#( ⎯⎯ event / snow frolic. )

[amarnoban]

status: open to all.

The crisp autumn breeze carried the scent of spiced cider and pine as Amara stood near a vendor’s stall, two scarves draped over her arms —one a soft blush pink, the other a deep, rich red. Both were beautifully hand-knit, warm, and impossibly cozy, making her decision all the more difficult. She had been standing there for far too long, weighing the options as if the right choice would suddenly reveal itself.

Letting out a small sigh, she turned to the person beside her, lifting both scarves. “Alright, I need an outside opinion,” she admitted, a hint of amusement in her voice. “Pink or red? Subtle and classic, or bold and statement-making?” She glanced down at them again before shaking her head with a small chuckle. “At this point, I think the vendor’s about to start charging me rent..”

[simonbloom]

who: simon & @murphbloom where: snow frolic; horse drawn sleigh ride when: some enchanted evening idk

Things were gradually getting better between Bloom and Other Bloom. Not that Simon ever referred to them that way. He'd had just enough therapy in the depressive phase after his divorce to begin understanding how the family dynamics had probably fucked both of them up. It was a direct route to the invitation, when Sam's own marriage had ended, that led to this moment.

With Kate preoccupied and unable to attend, things there always a touch on the awkward side in terms of them as a threesome (not that kind), it seemed like the perfect time to plan an activity. Not too short, not too long. Sometimes dinner was too long. But if it was something off-beat enough to pique Samuel's interest, maybe it'd get him out of that goddamn broken down house for a minute or two.

Plus, Simon had never been on a sleigh ride and, while an unusual thing to do with his brother, it would've been even worse to go alone. And he wouldn't have bet on it being Samuel's first one, but maybe it would be a nice, shared collective first.

(He needed a project to channel his thoughts, because they were overdoing it.)

He shoved his hands in his pockets, waiting curbside slightly before their scheduled time, making small talk with the carriage driver while he waited.

[ofresoluxe]

⇢ 📱 STATUS ﹕ open. ⇢ 📱 DETAILS ﹕ snow frolic event, later in the evening

The   crowds   around   the   park   were   beginning   to   thin,   the   night   slipping   into   something   quieter,   more   intimate   as   families   with   their   young   children   started   making   their   way   home.   Elliot   had   taken   Sawyer   back   home   for   the   night,   so   Naomi   found   herself   roaming   the   winding   walkways   lined   with   twinkling   lights.   The   festivities   weren’t   over   yet,   but   the   energy   had   definitely   shifted.   The   winter   air   bit   at   her   cheeks,   the   chill   chasing   away   the   warmth   from   the   mulled   wine   she’d   been   sipping   earlier.   She   cupped   her   hands   together   and   blew   warm   air   into   them   before   deciding   it   was   time   for   a   pit   stop   at   the   hot   chocolate   bar.   The   line   wasn’t   as   intense   as   it   had   been   earlier   in   the   night ( thankfully   ) so   after   a   minute   or   two,   she   had   her   cup   and   was   piling   on   just   the   right   amount   of   toppings.   Naomi   reached   forward   for   the   can   of   whipped   cream   at   the   same   time   as   the   person   in   front   of   her   in   line. “Oh !   Sorry,” Naomi   offered   the   other   an   apologetic   smile.   She   gestured   for   them   to   use   the   can   first. “Please,   you   first.   Just   don’t   use   it   all   up,”   she   joked.

[pastghcsts]

✦ ・ EXT. WILLOW PARK, HOT CHOCOLATE BAR — LATE EVENING. ( closed event starter for @blotchedpaper )

Though it’s not uncommon for Everett to stay awake into the wee small hours of the morning, he nevertheless finds it a tad frustrating he’s still walking around this godforsaken Snow Frolic when it’s already nearing ten o’clock — Lily should be in bed by now, he’d told his sister, to which she’d replied with an unhurried wave of her hand and a reminder that it’s Saturday, she’ll be fine, they’ve nothing to do tomorrow, anyway. 

Still can’t be healthy for a five year old to stay up this late, he hadn’t pointed out. In fact, he’s almost positive this is going to make Lily a nightmare to deal with for the next week or so — but then again, it’s Evangeline’s problem now. Everett has the luxury of hiding out at his place and waiting it out, so long as his sister doesn’t bust down his door and force him to experience the hell of her own making, as well. He’d muttered something to her about grabbing them a hot chocolate before dragging his feet over to one of the many bars sprinkled throughout the park, helmed by part-timers with smiles plastered on their faces that should not be so fucking toothy. 

He’s not really looking where he’s going —as long as one foot’s making its way in front of the other, that’s all that really matters — so it’s not a surprise when he accidentally shoulder-checks someone on his way to the front of the line. Sighing irritably, he glances up to meet some strange man’s gaze, tousled hair and warm brown eyes, understatedly handsome in that kind of way that Everett pointedly ignores when he comes across it. Besides — it’s late and it’s cold and he doesn’t want to be here. So instead of coming up with any sort of apology — which is what Evangeline would probably tell him to offer right about now — he frowns at the stranger in annoyance. “You mind?” he huffs, looking past the man and toward the holy grail of hot chocolate. His ticket out of this fucking nightmare — so close to him, and yet. “You’re in my way.”

[aureliatorres]

who: aurelia torres + moses persaud ( @mosespersaud ) where: fairy lights gazebo when: saturday, february 1st 2025 evening

The glow of the fairy lights overhead casts a warm, golden hue against the cool evening air, their soft shimmer reflecting in the polished wood of the gazebo. Aurelia exhales, watching as her breath dissipates into the night, her fingers curled loosely around the railing as she takes in the view. Beyond the gazebo, the park stretches in gentle slopes, the trees lined with the last remnants of autumn, their branches swaying in a whisper of wind.

She hadn’t planned to stop here—just a detour on her way home, a moment to herself beneath the lights. There’s something about the quiet hum of it all that settles her. Or at least, it does until the soft crunch of footsteps pulls her from her thoughts.

Aurelia glances over her shoulder, catching sight of a figure stepping onto the gazebo. A stranger, wrapped in the kind of layers that suggest they hadn’t quite planned for the chill of the evening. She studies them for a second before offering a small, knowing smile.

“Got lured in by the lights too, huh?” she muses, her voice carrying easily in the stillness. “They do have a way of making you forget you were supposed to be somewhere else.”

[halcofthhighstgrade]

WHO: mimi becker & liam baker ( @pastghcsts )

WHERE: fairy lights gazebo; willow peak snow frolic

WHEN: sunday, 2nd february 2025

There had been markets and pop-ups in her hometown, but nothing could have prepared Mimi for the sheer size of Willow Peak’s winter wonderland, and truly had no other life experiences to compare. She has been transfixed by the twinkling lights clinging to the infrastructure of the gazebo like ivy climbing across trellises from the moment she noticed the glittering shelter, calling to her like a lighthouse beacon to a lost ship at sea. Mimi’s first thought as she wanders around the darkness — truly the best time to view the park’s feature — is how much her mom would love this, and she wishes she scheduled the older woman to visit her this week.

Still, she takes more than her fair share of blurry phone camera pictures, hoping that her mother would forgive the less than subpar photography in favor of the overall essence, sliding it back into her coat pocket, and turning to flash a grin at Liam."If only they would just tone it down a bit!" She jokes, though her attention is once again taken by the lights, fighting every urge to touch each bulb with her mitten-covered hands.

“Honestly, I feel like a moth drawn to a flame here, it’s probably been one of my favorite parts of this frolic.” Though distracted by the pretty scenery, she is immensely grateful that Liam is keeping her company here. Since her arrival in Willow Peak at the end of the summer, he had been an absolute rock, being there for her as she adjusted to her new life in Illinois. “D’ya think they’d be too distracting for the treatment room?”

[li0nh3arted]

closed starter for jasper finch ! ( @silkear3d )

"Have I mentioned yet how adorable you look in my jumper?" Ruairi asked, glancing at his boyfriend as they walked and swinging their hands between them idly. The last few months since they'd started dating had been overwhelmingly lovely― he was happy with his life as a whole but being with Jasper had only made that feeling more present and any time he spent with the younger man was time he cherished. "I was wondering when it went missing but it suits you better, I reckon." He continued, pausing to press a kiss to the side of Jasper's head as they made their way towards the hot chocolate stand. He could almost picture the excitement that would be written all over Jasper's face when they finally arrived and the thought alone was enough to make him smile― enough to make the 'I love you' that had been lingering on his tongue for a solid month seem to come that much closer to slipping out.

He wasn't quite certain what was stopping him― nerves, he imagined; being a generally anxious person, he imagined; but he was becoming more and more used to the idea of admitting it by the hour and more and more confident that everything would alright if he did. "Are you excited?" He asked curiously, "I know it's your favorite, obviously, and I figured this was a good date, huh? If it isn't up to snuff we can go wherever you'd like. I'm at your service, baby."

[pastghcsts]

Liam’s a great baker. Sure, yes, he’s got the last name, was probably a prophecy, he’s heard it all and he’s heard it a million times, to boot — but despite being a great baker (and the Best Baker, he’ll remind August frequently), he’s never had much of a sweet tooth, himself. He likes to think of it as being Superman with a fear of flying — except that Superman’s flying is probably a lot more useful than Liam’s baking. 

He digresses.

The point is, he’s only hanging around the fire pits for the warmth, not the s’mores — so he’s not really paying attention to where the ingredients are going. Mostly paying attention to the warmth the fire provides to his gloveless hands (he’d lost one about a week ago and is more preoccupied with finding it than using a new pair, like the perfectly normal, well-adjusted adult he is) — so the fact that he manages to catch sight of someone pocketing an entire bag of graham crackers at just the right moment is mostly terrible luck for the culprit. 

He blinks, gaze rising to meet that of a young woman’s, who’s looking at him like she’s just been caught at a murder scene instead of pocketing some crackers. Liam glances down at his hands again, like they might hold the answer on what to do here, but finds nothing but his fingers and the same tan line of his wedding ring, haunting him even in the freezing cold. Looks back at the young woman, and smiles sheepishly. “I don’t know how to pretend I didn’t see that,” he confesses. “But, uh — I won’t tell?”

who: open (2/4) where: one of the fire pit s'mores stations what: shambles gets caught

Having been to the Snow Frolic every year since it began, Shambles had a near-perfect mental map of all the fire pits and s'mores stations. They changed things around a little bit every year, but never so much that she couldn't expertly get to all of them multiple times without anyone calling her out on it. At the first Snow Frolic, she'd been ten years old, ridiculously wealthy, and had never been hungry a day in her life, so the challenge had just been for fun and the love of chocolate. Now, though, it was getting difficult to pay for both rent and groceries, even with two jobs, and sometimes a girl just had to eat free s'mores for dinner. Lots and lots of free s'mores. This was the first year, though, that she'd ever even considered pocketing some of the supplies. These were for everyone, for families; they were kindly provided by the neighborhood... but she thought of her fridge at home, empty except for ranch dressing and one of Alec's shoes, and surely nobody would miss one little pack of graham crackers, right? But, just as she feared, karma hit immediately when - as soon as the package slipped into her pocket - her eyes met those of another. She froze like a deer in headlights, and awkwardly smiled and waved.

[whensecretsrise]

A winter frolic

[[M/f, satyr/human, regency vibes, piv]]

The wilderness lived within him. Even though he had shed it years ago to follow the nymph of his dreams, it still lurked beneath his skin. His nymph had left him a year and a day after they had entered the world of aristocracy, but he remained. He kept the lands, attended the events, and smothered his true nature for every but four nights a year. Each solstice and equinox the wilderness called to him. Its beseeching plea was so strong he dared not resist it.

She found him two days before the winter solstice. Her cheeks were rose bright with cold, a dusting of snow crowned her head. He nearly choked on his drink at the sight of her. With the wilderness itching beneath his skin, he had but one thought. He had to have her. She came ‘round to be introduced to each bachelor. A daughter, back from a stay in Italy and now looking for a partner.

Her fingertips were cold in his warm hand as he bowed to kiss the back of her knuckles. Rather than close his eyes, he gazed up at her face. She was as beautiful as a goddess. When he straightened, she reached up to brush one finger along one of his horns. He shivered at the touch, biting his tongue to hold back the small sound of pleasure that rose in his throat.

“What marvelous horns. I don't think I've never seen a gentleman with horns before.”

“Not many satyrs have it in them to enjoy the fineries of civilization.”

“A satyr?” She looked down to see his hooves. “My, aren't you a treat.”

“The rarest kind.” He gave her a smile.

“We shall have a dance tonight, sir satyr.”

“Kreios, my lady.”

A darling smile lit her face. “Wait for me, sir Kreios.”

“Of course.”

With that she moved away from him. A number of other bachelors needed to be met. He tracked her with his eyes as she moved around the room. He took note of how every man touched her, who she lingered with and who she didn't. Outside the ball, the forest called to him.

He did his best to monopolize her time. To enchant her. She was fascinating beyond her beauty. She had studied in both Italy and Greece and confessed to him that she had always wanted to meet a creature from the myths. And now here he was. Each time she was swept away in another man's arms, he waited impatiently to have her back in his. Their conversations picked up where they had left off as though there was no time between them.

Eventually she came into his arms, flushed with dance. “You seem overly warm. Would you like to go on a stroll through the gardens with me?”

“I believe I would like that very much.”

He led them out into the crystalline dark. Snow crunched beneath their feet.

“The moon is nearly full,” she remarked, tilting her face to the now-clear sky.

“Only two days until the winter solstice.”

“Do you have plans?”

“Pardon?”

She smiled. “Do you have plans? My sister's and I stay up late to tell each other ghost stories. Do you do anything to celebrate?”

“I stay up late as well. Though most of my time is spent in the forests around my estate. I love to stargaze and enjoy the endless silence of the night.”

“That sounds quite lovely.”

“You're welcome to join me.”

A tiny laugh escaped that she quickly covered with her hand. “I don't think my parents would approve of that.”

“No? What if I assured you they'd never find out?”

“Mr. Kreios! What are you suggesting?” The glint in her eye told him she was considering his words.

“I could spirit you away into the night once all your family had gone to bed, and have you back before any of them awoke to notice you missing.”

“That's quite scandalous,” she said. Then under her breath she muttered, “Though tempting as it is.”

“What if I called upon your house as a formal suitor?”

“Mr. Kreios,” she laughed, “we've only just met each other.”

“I was enchanted by you from the moment you entered the room.”

Her blush crept to the tip of her ears as she let out a little “Oh.”

He leaned in. “I could even speak with your father right now.”

Her hands went to the lapels of his jacket. He could smell the salt of her sweat creeping down from her hairline. Without thought he pressed a kiss just behind her ear to taste her on his lips. The tiny sound of pleasure that escaped her pierced him straight to his core. He began to pull away, but one of her hands slid up to pull him into a kiss. The wilderness kicked inside his chest.

“My dear,” he gasped when she pulled away, “you cannot do me like this if you want me to maintain my dignity.”

Her smile was a coy one. “What was it that you had said about spiriting me away without anyone noticing?”

The slick heat of her felt feverish in comparison to the frigid night around them. Her hands clutched at his shoulders. Each breath was a little cloud forming between them both. He buried himself deep within her, the fur of his thighs soft against the backs of hers. Each thrust brought her squealing voice higher and higher as though she were ascending to heaven. All too soon he felt her clench around him. Her chest heaved, her back arched. She was close.

“My horns,” he gasped, hoping she could hear him through the haze of ecstasy. “Touch them.”

When she didn't respond, he moved one of her hands from his shoulder to his horn. She immediately gripped it and pulled his head down so that it was buried in her chest. Her thumb stroked along it, grip loosening and tightening in turns. It was hardly enough. He moved his head, trying to create more friction. More varied touch. That seemed to get her attention. She grabbed his other horn and yanked him forward into a kiss. Her hands felt sublime. He was able to shift to press himself deeper into her and when he did her entire upper body arched. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her close as she rode out the waves of what was likely her first orgasm. The way she clenched and fluttered around him, her fingers trailing limply over the curves of his horns, had his own orgasm chasing hers. She stroked one hand from tip to base of his horn and that undid him. He huffed her name like a prayer as he died upon the alter of her pleasure.

[adelha-mathilde]

How Love Hurts (Obey Me!) fanfic

content: Simeon has some thoughts about life, love, and choices. Established relationships. Casual talking. Discussion of loss and death and regrets. Mention of war and death. Gonna mark as spoilers for reasons due to what happens to Simeon in late game.

The snow fell gently outside of the mountain mansion. A quiet peace for the occupants as Simeon sat in his bedroom. Luke had long fallen asleep next to Simeon to be curled up against him. So Simeon was content to sit and read a book by the firelight. Since the fireplace provided good light and warmth against the bitter chill outside.

This holiday trip to Germany had been planned by Lord Diavolo and Adelha for Lucifer to help. With Adelha's family offering their property in the mountains and extending invitations to join in the month long events their family held for Christmas. The Currier clan had been sure to prepare enough mansions and cabins for any who wished to attend the festivities. The past few weeks had been full of fun and frolic as much as challenges and some minor fights. Yet everyone was savoring this winter get away. Including the angels and humans of Purgatory Hall to be given the time to reflect and relax.

Simeon felt Luke shift closer as the blonde angel hugged him tighter. Which had Simeon smile sadly before he made sure the blanket around Luke was properly tucked in. Watching as Luke dreamed on to then feel his eyes burn. So Simeon wiped at his eyes with care to sigh heavily over his turning mood. Thoughts dwelling on all that had happened since the exchange program and what had come of himself. All the conflict and internal questioning. All the chaos and self doubts. It had Simeon ache in ways he didn't have it in him to voice for so very long. Yet his main reason to hold tight to who he used to be and all he wanted to be was right next to him. This sweet soul that was his ward and who loves him unconditionally.

Simeon felt tears fall for him to ruffle Luke's hair with one hand. His thoughts asking of him, "Is this how they felt for Lilith? Am I too late to keep Luke from getting hurt? Will he face that same choice we did so long ago and very recently? The last thing I want is for Luke to get hurt even more by my choices. Yet how does one avoid such?"

Simeon sighed to then turn his gaze when Adelha eased the bedroom door open. The Dragon Fae holding a tray of tea to slowly walk into the bedroom and set the tray close by. Words of gentle warmth given in the quiet. "It would seem someone has need for a warm drink and a long sit down. So I'm glad to provide. Simeon. May I stay a while and enjoy this moment?" Simeon nodded to then take the offered teacup to gingerly sip at the contents. The flavors washing over his tongue and spirit in turn for him to ease into the bedframe. Yet he did not speak right away. Letting his thoughts swirl before he speaks with a bit of rending ache to note, "I regret so many things. Yet I do not regret saving our darling lamb. If given the choice to take the Ring of Light for them again, I would do so. Every time. But I never wanted to hurt Luke by any choice I might make. He should not have to hurt because of my consequences."

Adelha nodded to then situate herself so she is sitting next to Simeon to hug him from the side and rest his head to her shoulder. Treating him like the younger soul as she played elder sister to him. "Alas. One can do everything perfectly and still lose. This existence will be unfair for any flawed being. The Almighty accepts us in our flaws and wants us to hold tight to His love. Even when we do things that are for good yet do much harm in the doing." Simeon flinched as if he'd been slapped in the face. Yet Adelha just held him to give them a moment. Yet Simeon sniffled to close his eyes as his words ripped up his throat and over his tongue. "I wish I had stood beside Lucifer. I wanted to protect him and all he loves. Yet I didn't do anything. I kept out of it all and stayed beside Father's gardens. I stayed in Father's presence. I was too conflicted to know what was right. Too many fledglings need someone to guide them and nurture them. I dedicated myself to that form of loving under Father's blessing. Now... I've abandoned them... I've failed them and Father in that..."

Simeon felt Adelha run her fingers through his hair to give a soft sigh of loving patience. Her words offered out of love. "No, Simeon. Such is not a burden you should take upon yourself. Our Father would never condemn you in such a way. You haven't failed anyone. Not the fledglings you cherish. Or the other angels. Not Luke. Not Raphael. Not our Father. Not me. Not anyone." Simeon felt a question he desperately wished to voice. One he'd agonized over for so very long. Yet it stuck in his chest like a dagger. But he was soon given an answer in Adelha's gentle words. "And especially not to Lucifer and his brothers. No matter what has come before or will come to pass. Lucifer still loves you. Mammon. Leviathan. Asmodeus. Beelzebub. Belphegor. They all still love you as they did from before. They will always love you as you are. You are still the same person. Someone who gives and loves and wants the best for those you treasure. Becoming human. Almost changing into a demon. Regaining your angelic existence. None of this changes who you are in spirit. Who you are at heart. This is you, Simeon. As such, Lucifer and Luke and all of us will continue to love you. For always."

The pure truth washes into that wound in Simeon's being for him to finally shatter. His whole frame shivering as he begins to cry. Turning into Adelha's embrace to sob and sniffle. Which has Luke rub at his eyes to wake up and meep in fear. But Luke soon just snuggles up close to join Adelha in holding Simeon tight as he cries. Letting Simeon cleanse out all the roaring emotions as a familiar human opens the door to see what is going on. Which has Adelha wave Solomon's apprentice over to join them in the snuggle pile. Only for one more to enter the room and silently sit at the foot of the bed and place a gloved hand to Simeon's leg. Yet Simeon is to upset to notice as he sobs and clutches at Adelha to keep him upright as his emotions pour free from his being. Until he has cried his eyes red and can barely make any noise. So Luke pours another cup of tea to help Simeon drink it. Only then does Simeon finally notice who is sitting at the foot of the bed. That someone being none other than Lucifer.

Simeon goes wide eyed to look shocked. Yet Adelha simply dabs at Simeon's face with a warm rag to look slightly amused. "Remember to breathe for us, Simeon. I have been having regular discussions with Lucifer in regards to your struggles. Including how I offered to extend you a place in my personal Fae clan. He wasn't very surprised I would offer to place the Mathilde clan mark on you and thereby claim you as family to protect you. But he has been letting slip more and more of how much he wants to be there for you. As he once was freely able to do so very long ago." Simeon blinks a few times to finally lean forwards. Taking Lucifer's hands to hold them tight and finally speak to one he never stopped loving as his brother. "I've spent all this time wishing I had stood with you. That I had done something... Anything... Lucifer... Brother... I am so sorry..."

Yet Lucifer didn't let Simeon continue. He simply sighed to lift Simeon's gaze and shake his head. The words of the Avatar of Pride full of strength and compassion in equal measures. "No. Simeon. You have done what you believed at the time was best. I will never hold that against you. Do not hold onto such pains. Let them go. Adelha is right to let us speak truth openly. I never stopped loving you, brother. This will never change. If you stay human, I will make a pact with you. If you become like me, I will take you into our family. If you return to the Celestial Realm, I will rest easy knowing the fledglings will flourish in your love. No matter what happens, I am proud of you."

Simeon goes rigid to look completely stunned. But soon, Lucifer gathers Simeon into his arms to hug him as his wings brush at Simeon's frame with gentle assurance. So Simeon closes his eyes to hug Luicfer back and let the moment cleanse away his regret. While Luke gets lifted into Adelha's lap for her to hold him and let him cry a little into her shoulder. Solomon's apprentice smiling as they soon got in on the hug with Lucifer and Simeon to declare they are all one big family of demons, angels, humans, and Fae. A moment of loving acceptance and good washing over the room as Raphael stands outside the room to guard the door and stay motionless. While Solomon watched from his room with his crystal ball. His phone out to let Michael listen to the whole thing as Solomon chuckled in rich amusement to then place a hand to his chin. "See? I told you that we would be able to handle things. My apprentice and Adelha make for a good combo against sorrow and regret. Hence why you have nothing to fret over. I can vouch for all the humans the Currier clan and Mathilde clan have claimed as their treasures. Those Fae see humans as equals and cherish all in their circle. So if Simeon does stay as a human and let's Adelha mark him with her claim, he will be given all the love and care possible." Michael gave a sigh of relief to soon hang up the phone. Leaving Solomon to his own musings before he rose to head for the library and restock on more books to read.

[pastghcsts]

✦ ・ INT. AMMIL HOUSE, FIRESIDE LOUNGE — EARLY EVENING. ( closed event starter for @amarnoban )

Winters were never like this back in Texas. In fact, they’d be lucky if they’d get two weeks of it on the farm — and even then, the cold never felt like it does on a chilly Chicagoan January evening, prickly and unforgiving despite the myriad of warm-up stations sprinkled throughout the neighborhood. Liam’s not one to complain, though — can put on a brave face as good as anyone’s, pretend the red blotches of his face are less about the discomforting cold outside and more just a warm, pleased flush at meeting and greeting everyone he’s gotten to know these past five years outside his usual confines. 

He’s finishing up a conversation with Joel, the fifty-seven-year-old man with a fantastically feisty fifteen-year-old mini poodle named Rocky, when he spots Amara from his peripheral, seated on one of the more comfortable-looking couches near the fireplace. With one last goodbye and a promise to see him and Rocky next week, Liam leaves Joel behind and makes his way to Amara, taking a seat across from her on a strangely-shaped ottoman with a large grin.

“Now here’s a sight I don’t see too often,” he teases, palms pressed against the cushion beneath him. “Miss Amara Manoban within six feet of me and not worried about Cleo.” The tone of his voice is teasing, gentle — treading careful waters, so that he doesn’t offend her or make her think he’s in any way, shape, or form bothered by the anxiousness born from the love she has for her cat. “I’d call it a Christmas miracle, but I’d be one month too late, wouldn’t I?”

[aureliatorres]

who: aurelia torres + rowena kuzmich ( @rowenakuzmich ) where: hot chocolate bars when: sunday, february 2nd, 2005

The rich scent of cocoa and melted chocolate fills the air, wrapping around Aurelia like a familiar embrace as she steps up to the counter. The hot chocolate bar is alive with quiet chatter, the occasional clink of ceramic mugs meeting wood, and the soft hum of holiday music playing somewhere in the background. She scans the array of toppings laid out before her—whipped cream, crushed peppermint, cinnamon sticks—before reaching for a jar of mini marshmallows.

Only, her fingers brush against someone else’s reaching for the same thing.

Aurelia blinks, glancing to her right to find the stranger beside her caught in the same motion. There’s a beat of shared surprise before she huffs a small, amused laugh, retracting her hand.

“Go ahead,” she says, tilting her head toward the jar. “I’d hate to start a marshmallow standoff.” A pause, then, with a teasing glint in her eye, “Though, I should warn you—I take my hot chocolate very seriously. If you take all the good toppings, I might have to challenge you to a rematch.”

[halcofthhighstgrade]

WHO: mimi becker & ruairi mccarthy ( @li0nh3arted )

WHERE: anmil house’s winter lounge

WHEN: saturday, 1st february 2025

Despite being raised somewhere that often had chilly winters, Mimi didn’t like the cold. Her workplace was never cold, and even when her shitty apartment was cold, she combated it with her electric blanket and numerous scented candles; the small flames fighting hard against the Illinois cold snap. It had been why she was drawn to the winter lounge, because as nice as the rest of the Willow Peak frolic had been, she was ready to recharge and reheat.

There were a couple of empty seats by the roaring fire and the minute she was handed her hot chocolate, Mimi beelined to them, sinking down into the comfortable armchair, letting the crackling flames and the warmth of her drink ease her aching, cold bones. Glancing down at the mug, she took in the delicious aromatic scent, and with a sigh, took a long awaited sip. "I've been waiting a long time for you." She declared, sitting back and letting her shoulders relax.

It would do no good for a spa therapist to be as tense as her clients, after all.

She could feel herself begin to drift off when she sensed a presence, fluttering open her eyes and smiling at Ruairi. “You’re more than welcome to sit, if you want! I’m just taking a break from the cold for a quick sec!”

[pastghcsts]

Ellie has a habit of finding herself in the way. Of anything, really — people, places, things, danger. She’d like to say it’s not her fault, but it’s definitely her fault, and it’s definitely almost always on purpose. Not this time, though — this time, she’s mostly trying to stay out of the way so she can keep an eye on the sketchy dude she’s seen coming in and out of The Bank so many times, always with someone new on his arm, always talking up his importance at his job.

The very same company owned by one of the motherfuckers pinned up to the secret board in Ellie’s closet, and, listen, she’s extremely normal about things, alright? There’s nothing weird about investigating people through smaller, unimportant people, especially when that’s the only avenue they’ve left you to explore. Can’t exactly keep showing up to the places they’ve already deemed you persona non grata, or whatever.

It’s a very mild chase, what she’s doing, when she runs into the singer that’s just coming off the stage — fantastic voice, had her tapping her toes to Fleetwood Mac in between the light stalking she’s been doing — and she can’t help but hold out her hands to steady herself against the blonde’s arms. “Whoops!” She grins. “I’m fine, I’m good, sorry,” she talks over the emcee introducing some other local artist that’s probably gonna DJ or something, with a stage name like Mouse Underground Local. “That was my bad, wasn’t looking where I was going.”

She glances behind the girl and curses under her breath — she lost the douchebag. He can’t have gone far, though. Douchebags love local DJ sets, right? She meets the other’s gaze and blinks, realizing she’s been holding on to her arms this entire time. “Oh,” she pulls back, grinning sheepishly. “Yep, those are your arms,” she pockets her hands in her coat. “You were great up there, by the way! I can carry a tune in karaoke, but fuck me, you can like, actually sing, huh?”

who: open (3/4) where: the igloo dome what: colby finishes up her set and immediately runs into you

This was an impressive feat, even for Colby. She'd only been in Chicago a week and had already booked a singing gig. Granted, she was singing in an igloo, to a bunch of people paying more attention to their mittens and hot chocolates, and she'd had to incessantly bother more than one event planner to get added to the list of musicians... but it was worth it. She was allowed four songs, so she chose two covers and two originals. Both her covers were Fleetwood Mac, because she would never love anyone more than Stevie Nicks. And both her originals were about the same ex. But nobody in this igloo had to know that part. She sang the last few lines of Go Your Own Way; you can call it another lonely day - and thanked the igloo for its time. Flying on the high of public performance, she dreamily skipped down the steps of the little stage, and ran completely into someone. "Fuck, shit, sorry!" she said, stepping back to assess the damage. "You good?"

[li0nh3arted]

closed starter for edwin rietveld ! ( @silkear3d )

Aside from the day trips Fionn had accompanied him on where the festival concerned, it was his son's week with Maggie. It was a recent decision― letting him swap between the two of them every other week so the boy could spend extended time with both of them― something he seemed to be adjusting to remarkably well. It left Ruairi with plenty of free time that he largely spent with Jasper but knowing his boyfriend wasn't exactly a party sort of person he'd made the choice to check out the Igloo music event and some of the rowdier features of the festival by himself.

He texted Jasper as he stepped into the igloo― letting them know he'd call when he was on his way home later before he turned his attention to the crowd in front of him, the music seeming to vibrate through his feet as he walked. He found Edwin almost by accident― colliding with the other man when another partygoer crashed into him and pushed him directly in the other man's path. Ruairi's hands shot out to steady the bookish man and he grinned brightly once they'd settled. "Fancy seein' you here, stranger," he teased by way of greeting. "Need another drink? I'm tryin' to find my way in that direction."

[starsandstars]

Clegan University AU

It was snowing outside, at least Gale assumed so, but he wouldn't bet on it. Firstly, because Gale never bets, and secondly, because he had been staring at his book for a good two hours. He wasn’t sure of the exact time either. They had arrived at the hotel late, already after the official dinner was served, and while all his classmates quickly divided their rooms and gathered in the common room, Gale laid down on the bed with his book.

He had no interest in socializing. In fact, he didn't really understand why he even needed to get to know these people. They were just a random bunch of students from different majors at their university. Most of them Gale would never see again, and he planned to ignore the rest for the remainder of the semester anyway.

Of course, Gale had no say in the decision about whether he would go or not. He had to give that up when he promised Bucky that if he went to university with him, he would occasionally let himself be dragged into whatever event Bucky wanted to attend. Gale naturally assumed this would involve an occasional party or a university event, where he would watch Bucky frolic around from some hidden corner while sipping on his ginger beer. This wasn’t anything unusual for him, ever since Bucky was old enough to drink (and honestly even some time before that), he had been dragging Gale along to all sorts of events. Gale learned that it was better to just go, rather than try to protest. Honestly, he actually liked having Bucky in his field of vision. It was easier than having to search for him around town, at 2am after completely wasted Bucky texted him something like "mommy were am I?"

So, when Bucky declared that he would go to university with Gale, only if Gale continued to accompany him to parties, Gale thought it was a good deal. He wanted Bucky to keep studying. Bucky was smart. Sometimes, he might have had issues with his attention span or prioritizing, but he definitely had what it took to successfully complete a university education. Or at least to start it. (It definitely wasn't that Gale couldn't imagine not seeing Bucky every day. Gale was entirely sure that his efforts to get Bucky to university stemmed from his selfless care for Bucky's fulfilled potential.)

Then, a few months later, just as they both settled into their dorm, Bucky excitedly came running with a poster announcing an orientation week at a cabin in the mountains. For the first time, Gale hesitated, wondering, if maybe the deal he made with the devil himself, was going to cost him a little too much.

idk. I never did this. it doesn't even have a name yet but like.. is it readable? should I continue?