#A Rickmas Dinner

[christiecandor]

I just love him so much 🥰🙃

A Rickmas Dinner

(Now 4 versions, pick your favorite degree of scruff on our favorite silver space fox 🙃)

[fandomwe1rd0]

Every Rick and Morty episode ranked!

This took me 3 hours and Mircosoft excel was being a bitch but I did it! The ranking is under the cut! I really hope you enjoy! Sorry if my reviews leave some to be desired, this took a VERY long time!

~ F tier, this tier is for episode. I just don't like, they have little to no redeeming qualities and just aren't good. There's very little here since most Rick and Morty episodes are really good! ~

71. Claw and Horder Special Ricktim Morty. Horrible episode with no redeeming qualities. Rick is unlikable. There's no funny jokes, and it's just a really uncomfortable episode overall, F tier.

70. Rickdependence Spray. Very little redeeming qualities. Rick is really the only good thing in this episode, and even then it's just because he wasn't a complete ass to Morty. There's only like…one funny joke and that's it. Also Rick and Morty writers, PLEASE STOP SEXUALIZING A 14-year-old boy. I BEG of you!

69 (heh). Rise of The Numericons: The Movie. Just a really boring episode, it focuses on 2 characters who I don't give a shit about, and it has a forced romanced subplot and just has a very uncomfortable scene.

68. Raising Gazorpazorp. Rick sucks in this episode. He's a sexist asshole, and the sexualization of Morty is really insane. There was one funny joke in the beginning and everything else sucks.

67. A Rickcovient Mort. Romantizing groomers is crazyyyy. The B story is also just overly sexual.

66 & 65. A Rick in King Mortur's Mort & Ricktional Mortpoon's Rickmas Mortcation. Lumping these 2 together due to similar problems. Rick is a douchebag, unfunny jokes, and I do NOT like the focus of Morty's…manhood in Rick in King Mortur's Mort.

64. One Crew Crewcoo's over Morty. Rick was an asshole in this episode, and there's not even funny jokes to make up for it like in The Vat of Acid episode, I just feel bad for the poor boy.

~ D tier, these episodes are bad, but have more redeeming qualities than the episodes in the F tier. ~

63. Mortyplicity. There was a sweet moment between two of the decoy familes but that's it.

62. Anatomy Park, just a really boring episode, really it's only redeeming quality is that it can be used for like a biology class but that's it! There's not really anything I spefically dislike about it, it's just kinda boring.

61. Rick Dinner Andre. Eh. This episode was lame. I expect better premires. But at least Morty was a little badass and there was 1 funny moment. And I appreciate the foreshadowing to Rick's backstory.

60. Childrick of Mort. Eh this episode is fine. The joke at the end was funny and Rick and Beth did have some sweet moments, but this episode was mostly just boring and unfunny.

59. How Poppy Got His Poop Back, definetily the weakest premire, this episode again is just boring, I liked Rick and Morty's interaction at the beginning but besides that there's like…nothing. Just a really forgettable episode.

58. Forgetting Sharick Mortshall. Meh. There was an emotional moment at the end but that's really it. Not much to say about this episode. I mean I liked Morty here at least.

57. Rickmancing the Stone. Eh, it's just kinda boring. Nobody was particually good or bad in this episode. I thought Beth was cute in the episode but that's it, this is just..meh.

56. The Jerrick Trap. I dunno if this opinon is unpopular or not, but it's just not that funny or interesting, Morty was cool here though.

55. Rickstar Ricklatica. Rick was an ass in this episode, there was 1 funny joke and I like Jerry here, but Rick was too much of an ass here for me to rank it higher.

54. Never Ricking Mort. There is some funny jokes, but that's it. And the forehead kiss scene makes me uncomfyyyyy

53. Auto Erotic Assimulaton. Wooboy gonna get chased by an angry mob for this one. This episode is heavilllyyy overrated. It's not funny and just really boring. It's only up this high because the ending scene in fucking amazing and heartbreaking.

52. Ricksy Business. Boring episode, but the ending was cute, but overall the weakest finale.

51. Rick: A Mort well Lived. I liked seeing Morty doubt that Rick cares about him, but this was done leagues better in Fear No Mort, here it was just kinda bland, same thing with the side story with Summer.

50. Juricksic Mort. There's a lot of good Rick moments here, and I liked some of the jokes, but other than that, there's not much here.

49. Pickle Rick. Probably my most controversial pick for the list. I mean this episode isn't bad persay, just extremely overrated. I thought some jokes were funny, and I liked Dr. Wong's speeches, but besides that this episode was just boring.

48. Gotron Jerrysis Rickvangelion. Some funny moments, but other than that, meh. The ending scene haunts my nightmares though.

~ C Tier every episode here is average to good! They aren't the best to offer, but they are ok! ~

47. Rick & Morty's Thanksplotation Spectacular. Funny moments, but that's really it.

46. Interdimensional Cable 2: Tempting Fate. Ik this is a controversial pick, but I think people are too hard on this episode, yes the focus on dicks is gross, but there's funny bits and Rick is actually likable here.

45. Air Force Wong. It's good for seeing how much Rick has changed, but besides that, there's just not much to this episode.

44. Amortycan Grafetti. Great for Rick's development,and there was one funny joke, but other than that eh. I LIVE for Summer calling Morty a creepy little grandpa's boy though.

43: The Old Man and The Seat. Fine episode. some jokes are funny and the end is sad, but there's not much else to it.

42. Promortyus. A controversial pick to be sure, but besides the facehugger part, the human part was very funny and the aftercredits scene is also funny.

41. Rickternal Friendshine of the Spotless Mort. This is kinda overrated, but I see the appeal. It's not very funny, but Rick is likable here, and Birdperson was back. I do appreciate them showing Rick's sexuality, but that's about it.

40. Night Family, not really funny, but the story and action are great. Not much else to say.

39. Bethic Twinstic. Again, yes the 2 Beths being in love is gross. BUT the B story is cute and funny, and the jokes about the rest of the family being traumatized are funny.

38. Wet Kaut American Summer. This was funny, and Rick was likable here, but the story and Kauto part is too weird for me to put it in B tier, but it's a really solid episode!

~ B Tier, these episode vary from good to great! Solid, enjoyable episode! ~

37. Pilot. I tend to flip flop a lot on how I feel about this one…but the jokes are funny, there's some cute moments, and it started the show to begin with. So B tier you go!

36. Lawnmower Dog. There's funny moments, I like the inception plot, and the ending was really cute!

35. Big Trouble in Little Sanchez. This is another one I flip flop on, but the B story is enjoyable enough with some funny jokes, same with the A story, it's not spentacular, but an enjoyable watch nonetheless.

34. M Night Shaym-Aliens! We get a bit of protective Rick in this one babyyy. I like the plot, everyone was likable here, and the crystal fight was too adorable for words. There wasn't that many funny jokes, but this episode doesn't try to hard to be funny, so it doesn't bother me.

33. Final Desmithlation. Yes, yes, the incest part is gross. BUT Rick is likable, the fight scenes are cool, and there's legitmately funny jokes but…don't watch this one with family.

32. Edge of Tomorty. Eh this episode wasn't amazing, but it has some funny jokes, both stories were enjoyable, if not a little unmemorable, not a great episode, but a good one.

31. These Ricks Must Be Crazy. Another one I flip flop on. I'm not crazy about the plot, but there's a lot of funny jokes, so I'll give it a pass.

30. The Abcs of Beth, not very funny, but it is plot important and it shows Rick in a pretty likable light for the most part, this was also the first Rick and Beth episode and they did it MUCH better than Childrick of Mort.

29. Star Mort Rickturn of the Jerri. Good episode, enjoyable plot, introduces Space Beth, funny jokes, and emotional ending. Not the best episode ever, but a really good one.

28. Vindicators 3: Return of World Ender. Jealous Rick in this one babbyyy. I LIVE for his pettiness in this episode, the Vindicators are enjoyable characters, even if they get killed, it's not the best episode, but it's definetily an enjoyable watch.

27. The Whirly Dirly Conspiracy. Rick is likable here, the B plot is enjoyable, Rick's "The reason why you suck" speech to Jerry was pretty on-point. Deducted some points because it's not very funny, but solid episode!

26. Morty's Mindblowers. Does it deserve to be ranked this high? …Probably not. But it's one of the first episodes I watched and it holds a special place in my heart for that. It's funny and has some good Rick moments.

25. Mortynight Run. I like Morty trying to do good, but failing at it. Rick is a little unlikable here, but he has some good moments, it has memorable side characters, and a good song, but it's not that funny.

24. Mort: Raganrick. Rick's character development is shown amazingly well here. I'm so proud! There's also quite a few funny moments, I think the B story is a little overrated, but still good, solid episode!

23. Get Schwifty. I like the song, Rick was funny here and was likable in an asshole way, it also introduces the president. So yeah, good episode!

22: Something Ricked This Way Comes, this episode is really funny! Rick is pretty likable, I don't really like Summer, but that's really it, I also really like the B plot and Jerry was really likable!

21. The Vat of Acid Episode. Very funny and I liked Morty a lot in this one, Rick was just an asshole just to be an asshole here, but it's too funny for me to place it any lower.

20. Total Rickall. The ending scene is fucking amazing holy shit. But unlike Auto Erotic Assimulation, it has good stuff besides that, the jokes are funny and the action is fucking awesome! Would definetly recommend!

19. A Rickle in Time. Okokokok. This might be a little too high for it but HEAR ME OUT! Ok, it isn't very funny, but the B story is very cute, and there were a few funny jokes. The ending scene also reveals SO MUCH about Rick's character and is SO amazing and fun to anaylze! PLEASE watch this episode if you haven't already!

18. Rixty minutes. Funny episode, with really good emotional beats and both the A and B story are really good. Defineity check it out!

17. That's Amorte. This episode is really really good. It handles it's serious theme exceptionally well! I had to dock it a little bit since the jokes weren't funny, but this episode is phenominal.

16. Anaylze Piss. Again great episode! It handles it serious theme well, Rick is amazing here, so proud! I didn't like all of the jokes about piss, but everything else makes up for it. Please PLEASE check it out!

15. The Rickiture Mortyidate. Rick is likable here, very funny story, good pacing, character development for Beth, and there's even some cute bonding moments between Rick and Morty! Very good finale!

14. Rick Potion #9. Very good episode! Funny jokes, powerful ending, and it's very important to the plot! Some points were deducted because Rick was insuffable here and Morty was a creep, but still an amazing episode!

13. Full Meta Jackrick. UGH I love Rick so much here! There's a lot of funny jokes, an interesting story, and Rick is sooo likable! The pacing can be a bit slow at times, and I wasn't a big fan of the last few minutes, but great episode nonetheless! Go watch it!

12. Rest and Ricklaxation. UGHHH THIS FUCKING EPISODE! It makes me go feral in the best way, there are some funny bits, sure, but really it's the Rick character development for me, the line "irrational attachments lives rent free In my head ughhh. Please watch this one! It's sooo fun to anaylze!

11. Look Who's Purging Now. Very good episode! This one has funny bits, but it's the Morty character development for meeee. His repressed rage really needs to be explored more! And Rick lying about the candy bar to make Morty feel better was sweet.

10. The Rickshank Rickdemption. DAMN this is a good premire! It's very plot important, the action is awesome and we get Rick's backstory (although it isn't confrimed canon till later) and the garage rant was hilarous! Terrific episode!

9. The Wedding Squanchers. Great finale! It's funny, it's plot-important, and everyone is likable, and the ending STILL makes me sob.

~ S Tier. These episodes are great and nearly FLAWLESS! These are also my top eight!

8. Meeseeks and Destroy. I might be giving this one a bitttt too much credit, but it's really important to me, and I love it a lot! The jokes are funny, and they handle the serious topic near flawlessly, Everyone here is likeable (Besides Mr. Jellybean but he's not supposed to be) and I will NEVER not cry over it! Such a good episode!

7. Rickfending Your Mort. Such an amazing episode! Rick is so likable here! Everyone is! There's so many funny and heartwarming moments and it's amazing proof for Rick's character development! Please watch/rewatch it when you get the chance!

6. The Ricklantis Mixup. UGHHH the plot episodes are ALWAYS amazing! This episode shows Evil Morty's manipulation well and makes you excited for his next apprerance! It's not very funny, but the plot is so awesome that I can excuse it!

5. Close Rick-counters with Rick kind. Really great episode! Introduces Evil Morty (My Evil Babyboyyyy) and Doofus Rick! Rick crying over Morty always gets to me and Morty is amazing here!

4. Solaricks. Morty is a sweet little baby angel here, the emotional moments HIT! Everyone is likable and it's just a good episode overall, it's not very funny but it's a phenomial episode, please watch it!

3. Rickmurai Jack. I mean c'mon. Rick's backstory revealed? Rick treating Morty like an equal? THE FUCKING ENDING?! This episode did damn near everything right. Unmortricken is slightlyy better because I find it to be more emotional and is a lil more unique. This episode is fucking amazing though holy shit.

2. Unmortricken. Do I even really need to explain myself? It's funny, we got my three favorite characters center stage here (Rick C-137, Morty Prime, and Evil Morty) The death scene is POWERFUL and the ending scene really knows how to kick you in the stomach! The only reason why it's not the top is because I'm not crazy about Rick Prime as a villian, but amazing episode nonetheless. It's also very funny and Rick and Morty's hug at the end is everything to me!

Fear No Mort. MORTY CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT FUCK YEAH! The exploration of Morty's trauma is incredible! And it has so legitmately funny jokes! The emotional moment really hits you in the gut! The pacing is really great, the montage is amazing, and the hug is EVERYTHING! This episode is so much fun to anaylze and just ughhh! It's so so sooo great! Please watch it!

[smilingformoney]

Rickmas 2023: Day 6. Out of Care | Snape & Eileen

Read now on Ao3 or below the cut:

Christmas was a time for family, so everyone said, but to Severus that only meant misery. Quiet, tense dinners in the Snape household were the norm; it was no different on Christmas Day, except with even heavier drinking from his father and maybe the odd card from a distant relative Severus had never met.

But there was one thing he loved about Christmas. Every Christmas Eve, his father spent the day at the pub with his mates for a “boys Christmas,” and his mother took him to the Christmas Market in Diagon Alley.

It was the one day a year that Severus got to go to Diagon Alley as a child. He and his mother would wander the streets, looking at the trinkets on sale that they could never afford, smelling the food and drink on offer, and some years Eileen even managed to save up enough spare change to buy Severus a treat.

He also got to visit the shops, to look in wonder at the apothecary and the bookshop. Severus was forbidden to go down Knockturn Alley, but that just made it all the more enticing, and Eileen more than once turned around to find him gone, running after him only to find him talking to some cloaked figure down the forbidden alleyway.

At Hogwarts, Severus learned enough of potions and magic to offer an under the table potion brewing service at school, and he saved every knut of it for Christmas time. For years Eileen had been saving to buy her son a cinnamon-dusted hot chocolate at the Christmas Market every year, but now he was finally able to buy one for her. He treated her to sweets too, and a gift, and she begged that it was too much for a son to treat his mother, but his stubbornness won out and for once in her life Eileen Snape smiled.

When Severus brewed his first successful Amortentia, it smelled like the old books of the library, a vanilla blancmanche, and cinnamon-dusted hot chocolate. He made a fortune selling love potions that year, especially with the school’s winter ball coming up, and for once he was looking forward to going home, because he would finally be able to treat his mother as she deserved.

It was only two days before the Hogwarts Express would take him home that Professor Slughorn pulled Severus aside after Potions class and delivered him the news that his mother had been found dead in her home, the muggle police were treating it as suspicious, his father was nowhere to be found and did he have somewhere else to go for the holidays or would he like to stay in the castle?

Although between a castle empty of Marauders and a home with his father he’d prefer the former, he had every year previous chosen the latter for the sake of his mother. He couldn’t bear the thought of her alone with Tobias at Christmas when he was at his drunkest, and he didn’t want to miss out on treating her at the Christmas Market.

But there was nothing to go back to now. Christmas was family, and as far as Severus was concerned, his family consisted of himself and his mother - and now, with her gone, he was alone.

 When he told Lily why he wasn’t coming home for Christmas, she showed him pity and sorrow, and though he would have said yes in an instant the invitation to spend Christmas with the Evanses was never extended.

And so Severus opted to stay at Hogwarts. For two weeks the castle was almost empty, save for him, one Slytherin girl a year above him, and two first-year Ravenclaws. There was a peacefulness to it - no Potter lurking around the corner to ambush him, no giggling girls gossiping in the library, no boisterous Gryffindors running down the corridors. It was everything Severus had dreamed of at school.

And yet, he couldn’t bring himself to enjoy it. He didn’t care for Christmas anymore. The one spark of joy that it had brought - that one trip a year with his mother - was gone with her, and he felt empty in the moments he was too exhausted to feel angry.

On Christmas Eve, Severus got out of bed only because his stomach had begun to growl at him for not eating for three days straight. He pulled back the curtain of his bed and turned towards the bedside table to retrieve his wand… and almost knocked over a steaming mug of hot chocolate.

He paused, his hand frozen in mid-reach for his wand. He looked around the room, as if someone would step out of the shadows and reveal their mysterious hot chocolate ways. But he was alone, just as he had been since the end of term.

He picked up his wand and cast charms on the mug, but he found no evidence of magic other than a warming spell to stop it getting cold.

The mug even looked the same as the ones from the market stall. In fact, if he wasn’t mistaken, it was the same one as from the market stall. The smell was unmistakable, the colour, even the way the cinnamon was sprinkled on top in the shape of a Christmas tree.

Severus picked up the mug and cautiously took a sip. It was the same!

On the table beneath where the mug had sat was a slip of parchment. In unfamiliar handwriting, it said:

Severus - Keep her alive.

That was it. No signature, no clue of who his mysterious benefactor was.

Keep her alive. That was what the note said. His mystery barista had only one message for him, one they felt the need to deliver anonymously, and he hoped they weren’t watching him now to see the tears falling down his face.

Whoever they were, they were right. He had to keep her alive. She was half of him, and he owed her everything. Next year he would go to the market, and he would have the hot chocolate with cinnamon, and he would remember her.

But he still never really cared for Christmas.

[starry-eyesanddaydreams]

December 18: Blankets and Snuggles

Sinclair Bryant x Reader

(Sequel to Day 15's Cards and Coals) You and Sinclair are falling hard and fast, but you've both still healing from recent hurts and need to talk.

{Okay, here we go, Day 18 of @deepperplexity 's Rickmas prompts and the continuation of you and Sinclair.

You opened the door to your flat and saw Sinclair's handsome face. “Hey, right on time! Make yourself comfy, I have something on the stove.” You said quickly as you hurried back to the kitchen. Sinclair hung up his coat by the door before making his way to the couch. Your little flat was dotted with Christmas decorations, the couch had blankets and throw rugs laid across the back and arms. The pot-belly stove in one corner was lit and casting a nice warmth through the room. Sinclair sat back on the plush couch and waited for you, watching a little mechanical Christmas carousel ornament spin slowly on the side table. After a few moments you came back into the room, carrying a tray with a plate and two mugs. “Sorry to run off,” you said, “If you take your eyes off milk it burns in a heartbeat.” You set the tray on the coffee table and almost laughed at the way Sinclair’s eyes lit up. “You made the gingerbread men.” He said, picking up one of the cookies to look at the decorations. “Yup, finally got around to it.” You’d been spending most of your free time away from work with Sinclair. The first day you’d met, he’d taken you to Lenora’s bakery, and had afterwards just wandered aimlessly while Sinclair showed you around town. Since then you’d gone out to dinner together, trolled through book shops and a local Christmas market, he’d even taken you for a drive in the country which ended up with exploring a beautiful patch of woods near the river.  

“These look so cute it’s almost a shame to eat them. Almost.” He said before biting the arm off a cookie. At this you did laugh before handing him a mug, “This won’t be as good as Lenora’s but it goes well with the gingerbread. Sinclair took the mug and took a sip of the hot chocolate, “This is delicious.” He said, closing his eyes as he took another sip. You sat quietly, watching him for a moment. You were falling hard and fast for this man. And as much as it excited you, it scared you as well. Sinclair opened his eyes and looked at you, his expression falling slightly at the look in your eyes, “What’s wrong?” He asked. You took a breath and set your mug back on the table before saying, “I need to talk to you about something.” Sinclair set his cup and the half-eaten cookie on the table as well and gently took on of your hands in his, “What’s the matter?” You looked down at where his hand was wrapped warmly around yours for a moment, before looking up at his hazel eyes, “Remember when I said I moved out here for a change of scene?” Sinclair nodded. “Well, it was a change of everything really. I needed to start over fresh. My last relationship, well, it wasn’t a healthy one. He was very controlling, closed off, quick tempered. I felt always on edge, started doubting myself all the time, feeling like everything I did was wrong. In the end I was a wreck. That’s why I moved out of the city. I needed to be somewhere new where I could relax and put myself back together.” You threaded your fingers with his and squeezed gently, “Then I met you, and you just made me feel so safe and happy right from the start. And the more I get to know you, the more I like you. But part of me is scared, to move to quickly. And it’s nothing that you’ve done, it’s just me and my issues. But I wanted to tell you this now, so we don’t get a misunderstanding down the line. I’ve had enough silence and tension in my life, I want to just be open about things.”

Sinclair felt his heart clench and he felt an aching need to hold you close and keep you safe. He hated the thought of you being hurt or feeling by anyone. He didn’t quite know what to say right now. You wanted openness though. “I was married, for a few years.” He said, slowly, “I got a divorce four months ago.” “I guessed that.” You said, quietly. “How?” “The tan line from you’re ring’s not faded fully yet.” Sinclair looked to where your hand was still linked with his, “Huh, I hadn’t noticed it for a while.” You gently squeezed your fingers around his again. “What happened? If you don’t mind my asking.” Sinclair took a breath before answering, “She cheated on me. When I found out, part of me hoped that things would work out, that we could get through it. But I just couldn’t look at her the same again. It was broken beyond repair, we both new it. Looking back now, I don’t think we would have lasted even if she didn’t cheat. We just weren’t suited. After the divorce, for a while after I felt like I was just…going through the motions of life. Then I started to feel like myself again. And then I met you. I understand what you said. The way I’ve felt since I met you, part of me wants to just jump into that feeling. But I think it’s completely understandable that we’re both a bit gun shy.” You wondered what kind of idiot would hurt this beautiful man. You wanted to do anything to keep that beautiful sparkle in his eyes. “I think we both deserve to be happy too.” You said, “Do you want this…us…to become something more?”

Sinclair looked at you adoringly, “More than anything.” “So do I. Can we just, take things easy? Enjoy this as it comes? Talk more about it later?” “That sounds wonderful.” He just looked at you for a moment before asking softly, “Can I hug you?” “Yes, please.” You said and Sinclair drew you into his arms. You rested your head on his shoulder, enjoying the soft fabric of his jumper against your skin and the strong feel of his arms. The two of you stayed like that for a while, before you spoke up, “Want to watch a movie and snuggle?” His chuckle against your ear was the most beautiful sound, “Yes,” he said, “Grab one of those blankets.” While you grabbed your fluffiest blanket from the arm of the couch behind you, Sinclair leaned forward to get the tv remote and your cups, snagging a couple more cookies as well to share. You spent the rest of the evening like that, snuggled up on the couch with the blanket across both of you and Sinclair’s arm around your shoulder, watching an Agatha Christie double feature you found on tv. Both content to just be and enjoy this feeling.

——————————————————————

Thanks for reading! Sinclair is so Taurus coded and if a Taurus shares their food, they love you.

[myveryownfanfiction]

Rickmas day 8!

prompt: To Be Alone

warnings: depression

AN: reader only comes up to snapes chin in this fic. Thought it fit as I’m short and hugs where someone puts their chin on ur head r the best (imo). There is also a reference to something he says in the Hogwarts Mystery game for the Christmas at the Weasleys side episode.

I sighed as I finally made it back to my chambers at the end of my night rounds. Leaning against the door, I looked up to see my small table set for dinner. The candles were out and it was clear I had missed something. Looking around the room, I saw the black robes draped over the back of a chair. Groaning, I pushed off the door.

“Severus?” I called out. The man in question appeared in the doorway to my bedroom, leaning against the frame with his arms crossed. “I’m sorry.” His eyebrow went up and I sighed, crossing the room to him.

“Did you forget? Or are you avoiding me?” He uncrossed his arms and held them open for me. I wrapped my arms around his waist tightly and buried my face in his chest. I shook my head and felt Severus put his chin on top of my head. “Then what is it?” I squeezed his waist and he hummed.

“It’s that time of year.” I mumbled. Severus nodded as best he could with my head tucked under his chin. “Had a bad day too. Just wanted to be alone so I took an extra round tonight. Forgot about you in here.” Severus pulled back and I could feel his eyes boring into my head.

“You forgot me?” His tone had become teasing. I shook my head again.

“Not you. I said that wrong. I never forget about you.” It was my turn to pull away so I could look up at him. “I forgot date night. I’m sorry.” Severus pursed his lips and nodded. “It’s too late now isn’t it?” He nodded again.

“It’s alright. We’ll make it up.” He pressed a kiss to my forehead. “Come with me.” He pulled away completely and took my hand. I let him lead me over to the windows. Sitting down on my window bench, he pulled me down so I was sitting with my back to his chest. I leaned back against him and rested my head on his shoulder. Reaching down, I took his hands and pulled his arms around my midsection.

“What are we doing?” I asked, straining my neck so I could look at him. He was watching the grounds as it snowed. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed there was a cauldron that held a small blue flame. I smiled as it started to dawn on me what was going on. Severus turned his attention back towards me and smirked.

“It’s not Christmas Eve but,” he smiled. “It is a quiet night spent beside a cauldron fire with snow falling outside.” I smiled as I leaned up to kiss his cheek.

“It’s all the gift you need right?” He chuckled before kissing me.

“That and you.” I hummed happily and settled back against him. We watched the snow fall for a while before he broke the silence. Keeping his eyes on the school grounds, he absentmindedly started to play with my fingers. “You know if you ever wanted to be alone, you just have to ask. But you should also know that I’ve been alone for a long time. Then you came along. And I wasn’t alone anymore. It was, and is, the best feeling in the world to me.” He pressed a kiss to the back of my head. “Being alone isn’t always what you think it is. And when you feel like this, being alone might be worse than being with me.” I snorted and Severus chuckled.

“Sorry.” I leaned back so I could see him. He smiled and shook his head.

“It’s fine. I’m just saying, I’m here for you. Even when you want to be alone. I can pretend I’m not even here. It’ll be just like it.” It was my turn to shake my head.

“I prefer this.” I leaned further into him.

“Good.” He kissed my head again before we both turned our attention back to the snowfall.

[mogwai-movie-house]

The Best of Rick & Morty (updated)

Every episode of the greatest animated sci-fi show ever, ranked and rated, high-to-low:

1. The Ricklantis Mixup (2017) ★★★★★★★★★★ 2. Total Rickall (2015) ★★★★★★★★★★ 3. Pickle Rick (2017) ★★★★★★★★★★ 4. Rixty Minutes (2014) ★★★★★★★★★★ 5. Rattlestar Ricklactica (2019) ★★★★★★★★★★ 6. Edge of Tomorty: Rick Die Rickpeat (2019) ★★★★★★★★★★ 7. Lawnmower Dog (2013) ★★★★★★★★★☆ 8. The Vat of Acid Episode (2020) ★★★★★★★★★☆ 9. M. Night Shaym-Aliens! (2014) ★★★★★★★★★☆ 10. Meeseeks and Destroy (2014) ★★★★★★★★★☆ 11. Close Rick-counters of the Rick Kind (2014) ★★★★★★★★★☆ 12. Something Ricked This Way Comes (2014) ★★★★★★★★★☆ 13. The Ricks Must Be Crazy (2015) ★★★★★★★★★☆ 14. Ricksy Business (2014) ★★★★★★★★★☆ 15. Rick Potion #9 (2014) ★★★★★★★★★☆ 16. The Rickshank Rickdemption (2017) ★★★★★★★★★☆ 17. The Old Man and the Seat (2019) ★★★★★★★★★☆ 18. Full Meta Jackrick (2022) ★★★★★★★★½☆ 19. Vindicators 3: The Return of Worldender (2017) ★★★★★★★★½☆ 20. Mort Dinner Rick Andre (2021) ★★★★★★★★½☆ 21. A Rickle in Time (2015) ★★★★★★★★½☆ 22. Mortyplicity (2021) ★★★★★★★★½☆ 23. Auto Erotic Assimilation (2015) ★★★★★★★★½☆ 24. Rest and Ricklaxation (2017) ★★★★★★★★½☆ 25. One Crew over the Crewcoo's Morty (2019) ★★★★★★★★½☆ 26. The Wedding Squanchers (2015) ★★★★★★★★½☆ 27. Analyze Piss (2022) ★★★★★★★★½☆ 28. Rickmancing the Stone (2017) ★★★★★★★★½☆ 29. The Whirly Dirly Conspiracy (2017) ★★★★★★★★½☆ 30. Morty's Mind Blowers (2017) ★★★★★★★★½☆ 31. Raising Gazorpazorp (2014) ★★★★★★★★½☆ 32. Promortyus (2020) ★★★★★★★★½☆ 33. Mortynight Run (2015) ★★★★★★★★½☆ 34. Star Mort Rickturn of the Jerri (2020) ★★★★★★★★☆☆ 35. A Rick in King Mortur's Mort (2022) ★★★★★★★★☆☆ 36. Interdimensional Cable 2: Tempting Fate (2015) ★★★★★★★★☆☆ 37. Anatomy Park (2013) ★★★★★★★★☆☆ 38. A Rickconvenient Mort (2021) ★★★★★★★★☆☆ 39. Big Trouble in Little Sanchez (2015) ★★★★★★★★☆☆ 40. Get Schwifty (2015) ★★★★★★★★☆☆ 41. The ABCs of Beth (2017) ★★★★★★★★☆☆ 42. Look Who's Purging Now (2015) ★★★★★★★★☆☆ 43. Claw and Hoarder: Special Ricktim's Morty (2019) ★★★★★★★★☆☆ 44. The Rickchurian Mortydate (2017) ★★★★★★★★☆☆ 45. Childrick of Mort (2020) ★★★★★★★★☆☆ 46. Ricktional Mortpoon's Rickmas Mortcation (2022) ★★★★★★★★☆☆ 47. Never Ricking Morty (2020) ★★★★★★★½☆☆ 48. Rickternal Friendshine of the Spotless Mort (2021) ★★★★★★★½☆☆ 49. Pilot (2013) ★★★★★★★½☆☆ 50. Forgetting Sarick Mortshall (2021) ★★★★★★★½☆☆ 51. Rickmurai Jack (2021) ★★★★★★★½☆☆ 52. Rick & Morty's Thanksploitation Spectacular (2021) ★★★★★★½☆☆☆ 53. Night Family (2022) ★★★★★★☆☆☆☆ 54. Final DeSmithation (2022) ★★★★★★☆☆☆☆ 55. Rick: A Mort Well Lived (2022) ★★★★★½☆☆☆☆ 56. Amortycan Grickfitti (2021) ★★★★★½☆☆☆☆ 57. Solaricks (2022) ★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆ 58. Rickdependence Spray (2021) ★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆ 59. Gotron Jerrysis Rickvangelion (2021) ★★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆ 60. Juricksic Mort (2022) ★★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆ 61. Bethic Twinstinct (2022) ★★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆

[smilingformoney]

Sharing Part II | Eli/Reader/Lionel

A follow-up to Sharing from Rickmas 2023. There will be more, because I am depraved. Thanks as always to @snowblossomtumbles for enabling me 🙂

Read on Ao3 or below the cut:

Ever since you’d attended Lionel Shabandar’s Christmas party in London together, your relationship with Eli had changed. He came to your office more often whereas previously he’d text you to come to his. The texting had changed too; what was previously a message history of commands to come to his office or his lecture hall was now a series of flirtatious messages and even dick pics.

Not that you were complaining. Eli was an asshole, no doubt about that, and you understood completely why his wife left him. And when he was neither with you nor teaching, you were certain he was fucking another one of his students. But you didn’t care about that. His cock was almost as big as his ego, and damn if he didn’t know how to use it.

And if Eli’s extra attention wasn’t enough, you were getting constant messages from Lionel. You must have really left an impression on him, because every day he described a new way he was fantasising about you, often along with a dick pic showing you just how hard it made him to imagine himself fucking you in whatever creative way his deranged mind had come up with that day.

So much attention from two men might have made you uncomfortable if you weren’t uncontrollably attracted to both of them.

You decided not to tell Eli you were in touch with Lionel. First of all, Eli had made it very clear - and you firmly agreed with him - that you were not a couple in any sense of the word. So it was none of his business if you wanted to text another guy.

Second, you were well aware that Eli was frequently fucking some of his female students - there were three on the go that you knew of for sure - and quite frankly you didn’t care about that, so long as he used protection, which you knew he did when you caught sight on multiple occasions of used condoms in his office bin. So why should it be any business of his if you let Lionel see a picture of your tits now and then?

On the last day of the spring semester, Eli showed up at your office door, leaning against the doorframe as casually as if he lived there.

“Whatcha up to tonight?” he asked.

You looked up from your desk, where you’d been typing away on your computer, working on a book you were writing.

“Dinner. Wine. Movie. Usual Friday stuff. Why? You got a better suggestion?”

“Yeah, same idea, but at mine. And with less clothes. Fancy it?”

You leaned back in your chair and scoffed. “Eli Michaelson, are you asking me on a date?”

“No!” he insisted, turning his nose up at the very thought of it. “Just thought we could fuck in a bed for once. Maybe you stay over, we fuck in the morning too. I always wake up with such a hard-on and no one to relieve it. How ‘bout it?”

“Yeah, alright,” you shrugged. “I gotta go home first, so I’ll come over for eight?”

“Sure. Wear something sexy underneath, will ya? I know you got some slutty panties at home just waiting for me to tear off of you.”

He flashed that damned cheeky grin at you and left you alone with your work and a throbbing between your thighs.

***

You had absolutely no idea what was happening in the film Eli had put on. You weren’t sure that he had any idea either. At least, you hoped he didn’t - you’d be kind of offended if he was more interested in the film than the sloppy blowjob you’d been giving him for the last twenty minutes.

Bastard had stamina. Your jaw was aching, and every time you tried to raise your head to give yourself a break, he just pushed you back down again and slid further down your throat. When he eventually came, he held your head in place, making sure he painted your throat completely before finally letting you come up for air.

He didn’t even return the damn favour. He just wiped your mouth, kissed you, called you a “good girl” and left to start the dinner.

You took out your phone and opened up your chat with Lionel. You didn’t usually text him when you were with Eli - that felt like bad manners - but your cunt was on fire and Eli clearly had no intention of extinguishing it soon.

You: What you up to?

The three dots showing him typing appeared almost immediately.

Lionel: Boring meeting. You?

You: Boring film. Bad form to text in a meeting, you know.

Lionel: They can’t tell. Skype meetings are all the rage now. They can’t even see how hard I got the moment your name popped up on my screen.

You: Dare you to jerk off and see if they notice.

Lionel: Don’t tempt me. What film are you watching?

You: No idea. Some buddy cop shit Eli put on 🥱

Lionel: You two having date nights now?

You: If by “date night” you mean me giving him the best blowjob of his life and getting nothing in return, yeah.

Lionel: Ouch. Is he with you now?

You: No, he’s making dinner. Why, you miss him?

Lionel: No, I just don’t want him to see this.

He sent you a picture of his lap, the tip of his erection just peeking out from his waistband.

You: Careful. I can see the headlines now. Lionel Shabandar stands up in a Skype meeting and accidentally flashes his erection to the whole company.

Lionel: Just some bozos from Germany. Hang on.

He went quiet for a few minutes, probably actually working, so you locked your phone screen and turned your attention to the film.

“Red wine or white?” Eli called from the kitchen.

“Red,” you called back.

“White it is.”

“Prick.”

“What, again? You just had it!”

“Ha ha.”

You glanced back at your phone to see Lionel had sent you a video. You fished your earphones from your bag and plugged them in, and you had to stifle a giggle as you watched the video.

His hand was in his pants, playing with his hard cock, and you could hear him talking quite normally in the meeting, something about sales and percentages and audience retention. The video was only ten seconds long - you suspected he didn’t want to risk anyone suspecting what he was up to - but it was plenty enough for you. Lionel was a dirty bastard, and you loved it.

You: Damn, you must really trust me. I could ruin your career with that video.

Lionel: I have plenty of evidence to ruin yours.

You: Stalemate, then.

Lionel: When are you next in London? I need to know if your pussy is as good as your throat. It’s unfair a cad like Michaelson gets to fuck you every day while I have to make do with photos and fantasies.

You glanced over your shoulder; there was no sign of Eli coming out of the kitchen. You hitched up your skirt and snapped a picture between your legs, one hand holding the phone while the other pushed aside your panties to reveal your dripping pussy.

You: Bet you wouldn’t make me this wet then fuck off into the kitchen.

Lionel: Fucking hell, [Y/n]. What I wouldn’t give to lick that all up. Bet you taste fucking divine.

Lionel: I’m sorely tempted to fly you out here just so I can have you.

You: Why don’t you come here?

Lionel: And share you with the good doctor? No thanks.

You: But I like taking both of you :(

Lionel: Greedy minx. I’ll share you again only if I get to have your cunt this time. For a man with multiple girlfriends Eli sure is selfish.

You: I’m not his girlfriend.

Lionel: Isn’t he cooking you dinner?

You: For the first time ever. I’m as surprised as you are that I’m here.

Lionel: Guess he couldn’t stand spending spring break without you. Can’t blame him.

You: You’re rich, powerful and sexy as fuck. You can’t tell me you don’t have your pick of the ladies in London.

Lionel: Sure, but they can’t deepthroat like you can.

You: Hang on, Eli’s calling me.

Lionel: Tell him to piss off.

Eli needed you to watch the vegetables while he went to the bathroom, so you did, and soon enough he was serving up the dinner of steak and chips with veg on the side, and a bottle of some fancy red wine you supposed was meant to impress you.

Despite the effort he’d clearly put into the dinner, Eli was quiet the whole time, barely giving you one-word answers as you tried to make conversation. Christ, was he always this dull? Maybe you’d never noticed before - you were pretty sure this was the first time you’d tried to hold a conversation with him that wasn’t about sex.

You’d given up trying to get any decent conversation out of him when suddenly he broke the silence by saying, “Are you going back to London any time soon? Visiting your family again?”

You were surprised at his sudden desire to converse, and about London of all things, but you replied, “Not until Christmas. What about you? Any more fancy parties?”

“Mhm, bet you’d like that, wouldn’t you?”

“…What?”

“You sure loved that party. Don’t deny it.”

“I’m not denying it, I’m just confused. I had a lot of fun.”

Eli scoffed. “Yeah. Fun.”

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a phone - your phone! How long had he had it? You hadn’t looked for it in ages - you didn’t want to talk to Lionel while Eli was in the room —

“So… Lionel’s rich, powerful and sexy as fuck, is he?” Eli growled, scrolling through your phone.

“What the fuck? How did you unlock it?”

“Your passcode’s your fucking birthday, [Y/n]. I got it on the second try.”

“And why were you trying to get into my phone?!”

“Because you left it lying around and I saw it flash up. Lionel Shabandar: Meeting’s over. I’m going back to my place to rub one out. I’ll be imagining my pillow is your face while I paint it. Very classy.”

You stood up and went to grab the phone from him, but Eli pulled it away.

“How long have you two been texting like this?” he demanded. “This chat history is long.”

“What’s it to you? Give me my phone!”

You made another attempt to grab it, but Eli just slammed it down on the table and stood up, his taller frame looming over you slightly.

“Do you usually text him when you’re with me?”

“No, never! This is the first time - and not while you were in the room, I’m not like that —“

“Oh, just while I’m cooking you dinner then? Jeez, [Y/n], I try and treat you better than just a quick fuck at work and this is the thanks I get?”

“Better?” you scoffed, hyper-aware that he was advancing on you slowly, forcing you to back up towards the sofa. “You put on some shitty film, shoved your cock in my face then fucked off without even trying to make me cum.”

“I went to make you dinner!”

“I wanted you to make me cum!”

Eli groaned with frustration and threw his hands up. “Fucking women! There’s no pleasing you! Either I’m treating you too much like a whore or not enough! You know what? Fine.”

He shoved you back, causing you to fall back over the arm of the sofa, your back hitting the cushions.

“Fuck it,” he growled as he fumbled with his zipper. “I’m not gonna fucking bother. You wanna act like a slut? I’ll treat you like a slut.” He produced a condom from his pocket, then pulled down his pants and stepped out of them, leaving him only in his shirt, his angry red cock standing to attention.

He rolled the condom down his shaft then crawled on top of you and grabbed your ankles, resting them on his shoulders and causing your skirt to flip up and reveal your soaking wet cunt. He leant over you and sunk his teeth into your neck, causing you to cry out. He began rubbing his cock up and down your folds, gathering up as much of your slick as he could.

“You know, my girls - the girls I’m fucking - they have boyfriends. Inexperienced kids with tiny cocks who don’t know how to use them, so my girls come to me for a real man’s cock. Even they don’t text their fucking boyfriends when they’re with me!”

“Lionel’s not my boyfriend —“

“Yeah, and neither am I, you made that pretty fucking clear. Now stay still while I fuck you.”

His cockhead breached your entrance, and you were still so wet that he slid in easily, your cunt instinctively stretching to accommodate him. You gasped at the intrusion, even though you were used to it, even though you were expecting it. He usually started off slower and built up the pace; this time, he began pistoning into you straight away, his frustration evident as his hips bashed against your thighs, his grip on your legs tight, and his face screwed up in a mixture of anger and pleasure.

“Fuck, you’re so wet - seeing Lionel’s cock really did a number on you, huh?”

“I’m not wet from that, dickhead,” you replied. “I’m wet from sucking your cock for twenty minutes. My cunt was - ah! - on fire and you left me all alone. What did you expect me to do?”

“Wait for me. Clearly you ain’t got any patience. Is there - ugh - anyone else I should know about?”

“No, you’re - you’re the only one I’m fucking - ahh, Eli!” You gasped with a mixture of surprise, pleasure and pain when he bit down on your neck again, and you were sure he’d leave a mark. Good thing it was spring break and you didn’t have classes any time soon.

“You bastard,” you hissed, and Eli just chuckled against your neck.

“That’s right. My cock’s all you need.”

He moaned in your ear, his panting becoming rapid and high-pitched, and you wrapped your arms around his shoulders to hold him close.

“Wh - why d - do you - fuck —“

Eli laughed.

“Forgot your words, Dr [L/n]?” he teased. He slowed down his thrusting, though it was no less forceful, the dragging of his cock along your walls no less agonisingly blissful.

“Why do you get to fuck any pretty student that bats her eyelids at you, yet you reckon I can’t even flirt with another guy?”

Eli didn’t respond at first. He kept his head buried in your neck, continuing his slow thrusts, before eventually raising himself on his forearms to look down at you.

“I don’t care that it’s another guy. I care that it’s Lionel. I don’t wanna share you with him.”

“You didn’t seem to care at the party. You seemed quite happy to share me with him then.”

Eli scoffed. “Yeah, ‘cus I wanted to show off. Let him see how fucking amazing you are. I wanted you to take both our cocks and choose mine. I thought you had… and all this time you were texting him. Showing him your tits. Telling him all the things you want him to do to you. Very creative, by the way. Putting that literature doctorate to good use. I even saw you using the same lines on him as you use on me.” He growled in frustration, and his hips began to thrust violently against you again, his jaw hanging slack in the gorgeous display of ecstasy you loved to see on him.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you,” you said truthfully, trying to get your words out between groans of pleasure. “I didn’t - didn’t want you to get - ah - jealous —“

Eli’s hand wrapped around your throat, and his face came close to yours, snarling angrily.

“I’m not fucking jealous, little slut. I’m the one fucking you, aren’t I? There’s nothing to be jealous of. You know what? Fine. Fine. Fucking text him. Tell him everything. Show him your tits, your cunt, whatever you want. So long as he knows that no matter what he does, I’m the one who gets to fuck you.”

He sat up suddenly, his cock slipping out of you, and you whined at his sudden absence. He retrieved your phone from the table and, a few taps later, the phone was on loudspeaker, and you recognised the sound of dialling out to an international number.

“Eli —“

He just grinned at you as he placed the phone next to your head and resumed his position on top of you.

“You are not gonna do what I think you’re gonna do!”

But of course he fucking did. Eli slipped his cock back inside you - just as the phone picked up.

“Well, this is a nice surprise, I was just thinking of you,” said Lionel’s voice from the phone. You tried to speak, but Eli slapped his hand over your mouth.

“Just thinking of you too, buddy,” Eli said smugly. “A little birdie told me you wanted to hear [Y/n] moan, is that right?”

“Michaelson? What the hell are you doing with [Y/n]’s phone?”

“I’m more interested in what she was doing with her phone. Shit dick pics, by the way, the lighting’s all wrong. So, [Y/n], are you gonna moan for Lionel or what?”

Eli pulled his hand away from your mouth.

“Fuck you, dickhead,” you hissed.

“Funny, that’s exactly what you are doing. Mmm, Lionel, buddy, her cunt is so very warm. Squeezes just the right way in all the right places.” Eli pulled back until his cock was about to fall out, then thrust back in again, causing you to let out a moan.

“Painted that pillow with your stiff English cum yet, Lionel? Or d’you still got a hard-on?”

“You called just in time, actually, I was just about to get started. [Y/n], can you hear me?”

“Yeah, he’s got you on loudspea - ah! Fucking hell, Eli!” you gasped as he began thrusting into you rapidly, your legs back on his shoulders.

“Tell me what he’s doing to you, and spare no detail. I want to know just how that cunt’s getting wrecked.”

If it weren’t for the sound of Eli’s flesh slapping against yours, you might have heard through the speakerphone the sound of Lionel tugging on his cock, his own phone lying on the bed next to him as he sat on his knees with a pillow between his thighs, wishing it was you he was on top of instead.

“I’m - I’m lying on my back on the sofa,” you said, trying to think through the pleasure-filled fog in your brain. “He’s got my ankles on his shoulders.”

“Mmm, yes, I bet you’re fucking flexible,” Lionel growled. “Fuck, I can hear how wet you are from here. Must be a fucking waterfall down there.”

“You have no idea,” Eli replied with a groan. “Tell him how my cock feels, [Y/n].”

“It’s - it’s big,” you gasped.

“Big,” Eli snorted. “A doctorate in literature and all she can think of is big.”

“What the fuck do you want me to say, Eli? Colossal? Enormous? Overblown? Nah, that’s your ego. You want me to tell him how much you stretch me out? The way your cock hits my G-shot at just - ah! Just the right spot! Just like that! Fu-uuck —“

At the mention of your G-spot, Eli had adjusted his hips slightly, just enough to let his cockhead press against that sweet spot which he damn well knew drove you insane.

“Fuck! Fuckfuckfuck - Eli, you bastard - I’m gonna cum, need to cum —“

“Then cum, and you’d better be loud, sweetheart. Lionel wants to hear you all the way over in London.”

You were writhing around on the sofa without an ounce of dignity, lost in the pleasure that was being thrusted into you faster than your goddamn heartbeat, and your movement caused the phone to slide down the cushion towards you, the speaker just close enough to your ear that you could hear Lionel’s panting.

“Yes! Yes, Daddy, yes - FUCK!”

Every muscle in your body convulsed as you came around Eli’s cock, moaning loudly just as he’d asked. Down the phone you heard Lionel moaning your name as he came, and Eli was cumming too, his hips faltering against yours as he moaned.

For a few moments, there was quiet, as all three of you caught your breath. Eli grabbed the phone and held it up so Lionel could hear him.

“I get that every fuckin’ day, Shabandar,” he boasted. “Add that to your wank bank.”

“She’s bound to come to London sooner or later, Michaelson, and when she does you’d better be with her if you want to stand any chance of stopping me burying my cock inside her. I always get what I want.”

“Good fuckin’ luck,” Eli said warningly, then he hung up the phone.

[smilingformoney]

Rickmas 2023: Day 19. Hope | Severus/Persephone

Read now on Ao3 or below the cut:

December 1978

The work for the Dark Lord didn’t stop for any holiday, not even Christmas.

Severus preferred it that way. He found no joy in Christmas anymore. He hadn’t for years, not since his mother - his only real family - had died. So when other Death Eaters were reluctant to carry out orders over Christmas for the sake of family time, Severus stepped up and volunteered to fill in for them, spending as much time as he could carrying out the Dark Lord’s orders.

Including, of course, his one main order: getting information from Persephone Payne. So when Christmas Day approached, he invited her over for Christmas Dinner, knowing as he did that she didn’t have family to go to. Whether they were estranged or dead, she’d never let slip, but Severus knew enough to know she’d be alone for Christmas.

The dinner mostly cooked itself, leaving Severus and Persephone time to sit on the sofa and drink their way through the bottle of mulled wine she’d brought over.

“So, your first post-Hogwarts Christmas. How have you been spending it?” she asked.

“I’ve hardly had time to think about it, I’ve been so busy with tasks for the Dark Lord. A lot of the others are spending time with family so I’ve been covering for them.”

“Is he okay with that? Surely he’d expect them to put him first?”

“He certainly wasn’t happy about it, but he knows raising the next generation of wizards is important, so nobody got crucioed. Especially when I said I’d pick up their slack. He seemed pleased that I was willing to put the cause first. Not that I’ve… got anything else to do at Christmas. I’m all alone here.”

Persephone snorted. “He’d get on well with my boss. Always gives me the Christmas assignments because he knows I’m the only one without a family. I’m glad you invited me over when you did, by the way - the next day he asked me to work today and I had an excuse to say no.”

“Glad I could help,” Severus laughed. “Sounds like your boss is worse than mine. At least he let me do what I want today.”

“And you chose to spend time with me?”

“Yes, of course! I remembered you said you don’t have family, so I thought we could be alone together.”

“Ha. Well, here’s to being alone together.” Persephone raised her glass and drank. “I have to admit, I miss Christmas at Hogwarts. Nothing beats the elves’ cooking. And I usually got the common room to myself - at least until you started staying behind too,” she said with a friendly nudge. “Shame we weren’t friends then.”

“I tried to talk to you,” Severus admitted, fidgeting slightly with the glass in his hand. “But I never had the courage.”

“Was that why you never thanked me for the hot chocolate?”

“…What?”

“The first Christmas you stayed back, I left you a hot chocolate and a note. You never said thanks, so I figured maybe you didn’t get it or you didn’t like it —“

“That was you?!” Severus frowned. “I thought - well, I don’t know what I thought. I didn’t recognise the handwriting. And… nobody knew about my mother. Only Slughorn and Lily.”

Persephone winced awkwardly. “I… may have overheard you telling Lily. And by overheard I mean eavesdropped.”

“But the hot chocolate — how did you know about the hot chocolate?”

“What do you mean? I just thought you’d like it.”

“With cinnamon? From the stall in Diagon Alley?”

“Well, yeah, that’s the best hot chocolate you can get.”

Severus sank back into the cushion, his mind spinning. The mystery of the hot chocolate that appeared on his bedside table that Christmas had always plagued him. Who had put it there, and how had they known about both his mother’s death and the significance of the hot chocolate? And all along it had been Persephone who left it, having overheard him telling Lily — and the hot chocolate was just a coincidence?

“My mother and I used to have that hot chocolate every year,” Severus admitted. “It was something of a tradition for us. Then she died and that very same hot chocolate appeared. I thought - but it was just you being… nice?”

“I know, me being nice is rare.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, you’re always nice.”

“To you. I like you. Don’t like anyone else.”

“…Did anyone ever tell you that leaving hot drinks and mysterious notes next to a person’s bed is not the most efficient way of making friends?”

Persephone laughed, almost choking on her wine, and Severus smiled.

“So that’s why I don’t have any friends! What should I be doing instead? Leaving cold drinks?”

“Well, signing the note would be a good start. I’d have thanked you if I’d known it was you.”

“I was the only other Slytherin there, I thought it would be obvious it was me! Damn, we really did just keep missing each other at school, didn’t we? Lucky that we were both in the Leaky Cauldron last July, huh?”

“Yes, very lucky,” Severus lied. Luck had nothing to do with it. I was looking for you.

“You know, Severus, I… I haven’t enjoyed Christmas in a long time. But this… this is nice. Gives me hope, y’know? That people like you and me can still have merry Christmases.”

“People like us?”

“You know… people without families. I only ever feel lonely at Christmas.”

“…So do I,” Severus admitted. He’d been staring into the bottom of his now empty glass, but now he looked up at her, and she smiled a cautiously warm smile, one which set his heart aflutter.

“Can we do Christmas next year too?” he asked. “At yours, perhaps.”

“Yes! Yes, I’d like that. Even if we get married and end up with our own children, we should still see each other every Christmas. Make sure neither of us is lonely.”

“Deal.”

***

December 2000

“Here they come…”

“Oh, no…”

The bedroom door swung open at exactly 5am, and Severus hid under the duvet.

“Dada’s not here,” he said firmly.

“Christmas! Christmas! Christmas!” Ariadne squealed excitedly as she and her twin sister jumped onto their parents’ bed.

“Christmas is cancelled. Dada’s going back to sleep.”

“No, Dada, wake up! Father Christmas put a million presents under the tree!”

“Get your sister up first. Jump on her while she’s asleep. That’s an order from Dada.”

Laughing rather maniacally for a two-year-old, Ariadne raced out of the room, followed by April, and through two walls Severus heard the girls screaming excitedly as they burst into their older sister’s room.

“Those two need to calm down. It’s only Christmas.”

“It’s their first proper Christmas, Sev! And it’s their birthday too, they’re excited. They were too young to understand it last year.”

Persephone rolled over, stretching, as if she’d just woken up serenely and the screaming, bouncing two-year-olds hadn’t bothered her. Then again, she was married to him, so surely nothing could faze her.

“No Grinch this year, you promised.”

Severus sighed. “I suppose. Besides, it’s hard not to enjoy Christmas when I have you.” He wrapped an arm around her, holding her in close, savouring the peace and her warmth until he had to get out of bed and face the chaos of the day.

“Christmases are going to be a lot more chaotic now with those two around.”

“Mmm… I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“I’ll tell them you said that.”

“You will not.”

“Better get downstairs before me, then.”

“What - Sephy!”

But she was already up, waving her wand to dress herself; Severus jumped out of bed too, scrambling for his own wand, knowing he was doomed. But even so - being doomed to a happy life with the family he loved wasn’t so bad after all. If only his younger self had known where he’d end up, happy and safe and loved - it may well have given him hope.

[starry-eyesanddaydreams]

Having a go at @deepperplexity 's Rickmas prompts.

Prompt 6: Out Of Care

"The January Man" Ed x Reader (established relationship)

Tw; depression

Plot; It's Ed and Readers first Christmas together. Readers depression is starting to flare up and Ed tries to bring them some holiday cheer.

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November had been a busy month for both you and Ed. He'd been working on commission pieces a gallery wanted to display for sale on New Years, and your job was getting busier and more stressful as the holidays approached. It was December now. You were both still busy and the city around you was becoming more hectic than ever. Ed had still noticed the signs that your depression was starting to flare up again. Since you'd gotten together in February, he'd helped you through a few bouts since then, and between work and the cold, dark weather settling in, it was starting to creep up on you again. You came back from work on Friday, dumped your things in the corner of the bedroom, climbed into bed and stayed there. Ed had seen the tiredness in your eyes. He'd hoped that a good sleep might help, but by midday the next day you were still in bed. He knew you well by now, you needed something different, something joyful, something to pull you out of your mind and bring you back to yourself. As he thought of what he could do, he looked around the apartment you shared. It looked like it did every day. There were no Christmas decorations up anywhere. He knew you had a cardboard box of decorations in the back of the closet, you'd brough with you when you'd moved in. Ed hadn't really bothered with Christmas much. He'd been out on his own for some time now and with just him he hadn't spent much energy on the holiday. But he remembered a few months ago, how you'd told him with excitement bright in your eyes, about the things you loved about Christmas and how you were looking forward to spending your first Christmas together. Ideas now filling his mind, Ed headed out. He left some breakfast and a note on the bedside table for you, pressing a soft kiss against your temple as you slept. It was late afternoon, almost sunset when he got back. You'd woken up a few hours ago. After reading Ed's note that he'd gone out for a while, you'd pulled yourself up enough to drink some of the tea and juice he'd left and had a shower, flopping back into bed right after. You felt so worn out and hollow inside. You hated this feeling, being far too familiar with it. You heard the front door open and close and Ed moving around in the main room. You jumped when you heard something clatter to the ground and Ed cursing under his breath. Concerned, you climbed out of bed to see what happened. As you stood in the doorway of the living room, you saw it was an empty easel that had fallen. Ed was setting an armload of shopping bags down on the kitchen counter. One paper bag, you could see, was overflowing with green and red tinsel. Ed caught sight of you and smiled, “Hi Darling, how are you feeling?” You gave his question a noncommittal nod and headed towards him, “What’s all this?” You asked, as Ed gently pulled you into his arms and held you. “Well, I got some more decorations.” He explained, “To put up with the box you have. The more the better, right? And I got your favourite take-out for dinner and doughnuts and the ingredients for mulled wine. Oh, and I rented some Christmas movies. I thought we could have a movie night tonight and maybe tomorrow go get a tree and start decorating the apartment. Sound alright?” You nodded, burrowing your face against his chest as you felt tears well up in our eyes. No one had ever loved you as sweetly as Ed did. He did so many things out of care for you. Before you met, you’d always faced these slumps alone, now you had someone to catch you as you fell. You almost didn’t know what to do with such a strong feeling of love and being loved. So you just surrendered to it, cuddling into his chest and letting his warmth fill the emptiness you felt.

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AN; Hope whoever reads this enjoys it. :) Merry Christmas!!