshadowing didn’t really go anywhere. Though I still hold out hope that since Jeanist didn’t like the Current Hero Name either that he’ll change it to something more interesting in future. (Literally everyone but Shoto, Ochako, Toko, Tsu and Iida needs to change their hero names anyway.)

Mina developing Nana/Ochako’s powers and floating in the air to get the coat on. Also, Shoto is only shown watching Kacchan this chapter, not Deku. The TDBK is strong with this one.

See what I mean?

Posting just for the Foodservice. Damn that’s a nice looking turkey.

CuteService time. Merry Xmas Eri, you lil badass. You and Deku both are just too adorable for words.

More festive imagery just because I need it. I wonder if they’ll bring back Jirou’s singing  voice for this scene in Season 5?

So Jirou got Sero’s, Sero got Tsu’s, Mina must’ve gotten Kirishima’s (MY SHIPPER HEART) and is being really irresponsible with it, Kaminari got...I don’t know who would’ve given him a basketball but he seems sad about it. Iida got Momo’s I think? That rarepair getting some love. And Bakugou...glasses, maybe? Are they Iida’s? 

Eri easily got the best gift of all. I want future ProHero Eri fanart to include this sword.

Deku looking adorably androgynous here, with the suit cinched in in the middle. Also DekuJirou is lowkey becoming my fave het ship for Deku (possibly for Kacchan too, actually) so seeing her offer him help brings a smile to my face.

Though of course WonderDuo’s true OT3 steps in quickly to reclaim his crown.

1. More Androgynous dress-like Deku which is too cute. 2. Shoto wasn’t shown listening to Deku’s problems earlier but just offers him anyway, can’t forget that TDDK, 3. That direct look at Kacchan though. 

Merry Christmas, Wonder Duo. Want a job?

Those three panel shots are really nice. It’s weird to think that before this arc, the concept of Todo, Kacchan and Deku as a trinity wasn’t really a thing. Like, there was the three separate  rivalries, but they were all their own separated things pretty much. You didn’t see all three of them together on their own, but now it’s so established the third movie’s gonna be about the trinity. There is something kind of amazing about the synergy of Class 1-A’s Big 3. They have trouble getting along, and yet they just fit together so neatly. 

Anyway enough OT3 Gushing. Christmas time is here and this chapter is a blast. CANNOT WAIT FOR SEASON 5. GET YOURSELF WELL AND OVER WITH 2020. 

[bananaofswifts]

Your guide to the singer-songwriter’s surprise follow-up to Folklore.

By

CARL WILSON

When everything’s clicking for Taylor Swift, the risk is that she’s going to push it too far and overtax the public appetite. On “Mirrorball” from Folklore, she sings, with admirable self-knowledge, “I’ve never been a natural/ All I do is try, try, try.” So when I woke up yesterday to the news that at midnight she was going to repeat the trick she pulled off with Folklore in July—surprise-releasing an album of moody pop-folk songs remote-recorded in quarantine with Aaron Dessner of the National as well as her longtime producer Jack Antonoff—I was apprehensive. Would she trip back into the pattern of overexposure and backlash that happened between 1989 and Reputation?

Listening to the new Evermore, though, that doesn’t feel like such a threat. A better parallel might be to the “Side B” albums that Carly Rae Jepsen put out after both Emotion and Dedicated, springing simply out of the artist’s and her fans’ mutual enthusiasm. Or, closer to Swift’s own impulses here, publishing an author’s book of short stories soon after a successful novel. Lockdown has been a huge challenge for musicians in general, but it liberated Swift from the near-perpetual touring and publicity grind she’s been on since she was a teen, and from her sense of obligation to turn out music that revs up stadium crowds and radio programmers. Swift has always seemed most herself as the precociously talented songwriter; the pop-star side is where her try-hard, A-student awkwardness surfaces most. Quarantine came as a stretch of time to focus mainly on her maturing craft (she turns 31 on Sunday), to workshop and to woodshed. When Evermore was announced, she said that she and her collaborators—clearly mostly Dessner, who co-writes and/or co-produces all but one of these 15 songs—simply didn’t want to stop writing after Folklore.

This record further emphasizes her leap away from autobiography into songs that are either pure fictions or else lyrically symbolic in ways that don’t act as romans à clef. On Folklore, that came with the thrill of a breakthrough. Here, she fine-tunes the approach, with the result that Evermore feels like an anthology, with less of an integrated emotional throughline. But that it doesn’t feel as significant as Folklore is also its virtue. Lowered stakes offer permission to play around, to joke, to give fewer fucks—and this album definitely has the best swearing in Swift’s entire oeuvre.

Because it’s nearly all Dessner overseeing production and arrangements, there isn’t the stylistic variety that Antonoff’s greater presence brought to Folklore. However, Swift and Dessner seem to have realized that the maximalist-minimalism that dominated Folklore, with layers upon layers of restrained instrumental lines for the sake of atmosphere, was too much of a good thing. There are more breaks in the ambience on Evermore, the way there was with Folklore’s “Betty,” the countryish song that was among many listener’s favorites. But there are still moments that hazard misty lugubriousness, and perhaps with reduced reward.

Overall, people who loved Folklore will at least like Evermore too, and the minority of Swift appreciators who disapproved may even warm up to more of the sounds here. I considered doing a track-by-track comparison between the two albums, but that seemed a smidgen pathological. Instead, here is a blatantly premature Day 1 rundown of the new songs as I hear them.

A pleasant yet forgettable starting place, “Willow” has mild “tropical house” accents that recall Ed Sheeran songs of yesteryear, as well as the prolix mixed metaphors Swift can be prone to when she’s not telling a linear story. But not too severely. I like the invitation to a prospective lover to “wreck my plans.” I’m less sure why “I come back stronger than a ’90s trend” belongs in this particular song, though it’s witty. “Willow” is more fun as a video (a direct sequel to Folklore’s “Cardigan” video) than as a lead track, but I’m not mad at it here either.

Written with “William Bowery”—the pseudonym of Swift’s boyfriend Joe Alwyn, as she’s recently confirmed—this is the first of the full story songs on Evermore, in this case a woman describing having walked away from her partner on the night he planned to propose. The music is a little floaty and non-propulsive, but the tale is well painted, with Swift’s protagonist willingly taking the blame for her beau’s heartbreak and shrugging off the fury of his family and friends—“she would have made such a lovely bride/ too bad she’s fucked in the head.” Swift sticks to her most habitual vocal cadences, but not much here goes to waste. Except, that is, for the title phrase, which doesn’t feel like it adds anything substantial. (Unless the protagonist was drunk?) I do love the little throwaway piano filigree Dessner plays as a tag on the end.

This is the sole track Antonoff co-wrote and produced, and it’s where a subdued take on the spirit of 1989-style pop resurges with necessary energy. Swift is singing about having a crush on someone who’s too attractive, too in-demand, and relishing the fantasy but also enjoying passing it up. It includes some prime Swiftian details, like, “With my Eagles t-shirt hanging from your door,” or, “At dinner parties I call you out on your contrarian shit.” The line about this thirst trap’s “hair falling into place like dominos” I find much harder to picture.

This is where I really snapped to attention. After a few earlier attempts, Swift has finally written her great Christmas song, one to stand alongside “New Year’s Day” in her holiday canon. And it’s especially a great one for 2020, full of things none of us ought to do this year—go home to visit our parents, hook up with an ex, spend the weekend in their bedroom and their truck, then break their hearts again when we leave. But it’s done with sincere yuletide affection to “the only soul who can tell which smiles I’m faking,” and “the warmest bed I’ve ever known.” All the better, we get to revisit these characters later on the album.

On first listen, I found this one of the draggiest Dressner compositions on the record. Swift locates a specific emotional state recognizably and poignantly in this song about a woman trapped (or, she wonders, maybe not trapped?) in a relationship with an emotionally withholding, unappreciative man. But the static keyboard chord patterns and the wandering melody that might be meant to evoke a sense of disappointment and numbness risk yielding numbing and disappointing music. Still, it’s growing on me.

Featuring two members of Haim—and featuring a character named after one of them, Este—“No Body, No Crime” is a straight-up contemporary country song, specifically a twist on and tribute to the wronged-woman vengeance songs that were so popular more than a decade ago, and even more specifically “Before He Cheats,” the 2006 smash by Carrie Underwood, of which it’s a near musical clone, just downshifted a few gears. Swift’s intricate variation on the model is that the singer of the song isn’t wreaking revenge on her own husband, but on her best friend’s husband, and framing the husband’s mistress for the murder. It’s delicious, except that Swift commits the capital offence of underusing the Haim sisters purely as background singers, aside from one spoken interjection from Danielle.

This one has some of the same issues as “Tolerate It,” in that it lags too much for too long, but I did find more to focus on musically here. Lyrically and vocally, it gets the mixed emotions of a relatively amicable divorce awfully damned right, if I may speak from painfully direct experience.

This is the song sung from the POV of the small-town lover that the ambitious L.A. actress from “Tis the Damn Season”—Dorothea, it turns out—has left behind in, it turns out, Tupelo. Probably some years past that Xmas tryst, when the old flame finally has made it. “A tiny screen’s the only place I see you now,” he sings, but adds that she’s welcome back anytime: “If you’re ever tired of being known/ For who you know/ You know that you’ll always know me.” It’s produced and arranged with a welcome lack of fuss. Swift hauls out her old high-school-romance-songs vocal tone to reminisce about “skipping the prom/ just to piss off your mom,” very much in the vein of Folklore’s teen-love-triangle trilogy.

A duet with Dessner’s baritone-voiced bandmate in the National, Matt Berninger, “Coney Island” suffers from the most convoluted lyrics on Evermore (which, I wonder unkindly, might be what brought Berninger to mind?). The refrain “I’m on a beach on Coney Island, wondering where did my baby go” is a terrific tribute to classic pop, but then Swift rhymes it with “the bright lights, the merry go,” as if that’s a serviceable shorthand for merry-go-round, and says “sorry for not making you my centerfold,” as if that’s somehow a desirable relationship outcome. The comparison of the bygone affair to “the mall before the internet/ It was the one place to be” is clever but not exactly moving, and Berninger’s lines are worse. Dessner’s droning arrangement does not come to the rescue.

This song is also overrun with metaphors but mostly in an enticing, thematically fitting way, full of good Swiftian dark-fairytale grist. It’s fun to puzzle out gradually the secret that all the images are concealing—an engaged woman being drawn into a clandestine affair. And there are several very good “goddamns.”

The lyrical conceit here is great, about two gold-digging con artists whose lives of scamming are undone by their falling in love. It reminded me of the 1931 pre-Code rom-com Blonde Crazy, in which James Cagney and Joan Blondell act out a very similar storyline. And I mostly like the song, but I can’t help thinking it would come alive more if the music sounded anything like what these self-declared “cowboys” and “villains” might sing. It’s massively melancholy for the story, and Swift needs a far more winningly roguish duet partner than the snoozy Marcus Mumford. It does draw a charge from a couple of fine guitar solos, which I think are played by Justin Vernon (aka Bon Iver, who will return shortly).

The drum machine comes as a refreshing novelty at this point. And while this song is mostly standard Taylor Swift torrents of romantic-conflict wordplay (full of golden gates and pedestals and dropping her swords and breaking her high heel, etc.), the pleasure comes in hearing her look back at all that and shrugging, “Long story short, it was a bad ti-i-ime,” “long story short, it was the wrong guy-uy-uy,” and finally, “long story short, I survived.” She passes along some counsel I’m sure she wishes she’d had back in the days of Reputation: “I wanna tell you not to get lost in these petty things/ Your nemeses will defeat themselves.” It’s a fairly slight song but an earned valedictory address.

Swift fan lore has it that she always sequences the real emotional bombshell as Track 5, but here it is at 13, her lucky number. It’s sung to her grandmother, Marjorie Finlay, who died when Swift was in her early teens, and it manages to be utterly personal—down to the sample of Marjorie singing opera on the outro—and simultaneously utterly evocative to anyone who’s been through such grief. The bridge, full of vivid memories and fierce regrets, is the clincher.

This electroacoustic kiss-off song, loaded up with at least a fistful of gecs if not a full 100 by Dessner and co-producers BJ Burton and James McAlister, seems to be, lyrically, one of Swift’s somewhat tedious public airings of some music-industry grudge (on which, in case you don’t get it, she does not want “closure”), but, sonically, it’s a real ear-cleaner at this point on Evermore. Why she seems to shift into a quasi-British accent for fragments of it is anyone’s guess. But I’m tickled by the line, “I’m fine with my spite and my tears and my beers and my candles.”

I’m torn about the vague imagery and vague music of the first few verses of the album’s final, title track. But when Vernon, in full multitracked upper-register Bon Iver mode, kicks in for the duet in the middle, there’s a jolt of urgency that lands the redemptive ending—whether it’s about a crisis in love or the collective crisis of the pandemic or perhaps a bit of both—and satisfyingly rounds off the album.

[lucivar]

Hey there! Secret Santa here again. Sorry to hear your traveling plans didn’t work out this year! You could always spray the windows with fake snow, blast the AC and turn on the fireplace haha. Christmas lights are BEST! Do you put up a lot of them too? I will indeed be gifting you a fic :) Favorite tropes? Least favorite? Do you have any prompts? Things you hate seeing in fic? Favorite thing about Betty? Jug? Smut or Fluff? AU or canon? PS: Hockey fights are the BEST

heyyyy welcome back to my asks ***winks creepily into the void***

Thank you for your sad react! I really appreciate it!!! Hahaha omg the AC will be on regardless, this place gets hot AF. I love the snow idea, but then I might have to clean it up and one of my life missions is to avoid as much cleaning as possible. I have it mentally mapped in my head. I’m doing alright so far.

YES I AM SO GLAD YOU LOVE LIGHTS. I do not put them up because I have a hardcore sardonic grinch exterior with like a soft marshmallow Christmas lights lover interior. I feel like Jughead may also be like this.

Fav tropes include (for xmas and other than the prompts below): roommates, idiots in love, snowed in (gasp)! I kind of want bughead as young adults who have enough money and agency to do cool shit together. I am happy for them to pine and then get together or be in an established relationship. I love sassy, sardonic humour and one my fav parts of bughead is how they are fucking weirdos who enable each other being weird AND getting hot for each other because of it. I adore this. It would also make me happy if someone points out how weird they are and that turns them on hahah. So, yes to smut (if you want to write it).

I’d rather no negative family drama or angst I’d prefer it to just be young people having fun with no commitments (no babies, not serial killer parents lol sorry to put them in the same category), so in that sense, either (1) Mostly canon but way in the future and we ignore the end of S4 because it was heinous or (2) AU where we don’t have to worry about Mr Lodge showing up to try and kill Jughead or something.

I love how Betty is good at everything (comic book style) and I love Jughead being a pop culture loving nerd who has obsessive spirals into research etc.

Prompts (this is so hard! Sorry!):

The “hold my flower” couple: The gang play ice-hockey together and go get Pop’s after. Betty gets to punch someone and Jughead gets turned on. This is the “omg my gf is so awesome at everything and I love her” (ALSO YES YOU LOVE HOCKEY FIGHTS!!!)

The sassy-bitch couple: Jughead and Betty walk the streets of Riverdale and comment on everyone’s lights (especially Cheryl’s) while drinking mulled wine or some other hot drink like mint hot chocolate. This is the “bughead versus the world and we love killing Reggie in a fic <3”

The “omg families, right?” ***eyeroll*** couple: Jughead and Betty help Alice or FP decorate the tree (I can’t decide who would be more obsessive? Like, would there be troll decorations? IDK) and Jughead just makes comments about consumerism and how Santa was invented by Coca-Cola (while drinking cola or something) and Betty both eggs him on and also talks him down.  This is part conspiracy theory Jughead and pragmatic/indulgent Betty. It would be great if JB were there.

I hope this helps!!! Feel free to riff off this and tell me what you’d like to write??? Love! X x x

[hauntedbydesign]

robron game!

Tagged by @sugdenlovesdingle 💙💙

Affair era or Husbands era? Oh man, this is a tough first question! Love both eras for a multitude of different reasons, but I think I’ll have to go with husband era purely for how hard earned it was. It was amazing to see them so happy together. 

Floral shirt or Brown jacket leather? I think I’m one of few who quite likes the brown leather jacket 🤷🏼‍♀️. It deserved to be worn more than it did.

Purple hoodie or Overalls? It’s gotta be the overalls, for obvious reasons. Get Aaron back to the garage ed!! #rip purple hoodie though.

Wedding 1.0 or Wedding 2.0? Another tough question. But similar to the husband era, Wedding 2.0 was hard earned and it was a perfect celebration of their love.  Everything about it was lovely.

Liv or Vic? I’m not the biggest fan of either to be honest. I do love Aaron/Vic scenes, so I guess I’ll pick her.

The Sugdens or Dingles? I don’t care about either family, so I’m going to cheat and say the Sugden-Dingles.

The Lodge or Christmas 2017? The lodge for its gloriously insane angst. I do like how bonkers Xmas 2017 was though.

Chrissie White or Rebecca White? Didn’t like either, but Chrissie all the way.

Reunion 1.0 or Reunion 2.0? 2.0 no contest. Those eps are pure, rom-com perfection. A true iconic masterpiece.

Alex or Mike? Mike, because he has a pug named Gary and epic eyebrows.

The Love We Stole or Make You Feel My Love? The love we stole, it’s got to be.

lay-by or barn? Lay-by. It’s iconic.

proposal 1.0 or proposal 2.0? I’m going to cheat again and say proposal 1.5 - Aaron’s hospital proposal. It doesn’t get the love it deserves in this fandom!

2016 or 2018? Both have some bad, bad moments, but a lot of great ones too. I think overall 2016 is more enjoyable for me though. The show peaked at SSW 16.

Chas or Diane? I’m not a fan of how Chas is written nowadays, but I think I’d still pick her over Diane. Sorry Di.

Boyfriends era or Affair era? Affair era and its deliciousness.

I’m not sure if you have already posted, ignore if you have. But I’ll tag: @veryveryverytemporarily @lizzzzoo @hawleywilby @turquoiseterrier @flawswelove