#ChristmasCreationCalendar2021

[staticscreenwriting]

My entry for day 20 of our Christmas Calendar. Find all the information here.

All fandoms are welcome to join!

Summary: Billy and reader celebrate the first Christmas with their baby.

Likes, reblogs, comments are all much appreciated. I am German. Sometimes I get the tense wrong or make mistakes. I am useless when it comes to punctuation. Go easy on me, please.

The air is thick and stuffy and Billy feels like every breath takes twice as much effort. There's screaming, crying children at every corner, snot-nosed and red-faced and headache-inducing.

If anyone had explained hell to him like this, he would be thoroughly inclined to believe every word of it and yet Billy finds himself here on a Friday afternoon of his own free will.

His eyes wander across the crowd standing in line to meet a fat old man with a fake beard as the mall keeps playing cheesy Christmas songs, everyone looks positively miserable.

A shiver runs down his spine as his mind wanders to another day at another mall. His body still bears the scar and sometimes, when life gets hectic and he gets too in his head, he can still feel the sharp sting going through his chest.

The soft touch of a hand against his arm shakes him from his grim thoughts and as he turns his head, he’s greeted by a comforting calm that always seems to rest in (Y/N)’s eyes.

She knows of his scars too, traces them every night when she rests in his arms, safe and warm. Sometimes she kisses them. “They are part of you,” she says. “ They are a sign of your strength. You survived and that’s something to be proud of. “

He doesn’t see it that way but he tries to. It’s a nice thought. That despite everything, a shitty dad, an absent mother, a possession, and a fucking spike through the chest, he came out alive and — and life seems to be gentle on him these days. It lets him find good things, good people, and keep them.

Maybe all of the hardships and pain have led him here and maybe they are worth it.

“ You excited to meet Santa? “ (Y/N) chuckles and looks up at him with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

“ So fucking excited, does my face not show it? “

A tut sounds from the woman behind them in line. “There are children here, watch your language. “

There’s a before Billy and an after. Before he was given a second chance and after. Before Billy would’ve replied with a smartass comment, would’ve picked a fight wherever he saw the chance. Fighting was familiar. It was comforting in a way. If he fought other people, his mind would let off and he didn’t have to deal with fighting his own demons.

After Billy sees no point in it. He will fight if he has to, but more than anything else, he wants peace and quiet and to not deal with more shit than he gets on the regular. So he just nods and murmurs a sorry before throwing a smirk at (Y/N) who reciprocates it back to him. For sure, he thinks, they’ll bitch about this lady together later at home.

“ Can you believe it, “ (Y/N) whispers, softly nudging his side. “ There are children here. “

“ I’ll do you one better, “ Billy replies. “ There’s even babies here. “

His eyes lower to her chest where a pair of blue eyes stare back at him from the face of a red-cheeked, smiley little boy. Eyes the same as his. Smile all gums, the two single teeth he has hidden in the back of his mouth.

"You hear that, Jack?" (Y/N) gasps in mock horror and looks down at the 8-month-old strapped to her chest. "There are babies here."

The little boy lets out one of his cheerful baby laughs, the one that always sends Billy's heart soaring. When he was younger, Billy promised himself that if he were to ever have a child, there would be no pain and suffering, no wondering if they were good enough, if their father loved them. Every time he sees his own son laugh or smile or even just breathe, an immense sense of happiness and pride fills him. Like everything good in the world lies in the face of his child.

Exactly a year ago he and (Y/N) were standing at this very place watching overworked and stressed-out parents standing in line to take a picture of their kid sitting on Santa's lap. She was pregnant then, images of their family just a vision on the horizon. A beautiful dream about to come true.

It's better than he could've ever imagined. For so long, Billy felt like there was no place for him in this world. Like all he could do was drift from one disappointment to the next. Heartache to heartache. Trying to stay afloat when anger and pain kept pulling him under. Kept trying to drown him.

Now, he thinks, he is exactly where he's supposed to be. Maybe if nothing else, he's meant to be a dad.

Even if he hates the music, the crowds, the other snot-nosed brutes. He loves his son, he loves his girlfriend, he loves spending time with them, making memories with them.

His son deserves to get the life he never had and if that includes cheesy overpriced Mall Santa pictures, Billy would gladly suffer through it with a smile on his face.

"Welcome to Santa's Workshop. Santa is ready to see you now, what's this little one's name?" an overly friendly teenage girl greets them, the bells on her hat and slippers ringing with every move she makes, quickly catching the baby's attention.

"This is Jack," (Y/N) answers and takes him from the carrier, holding him up in her arms now.

"Oh hi Jack, are you excited to see Santa?" The teen asks, her voice raised up to a squeaky cheer.

And while Billy doesn't go looking for trouble anymore and tends to walk away from confrontation these days, he's still a sarcastic little fuck with a mouth too quick of this brain.

"Eh, we mostly brought him to take the picture of us." He replies and shrugs his shoulder nonchalantly, earning him a chuckle and a nudge to his side from (Y/N) and a questioning look from the Christmas elf, clearly signaling him that his joke didn't land with her.

A few seconds later they are led over to meet Santa. The big man sits on a huge red suede chair with gold trimming. Everything is decked out in tinsel and ribbon and garlands. It's like Hallmark has thrown up in here.

Billy wants to hate it, he really does. Wants to resent every bit of the commercialized crap they put out for desperate parents to relish in.

And yet, when he looks over at his girlfriend holding their child, his child, and sees her smile and the way it matches the one on the baby's face, he can't help but feel an unfamiliar warmth spread through his chest.

Maybe love makes you see things differently. Put a different meaning even to the things you can't stand.

"Does daddy want to be in the picture too?" The elf questions and shakes Billy from his daydream.

Without a second thought, without even a hint of hesitation, he goes to stand by his girl and his baby to take a picture with Santa. If someone had told him years ago that he'd be here, he would have called them crazy.

Every time someone reminds him of the fact that he is a dad now, his heart grows 3 sizes. If there was ever a title Billy was proud to hold, it's the title of Dad.

This is never something he particularly wished for, never believed he would ever have this, and yet it's all he could ever ask for.

Sometimes the most wonderful gifts are those you don't even ask for.

The tree stands tall and proud in the corner of their living room. It is decked out in lights and tinsel and ornaments.

Looking at it transports Billy back to the past. It reminds him of many Christmas trees much like this one. He remembers his dad going out to get it on December 15, always December 15. Mom and he would stay home and watch a Christmas movie and wait for dad to bring the tree so they could decorate it. He loved their tradition. Maybe because it was one of the only times Neil took part in any happy family activities and there was no screaming and throwing plates. Maybe because his mom seemed genuinely at peace then.

Well that went to shit faster than he can remember

When mom left, Neil stopped bothering. There were a few years with no trees and then Susan and Max came along and while with them the trees came back, it was never the same.

This tree in all its kitschy, tinsel-covered glory, brings this feeling of peace and joy back into his heart. Makes him remember the good times.

There's an ornament on the tree with his mother's initials on it. She left it behind and for many years it had been stuffed into a box and left in the basement. That was until Billy moved out. It's one of the few things he owns that belonged to his mom, and while his heart will forever hold some resentment towards her for leaving him behind, she was still his mother and there were good times. Good times he finally wants to remember again.

"He loves the tree," (Y/N) exclaims as Billy rounds the corner and sits down on the floor next to her and their son. "He's mesmerized by the lights."

Billy hands her the mug of hot chocolate before taking a sip of his coffee. No milk but several spoons of sugar. She always makes fun of him for it. He says he likes it sweet, just like his women. It makes her laugh and blush so he'll never stop saying it.

"You think it's time for presents?" Billy asks and though their little one has no concept of what that means, he can see the sparkling of excitement and euphoria in (Y/N)'s eyes.

"You ready to see what Santa brought you?" (Y/N) directs the question and the baby who only looks back at his mom with a smile, all gums, no idea what any of her words mean but glad to be involved.

He loves ripping the paper off of the packages and soon enough the 3 of them are surrounded by an ocean of colors and patterns. Swallowed by a wave of wrapping paper.

Billy knows what's in each of the boxes. When (Y/N) told him she was pregnant he promised himself he'd be that kind of dad. The one who's involved. The one who knows what their kid is getting for Christmas, who helps buy and wrap the gifts.

"Should've just gotten him some rolls of wrapping paper and bows," (Y/N) jokes once the baby has unwrapped all of the boxes and resorted to playing with the ribbon. They don't have a lot when it comes to finances. Billy works as a mechanic while (Y/N) splits her time between being a mom and a waitress. Nevertheless, they tried to put as much money aside to make this first Christmas a special one, even if their kid doesn't know the value of any of these gifts, they do and it is as much for them as it is for Jack.

"You did good. I think he'll love the toys once he's done staring at the tree."

Billy knows that while he's very vocal about his insecurities when it comes to being a dad,  she keeps her fears about being a mom safely hidden inside her chest. They only break out every once in a while. So he tries to take every chance he gets to reassure her of the phenomenal job she's doing.

"Thank you, baby" she replies and places a soft kiss on his lips. She tastes like hot chocolate and warmth. "I know we said no gifts but uh - I got you a little something"

She pulls a small box from under the tree, cheeks blushed from her confession.

"Well that's good cause I got something for you too," he replies and holds out a gift to her in exchange.

"Billy," she gasps as she pulls the wooden frame from the paper. "I love this!"

It's a photograph of them 3 at a garden party one of their friends invited them to earlier in the year. Jack is but a few months old, bucket hat and baby sunglasses perched on his head. His parents smiling at each other. Its love captured in a photograph.

"We don't have a lot of family photos around. Thought maybe we should start. "

"I love that. I really really do, Billy. And I love you! "

She grants him another kiss before it's his turn to unwrap the present.

At first, he's not even sure what he's looking at and then he turns it around. It's a shiny blue Christmas ornament with his initials written on it in delicate calligraphy and the words "world's best dad" on the other.

"I know you don't like to talk about it but I see how much your mom's ornament means to you so I thought maybe you'd like one for you. And you deserve it. You are the world's best dad - and the world's best boyfriend."

It feels like he imagines being struck by lightning feels like. But in a good way. Like a switch has been flipped. Like suddenly everything falls into place right before his very eyes.

This is where he belongs. Where he's meant to be. If all the hardship and pain have brought him here, he'd live through it all over again.

His next words aren't planned. He hasn't thought much about it. He wonders if she has. If so, she hasn't mentioned it. But it feels right. It feels perfect.

Jack holds in his tiny hands a thin piece of ribbon, shiny and red and perfect.

"Can I have that," Billy asks the baby, prying the ribbon away from his hands and replacing it with another piece of paper for him to rip up.

"What are you doing?" (Y/N) asks as Billy lifts himself up to one knee.

"I love you. I have loved you from the moment we met. I love you even more since you've given me the best present I could've ever received. Our baby. You made me a dad and you made me find my place in this world when I felt lost. I'm meant to be here with you and Jack. I'm sorry I don't have a ring but I'll get you one, I promise. Will you let me upgrade from best boyfriend to best husband? Will you marry me?"

She doesn't say yes, not with words, but she doesn't have to. She says it in many different ways. In the kisses she places all over his face. In the way she nods her head as their lips are connected. In the smile that takes over her lips when he wraps the ribbon around her ring finger.

There's love in everything she does. There's a yes in every little thing.

Sometimes the best Christmas gifts are the ones you didn't even know you wanted. The ones you didn't ask for but the ones you'll never give back for anything in the world.

Sometimes the best Christmas gift is the love you receive from the people you love most and the knowledge that you're right where you're supposed to be.

[onceuponastory]

at her side - b.b x reader

I was only just a breath removed from going to waste 'Till I found salvation in the form of your Your grace, your grace, your grace - grace by lewis capaldi

Plot: Y/N needs a boyfriend to bring to her family’s Christmas party. Her best friend Bucky Barnes offers to be her fake boyfriend. Of course, neither of them know that the other is madly in love with them, and would date them for real. No pressure, right? Basically, it’s a fake dating fic with Bucky Barnes. With a happy ending of course. Warnings: Some mentions of alcohol Notes: This is for day five of @staticscreenwriting​ and I’s Christmas Creation Calendar. Today’s prompt is fake dating at a Christmas party. If you’d like to be involved (and you don’t have to be a writer to do so), check the rules here, and read the masterlist of the days so far here!

“Is this the turn here?” Bucky asks, and Y/N nods.

“Thanks again for doing this, Bucky.” She smiles. 

“No problem.” He responds, turning the car into her parents' street. As best friends for the past three years, Bucky and Y/N do a lot of favours for each other. So, when her parents called and asked if she was bringing her boyfriend to her Christmas party, she panicked and said yes. Unfortunately, the ‘boyfriend’ in question was a guy she had been on two dates with, who then dumped her to go back to his ex. So instead of owning up and admitting how single and lonely she actually is to her parents, she kept the lie going a bit longer. But then she suddenly realised just how screwed she was a week before the party, and that most men would run a mile if she wanted to introduce them to her family on the second date. But thankfully, her best friend Bucky, kind and dependable Bucky, who still has a heart of gold despite everything the world has done to him, heard of her plight and offered to be her date. As a favour, of course. 

Bucky decided not to tell her that as a 106-year old formerly brainwashed super-soldier assassin, he doesn’t really get invited to too many parties at this time of year. Or ever, actually. So he would still offer regardless of how much she tried to convince him not to. This is actually his first party in a long time. And besides, he’s been friends with Y/N for almost three years at this point. What better time to meet her family? He gets to help Y/N by doing so too, which makes everything worthwhile. Besides, she’s done so much for him already, and continues to do so. When Bucky was at the lowest points of his life, and when the nightmares and insecurities were too loud for him to handle on his own, Y/N was there to help him through it. To this day, he still has no idea where he’d be without her love and support. Pretending to be her boyfriend for a few hours is nothing compared to the things she’s done for him, so of course he offered to help her out for once. And although he’d rather die than admit it, especially to Y/N...Bucky isn’t exactly going to complain about pretending to date his gorgeous best friend for a while. At least he gets to be with her, even if it’s just for one night. 

Meanwhile, Y/N gets to spend more time with her best friend in the entire world, and by doing so, she finally gets her parents off of her back. Of course, it also means that she gets to pretend to be dating the person she’s been in love with for the last year. She wasn’t going to turn that opportunity down anytime soon. So both of them consider it a win. They just have to be themselves, hold hands a few times and maybe give each other a small kiss or two on the other’s forehead or cheek if they have to. That’s not that bad, right? Even if the thought of kissing the other is enough to send both of their hearts into palpitations. Bucky soon pulls up outside her parents’ house. “You ready?” He asks. Y/N sighs.

“...As I’ll ever be.” Bucky gives her hand a squeeze with his non-metal one, which calms her down ever so slightly. She looks into Bucky’s eyes, so blue and calm. Like the sea. She smiles her first genuine smile of the day so far. Bucky smiles back at her. The pair get out of Bucky’s car and walk towards the front door of Y/N’s parents’ house. She holds out her hand to knock on the door, taking a deep breath to calm herself down. Part of her knows she’s being silly. It’s just introducing Bucky, her best friend, to her family for the first time. Okay, maybe they’ll have to hold hands once or twice, but it’s not that bad, right? 

So why does it feel like she’s being led to her execution? She suddenly feels another squeeze on her hand and looks over to see Bucky giving her another reassuring smile. One that tells her he’ll be right by her side. And they can face everything together. Once again, Bucky’s presence makes her feel a little better. So, she raises her hand and knocks. The door opens before she’s even finished knocking, and her mother stands before the pair.

“Y/N! Hi darling!” She grins, pulling her close for a tight hug so quickly that she loses her grasp on Bucky’s hand. She can smell the scent of her mother’s perfume mixed with home baking, something that brings her back to her childhood. It smells comforting, and it smells like home.  

“Hey, mom.” Her mother gives her another squeeze before turning her attention to Bucky.

“And who is this?” She grins. “Is this the boyfriend we’ve been hearing so much about?” Bucky holds out his hand. Y/N smiles. Always the gentleman and the sergeant, despite what happened to him.

“Hello ma’am, I’m-wow, okay.” He gasps as her mother pulls him into a hug. “I’m Bucky.” Y/N giggles as she watches him getting the life squeezed out of him by her mother. 

"One thing you gotta know about me, honey, is that I’m a hugger.” Her mother grins. But to Bucky, despite how weird it feels to be squeezed so tightly by someone he barely knows...it feels nice overall. Bucky hasn’t been hugged like this in a long time. The last person to hug him like this was his own mother, back in the twenties. There’s really nothing as sweet and welcoming as a mother’s love. And Y/N’s mother has it in bucketfuls. Y/N’s mother finally lets him go and ushers them both inside. 

“Can I take your coats?” Y/N notices Bucky tensing immediately. She knows he’s terrified about showing his metal arm to everyone, despite how much she constantly reassured him that her family would be okay with it, whether he decided to cover it up or let it show. Bucky glances to her for reassurance, and she gives him a small smile and a nod. Gulping, Bucky takes off his jacket. The gold of his metal arm glints in the light. Y/N’s mother doesn’t say anything to his immense relief, and takes both their coats without another word. “Almost everyone is in the living room, and some of us are in the kitchen cooking. Go say hi to everyone!” She grins. As she leaves, she throws a glance at Bucky and winks, mouthing “You did well!” to Y/N. Her cheeks flush. Thankfully, Bucky doesn’t seem to have noticed.

“Well, I guess we better-”

“Y/N! I MISSED YOU!” A squeal fills the room, and soon Y/N’s legs are tackled by her five-year-old niece and goddaughter, Amelia, who wraps her tiny arms around them in a hug. 

“Hey, sweetheart!” She smiles, bending down and picking her up. “Oh, you’re getting so big!” She kisses her cheek and listens intently as Amelia continues to rattle on about the things she’s done since she last saw her aunt and what she asked Santa for. Bucky smiles at the scene in front of him. Y/N really is a natural with kids...And why is he thinking about that? Why now? Sure he loves her and all, but he’s here as her fake date, nothing more. Now is not the time to think about how cute their kids would be. “Amelia.” Y/N begins. “This is Bucky. He’s my friend. Can you say hello?” Bucky gives a small wave, and Amelia gives him one back.

“Are you her boyfriend? My mommy and nana said that auntie Y/N’s bringing her boyfriend. They said that she told them that he’s cute! And she’s right! You’re cute!” She tells Bucky, who grins. Y/N’s cheeks suddenly feel like they’re on fire with embarrassment, and Bucky chuckles. 

“Well, thank you. That’s very kind of you to say.” 

“Amelia, why don’t we go see mommy? I need to talk to her.” Y/N asks, placing her niece down, who runs into the living room, beckoning for the pair to follow her, which they do. “Talk to her about how to not spill things said in private.” She mutters under her breath.

“So, you think I’m cute.” Bucky smiles. Y/N starts wishing for the ground to open up and swallow her whole. 

“Well, I mean, you are, it’s just-” She trails off. Meanwhile, Bucky is still slightly in disbelief, despite how confident he seems. She thinks he’s cute? Him? But surely...she can’t feel the same about him, right? Nobody’s ever felt the same way about him, despite how much he wants them to. And with Y/N, her feeling the same way about him is all he’s ever wanted. 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Once Bucky has been introduced to Y/N’s family and friends and gotten to know them some more, the pair sit with her sister, brother in law, aunts, uncles and some cousins, chatting as Christmas music plays softly in the background and lights sparkle around them. Of course, as the new person there, Bucky is the one most people want to speak to about his hobbies, work, and everything in between. Bucky and Y/N sit on the couch, Bucky’s arm wrapped around her waist. This still feels weird to her, but comforting too. Like where this is where she’s meant to be. Surrounded by love and family, with Bucky at her side. Even though it’s just for one night, she doesn’t want this to ever end. She doesn’t want to wake up from this dream.

“You know, you two are so cute.” Her aunt grins, sipping from a glass of wine. “When did you two start dating?” Y/N’s eyes widen slightly. She completely forgot to prepare a dating timeline with Bucky.

“A few weeks ago. Almost a month, actually. But we’ve been friends for longer, right Y/N?” Bucky responds before Y/N can even start to panic. Damn, he’s good. Y/N nods.

“I see. So, what made you two decide to start dating? Did it seem like there was something more, or...” Bucky and Y/N gulp.

“Well-” Bucky begins, but before he can say anything, they’re called to dinner. Y/N breathes a sigh of relief. Saved by the turkey. For now, anyway. As her family leaves the room, Y/N and Bucky hang back. “Dammit. We don’t have a dating story worked out.” Bucky sighs. “Okay, at least we have some time over dinner to think up answers to their questions.” He whispers. Y/N shakes her head, sighing. 

“I wish, but nope. The questions won’t stop over dinner. We don’t have time to think up a story because they’ll send someone to come find us if we’re late to dinner, so one of us will just have to make up something whilst the other one nods and agrees. Okay?” Bucky nods. He can see Y/N is getting slightly worked up about it, so he gently takes her hand. 

“Hey, it’s okay. We’ll be fine. We’ve been through worse.” He reassures her. Bucky pulls her close, gently pressing a kiss to her forehead. Y/N swears the butterflies in her stomach must’ve turned into a colony by this point. “Now come on, let’s go get some food.” He tells her, leading her out of the room and into the dining room, where they take their seats.

As Y/N’s parents and some other family members bring in steaming dishes of food, Y/N’s mother comes in, struggling with a few dishes of food. Before Y/N can even do anything, Bucky stands up. “Let me help you with those.” He smiles, taking some of them from her with ease. His muscles flex ever so slightly, and he doesn’t even flinch under the weight of the dishes. Y/N gulps. That super serum really must be doing its job. God, how does he make everything, even carrying the roast potatoes, so attractive? Her eyes scan the table. All her female relatives seem to feel the same, given how they’re all staring at him. Bucky places the dishes down on the table and sits back down, not noticing how most of the women, including Y/N, are all staring at him. Some of them look like they’re considering leaving their husbands for him. Meanwhile, Y/N’s mom looks like she’s ready to start calling him her son in law.

Once everyone has their plates piled high and is tucking into their food, the incessant questioning of Bucky and Y/N starts again. Of course, a few other questions and stories are thrown in, but most of the conversation is centred on Y/N and her new date. Where they met, their first date, their second date, how they knew they wanted it to continue...and so on. Y/N and Bucky do well at keeping their stories similar. And besides, most of what they’re telling them is true. They met in New York at work and got closer after seeing each other every day. Nobody has to know they aren’t really dating. And it looks like nobody suspects they aren’t either. It’ll just be a funny, cute memory for them both down the line. Even though neither of them want this lie to end, or to let go of the magic just yet.

“So.” Her aunt clears her throat. “We got interrupted last time, but Bucky, when did you know you wanted to start dating Y/N? How did you know she was the one?” Y/N almost chokes on a potato. Next time her aunt goes to fill up her wine, she will tackle her whilst someone locks the wine up. If she has anymore, it’ll only be a matter of time before her next question is if he will propose to her.

“Nina.” Y/N’s mother tuts. “Stop with all the questions. You’ll give the poor boy a heart attack.” Her aunt shrugs.

“It’s just a question. I was the same when you met your husband.” Y/N’s father rolls his eyes.

“You don’t have to answer that.” Y/N whispers to Bucky. Surprisingly, however, he clears his throat and continues to talk.

“No, it’s okay. I don’t mind. Well. One day she came into work, and she’d brought me a coffee and a bagel. I mean, she does that a lot, but when she gave it to me, I realised that she’d left me a little note saying that she hoped I had a good day with a little smiley face on it. And as I read it, a lot of things just started to fall into place. She’s so kind and loving. Even on her worst days, this woman is like a ray of sunshine.” Y/N gasps softly, feeling tears stinging in her eyes. “And god, she’s so beautiful. I mean, she always is. Especially today. And I realised right then and there that I didn’t want to go another day without being with her. So, I asked her out, and the rest is history.” Her family aww around her, but Y/N is still in shock. Bucky...said those things about her? He thought them about her? Is it true? Does he really love her like that? 

Bucky’s hand finds hers under the table, and he intertwines his fingers with hers. He gently pecks her on the cheek. Y/N swears her heart is beating so fast it might break out of her chest. It feels like her whole world has been turned upside down. She has to talk to him and find out the truth.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

After dinner, Bucky and Y/N lie on the couch, too full to move. Bucky’s arm is slung around her waist again, and she rests her head on his chest. “Oh doll, your mom is a talented cook. I couldn’t eat another thing.” Bucky groans. “I could sleep. For about a hundred years.”

“Yup. She sure is. I don’t know how I managed some dessert after all that turkey. She’ll have you invited over for her New Year’s feast if you’re not careful.” Bucky chuckles. They sit in silence for a while, and Y/N starts to smell Bucky’s cologne. It’s nice. It’s comforting. In its own way, it smells like home too. Her mind goes back to earlier and to the moment when Bucky practically admitted his love for her over the dinner table. “Hey, can I ask you something?”

“Mhm?” But before she can say anything, her mother and some other family members walk in. Y/N sighs. She can’t ask her fake boyfriend if he really loves her and wants to date her for real in front of her family, who thinks they’re actually dating. She shakes her head, and Bucky frowns but says nothing. 

“Okay, you two, we’re going to put some music on and have a dance party. And before you start groaning, Amelia requested it, not me.” Y/N’s sister says. 

“Bucky, can I dance with you, please? Just for a little while...” Amelia asks, looking up at him, her eyes wide and pleading. 

“Of course you can, sweetheart.” Bucky smiles. He glances over at Y/N. “But I would like to dance with your auntie too, if that’s okay.” He whispers loud enough for Y/N to hear, and Amelia nods. Y/N smiles.

“Actually, Y/N can I see you in the kitchen for a moment, please?” Her mother asks. Y/N frowns, wondering what she’s done now. But she nods and follows her mother out of the room. Once they’re in the kitchen, her mother turns to face her. “You really love him, don’t you?” Y/N frowns.

“He’s my boyfriend, mom. Of course, I do-” Her mother raises an eyebrow.

“Mhm. Y/N I know when you were a teenager, you thought I was born in the middle ages, but I am not that old or dumb. I can tell when you’re actually dating someone or if it’s just fake. And I know you and Bucky aren’t actually dating.” Y/N opens her mouth to argue, but her mother holds up her hand to stop her. “Don’t bother arguing. I know. A mother knows these things.”

“Seriously? Wow, I guess what they say about a mother’s intuition is right.”

“Well, yeah, it is. But it’s mostly cause you said your new boyfriend’s name was Henry, and now it’s Bucky all of a sudden.” Y/N blushes. Oops. “But you know darling...with the way he looks at you and speaks about you, and the way you look at him...you had us all fooled. I think there’s more love invested into this ‘fake’ relationship than you think there is. You really do love him, don’t you?” Y/N nods.

“I don’t want this to be over. I don’t want to go back to New York and go back to being friends when I love him so much. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do.” She can feel tears stinging at her eyes again, and her mother pulls her into another tight hug. 

“You have to talk to him. I know it’s scary and tough, but it’s what you have to do. And...I think I know his answer.” The two women walk back into the living room and are greeted by most of the family dancing to Paul McCartney’s Wonderful Christmas Time. Bucky holds Amelia in his arms, gently swaying and spinning her to the music as she giggles along. Y/N smiles softly. He really fits in with her family. They all adore him. And she does too. Her mother gently pats her back, and after taking a breath, Y/N walks over to Bucky as the song fades out and Queen’s Thank God It’s Christmas begins to play. 

“Hey, sweetheart. Can I get that dance with Bucky now?” Grinning, Amelia nods. Bucky places her down, and she runs off to find her parents. Bucky takes her hand in his and wraps his arm around her waist again. They begin to sway together. 

“What did your mom want? Everything okay?” She nods. Everything’s great. 

“Thanks for today, Bucky. For everything, actually.”

“Of course, doll.”

“And um.” She takes a breath. Bucky raises an eyebrow. “I don’t know how to say this so I’m just going to. I don’t want us to go back to just being friends after this. I’m in love with you, Bucky Barnes.” His eyes go wide, and his face lights up. 

“I love you too.” He sighs happily. “God, I’ve been waiting and hoping you’d say those words to me.” Y/N grins. “Can I kiss you?” She nods, and he gently places her lips on hers in a soft kiss. Y/N was right. This is all she needs, and it’s where she’s meant to be. Surrounded by love and family, with Bucky at her side. For real this time.

[drabbles-mc]

A Little Something

Javier Peña x F!Reader, Steve Murphy & Platonic!F!Reader

For Day 22 of #ChristmasCreationCalendar2021: You’re home alone for Christmas?

Warnings: Christmas fluff and holiday feelings, alcohol/smoking

Word Count: 2.8k

A/N: It’s Christmas Eve, y’all, and I just had some soft and fuzzy feelings about these two. Hope you enjoy!

Narcos Taglist: @thesandbeneathmytoes @winchestershiresauce​ (If you want to be added just let me know!)​

Your expectations for Christmas were low this year. All of you were away from family, and with the way things had been going with the hunt for Escobar, no one was feeling particularly festive anyway. Steve at least had his wife and daughter, but you knew that he was missing the rest of his family. Javi didn’t say it, but something told you that he was feeling homesick as well. It was hard not to.

Getting presents for them hadn’t been the plan, but you loved giving gifts, even if it was just something small. You weren’t getting either of them anything crazy, just a little something to say that you were thinking of them. You trusted each other with your lives, you thought that it was hardly inappropriate to give them a gift for Christmas.

It was Christmas Eve, but the three of you were still burning the midnight oil, not concerned with the holiday. Tendrils of smoke curled up from the ashtray on Javi’s desk, the only sound was that of him clacking away on his typewriter. Both you and Steve were scanning over the new intel that had been dropped off that afternoon. Between the three of you, the bottle of whiskey in the middle where your three desks connected was nearly spent.

“You guys got a sec?” you spoke up, leaning back in your chair to stretch.

They both looked over at you, eyebrows raised. Steve nodded, “What’s up?”

“I know it doesn’t really feel like Christmas,” you rose from your seat, “But I got you guys each a little something.”

Their eyes widened, and you could see all the emotions and thoughts flash across their faces. They were touched by the gesture, and appreciative, but it also made it glaringly obvious that they didn’t get anything for you. You figured as much. And besides, that wasn’t why you had gotten them anything.

Steve knew that Javi didn’t want to break your heart and cop to it, though, so he bit the bullet for the both of them, “That’s real sweet. We just, uh, neither of us got—”

You waved your hand dismissively, not making him suffer through the rest of that sentence, “I truly don’t care. Don’t worry about it,” you opened your desk drawer and grabbed your keys, “I gotta grab ‘em from my car, I’ll be right back.”

Before either of them could say anything else, you were off and running, an extra pep in your step from the holiday season. It was admirable, really, that you still found it in yourself to enjoy the holiday in the midst of the bloodiest mission any of you had ever been on.

You walked back in, a box tucked underneath each arm. One was considerably larger than the other, and you could see it in both of their faces that you had their full attention and curiosity. Setting each of them down on top of your desk, you took a breath and rested your hands on your hips.

Tossing the smaller of the two boxes to Murphy, you beamed, “Merry Christmas!”

He caught it, a quiet oof slipping past his lips as he realized the weight of it. You’d packaged everything so nicely, wrapping paper, bow, and all. Steve wondered when you had the time to go shopping for them, let alone wrap everything too. That was the part of it all that he’d never been good at. It was almost a shame that he was about to shred it.

He popped open the top of the box that was now in his lap, eyes growing wide as he pulled out what was inside. He looked over at you for a moment, only to see a bright smile on your face, fighting the urge to clap your hands in excitement. His eyes scanned over the label on the bottle, a bit of a hard time believing that you really swung it and got it. You knew that while the three of you usually had no problem sharing a bottle of whiskey between you, Steve was going to be stashing that one away for himself. And maybe sharing with Connie if he was feeling generous. You couldn’t blame him, either.

“I will admit,” you said with a laugh, “I had to call Connie and ask what your favorite was, just to be sure.”

“Yea, but how’d you—I haven’t seen this in a liquor store since we moved here. And I’ve fuckin’ looked,” he let out a laugh of disbelief.

You shrugged, “I know some people.”

He stood up, walking over to your desk and giving you a hug, and you realized that that was the first time he’d ever hugged you. Tis the season, you supposed. He gave you a light squeeze, “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” you smiled at him.

He sat on the edge of your desk as you both turned your attention to Javi. You slid the large box closer to him, “Alright, Peña, it’s your turn.”

He stood up out of his chair, chuckling as he shook his head, “Somethin’ gonna jump out of this at me?”

You laughed, “No, no. Nothing like that. Promise.”

Steve still had the whiskey bottle clutched in his hand as he watched Javi start to tear at the wrapping paper. Underneath was a large cardboard box, and Javi pulled the knife out of his desk to slice through the tape on the top of it. Reaching in, he revealed another box, wrapped in equally festive wrapping paper with a bright red bow on it. He shot you a confused look, and you just nodded for him to continue. You were standing close enough to Steve to feel him trying to hold back his laughter. He had a feeling he knew what direction it was all going, but he wanted to know what was going to be at the end of the rainbow for Javi.

This process repeated itself a few times over, and you could see it in Javi’s face that he was contemplating telling you to take your Christmas present and shove it somewhere very specific. But, just as he was about to lose all hope, he reached what he was about to learn was the last box. He hoped it was, because they couldn’t get much smaller.

Taking a deep breath, he ripped the wrapping paper off, laughter instantly erupting out of him as he realized that all of that work was to unearth a single pack of cigarettes. His preferred kind, of course, but the work you went through just to make him jump through all of those hoops for the payoff of a pack of smokes. He was about to get up out of his seat to warp you in a hug as well, but you held your hand up, shaking your head.

“I got your real present in here,” you pulled open the bottom drawer of your desk, “I just really couldn’t help myself.”

Javi chuckled, and truthfully he would’ve been perfectly fine if the cigarettes were the beginning and end of the gift. He couldn’t remember the last time someone had put that much effort into something for him like that, even if it was just a prank.

“Here,” you handed him a box that was a little more similar in size to the one you’d given Steve, “I promise this one is just the one box.”

He shook it gently, trying to listen and figure out what it was. Unable to venture a guess, he ripped the paper off and opened the box. He peeked inside, his laughter subsiding as a much softer and extremely genuine smile crossed his face.

“No more shitty breakroom coffee,” you said as he pulled out the contents of the box, “Or whatever it is that Steve shows up with every day that he claims is coffee,” you all got a good chuckle out of the comment, “Plus, the coffee maker is travel-size. So, you know, wherever you go when we’re done with all this, you’ll at least have good coffee.”

Now he rose from his chair, stepping in and easily enveloping you in a hug, and you rested against his chest for a moment as he mumbled a thank you against the side of your head, still unsure of how to let people do nice things for him.

Stepping away, you cleared your throat, “Alright. We should all be getting out of here, huh?”

Steve looked at the time on his watch and let out a deep sigh as he nodded, “Yea, I gotta be getting back,” he gave each of you a brief hug as he got ready to leave, keeping a tight grip on the bottle in one hand, “Merry Christmas. Stay safe.”

“You too,” you and Javi replied in unison.

Turning to him, you smiled, “You heading home too, Peña?”

He hesitated, looking at the papers on the desk that were sticking out from under the largest box that still rested there, “I dunno. I might stay awhile longer, get some more stuff done.”

You sighed, shaking your head, “C’mon, Javi,” you rested your hand on the outside of his arm, “Clock out. You should…you should come over.”

He didn’t know why he didn’t see the offer coming, “Yea?”

“Yea,” you began to pack up your things, “It’s Christmas Eve, no one should spend it alone.”

There was more that you wanted to say, and you were pretty sure that he knew it. But you refrained and he didn’t push the subject. His exhaustion and stress morphed into a smile, “I don’t know, that’s a whole extra flight of stairs to get to your place.”

You rolled your eyes, “It’s good for you. Maybe the extra steps will help you keep up with all the sicarios that keep outrunning you.”

He placed his hand over his heart, dramatically feigning being shot, “That’s cold, sweetheart.”

You ignored the blissful feeling that went through you as he called you that, “I just call ‘em like I see ‘em,” you nodded towards his desk, “Grab your boxes and let’s go.”

He chuckled, shaking his head as he started to strategically pack all of the boxes and gifts back into the largest one that he had. Crumpling up the wrapping paper, he lofted it at you, banking it off your shoulder and somehow managing to get it into the garbage can that you had by your desk. You couldn’t even pretend to be annoyed, too busy being amused and surprised by the lucky shot.

“Let’s just take my car,” he said as the two of you walked across the parking lot, “We’ll just drive in together. Not like we aren’t goin’ to the same places, right?”

You smiled, “I guess so.”

The car ride passed in comfortable silence, Javi opting to pull a cigarette out from the new pack that you’d just given him. Biting back a laugh, you shook your head and looked out the window. Christmas Eve in Columbia couldn’t be more different than Christmas Eve back home.

The two of you made small talk as you walked up the stairs, allowing him to drop his stuff off at his apartment. He paused in his doorway, “If you don’t want to do the extra flight, we can always do Christmas Eve here.”

You smiled, shaking your head as you reached out and took his hand in your own, “I’ve got a tiny tree, and hot chocolate we can spike upstairs. And I just might have a Christmas movie that I found. Maybe.”

He smiled, letting you tug him along the hall back towards the stairs, “Just maybe, huh?”

He’d only ever been to the doorway of your apartment, and vice versa. He’d walk you to your door on days that went particularly horrible, or if you’d gotten banged up a bit and he wanted to make sure that you were all good. He always joked that if you stomped on the floor three times he’d know to come upstairs to help you. He stood beside you, leaning against the wall as you unlocked your door.

When you walked in and flipped the light on, Javi couldn’t help but to feel a sense of warmth wash over him as he stepped into your apartment. It was sparse, like his. But you had a small scattering of Christmas decorations that you must’ve picked up in the passing weeks. Your tree was a small little thing, hanging on by a thread, but the Charlie Brown type of charm that it had seemed fitting for the holiday that you were all having. You had a few eclectic ornaments on it and a small string of lights.

“Get comfy,” you gestured to the couch as you took your shoes off, “I’ll get us some cocoa.”

Javi followed your lead, leaving his shoes by the door before walking over to the couch. He could tell from the blankets and pillows amassed on one end of it that you probably slept out here more than your room most nights. He didn’t know what came over him, because it wasn’t as though it was a particularly cold evening, but he pulled the blanket from the back of the couch and draped it over his lap. Glancing around your apartment, he tried to imagine what you did with the little time that you spent there. The two of you spent so much time together at work, and at the bar across from the embassy, but it amazed him that you never stopped by each other’s temporary homes. Despite that, though, he felt much more at ease than he thought he would.

He looked back over his shoulder to see you at the stove, stirring a pot on the stove that he assumed would shortly be turned into your hot chocolate. Your entire stance was different at home, much less on-guard, and you swayed slightly to whatever song you must’ve been singing in your head. Javi never considered himself an overly sentimental person, but it was one of those things that he would remember about Christmas Eve for a while to come.

“Wanna pop the movie in for me?” you asked him, not looking back at him as you did.

“Yea,” he pulled the blanket off his lap, “sure.”

He looked down at the VHS tape in his hands, chuckling at the fact that, of course, you somehow stumbled across a copy of Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town. Why wouldn’t you?

“Went for the classics, huh?” he said with a chuckle as he popped it into the VHS player.

You laughed, turning to him with a bright smile, “Can’t beat ‘em.”

You walked over to the couch, allowing him to get settled before handing him his mug and taking a seat next to him. He draped the blanket over both your laps, and without thinking about it you tucked yourself up against his side, leaning into him as you took a sip of your cocoa.

“Thank you,” he said quietly as the movie started.

You looked up at him, “Hm?”

“Thank you,” he repeated, a little more confidently this time, “This is better than being at the embassy by myself.”

“Any time you don’t want to be at the embassy by yourself you can always come up here, you know. I always have snacks and booze,” you laughed.

“I know this isn’t probably your ideal Christmas, but—”

You didn’t let him finish the sentence, “This is as good of a Christmas as any, Javi,” you reached and rested your hand on his knee, “I’m glad you’re here.”

He nodded, letting the statement sink in without responding. He wasn’t quite sure what to say, so he didn’t say anything, opting to just drape his arm around your shoulder and let you lean into him a little more. You smiled, carefully holding your mug as you let your head rest against the side of his chest.

By the time the credits rolled on the movie, both of you had finished your drinks, the mugs discarded on the coffee table. You were resting against him, arm tossed comfortably across his chest. He felt the steadiness of your breathing and when he looked down to see that you’d fallen asleep, he couldn’t stop the smile that spread across his face. For a brief moment he contemplated trying to get up without waking you so he could go back downstairs to his own apartment, but the more he thought about it, the more he realized that there was no real reason to do that. There was nothing for him to gain from leaving you in that moment.

So, instead, he managed to shift so that he was laying in the same direction as you, making it so that you were lying completely on top of him, resting on his chest. You looked so comfortable and Javi had the fleeting thought that maybe this was what it was really all about.

Tugging the blanket up so it covered your shoulders, he looked down at you one last time before turning the light off. The peaceful expression on your face enough to put him at ease and maybe afford him a couple hours of real rest.

Leaning down, he pressed a featherlight kiss to your forehead as his arm rested across your back, “Merry Christmas.”

[drabbles-mc]

Christmas Party

EZ Reyes x F!Reader

For Day 5 of Bethany & Jo’s Christmas Calendar: fake dating at the Christmas party

Warnings: alcohol, mentions of creepy male coworkers, EZ being just the absoulte best

Word Count: 4k

A/N: This fic has been haunting me for the last week or so and I think I’m finally mostly happy with it? I’m not sure, but I also don’t know what else to add or edit at this point, so I’m setting it free out into the universe for you guys haha. Hope you enjoy!

EZ Reyes Taglist: @ly--canthrope @noz4a2 @queenbeered @sincerelysomebody @sadeyesgf @thesandbeneathmytoes @appropriate-writers-name @tomhardydallasstarsgirl @kelpies-shed @louisianalady @gemini0410 @paintballkid711 @chibsytelford @yourwonkywriter @sesamepancakes @mayans-sauce @behindmyeyes-insidemyhead @plentyoffandoms @georgiaaintnopeach @twistnet @themoonandthewicked @garbinge @bucky-iss-bae @enjoy-the-destruction @encounterthepast @rosieposie0624 @mylittlelonelyappreciationtoo @mijop @xladymacbethx @blessedboo @holl2712 @lakamaa12 @masterlistforimagines @kkim120 @toni9 @shadow-of-wonder @crowfootwrites @redpoodlern @punkgoddess-98 @lexondeck @mrsstevenbuchananstark @lovebishoplosamiguelgalindos @amorestevens @angelreyesisdaddy04​ @mijagif​ @frattsparty​ @winchestershiresauce​ @bellisperennis0​ @beardburnsupersoldiers​ @mveggieburger​ @thanossexual​ @xeniarocks​ @choochoo284​ @beardsanddetectives​ @bruxasolta​ @i-love-scott-mccall​  (if you want to be added just let me know!)

“You gotta promise me that you won’t be mad,” you told him over the phone, trying your hardest to contain the laugh that was building in your throat.

“That’s…not reassuring,” EZ chuckled on the other end of the line.

“I might need you to give up your Saturday night for me…” your voice trailed off, not wanting to tell him everything that had been happening.

He sighed, not because he actually had a problem with blowing off plans for you, but because telling the club that they could shove it was easier said than done, especially with his patch-in vote coming up so quickly. Still, there was so little that he wouldn’t do for you, and the least he could do was hear you out.

“What do you have planned?” he finally asked after a stretch of silence.

“My work Christmas party.”

“Okay…” his confusion was palpable.

“Look, I know the parties you guys throw are much more fun than what this is gonna be, but I really need you to go with me.”

“I mean, I’ll see what I can do?” he sounded genuinely uncertain, “You know I’ll always help if I can, but the club—”

“I need you to be my date,” you cut him off, blurting out the information.

“Your…your date?” he couldn’t hide the surprise in his voice. It wouldn’t be the first time you were each other’s plus one to things, but for some reason he could feel that this situation was different.

“Yea,” you sighed, running your hand down your face as you tried to muster up the courage to tell him, “So, um, you remember that guy at my office who was hitting on me?”

“Bryan,” you could envision the way he rolled his eyes as he said it, “Yea. I remember the story.”

“Well. He…he wouldn’t leave me alone. Kept pressing me trying to get my number or a date or whatever. So I panicked and said that I have a boyfriend. And you…you were the first person I thought of.”

He hated that you were put in that position, but he couldn’t pretend that he wasn’t surprised at the fact that you had said that he was your boyfriend. The two of you had always been close, and between him and his brother you had ample protection at bars to ward off unwanted suitors. But pretending to be your boyfriend was an entirely different play.

“So now Bryan thinks that you and your boyfriend are gonna be showing up to the Christmas party together?”

You hesitated before answering, “Y-yea,” silence stretched on the line between you and you felt yourself faltering, “I’m sorry, EZ. I know I should’ve told you, or just not have thrown you under the bus to begin with, but I just—”

“Stop apologizing,” he laughed quietly, “I’ll, I’ll see what I can do. I’m sure if I explain the situation to the guys, they aren’t gonna tell me no. Or at the very least, Angel will cover for me.”

Your voice brightened noticeably, “Seriously?”

“Seriously. They love you, you know.”

You chuckled, “But you love me most, right?”

It was a shame you couldn’t see the grin on his face as he replied, “Of course.”

For the rest of the week, whenever you had a spare moment, your mind wandered to what the party was going to be like. EZ had so easily agreed to be your fake boyfriend for the night, but did he really know what that entailed? He was a bit of a flirt by nature, even if he wasn’t always as obvious about it as his brother, but could he really fake being in love with you for the night? You felt like it was a big ask, at least if you wanted to pull it off successfully. Just to be safe, you checked in with him a couple times to give him a chance to back out, but he always came back with a reassuring, and slightly comical answer.

You knew that you should’ve mentioned to him that it wasn’t just Bryan at work who assumed that the two of you were dating. Word spreads fast, especially in an office where there isn’t much more to talk about. So more than a couple of your coworkers had asked about him. A few of the women had asked to see pictures of the two of you together which, thanks to years of friendship, you actually had. To say they were enamored with the idea of you being in love with a big bad biker boy would be an understatement, but at least they bought into it.

So many thoughts were flying through your head as you put the finishing touches on your outfit and makeup. Red had always been your go-to color for more formal events, and the fact that you were going to a Christmas party just made it all the more fitting. The dress was one of your favorites—it fit you like a glove and went perfect with your gold jewelry. Slipping into a pair of small black heels, you gave yourself a last look in the mirror and decided that you were as ready as you were ever going to be.

EZ offered to drive the two of you, since he was supposed to be your date and all, and you didn’t have it in you to say no. You were nervously pacing the length of your living room when you saw headlights stream through the front windows of your house. You didn’t want to admit to yourself why there were so many butterflies in your stomach, but you knew full-well why they were there.

There was a light knock on your front door and you laughed, like EZ hadn’t let himself in a million times before. Walking over, you grabbed your purse on the way and pulled the door open. EZ was leaning against the doorframe, nonchalant as ever.

“Here to get my girlfriend for a party?” he smiled, laughing.

You rolled your eyes but didn’t try to hide the grin on your face, “You came to the right spot.”

Both of you took a moment to take the other in. You couldn’t remember the last time you saw EZ so dressed up. He had on black slacks and a white button-down with a red tie that matched your dress almost perfectly, which was impressive since he didn’t know exactly what you were planning on wearing. You fought the urge to bite down on your bottom lip, reminding yourself that he was your fake boyfriend for the night, not a real one.

“You look great,” his eyes were a little wider than usual as he looked you over.

“You don’t look too bad yourself, Reyes,” you flashed him a smile.

He held out his hand for you to take, “You ready?”

You laughed, setting your hand in his, “I feel like I should be asking you that.”

As the two of you walked to the car, EZ gave your hand a light squeeze as he shook his head, “I spend every day with Angel and Gilly��nothing your coworkers say is gonna shock me or hurt my feelings.”

You chuckled, stepping back as he opened the passenger door for you, “I guess that’s true.”

On the drive over, you told EZ all about the people he was going to be seeing. He listened to you rant about your coworkers pretty frequently, so he already had a basic idea of who he was going to be dealing with. Honestly, if you’d asked him, he was excited to finally be able to put some faces to the names he’d been hearing for so long now. He fought the urge to keep looking over at you as you rambled—he could’ve listened to you forever.

EZ rolled into the parking lot and looked over at the building for a moment before returning his attention to you, “This is the place?”

You shrugged, “Yea, I guess they have some swanky rooftop reception area, and my boss had to blow through the last of our budget for the year,” you laughed.

He raised his eyebrows in surprise, “Swanky, huh?”

You rolled your eyes and gave his shoulder a light shove, “Shut up.”

“What are the chances of this place letting the club throw a party here?” he chuckled as he parked the car.

You laughed, shaking your head, “Please, if you call, make sure I’m there to eavesdrop on the conversation.”

The two of you made your way towards the front doors of the hotel, EZ effortlessly linking his arm with yours as your heels clicked against the tile floors of the extremely nice lobby. If he was nervous, he was incredibly good at hiding it. You just hoped that you could hide it as well as he seemed to. Your heart was pounding inside your chest and your face felt hot—you hoped that it was something only you could notice.

The doors to the rooftop swung open, and you looked over at EZ just in time to see his eyes widen in wonder. It was more upscale than the places the two of you usually went, even when you were going to other parties or weddings together. There were already a good number of people from your job there milling about, making small talk and sipping on what you assumed was their first drink of the night. EZ’s arm tightened against yours for a moment as you both stepped forward, letting the door shut behind you. He gazed around at the whole setup, the lighting, the firepits, the lounge areas and tables.

“What do you do for work again?” he asked quietly with a laugh, “Because I might have to start.”

You chuckled, leaning against his side, “Better brush up on your notes if you’re gonna pull off being my boyfriend.”

He looked over at you, a smirk spreading across his face when he saw you dramatically batting your eyelashes at him, “Don’t worry, I got this. I’ve basically been training my whole life for this.”

“Training? Your whole life?” you laughed as you made your way towards the bar, “To be my fake boyfriend?”

“Yea,” he snaked his arm around your waist, leaning in close to your ear, “you’re gonna be blown away by how good I am at it.”

You laughed, and you hoped that you didn’t sound as breathless as you felt. You tried to check yourself, remind yourself that he was just being Ezekiel, trying to get you riled up and make you laugh. It wasn’t serious. He wasn’t serious.

The two of you were standing there waiting for your drinks when one of your coworkers walked up, a curious smirk on her face as she looked at the two of you standing there. She was clearly trying to get a read on the situation, see if things were really as good as you’d told her they were in the past when she’d asked. You reached and gave EZ’s arm a light, almost imperceptible squeeze letting him know it was showtime.

He turned, his drink in one hand and yours in the other. The smile on his face was as charming as you’d ever seen it. He didn’t say anything, allowing for one of you to make the first introduction.

Your coworker was all too happy to speak up first, “Well, well, well, so nice to finally meet you! Was starting to think that your girlfriend here was never going to bring you around,” she nodded towards you as she held out her hand, “Julia.”

EZ handed you your glass so that he could shake your coworker’s hand, “Nice to meet you, although something tells me that I don’t really need to tell you my name.”

She shrugged, smiling, “I guess not,” she turned to you, “I’m glad that you made it though, really,” she stepped in and gave you a brief hug, “I’m sure I’ll touch base with you again before the night is out.”

You smiled, and you hoped that it looked more genuine than it felt, “I’m sure you will.”

She looked back at EZ, “Enjoy the party!”

He chuckled, nodding, “Thanks, you too,” he watched her as she flitted off to another group of people before turning his attention back to you, “So is she actually that bad at reading people, or does she really not know that you think she’s annoying?”

It got you to laugh as you shook your head, “I really don’t have a damn clue,” you took a large sip of your drink, “I’d like to believe that maybe she’s really just that clueless.”

The smile didn’t disappear from his face as the two of you wandered a little closer to the groups of people who were there, “Alright, so that’s Julia,” he scanned the crowd over the rim of his glass as he drank, “Have you told me about any of these other people?”

You nodded, “Yes,” you tugged him towards a table so that you could set your purse down, also giving you a little distance so you could gesture towards specific people without seeming overly obvious about it. He nodded, taking in everything that you were saying. Upon seeing everyone, a lot of your stories made a lot more sense, and certainly became much more entertaining once he could put faces to the names.

As the evening wore on, you were surprised at how easy it all was, how natural it felt. You had no idea that EZ was such a good actor, seamlessly adding onto whatever stories you were telling as he nodded and laughed along with you. There were moments where you felt light, fleeting touches and you’d spare a glance over at EZ, but he would still be talking with your friends, acting like it was all the most second-nature thing in the world to be close to you like that. The heat from his palm would radiate through the fabric of your dress against your back, or the outside of your arm if he looped his arm around you. Each touch was something that you leaned into with no hesitation, figuring that if you were only going to get one night of it, you might as well milk it for all that it was worth.

You could tell that all of your coworkers were enamored with him—he still had an air of mystery about him in their eyes as your biker boyfriend who cleaned up so nice to come to this party with you. You wondered if he found it all to be a bit much, but there was an amused glint in his eyes, a tiny smirk on his face, that let you know that he was eating it all up. Sure, it was a performance by the two of you but what was the point if you didn’t have a little fun performing?

“So did you guys come here on the bike?” one of your friends asked with a laugh.

You laughed as you shook your head, “Not in this dress,” you took a sip of your drink, “Next party I’ll put together an outfit with pants so we can, though.”

You were all laughing together when EZ’s hand, that had previously been resting idly on your hip, gripped onto you slightly. His body tensed up just enough for you to notice, and you turned to him, immediately wondering what put him on-edge like that.

It only took one scan of your surroundings to see what had caused the shift in demeanor. It was actually surprising to you that you’d gotten so far into the evening without crossing paths with Bryan, the person responsible for your “relationship” with EZ. Despite the fact that EZ didn’t know what the man looked like, he didn’t have to. He could tell by the way Bryan carried himself, by the way the man was looking at you as he walked closer. EZ had no use for anyone looking at you like you were their next meal, and it struck the worst nerve with him.

“Y/N,” Bryan called out, not even looking at EZ who was as glued to your side as he’d been all night, “was worried that I missed you.”

You sighed, clenching your jaw despite your best effort not to, “No such luck.”

“Oh, c’mon,” he laughed, despite the fact that no one else seemed even the slightest bit amused by him, “if I’d missed you, I wouldn’t have the opportunity to meet the famous boyfriend,” he finally turned and looked at EZ, “What was your name again?”

“Apparently I’m not that famous, then,” EZ had a tight smile on his face, and you could feel him forcing himself to hold his hand out for Bryan to shake, “Ezekiel.”

Bryan raised his eyebrows, nodding as he shook EZ’s hand, “Ezekiel. Quite the name. I’m—”

“Bryan,” EZ cut him off as he pulled his hand back, “I know.”

It was the first time you’d ever seen Bryan squirm under the weight of someone’s gaze. You were trying to bite back your smile but you didn’t know how successful you were, and truthfully, you didn’t care. There was something satisfying about not just seeing Bryan be put in his place, but for EZ to be the one to do it, and on your behalf nonetheless. His face might’ve been neutral, but the protective grip that he still had on your hip let you know that just because you were satisfied with the interaction, didn’t mean that he was.

“Nice to finally meet you,” Bryan locked eyes with EZ, but it was clear in his body language that he wasn’t happy about it. You were expecting him to follow up with a bad joke, or a slightly inappropriate comment the way that he usually did, but there was nothing.

EZ nodded, “Yea, I’m sure it is.”

“Alright, well, uh,” Bryan awkwardly tucked his hands into his pockets, “I’ll catch…catch up with you guys later.”

That was the only time you saw EZ give a genuine smile throughout the entire interaction, “See ya.”

Once he started walking away, you could feel EZ’s body start to lose some of its tension. His hold on your hip remained, though, and you wonder if he even noticed it. The two of you sat with your friends for the rest of the night, the evening from that point on passing without incident. EZ was sat next to you, leaned back in his seat with his arm draped around your shoulders. Every so often while he was listening to the group of you all talk, his thumb would lightly trace back and forth along the outside of your arm.

As the party was finally starting to wind down, a few of your coworkers invited you both to go out with them since they were going to head to a bar, but you weren’t going to put EZ through that. He’d already given up enough of his night for you.

The two of you said your final goodbyes and walked in the opposite direction in the parking lot, heading back to the car rather than towards downtown with everyone else. EZ’s hand was still interlocked with yours as you got closer to the car, both of you laughing about the entirety of the night.

“Thank you for this,” you let out a sigh of relief, “It wasn’t that bad, right?”

He laughed, shaking his head, “It wasn’t bad at all. Your work friends are fun.”

“Very different from your work friends,” you smiled.

He looked over at you, smiling, “Yea, thank god.”

You leaned back against the car as he got the keys out of his pocket. You found yourself running your teeth along your bottom lip as you looked at him. “I gotta admit,” you said with a slight shake of your head, “I think I’m gonna miss being your fake girlfriend.”

He laughed as he opened the driver’s door and looked over at you, “Oh yea?”

You could feel the heat creeping up into your face, and you knew that without the liquid courage in you, this conversation would definitely not be happening, “Yea. I mean, you were right, you are pretty good at it,” your breath caught in your throat as he leaned against the car next to you, “Your real girlfriend is gonna be real lucky.”

He drummed his fingers on the hood, “Yea, guess we’ll see, right?”

You nodded, swallowing hard, “Right,” you tried to get your thoughts in order, “So can I keep you on the hook as my fake boyfriend for the foreseeable future? Or do I have to start planning a big, dramatic, fake breakup?”

EZ laughed as he loosened his tie a little, “No, not the fake breakup. Not after I just met all your friends. I thought things were going so well!”

Neither of you could contain your laughter. Sliding closer to him, you leaned against his arm, “Alright, alright. I think we could make things work.”

His laughter quieted and his smile softened as he looked at you, “Well that’s good.”

The two of you stood there like that for a moment, with you leaning against him. To say that you were gazing at each other felt so dramatic, but you wouldn’t have been able to describe it any other way if someone had asked. Neither of you said anything for a minute, just soaking up the moment.

You both started speaking at the same time, each stopping and laughing at the same time as well. EZ shook his head, gesturing for you to continue, “Go ahead.”

As much as you wanted to say what you were really thinking, you just didn’t think that you had it in you to be that honest. Because what if it all went wrong? You took a deep breath, “This was really fun.”

He nodded, “It was.”

He watched your expression for a moment, and he could see it in your eyes that there was something more that you wanted to say, wanted to do. He would’ve been lying if he said that he didn’t have the same exact feeling all night, that things just felt too easy and too right.

“Hey, EZ?” you finally said.

He raised his eyebrows slightly, “Yea?”

Taking a leap of faith, you leaned in and kissed him, barely brushing your lips against his but still getting your point across. Your entire body trembled as you pulled away, trying to see if you just ruined everything. But, before you could get too far, he turned and pulled you to him by your hips, pressing his lips to yours as he leaned into you, guiding you and pushing your back against the car in the process.

You couldn’t deny that you were surprised, but not surprised enough to not give into it. Your hands came to rest on his shoulders for a moment before sliding up and resting on either side of his neck. You felt the way that his fingertips gripped tighter onto your hips as your lips continued to move against his, and you all but melted completely into him.

When he pulled away to catch his breath, you couldn’t stop the surprised laugh that slipped past your lips. You looked at him, your thumb tracing along the side of his throat as you smiled, “Way to really commit to the act.”

He smiled, shaking his head, “That wasn’t an act,” he paused, choosing his words carefully, “None…none of it was. Not really.”

You could feel your face heating up and you fought the urge to break the eye contact that you had with him. He leaned in and placed a soft kiss against your lips, and you felt yourself going weak in the knees. The entire interaction had you kicking yourself for not telling EZ that he was your office boyfriend a long time ago.

“So,” he cleared his throat, a smile creeping across his face, “I can…take you home?”

You laughed, nodding, “Yea, I guess we can’t stand here in the parking lot all night,” you toyed with the end of his tie, “You can stay if you want?”

His face lit up, “Yea?”

You nodded, “Yea, I mean, if you want.”

“Are you asking me as your fake boyfriend or a real one?”

You laughed, giving him a playful shove, “Take me home, Reyes.”

[staticscreenwriting]

Fake Dating || Jess Mariano

My entry for day 5 of our Christmas Calendar. Find all the information here. We’d love for you to join us.

Summary: Reader is invited to her ex boyfriend’s Christmas Party and doesn’t want to show up alone. Playing pretend leads to a confession. 

Likes, reblogs, comments are all much appreciated. I am German. Sometimes I get the tense wrong or make mistakes. I am useless when it comes to punctuation. Go easy on me, please.

There’s something magical about Stars Hollow in the winter. The snow covers the ground and the roofs like a layer of marshmallow fluff and Christmas lights twinkle at you from every corner. 

It’s like a scene straight from a Hallmark card brought to life.

Sounds like a little piece of paradise right here on earth, right? Like a dream.

Yeah not when you have to stomp through the snow, hands freezing, toes merely made of ice by this point, hair a mess atop your head, and all that fuels you to continue going is the anxiety coursing through your veins and the promise of warmth and a hot cup of coffee waiting for you at the end of your journey.

When she reaches the sacred halls of Luke’s cafe, a big scowl pulls the corners of (Y/N)’s lips downwards. Coming back home was supposed to be fun. It was supposed to feel the way it did when she was a kid. Safe and comforting and warm. Only everything is different.

A big mug of steaming coffee is set down in front of her before she can even properly sit down on the barstool by the counter. Luke greets her with his signature grunt that might seem grumpy to some but really it’s how he shows his love. Being at the receiving end should make you feel proud. 

Okay, maybe not everything has changed. Maybe some things stayed the same. Even if it’s the little ones. Sometimes they mean everything.

“ What’s got you scowling like that ? “ he asks as he rings up the person by the register. 

“ Hmm — the heartbreaking realization that we can not stop the passing of time and that with every ticking second the magic of Christmas gets lost a little more as our bitter little hearts grow colder? “ 

Luke takes a sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration. “ Look I already have one aggressively sarcastic jokester around right now, I can’t use another one. “ 

“ What do you mean? “ 

“ Jess is here. “ 

It’s like the sun cuts through her cloudy mind for a split second as the words register. There’s something about Jess she can never quite put into words. A silent understanding about the world and everything in it that he shares with her. Back when they were teenagers, angry and lost, the only place they found belonging, found understanding, was in each other. 

And while she knows she never held the importance in his life that Rory did, while she was never at the receiving end of his romantic interest, she knows she meant something to him — means something. Sometimes you need to find someone else who’s lived their own tragedies in order to help you overcome yours. 

Jess was her best friend and she was his. And while times have changed and distance has kept them apart lately, they both know the other is just a phone call away and a little part of their heart will always belong to each other.

“ Jess is here? “ 

“ I’m here. “ he announces his presence as he steps out from behind the curtain separating the stairs to the apartment from the cafe. 

“ Woah, what’s got you looking all gloomy? “ 

“ That’s what I asked her but I only got a smartass answer. “ Luke points out before making his round across the room serving refills to eager customers trying to hide from the harsh winter winds raging outside.

“ So ? “ 

“ So, you didn’t tell me you were gonna be here. “ 

Jess just shrugs and averts his eyes in the way he always does. The way that makes him look so casually cool and unphased when (Y/N) knows he’s anything but. He has the biggest and softest heart of anyone she knows. It’s just hard sometimes, to let it show when the people who were supposed to love you most left it scarred and broken. 

“ Didn’t know I was gonna be here but then Doula called last night and asked if I wanted to spend the week before Christmas with them too instead of just Christmas day and I didn’t have anything else to do anyway so — “ 

“ And you can’t say no to your sister. “ 

“ Yeah, that too. But back to you. The last time I saw you this sad was when you made me watch that Mickey Mouse Christmas movie that had you crying for like 3 hours after it ended."

"He sold his harmonica to buy Minnie a present Jess! He gave up his music for her."

"You gonna start crying again? "

"I might. Because it's sad and also just to annoy you."

"Okaaaay. Look just - just tell me what's up and maybe I can be talked into watching another cheesy movie if that would cheer you up a little."

He's sweet and gentle and he cares so much. And while she wishes he'd show this side of him to other people sometimes, to let them see the real him, there's a certain sense of pride that fills (Y/N)'s heart knowing she's one of the few people that part of him is reserved for.

"I don't think that's gonna be enough this time, although I appreciate the offer. I ran into Riley earlier."

" Riley Riley? From High School? "

" The same one. Who broke my heart and started dating one of my friends right after dumping me at the firelight festival. " 

There's a dangerous gleam in Jess' eyes. One she's very familiar but hasn't seen in a long time, not since that one night at truncheon when he told her about Rory and Logan and how he felt used. When he called her drunk and sad. When -

"That guy is an asshole, nothing new. But I thought you were over him."

"I am. I totally am. But you know since we're all adults now and civil and we haven't seen each other in a while he thought it would be nice to invite me to this Christmas party they have tonight. "

"They?"

"Him and Lexi. The same girl he dumped me for. They are married now and, by the look of their house, pretty well off too. “ 

“ Okay, so what did you say? “ 

(Y/N) takes the last sip of coffee, letting the bitter taste settle on her tongue hoping that maybe it can overshadow the taste of regret and shame and sadness that has been stuck there ever since talking to Riley.

“ Well, what was I supposed to say? No ? “ 

“ Yes! That’s exactly what you should’ve said. Come on, Goose. Why would you say yes? “

“ I couldn’t say no. That would’ve made it look like I'm still into him or something.”

Jess only regards her with the signature Jess Mariano scowl and judgmental eyes. Not mean or malicious, just maybe a little disappointed.

"Maybe I'll go ahead and ask Lulu if she'll lend me Kirk for the night. Just so I don't have to show up alone, like a loser."

“ You’re not a loser. “ 

“ You’re my best friend. You’re basically contractually obligated to say that. “ 

"I don't remember signing - "

"Aah in pretty sure you did " (Y/N) interrupts him before pushing herself off of the barstool. " Alright, I gotta run. Need to figure out what to wear tonight and ugh this completely ruined my whole hair washing schedule. Anyway, I will come around tomorrow and report back about the epic failure of tonight's dinner. "

As she rushes out of the diner, red scarf fluttering behind her like a lick of fire, she yells a happy "thanks for the coffee, Luke" and just as the door is about to close, Jess can make out a faint "Bye Maverick. Love you." And though she said it a thousand times before it never fails to make his heart beat just a tiny bit faster.

"Bye Goose."

She looks nice. Pretty even. (Y/N) has to admit that much as she regards herself in the mirror adorning the wall of the entryway. It's taken some time to do the hair and makeup but it looks good. Doesn't mean it feels good. Or right.

She wants nothing more than to slump back on her couch, stuff her face with junk food, and put on a Christmas movie. Maybe invite Jess over because… well Jess makes everything better. And it's not that she doesn't like getting dolled up or going out. If it was just any other place and any other person. 

A knock on the front door shakes her from her daydream or rather day-nightmare?

There's a lot of faces she would have expected to see on the other side of the door. Stars Hollow is a tiny town with nosy people and friendly neighbors always ready for a quick chat. Not this though. She never would've expected him.

"Jess? What are you doing here? And dressed so fancy."

"It's not fancy," he huffs, a cloud of breath forming in the icy winter air " it's just dark Jeans and a white dress shirt."

If she didn't know him any better she'd describe him as bashful right then. And maybe it was the cold nipping at his cheeks but maybe, just maybe, there's a blush dusting his cheeks.

"Oh wow is that the man version of jeans and a nice top?"

"Huh?"

"Forget it," she waves him off, "what are you doing here?"

"You need a date and I need to get out of the house before Liz ropes me into one of her crystal healing circles. "

Now it's her time to blush.

"You want to be my date?"

He's quiet for a moment, contemplating his words, before nodding his casual, entirely unbothered Jess Mariano nod.

"Sure. I mean you read all those fake dating romance books. I know you do, don't even try to deny it. And I'm a good liar so we are basically made for this."

"Fake dating yeah … yeah that's right."

"So is that a yes? I can't wait to see pretty boy Riley's face when he sees us showing up together. Dude never liked me."

"Are you doing this to help me or to piss off Riley?" 

"Little bit of both."

"Alright, I'll accept that. Let's go."

"You look beautiful, by the way."

"Thanks, Maverick."

"You're welcome, Goose."

"Woah, I mean I knew they were rich but I didn't expect to be invited to a Gatsby party," (Y/N) exclaims, eyes wide with surprise. 

There's a lot of people here. Entirely too many for her to feel truly comfortable. Tinsel and ribbon decorate each corner and just by walking up the driveway and entering the entrance hall, she's counted 12 perfectly decorated Christmas trees. 

“ Well, let’s hope they don’t have a pool. “ Jess replies as they make their way through the crowd looking for food, or drinks, or both.

“ What’s that? “ Jess asks, lips pulled up in a questioning scowl, eyebrows furrowed in confusion at what he assumes to be the food. There are several big silver plates loaded with all kinds of cheeses and cured meats and other indefinable things.

"Food?"

"You sound convinced."

"Yeah, I guess maybe we should stick to the cheese and champagne for now."

"Very fancy," Jess remarks and raises his glass. 

"Very fancy indeed," (Y/N) agrees and clings her glass with his before they both take a sip of the bubbly concoction.

"You know what this reminds me of?" Jess inquires as they weave their way through the crowds. "The dinner at the Independence Inn."

"The Bracebridge Dinner!"

"Yeaaah that one. Wouldn't be surprised if they bring out the horse-drawn carriages at some point later today." 

Even to this day, there's still a sense of mischief in Jess' smile. It's not as prominent and pronounced as it used to be but it's still there. 

"I remember you forcing me to commit a crime that night."

"What are you talking about?"

"The snowman."

"Oh my god," Jess lets out a mix between a laugh and a scoff. "It was a snowman. I hardly think that's considered a crime."

"It is in Stars Hollow. But hey at least it worked. It earned you brownie points with Rory."

The mood shifts. Not necessarily in a bad way just, something is different. It always is when Rory gets brought up. Sometimes (Y/N) thinks it's because that whole relationship left scars on Jess and sometimes she thinks it's because he still isn't entirely over her. She's not sure which hurts worse.

"Sure."

"What's - what's going on there anyway?"

"With Rory?"

"Yeah. She's back in Stars Hollow. You're visiting a lot. Might be time to rekindle a past love."

At those words Jess downs the rest of his champagne, a bitter look crossing his handsome face. "I think maybe that ship has sailed. Don't think I'm what she needs. And she's not what I need either. Not anymore." 

His eyes lock with hers and for a moment she swears there is something there. A static in the air. A sizzling. Goosebumps rising on her skin and heart fluttering inside her chest and then -

"You came!" Riley's voice cuts through the air like the blaring of an emergency siren taking away all of what could be and what might've been and all the magic that came with it.

He still has the same swooping brown locks and those piercing green eyes and even now she can see why she fell in love with him at 17. He's the boy from the romcom, the teen drama heartthrob. He's the High School sweetheart that you marry, have kids with, buy a golden retriever with. 

He's the one that leaves you for your friend. That laughs about your passions. That thinks money fixes everything. 

Maybe it wasn't all that bad that they didn't work out. Maybe it was for the best.

"... and you brought Jess."

Before she can even react, she feels the weight of Jess' arm settle on her shoulder and pull her closer. 

“Good to see you too, Riley. She’s allowed to bring her boyfriend, isn’t she?”

“Sure she is.”

There’s a wave of animosity crashing over them like a tidal wave only (Y/N) can feel none of it. Her heart is too busy beating out of her chest at the sound of Jess calling himself her boyfriend. Sure it’s all pretend. It’s all a lie. It’s all fake.

And yet it still makes her feel a fluttering inside her chest.

“We’ll come on, let’s fill up our drinks and you guys can tell me all about how — this happened. “

Riley leads them to a table and sits down before motioning to the waiter and getting all 3 of them a refill of their champagne flute.

"So, you two, huh?”

“Yup.” Jess responds, his lips popping the ‘p‘. “Us two.”

“How did that come along. I mean not that I’m surprised.”

“What do you mean?” (Y/N) asks, eyebrow raised in question. Sure, there’s always someone who asks about her and Jess and whether or not they are more than friends, but it’s usually people that don’t know them very well. Riley should know better. 

“Come ooon. It was just a matter of time with you two. Everyone could see you were into each other. I mean, why do you think Jess hated me so much back in High School. It’s because he was jealous.”

There’s a sense of self-assurance and arrogance in Riley’s voice. Like he’s some cheesy movie villain spewing exposition to our clueless heroes that will change their lives forever. Only that’s not true. This can’t be true. It’s all just pretend and he has no idea what he’s talking about. Right?

“Or maybe I just didn’t like you because you didn’t treat her the way she deserves to be treated.”

“Come oooon, man”

His voice is aggravating, like nails on a chalkboard. Like a blaring fire alarm. 

“No, you come on. Remember when she had that poetry reading. The one she’d been working and practicing on for months. The one where she won an award? You weren’t there. I was. Because it was important to her. Because I was proud of her. She’s the most creative, brilliant person I know. So I’ll be there whenever she needs me to be. Because she deserves that.”

It’s like her body moves on autopilot when she leans over and places a soft kiss on his cheek. Really she wants to kiss his lips but maybe that would be overkill. And maybe that’s not how she wants it to be. No like this. In a moment of misplaced emotion. Not again.

“Okay man, I give you that. I should’ve been there. You’re right. Still, I wonder what brought this on now? What made you guys realize?”

“He sends me pictures of every dog that comes into the bookstore because he knows they make me smile.”

“Every time she finds a copy of my book she buys it.”

They speak simultaneously and for a second this room full of people feels like it’s only the two of them. Like time stops and all noise is sucked from the room and all that can be heard is the beating of their hearts.

“Well, that’s cute. Good for you guys. Seems like you’re on the same page. Glad you finally figured it out and hey, it seems like you’re happy.”

“We are,” (Y/N) agrees, locking eyes with Jess. 

“Yeah, we are”.

“Aww you guys,” a voice cut through the moment. What is it with these people and their constant interruptions?

Lexi crosses the room and drops down on Riley’s lap, her finger pointing at the ceiling right above Jess and (Y/N). 

And sure enough there it is, green and white with a sparkling red bow dangling above their heads like it’s mocking them. Like it says “how far are you willing to take this huh? This play pretend? This lie? Are you willing to break your own heart in order to keep up this charade?”

“You guys,” Lexi nagged, unaware of the tension. Unaware of the fluttering inside (Y/N)’s chest. Unaware of the fact that it’s so much more than a lie. So much more that it will never be. “It’s a mistletoe. You gotta kiss.”

She turns to look at Jess, almost getting lost in his gorgeous brown eyes. She’s wanted this. For so long. Ever since she was a teenager but for just as long, Jess had made it clear that a friend was all she was ever gonna be. So maybe this is her only chance. Maybe this is it.

“Kiss me,” she whispers softly and shrugs her shoulders trying to seem casual. Like this doesn’t break and reassemble her heart all at once.

And he does. He kisses her. Softly touches her lips with his, holds onto the side of her face with a gentle touch. And time stands still and spreads up and nothing makes sense only everything does. He tastes like champagne and nostalgia and love. And it’s so hard to let go and pull away but her heart can’t take much more. It’s about to burst right out of her chest. 

Jess softly pulls away before going in for another sweet peck. It’s short. Barely there. It’s a whisper of a kiss. But it’s there and it’s too much. 

“I uh — I gotta pee. I’ll be right back”.

Only she doesn’t move towards the bathroom; instead, she finds herself on the patio, looking out towards the trees and hedges covered in thousands and thousands of sparkling fairy lights. This looks like the scene from a movie only the tears of frustration piling at her waterline giving away that this is in fact real life.

The cold winter air whips harshly against her skin and yet it feels less cold than the knowledge that the boy you want, the one you’ve always wanted, will never be yours. He’ll never want you back.

“Please don’t ever leave me alone with Riley, he’s such an — hey are you okay?”

He’s so casual. Why is he so casual? Does this mean nothing? It means nothing. It’s a lie, (Y/N). It’s just a lie!

“I didn’t want it to be like this,” she confesses, as the tears pearl down her cheeks, “ I can’t do this anymore. I can’t do it again. Not after last time.”

“What are you talking about?”

“The kiss, Jess! After that opening night at Truncheon when you kissed me after Rory screwed you over. I promised that the next time I’d kiss you it would mean something. But it doesn’t, not to you. Does it?  It’s just a lie.”

For a moment he just stands there, looks at her with an unreadable expression. There’s just them and the night and the lights and the stars.

And then he smiles. It’s a tiny smile, but it’s a Jess smile so it means everything.

“You think that kiss meant nothing to me? I’ve thought about nothing else but you since that night. I���m sorry I kissed you then but not because of the kiss. I’m sorry about making you feel like I just kissed you because you were there. That’s not it. I only realized that night when you showed up. You always showed up when I needed you. Still do”

“It’s what friends do.”

“No one ever did that for me. Not my friends. For a long time, not even my family. Only you,” he exclaims and nervously combs his fingers through his hair. “Earlier today I sent the guys the first draft of my new book.”

“You’re writing a new book?”

“I’ve thought about nothing but you since that night. So much that I wrote a book about how I felt. I wrote this book for you. It’s yours. I’m yours. And I know this sounds so fucking cheesy, saying this out loud gives me the heebie-jeebies. But I need you to know. None of what I said was fake or pretend. I’m in love with you, Goose. And maybe — maybe  Riley was right. Maybe I’ve always been.”

Snow falls softly around them as some horrible indie rendition of Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas sounds from inside, a few people drunkenly singing along. The wind nips at her nose, her cheeks. Her fingers are numb and her toes are but icicles by now. But it doesn’t matter. None of it does.

All that matters is the way he cradles her face in his hand, the way his heart beats in time with hers, and the way his lips feel as they meet hers in a passionate kiss.

And this one, this one means everything. It’s real and it’s true and it’s perfect.

“I’m in love with you too, Maverick. I’ve always been. But then there was Rory and I thought —“

“I was scared of losing you. Back then I fucked everything up and I couldn’t risk fucking up with you. Rory is always gonna be a part of my past, being with her helped me grow but you — that’s different. I need you. Always did, always will. And now I’m at least a little less fucked up and a little more deserving of you.”

“Oh Jess, you silly boy. You were always enough. “

“You wanna get out of here”

“Fuck yeah, please.”

There’s something magical about Stars Hollow in the winter. The snow covers the ground and the roofs like a layer of marshmallow fluff and Christmas lights twinkle at you from every corner. 

It’s like a scene straight from a Hallmark card brought to life.

Sounds like a little piece of paradise right here on earth, right? Like a dream.

As the snow falls outside and (Y/N) is cuddled into Jess’ side, a big mug of hot cocoa clasped tightly in her hand, warming her up, she thinks it’s better than any dream.

This is her reality now. No fake story. Not pretending. No dream.

This is her life now and yeah, it feels quite magical. 

[onceuponastory]

snow days - b.b x reader

Plot: After being called The Winter Soldier for most of his life, Bucky Barnes hates the snow, so he decides to stay inside instead of joining the rest of the Avengers as they enjoy the weather. Y/N decides to keep him company. (It’s shorter than my usual fics but still very fluffy and cute) Pairings: Bucky Barnes x female!reader Notes: I’m posting this for Day 2 of @staticscreenwriting​ and I’s Christmas Calendar. The prompt was First Snow. If you’d like to be involved (and you don’t have to be a writer to do so), check the rules here, and read the masterlist of the days so far here! Warnings: A few small mentions of Bucky being TWS and the bad memories he has associated with that time, and of Steve being gone.

“What do you mean, you don’t like the snow?” Sam gasps as he wraps a scarf around his neck. Bucky raises an eyebrow.

“I don’t like the snow! I don’t get why that’s so hard for you to understand. It’s cold! And it’s wet and-ugh.” Bucky trails off. It’s been snowing in NYC all day, and the rest of The Avengers have decided that they want to go out and enjoy it, whilst Bucky has decided the opposite, despite encouragement from the others to go out and join them in their snowball fights or snowman building.

“Well, we don’t get much of it down in Louisiana, so I’m going to go enjoy myself with the others. You have fun inside now.” Bucky nods.

“Yeah, don’t let me stop your fun. See you later.” He waves from his position on the couch as Sam leaves the room. Sighing, Bucky wraps his blanket closer around his legs in an attempt to keep warm and leans back against the couch cushions. He doesn’t mean to be a grump or a killjoy. Actually, when he was growing up, sledging with Steve was one of his favourite things to do when it snowed. But things are different now. Steve’s gone, for a start. And when you’ve had most of your childhood memories wiped, been known as The Winter Soldier for about 70 years, and spent most of your life on ice or just in the cold...the cold and snow isn’t your favourite thing anymore. It just conjures bad memories more than fun. And now he’s alone. Again. He hasn’t decided whether that’s a good or bad thing yet. Bucky glances out of the window, watching as big flakes continue to fall from the sky. It does look beautiful. He can admit that at least. Suddenly, Bucky hears footsteps coming closer, and he glances up to see his best friend Y/N coming his way. He frowns.

“Can I sit?” She asks, gesturing to the seat beside him. Bucky nods and she does so.

“What are you doing here?” He realises his question comes off as more accusatory and rude than curious, so he quickly clarifies. “I mean, wouldn’t you rather be outside with the others, rather than stuck here with me?” Y/N shrugs.

“I’m fine. I don’t like the snow much either. It’s too cold outside for me.” She gestures to the pair of fuzzy polkadot socks on her feet. “And Bucky, I’m not stuck here with you. I like spending time with you. You’re my best friend, remember?” She smiles, and despite how cold Bucky feels, the warmth and sincerity of Y/N’s smile makes him feel just a little bit warmer and happier. “So...whatcha doing?” 

“Well, nothing. I hadn’t planned on doing anything really. Or having you join me.” He chuckles awkwardly. “I was probably just going to nap, or watch a movie or something....maybe listen to music. It’s not normal for me to have the H.Q. to myself a while. I’m quite out of my depth, not gonna lie.” Y/N giggles and nods.

“Well, can I join you? Maybe we can think of something to do together.” Bucky smiles. How could he ever turn her down? 

“Always.” 

~*~*~*~*~

“Oh, come on, that is not a Christmas movie!”

“Yes it is! He’s going to an office Christmas party!” Y/N argues.

“I thought Christmas movies were meant to be festive and happy!”

“What, Bruce Willis saving the day from bad guys isn’t festive or happy Bucky? Cause it is! You’re gonna look at me and you’re going to tell me that I’m wrong?” Y/N raises a brow. Bucky and Y/N decided to watch a film together a few hours ago, but still can’t decide which one to watch. “Well, we can pick something else, it’s okay.” She looks through the collection of DVDs on her lap, biting her lip in concentration. Bucky watches her as she does so. As he does so, all he can think about is how beautiful she looks. How beautiful she’s always looked. The snow falling behind her helps too. He suddenly feels an overwhelming desire to kiss her. Unbeknownst to Y/N, he’s been in love with her from the moment he laid eyes on her, but his feeling of love has never been as strong as it has in this moment. “Well, I don’t have any ideas. Do you?” She asks, looking over and seeing Bucky staring at her. Her eyes widen slightly, and Bucky’s cheeks flush ever so slightly pink. “Why...are you staring at me like that?”

“Oh um, nothing. It’s nothing.” Bucky mumbles, trying desperately to think of something, anything, to change the topic. But all he can think about is how much he wants to kiss his best friend. “I mean we don’t have to watch a Christmas movie, cause at this rate we might never pick one. How about something like....” He rummages through the other DVDs, trying desperately to pick something to stop all the thoughts rushing through his head. Finally, he pulls one out. “Something like this! The Princess Bride! That’s one of your favourites right?”

“Well, yeah it is, but-are you sure? If you don’t wanna watch it it’s okay.” Bucky shakes his head.

“No! Let’s go for it! I’ve never seen it anyways. It’ll be fun.” Y/N nods, and Bucky places the disc in the DVD player. He sighs. Hopefully this will help clear his head a little.

~*~*~*~*~

He picked a romance movie. Of course he did. And of course it’s not helping to clear his head in the slightest. Well, it was his own fault really. What else would a movie called ‘The Princess Bride’ be about? Sure, at the beginning they made it a point to say that this wasn’t just a romance movie, but come on there’s a princess, dashing heroes, true love and....and Y/N is watching this whole thing with a big smile on her face, quoting it almost entirely word for word. And that’s why Bucky knows he can’t be mad about it, not really. Also, it may be a romance movie, but it is a really good one. So, he stays quiet and keeps watching. 

“Aw yes!” Y/N sighs happily as Inigo Montoya defeats the six fingered man. Suddenly, a cold chill comes through the room, and Y/N shivers. Without even thinking, Bucky wraps the blanket around her shoulders, and pulls her closer. So close their bodies are touching. He blushes. Why did he do that? Sure, it feels nice and all that, but why did he do that? He could’ve just given her the blanket and now he’s- “Thanks.” She whispers, smiling softly, turning back to glance at him. Bucky feels a pang in his heart all over again. Now he wants to kiss her even more.

“I should be thanking you. You’re the one who stayed with me today and kept me company, even if you didn’t have to.”

“Are you kidding? Of course I would. I love you Buck-” Y/N squeals suddenly, and clamps her hand over her mouth. Bucky’s eyes widen.

“What did you just say?” He asks. Of course, he heard her perfectly, but he’s still in shock. In shock that she might feel the same way about him as he does with her.

“I um. I said I love you.” She repeats, her words coming out slowly and shakily, like she can’t quite believe she’s saying them. Bucky’s heart rate increases, and for a moment he’s glad he’s sitting down because he knows that if he was standing he’d be on the floor in seconds. “I’m sorry Bucky, it just slipped out, and I know you might not feel the same way but-”

“You love me?” Bucky repeats, still slightly in shock. Y/N nods.

“And I understand if you don’t feel the same but I just-” Bucky cuts her off, taking both her hands in his.

“I love you too.” He smiles widely, sure it’s one of the widest smiles he’s ever had. So wide it could split his face in half. “Can I...can I kiss you?” He asks, and she nods. Slowly Y/N and Bucky lean in closer, and their lips touch in a soft kiss. Y/N’s hands automatically go into Bucky’s hair, whilst his go around her waist. The TV continues playing in the background, but the pair are past the point of caring about the movie by this point. All they are focused on is each other. A voice soon speaks from the TV. 

"Since the invention of the kiss, there have only been five kisses that were rated the most passionate, the most pure. This one left them all behind." Peter Falk says. Bucky and Y/N pull apart, and Y/N starts giggling. 

“Well, that’s a...definite coincidence.” She laughs. “Did you plan this Bucky? I feel like you might have planned this.”

“Absolutely not! ...But I’m still happy it happened.” He smiles, pulling her closer. “We’re definitely doing this on the next snow day.”

[staticscreenwriting]

Secret Santa || JJ Maybank

My entry for day 10 of our Christmas Calendar. Find all the information here.

All fandoms are welcome to join!

Summary: Reader feels like it’s time for the Pogues to finally have a nice Christmas and sets up a secret santa party ... only things don’t go as planned.

Likes, reblogs, comments are all much appreciated. I am German. Sometimes I get the tense wrong or make mistakes. I am useless when it comes to punctuation. Go easy on me, please.

It’s a well-known fact, that the downside of Pogue life is being ignored and neglected. That sentiment also extends to Christmas and all that comes with it. 

While figure 8 is decked out in lights and tinsel and garland, the most you’ll find at the cut is a wreath or two hung up on a door and maybe a poinsettia perched on a windowsill.

“ This year it’s gonna be different! “ (Y/N) exclaims as she steps out of the Chateau and plops down on the couch next to JJ, who’s taking a long drag from his freshly rolled blunt.

 “ What are you talking about? “ Kie asks, holding her hand out and waiting for JJ to pass the joint to her. “ I mean, whatever it is I’m in, just wondering. “ 

“ Christmas. “ 

“ Christmas? “ Pope asks, eyebrow raised in question.

It's no secret that both Pope and Kie have lucked out in the parents department. The Haywards are as loving as they come. And while Kie loves to paint her parents as the evil villains in her origin story, they're really just looking out for her. Sure, their worry might be a bit misplaced sometimes, but It comes from a place of deep unconditional love.

That's something not all of the Pogues can say about their parents.

"Yes, Pope. You heard me right. Aren't you guys tired of feeling - sad?  I am. Look I know we like to pretend that it doesn't bother us and that Christmas is just a day of the year like any other. But let me be honest, because that's what we do right? Pogues are honest with each other. "

The group nods in unison.

"I want a nice Christmas for once. I want a tree and I want lights and good food and music and fucking hell, I think we deserve a present too!"

“ You have a plan. “ It’s not a question that leaves John B’s lips, it’s an observation. Living through shared misery makes you really get to know someone. Not just their pretty sides, all the grime and the sadness and the secrets hidden in the furthest corner of their heart. The Pogues can read each other with just a glance. 

“ What about a little Pogue Christmas party? “ 

“ I’m — “ 

“ I know Pope, “ she interrupts him as he’s about to shoot down the idea. “ I know you have a full plate on Christmas day, so does Kie. I was thinking about Christmas Eve. We already have the lights out in the backyard thanks to JJ and the Hot tub incident. “ 

“ You’re welcome, “ the blond boy chimes up next to her, a satisfied grin on his lips and blue eyes sparkling with the power of a hundred frosted Christmas lights. 

“ I was thinking maybe Kie could bring some leftover from the Wreck so all that’s left is a tree and presents. “ 

JJ raises his hand as you would in school, signaling a question coming (Y/N)’s way.

“ Yes, JJ ? “

“ How are we gonna pay for the presents? May I remind you, both John B and I lost our jobs recently and I have about 3 dollars to my name so … “ 

“ That’s why I suggest a secret Santa. That way everyone gets something but everyone only has to buy one gift, and it doesn’t have to be anything expensive or fancy either. It’s the thought that counts. “ 

She looks around the group of friends, eyes meeting different shades of blue and brown and hazel. None of them seem too convinced. And really it was a long shot. But there’s a nagging in her heart, clawing at the walls of her chest, knocking against her ribcage. A distant longing that long lay dormant and asleep inside her but something has awoken it and no matter how much she tries to ignore it, she can’t. 

Maybe everything changing so quickly lately has her confused. Maybe seeing John B going after what he wants, Sarah and the gold and his father’s legacy, has opened her eyes a little. That things don’t have to be bad. That you can escape a life no matter how restricting and gloomy it is. 

And maybe the blond boy next to her has played a part in all of this too. Everything considered he should be bitter and angry and hold more hate inside himself than any other person on this earth. Life has shown him nothing but cruelty. JJ though, despite it all, is one of the softest people she knows. He’s got a heart filled with warmth and joy and so much love for his friends. Where life should've made him spiteful and mean it only made him loving and loyal. And while sometimes his actions end in a bit of a disaster, they always come from a place of care and unfiltered, all-consuming love for his friends, his family.

So does he not deserve a nice Christmas? Does he not deserve one night of feeling like he is enough, like they all are?

“ What do you guys say? “ 

For a moment they are quiet, contemplating her words over and over and her heart sinks knowing they don’t really want to. Maybe this is all a joke to them, maybe it doesn’t mean shit. But it does to her. So where’s the harm in trying. Right? 

And then she feels the soft touch of JJ’s hand against her shoulder. It’s barely there. If a whisper was a touch this would be it. But it doesn’t have to be more. It’s all it needs to be. It’s a reassurance, a promise, a hug, all in a soft little touch.

“ Sounds fun to me, “ he says and shrugs his shoulder before taking another drag of his joint. “ I mean, I don’t have anything else to do on Christmas Eve. You guys? “ 

He regards his friends with determined eyes. 

“ Sure, why not. “ John B shrugs and lifts his beer as if to toast on it. “ You’re right. We deserve a night of decadence. “ 

“ Guys, not to burst your bubble but I doubt whatever will be left is gonna be a decadent meal, “ Kie chimes up, lips screwed up in disappointment. 

John B takes a sip of his drink and lets out an amused chuckle. “ JJ’s been chewing on moldy toast the other day, everything’s a feast to him.“

“ I would fight you because that was rude but you aren’t wrong so I’ll let it slide. “ 

“ Very generous of you, good sir. “ 

“ You’re welcome, Darling. “ 

“ So, you guys are in? “ 

They all agree with various degrees of enthusiasm. It doesn’t matter though, not right now. They might not understand her reasoning, hell they might not even be excited. They’re in though. They agreed. They see how important it is to her, how much she longs for this one night of normalcy. And they show up. They’re there when it matters. 

“ Let me just write down our names real quick and then we draw. See who gets to buy who a present. And no cheating, guys. This stays anonymous until the party. And no switching either. John B, do you think Sarah wants to join in? “ 

“ Yeah, “ he responds, his brown curls bouncing chaotically as he nods his head in approval “ I’m sure she’d like that. To be included. “ 

(Y/N) has to admit that it was a little weird at first, to add another person to their tight-knit group. Especially someone like Sarah, who never had to deal with any of the issues the Pogues are raised with. Someone who never had to choose between putting food on the table or paying the electricity bill. Someone who never had to look in the mirror and tell themselves that sometimes a parent's love is a handprint on a cheek. 

Someone who’s never had a Christmas without presents or a tree or lights or a family to spend it with.

But as much as she tried, she couldn’t help but fall in deep platonic love with the blonde. Sure, maybe she’s never had to deal with the same problems but she had her own issues, her own trauma. And maybe it’s not so much what you’ve been through that matters but how you grow from it, how you overcome it, how you find closure, and what you let it shape you into. That they all have in common. They overcome it together, with the help of each other and depending on the love and care their friends provide. So it only feels right to include her in this.

A few minutes later one after the other all the Pogues pull little scraps of paper from JJ’s hat, unfold them and without fail, each of them has a little smirk on their lips as they read the name of whoever it is they’re getting a present for. There’s something so comforting and familiar about their friendship. Something that is hard to explain to anyone that doesn’t live it. That isn’t included. All of them are so distinctly themselves and yet their bond is unwavering and can’t be broken so easily. 

“ I’m glad you guys decided to trust me in this. I can’t wait for Christmas Eve, “ (Y/N) exclaims before her gaze wanders to the clock on the wall. “ And on that note, I have to leave. My shift starts in 30 minutes. John B, I trust you give Sarah her piece of paper without peeking. “ 

“ Cross my heart, “ he answers and follows his words with his fingers painting an invisible cross on his chest. “ No peeking.” 

"Hey," JJ speaks up, "think you can give me a ride to my place? "

"Sure. Always"

As they sit in the car, driving through the sparsely decorated neighborhood, (Y/N) feels JJ's eyes watching her intently.

"What's up?"

"Hmm?"

"Why are you watching me?"

"Just wondering."

" 'bout what?"

"Why is this so important to you? You never usually cared about Christmas"

(Y/N) takes a breath, tries to put her thoughts and feelings into words. It doesn't really make sense to her how can it make sense to him? But truly If anyone will understand it's JJ. 

" I'm not sure, I just remembered the Christmases when I was little and mom was around. We didn't really celebrate then either but she'd put me in the car and turn the radio all the way up as they played Christmas songs and we'd drive through figure 8 and look at the lights. And every year she said one day she'd give me a Christmas like that. I think seeing John B. finally going for what he wants and deserves and seeing him trying to make his dad proud. It made me think about what I wanted and what my mom would want. So yeah … it's silly, I know."

"Nah, it's not," JJ replies and reaches over to gently ruffle her hair. "It makes sense. I don't really remember much of my life when mom was around but I remember this one Christmas when dad was working on some ship so he wasn't around and she was - happy. And she'd make us pancakes and draw a Christmas tree with whipped cream on it. We were so happy that morning, I'd give everything to feel like that again. I get it."

JJ doesn't talk about his mom, ever. It's an unspoken rule in their friendship. Partially because he doesn't have much to talk about and partially because it breaks his heart, to know that despite how much his dad hates him, he's the parent that stuck around. Not his mother. Not the woman who's supposed to love him most.

At least John B. was left with one loving parent. 

So to hear him be vulnerable with her, sends an indescribable warmth through her whole body.

"Hey J, thanks for agreeing to this and having my back. Not sure the others would've said yes if it wasn't for you."

"No biggie. I think it's a nice idea. And you're right, we do fucking deserve something nice for once."

His fingers keep softly stroking the back of her head, combing through her hair and making a calm settle in her bones.

"Can I tell you a secret?" She says, heart beating just a little too fast.

"Always."

"Out of all of them, you're my favorite."

"That's good. Cause you're my favorite too."

Sometimes there are moments when she thinks that there could be more. More than friendship. More than longing looks and fleeting touches and loving words sitting in the car driving down the cut. And then she remembers that they are friends and if something were to happen, the consequences could end all of it. What if it ends badly? Is she ready to give up their friendship for a maybe?

Not yet. Maybe not ever. So she'll stay in this limbo with him, coming close but never arriving. Watching and waiting for something that never comes. Letting herself indulge in the what-ifs only in her dreams.

There's a single window decked out in Christmas lights as they make their way to JJ's place and it makes her smile. Maybe she isn't the only one feeling the holiday spirit.

The backyard sparkles with lights, as the friends sit by the fire, bundled up in blankets, holding onto their steaming mugs of spiked hot chocolate. John B. licks the last drop of gravy off of his plate. When they agreed on Kie bringing leftovers, they hadn't expected her to bring by a full-on feast. Ham and potatoes and gravy and pie. Maybe, (Y/N) thinks, maybe Kie's dad doesn't hate them all that much after all. None of this food seems like leftovers to her. Maybe it's him feeling generous on Christmas eve or maybe it's him having pity on the kids who never had a proper Christmas. Whatever it is, she's entirely grateful.

"Time for presents?" (Y/N) asks, slightly bouncing in her seat which earns her a soft smile from JJ. If only she was brave enough to ask for more. To reach out her hand and take it. To tell him and see where it goes.

"Sounds good to me," Sarah replies before pointing to a bag full of presents wrapped in all kinds of bright patterned wrapping paper. "As you know we had Wheezie wrap them so the wrapping skills or lack thereof wouldn't give away the surprise."

"Okay so you open your gift and then guess who you got it from and whoever gifted you will reveal themself. Got it?" (Y/N) explains, looking around her group of friends who all nod in understanding.

"Good, let's see, this one is for John B.," she says and hands the gift over to John B. who rips off the paper in one swift motion.

"Oooh Condoms and a - piece of paper?"

"Turn it over," JJ explains, masking his words with a comically fake cough.

"It's a - self-made coupon for a one-time board waxing. Now I wonder who that's from." John B. rubs his chin in mock consideration. "I'll go with JJ?"

"Yeaaah Bree, you got it. You're welcome by the way."

"Uh - thanks I guess." John B. Says and pulls the next gift from the bag. "This one is for Sarah".

With a smile on her face, the blonde unwraps the package being met with a beautiful silver frame that holds a picture of her and John B. cuddled up to each other in the hammock taken sometime in summer, the light of the setting sun veiling them in a gorgeous golden glow. 

"Awww I love this. Well since you're the only one who always carries around the camera I'm gonna say this was from (Y/N)?"

The girl nods "yup. I've been meaning to give you that picture for a while and then I found this vintage frame at the thrift store and it just all fell into place."

"Thank you, that's so sweet. I love it. Okay, the net one is foooor, JJ!"

"Ooh give it here," JJ exclaims and wiggles his fingers in excitement. "Let's seee. A sixpack and some board wax ayyy. Nice."

"Hey look at that, you can use it to wax my board when I cash in my coupon" John B. pipes up earning him a raised middle finger from JJ. 

"How about no? You can have one of my beers though." 

"So nice. A true Christmas miracle."

"Mmmh. Okay, so I'm not sure who got me this, maybe John B.?"

"Nope", the brunette boy replies. "Wasn't me. "

"That was me." Pope chimes in. "Thought about getting you a book but I thought this was more fitting."

"Thanks, dude. Love it. Okay who next, " JJ fumbles the next package from the bag. "This one's for Kie."

The girl gingerly opens the package to reveal a dainty silver chain with a cute little turtle pendant. 

"That's adorable! "

"And it's handmade from a local business!" Sarah exclaims, which makes the group fall into a fit of laughter.

"What? Oh."

"Yeaah. So I guess this one's from Sarah," Kie says between giggles. "Next one is for - Pope!"

He opens his gift, an engraved leather-bound notebook, rightly guessing that it's from Kie.

"Next one is for - me again?"

The group looks around, each of them more confused than the next. 

"Yeah man, that's from me. I got you." John B. announces.

"No, I got Pope," Kie disagrees.

"I guess we both got Pope?" 

"Then who did - oh fuck"

An uncomfortable, almost sad silence falls over the friends as they realize who must've been left out. 

"I guess I forgot to write down my own name. It's no big deal really." (Y/N) says and though she tries really hard to sound unbothered. 

"Hey I have two you can have this one," Pope proposes holding the present out to her.

"No that's okay. John bought it for you."

Pope nods, his lips pulled into a sad smile "you sure?"

"Positive."

While they fall back into a careless conversation fueled by the spiked chocolate and the Christmas spirit running through their hearts, (Y/N) can't help but feel her own heart breaking a little. 

Before she can dwell on it for too long, she feels JJ's hand gently rest on the small of her back, rubbing soft, comforting circles into her skin. It sucks, it really does but it feels just a little bit better when she's this close to him.

Pope unwraps a box holding an ugly patterned tie. So he can look "professional," John B. says.

They finish their chocolates and as the fire dies, so does the party. One by one they leave or retire to their rooms, getting ready to spend Christmas with their families or in Sarah and John B's case, with each other.

And in the end, it's only (Y/N) and JJ left. looking at the dimming embers glowing faintly. 

“ I’m sorry, (Y/N). I know you wanted this so badly and then we fucked it up and you didn’t even get a present. “ 

(Y/N) shrugs, trying not to let it show how much it really hurts. How angry she is at herself for messing this up.

“ I mean, it’s my own fault. I forgot to write down my name. And anyway — I got to spend tonight with the people I love most and you all had a good time and that’s really all that matters. “ 

JJ pulls her closer and places a kiss on her head which makes her forget about everything for a second. About her fuck up. About all the heartbreak she’s ever felt. About how unfair life really is. It all melts away and she wishes, oh she wishes he could do it again. And again. And again. Over and over until no wounds are left and the cracks in her heart are healed and life doesn't feel so shit anymore.

“ Hey, Luke’s gone and I don’t really wanna be alone on Christmas eve. Wanna stay at mine? “ 

She wonders how anyone could say no to that. Not to JJ and his gorgeous blue eyes and that sparkle of — something that keeps looking back at her.

So she says yes. Of course, she says yes. It will always be a yes with JJ. Always. 

JJ’s bed is soft. It’s so soft she wonders if he misses it while he’s staying at the Chateau. It’s like sleeping on a cloud. The pillows smell like ocean air and JJ’s shampoo. It all smells of JJ. Warm and familiar and comforting. It smells like home to her. He’s home to her. So it’s no wonder (Y/N) falls asleep approximately 10 seconds after her head hits the pillow.

It isn’t until the notes of Queen’s “Thank god it’s Christmas” echo through the small house, that (Y/N) is shaken from her slumber.

“ What the fuck? “

Gripped by curiosity, (Y/N) makes her way down the hall and turns the corner to the living room when her jaw drops. 

The whole living area is decked out in hundreds of thousands of sparkling Christmas lights. Like an ocean of colors, a sea of stars. There's tinsel hanging from the doorways and garlands strung along the ceiling. 

"What in the -"

"You're up!" JJ steps into the room, two plates in his hand piled with what looks and smells like delicious sweet pancakes and a smile on his face that puts all the lights to shame.

"What time is it?"

" um like 11:30 or something."

"And you're making pancakes?"

"Yes. For us. For our Christmas Party," he says like it's the most obvious thing. Like its not strange at all.

"Our party is over JJ."

"No, it's not! It's our party and it starts now. See we got the lights," he gestures around the room then shakes the plates in his hand slightly. "The food" 

Placing the food down on the table he makes his way to the corner of the room where a sickly looking yucca plant sits covered in tinsel and sparkly plastic ornaments. 

"Here's our very own tree," JJ announces, a wide smile gracing his face. He is so proud of this, his enthusiasm and excitement radiating from him and pulling (Y/N) into the deep with him. There's just something about a happy JJ that makes you feel the joy too.

"When did you make this", she asks and gestures around the room.

"While you were sleeping."

"Jay …"

"And I even got you a present."

"JJ, You - "

"No, listen! You were so excited about this and then you didn't even get a present. I know you said it's not a big deal but I could tell how much you were beating yourself up over making that mistake. And look if anyone, we know best that Christmas isn't about the materialistic things. But you deserve a little something for setting this up for us and for making us happy and giving us the only Christmas some of us will have this year. I want you to be happy too. I thought since your mom never gave you the figure 8 Christmas extravaganza, I'll try to. Pogue style of course."

"You made this, for me?"

JJ nods and though she can't be entirely sure due to the lights casting colors all across the room, she's fairly certain there's a light shade of pink dusting his cheeks.

"I also got you a present. I - I didn't wanna give it to you with the others around since we said no gifts only the secret Santa ones. But um … I made this a while ago. After that one time I fixed your car I had some scraps and some time left and yeah. "

The present he hands her is messily wrapped in brown paper. There's no glitter or fancy patterns or anything. But it doesn't need any of that. It doesn't really even matter what it is. JJ made this for her. He put time and effort into something just for her. It sends her heart pounding in all the crazy beautiful ways. 

As the paper falls away, she can finally make out what it is he gifted her. While it's got a few rough edges, it's a surprisingly delicate flower. There are log nuts and scrap metal welded together to create something so beautiful, so intricate. 

"You made this for me?" She asks, voice but a whisper. When all your life you learn that people are selfish and cruel, the little things can shake your entire world. Leave you breathless. 

"Mmhm. Remember I took that welding class once."

"But you made this, for me," she repeats her words, trying to emphasize what this really is about. What it is that makes her heart do twirls and pirouettes.

"I told you, you're my favorite. You deserve this."

And then the world comes crashing down like a meteor, full force headed for impact.

"I have nothing for you."

JJ shrugs and she can tell he means it. That he isn't looking for anything. While he always liked to joke and fantasize about riches and fortune, JJ was never someone that cared all too much about any of that. Even his wildest dreams usually only extended to a little surf hut and enough free time to see the world. No big cars or houses or anything fancy.

"You're here. Honestly, this is the best Christmas I have had in a long time. I’m not alone for once so — “ 

“ Still. There must be something I can give you to say thank you. Something you want. “ 

JJ lets out a mix between a chuckle and a scoff. As if whatever thoughts have conjured up is but the silliest thing he has ever heard in his life. The most delusional of all thoughts. Maybe it is, but she wants to hear about it anyway. Because even the chaos feels weirdly calm coming from JJ. Sometimes, (Y/N) thinks, it’s not about avoiding the storms, not about outrunning them, it’s about who’s by your side while you brave it. It’s about holding on to the people that go through the storm with you. About those that hold your hand while the dust settles and that pick you up as you assess the damage.

“ What’s that reaction for? “ 

“  I uh — what I want I don’t want like this? “ 

“ Huh? “

“ Out of pity. Because you feel bad. I gave you something because I want to make you smile and not because I expect anything in return. Especially not what I want. “ 

He casts his eyes downward, almost as if he’s embarrassed. But JJ is never embarrassed, right? He’s not bashful or shy. 

Or maybe he is.

“ JJ, “ she approaches him again and softly lifts his chin to level his face with hers. His blue eyes could rival the ocean waves crashing outside in both how bright they are and how much emotion and power seems to be caught in them. “ Tell me what you want. “ 

“ You. “ 

It’s a whisper in the dark. A secret shared. A heart ripped from a ribcage and presented to the only person that keeps it beating. It’s a silent dream come true. 

It’s two teenagers who have never known love, finding a safe place in each other surrounded by an ocean of lights.

“ And I know it’s ridiculous and silly and dumb as shit because we’re friends right and it can’t happen. No Pogue on Pogue macking. I know the rule, fuck I MADE that rule. But I just — you are all I can think about and it’s not just because you look smokin’ in a bikini. It’s everything about you, even the things that drive me crazy. So if I could wish for anything for Christmas, anything at all, I’d ask for you. For us to be more than friends. But I understand that isn’t possible, like — I get it. I — “ 

His words get swallowed by the taste of her lips on his. Time stops for a second, or speeds up, or — really nothing about the passing of time fundamentally changes but as he realizes what's happening and lets himself fall headfirst into this feeling of joy and belonging, it makes it seems like the world has stopped spinning for a second. His hands find their way to her face, pushing a few strands of hair out of the way, and he deepens the kiss. 

Britney Spears sings a cheesy pop song telling Santa she’s been good this year, as JJ pulls away but keeps (Y/N) close. Holds onto her as if he’s worried life is playing a trick on him and will pull her away any second now.

“ Was that a pity kiss? “ 

“ Did it feel like a pity kiss? “ 

“ No. That felt really good. “ 

“ JJ, “ (Y/N) explains, “I’ve been into you for way longer than I like to admit. I just never thought you felt that way about me. “ 

“ I think I did. For a while. I just — I don’t know what it’s supposed to feel like. You know I don’t have the best examples. Big feelings scare the shit out of me. “ 

“ Me too. I think they might be worth it though. “ 

“ Yeah, I think you might be right. Hey would you look at that,“ he exclaims and points above their heads where a fake holly branch dangles from a sparkly red garland. “ A mistletoe.” 

“ Uh, that’s — that’s not a mistletoe.” 

“ It’s called suspension of disbelief, okay? It’s impossible to find mistletoe on the OBX on short notice.” 

The two of them fall into a fit of laughter and for once life doesn’t send a storm their way, no gray clouds or harsh winds or downpour. Just a clear night sky and a thousand of twinkling lights shining alongside the stars.

And when he kisses her again and again and again, she thinks maybe there are Christmas miracles and maybe they aren’t made from magic but from love.

“ Hey,” JJ whispers against her lips as he pulls away for a second. 

“ What is it? “ 

“ It’s midnight. Do you know what that means? “ 

“ Hmm? “ 

“ It’s Christmas. “ 

“ Merry Christmas, JJ. I hope you like your presents. “ 

“ Yeah, “ he says and pulls her for another kiss. “ I love my presents. “ 

And when they manage to pull themselves away from each other and sit down by the kitchen table sharing pancakes and whipped cream, (Y/N) figures that this is love. 

It’s not handprints on a cheek, it’s not tears on a pillow, it’s not fancy gifts or decorated gardens.

It’s holding each other through storms and pain and heartbreak, through breaking waves and undercurrents. 

It’s sharing traditions and making your own. 

It’s promising to be better, to do better, to love more and harder and more openly.

Love is a kiss under the mistletoe. Pancakes at midnight. Whipped cream sprayed in the shape of a crooked star. A room full of lights. Bad Christmas music. It’s laughter. And friendship. And hope.

[staticscreenwriting]

Ho Ho Hopefully || Angel Reyes

My entry for day 7 of our Christmas Calendar. Find all the information here. We’d love for you to join us.

We’d love for you to join us.

Summary: Angel is stuck on a run and doesn’t know if he’ll make it home for Christmas. He calls reader and together they dreams up a future. Inspired by Ho Ho Hopefully by The Maine

Likes, reblogs, comments are all much appreciated. I am German. Sometimes I get the tense wrong or make mistakes. I am useless when it comes to punctuation. Go easy on me, please.

Angel loves the club. They are his brothers, his family. Sure he might not always agree with all their decisions and sometimes they annoy the fuck out of him, but they stepped up when his blood family didn’t and gave him a place to belong, a purpose. And for that, he will be forever grateful.

Tonight though? Tonight he finds himself wishing he never even joined the damn club. He’s stuck on a run, in a foreign state, miles from home, freezing his ass off.

It shouldn’t have taken this long. A day or two tops is what Bishop had told him. He and Gilly. Just a little check-in with another charter. That turned out to take much longer than expected, leaving him stranded here on Christmas Eve all nights.

And it’s not like he’s the biggest Christmas fanatic or anything. In fact, he doesn’t remember having a nice Christmas ever since his mom died. It lost its magic when she was taken from them. The tree, the tinsel, the cookies, all of that was no more. Now it was the 3 Reyes men sitting together in Pop’s small living room watching shitty tv and eating whatever his dad could be bothered to cook. It was a little depressing really. But things were supposed to be different this year.

This year he has (Y/N).

He was never the one for long-term girlfriends, for serious romantic relationships. And then she came crashing into his life and suddenly he looks at romance in a completely different way. She has a way of making things okay, of getting him back to reality when he gets too lost in his head. He often finds himself going crazy when the voices get too loud, when his heart starts speeding and his breath grows fast. But when she’s there, everything is better. It’s safe and warm and — happy. For the first time in a long time, he’s happy. And it’s mostly because of her.

Which makes it even worse that he spends their first Christmas Eve alone in a foreign state, perched on a bed in the clubhouse of that other charter. It’s fucking depressing and he hates it.

His heart skips a beat when his phone lights up and he sees her beautiful face smiling back at him from the screen.

“ Hey Baby, “ he answers the phone hoping the gloom he’s feeling doesn’t translate too well over the line.

“ Hey Angel, you sound grumpy. “

Well, apparently he’s not very good at hiding his feelings. He never was, not with her.

“ Not grumpy, just tired. And annoyed I’m stuck here until at least tomorrow. Wishing I was home with you, baby. “

“ Yeah — me too.”

He hates the way her voice sounds right then. Defeated and sad. He promised himself that he’d never be the one to make her sad and while it’s not something he does purposely, it still sends a dagger straight to his heart.

“ But it’s okay. We always have next year. “

Next year. It’s still something Angel struggles to understand, something that still hasn’t entirely settled in his mind. That someone chose him, that she chose him. And that she wants to keep him around. I Want to be with him for a long time. Maybe forever.

“ Oh for sure, baby. I ain’t going nowhere all December next year. Don’t give a shit what Bush says. You and I will have a whole month-long Christmas extravaganza. “

“ We will?” she asks, a giggle falling from her lips.

“ Sure, baby. We’ll drive to a Christmas tree farm, find the biggest tree and then I’ll cut it down.“

“ Ooooh, my big strong lumberjack. “

“ You know it. “

“ What else? “

Angel can’t remember ever having this kind of conversation with a woman. Before her, those calls were limited to “What are you wearing?” and “Are you touching yourself?”. And then they’d make plans on what to do in bed. Not with her. And that’s not to say she ain’t sexy. She’s a vision. A dream. All Angel ever wanted in a girl and damn did she turn him on at all times. But this was different. He wanted to spend time with her. Do mundane everyday tasks. Just be around her.

He never made plans for the future with any woman before. With her, he likes talking about it. He likes making plans of what they can do when they’re back together. Likes to think of what to say to her once she’s back in his arms.

He likes thinking about a future because for the first time in his life he believes in the plans they make even if life has taught him not to. This time he wants to believe.

“ Well, our house will be decked out in decorations. “

“ Obviously. “

“ Mmh. We’ll cover the backyard in Christmas lights. Invite Pops and EZ over, make some turkey and hot cocoa and sit on the patio surrounded by the lights. “ 

“ What if it rains again, like last year? “

“ Ah, it won’t. I’m telling you. I asked Santa for better weather this year and next year and all our Christmases yet to come. “

She laughs her cute little laugh down the phone line, the one that makes Angel’s heart skip a beat. No woman ever had this effect on him. It’s both scary and exciting at the same time. To let yourself be vulnerable in order to be loved.

“ Have you been a good boy this year though? “

“ Baby. I’ve been a real good boy. I’m sure you can attest to that.”

She doesn’t answer for a moment, he bets she’s biting her lip in the way she always does when he says something suggestive. Like she’s some kind of innocent saint. Which, truly, she is not. Angel loves every second of it.

“ Mmmh. I think you might’ve been a little naughty every once in a while. “

“ Wait till I’m back home, I’ll show you how naughty I can get. “ he jokes, willing his body to calm down, knowing there’s no other way to deal with his excitement than his own hand and that would be one depressing Christmas Eve.

“ Can’t wait. — I miss you, Angel. “

The sadness is back, dripping from her words and coloring the conversation a gloomy black.

He hates it. He hates it. He hates it.

“ Want to know what else we’ll do? Buy matching Christmas sweaters. “

“ Angel Reyes, are you telling me you’d wear an ugly Christmas sweater? “

“ Sure, Babe. If you wear one too. I mean, you and I, we go together like the winter and a sweater. Can’t have one without the other. “

“ That’s awfully cheesy, “ she admits before adding “but also very cute. I love it. “

“ I love you. “

“ I love you too. “

He’s sure he’ll never get tired of hearing it. Sometimes he feels a little embarrassed about how much it means to him to hear her say it. It makes his heart feel warm. It makes his heart feel like it’s finally found a home where it’s cherished and appreciated. Some people say that the more often you say I love you, the less meaning it holds. Angel thinks that’s absolute bullshit. Every time she says it, it makes him happier than the time before.

“ Someday — “ Angel starts, taking a breath before continuing. “ some Christmas in our not so distant future, we’ll sit by our Christmas tree. We’ll be wearing our matching sweaters. Maybe have a dog running around. “

“ In a sweater? “ she interrupts.

“ Sure why not. I’ll hold your hand and look into your beautiful eyes and I’ll see the lights reflected in them, blue and green and gold. And I’ll kiss you like you deserve to be kissed and then I ask you a question and you will say yes and I will put a ring on your finger. “

“ That sounds like it’ll be my favorite Christmas. “

“ Yeah, mine too. I’m sorry I can’t be home today. “

Now he’s close to crying. God damn, loving someone is so wonderful but it can be so hard sometimes.

“  It’s okay Angel. Somehow you’ve got this way of making everything okay. “

“ I didn’t want you to have to celebrate Christmas alone, Baby. “

“ I’m not alone. I have your dad and EZ to keep me company. Coco and Letty too. You gave me not only you but an entire extended family too. Blood or not, they’re my family now too. I’ll never be alone, thanks to you. “

To see her fall so seamlessly into place with his family, both his blood and his chosen one, it means everything to Angel. This is where she belongs, with him. Maybe his heart didn’t only find a home with her. Maybe hers also found a home with him.

“ I love you so much, (Y/N). “

“ I know. I love you too. “

“ I’m so mad, I wanted you all to myself this year. Just you and I under the tree. “

“ There’s always next Christmas, right? “

“ Always. “

And for the first time in his life, he believes it. Believes in the beautiful dreams of a happy future. Of many joyful Christmases yet to come. Of laughter and warmth and happiness and home. Of him and her together, for as long as life will grant them.

Maybe it’s cheesy, but it’s Christmas Eve and he’s in love so he thinks he can cut himself some slack here.

“ Come home to me soon, Angel. So I can show you just how much I love you. “

Laughter echoes through the halls as Angel steps through the door of his father’s house. There’s a Christmas tree in the corner of the living room where it used to be back when his mom was alive, and where it had been missing all the years since.

EZ is perched on the couch, a mug of something steaming clutched in his hand and his dad is sitting in the recliner, Santa hat on his head. And while Pop looks grumpy as ever, there’s a tiny smile pulling at the corner of his lips. Angel has spent so many days as a kid trying to make his dad smile, he’s a professional at detecting a smile in him.

“ Hey, I’m home !” he announces as he steps into the room, drops his bag on the floor, and holds out his arms.

When she wraps herself around him, kisses his lips once, twice, three times, over and over again, he feels his heart settle. It’s fluttering sure but a comfortable calm washes over him.

“ Welcome home, Angel “ she murmurs against his lips as the other Reyes men echo her words. “ Merry Christmas. “

And in that moment it becomes crystal clear. This is exactly where he’s supposed to be. With his family. With her. With the people he loves most. And the people that love him most. Together by this Christmas tree.

“ Merry Christmas to you too, baby. You’re all I wished for this year. “

[staticscreenwriting]

Traditions || Bucky Barnes

My entry for day 3 of our Christmas Calendar. Find all the information here. We’d love for you to join us.

Summary: Bucky and Reader are stuck in New York during Christmas Eve but refuse to give up on their Christmas traditions. And while some need to be changed a little, it doesn’t make them any less magical.

Likes, reblogs, comments are all much appreciated. I am German. Sometimes I get the tense wrong or make mistakes. I am useless when it comes to punctuation. Go easy on me, please.

New York is buried under a thick blanket of snow. It fills the streets and it flurries through the air. It turns the world into a scene straight from a Hallmark movie or a postcard.

And while for some it might be some kind of magical Christmas miracle, to (Y/N) it’s the absolute nightmare. The definite worst-case scenario. Because it means there will be no flights. No flights now. No flights in time for Christmas. No flights home.

“ What’s got you looking so down in the dumps? “ Bucky’s voice cuts through the for of perpetual sadness surrounding her.

Sharing an apartment with Bucky is nice. It’s quiet and calm and comforting. It’s coffee waiting for her every morning and her takeout order remembered by heart. It’s oldies playing from the radio at a volume not loud enough to be annoying but just loud enough for her to hear. It’s midnight snacks sitting on the counter and talking about life and its secrets and tragedies. It’s hugs when you don’t ask for them but desperately need them. It’s a shoulder to cry on you didn’t know you needed.

Bucky is a wonderful roommate. If it wasn’t for the way he makes her heart beat just a little too fast every time his bright blue eyes meet hers. If it wasn’t for the flutter in her tummy when his laughter sounds through the halls of their shared apartment.

Bucky is a wonderful roommate. He would be an even better one if she wasn’t so fucking in love with him.

“ It’s still snowing. “

“ You love snow. “ Bucky exclaims as he plops down next to her on the red couch they bought together and carried it through half of New York because neither of them owns a car.

“ I do. When I don’t have to be anywhere. If it keeps snowing like that my flight will be canceled. Hell, it probably already is, I don’t have the guts to check. “

“ Yeah, mine got canceled a few hours ago. “

His flight to Louisiana. To see Sam and Sarah and the boys and spend Christmas with his found family. The one he confessed to her one night he’s not sure he fits in quite right. But the one he’s so thankful for anyway. Because when you spend so much of your life fighting wars that aren’t yours. When you are merely a pawn in a game of bigger men, it means the world to be chosen. Chosen to be loved. To be a part of a family.

At the way her eyes gloss over with unshed tears, Bucky clears his throat and, in a voice meant to sound reassuring he says “ but who knows, yours might still go. I mean, hope dies last. Right? “

“ That’s love. “

“ What? “

“ Love dies last. When the world comes to an end and everything crumbles and breaks and we fall apart. The last thing to die is love. When faced with the end, we turn to what we love and we hold onto it for as long as possible and then some. Love dies last. “

Bucky regards her with a glint in his eyes she can’t name. It’s like a spark of magic has just fallen from her lips and he tries to rationalize it in his head. But maybe it’s just her imagination. Maybe it’s just her brain trying to romanticize everyone and everything around her.

“ Okay wow, “ Bucky says and the corner of his lips raises into a smile “ I guess living with a writer puts things in perspective sometimes, huh? That’s a real nice thought. “

“ Is it? “

“ Yeah, cause if nothing else we’ll still have love. Right ?”

Maybe it’s a challenge, she thinks. To say the right thing. To make a move. To do SOMETHING. ANYTHING. His eyes are on her and her alone and there’s a static in the air like rubbing a balloon against your hair. And he looks like an angel in the dim light of the fairy lights blinking from the window. And if life was a movie this would be the moment the leads would kiss and life would be beautiful and maybe they’d add an acoustic version of some 80s love song sung by a young female indie artist.

But when she finds the words and they fall from her lips, not like magic but like icicles, there’s no indie song and no kiss and no falling in love montage. “ Right.”

All there is, is the notification sound of her phone and the small writing saying “all flights canceled” and the sound of her heart breaking.

“ That was hope dying. “

Bucky doesn’t reply, just pulls her close and places a soft kiss against her hair. And maybe that’s all he has to do. Hold her close and keep her warm and maybe let her get lost in those sweet sweet daydreams where this is more than a hug and more than a friendship.

“ I’m sorry. But hey, means we get to spend Christmas together. And let me tell you, I can think of worse people to spend my first Christmas with since the ‘40s.”

“ It’s your first Christmas since the 1940s? “

Bucky shrugs and she’s sure she can see a blush of pink dust his cheeks “ I was a bit preoccupied after … “

“ Oh, we’re gonna make this your best Christmas! Tell me about the Christmases you had before. What do you remember? What was your favorite part? I want to make this a good one for you. I want you to be happy. “

“ I am happy, “ he says, not a hint of uncertainty in his voice.

“ Tell me anyway.  “

“Let me think about it for a second. “ he agrees and pulls her just a little closer.

Bucky’s memories are a bit of a haze. It’s what happens when people mess with your head too much, when they literally rewire your brain.

It’s not that he doesn’t remember, he does, some of the memories are clear as day, it’s just that it takes him a little longer to pull those pictures up in his mind. The big moments come easier, the little things take a little longer.

There’s the perpetual smell of baked goods settling in his heart as it settled all around their home during the Christmas time of his youth. The laughter of his mother and his sisters echoes through his memories as they turn into the halls of his childhood home. Candlelight dims the rooms and dips them into a golden glow. There's roasted chicken in the oven and some weird jello concoction in the fridge for dessert. Christmas dinners at the Barnes’ household were special because mom and dad allowed them to be. It was the one time of the year where dad would buy the expensive champagne for him and mom and fancy juice for the kids. Where the fridge was filled to the brim with not only the necessary goods but with chocolate and salmon and cured meat platters.

“ On Christmas eve, “ Bucky begins to recall, “ dad would bring a Christmas tree. We weren’t really in the situation to afford one but someone he was that good of a talker he never ended up paying for them. My old man could charm the last dollar out of everyone’s pocket. “

Her lips lift into a smile. Sometimes, she thinks, the apple really doesn’t fall that far from the tree. It’s something Bucky isn’t entirely aware of, not all the time. Just how goddamn charming he is. With his eyes the blue of a perfect summer sky and that smile that could light up an entire town.

“ Yeah in my family the tree was also something my dad would take care of. And I swear the man never actually looked at the trees before he bought them. But it was always fun to try and make the best of those horrible hedges he brought home. Dad and the kids would decorate the tree and mom would make us hot chocolate and gingerbread cookies. “

“ That sounds lovely. “ Bucky speaks up. Her eyes, he notices, shine with the longing for a time long gone. For the familiarity of a Christmas at home. For traditions and memories made during her entire lifetime. And then, they fill with tears.

“ Hey what’s wrong? “

“ We don’t have a tree. '' she chokes out in between big tears as they pearl down her cheeks. “ It’s Christmas and we don’t have a tree. “

Neither of them saw it necessary to spend money on a tree when they hadn’t planned to stay at the apartment either. In retrospect, Bucky thinks he should’ve just bought one anyway. Because he knows how much it means to her. The tree and the tinsel and the whole shebang.

He hates seeing her sad though. It breaks his damn heart. If there’s even the smallest chance for him to put a smile back on her face, he’ll take it. Everything for the woman he — well the woman he — loves.

“ Technically we have a tree. “

“ Huh? No, we don’t. “

“ Yeah, we do! “ Bucky exclaims and points to the corner of their shared living room “ It’s just not a traditional Christmas tree. “

And she laughs and his heart soars a little.

“ You want to decorate the ficus? “

“ Why not? “ Bucky shrugs and pulls both of them off the couch and onto their feet. “ We’re both not getting the Christmas we’re used to so why not make our own traditions? “

“ That sounds kinda sweet. “

“ It does, right? What did you guys usually eat on Christmas eve? “

“ Honey glazed ham. “

Bucky screws his lips up in disappointment then looks over towards their open kitchen “ that’s not happening but we have microwave burritos in the freezer. “

The sadness in her eyes isn’t gone but she smiles at him and that’s a little win in his book. She looks like a vision in the dimming light of the night rushing in and the Christmas lights throwing their colorful hues onto the walls and the floor.

“ And I think we still have some Swiss Miss in the cupboard. How about you get the lights and the decoration and I’ll prepare our Christmas eve dinner? “

Bucky pulls her close once again and places another kiss on her hair. Just because. Just because it feels nice to see her smile and go along with his plan. Just because he wants to.

“ Sounds good to me. “

A few minutes later, just as Bucky sets down the plastic box holding Christmas lights and tree ornaments, the opening chords of Darlene Love’s “Christmas (Baby please come home)” start echoing through the apartment, coming from the radio in the kitchen.

Leaning against the doorway, Bucky can’t help the smile taking over his entire face and the warmth spreading in his heart as he catches sight of her as she’s stirring the cocoa powder in the mugs all the while dancing along to the music in her fluffy socks and her oversized sweater.

“ You having fun there? “

“ Honestly? Yeah … a little.  “

He’s seen the smile before. The one she grants him right then, with her hair a bit messy and her sweater falling down her right shoulder and her eyes stained with tears still.

He’s seen the same smile on a different face at a different time. When the Christmas tree was set up and the chicken had been eaten. When the candles filled the room with their golden light. When hearts felt warm and shoulders light. When there was no pain, no suffering, no hurt or sadness or fear. Everyone felt the same thing even though no one would or could put it into words. This was what Christmas was about. Love.

He’s seen the same smile in the face of his mother when his dad held out his hand to her and she would blush and take it anyway. And he’d rest his hand on her hip and sway them from side to side and every once in a while he’d twirl her and pull her close again. And his mother would look at his father with the most love in his eyes he’s ever seen in another person. With a twinkle that said “this is right where I am meant to be. This is my home. This is my heart. Truthfully and entirely. “

Bucky remembers so well because this is what made him believe in love. In this all-consuming power that makes it all worth it. The pain and the fear and the sadness. It all meant nothing when compared to the love his parents held for each other.

Maybe she’s right, Bucky thinks, maybe love is the last thing to die. Maybe it still clings to our hearts and our memories when everything else is long forgotten.

The next hour is spent throwing lights on the ficus and balancing sparkly ornaments on its flimsy branches. It’s ridiculous and a little bit silly but the smile on both their faces make up for it.

“It looks - “

“Perfectly imperfect.” She finishes his sentence. And maybe, Bucky thinks, maybe she’s right.

“ Like us. “

He doesn’t think there’s anything imperfect about her. Not in his eyes. Even the parts that should be annoying, the quirks, and the shortcomings. He loves them all. They make her her. In all her damn perfection.

“ It’s not the Rockefeller Center Tree but it’s a close second, don’t you think? “

“ You know I’ve actually been at the first-ever tree lighting in 1933. “

“ Really? “

“ Mmmh. “

“ Was it so magical ?”

It was, he remembers. So many sparkling lights. Even now it's a sight he hasn’t grown tired of, but back then it was extra special. There hadn’t been anything like it in such a public setting it was — magical.

Though even the sparkle of all of those lights on the big tree could not match the sparkle of her eyes and the way she enchants him with every single smile.

The ding of the microwave breaks the moment and pulls the two of them back to reality.

“ Sounds like our dinner is ready. “

“ Sounds like it. You ready to feast, m’lady? “

“ Oh of course good sir, let me get the good dishes and the fancy glasses. We’re dining in style tonight. “

As the snow continues to fall softly outside, Bucky and she are perched on the couch, plates balancing on their knees as the fancy crystal wine glasses are filled to the brim with coca-cola and resting on the table before them.

“ That’s not the version I remember, “ Bucky exclaims as he nods his head towards the tv before taking a bite from the microwave burrito.

“ I couldn’t find the 1938 version. This is basically the same.”

“ There’s a rat, Cratchit is played by a frog and Dickens is — I’m not even sure what that is.”

“ It’s Gonzo and he’s great. Just trust me, you’ll love this one. “

She rests her head against his shoulder after those words tumble from her lips and Bucky is sure, by the way his heart starts beating faster, that he’d watch every and any movie if it means he can hold her this close. If it makes her happy.

“ I watch this movie every Christmas eve. I’m glad it’s one tradition we can continue this year. “

He hopes that maybe he can become part of her traditions. Part of her life in a way other than just being her roommate. He hopes that this year a tiny Christmas miracle can be spared on him. One that makes a little room for him in her heart.

“It's in the singing of a street corner choir It's going home and getting warm by the fire It's true where ever you find love It feels like Christmas”

As the puppets and, for some reason, one human man dance across the screen and sing about how Christmas is a feeling and a place, how it’s not the traditions themselves, it’s the meaning of them, the people you share them with, the love with which they are created, that’s when Bucky feels her cuddling even closer to him. So close there’s barely a way to tell where he stops and she begins.

And it’s true.

The same love that filled the room during the Christmases of his youth, it’s present today. His heart feels soft and warm and happy. And for the first time in a long time, Bucky doesn’t let regret or fear take over and taint the moment. Right now it’s all love and nothing else.

There’s another tradition he wants to honor. One that isn’t entirely his own. One he holds so close to his heart though because it was the moment he knew what love was supposed to look like.

It’s midnight when he gently shakes her shoulder waking her from her peaceful sleep against his form. He doesn’t want to, really. Not when she seems so happy and comfortable cuddled up to him. But this tradition asks for her to be awake.

“Whut? What is it? “ she murmurs and wipes the sleep from her beautiful eyes.

“ Come here, “ he says and holds out his hand. And though she doesn’t know what’s going on, she takes his hand anyway. No hesitation. Just trust.

And so he starts softly swaying them across the room, dressed in their Pajamas, as the tune of White Christmas echoes through the apartment.

“ My parents had a tradition. Every Christmas eve they’d put on a record at exactly midnight and they’d slow dance by the Christmas tree and my dad would hold my mom close and he’d say, ‘Darlin, there isn’t any other person in the world I’d rather spend my Christmas with. ‘ and us kids we would always sneak out of our beds and watch them. Other kids waited for Santa and we just wanted to watch our parents dance because they loved each other so much and it gave us so much hope for the future. “

“ That is the sweetest thing in the world. I want what they had “ she says and gently strokes the hair at the back of his neck.

“ I want that too, “ Bucky admits, “ and I want it with you. I know this Christmas isn’t what you wished for but I can honestly say that there isn’t any other person in the world I’d rather decorate a ficus with or eat microwave burritos with from fancy plates and watch puppet frogs sing Christmas songs. I’m in love with you, Darlin’ “

“ I think we should add another tradition to our celebration, “ she says and rests her hand on his chest.

“ What’s that? “

“ A Christmas kiss. “

The snow continues falling outside and the fairy lights glimmer and Bing Crosby sings about treetops and sleigh bells and Christmas cards.

And Bucky gets to kiss the girl he’s been dreaming of for so long now. And while the earth doesn’t start spinning and time doesn’t stop, there’s still a certain kind of magic that settles upon the two of them.

“I’m in love with you, Bucky Barnes. Merry Christmas. “

“ And merry Christmas to you, my sweet girl. I love you too. “

As they hold each other close, they can’t help but agree with the wise words of none other than the muppets.

It truly does feel like Christmas wherever you find love.

And love, as they have learned, truly does persist.

[staticscreenwriting]

BETHANY AND JO’S CHRISTMAS CALENDAR DAY FIVE: FAKE DATING (@ the Christmas Party)

It’s fake dating but at Christmas. Do I need to say more? ;)

If you’re not a writer, that’s okay! You can make moodboards, playlists, art, whatever you want! Just please tag all triggers appropriately if there are any! 

When you post your work, please tag them with #ChristmasCreationCalendar2021 but we all know how broken tumblr’s site is so feel free to message us with a link to your work! 

ALL FANDOMS ARE WELCOME TO JOIN!

Find the rules to the calendar here!

Find the masterlist of all the calendar days so far here!

[onceuponastory]

It's in the singing of a street corner choir It's going home and getting warm by the fire It's true where ever you find love It feels like Christmas 

Today’s prompt - the final prompt for this challenge - is based on the iconic song ‘It Feels Like Christmas’ from the critically acclaimed 1992 movie (and one of Jo and I’s personal fave Christmas movies) The Muppet Christmas Carol!

By the way, Happy Christmas to those who celebrate, and Happy Holidays if you don’t! Hope you all have a safe and good time whatever you’re doing.  Thank you for participating in this challenge if you have, and for reading our entries!

If you’re not a writer, that’s okay! You can make moodboards, playlists, art, whatever you want! Just please tag all triggers appropriately if there are any! All fandoms are welcome to join as well!

When you post your work, please tag them with #ChristmasCreationCalendar2021 but we all know how broken tumblr’s site is so feel free to message us with a link to your work!

Read the rules of the calendar here!

Read the masterlist of the past days here!

[onceuponastory]

BETHANY AND JO’S CHRISTMAS CALENDAR DAY TWENTY THREE: CHRISTMAS TREE FARM

Today’s prompt is about picking out a Christmas tree at a Christmas tree farm!

If you’re not a writer, that’s okay! You can make moodboards, playlists, art, whatever you want! Just please tag all triggers appropriately if there are any! All fandoms are welcome to join as well!

When you post your work, please tag them with #ChristmasCreationCalendar2021 but we all know how broken tumblr’s site is so feel free to message us with a link to your work!

Read the rules of the calendar here!

Read the masterlist of the past days here!

[onceuponastory]

BETHANY AND JO’S CHRISTMAS CALENDAR DAY TWENTY TWO: ALONE FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Today’s prompt is about someone being alone during the holiday season. Whether or not they’re happy about that, and if they call someone to feel less alone is up to you!

If you’re not a writer, that’s okay! You can make moodboards, playlists, art, whatever you want! Just please tag all triggers appropriately if there are any! All fandoms are welcome to join as well!

When you post your work, please tag them with #ChristmasCreationCalendar2021 but we all know how broken tumblr’s site is so feel free to message us with a link to your work!

Read the rules of the calendar here!

Read the masterlist of the past days here!

[onceuponastory]

BETHANY AND JO’S CHRISTMAS CALENDAR DAY SIXTEEN: I SOLD MY PRIZED POSSESSION TO BUY YOU A GIFT

Today’s prompt is based on that scene from Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas that makes Jo and I sad every time we see it: Mickey trades his harmonica for a gold chain for Minnie’s watch...only to find out she traded her watch to get him a case for his harmonica...which he no longer has.

AKA: your character gives up an object they love to get something for the one person they love

If you’re not a writer, that’s okay! You can make moodboards, playlists, art, whatever you want! Just please tag all triggers appropriately if there are any! All fandoms are welcome to join as well!

When you post your work, please tag them with #ChristmasCreationCalendar2021 but we all know how broken tumblr’s site is so feel free to message us with a link to your work!

Read the rules for the calendar here!

Read the masterlist of all the days so far here!

[onceuponastory]

BETHANY AND JO’S CHRISTMAS CALENDAR DAY TWENTY: BABY’S FIRST CHRISTMAS

Today’s prompt is all about celebrating Christmas with your baby for the first time! All very cute and fluffy.

If you’re not a writer, that’s okay! You can make moodboards, playlists, art, whatever you want! Just please tag all triggers appropriately if there are any! All fandoms are welcome to join as well!

When you post your work, please tag them with #ChristmasCreationCalendar2021 but we all know how broken tumblr’s site is so feel free to message us with a link to your work!

Read the rules of the calendar here!

Read the masterlist of the past days here!

[onceuponastory]

BETHANY AND JO’S CHRISTMAS CALENDAR DAY EIGHTEEN: HELP ME FIND A GIFT FOR MY AWFUL PARTNER

Character A needs help to find a gift for their boyfriend/girlfriend, and they rope in Character B to help. Whether or not Character B is a friend of Character A or just a retail worker who’s fed up of life and their job is up to you. Either way, as Character A describes their partner and the gifts they’ve given them before, they both start to realise that Character A puts FAR more effort into the relationship/the other person than their partner does: Character A has their partner’s favourite foods/colours/clothes etc memorised, but their partner can’t even remember Character A’s birthday, let alone things that they actually like.

Anyway, as time goes on, Character A realises how shittily they’re being treated...and how they have far more in common with Character B than their shitty partner. What happens next is up to you!

If you’re not a writer, that’s okay! You can make moodboards, playlists, art, whatever you want! Just please tag all triggers appropriately if there are any! All fandoms are welcome to join as well!

When you post your work, please tag them with #ChristmasCreationCalendar2021 but we all know how broken tumblr’s site is so feel free to message us with a link to your work!

Read the rules of the calendar here!

Read the masterlist of the other days here!