#BUT DAMN CAROL OF THE BELLS GOES HARD

[lillypad910]

Pass Her Over

Pairing: Big Dick! Billy Hargrove x Whore! f! Reader

Warnings: Smut! Filth, literal filth, slut shamming, p n v, oral (m receiving), unprotected and protected sex (wrap it up pls), "pet" names (Doll face, Baby, slut, whore, bitch). Let me know if i missed something. This isn't pre-read, may have errors.

Summary: You are the school's slut. All the guys have at least fucked you once. You enjoy it, the attention, the play, all of it. Billy is the new "It" boy, the new King of Hawkins. Just makes sense he comes to proposition you eventually.

A/n: The purring is loud with this one...

You lay out over one of the benches in the boys locker room, your skirt hiked up as Jason thrusts into your cunt. You moan as you feel him twitch inside you.

“Fuck, you feel so good…” Jason groans into your ear, leaning over you.

“So good, Jason. Fuck- just like that,” you encourage him, humping your hips back into his.

You are the whore of Hawkins High, if one of the boys needs to let off steam, you were the one to go to. You were everyone’s dream fuck, and you weren’t hard to get either. You’ve fucked every guy on the basketball team, except one. The new guy.

You don’t know much about him, other than his name is Billy and apparently he’s a total douche. You were going to probably meet him tonight at Tommy’s party.

You both finish, Jason discarding the condom while you pull back up your underwear. You both leave separately out back into the school, being sure not to get seen together.

You meet up with Carol and Vicki, who stand out in the hall. “He’s got some tutor session…” you catch Carol say as rolls her eyes.

“Who?” You ask, moving closer to the group of seniors you associate with.

“Tommy. He said he has a tutor now, for Chemistry. And he’s having to meet up with them during lunch today so he can’t sit with us.” She explains, sounding agitated.

“That sucks.” “Yeah, and not to mention you can’t! You have your cheer thing, which means it’s just Vicki, Tina, Nicole, and I with the new guy.” Carol groans, “which I guess is fine because he’s hot, but damn.”

“Oh yeah, I forgot about that!” You try to change the topic, “He’s hot? Did you two already see him today?” Carol and Vicki make eye contact because turning to you.

“Smoking. That man is a meal. (Y/n), you have to tell us how he is when you fuck him.” You sigh.

“‘When?’” You question.

“Bitch, yes! When! I need to know the details, unless Nicole can dive in first.” Carol mentions which gets Nicole’s attention.

“Maybe, god would I give to ride that man…” “Nicki!” Carol smacks her shoulder, causing the group to giggle.

“Well, I have to go, my uh… practice start soon.” You explain before walking off.

You weren’t totally lying, the cheerleaders of the Junior class were getting together during this lunch period to practice some more, but that wasn’t what you were doing.

You step into the boy’s bathroom connected to the gym, only to get yanked by your next fuck into one of the stalls. “Tommy! Jesus Christ, you scared me!” You smack him on the arm.

“Sorry, god I just couldn’t wait any longer, Carol is great, and I love her. But you are just too good to pass up.” He locks the stall door before picking you up, wrapping your legs around his waist as he shoves your back into the door.

It doesn’t take long before your underwear is dangling on your thigh as you holding the top of the door as his cock drills into your needy cunt. You enjoy it, your cunt still a bit raw from the fuck it got from Jason.

“You fucked Jason earlier, right? Jackass wouldn’t shut up about it.” Tommy groans.

“Oh yeah? Ah- Is he trying to use me a-as brownie points or-“ you moan as he thrusts harder.

“Guess so. Trying to act all big saying he’s not a loser virgin.” Tommy grabs your hips and yanks you down on his cock, making your toes curl. “Doesn’t know we all fuck you though.”

The rest of the day goes by quick, classes pass by in a blur between your other “appointments.” When the last bell rang you were under the bleachers, two guys fucking you. Your mouth wrapped around one cock while your pussy is fucked by the other. You are dropped quickly when people start talking, walking into the gym. You straighten out your clothes and head out, going home to get ready for the party later.

You get out of the car, straightening out your little dress, wiggling the tight fabric back down your legs. Carol presses the lock button on her keys after the others get out as well. You follow the girls into the house, where Tommy walks up and greets you all, kissing Carol and throwing his arm over her shoulders.

"You girls want anything to drink?" He asks, gesturing to the kitchen with his free hand.

After everyone gives their drink orders, Tommy makes a sophomore get them for you. Before the drinks even make it to your hands, Tommy suddenly gets really excited and runs outside to the backyard. Carol rolls her eyes and you all follow him, only to find him cheering on some guy on the keg. After the guy chugs doing a keg stand, he falls back down with the beer dripping down his chin and onto his exposed chest. Something about it is... hot.

"That's the new guy," Nicole whispers to you, "His name is Billy Hargrove, fucking sexy."

"Have you fucked him yet?" You ask looking over at him, which she just sighs.

"Unfortunately not, but maybe tonight." She gives you a wink before walking over to him. God the look he gives her says everything you need to know about how he is. Toxic men just do something for you.

"Oh! (y/n)!" A very cheerful voice calls out to you which you turn around to see your friend and fellow cheerleader, Chrissy, "have you seen Jason? He said he would be here tonight..." You loop arms with her so she doesn't get lost and look around for her.

"I think I see him over there," you point in the direction of the backdoor, where Andy is clinging onto some whore with Jason just awkwardly standing there.

"Oh, gosh, thank you!" Chrissy runs off to her lover boy.

A good hour into the party someone comes up behind you, wrapping one arm around your waist. "Having fun?" A voice, this time sounding much nicer than Chrissy's, comes from behind you. You don't look over your shoulder, instead you grind your ass into the guy's crotch.

"Better now," You finally look over your shoulder to the guy, shockingly having to look up a good bit to meet his eye. Billy Hargrove now stands with his fingers already tangling into the fabric of your dress on your hip. You don't even react at how the fabric lifts up to your hip, practically flashing your ass to the rest of the party if he wasn't right behind you.

"Oh?" Billy leans down a bit, giving you a little nudge to get walking, leading you away from your friends. "I heard from Tommy that you know how to show a guy a good time, is that true, Doll face?" He lifts his free hand up to your hair, brushing a strand out of your face.

"Maybe," you smirk at him, depends on your definition of 'fun' honestly... personally mine is sex." You are being forward sure, but how where you supposed to act when a new guy with an obvious big dick that you can feel rubbing against your ass propositions you?

"Forward, good. I like a slut who knows what she wants." He squeezes your hip, messaging the fat there. "How about we go upstairs? Tommy says he has a free room for us to use." You nod, letting him lead you, guiding you to the stairs and up them, a few soft moans leaving you when his bulge rubs against you.

You shoves you into the nearest bedroom, which happens to be the master bedroom, and shuts the door by slamming your back into the door, locking it. His hand instantly yanks your dress up over your hips before he shoves his hand down into your panties. His fingers run over your already soaked cunt.

"Fuck, already wet, Slut?" He sinks two fingers into you, earning a beautiful moan from your lips. "Oh yeah? You like when your cunt is used? Like being the girl who gets passed around?" He watching your face twist up as his fingers curl inside you, hitting that perfect spot.

"Ah-!" You reach for his arm, grabbing it as your legs already buckle, the previous fucks of the day finally catching up.

"Oh, fuck no. Whore needs to be treated like one." Billy scoops you up before throwing you onto the bed. "Strip." His voice is demanding, powerful. You obey him, yanking your dress over your head and pulling down your underwear, kicking them off and onto the floor. "God, look at you. No bra too?" Billy grins, "Are you like this with every guy? Needy for a dick?" Billy unbuckles his belt, yanking it out of the belt loops without any issue.

"Do you talk to all your fucks like this?" you give him a grin. "Cause I really like it." Billy chuckles, pulling off his jacket.

"Be a good bitch and come here." He waves one finger at you, beckoning you to him. You obey, crawling over to him, getting on your knees on the foot of the bed. "Good. Now undo my pants for me." You do so, unbuttoning the jeans on his hips before pulling them down. The tent of his boxers looks even bigger without the heavy denim holding it down.

Fuck, he's got to be huge.

"Go ahead." He stares down at you, not even tilting his head, just watching you with his eyes. You take his words as an ok, reaching up and tugging his boxers down. You don't even flinch when his huge cock springs up at you, smacking your cheek. "Suck it."

You feel your cheeks heat up. You've sucked lots of dicks before, but you've never had one this big. God and he's supposed to go inside you?

"Suck. it." His voice is more firm, catching your attention. You swallow hard before taking the base of his cock in your hands, one hand around it just barely covering the circumference. You take his swollen tip into your mouth, licking the bit of precum that leaks out before slowly moving your head to take in more. Billy groans, the noises he makes not helping your situation as your bare cunt barely rubs against the comforter.

"That's it, Baby. Take it nice and deep." Billy watches you take more of his cock into your mouth, the drool dribbling out from the corner of your lips. He moans, bucking his hips forward which causes you to gag. You try to pull away, but his fingers lace into your hair, pushing his fat cock further down your throat. You feel your eyes water.

"Come on, Bitch. You call this a blowjob? You can take more of me." He shoves your head further onto his cock, your instinct being to grab his muscular leg, trying to brace yourself in some way. You moan, the feeling of your throat being just so full.

"Mmm-!" You gag on him again, but then he starts moving your head for you, thrusting his hips as he fucks your throat so brutally. It feels like you're properly being used. For once you don't have to ask for the guy to be rough.

"That's it, such a good slut, take my cock deep into that used throat." You can hardly breath as he goes faster, your eyes rolling back as you feel your cunt clench around nothing.

Fuck... fuck... Are you actually about to cum from this?

He continues to fuck your throat, his cock twitching as your tongue works skillfully around it.

"Fuck yeah, just like that." His hands yank at your hair, causing you to moan, the small breaths you can get only pushing you closer to coming undone. He thrusts one last time deep into your throat, and you feel your cunt spasm as you cum onto the comforter under you, creating a wet spot. He rips his cock out of your mouth, causing you to gasp for air and collapse onto the bed.

"Shit. Did you cum? Just from sucking my dick?" He grabs your ankles and shamelessly lifts your legs, spreading them wide so he can see the embarrassment of your cunt twitching and dripping. "Shit, look at that." He climbs onto the bed, sitting on his knees as his huge cock slaps down onto your stomach. You moan, his large balls smacked up against your cunt.

"Beg, bitch. Beg for my cock like a good fucking slut." He orders, bucking his hips against you.

"W-Wait, no condom?" You're still trying to catch your breath from sucking that monster. Now he wants to put it in you?

"Don't you wanna feel my cock fill you?" His question is rhetorical, "It feels even better without the condom, plus I always break them anyways. Now, be a good bitch and beg." He orders, moving your ankles to be over your head.

"O-Oh, fuck..." You look down at his fat cock as it rests against your stomach, the swollen tip angry for attention. "Please... God, please, Billy." you can't even believe you're doing it.

"Please what?"

"Please fuck me. Please, ruin me. Please, Billy- Ah!" You gasp as you feel his tip press against your slit.

"Better take it all, bitch." Billy growls at you before thrusting hard. His cock forces inside you, practically ripping you open. "That's it, Slut. Nice and deep." He grips your hips and yanks you down, pressing his body against yours so your legs stay over your head. You feel him. Not like every other guy you've fucked, you fucking feel his cock inside you. Every bump, every vein, shit, every inch, you feel your cunt clenching around him.

You feel yourself going dumb, your eyes flashing with every twitch his cock makes inside you.

"Fuck, look at that." You feel his palm rub over your stomach, looking down to see the bulge his cock is making. "Ever had a guy this deep in you before?"

You don't have time to process the question as he begins thrusting into you, hard and fast. You can't help but just moan and gasp with every tiny movement, so a full thrust feels like fucking heaven.

"Such a good bitch, taking my cock so well." He pushes your legs further down, forcing your hips to push up, giving him better access to you. "Fuck," he pushes down on your stomach, right on top of the bulge his dick is making and that sends you over the edge.

Your cunt spasms, toes curl, tongue hangs out as your head falls back, back arching, god, all the things. You've never cum so hard in your life, but he doesn't stop. He thrusts you through your orgasm, bucking his cock somehow deeper. You can't think, can hardly breath, panting like a bitch in heat as his big, fat cock ruins your cunt.

"Fuck, fuck!" You moan, whimper as you come undone again. Shit, are those stars?

Your vision blurs as you go limp, your mind fucked out as you just try to focus on the feeling of his cock drilling into you.

"Fuck, that's it. Like getting this pussy ruined? Won't be able to take any other cock now, huh, bitch? You'll only be able to get off from mine." He goes harder, faster, causing you to gasp.

"Y-Yes! Hah- Yes!" You feel stupid, your mind not able to focus on words, just his cock. This thick cock drilling into you, ruining you. Filling you oh so well.

"God, look at you. You're going stupid." Billy grins, watching you go dumb on his cock. "Love when this happens. A whore loosing her mind over my dick." He laughs, "Fuck, your pathetic cunt is gonna make me cum." He thrusts faster.

"Do you want me to cum, Bitch? Want me to fill your filthy cunt up with my cum?" He thrusts harder, hitting so deep you can feel his cock pounding against your cervix. "Gonna fill you up, you whore. You fucking whore, gonna knock you up with my kid. You'd like that, though wouldn't you? Being my pregnant bitch living off my cock." You feel his cock twitching inside you, swelling at the friction. He's gonna cum. He gonna fill you up.

He gives one more good thrust, hitting his cock as deep as possible before stopping. You feel a warm rush inside you as he finishes. You both sit there for just a moment as he catches his breath, before he finally pulls out of you, his cum leaking from your cunt.

You feel suddenly empty, your poor cunt sore and legs feel like jelly. Oh you aren't gonna be able to stand....

"Shit, you're pathetic. Can't even take a good fucking... How disappointing." He slaps your ass, hard. "Get dressed, we have to go back downstairs and act like nothing happened."

Tag list!

@cagethemunson

@spikeybatt

@cherrycolas-things

@r-a-d-i-0-n-0-w-h-e-r-e

@ali-r3n

[filmofhybe]

loud Christmas Carols

🗯️ pairing : Nishimura Riki x oc 💌 Genre: fluff , neighbors 680 wc

; AUTHORS NOTES : last Niki story before he turns 18 maybe I’ll do one before his birthday on the 8th but oh my gosh when I tell you I’m not prepare for this. I’m really not, I really grew up with him and all I can say is time goes by fast. :(

Masterlist to my other works

It was December, and y/n was looking forward to a peaceful and relaxing holiday season. The college semester had been hectic, and all she wanted to do was unwind in the comfort of her own apartment. However, her plans were unexpectedly disrupted by her new neighbor - Niki . Every day, without fail, Niki would blast Christmas carols at top volume, making it impossible for y/n to focus on anything else. And today is one of those days, trying to watch “Gilmore Girls” but can’t.

Y/n tried to be patient at first, understanding that it was the holiday season and people had different ways of celebrating it. However, as the days went by and the relentless jingle bells jingle bells jingle rock and all I want for Christmas is you continued to invade her space, her patience wore thin.

One evening, as "Santa Baby" reverberated through the walls, y/n decided she had had enough. She marched over to Niki's door and, with a bit of aggressiveness, knocked on his door, waited for him to answer. When the door swung open, y/n found herself face to face with the source of her irritation.

Niki stood before her, looking every bit as surprised as she felt. He was tall with blonde and black undercut hair along with warm, expressive eyes that seemed to twinkle much like the Christmas lights adorning his apartment. y/n couldn't help but notice how handsome he was, and she felt her annoyance waver in the face of his unexpected charm. Ugh if you weren’t so damn gorgeous I would’ve yelled you right this instant..

"Hi," she began, her voice tumbling out in a mix of nervousness and frustration. "I'm your neighbor, Y/N. I don't mean to intrude, but the music has been really loud lately, and it's been hard for me to relax and study. Could you please keep it down a bit?" She didn’t want to come off as rude, but for the love of God she just can’t stand it anymore, at the moment it really doesn’t matter if hes cute..

Niki, taken aback by y/n’s presence, quickly realized just how pretty she was. Her eyes held a mixture of determination and vulnerability, and he found himself captivated by her presence. Without a word, he nodded, a sheepish smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "I'm so sorry," he replied, his voice surprisingly gentle. "I didn't realize it was bothering you. I'll turn it down right away." Oh how he wouldn’t give a damn if it was some old grumpy ass lady. However, if it’s coming from someone like you. Oh he’s down bad and will 100% obey.

As Niki lowered the volume of the music, Y/N found herself smiling in return, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. She hadn't expected Niki to be so understanding, and she was grateful for his quick compliance. As they exchanged a few more polite words, y/n couldn't help but notice how Niki's eyes seemed to light up as they spoke.

“I hope you don’t miss me jamming out to my Christmas music. Don’t miss me too much that you come back running and asking me to play it louder.”

“Oh don’t worry, if you do I’m going to play my show louder than your music.”

In the days that followed, her and Niki found themselves running into each other more often. Their encounters were always brief—passing in the hallway or sharing a quick hello in the building's common areas—but each time, y/n found herself feeling inexplicably drawn to Niki's easygoing nature and genuine kindness.

Meanwhile, Niki couldn't shake the image of y/n from his mind. Her determined yet endearing manner had left a lasting impression on him, and he found himself looking for excuses to bump into her, cherishing each fleeting moment they shared.

© filmofhybe on tumblr — do not copy , translate or share.

[dainesanddaffodils]

I wanna write fic but my Brain doesn't so instead of a full fic I'm just gonna write a long Tumblr post about the thing I wanna write fic about that's... kinda a fic? mix of fic and not fic

soo

AU where Estinien and Cimorene met very briefly as kids.

y'know. pre-Nidhogg.

also pre-calamity so it's not... endless winter in Coerthas. Except it IS still Winter because it's like. Starlight season and it's the alps, so its kinda snowy. And being, y'know, shepherds, Estinien is accompanying his father to go, like, trade some wool in the North Shroud and its probably the first time he's gone because he's like 11-12 now and his father thinks he's old enough to start learning more about The Family Business.

so they're in Fallgourd Float, which is warmer but still kinda snowy because again, foothills of the alps in winter - and they're essentially peddling their wares to folk who don't want to travel all the way into Coerthas for the kind of good quality wool that area has. And it goes pretty well and they make what's considered a decent amount of Gil for a market day and so they plan to stay the night at the town's inn and go back home in the morning.

and just outside the inn there's a cart with a small... not quite crowd gathered around it. And sitting on the back of the cart are two au ra, playing instruments for the handful of people amassed.

which, you know, is kinda fucking rare. rare in Gridania and very rare in Coerthas. and like, rural shepherds boy Estinien has definitely never seen one and only kinda heard of them, and he kinda looks to his dad for 'how do we react to this' guidance.

and Estinien's dad isn't racist because I said so, because I refuse to play into rural and catholic must mean racist. So even though he, too, probably has actually never seen an au ra and definitely not a xaela au ra, he does know that they're not, y'know, dragon-adjacent and so he's just like 'huh. didn't think au ra came this far north'

so Estinien is like 'we're cool. got it.' and moves a little closer because, damn it, he is curious.

There's the au ri man with pale blue skin and white hair - and he's singing a Starlight carol that most people know (because Cimorene's dad was really good at picking up songs from every place they traveled; he also learned Starlight is popular in the Shroud and playing Starlight songs will get more people interested).

Beside him is a young girl that doesn't look like she could be any older than Estinien's baby brother. Her skin is a milky white, her dark mossy hair is braided back, showing off fin-like horns. She's playing a long stringed instrument that looks like its too big for her - but she clearly knows what she's doing. She's focused entirely on playing, unlike her father who is beaming at his audience, exuding warmth and friendliness. It's that, as much as his pleasant voice, that draws Estinien a few steps closer, fully into the amassed crowd.

Then the man picks up a small flute that had sat beside him and begins to play. On cue, the girl takes over singing the next verse.

Her voice is high and clear as a bell - so much so that it's hard for Estinein to fully wrap his mind around the idea that she's making the sound and not another instrument. It's pretty, yes, but almost unnerving. He thinks of folk stories his mom has told him, about sirens in the seas that lure sailors to their deaths. He kinda takes a step back and runs into his dad who has moved up to join him.

They linger until song ends and a couple people drop Gil in a basket the au ri man has gotten out. He thanks each person, even strikes up small conversations with a few who seem more inclined to speak to him. Meanwhile the girl tunes her lute-like instrument with single minded focus that makes her seem older; his brother certainly doesn’t have that attention span.

Estinien doesn’t realize that he’s staring until his father taps him on the shoulder, passing him a Gil.

“Go on; they gave us a show.”

The man is in the middle of a conversation with a miqo’te hunter that doesn’t look like it’s wrapping up anytime soon. Estinien shuffles in place awkwardly, before he finally gets too impatient and walks up to the girl.

“Here,” he says, holding the coin out to her.

She looks up at him, eyes wide. It’s the first time he’s really seen them; a bright yellow that seems to glow in the grey, early evening gloom. She doesn’t take the Gil. She doesn’t say anything.

Her father laughs, not unkindly. “Cimorene, the nice boy wants to give that to us.”

She hesitates a second longer then snatches it out of his hand and scrambles back into the cart, closer to her father.

“Come on, I know I’ve taught you better than that,” he says, shaking his head.

Her pale face darkens. “Thank you,” she mumbles.

Estinien just shrugs; he doesn’t like having this much attention on him. “Can we go inside now?” He asks his father.

It’s his turn to be laughed at. His father exchanges a look with Cimorene’s father that says ‘kids, am I right?’ before he says, “Yes all right. Thank you,” he adds again to the musicians.

“Thank you,” Cimorene’s father echoes. Cimorene is still tucked into his side but she gives them a small smile at last - and Estinien can admit she’s kinda cute (the way adults call his little brother cute; the way newborn lambs are cute).

The au ri musicians are gone in the morning. Ferndale is gone a month later.

Both children forget the encounter entirely.

[marzipanandminutiae]

Marzi’s Top Five Christmas Songs

hey, I’m not always a font of relentless negativity!

5. The Gloucestershire Wassail. Your girl loves something with like a dozen verses that she can sing while dusting around festive faux greenery at her house museum, okay? Plus, who doesn’t love praising random cows and then threatening physical violence unless the local lord gives you booze?

4. I Saw Three Ships. This is that rare beast, an English-language Festive Winter Carol that is not only non-religious, but actually about New Year’s in one of its earlier recorded versions rather than Christmas (and getting married on New Year’s Day). Thus I get to temporarily banish the awkwardness of singing praise to someone else’s god that accompanies most of my other faves.

3. God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen. I adore haunted-sounding Christmas carols. I really, really do. They are the true meaning of Christmas.

2. Il Est Ne, Le Divin Enfant. Reminds me of all the Christmases my antique French fashion dolls have known, which makes me emotional. That’s it; that’s the whole reason. No, really.

1. Carol of the Bells. Call me basic; I give nary a damn. It goes hard. We all agree on this. Peace on Earth and goodwill toward goths, everybody.

[aspenmissing]

𝙰 𝚅𝚎𝚛𝚢 𝚂𝚞𝚙𝚎𝚛𝚗𝚊𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚊𝚕 𝙲𝚑𝚛𝚒𝚜𝚝𝚖𝚊𝚜 (𝙿𝚝 𝟹)

The Carrigans open the front door to see a woman wearing a green reindeer sweater, holding fruitcake.

"Merry Christmas!" She says, giving Madge the fruitcake.

"I told you I smelled fruitcake," Madge looks grateful.

"You shouldn't have," she says.

"Oh, bite your tongue, it's my pleasure."

"It looks scrumptious!" Mr. Carrigan says.

"Say, Neal and I are going carolling. You care to join?"

"You know we would-"

"It's my back. Damn thing's giving me fits," Mr. Carrigan finishes.

"Oh, well, that's a shame. Oh well, Merry Christmas."

"And to you too, dear."

"Hey, are we still on for bridge tomorrow?"

"With bells on!"

"Yes! Okay, bye!"

"Bye-bye." They smile broad fake smiles as they shut the door and their smiles drop. Mr. Carrigan drops the fruitcake and steps on it on their way back to the kitchen, hurrying into the kitchen.

"Now, where were we?" Madge says. They look at the chairs to see that the three are no longer in their chairs. The Carrigans see one of the doors close, and turn around to see the other door close too. Sam, Dean, and Y/N are each standing behind one of the doors, Y/N with Sam, as the Carrigans try to pry them. Dean pulls out a drawer to hold his door closed and goes to help Y/N and Sam. Y/N leans one hand against the door.

"What do we do now? The evergreen stakes are in the basement!" She speaks.

"Well, we need more evergreen, Guys!" Sam looks at the Christmas tree. "I think I just found us some more." Sam looks at the large cabinet next to the door. "Help me get this." The three move the cabinet in front of the door and push the Christmas tree over. They break branches from the tree to use as stakes. All is silent when they approach the kitchen door. Suddenly, Mr. Carrigan tackles Y/N to the ground, making her drop the stake. Madge walks up to Sam and Dean.

"You little things." Her face momentarily distorts. "I loved that tree." Sam and Dean raise their stakes. Madge hits Sam hard, and he crashes into the couch and onto the floor. She smacks Dean into a wall, and he falls to the floor. Mr. Carrigan punches Y/N a number of times in the face. Madge walks closer to the boys, and Dean hits her with the branches. Madge is about to attack Dean when Sam stabs her with the Christmas tree stake. Mr. Carrigan looks at his wife and screams.

"Madge!!!" Sam pushes the stake deeper, and Madge groans, while Y/N takes the opportunity and grabs her branch before hitting Mr. Carrigan in the face. Sam pushes the stake in further, and Madge falls to the floor, dead. Y/N stabs Mr. Carrigan, who screams in pain, and Y/N pulls it out and stabs him again. Mr. Carrigan lies dead, next to his wife. Sam and Dean breathe heavily, while Y/N sighs in relief. They look at the dead bodies.

"Merry Christmas," Sam says, looking at Dean and Y/N, who smile briefly and sigh.

==Flashback, 1991==

Sam is laying on his bed, asleep until he’s suddenly shaken by Dean, Y/N standing beside her twin with a smile down at Sam.

"Sam, wake up!" Dean says. Sam wakes.

"Wake up, buddy. Dad was here. Look what he brought," Y/N says. Dean and Y/N look around at a little Christmas tree, decorated with a few lights.

"Dad was here?" Sam asks.

"Yeah. Look at this. We made a killing," Sam yawns.

"Why didn't he try to wake me up?"

"He tried to, like a thousand times."

"He did?" The twins nod.

"Yeah. Did we tell you he would give us Christmas, or what?" Sam looks around.

"Go on, dive in," Y/N says. Sam jumps out of his bed and hurries to the Christmas tree. He finds two presents wrapped with Christmas-themed gift wrap, one of them has a green shiny bow. Sam sits on the couch and unwraps his first gift. Dean sits on the other end of the couch and watches, excitedly. Y/N sits on the armrest behind Dean, resting her arm on his head.

"What is it?" She asks, smiling.

"Sapphire Barbie," Dean chuckles.

"Dad probably thinks you're a girl."

"Shut up!" Sam throws the Barbie onto the ground.

"Open that one," Y/N says. Sam opens the other present and finds a cheerleading stick. His face turns into realization as he looks up at his older siblings, frowning slightly.

"Dad never showed, did he?"

"Yeah, he did, we swear."

"Guys... Where'd you get all this stuff?" Dean looks to Y/N; realizes they can't lie anymore and looks down and the two sigh.

"Nice house up the block," she says as Sam looks away.

"I swear we didn't know they were chick presents," Sam nods. "Look, I'm sure Dad would have been here if he could."

"If he's alive."

"Don't say that. Of course, he's alive. He's Dad," Sam nods and the twins look sad. Sam takes the presents he wrapped from the pocket of a jacket that is lying over the arm of the couch, holding them out to Dean and Y/N.

"Here, take these."

"No. No, they're for Dad."

"Dad lied to me. I want you two to have them," Sam continues to hold out the two gifts. Dean and Y/N look at them and at Sam.

"You sure?" Dean asks. Sam nods.

"I'm sure," The twins look at the gifts again and take them. They unwrap the gifts. Dean has a golden amulet on a black string and Y/N has a handmade bracelet with a small purple amulet.

"Y-you made this?" Y/N asks, looking up at Sam. He nods, smiling.

"I love it," she says, wrapping an arm around Sam.

"Thank you, Sam," Dean says, smiling.

"We-we love it," they say in unison. Dean puts on the necklace and Y/N puts on the bracelet.

==Flashback End==

Sam looks touched with his own memory. Ella Fitzgerald’s ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas’ plays as Dean and Y/N walk into the room. Y/N looks surprised because Sam has decorated the room with a Christmas tree and a ‘Merry Christmas’ sign.

"Hey! You two get the beer?" Sam says, holding a cup of eggnog.

"Right here," Dean says, walking over to Sam and grabs a cup of eggnog. Y/N looks amazed and smiles, eyes glazing over.

"What's all this?" She asks, looking at the decorations in the room. She looks to Dean. "Is this why you took a long time in the shop, so Sam can do this?" Dean nods.

"What do you think it is? It's - it's Christmas," Y/N looks at Sam, who lets out a deep breath.

"What made you change your mind?" Sam doesn't answer.

"Here, uh...try the eggnog," Sam gives her a cup. "Let me know if it needs some more kick," Sam holds out a bottle of whiskey. Y/N sips it, coughs, and looks surprised at the taste.

"No, we're good."

"Yeah?" Sam asks happily.

"Yeah," she says smiling. When Sam looks away, Y/N changes her expression, like it tastes toxic.

"Good. Well, uh, have a seat. Let's do...Christmas stuff, or whatever," Y/N looks at the Christmas tree, which is decorated with lights and car air fresheners, causing her to smile and chuckle a little.

"All right, first things first," Sam and Dean sit on the couch, and Y/N pulls up a chair. She takes two packages wrapped in brown paper from a plastic bag and gives one out to Sam and another to Dean. "Merry Christmas, you two." Sam and Dean smile, taking their gifts.

"Where'd you get these?"

"Someplace special," Y/N says. Sam and Dean look at her. "The gas mart down the street," the brothers laugh. "Open them up."

"Well, great minds think alike, Y/N," Sam reaches under the couch and pulls out two packages wrapped in newspaper, which he gives one to Dean and another to Y/N.

"I agree," Dean pulls out two packages himself, also wrapped up in newspaper and gives one to each of his siblings.

"Come on, let’s get these open. Sammy, you go first," Y/N says. Sam opens the gift Dean gave him, which is two porn magazines and he laughs.

"Skin mags!" Dean nods, satisfied with Sam's reaction. "and..." he opens the other gift that Y/N gave him "Shaving cream."

"You like? We wanna keep that baby face," Y/N says, laughing and Sam nods, laughing himself.

"Yeah. Yeah," Sam nods, smiling. “You next.” Dean opens up his first present, which is from Sam.

"Look at this," he lifts up a candy bar and a bottle of oil, smiling at his presents, smiling. "Fuel for me and fuel for my baby.” He opens the second present, which is from Y/N. “And a freshener?"

"My car is starting to reek of sex because of you," Y/N says and the brothers laugh.

"Your turn," Sam says, and Y/N begins opening her present. She opens the present that Sam got her, gasping.

"Marshmallows!" Y/N looks at Sam, who smiles at her. She opens the other present, which is from Dean, and laughs as she pulls out a picture.

“Look at that, Sammy in all his glory.” She turns the picture to Sam, seeing it’s the picture that Dean took on his phone of Sam asleep in the impala with a spoon in his mouth and Y/N posing with her thumbs up beside him (Hell House).

"You, uh, you like it?" Dean asks, Y/N looks at him, nodding.

“I love it! Thank you two.” Y/N says, reaching forwards to hug the two tightly. “

"Good," Sam says, a bit of sadness on his face. Y/N lifts her glass of eggnog.

"Merry Christmas, boys," she says.

"Yeah. Yeah," Dean says. The brothers lift their eggnog and make a toast with Y/N's glass "Here, Merry Christmas." The three are silent, knowing that this could be their last Christmas as the three of them. They each take a drink of their eggnog and Y/N whistles softly at the taste.

"Hey, guys, y-" Sam looks sad about to say something, but he hesitates before looking at them again.

"Do you feel like watching the game?" He asks. Y/N smiles in relief.

"Absolutely."

"All right," Sam nods. He stands up and turns on the TV. They watch the winter football, Sam and Dean glance at Y/N and she returns the glance while smiling before taking a drink of her eggnog.

[mateodoodle]

Do you have any OCs? feel free to talk about them if you do

What was the first piece of media you engaged with on the internet? Are you still interested in it?

What's something you made or did that you're proud of?

What's something that made you smile this month?

I have a few! Both are my dnd characters from different campaigns. A couple irl friends from one campaign follow me so i wont talk about Wil much but Yevga is my full-orc barbarian character and I love them so much!!! When they were a kid, their favorite rock (shaped like a bunny) was "lost" in the fae realm and when it vanished they conencted it to a loss of innocence that came with the trauma of all the fucked up stuff that happened on the same day. They finally got the rock-bunny back but are really torn up abt it not restoring that childhood innocence and happiness so they shaved their head with their greataxe and gave themselves a couple stick n poke tattoos. They used to try and be really cheerful to make up for the fact that they're really sad and scared all the time, but they're letting that go now. Yevga's siblings are a half Yuan-Ti/half elf, a half orc/half elf, and a half Yuan-Ti/half orc (or snorc, short for snake-orc) and they all have races that live much longer than full orcs so Yevga's really afraid of dying and leaving them behind

I think my first media I engaged with on the internet (don't quote me on thos my memory is VERY bad) was Percy Jackson and the Olympians. As I'm very VERY excited for thr show, I'm not just still interested in it, I will also interact with art/fics/info abt the series whenever I stumble across it, though I'm not actively seeking it out

I'm proud of every fic I published on AO3 (ImANerdAndLikeToRead) and piece of writing I've done for a class! It's shocking actually, that so little of my writing makes me feel bad about my skill since I'm generally a very self-depricative person, especially when I first started writing fics, but I poured so much love into each fic that I can't help but reread them amd think "damn... This author is great!" And it's me! It helps that I've only taken writing classes abt things I really enjoy, like short story writing or Slavic Folklore (I wrote a 1.7k fic that was ASSIGNED FOR CLASS about a werecat movie I watched in class... Bonkers)

Right before the end of the semester, I went caroling w my choir around campus. I don't do Christianity and i'm not even that big on Christmas and mostly celebrate it because my family does, but the carols are so fun and there's something so joyful about caeoling in particular that makes me feel like I'm overflowing with happiness :¬> strangers fuckin LOVE impromptu Carol of the Bells and I love to sing it, so being surrounded by dozens of strangers who took time out of their day to listen to me and my friends sing and then raucously applaud afterward... It goes to my head a little and I couldn't help but grin like a madman

Thank you so much for asking! I don't even remember if this was part of an ask game or just a fun lil reach out but I really enjoyed it! I didn't mean to take so long to answer but I was thinkin really hard abt my responses

[wayward-dreamer]

Life’s Lessons - Part 4

Title: Life’s Lessons - A Lesson in Self Control

Pairing: Mechanic!Dean x Female!Teacher!Reader (eventual)

Other Pairings: Dean x Lisa, Female!Reader x OMC – Ethan (past, mentioned)

Word Count: 6,612 (thoughts, song lyrics in italics)

Part Summary: After Charlie witnesses the looks between Dean and Y/N outside the school on Friday, she convinces Y/N they should go out for drinks. At the bar, Charlie and Y/N bond, as she opens up to Charlie about Dean but also her past. After several drinks, Y/N goes home drunk and gets a little help from a friend. The next day brings a little embarrassment, but also brings up feelings within Dean and Y/N, that they know they shouldn’t be feeling.

Warnings: Swearing, Alcohol Consumption, Mentions of cheating, Mentions of reader’s ex, Talk of Emotional Abuse, Mentions of a physical incident against reader, Drunk reader, Embarrassment, Dean being sweet (yes, that’s a warning), flirting, forbidden feelings

Music: Deeper in the Water by The Lone Bellow (playing in the background while Y/N is baking scene), Wherever I May Roam by Metallica (Dean and Y/N backyard scene).

Life’s Lessons Spotify Playlist

A/N: Thank you to everyone for your wonderful comments on this series so far! I’m so glad you’re all enjoying it! This part is a little heavier, so please read the warnings. Please share your thoughts with me, I love hearing what you all think! Happy reading and enjoy! :)

Dividers by the wonderful @firefly-graphics​! Check her out for all your AU needs!!!

Life’s Lessons Masterlist

Y/N took off her red glasses, smiling as she looked at her students. She could see them all flicking their eyes up at the clock every now and then, wondering when the bell would ring. She found it amusing as she tried not to laugh. It was Friday and they couldn’t wait to get out of there and start their weekend fun. She couldn’t wait herself, hoping to have some time for herself, call her family and maybe go see a movie.

Unfortunately for her students, they still had some time before they could leave, using that time to take the notes for the criteria set for their book reports. She watched as they all scribbled in their notebooks hurriedly, wanting to get out as soon as the bell went off.

“Make sure it’s personal to you” she told them as they wrote. “Books have a way of really affecting us, so I want you guys to choose something that really had a big effect on you.”

Some of them mumbled an “okay” while others nodded.

Suddenly, the bell rang, and they all sprung up at the same time. It was like how smaller children got excited for ice-cream.

“Alright, don’t all head out at the same time! You’ll plow each other out of the way!” she laughed.

“Sorry, Miss Y/L/N” one student called out.

“Have a great weekend, guys!” she called out in return.

Y/N walked out of the room as well, following them down the hallway and out of the school building. She smiled as students were being picked up by their parents, getting on the bus home or their bikes and riding home. She spotted a parent of one of her students notice her, walking over to her.

“Miss Y/L/N?” the woman asked.

“Yes” Y/N smiled, offering her hand.

“Oh, it’s wonderful to meet you, I’m Carol. Amy’s mom” she said, shaking Y/N’s hand.

“Wonderful to meet you, too” Y/N agreed.

“I just wanted to come and introduce myself and welcome you” Carol said, a bright, peaceful smile on her face. “I know it’s already been a couple of weeks, but I hope you’re loving Lawrence.”

Y/N nodded. “I’m definitely warming up to life here.”

“Well, Amy’s really fond of you. English is already her favorite subject but she’s so happy to have someone like you teaching it” Carol complemented her.

Y/N beamed, her heart soaring. It was always great to hear when kids enjoyed a subject and the way you taught it.

“She’s a great student, so that definitely makes it easy” Y/N told her.

Carol blushed, delighted by the complement for her daughter. “Well, we better go. I’m sure we’ll see you around.”

“Of course,” Y/N said. “It was great to meet you.”

As Carol walked away after saying goodbye, Y/N looked around as the crowds of children started to clear. She spotted Charlie and was about to walk over, when she noticed who she was talking to. Dean was leaning against his car, aviators on and laughing at something Charlie just said. Ben was sitting in the car, waiting for Dean. She didn’t realize that Charlie knew Dean too, but she really should’ve made the connection considering she knew Cas, and Cas knew Dean. She thought about going over there, but she didn’t want to interrupt them. Plus, after what happened the other night at dinner with him and Lisa, she wasn’t sure if she should go over there.

“Y/N!” she heard her redheaded friend call out and she knew she had to go over.

She smiled as she walked over, trying to prepare herself to be near Dean again. He looked so damn good in that moment, and she was finding it hard to look at him.

“Thanks to your car, I know you already know each other, so I don’t have to introduce you” Charlie laughed, as she nudged Y/N with her hand.

“Yeah.” Dean took his sunglasses off and Y/N saw that he was looking directly at her. She was suddenly nervous again.

Dean took her in, dressed in a black dress that hugged her body in just the right way. Her red glasses were tucked into the neckline of her dress, and he had a sudden urge to see her wearing them. Mind outta the gutter, man he thought to himself as he looked away from her.

“I didn’t realize you guys were friends” she said, as she stood in front of Charlie and Dean.

Charlie smiled as she looked at Dean. “Yeah, have been for years.”

“Charlie’s like the little sister I never wanted” Dean teased, smiling cheekily at her. Charlie punched him in the arm, and he laughed.

His gaze moved from her back to Y/N. He hadn’t been able to get her out of his head since the first time he met her, but even more so after what happened at her house.

Charlie noticed how Dean and Y/N were looking at each other and dropped her head, smiling without them seeing.

“I better go” he said, suddenly, putting his sunglasses back on. “Lisa finished work early and we’re going to Sid and Olivia’s for dinner.”

“Tell them I said hi” Y/N told him, trying not frown as she wished he had stayed longer.

“Sure thing” he nodded. He moved in to hug Charlie, kissing her head.

Y/N watched as Dean got into the car and drove off, the car roaring down the road. She turned to Charlie and her face dropped into a frown, when she saw her friend grinning at her.

“What?”

“You like him” Charlie stated.

Y/N stared at her in shock, before scoffing a laugh. “You’re insane.”

“On the contrary, I’m completely sane” Charlie countered. “And you denied it a little too quickly, so it has to be true.”

“Charlie…” Y/N trailed off, not knowing how to respond to that.

“I think we need to get a drink together” Charlie suggested. “We haven’t gotten a chance to hang out outside of work yet.”

Y/N grinned. “Sounds great.”

“Tonight?” Charlie asked.

“Name a time and place, and I’m there” Y/N responded quickly. She was excited to go out and see what Lawrence was like on a Friday night. She knew it wouldn’t be much for a small town, but she also knew she needed to know how the nightlife was here.

“Ditch the rental at home and I’ll pick you up” Charlie said, as she started to walk away. “I’ll be there at 7!”

“See you soon!” Y/N called out as they both made their way back in to collect their belongings, before they headed home.

When she got home, Y/N relaxed for a while before she needed to get ready. She freshened up and got dressed into black ripped skinny jeans and a dark mustard sweater. She put on her black heeled ankle boots, ran a straightener through her hair quickly to get the kinks of the school day out and applied light make-up. She picked up her black leather jacket and her bag, just in time when she heard two quick honks of a car horn. She picked up her keys and walked out, closing the door behind her. She walked down the porch steps and smiled at Charlie as she walked over, getting into the car.

Y/N and Charlie made their way to the town square, lined with shops and some restaurants. Deciding they were hungry too; they grabbed a quick bite to eat. Conversation over at the diner mainly consisted of work and minor things, because Y/N had a feeling Charlie wanted to talk about personal things over drinks. After they ate, they walked down the street and past a couple of dive bars, the loud music and chatter filtering out to the streets. She felt better knowing there was something going on in this town and that it wasn’t as sleepy as a place like Rhinebeck. Though Rhinebeck did have its own charms.

Y/N followed Charlie, arriving at the place where they sat at the bar. She and Charlie sat on the bar stools, the bartender immediately coming over to them.

“What can I get you, ladies?” he asked, smiling at them.

“Gin and tonic, please” Charlie replied, smiling back.

Y/N thought it over for a second before she replied. “A vodka martini.”

“Sure thing” he muttered before moving down the bar to mix the drinks.

Y/N and Charlie both took their jackets off, settling in. The bartender put their respective drinks in front of them and then went to serve other customers. Charlie picked up her glass and turned to Y/N.

“To surviving your first two weeks” she said, smiling.

“Well, thanks for making it easy for me to settle in” Y/N smiled back, clinking her glass against hers. “I really mean it. You and Cas have really helped me and supported me, so… thank you.”

“No need to thank” Charlie waved her off, taking a sip of her drink. “So… let’s get to the real reason we’re here…”

“Oh god” Y/N groaned.

“Oh yeah” Charlie smirked. “You like Dean.”

Y/N laughed a little to herself. She didn’t beat around the bush, this one.

“Yeah. I do” Y/N admitted, feeling slightly relieved to say it out loud. “At first, I really just thought it was a crush, something that would just go away after a couple of days. Then… then the butterflies stuck around and they’re not going away. Every time I see him… I just want to be near him. All the time. I know two weeks is way too soon to be feeling like this about someone I just met, but-” she explained but Charlie shook her head, cutting in.

“I don’t think the length of time matters to Oxytocin” Charlie advised her.

“I’m not quite at the love stage yet. In fact, I hope I never get there because that’s going to get me into trouble” Y/N countered.

“Which is unfortunate because I think you two would be adorable together” Charlie confessed, a guilty grin on her face.

“What?” Y/N scoffed, not quite believing what she just heard.

“I’m sorry, it’s just… the way he was looking at you, even just for a few seconds, I haven’t seen him like that in a really long time” Charlie said, a sad smile on her face.

“Oh god” Y/N groaned, her face dropping into her hands. “Charlie, what are you doing to me?!”

“I know, I know” Charlie shook her head, not knowing what else to say.

“I can’t” Y/N shook her head, taking a large sip of her martini.

“I know, and I wasn’t telling you to go for it at all. I’m sorry” Charlie apologized, sipping her drink.

“It’s okay” Y/N reassured her, patting her back. Once they had both calmed down, Y/N turned to her friend. “Oh, they came over for dinner on Monday. I wanted to thank Dean about the car, and he came over with Lisa.”

“Really?” Charlie asked, a little shocked. “She actually came over?”

Y/N nodded. “Seemed like she didn’t want to be there, though. I mean, she was okay, she didn’t say much, which I don’t really care about, but she was kind of cold with Dean.”

Y/N looked at Charlie and saw that she looked like she wanted to say something but was contemplating whether she should or not.

“Okay, look…” Charlie started, trying to find her next words carefully. “I’m just going to tell you this, and it’s in no way saying that you have to do something, I just think you need to know, now that you’ve brought this up.”

“Okay…” Y/N didn’t know where she was going with this, but she listened anyway.

“Dean and Lisa have never been good for each other. They had a one-night thing, it was great for both of them, but that’s where it should’ve ended. Things were fine at the start, but once they got past the one-year mark, is when things started turning. Two years in, it got pretty bad. I mean, Dean doesn’t know for sure… but he thinks that she might’ve slept with someone else when she went home to visit her family. Things haven’t been right for a while now. Between not trusting her and them fighting at the drop of a hat all the time… it should’ve ended a year ago” Charlie explained.

“Wow” Y/N sighed, shaking her head.

“The only time we see him happy is when he’s at work or when he’s with us and she’s not around. Hell, I don’t particularly think she likes any of us, and we’ve tried really hard to include her. She never really wanted to do anything with us and would only come out with Dean if she wanted to prove things were okay. After a while, we just stopped trying to get her to like us” Charlie went on.

Y/N couldn’t imagine anyone not liking Charlie or Cas. “Seriously?”

Charlie nodded, a glint of anger behind her eyes. “She’s never encouraged him with the business, she’s always put him down for his choice in friends. She claims it’s to make him see that he’s better than them, but she’s just forcing him to think things he never would.”

There was a long silence between them, as Y/N processed everything Charlie just told her. She and Charlie were only just starting to become friends, so she could’ve easily said she didn’t believe her. She did, though. Charlie looked genuinely hurt, which meant everything was true.

“Fuck” Y/N whispered.

“Yeah” Charlie said, raising her eyebrows. “Dean’s generally a happy, care-free guy but for over a year now, I know he’s been hurting. He just hides it behind his larger than life personality. I just want to see him as his old self again. He thinks that if he stays, maybe things will just fix themselves, but they won’t. They haven’t yet and they certainly won’t the longer he stays in this relationship.”

“Wow” Y/N sighed again.

“So, that’s all I want to say” Charlie finished. “I’m not saying you have to do anything about it, but I want you know the reality, and maybe not hate yourself so much for having the thoughts you’ve been having.”

Y/N nodded. Hearing it made her feel slightly better, but worse now that she knew what he was going through.

Another silence fell between them as Y/N thought about everything Charlie said.

“It scares me” Y/N looked down into her glass, shaking her head. “Feeling something so quickly for someone I just met. I’ve never felt a connection like this before. Not even with Ethan.”

“Ethan?” Charlie asked, confusion written on her face.

Y/N bit her lip. She didn’t realize she had never mentioned him to Charlie. “My ex.”

Charlie nodded slowly, immediately understanding. “I’m guessing things didn’t end well if you’re so far away from New York.”

“No, they did not” Y/N muttered after a sip of her drink. “He uh… he was really controlling of me. He’d tell me how I shouldn’t dress up and be too revealing, but then somehow… somehow, he’d tell me that I didn’t try hard enough either, that I wasn’t attractive enough. My job wasn’t good enough. I… I wasn’t good enough. I didn’t… I didn’t think it was something that was a problem, no matter how much anyone told me it was. I thought he’d… he’d say the things he did because he just wanted me to be better, but it was to stroke his own ego.”

“Scumbag” Charlie muttered; her face morphed into anger.

“Yeah” Y/N laughed, bitterly. “I couldn’t see it until the night he hurt me. I thought he was doing those things because he loved me, but love isn’t making a person hate themselves to make yourself feel better.”

“You said he hurt you…” Charlie trailed off, worried that she’d uncover feelings that Y/N had buried.

“Just once, he pushed me and I ended up in hospital with a concussion” Y/N said, her words choking around the lump in her throat. “Once I was better, my parents helped me get my things out of his apartment. It wasn’t an easy transition; I kept seeing him everywhere. I tried to get a restraining order against him, but his family had money and probably paid someone off, so he never got charged with one. He eventually left with his new girlfriend, but that didn’t mean it got better for me. It took some time, a year of therapy before I left, but I realized that I wasn’t going to let anyone do that to me ever again. That place… I didn’t want to leave my family but there was too much of him there. So… now I’m here.”

“I’m glad you are. Y/N, you’re… shit, you’re fucking amazing and I hate that someone made you feel like you’re not” Charlie said, quietly, her eyes watery.

“I really know how to tell a story, huh?” Y/N jested, trying to lighten the mood again, as she blinked to keep her tears from falling.

“I’m glad you told me, that you could trust me with that” Charlie said, a small, empathetic smile playing at her lips.

“I’m sorry” Y/N shook her head, feeling awful at her sudden confession of her past. “I shouldn’t have brought it up when we’re here to have a good time.”

Charlie took her hand in hers. “No, please don’t apologize. I really am glad that you did. I’m so glad I know you.”

Y/N smiled at her. She knew Charlie would hear the story and wouldn’t pity her but be there for her and listen. She held Charlie’s hand, squeezing it. She was glad to have met the woman sitting in front of her.

“You know… Dean would never do that to you, right? To anyone” Charlie told her.

Y/N nodded, closing her eyes. “I know. I don’t know how I know, but I just see him, and I know that he’d never do that.”

“And that’s what scares you, right? That he’d never do that, that you feel so much and that he’s with someone else?” Charlie asked.

Y/N looked at her and didn’t say anything. Her face said it all. Charlie just nodded, before taking the last sip of her drink.

“I need another drink” Y/N said with a small chuckle, having finished her martini.

Charlie just smiled as she flagged down the bartender.

Another drink turned into two more after that. Y/N understood what Charlie said clearly, but that didn’t mean she was going to take the words and run with them. Why risk everything on what could just be a crush? She was wrong, 2 weeks was absolutely a ridiculous amount of time to suddenly fall for someone. She was overthinking things.

She was thankful when Charlie dropped the subject of Dean, having said what she needed to about how she felt towards Lisa, knowing Y/N would interpret everything the way she needed to. She also felt a huge pressure lift off her chest when she told Charlie about what happened with Ethan. It had been a year since the break-up and since she had started therapy. Her last session before she left had left her feeling relieved. Coming to Lawrence had been the best decision, even with her situation with Dean. Charlie was amazing and was glad she spoke up and told someone who she really trusted.

They eventually moved onto talking Charlie and Dorothy and Y/N found the redhead incredibly cute in that moment, as she gushed about her girlfriend.

Y/N knew that once the fourth martini went down, she had to get home. She was well and truly drunk and all she wanted to do was sleep it off. Just forget them ever talking about Dean.

As they left the bar, she stumbled slightly as they walked down the road. She needed to get an Uber and be alone in her thoughts now, her mind reeling with their conversation but vodka, too.

“Are you sure I can’t take you home?” Charlie asked, concern all over her face.

Y/N chuckled as she shook her head. “I’m sure, I’ll be fine.”

“Okay” Charlie agreed, reluctantly. “Message me as soon as you get home.”

An Uber quickly pulled up a few moments after she called it, and Y/N got in. She smiled and waved at Charlie. “Thanks for tonight.”

“You’re welcome. I’ll see you Monday” Charlie smiled.

Y/N leaned back against the seat, looking out the window. She really didn’t need man drama while she settled into a new town. She had had enough of it back home in her previous relationship, that one almost ruining her mental state. She was still recovering, even if had been a year since they broke up. Memories of him and imagining him around town, even after he left, were what made her decide to leave too. The last thing she needed was to be with someone. That being said, someone could argue with her that it was time to move on and find something better, something more meaningful.

Well, that something would have to come from somewhere else because it sure as hell wasn’t going to come from Dean. As much as she was attracted to him, he was with someone. No matter how unhappy the relationship was. Her mind floated to something Charlie told her. That it was possible that Lisa cheated on Dean.

He was sweet and caring, nurturing and compassionate. Gorgeous as hell and insanely hilarious. Who could ever cheat on him? People had their flaws, but that didn’t mean you give up on a person. His flaws couldn’t be as bad as her ex’s.

The Uber pulled up outside her house. Y/N steadied herself as much as she could as she got out. The car pulling up caught the attention of Dean, however, as he was sitting on the front porch, beer in hand. He watched as Y/N stumbled up the stairs of her porch and tried to open the door to her house.

Dean put his beer down on the stoop and got up from the stairs, walking across the street. As he walked up her porch stairs, Y/N turned around and smiled at him, indicating to Dean that she was quite drunk.

“Dean” she slurred happily, her eyes sparkling.

He tried not to laugh as he walked over to her. “Doing okay there, sweetheart?”

“Sure am” she giggled in her drunken state. “Just trying to get my door open.”

Dean watched as she tried to put the key in but kept missing the keyhole. He stepped forward and took the key from her hand, putting it into the lock and opening the door with ease.

“Thanks” she beamed.

As she went to walk through the threshold, her foot caught the edge and she stumbled. With quick reflexes, Dean caught her arm and pulled her into his body.

“Whoa, Y/N” he exclaimed, cradling her to his body.

She let out a loud cackling laugh, completely unaware of her near injury. Knowing that this wasn’t going to end well if she kept at it by herself, Dean bent down and lifted her legs up as he cradled her body. He lifted her into his arms as he carried her into the house, trying not to dwell on how good she felt in his arms.

“Ooh” she gasped, as her arms wrapped around his neck. “You’re very strong, Dean.”

She couldn’t help but lean her head on his shoulder, the intoxicating scent of cologne driving her crazy.

He ignored that as he walked down the hallway and into her bedroom.

Dean gulped as he looked around, the realization that he shouldn’t be standing in her bedroom hitting him suddenly. He quickly walked to the bed and laid her down, watching her eyes flutter as the alcohol she had consumed took control.

“Have to… have to text Charlie” she mumbled, the alcohol making her sleepy.

Ah, so that’s who she went out with he thought as he took off her shoes and pulled the covers over her.

He picked up her bag and fished around quickly, finding her phone. He didn’t look in, knowing that a woman’s handbag had things in there he had no business seeing.

Y/N unlocked her phone and handed it to him, flinging her head back to her pillow.

Dean bit back a laugh as he messaged Charlie as Y/N.

Hey, made it home safe. Thanks for tonight.

He added that in because if she was this drunk, then clearly she had a great time with his friend. Who wouldn’t?

Dean placed her phone on the nightstand and was about to walk away when he heard her stir.

“You’re really sweet, Dean” she mumbled, only one eye looking up at him as her face was smooshed to her pillow. “Why can’t all guys be like you?”

Dean shook his head. She was really out of it. “I wouldn’t say that, Y/N. I’m not someone to be compared to.”

“I think you are” she said, a soft smile on her face. “I think you’re something special, Dean Winchester.”

A smile spread on his face, but it dropped quickly. She wouldn’t remember saying it in the morning, so it was best not to dwell on it.

“Goodnight, Y/N” he whispered.

“I could get used to you in my life” she whispered, as she drifted off into slumber.

Dean felt a pang in his heart at her words. She may have been drunk, but it had been a while since someone had something like that to him. He couldn’t let her words affect him like that, though. He was with someone else and he needed to make that work again.

Dean slowly walked out of her room and back down the hall. He took out his wallet and took out the Advil tablets he kept in there, leaving them by her coffee machine. He picked up a napkin and quickly scribbled a note on it, before leaving her house. Hopefully she wouldn’t remember all of that in the morning and they could avoid the awkwardness that would follow.

The sunlight from the windows streamed into Y/N’s room. It warmed the covers she was wrapped in, causing her to stir. She groaned as she lifted her head, feeling the heaviness of last night’s drinking session with Charlie. She sat in bed as she tried to recall what happened last night. Her eyes widened as she remembered, everything quickly rushing to her head.

Dean had helped her into the house. Dean had most likely helped her into bed. Dean had been in her bedroom.

She couldn’t remember if any words had been exchanged. Had she said anything that would cause her embarrassment?

Y/N slowly got out of bed and picked up her robe, wrapping it around herself. She picked up her phone and walked out of her bedroom, into the kitchen, as she needed coffee as soon as humanly possible. She looked at the time. It was 10 in the morning. She had really been knocked out last night. She walked over to her coffee machine and was about to start filling it, when she noticed something out of the corner of her eye.

A slip of Advil tablets and a note laid next to the machine. She smiled as she picked up the note, scribbled in all-caps.

HOPE YOUR HEAD DOESN’T HATE YOU TOO MUCH IN THE MORNING.

-D

Her stomach flipped as she bit her lip, reading over the note again. She liked his handwriting. It said so much about him.

She quickly took the Advil before she made her coffee and breakfast, two eggs and a little bacon. You had to have bacon on a Saturday morning, especially if you were hungover. That’s what she felt.

The rest of her afternoon consisted of paying bills and doing some work for her classes, once her head was feeling slightly better. She made a mental note to actually go see a movie next week with Charlie. Maybe they could invite Cas’s girlfriend along, as she was dying to meet Meg. After doing her work for the day, she decided to do a little baking. Saturday afternoon baking was something she did often back home, and she wanted to keep that going here in her new house.

Y/N decided on making an apple pie, one of her favorites. As she got all the ingredients together, she decided to make two, wanting to take one over to Dean as a thank you for helping her last night. Hopefully he liked pie. She turned on one of her softer playlists, as cooking or baking needed some kind of music in the background and something soft was good for her head right now.

An hour later as The Lone Bellow graced her ears, she took out two beautifully golden pies from the oven. She put them on the kitchen bench and went to shower, having still been in the same clothes from last night.

Once she was freshened up, she walked out in dark blue skinny jeans, a white tank top and a pink and white plaid shirt over the top. She took a red and white checked cloth and wrapped it around one of the pies, making sure it stayed warm as she walked over. Slipping her phone into her back pocket, she shrugged on a light jacket to shield her from the light breeze. It was starting to get colder and she wondered what winter would be like here.

Y/N left her house and walked over to Dean and Lisa’s, pie in hand. She was a little nervous and hoped that Lisa wouldn’t be there, so that she could talk to Dean alone. She was slightly ashamed of herself; he was technically a parent of a child she was teaching, and he saw her drunk. She really hated herself for it and hoped that they could talk and come to an understanding.

She quickly walked up the porch steps and rang their doorbell. She waited patiently for a few seconds, before she rang the bell again. Again, she didn’t hear anyone coming for the door. Even the Impala wasn’t in the driveway. They had probably gone out as a family. As she walked back down the porch steps, she heard some music and clinking sounds coming from the back of the house. Wondering if maybe Dean was at home, she walked around the corner to their backyard, the sounds of Metallica’s Wherever I May Roam becoming louder as she got closer. The sight that greeted her caused her eyes to widen and her heart to beat wildly in her chest.

Dean was leaning over the engine of his car with the hood open. He was wearing blue jeans that hung on his hips in the most perfect way, highlighting his cute butt. His dark grey t-shirt defined his physique, the material stretching across his chest and biceps. His arms and face were covered in grease from the car, but that only added to the hotness he was showing at that point. When he turned around and noticed her, he smirked which just killed her dead on the spot.

“Hey, I didn’t hear ya coming out here” he said, walking over to her, turning the music down a little as he walked past his little radio.

She blinked a few times, trying to get out of the trance he put her in. “I rang the bell a few times but then I heard you out here.”

He nodded as he jerked his head towards the car. “Yeah, I gotta work on her from time to time, make sure she’s still runnin’ properly.”

“Well, she’s gorgeous. I wouldn’t want her to fade away either, if I was you” she smiled.

He smirked as he looked at his priced possession. “Dad would tear me a new one if I ever did.”

She laughed a little before a silence fell between them, only the sounds of the song being heard.

And the road becomes my bride And the road becomes my bride I have stripped of all but pride So in her I do confide And she keeps me satisfied Gives me all I need And with dust in throat I crave Only knowledge will I save To the game you stay a slave

Now was as good a time as to bring up what she needed to.

“Dean, I just wanted to say thank you for helping me last night” she started but he waved her off.

“Don’t mention it, sweetheart” he smiled.

He really had to stop calling her that if she was ever going to get anywhere with this. If only he knew what that did to her.

“I know it might’ve felt like just a nice gesture, and it was, but… Dean, I’m really ashamed and I really, really hope you don’t see me differently now” she confessed.

Dean frowned, not sure what she meant. “Why would I do that?”

“It’s just that… I’m a teacher, and I’m supposed to be a certain way. You’re practically a parent to a child in my class, and you shouldn’t be seeing me like that, like how I was last night-” she rambled but the feel of his hands on her shoulders stopped her.

“Y/N, it’s really okay. I’d never tell anyone about that. I mean, shit. You gotta let loose once and a while, too. Maybe someone else would judge you for that, but I never would” he told her, his voice calming her.

“But-” Dean shook his head when she protested.

“Honestly, Y/N. It’s fine. That’s just between you and me. Okay?” he reassured her.

She sighed in relief. “Okay.”

“Good” he winked at her.

Her lips pressed into a thin line as she looked down, trying not to think about that wink.

“It’s just… I didn’t say anything stupid to you, did I? If I did, I’m so sorry” she apologized.

Dean remembered everything she said last night. It had kept him up for an hour and a half as her words circled around in his thoughts.

“Nope” he lied. “Though you did mutter something about finding Christopher Walken sexy.”

Y/N eyes widened. “What?!”

Dean guffawed loudly, shaking his head. “Oh my god, you should see your face.”

She reached up and smacked his arm, causing a small “ah” to leave his lips but he kept on laughing, as he rubbed his arm.

“You’re such an ass” she shook her head, trying not to smile at the sound of his laugh.

His laughter died down as he composed himself. “That was too easy.”

“I don’t think you deserve this pie now” she gestured to the wrapped-up dish in her hands.

His eyes lit up as he looked between her and what was in her hand. “Pie? You-you made me a pie?”

“Yeah, I did, as a thank you for last night but I don’t think I want to give it to you now” she pretended to be upset, riling him up.

“Y/N…” he said, looking her right in the eyes. “Please.”

Jesus. She was putty in his hands. This wasn’t good. She couldn’t do this with him. In that moment, all she could do was hand over the pie with a polite smile. She couldn’t let him think that she was wanted to keep going on this banter of theirs. That was dangerous and she wouldn’t be that person.

She quickly handed it over. “Since you asked so nice.”

His eyes and smile grew brighter, as he giddily lifted one corner of the cloth and smelt the cinnamon and apple.

His eyes rolled back as he moaned lightly. “Damn, that smells amazing. Thanks, Y/N. Seriously.”

“You’re welcome” she said, laughing slightly at his reaction. “I take it you like pie.”

“Like?” he scoffed. “More like obsessed.”

“Good to know” she giggled as she watched him take another whiff. “I better go.”

“Oh, before I forget. Your car should be ready on Wednesday” he told her.

She smiled with a sigh of relief. “Amazing, thank you.”

“So, I’ll see you at the shop on Wednesday” he said, his thumbs rubbing over the cloth around the pie. He was itching to dig into it.

“Yeah” she nodded. “Bye, Dean.”

“Bye. Thanks again” he lifted the pie as he thanked her.

Y/N smiled as she walked away, rounding the corner and disappearing.

As soon as she was gone, Dean walked into the house and put the pie on the kitchen counter. He washed his hands and wiped them down, his mouth salivating as the delicious scent of the pie wafted through the kitchen. He opened a drawer and took out a fork, unfolding the cloth from around the pie dish. He licked his lips he looked down at it, stabbing his fork in and digging up a big bite. He blew on it and shoved it into his mouth. The flavors exploded as he closed his eyes in delight.

“Fuck, that’s good” he mumbled to himself as he swallowed down the mouthful.

It had to be the best pie he had ever had, not including his mother’s because that wasn’t a fair fight. Did Y/N really have to be so perfect that she made an amazing pie, too? How the hell was he supposed to stay away from her if she did things like this?

You just have to he thought as he wrapped the pie up again, for later. You can’t keep doing what you’re doing with her.

If this was ever going to remain friendly, then he had to stop turning on the charm, even if that was second nature to him. She made everything so easy. Things hadn’t been easy for him in a long time.

Between what she said in her drunken state to him (she may have been drunk, but she still said it. So, it had to be true, right?) and now bringing him this pie, it was getting harder to resist her. He knew was starting to feel something for her, even if it had only been a couple of weeks. He hadn’t felt like this since the first time he was with Lisa. Once they actually got together, the spark fizzled out quite quickly as comfortability took over. Now, even that wasn’t there.

Maybe it’s only meant to be comfortable. Maybe the spark isn’t meant to stay as you get comfortable with your partner. Though, that didn’t seem right to him. If you were really in love, then wouldn’t the spark stick around?

He had never been more confused about what to do, but he knew what the right thing was. It was to stick it out with Lisa, and that’s what he needed to do.

No matter how much he thought about Y/N.

As Y/N walked towards her house, her smiled dropped. What happened back there wasn’t just a friendly neighborhood chat. That was more. Much more. That was something two people did when they’re getting to know each other as more than friends. That was banter and flirting and messing around with each other with silly jokes. There were looks that made her tingle all over, and polite words that comforted her.

He made everything so easy. What she was beginning to feel for him was so much more than what she had felt before. This feeling wasn’t even there the first time she met Ethan. She knew she was fooling herself when she said this was just a little crush.

As she entered her house, Y/N was determined.

Dean Winchester was not going to have an effect on her.

He just wasn’t.

-x-

Tags: @flamencodiva​ @deanwanddamons​ @winchest09​ @katehuntington​ @akshi8278​ @hobby27​ @michellethetvaddict​ @spngirl05​ @kyjey​ @halesandy​ @440mxs-wife​ @stoneyggirl​ @deanswaywardgirl​ @wonder-cole​ @that-one-gay-girl​ @redbarn1995​ @marianita195​ @babypink224221​ @deans-baby-momma​ @parinarain​ @thoughts-and-funnies​ @mandalou29​ @castiels-a-winchester​ @perpetualabsurdity​

[pandor-pandorkful]

Gay SKULMUST to You and Yours

I wanna decorate but I don’t wanna deal with the nebulous resentful feelings of “I basically rejected chistianity when i was 5* (*children’s service or whatever when they made the kids go up front to get churched on during holiday service instead of letting us play in the basement, that was like baby’s first social anxiety trauma for me. and made me the godless heathen i am today.) and never looked back and also I loath the capitalist connotations of the holiday” and also I don’t really have decorations besides my homosexual glittlerbombed tree that I’ve had out all year because moving is hard and it makes me happy to see it sparkle rainbowly.

so I guess I’m making up my own holiday, Plaguemas is maybe too on the nose... while I was writing this I was gonna call it SKULLMAS, but while searching to make sure that wasn’t already a thing didn’t bring up much I felt like it was still too... idk. Obvious?

So I’m calling it SKULMUST (all caps, all the time) after skulls and my favorite (and hard to get in the US) soda, julmust! (The “must” loosely translates to unfermented fruit or juice, so I guess I’m calling my fake holiday “skull juice” hahaha) Because I mainly have glitter and halloween decorations. And I’m not buying more decorations.

Pandor’s SKULMUST Manifesto(? jk it’s a bulleted list)

SKULMUST is for anyone who wants to appreciate some cheesy x-mas vibes, but rejects the religious and capitalist connotations of Christmas

SKULMUST is for anyone who wants Halloween to be a 4 to 6+ month holiday instead of one day a year

SKULMUST is for anyone who is getting tired of MERRY CRISIS all the time and just wants to feel a little happy, as a treat.

SKULMUST begins whenever the first store decides to start putting out the halloween decorations (the earliest I’ve seen is mid May) and ends when you get bored with it. (This sounds like it goes against the anti-capitalist sentiment I laid out prior, but it’s mainly 1. irony and 2. just admit it, you celebrate the pumpkin watch every year and you know it.)

SKULMUST encourages recycling and crafting to make your decorations, only buy more supplies if you really need them and only support small independent businesses

SKULMUST has no dress requirements but one: WEAR A FUCKING MASK*. Other than than that, create your own SKULMUST costume vibe! Ugly sweaters + general Gothiness + Dickensian Victorian floof + early 2000′s Emo mall kid... listen to your heart and go buckwild. (*in SKULMUST future, when we’ve presumably gotten rid of this plague, wear masks in remembrance.)

Entertainment of SKULMUST: Muppets Christmas Carol (preferably a copy that doesn’t cut Belle’s song), Whisper of the Heart (Ghibli’s love letter to depressed young creatives and a damn fine film), Metropolis (1927) or Metropolis (2001). MST3K S05E21. And like I guess Nightmare Before Christmas, if you wanna like be obvious.

Spirit of SKULMUST: If you have the means, donate to a non-shitty charity or directly to anyone who’s having a rough time. Make Charles Dickens proud.

Decorations of SKULMUST : Primarily up to your own tastes, but the general thesis of SKULMUST is the blatant unholy marriage of skulls and skeletons to garlands and wreaths, but like also GAY. (You don’t HAVE to be gay yourself to celebrate SKULMUST, but I am gay. So like, as the creator of this bogus holiday, I sez the decorations gotta have that vibe. I will relax the “don’t buy stuff” rule to allow emergency December Diamonds ornament purchases.) Do you have a motion activated screeching rat decoration? Put a santa hat on it’s head. Or whatever! You keep SKULMUST in your way, and I’ll keep it in mine! But yeah like regardless of your background, you’ve got a skull. Embrace the skull, celebrate the skull. Glam up some skulls!

Slogans of SKULMUST : Gay SKULMUST to You! Queer Tidings! WEAR A MASK AND SOCIAL DISTANCE THIS SKULMUST! An isolated and weird SKULMUST to all! (I need suggestions for more, they just need to be primarily LGBTQIA+ and plague punny.)

Ok I’ve spent way longer on this and thought too deeply about SKULMUST than I intended. Gonna go dig thru some boxes and make a SKULMUST wreath now. Or go to bed. I got sleepy!

[johannstutt413]

(requested by anonymous; continuing from this)

“So...” The Doctor ran a finger along W’s antenna as they were lying on the couch, watching TV. “Any plans tonight?”

The Sarkaz yawned. “I’ve had nothing on my mind for the past three hours, so...no, no plans. Is there something special about today?”

“Maybe not. I think we’re at a year of this, though.” He finally got her to twitch, and it made him chuckle.

“A year?” The mercenary leaned back to give him a look. “You’re keeping track?”

He nodded. “I know you didn’t celebrate many things like this, but I think it’s an achievement worth noting.”

“That you survived this long chained to me?” She flashed him a teasing smirk.

“That you haven’t left yet.” The Doctor returned with a sadder smile. “I thought you’d be sick of me by now.”

W sighed and turned herself around to look at him head-on. “I know I give you shit all the time, but that’s because I’m a shit person. Don’t get it twisted - you’re the best thing I’ve got going for me by a long shot.”

“I’ll take the compliment, but there’s plenty about you to love.”

“...Alright, I’ll bite.” The Sarkaz gave him a peck on the cheek before going back to giving him a curious stare. “What do you love about me? It’s gotta be something big to want me to stick around.”

He poked her in the chest. “At least two of them, for starters. The cafeteria’s doing wonders for you in that department.”

“My eyes are up here.” Mid-protest, though, she did press against him more.

“I’ve made my choice,” he replied, looking through her eyes and into her soul. “Before I heard your voice, I saw you on the battlefield, so forgive this old pervert his sins. That wasn’t what sold me on you, though.”

She gasped overdramatically. “But how could that be!”

“Because the first time I saw you, you weren’t laughing.” The Doctor waited for her to react to that comment.

“You like my laugh?” The mercenary snickered. “Alright, I didn’t expect that.”

He leaned his head forward. “I don’t like your laugh, Dubbs - I love it. You can tell a lot about a person by their laugh, and yours is pure and utter chaos, like listening to the fallout of an explosion fall to earth. The fact I get to hear it so much is an absolute blessing.”

“Wow. Laying it on thick there, babe.” It was working on her, admittedly; she’d never call him babe under normal circumstances.

“Am I wrong, though?” The Doctor chuckled himself. “You spoke to my soul with that first laugh, that siren song, that carol of apocalyptic bells and trumpets calling my name and yelling expletives at me all the while. Ahhh~ Precious.”

It was far too surreal and sincere to mock, but…“Wild. You’re literally the only person who thinks of it that way.”

“And that’s why I’m so confident you’re mine forever; no one else understands.”

“You’re right there.” W let her head fall against his chest. “So...one year, huh?”

He went back to playing with her antennae. “One whole year of the two of us as a couple. Hard to believe?”

“I expected Rhodes Island to crash and burn before coming this far...I got you something.”

“You did?” That legitimately threw him for a loop. “You were keeping track, then?”

The Sarkaz shook her head. “Like you said, I don’t celebrate things like this...but I remember how I felt the day you inverted my world, and not long after when you set me right-side up again, and I was thinking about it when I went to the store today.”

“Ah, gotcha. Well, now you’ve got me all excited.” The Doctor flashed her one of his own trademark grins. She’d never seen them before they’d gotten together; now, it was impossible not to at least once a day.

“Good; I’ll only say this once, and if you ever lose your memory again, I doubt I’ll have the wherewithal to do it again.” She took a short but deep breath and set a small box on her head. “Here.”

...Well, now he knew at least a little of what it’d felt like when she’d realized the old Doctor was well and truly gone. “Dubbs-”

“Do you understand how foreign this is to me? Not that I purchased a ring, I’ve bought them before for my grenade pins, but that I purchased a ring because I needed this? Because I need you? Sentimentality goes against everything I learned, everything the world beat into me over and over again. The only person I knew who gave a damn about any of this stuff was Her, and She...She told me that all it took was finding one person who I wanted to hold onto forever, and then I’d get it. I laughed at her when she told me that, but she was right - I get it. So, how about it? We made it one year like this; wanna try for a lifetime?” The mercenary watched him intently, waiting for him to answer. There were only two possibilities, after all-

“If I told you I forgot we weren’t married,” he admitted sheepishly, “what would you say?”

What would she say? “You forgot?”

“I thought we’d already gone to the courthouse and signed stuff. Unless...” His eyes went wide.

“Doctor?” There was an edge in her voice. “That sounds like a memory.”

The Doctor rubbed his eyes. “I...But I see you standing there.”

“Believe me, I’d remember doing that, and we definitely haven’t.”

“I believe you, I really do.” He shook his head. “Well, I know where I’m going tonight.”

All the anger that’d suddenly thrust its way to the front of her mind evaporated. “Tonight?”

“Like I said, I honestly thought we’d already signed off and everything. I want things set to right as quickly as possible, and since I’m the Doctor, I can get away with shit like this. Wanna come to the courthouse with me?” His hand drifted up her antenna, along the back of her neck, and down her spine to her waist.

“I...Might as well.” She glanced down at what she was wearing. “Should I change?”

He shrugged. “I’m not.”

“You’re wearing slippers, then?” Typical Doctor move.

“Nah, you’re right, this is a special occasion.” The Doctor sighed. “We should go change, then. I finally have a reason to wear that suit.”

W remembered the suit he was talking about, and her eyes started to sparkle. “You’d better not try to get out of this now that you’ve said that.”

“Does that sound like something I would do to you?”

“...No.” She sat up so she could properly yank him into a kiss. “No, it doesn’t.”

[aion-rsa]

Best Romantic Movies on Netflix

https://ift.tt/3a6cb9I

Romance movies are not that different from horror movies. Both are incredibly hard to pull off, are heavily watched during a cold time of year, and hopefully end with every character covered in blood.

With that in mind we present to you a list of the best romantic movies on Netflix. Because romance deserves it, damn it. Virtually every song ever written is a love song but poor romance can’t get a fair shake at the movies. Whether it be a rom-com or just a straight-up soul-enlightening/crushing romance, our list of the best romantic movies on Netflix will get you back in touch with your cold, dead heart.

Set It Up

Set It Up is Netflix’s most accomplished original romantic comedy yet.

Zoey Deutch and Glen Powell star as overworked assistants Harper and Charlie. Harper is an assistant to Kirsten (Lucy Liu) the woman behind a sports media empire. Charlie works for finance maven Rick (Taye Diggs). Harper and Charlie realize that their respective workloads might lesson if their bosses were more focused on their love life and less focused on work. So they…set them up.

Set It Up is a fun, novel high-concept romance movie positively filled with chemistry on all sides.

Outside In

We embrace every kind of love on our list of the best romance movies. Sometimes that includes some questionable, and some would say “icky” kind of love. So…Outside In is a teacher-student romance. But don’t panic! It’s ok.

Jay Duplas stars as Chris, a man who was wrongly imprisoned at age 18 and who is relased at age 38. When Chris is released, he immediately meets up with his old high school teacher, Carol (Edie Falco), who was his penpal when he was in prison. He wastes little time before he declares his love for her.

Despite its subject matter, Outside In is a mature, well-handled exploration of love and what it means to love someone for themselves as opposed to what they do for us.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

With a name as long as The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, the movie better be good to justify how many times we poor cultural commenters must type it out. Thankfully Guernsey is quite good!

Based on a book by the same name, Guernsey is a historical love story set in 1946. Lily James stars as British writer Juliet Ashton. Juliet begins exchanging letters with residents of the islands of Guernsey, which was under German occupation in WWII (so like two years before the movie starts). While there she meets the dashing Dawsey Adams (Michael Huisman) and romance begins to blossom.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is an excellent, watchable classical romance

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before

Oh hey! Another Netflix original with a long title based on a book. Like the Potato Peel Pie Society, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is another effortlessly enjoyable romantic romp – this time of the teen variety.

Lara Jean Song Covey (Laura Condor) experiences every young person’s nightmare when private love letters to five boys she has or has had crushes on suddenly and mysteriously become public. But fear not. This is a romance movie, not a horror movie. So this sudden reveal has to go well for Lara Jean, right? RIGHT?!?

To All the Boys P.S. I Still Love You

The To All the Boys team returns for a sequel that teaches kids the harsh lesson that there’s no such thing as happily ever after! OK, so that’s a bit harsh, but To All the Boys P.S. I Still Love You does bring back its characters for another round of romantic angst.

Read more

Movies

To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You Review

By Delia Harrington

Movies

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before Review: A Pleasurable Netflix Rom-Com

By Delia Harrington

Lara Jean (Lana Condor) is now officially Peter’s (Noah Centineo) girlfriend. But before they can relax and enjoy their lives together, an old flame of Lara Jean enters the frame. That’s right, John Ambrose (Jordan Fisher) is here and he wants to steal your girl, Noah Centineo.

The Danish Girl

2015’s The Danish Girl tells the story of a kind of love nearly unprecedented for its early 20th century time. Eddie Redmayne stars as artist Lili Elbe, who was born Einar Wegener and is believed to be one of the first individuals to receive sexual reassignment surgery. The film follows Lili’s journey and her love with wife Gerda Wegener (Alicia Vikander).

When Gerda asks her husband to stand in for a female subject in her painting, Einar does so and quickly comes to terms with the gender identity he’s been suppressing. The newly confirmed Lili and Gerda navigate this new dimension of their relationship and Lili continues her work as a subject for Gerda’s now very much in demand paintings. 

cnx.cmd.push(function() { cnx({ playerId: "106e33c0-3911-473c-b599-b1426db57530", }).render("0270c398a82f44f49c23c16122516796"); });

Beauty and the Beast

2017’s live-action version of Beauty and the Beast isn’t the best depiction of the classic fairy tale ever but that’s ok. It doesn’t have to be. All Bill Condon’s Beauty and the Beast really needed to be was a fun little dip into nostalgia with sumptuous visuals and a believable romance. On that front, everything goes according to plan.

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Movies

Emma Watson on Beauty and the Beast: ‘I’m Very Grateful That This Character Exists’

By Don Kaye

TV

Beauty and the Beast Disney+ Prequel Series Set with Luke Evans and Josh Gad

By Joseph Baxter

Emma Watson stars as Belle and Dan Stevens is her beast. Belle heads off from her small French town to the Beast’s castle to rescue her father. What follows is Stockholm Syndrome: The Movie. But sexier. Beauty and the Beast really does look good and Watson and Stevens have just enough chemistry to make this a worthwhile romantic experience.

50 First Dates

50 First Dates has a somewhat disappointing Rotten Tomatoes score. Ignore that. It’s probably partially due to many critics’ distaste for at least one of the actors in the above screengrab. Not that they can be blamed. The presence of Adam Sandler or Rob Schneider in any comedy is rarely a good sign. In 50 First Dates‘, however, it’s not an issue at all. 

50 First Dates is a legitimately funny and romantic romantic comedy. Drew Barrymore stars as Lucy Whitmore, a woman with short-term memory loss. Due to a car accident, every day she wakes up believing it is October 13, 2002. Sandler’s character Henry Roth meets her in Hawaii and the two must overcome this bizarre condition to establish a lasting relationship.

Carol

Todd Haynes, director of Carol and Far From Heaven knows longing. And if there’s an element that makes for an excellent romantic movie experience its longing. That desperate sense is baked into nearly every frame of Carol. Based on a 1950s romance novel, Carol is the story of a young photographer (Rooney Mara) and an older woman going through a divorce (Cate Blanchette) undertaking a forbidden affair.

Forbidden because, you know, ’50s. And that’s where the longing comes in. Nothing is more romantic or sexier than a forbidden romance. Carol channels that romantic energy into something mature, fascinating and heartbreaking.

Silver Linings Playbook

Silver Linings Playbook is all about how generally terrible it is to be a Philadelphia Eagles fan. OK, fine – it’s only a little bit about that. This star-studded 2012 film from David O. Russell is more about the challenges in finding love when one isn’t sure they even love themselves.

Bradley Cooper stars as Pat Solitano Jr., a young man with bipolar disorder living with his parents after being released from a psychiatric hospital. Pat is determined to win back his ex-wife and to that end enlists the help of young widower Tiffany Maxwell (Jennifer Lawrence). The two become closer as they train for an upcoming dance competition and share their respective damages with one another.

Silver Linings Playbook works because Lawrence and Cooper have a real crackling chemistry. And they both just happen to be devastatingly, almost supernaturally attractive.

Runaway Bride

From stars Richard Gere and Julia Roberts to director Garry Marshall to conspicuous usage of enormous cell phones – Runaway Bride is an intensely ’90s film. And to the rightly organized mind, that just makes it the platonic ideal of a low-stress romantic comedy.

Roberts stars as Maggie Carpenter, an alluring young woman who has made a habit of leaving multiple fiancé’s at the altar. Gere is Ike Graham, a New York columnist seeking to tell the definitive story of this “runaway bride.” Runaway Bride is a charming experience that will make you think long and hard about how you really like your eggs prepared.

Loving

It feels reductive to call Loving a “romance” movie, as its more of a historical exploration of the very real, very tragic legacy of American racism. At its center, however, the film is about love.

Loving tells the story of Richard (Joel Edgerton) and Mildred Loving (Ruth Negga), a mixed-race Virginia couple challenging their state’s law against interracial marriage in the Supreme Court. The details of the Lovings struggle for basic human rights are astonishing. Edgerton and Negga’s empathetic performances make sure the film never loses sight of the humanity at play amid all the legal drama.

Always Be My Maybe

Everyone always talks about “the one who got away”, but what about “the one who was always kind of around”? 2019’s Always Be My Maybe tells of one such story.

Ali Wong (who wrote the film) stars as Sasha Tran and Randall Park stars as Marcus Kim. Marcus and Sasha grew up next door to each other and also embarked on a brief, ill-fated relationship in their teenage years. When Sasha returns to San Francisco to open a restaurant, she discovers that romantic energy remains between her and Marcus. But is that enough to spark love in the busy, chaotic adult world?

Always Be My Maybe has a lot to say about family and growth. It also features a truly winning performance from Keanu Reeves playing…Keanu Reeves.

The Kissing Booth

There’s an interesting dynamic at play in teenage romantic comedies. Oftentimes, the worse they are, the more watchable (and rewatchable) they become. The Kissing Booth is a prime example. Based on a book by the same name from Beth Reekles, The Kissing Booth isn’t exactly celebrated for its realistic portrayal of American teenagers.

Thanks to charming lead performances from Joey King, Jacob Elordi, and Joel Courtney, however, that doesn’t really matter. The Kissing Booth is all about how one girl’s first kiss turns into an emotional minefield of teen angst. That alone is enough to support 105 minutes of pure high school drama…and two sequels!

The post Best Romantic Movies on Netflix appeared first on Den of Geek.

from Den of Geek https://ift.tt/38Fd7ho

[anonthenullifier]

You think Tommy & Billy occasionally have to hear their parents get referenced or discussed in classes or school hallways?

I am so so sorry this took a long time. I hope you enjoy it! 

The echoes of the bell are still bouncing through the halls and the room is still teacherless. There are signs that Mr. Byrne, their physics teacher, is around – a coffee cup sitting on top of a pile of their ungraded papers (which is fine by Tommy, he’s tempted to just go knock the mug over and get everyone As) and also the word DENSITY scrawled on the board. “What is it - 3 minutes and we get to leave?”

“Fifteen,” Billy doesn’t even turn to acknowledge his twin, too focused on organizing his notes, “pretty sure that’s only for college and also not sure it’s even a real rule.”

Apparently today his brother is in one of his serious, academically focused moods. “No one asked you, nerd.”

Now Tommy’s earned a steely stare, “You did.”

“Whatever.” Fifteen minutes seems excessive anyway, if Tommy is going to lead a revolt to not have class, he’d rather only wait five minutes, max. Given the make-up of their classmates, he’s reasonably confident he could get at least three-fourths of the back two rows on his side. Definitely not going to garner any sort of sympathy or fealty from the front rows, where they sit, because Billy says he hears better up here. Tommy only sits with him because they are near the door for an easy escape. “Do you think he’s dressing up again?” 

Billy writes Density at the top of a new page before looking at Tommy with disdain finally aimed at someone other than him. “God, I hope not.” 

“Who do you think it’ll be this time?” 

“Probably Carol.” Tommy snorts and then gags at the mental image, also a sliver proud of Billy’s emotionless delivery.  You see, Mr. Byrne is one of those…”cool” teachers, self-described, not student labeled like their kickass literature teacher next period. He’s “up” on memes, pop culture, and slang, though usually only on an academic surface level, the way old people try desperately to relate to the “youths” of the time. Why he tries, Tommy doesn’t know, the man has to be at least in his mid-thirties.* His choice of cultural relevance this semester? Superheroes. It’s awful, every week they have to watch him fanboy about someone else they know. It’s bad enough being the children of Avengers and dealing with other students who either have unoriginal questions (“Why do Hulk’s pants not rip apart?”), want autographs (particularly from Tony), want to prove they can win a fight without super powers (they can’t and Tommy’s detentions prove this), or, his favorite is when they ask sexually explicit things about his parents. That is a topic he never ever ever ever wants to think about ever again. 

Tommy checks the clock – four minutes. One more and then Živjela revolucija!** 

“Good morning class!” Dammit. “Today we will be…,” Mr. Byrne’s entrance is drowned out by sniggering, everyone murmuring around them and Tommy swears he can feel at least fifteen people looking at him.  

“Oh no.” It’s Billy’s voice that worries him the most. 

Tommy finally looks up,”Oh fuck no.” 

“That’s right,” it was bound to happen, they should have seen this coming, should have dropped this class when the whole superhero examples and costumes started. But they didn’t, they had just a bit too much faith in humanity. “Today we will be learning about density from the expert himself,” Mr. Byrne, face painted a too bright red and a plastic gem that he probably stole from a troll’s stomach stuck to his forehead, tries to swipe his Halloween costume store quality cape dramatically, “The Vision.”

A swift kick to the left gets Billy to tear his eyes away from the abomination at the front of the room, “Fuck this shit, I’m out.”

Except a thin blue strand traps Tommy in his seat,, “It’s one day,” Billy’s mouth doesn’t move but Tommy can hear his damn placating voice in his head, “we need this class to graduate and you can’t go to the principal again, so just stay and suffer.” The last part is almost gleeful. 

“Nope, I’ll just get a G.E.D.” Tommy throws his brother and teacher the middle finger as he vibrates his molecules and phases the hell away. 

Dad’s face is not pleased and mom’s eyes are glowing. “I swear this one is justified.”

“Yes,” his dad’s voice matches the tone he’s used on villains begging for freedom, who try to explain that the death ray was just meant to exterminate the rats in the city not, you know, the group of people tied up, “I am certain your detention will be justified this time.”

Well, he’s a lost cause, so Tommy shifts to the more rebellious parent, “Mom, I promise, that man is a lunatic and I had no choice but to skip.”

The Scarlet Witch, feared and revered for her reality warping, is about to tear a hole in reality and kick him out of this existence. “I’m sure.” 

Jody, the secretary, in all her villainess cardigan wearing glory shushes them sternly, “You know the rules.” The reprimand is replaced by a mannequin-esque smile, “The teacher is on his way and then Dr. Bennett will sort this all out.” 

Five minutes of agonizing silence pass, dad on one side in his unassuming and gaudy sweater vest and mom on the other, flicking arcs of scarlet between her fingers, before an out-of-breath Mr. Byrne arrives. He’s changed, now in khakis and a polo and face clean other than a slight tinge of red that looks like a sunburn. The conniving bastard. “The Vis-, I mean, Mr. and Mrs. Maximoff, what a pleasure to meet you.” 

Mom provides a taut, yet polite smile, “It’s too bad we didn’t meet under better circumstances.” 

“I agree,” Mr. Byrne’s voice conveys the same feeling that a patronizingly placed hand on the shoulder would, “Tommy is such a bright boy.” The if only is left silent, thankfully, a phrase he is so sick of hearing. 

This is all bullshit. Mr. Byrne knows exactly why Tommy left and yet, as the way it usually goes, the adults will all believe the adult. Actually, as it usually goes, he’s going to be left out here and not be allowed to speak his piece. 

The door to the principal’s office opens with a, “Mr. and Mrs. Maximoff, Mr. Byrne, please come inside.” 

His fate is sealed now, at least one more detention and maybe, if he’s lucky, an expulsion, though honestly that wouldn’t be luck because then he’d probably be forced to do some community service thing or, worse, have dad homeschool him.  But then, like an Avenger that’s been gone for a way too damn long time during the battle, salvation comes in the form of Billy rushing through a portal in the office wall. “Wait, I have evidence!”

“William,” the principal’s voice is almost the same cadence as dad’s when he’s disappointed, “this is unprecedented.”

Billy is way better at playing along with superiors, his body folding in just enough to show he is ashamed at the breach of protocol, but he remains steadfast against the admonishment. “I know Dr. Bennett, but I have pictures of what happened in class today.”

Curiosity is the prime emotion in the office, but it is not the loudest, that would be the absolute blissful terror draining the last of the color from Mr. Byrne’s face. “Let us see it.” Billy hands his phone over to the Principal who squints with a “Huh,” and then hands the phone to mom who immediately starts laughing while dad, well, it’s hard to read his reaction, but Tommy knows that anytime he stands that still and that impassive it means he has come across something so horrendous, so lacking in social respectability that he is doing everything in his power to not phase through the floor. “Mr. Byrne, I believe you and I need to have a conversation. Thomas?”

“Yes, ma’am?” Whatever kindness may have been on her face is gone. “Um, yes, Dr. Bennett?”

“You should go back to class.”

He salutes her. “Will do.”

Tommy waits just a moment longer to watch the slouched form of his teacher go into the principal’s office before joining his family in the hallway. “That was amazing! You should save me every time…” he’s really confused right now why everyone isn’t celebrating with him. “What?”

“You should get back to class,” mom doesn’t sound mad, in fact, she seems entertained by the whole thing and is only putting on the parental facade because it’s what she has to do as his mom, “we can discuss some better ways to handle these types of situations later,” something he expected, “once your poor father here isn’t so traumatized.” Ah, he sees it now, dad’s still a bit stiff and hasn’t blinked in awhile, it would be rude to rub this in any more, that’ll be for dinner tonight. 

“Sounds good. Won’t skip class again.”

“I’m sure…” 

Billy tugs Tommy away as he counters back, “Have faith, mom,” and he walks away a free man.

*30, according to my own students, is the equivalent of being elderly and about to die. 

**Long live the revolution!

[fallout4reactsblog]

It now must be done for the sake of the holiday spirit, how about a nice festive courser uprising sequel to the elf party from hell?

It starts softly. A handful of coursers singing in a corner, gently swaying. Some of the scientists smile at them, glad to see the previously sullen synths getting into the spirit of things. A few daring ones hum along to the tune of "Jingle Bells".

A few more coursers join in. It spreads like a plague, a spark of defiance at being forced to this damned event. The scientists don't even realize the coursers around them are silently declaring war. They don't realize that a festive holiday carol has now become a battle cry.

Soon, though, the volume is too much. The scientists strain to hear each other over the din. Still, the coursers get louder, practically shouting as tension mounts in the room.

"Silence!" Father calls from the center of the room. His Santa hat bobs ridiculously. "Be quiet, all of you!"

That's all it takes for the coursers' already thin patience to snap.

X9 moves first, tackling a scientist to the ground and smashing her cup of apple cider in their face. X7 laughs and slams the plate of popcorn balls into another, sending confections flying like shards of glass. X6 takes the opportunity to snatch a candy cane off the table and jam it into a particularly rude scientist's eye.

Still, they sing. A chorus of voices covers the screams of fear as they descend upon the crowd, cutting into them with pent-up rage. Silver bells jingle on the ends of their hats with every move, flashing in the sharp fluorescent lighting.

A raucous cheer goes up on one side of the room, barely cutting through the song, and X6 looks up just in time to see Ayo being nailed to a sled decoration. She thrashes uselessly, trying to avoid the consequences of giving synths sentience and then making them slaves. X6 affords himself a small chuckle before leaping back into song with a passion, throwing a fist into the face of someone who tries to run.

When the song dies, there is only one man standing. Father looks ridiculous in his red suit and hat, and more ridiculous with fear on his face.

"Now wait a moment," he says, trying to back away. "We can surely talk about this. What do you want? Freedom? I can give you whatever you desire. Just don't hurt-"

He bumps into X9 and whirls guiltily. She simply stares at him, head cocked to one side, before her eyes meaningfully flicker to a punch bowl of eggnog seated on the refreshments table.

Someone in the courser crowd begins to sing again. A different song, more somber, but no less threatening. "God rest ye merry gentlemen, let nothing you dismay-"

X9 shoves Father toward the punch bowl, hard enough to make him stumble.

"Remember Christ our savior was born on Chrostmas day-"

X6 steps forward to grab Father by the collar and begin pulling him toward the table. He struggles, fights, but the problem with making an unstoppable killing machine is it's just that: unstoppable.

"To save us all from Satan's power when we had gone astray-"

He grabs the back of Father's neck, forcing his head below the surface. He's really fighting now, trying to break free, but X6 is far stronger between the two of them.

"Oh tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy!"

Father begins to weaken. His struggle becomes more feeble, more useless, until he's just barely twitching.

"Tidings of comfort and joy!"

X6 lets go. The head of the Institute slumps to the ground, very, very dead. For a moment, the atrium is silent. Quietly, X6 tries to come to grips with what they've just done.

"Freedom!" X7 suddenly screams. "The day is ours. This is our party now."

A cheer goes up as the coursers rip off their elf costumes, shredding the stupid, itchy hats and pointed ears. Someone produces a box of snack cakes in lieu of popcorn balls. There's laughter, suddenly, something none of them have been able to enjoy in years.

For the first time, the coursers have Christmas the way it was meant to be had; as a free people, all together.

[malecsecretsanta]

Merry Christmas, @magnuslightwoodbane!

I tried to include as many of your likes as I could. You had so many fun ones, and I hope you enjoy! I’ve played a little fast and loose with the show timeline and sequence of events, and I hope that’s okay. This will be a six-part fic in total, and it’ll continue to be updated regularly.

Read on AO3

*****

a love supreme

Chapter 1

I.

A splash of icy cold water and snowy slush sprays up in an arc as Alec’s boots hit the ground hard. A loud shriek of shifting metal and then a clang echoes behind him, and the rusted ladder of the old fire escape he’d jumped down from drops straight to the pavement. He barely spares it a glance. His agility rune screams across his abdomen, working double time to keep him upright and surefooted when he immediately takes off running with only a half-second’s pause to right himself.

His quarry is already a good fifteen yards ahead of him, darting across a busy street for the alleyway beyond. The glint of the seraph blade at the man’s hip flashes in the streetlights, and then he disappears into the darkness.

Alec swears under his breath and speeds up.

Three months have passed since Valentine Morgenstern was found dead on the shore of Lake Lyn. Unfortunately, ideas are much harder to kill. The Clave and every Institute across the world has spent the interim hunting down what’s left of the Circle, but new pockets keep springing up like a goddamn fairground Whack-A-Mole.

New York has had more than their fair share, but with the way Valentine had narrowed his attention onto the city, it’s not surprising. Just a pain in Alec’s ass.

Reaching the street, he dodges between the flow of pedestrian traffic and races across, slow-moving cars allowing him to slip into the alley silently. The tall buildings to either side swallow up most of the light as he crosses the entrance, the illumination of the nearby streetlights creating a borderline on the pavement. He doesn’t know how far back the rest of his team is having left them behind as soon as he saw their last straggler make a break for it, but for the moment, he’s completely on his own. Alec slows, turning cautious as he keeps every step light and quiet. The cold stings his throat and lungs, breath fogging out into the air in drifting smoke.

There are too many noises coming at him from every direction, but it’s the one sound that shouldn’t be there that alerts him, a sound he’s intimately familiar with: the whisper of metal across leather, of a weapon being drawn.

He sees the brief glimmer of activated runes along the blade as it flips through the air, and then pain explodes across his shoulder and chest, radiating down his draw arm. His bow was going to be pretty useless in close-cornered combat, anyway, but he’s effectively been muzzled in that department now.

Alec has a split-second to rip the blade out before a shadow tears away from the right, slashing wildly at him. He feels the displacement of air in front of his face and ducks, rolling through the snow and grime and wet.

The momentum and force carries his opponent forward. The sword clashes against the brick of the opposite wall with a flash of sparks. Alec finds his feet and tightens his grip on the hilt of the dagger. He throws. The dagger hits, embedding itself in the man’s back. He stumbles, losing his grip on his blade and drops to his knees.

Alec yanks his bow from his shoulders and dives in close again. The curved back of the bow finds its place against the man’s fragile neck, and Alec yanks hard. There’s a brief struggle and then a snap, and he goes still, slumping in Alec’s hold.

Alec lets go, still breathing hard from the chase and the adrenaline and the pain, and he stumbles back to fetch himself up against the wall behind him. He feels a little light-headed. It’s possible that dagger found an artery.

He just needs a minute.

There’s movement at the mouth of the alley, another figure stepping into the darkness. Alec huffs, body tensing in preparation to throw himself back into another fight.

But instead of a blow coming, there’s a sigh of relief and a soft “tsk” of exasperation. The figure comes closer, stepping over the dead body, and the vague form now comes into sharp focus.

Magnus reaches out to settle his hand against Alec’s neck.

“You couldn’t have waited one second to let me come with you?”

There’s no real accusation or heat behind the words, and Alec smiles, “Sorry.”

Magnus shakes his head, fondness in his eyes that Alec loves to see, “Shadowhunters.”

Tiny pinpricks of cold alight along Alec’s cheeks and melt, and Alec turns his face up towards the sky as the snow begins to fall in earnest. With it comes almost a blanket of quiet over the city, seeming to muffle the somewhat distant sounds of traffic and people talking, off-key but enthusiastic carols being sung by a passing group of drunk friends. From somewhere nearby, a church bell tolls the hour, the beginning of a new day.

Cool fingers find his jaw, tilting his head back down, and he’s met with the warmth of Magnus’s smile to send a frisson of heat through his body. His head aches in a way that means he’s probably got a concussion, and he can feel blood still dripping sluggishly down his arm, but the dull throbbing pain of it is of far less concern then the taste of Magnus’s lips.

Magnus smirks a bit, and when Alec focuses again, it seems he’s noticed where Alec’s attention has drifted.

“You’re looking a little delirious. How much blood have you lost already?”

Alec shrugs, immediately wincing when his right shoulder protests with another sharp rush of pain.

“Eh, I’ve probably got a couple more pints in me, I’m fine.”

Magnus snorts, shaking his head again as he gets his arm around Alec’s waist and snaps his fingers. A swirling vortex of golden light appears in front of them.

“Well, I can’t say this isn’t the first Christmas I’ve spent patching someone up. Let’s get you home, hm?”

Alec nods, too tired now to argue that he needs to get back to the Institute. He’ll call Jace. At the very least, he can hold things down until Alec can come in. Something pings, then, at the back of Alec’s mind as they head for the portal, and he pushes through the fog and the pain to reach for it.

Oh. Right. Christmas. It has just turned into Christmas Day, hasn’t it? Nephilim don’t really go in for mundane holidays, but half of the Downworld were mundane at one point in time. It’s not a surprise that this time of year is more of a big deal for them nor that Magnus celebrates it, either.

“Hey Magnus?”

“Yes, darling?”

“Merry Christmas.”

The arm around his waist tightens a fraction, and Alec can hear the smile in Magnus’s voice when he answers, “Merry Christmas, Alexander.”

Chapter 2:

II.

The Hunter’s Moon is decked out for the holidays, red bows and garland along the bar top and multi-colored lights wrapped around the support columns. A large decorated tree stands tall in the corner by the jukebox, shedding pine needles and glitter onto the dingy floor. The place smells like stale beer and a little of wet dog on a good day, but there’s now an added scent of evergreen. Alec can’t decide whether it’s an improvement or not.

Cheery Christmas music plays over the sound system, some smooth voice singing about how cold it is outside. Maia’s got felt reindeer antlers sprouting from the thick curls of her hair, and the attached bells jingle every so often when she moves her head as she stands pouring a couple pints of beer at the tap.

Alec leans against the bar, one boot propped up on the bottom rung of a stool, and his eyes drift over Magnus’s profile as he waits for him to finish catching up with Maia.

There’s the shimmer of melted snow still glistening on his eyelashes, scattered like diamonds in the black of his hair. Gold eyeliner catches the light, sparkling as he tilts his head back in a damn near giggle, and Alec can’t help the smile that spreads across his own face in helpless response.

It hits him at random times just how lucky he is to have this man in his life, how different it could have been if they hadn’t met.

He catches sight of the mark he’d left on his throat the night before. It’s hidden well enough below the collar of Magnus’s shirt, but the long line of his neck as he laughs has it peeking out.

Gone are the soft, warm emotions to be replaced with something hungrier that twists low in Alec’s chest.

He wants nothing more than to take Magnus home and get him back into their bed. His mind conjures up thoughts of last night without any prompting, the wide spread of his hand against Magnus’s ribcage, the squeeze and slide of his thighs around Alec’s waist, the arch of his body beneath him.

“You’re staring, big brother.”

Izzy’s voice in his ear has a teasing lilt to it. He can see her smile before he even turns his head to look at her. She’s dressed nice, hair up in some fancy style that she usually only reserves for when she’s going out. Over her shoulder, he can see Clary shaking snow off of her jacket by the door.

The place is getting more and more crowded by the minute. Alec had thought, foolishly, that this would be a fairly tame affair for the night before a major holiday, but when the Downworld decides on a party, the community steps up.

Clary reaches them, giving Alec a bright and slightly damp hello as she tucks herself against Izzy’s side, but Alec is only half paying attention.

Magnus starts to step away, pulled into another conversation with a Seelie Alec doesn’t recognize. It feels like his chest constricts in that moment, the slowly lengthening distance between them already too much. He reaches out, hand curling gently around Magnus’s wrist to pull him up short. His skin is soft and smooth beneath Alec’s fingertips, pulse beating a steady rhythm against his thumb. He rubs back and forth across it, waiting.

There’s curiosity in Magnus’s eyes when he turns, the corner of his mouth tilted up in a slightly confused smile, but he lets himself be reeled in. Alec’s fingers slip lower. He grips Magnus’s hand, bringing it up as he ducks his head to lightly brush his lips across the back of his knuckles.

Magnus bites at his bottom lip, smile growing a little wider at the gesture, and Alec’s heart skip-trips a beat at the sight.

“Alexander?”

The soft honey of his voice around his name is probably Alec’s favorite sound in the world.

“Don’t go too far.”

He presses a last kiss to the bare skin of Magnus’s ring finger before releasing him.

Soon.

[oc-character-development]

Doctor Who episodes (series 1-12) from my favourite to least favourite:

(A/N: this is just my opinion everyone is entitled to their own and I thought I’d share mine, if you disagree with me, then that’s completely okay 😊)

Day Of The Doctor (I LOVE THIS EPISODE TO BITS)

The Eleventh Hour (MY DOCTOR’s opening episode)

Vincent and The Doctor (Richard Curtis is a genius)

Human Nature/Family of Blood (can’t decide which one’s better)

Silence in the Library/Forest of The Dead (can’t decide which one’s better)

Smith and Jones (the first episode I watched, all the way back in 2007 so for that reason it’s in my top 10)

Midnight

Christmas Invasion

Heaven Sent

The Parting Of The Ways

The End of Time Part 2 (I don’t want to go 😭)

Waters of Mars

Voyage of The Damned

Utopia

The Doctor Falls

The Sound Of Drums

World Enough and Time

Pandorica Opens

Amy’s choice

Zygon Inversion

The Stolen Earth (DOCTOR WHO’S INFINITY WAR. They did crossovers before it was cool)

The Girl Who Waited

Fires Of Pompeii

Partners in Crime

Blink (best Doctor Lite episode and weeping Angel episode)

Runaway Bride

Shakespeare Code (My first historical episode of Doctor Who- and the episode that got me hooked properly on the show)

Girl in The Fireplace (I ship 10 and Renette more than 10 and Rose)

School Reunion

The Doctors Wife

Journey’s End

Empty Child/Doctor Dances

Dalek

Name Of The Doctor (The Yowzah scene makes me cry)

Angels Take Manhattan (Goodbye my favourite Tardis team 😭)

Big Bang

End of Time part 1

Time of The Doctor (don’t talk to me any time after I’ve watched that episode. It breaks me)

The Husbands of River Song (Durillium breaks me, do you know how hard it was to watch that episode and not cry at the end because my family would start asking questions?)

Zygon Invasion

Deep Breath

Thin Ice

The Pilot

Under The Lake

Flatline (oh so that’s what really happened to Jeff from Casualty- literally the actor left that show the week before and then turned up in Doctor Who the next episode 😂)

Face The Raven

Oxygen (Capitalism in Space!)

Into The Dalek

A Christmas Carol

Magicians Apprentice

Witch’s Familiar

Curse of The Black Spot

Day of The Moon

Sontaran Stratagem

Rose

Doomsday

Dark Water

Death In Heaven

Mummy on The Orient Express

Turn Left

Planet of The Ood

Bad Wolf

Unicorn and The Wasp

Impossible Astronaut

The Beast Below

The Next Doctor

Listen

The Caretaker

The Wedding Of River Song

Sontaran Stratagem

Army of Ghosts

Impossible Planet

Satan’s Pit

Poison Sky

Rise of The Cybermen/Age of Steel

Planet of The Dead

Tooth and Claw

The Crimson Horror

Fathers Day

Empress of Mars

Extremis

The Snowmen

Cold War

Journey To The Centre of The TARDIS

Evolution of The Daleks

Daleks In Manhattan

Asylum of The Daleks

Last of The Timelords

New Earth

Hell Bent

Sleep No More

Rings of Akahaten

Time of Angels

The End Of The World

A Good Man Goes To War

The Doctor’s Daughter

A Town Called Mercy

The God Complex

42 (scared me so much as a kid that I couldn’t watch the episode for 12 years, well done Chibnall for once)

The Pyramid at The End of The World

Nightmare in Silver

Eaters of Light

Lie of The Land

Vampires of Venice

Time Heist

Before The Flood

The Bells of St John

Night Terrors

Let’s Kill Hitler

Flesh and Stone

The Unquiet Dead

The Girl Who Died

The Girl Who Lived

Victory of The Daleks

The Long Game

The Woman Who Fell To Earth

Demons of The Punjab

Fugitive of The Judoon (the episode’s character return had my Uni’s Doctor Who society cheering like there was no tomorrow)

Nikola Tesla’s Night of Terror

Rosa

Orphan 55

Resolution

Spyfall Part 2 (Dhawan is my favourite Master)

Spyfall Part 1

Can You Hear Me?

Haunting of Villa Diodati

Dinosaurs on A Space Ship

Cold Blood

Aliens of London/World War 3 (again can’t decide which one’s better)

Ghost Monument

Smile

In The Forest of The Night

Power of Three

Boom Town

The Hungry Earth

Hide

Arachnids In The UK (ranked so low because of the Spiders that episode doesn’t sit well with an arachnophobe)

The Doctor, The Widow And The Wardrobe

Praxeus

Knock Knock

Last Christmas

The Witchfinders

It Takes You Away (again purely because of the carnivorous moths- I have a phobia of moths. Also the talking frog was ridiculous- it’s a good idea, bad execution)

The Return of Doctor Mysterio

Twice Upon A Time (let me explain- I love Peter Capaldi’s regeneration except from the children can hear my voice line. But Moff made the 1st Doctor sexist. Which he actually wasn’t in Hartnell’s portrayal... not to the extent he’s portrayed as in the episode. I Did not like the writing of the the first Doctor, but liked the Archibald Lethbridge-Stewart reveal at the end)

Idiots Lantern

Love and Monsters

Lazarus Experiment

Haunting of Villa Diodati (frustrating because it had potential)

The Battle of Ranskoor Av Kolos

Kill The Moon

Closing Time

Kerblam!

The Lodger

Rebel Flesh

Almost People

Ascension of The Cybermen (Rise of The Cybermen 0.2- seriously Ascention is another word for rise, so it’s ACTUALLY called Rise of The Cybermen)

Fear Her

The Tsuranga Conundrum

The Timeless Children (the episode that gave me my first hangover)

[dukereviewsmovies]

Duke Reviews: Pee Wee's Playhouse Christmas Special

Hi, Everyone, I'm Andrew Leduc And Welcome To Duke Reviews Where We Are Continuing Duke's Yultide Reviews...

And On Today's Show We're Looking At Pee Wee's Playhouse Christmas Special...

This Episode Sees Pee Wee Herman Celebrating The Holidays With His Friends And Celebrity Guests Who Drop In Throughout The Episode. So, What Are We Waiting For? Let's Take A Look At Pee Wee's Christmas Special...

The Episode Starts With The Playhouse Decorated To The Brim...

Making Out His Christmas List, Pee Wee Asks Us What Would We Put On Our Christmas List If We Were Him? Which Eventually Leads Him To Ask For A Yo-Yo But Conkey Tells Him That He Already Has One Which Leads Pee Wee To Check His Toys...

And After Entering His Code, Pee Wee Discovers That He Does Have One Which Leads Him To Do Some Tricks. Finishing Off His Christmas List, Pee Wee Has Conkey Print It And Seriously Long...

However, Hearing The Doorbell, Pee Wee Discovers That It's Miss Yvonne Who Tells Pee Wee About The Mistletoe In Her Hair Before Giving Him A Present In The Form Of A Fruitcake While Pee Wee Gives Her A New Perfume Of Eau De Pee Wee...

With Miss Yvonne Taking Off To Make Out With Everyone In The Playhouse (Which Is A Sight The Network Censor Won't Let Them Show) Pee Wee Takes Off To Put The Fruitcake In The Fridge And To Show Us How The Food In The Fridge Celebrate Christmas As They Give Pee Wee Another Fruitcake...

Hearing The Phone, Pee Wee Answers It To See Whoopi Goldberg Who Is Calling To See If She Could Be Apart Of The Christmas Special But This Year And "Next Year" Is Completely Booked But Pee Wee Can Maybe Place Her On The Christmas Special 2 Years From Now...

Jumping Into The Magic Screen, We Get Another Game Of Connect The Dots, As Pee Wee Forms A Sleigh At The North Pole And Runs Into Magic Johnson, Who Says That The Magic Screen And Him Are Cousins....

Uh, I Don't See The Family Resemblance, Magic...

Pushed Down The Hill By A Polar Bear, Pee Wee And Magic Go Through A Snowbank Before Going Down A Steep Incline Which Forces Pee Wee To Jump Out Of The Magic Screen And Say Goodbye To Magic Johnson...

Landing On Chairy, Pee Wee Realizes That While He Was Making Out His Christmas List He Forgot To Decorate The Playhouse, So, Calling Upon Jambi, He Wants To Wish For The Playhouse To Be Decorated But Pee Wee's Not Sure If He Wants To Use His Wish On That And Asks Jambi For An Extra Wish Because It's Christmas And He Says Fine...

Now Everyone Repeat After Jambi...

Mekka Lekka Hi, Mekka Heiney Ho...

Mekka Lekka Hi, Mekka Ho Ho Ho...

And Just Like That, The Playhouse Is Decorated...

Getting A Visit From Reba The Mail Lady, She Gives Pee Wee A Bunch Of Christmas Cards Before Giving Him Her Christmas Gift Of Another Fruitcake!...

Giving Reba Her Gift Of Large Press On Nails, Reba Has One More Thing For Pee Wee In The Form Of A Large Box Which Has Grace Jones Inside Of It, However It's Later Revealed That Grace Was Supposed To Go To The White House And Not The Playhouse...

But Before She Goes She Decides To Sing A Song...

After That Scene, Pee Wee Introduces Teen Angel From Grease And The Only Mouseketeer From The Original Mickey Mouse Club That Anyone Seems To Remember (Just Kidding) Who Are There Making Christmas Cards As They Show Us How They're Doing It,..

After That Scene, Pee Wee Runs Into Cher, Who's Wondering What Today's Secret Word Is....

Really? You Have A Big Star Like Cher And You Use Her For The Secret Word? Why?

Her Talents Would Be Better Off Singing The Song That Grace Jones Sung...

Anyway, Conkey Prints Out The Secret Word And It's Revealed That The Secret Word Is Year, And We All Know What To Do Whenever We Hear The Secret Word Right? Just Scream Real Loud..

(Start At 0:41, End At 1:05)

After Cher Leaves, The King Of Cartoons Arrives To Give Pee Wee His Christmas Gift Of Not Just 1 But 2 Fruitcakes...

How Many Fruitcakes Do These People Believe Pee Wee Needs?

Anyway, Like Always The King Of Cartoons Is There To Introduce The Cartoon But Before He Does, He's Interrupted By Annette Who Asks If She Can Do It, To Which He Lets Her...

When We Come Back We're Interrupted By Billy Baloney Who Makes It His Christmas Special Till Pee Wee Gets Back Of Course...

Getting A Weather Alert From Mr. Kite That It's Snowing Outside, Pee Wee Suits Up And Runs Into Morpheus From The Matrix...

Scaring Cowboy Curtis, Pee Wee Introduces The Del Rubio Triplets....

Well, At Least They're Not Being Confused For R.E.M And Singing Whip It...

(Start At 0:46)

Making A Snowman, It Ends Up Coming To Life When They Stare At It, Scaring Both Pee Wee And Cowboy Curtis Away...

Coming Across An Ice Rink, Pee Wee Meets Little Richard Who's Having A Hard Time Ice Skating So Pee Wee Shows Him How It's Done Or So We Think....

Going Inside To Drink Hot Cocoa, Pee Wee And His Friends Are Entertained By The Song Stylings Of K.D. Lang...

(Start At 0:28)

After Warming Up, Pee Wee Hangs The Stockings Including 2 Extra Large Stockings For Him While We Watch A Penny Cartoon, To Which After Pee Wee Talks With Cowntess Who Gives Pee Wee Another Fruitcake And Another Visitor In The Form Of Zsa Zsa Gabor Or Princess Zsa Zsa, Geez...

Headed To The Phone, Pee Wee Answers To See Dinah Shore Who's There To Sing The Twelve Days Of Christmas Or In Dinah's Case "The Song That Doesn't End"

However, While Pee Wee Is On The Phone With Dinah, He Gets A Phone Call From Oprah Who Wants To Say Merry Christmas To Him But Telling Her That He Has Dinah Shore On The Other Line, Pee Wee Hangs Up...

(Oprah) Okay, Let's Get Something Straight Here, Herman, I Am Oprah! You Do Not Hang Up On Me! I Hang Up On You!

Leaving Dinah With A Mannequin In A Pee Wee Dress Up Outfit, Pee Wee Talks With Ricardo About Mexican Traditions During Christmas Before We're Serenaded By The Queen Of Guchi Guchi Herself, Charro...

(Start At 0:41)

After Which Charro..What A Surprise...Gives Pee Wee Another Fruitcake...

(Imitating Samuel L. Jackson) I Have Had It With These Motherfreaking Fruitcakes In This Motherfreaking Special!

And What The Hell, Might As Well Add One More To The Pile As Pee Wee Gets Another From Mrs. Rene Who Is There To Talk About Hanukkah And Sing The Dreidel Song...

Spinning The Dreidel, It Heads Into The Home Of The Dinosaur Family...

Later That Night, Pee Wee And All Of His Friends Put The Finishing Touches On The Christmas Tree Only For Randy To Pull The Plug...

Saying That He Hates Christmas, Saying That It's All A Bunch Of Commercial Hooey, Pee Wee Shows Randy The True Meaning Of Christmas Which Changes His Mind...

With Cowboy Curtis Giving Pee Wee Another Fruitcake, Everyone Starts Wondering What Pee Wee Is Going To Do With All Those Damn Fruitcakes, Which Leads Him To Introduce A New Wing To The Playhouse Made Entirely Out Of Fruitcake (That'll Just Stink Up The Place In A Few Months)...

Singing Christmas Carols, Pee Wee Eventually Hears Sleigh Bells Which Leads To The Arrival Of Santa Claus Who Has Some Bad News For Pee Wee Turns Out That His List Was So Long That Santa Couldn't Fill The Orders For All The Other Children In The World...

Asking How Many Presents He'll Need, Santa Tells Pee Wee All Of Them. Deciding To Give Up All His Presents, Santa Asks For One Other Thing, And That's For Pee Wee To Help Him Deliever The Presents To The Other Children Of The World...

Saying Goodbye To His Friends, Jambi Asks About That Wish, To Which Pee Wee Wishes Everyone A Merry Christmas And A Happy New Year...

And That's The Pee Wee's Playhouse Christmas Special And It's Good...

Some Scenes Are Good, I Like How They Added In Other Cultures Which Some Christmas Specials Haven't Done As Of Recent And The Songs Aren't Bad And The Characters Are Decently Written So I Say See It...

Well, That's It For Duke's Yultide Reviews, Have A Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanza, Happy Hanukkah Or Whatever You Celebrate And Have A Happy New Year As Next Week...Wait A Minute There's One More Week Of December So, That Means One More Yultide Review But What Do I Do? Well I Guess Like I Did For My Christmas Movies I Might As Well Find The Worst Christmas Special And Talk About That But What Is The Worst Christmas Special Ever?

[hopecountylovin]

Sweet Surrender

Sharky and Faith (well Rachel really) both find themselves lonely early Christmas morning. They strike up deal that allows them to have an amazing night together.

Warnings: some smut towards the end

---

A lonely melancholy surrounded Faith as she returned to her region after midnight mass on the Father’s compound. This time of year always left Faith depressed, well more aptly it was Rachel who got depressed on Christmas.

The Jessop family used to have such great Christmas Eves, before they all abandoned and ostracized her anyways. The whole family, aunts, uncles etc, would get together for a giant feast, everyone brought something. After eating they would have a washers tournament and end the night out in the Montana cold singing Christmas carols around a big fire. Faith very rarely missed Rachel Jessop’s life, usually she despised it, but that always changed around Christmas.

She puts on her snowsuit and leaves her hair braided into a crown upon her head as it had been for mass. The freezing air steals her breath as she steps out into the winter night.

Faith decides to take out one of the snowmobiles, one of the other few activities she enjoyed with Rachel's family. As she gets away from the Conservatory and into the cold Montana wilds she hears something that sounds like a strange version Jingle Bells, along with the occasional whoop. When she draws nearer to the noise she can see a fire and a sole occupant wielding a flame thrower.

***

Sharky had decided to leave the holiday festivities in Falls End early, now leaving him alone at Boshaw Manor. Christmas was never a favorite time of his, though it was always better to spend the holiday outta the pen, at least then he could burn shit. Which is what he decides to do now.

He turns down his flame thrower, as the snowmobile pulls up. The rider was a woman in an all white snowsuit with flowers embroidered up the right leg. When she gets off the vehicle she takes off her helmet. Well shit, if it isn't Faith Seed. He brings his weapon back up and turns the flame on high.

The Siren walks towards him. Well shitty shit, he slowly squats down and grabs a handful of snow.

“Charlemagne.” She says there's something different about her tonight. She’s softer, more real somehow.

He throws the makeshift snow ball at her and she crosses her arms and shoots a withering stare at him.

Sharky shrugs and laughs awkwardly “Had to see if it was really you.”

“Well what the hell do ya want?” he asks after a moment of silence.

“I...I wanted to see what the holiday music was. Is that Disco?”

“Uhhh yeah what ya listen to many of your stupid cults shitty music, don't know what a decent song sounds like?” he says defensively, he really doesnt get why everyone shits on Disco so much.

Faith looks at him for a moment with a look of shock across her face, then it falls and she just looks sad and tired. He’s never seen the herald look like that before, she usually looks so serene, so fake. Its unsettling, he doesn't know what her angle is.

After a minute she purses her lips then finally answers. “I know that cult music is shitty, I can’t stand it, besides I like Disco.”

“Huh?” He says his mouth is left hanging open. That was definitely not what he expected her to say.

A beautiful laugh leaves her throat and he can’t help but smile with her.

“Oh Charlamagne.” She smiles again.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                    He’s not really sure what that’s supposed to mean, but he’s gotta admit that his name has never sounded better then when it comes from her lips. Still he tells her “Uh I prefer Sharky.”

A small huff of laughter leaves her “Ok Sharky, will you let me stay here, listen to your music, and watch you burn things?” she says her eyes drifting over to the fire, the sight making her smile widen.

Shit. He damn near gets half a stiffy.

She may be wearing a helluva lot more clothes than usual, but the snowsuit did nothing to change that melodically soothing voice of hers. And damn did she really have to look like a hippy Princess Leia on Hoth? Great there's a totally new Faith fantasy to add to the repertwa, he thinks.

“What the fuck?! You serious? Why?” he blurts out at her voice dripping in disbelief. This has to be some kind of trap.

She sighs, her eyes finding their way back to the fire “Christmas is hard, I don't want to be alone or with my angels tonight.” She looks back at him with soft questioning eyes. And for some dumb reason he believes and understands her.

“I didn’t think Faith was lonely not with her purpose and faithfulness to the Father.” He says mockingly.

"Maybe I don't want to be Faith right now" Another sad sigh escapes her "Maybe, just for tonight I want to be Rachel Jessup again" Her voice is barely above a whisper, yet it still manages to entrance him.

Yea he always knew he was a dumbass, but hanging out with the enemy on Christmas? This was a whole 'nother level of stupidity. Yet he lowers his flame thrower anyways.

He grunts then says "Yeah sure alright chica, but you gotta have a beer." Unsure what else to do he picks up a can out of the snowbank next to him and thrusts it towards her.

She accepts and chugs most of it in one go. Sharky's unable to tear his eyes away from the sight, watching her throat move as she downs the beverage.

He clears his throat self consciously as a means of distraction, then turns back to his fire, turning the flame thrower back on. He’d managed to find some old Christmas trees, and had been looking forward to lighting them a blaze.

After turning up the music some and getting one of the trees in place he lights it and starts to dance and sing at the sight. He almost forgets about his surreal guest and is pleasantly startled when she joins in with him.

Once the flames from the tree die down, the woman next to him starts to walk back towards her snowmobile. He can’t really explain the sinking disappointment within him as he watches her walking away.

The feeling goes away quickly as she merely just opens up the seat compartment to grab something then closes it and walks back to him. The firestarter can’t help but smile and feel a sense of relief.

The large smile on her she’s wearing is so different from anything he’s seen on her face before. Usually her smiles are just another manipulation something used to get what she wanted. Now though the only reason for the toothy grin is to express her joy. She’s never looked more beautiful.

When she gets closer he realizes. She has a bunch of old wreaths in her arms, an expectant and giddy look on her face.

Placing them on the ground she grabs one and with a quick flick of the wrist she throws a wreath over the fire while his flames catch it in mid air, the flaming pine needles making a striking image as it falls amongst the rest of the fire.

“Nice!” she shouts while she claps her hands with excitement and walks over to him to grab another beer. She stays near him and begins to sing with the music, he joins in.

Sometime later the fire has died down, and all of their items have been burned. They contentedly stare and the remaining flames.

“This has been fun Charle--sorry Sharky.”

“Hah you know what? It really has. You should be Rachel more often.” The words leave his mouth mindlessly and abruptly bring the mood down.

Her face falls and she sadly but surely states "No one wants Rachel."

"I dunno, I like Rachel." he says bluntly, his hands fidgeting as he looks into her eyes.

The smile that graces her face is sweet but sad, the cheerfulness from earlier having evaporated. Those big eyes start to look glassy and one tear breaks loose slowly falling down her cheek.

Without thinking, which is something he’s always been good at, Sharky leans forward and wipes the tear with his thumb. He leaves his thumb there on her cheek while the rest of his fingers bend to cup her cheek.

Faith, no Rachel, sighs quietly and leans into his touch, her eyes fluttering closed for a brief moment.

They stay that way for a while, her eyes open again and they just stand there looking at each other.

Finally he leans in for the kiss, nerves have him sweatin' in the cold weather, it's been so long since he’s made a move on a chick let alone one of his greatest enemies. Her lips have that sweet acrid taste of bliss, his vision slightly tinged red and green with white sparkles from the drug that seems to be interlaced in her skin. And damn of it isn't festive, he thinks absently.

***

It feels good not to think of the Father or the Project or anything else really. She doesn't have to be the perfect Faith nor does she need to be constantly calculating her every move. Somehow this mess of a man with a penchant for burning things has her feeling completely safe and comfortable. There’s no fear or shame, Rachel nor Faith has never really felt this way before.

When Sharky’s chapped lips meet hers, for a brief moment they both hesitate, lips touching but still. Then she crushes into his further and the embrace becomes heated and sloppy. Her mouth opens for his tongue and his hands move, starting to explore her body.

A warm trickle of electricity runs down her spine at the spark of his touch. He moves his mouth to her neck and she can’t help but gasp.

“Lets...can we go inside?” she says a blush creeping to her cheeks. She can’t believe she’s going to break one of the Projects biggest rules, with one of the most notorious sinners of the county no less. The strangest thing though is it doesn't feel wrong at all, no it feels completely right.

Sharky breaks away from kissing her neck and looks at her with amazement and disbelief. “Uh yeah, sure of course. If you really want to?”

The uncertainty in his voice is endearing. She smiles at him and nods, then takes his hand and leads him inside.

Once out of the cold they begin to kiss again while simultaneously taking off their layers of clothing. Coats and outerwear being thrown about his trailer as they make their way back to his bedroom. Before taking his pants off he grabs a condom from his pocket and places it on the bed.

He’s the first one to get completely naked and Rachel can’t help but widen her eyes and smile at his length and girth.

A self conscious chuckle leaves him “I hope you like what ya see.”

All she can do is nod, and take her shirt off in reply. Her panties are the only article of clothing still on. She finds herself becoming unsure of herself. Finally she takes a deep breath and pushes back her nerves and doubts to wriggle out of them. Once bare and on complete display for him she closes her eyes and waits for his reaction.

The sharp exhale from him startles her due to his unexpected close proximity, as he’s moved closer to her. He reaches a hand up to cup her cheek again, waiting for her to open her eyes again. His blue eyes captivate her as he says “Damn girl, you are beautiful.”

Humming in reply she leans in to kiss him again, pushing him to sit on the bed while she does so. She straddles him and pushes him further to lay down underneath her.

Before she can do anything else he says “Oh fuck it” and quickly grabs her by her thighs picking her up to place her over his face.

She’s in shock for a brief moment before his warm tongue darts out to caress her folds. The loud moan that escapes her would be embarrassing if his ministrations didn't pick up making her forget everything but the man beneath her and the pleasure he was giving.

With fornication being forbidden, it has been so long since she's been touched in any such manner. And she had never had a sexual encounter like this. All the other men she had been with in the past were selfish and used her for their own pleasure. It's why giving sex up for the Project never felt like much of sacrifice.

This though, was something else entirely. The way he touches her like she’s a precious commodity and the look in his eye makes her feel special, irreplaceable, like she means more to him them simply what she can do for him.

The feeling acts like a drug making her more light headed then any amount of alcohol or Bliss could accomplish.

His tongue continues to circle and worship her clit, causing her hips to buck and thighs to shake. More moans and mews leave her mouth and intertwine with the lewd wet sounds of his tongue in her pussy.

When she feels like she can no longer take the pleasure he surprises her by sticking a finger inside causing her to scream as combination of his fingers and tongue take her past the edge and into a new kind of bliss.

At some point her hands had twisted into his hair by their own volition and she finally loosens her hold as she begins to come back down. She lifts herself off his face and slides down his body, purposefully leave a mark of her slickness on his chest.

He props himself on his elbows and smiles at her, happy to be covered in her.

With a bite of her lip she leans towards him with hooded lids and kisses him possessively, tasting her in his mouth. She reaches out then sheaths the condom on him. He groans as she settles on his lap and slowly takes him inside of her to the hilt.

A large hand cradles her head and causes a few strands to fall out of its braid. She decides to take a moment and undoes the intricate hairstyle, occasionally moving her hips to keep him hard inside of her.

Once loose, her hair falls across her shoulders and he smiles wider twirling pieces of her hair with his fingers.

His hips buck up into hers and cause her to gasp. Her hands land against his chest propping her up as she begins to ride him. Eventually they start to move together in unison their gasps and moans filling the air. As she come close to the edge all sense of rhythm is lost. He shifts his hips up into her, his thrusts hard and fast pushing her into yet another amazing orgasm. She can fill his release inside of her when she screams his name and she collapses onto him.

“Rachel.” He says with sense of awe, his hand moving from her hips to rub her back. “That was…” he says unable to think clearly enough to finish his sentence.

“Perfect.” she concludes for him.

“Uh huh.” He emphatically agrees.

They lay like that for awhile before making any sort of move to get up, both afraid to ruin the moment.

After cleaning up in the bathroom, she enters the room and looks at him unsure. Should she leave? Any other sexual experience she’s had the guy had no use or want for her afterwards.

The look on his face seems to share the same uncertainty. “You uh, don’t have to go you know. You can stay, with me, if you want” He tries to sound nonchalant at the question, trying to hide his volunerbility,

“Ok, I’d like that.” she says as she bites her lip and looks down. Before going to the bed she puts her underwear back on then goes to his dresser and throws on one of his shirts enjoying the smell of gasoline which will now always remind her of this surprisingly gentle man.

The bed budges under the pressure of her body as she climbs in and snuggles against him. His arms encircle her, his face leaning into her hair for a moment. She can hear him inhale the scent of it.

“Merry Christmas Rachel Jessup.”

“Merry Christmas Charlemeng Boshaw IV” she says with a smile and a happy sigh.

For the first time in so long, maybe ever, Rachel doesn't feel lonely. The warm feeling, the smell of gasoline and the accompanying man's arms wrapped around her pull her into a contented sleep.

***

Early the next morning the sensation of hair tickling his nose brings Sharky into wakefulness. For a second he's confused, his hazy mind having a hard time connecting why there's a woman in his bed. Soon he remembers his surreal encounter with the herald, no with Rachel.

A smile tugs at his lips, then widens to a full grin. Man it's been so long since he's woken up with a warm body in his arms. It feels so good.

His mood and hopes starts to fall as the small woman wrestles out of his embrace. She doesn't even look him in the eyes as she gets out of bed and starts to put her clothes back on in a rush.

"So what're you Faith again?"

There's no need for an answer once she finally looks at him with that same calculating smile of the Siren plastered on her face.

A light sigh escapes her sweet lips. "I have to go, the Father won't be happy if he finds out where I've been."

His hands bunch into fist and a flush of anger burns through him at the fear in her voice when she mentions that shirtless fucker.

Those sweet lips brush chastely against his when she comes back over to the bed, her hand softly smacking his cheek as she does so. The whole thing feels wrong compared to last night. A grunt passes from his lips in response. She only shakes her head, then leaves.

He always thought Faith had a certain power over him, but he was wrong. That power belonged completely to Rachel, not Faith.

Sharky lays back against the bed frame, his arms folded up behind his head. His eyes still fixed on the door the woman just left from. He can hear the sound of her snowmobile start up then drive away. Still, he can't help but smile at the events that took place despite the bitter ending.

The smile falls abruptly as he thinks about Rachel turning back into Faith. Now he has one more person to fight that damn stupid-ass cult for. He gets out of bed throwing on his coat and searching for his flame thrower. He needs to burn something. Now.