#Here's hoping this one gets finished in time for xmas

[goodeapple]

blue snowflakes (modern hotd, xmas edition ... daddy!aemond x reader)

pairing : Aemond x Ysilla (Rhaenyra'sDaughter!OC) but there's no overt incest in this one, you're welcome, normies

warnings : MDNI. ngl, this one is fluffy and tender as FUCK (too much christmas cheer me thinks). however, unprotected sex, sexual use of the word "daddy", Aemond's usual breeding kink, and way too many bad dad jokes lie ahead.

word count : 6,000+

note : merry christmas and happy holidays to all you lovely people. ty for such an amazing year. here's a little thank you from me to you. xx

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7:10. He finishes up a report that isn't expected until the first, the tap of his fingers anxiously loud on the keyboard. 7:15. He stokes the wood in the fireplace, warming his hands in front of the flames, his leg bouncing with restless energy. 7:28. He drains his whiskey glass and the burn licks down his throat before raging into his belly.

They should be here by now. Aemond does not freak out. That's not who he is- the grip he holds on his emotions never waivers. But as the time ticks and tocks on and he remains alone in his flat, his nerves start to sizzle until they singe. 

At 7:48, a frenzied knock on the door has Aemond moving across the floor in four long strides. 

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, the roads were God awful, took us an hour to get down Main." Ysilla stands shivering as he rips it open. She stomps her Uggs for almost dramatic effect, the ice sticking to the boots melting in the warmth of the hallway. Aemond releases a slow and steady breath, the tight fist of anxiety in his chest loosening. The little thing holding strong to Ysilla's gloved hand is a marshmallow puff of bubblegum pink goosefeather down, her jacket done up to her muff covered ears. 

"Daddy, Daddy!" Dany shrieks, uncaring of the obvious chill that polishes the apples of her cheeks and the tip of her nose into a cherry red glow. She releases her mother's hand, dashing forward before almost immediately tumbling over her own feet and eating it in the foyer. 

Aemond catches his daughter without blinking, hauling her onto his hip and pressing a strong kiss into her temple. "Hello, my little dragon." A piece of him notches into place and suddenly, his eyes are brighter and his posture less stiff, his head clear and heart beating fonder. His beautiful Daenerys. 

He gestures Ysilla in and she nods her thanks, unravelling her spun scarf from her neck and toeing off her soaked shoes. Her own cheeks are burnt from the cold, her fine, fawn skin accepting the rosiness like an expensive blush. 

"You drove?" He asks his ex, his tone sharper than he wishes but he still means it. It's fucking gnarly outside and she decided tonight of all nights was the one to take a joyride?

Ysilla rolls her eyes, moving down the hall to the front room, speaking to him over her shoulder. "Yes, Aemond, we drove. I know how to do that."

He thought he fucked that attitude out of her a long time ago, but they haven't been together in awhile. Things change. 

"Where the hell is Erryk?" He sets Dany onto her feet, half listening and humming as his daughter rattles off every thought that pops into her head, leaving behind her a trail of winter wear she peels off that is every color of the pastel rainbow. 

Ysilla sniffs, her eyes roaming critically over his decorations. His assistant picked them out, and it's like she can smell it.

"It's Christmas, Aemond, I gave him the week off." 

Aemond doesn't growl but it's quite close. "I don't pay him to take a week off, Ysilla, I pay him to make sure my girls get to where they need to be safely." 

The glare she pins him with is colder than the wind howling outside. Aemond winces. He knows better than to let that shit slip. Ysilla will take a chunk out of him for saying things like that in front of Daenerys. It gives her false hope that Mummy and Daddy are getting back together, Aemond. She'd said. That had fucking stung. That was right after they separated, the echo of her loss (in their bed, in their flat, in his life) still disorienting him. His days blurred into one long line of droll goings until he at last got to see Dany again. 

"What's done is done, Aemond. I apologized for being late. Now drop it." 

She uses her mum tone and it's effective as all hell. Aemond bites his tongue and waves his metaphorical white flag, rubbing at the back of his neck briskly. Ysilla exhales deeply and lets the defensive line of her shoulders drop. She rummages through her bag, a Birkin he bought her for their first anniversary, and pulls out a long white envelope. 

"She wrote a note to Santa that neither you or I are to read, alright? We're supposed to leave it by the fireplace, next to Santa's cookies, and not peek. Right, Dany love?" Ysilla recites, tossing the sealed note onto the kitchen counter. Dany nods, bobblehead like, and smiles her big missmatched grin, baby teeth missing like blacked out windows in a building. Aemond chuckles, nodding seriously when his daughter shoots him a barbed look. 

"Daddy, it's important! We can't forget, okay?!" 

"Of course, Princess, don't fret. Daddy will make sure all goes well." Aemond ducks down to lock gazes with his daughter, wanting to ensure that she knows her feelings are heard. Ysilla laughs, so softly he almost misses it. She claps her hands once and father and daughter's eyes lock onto her intently. 

"Okay my love, are you all set? You have Frostfire and your letter is safe. Your Angelina Ballerina jammies are in your pack and so is blankie. Are we missing anything?" Ysilla picks at nonexistent lint at the cuff of her cashmere sweater, her fingers twitching along the fine fabric. Aemond gets it- this part is the worst, without fail. 

"Mumma, stay." Dany whispers, moving forward to clutch at Ysilla's sleeve with tiny, pleading fingers. His ex sighs and the sound rattles from her throat as it moves past the dense ball of emotion there. 

"Baby girl, come now, I'll see you next week. We'll go to Nana and Grandpa's and ring in the new year together. All of your cousins will be there too. Doesn't that sound like fun?" 

Dany keeps quiet, her chin drooping down to her chest, her midnight sprigs of bouncing curls curtaining her face from her parents. Ysilla settles on her knees, shrinking down in order to keep her daughter's focus. 

"And you're spending Christmas with Daddy. And Auntie Helaena told me she'll be here with you tomorrow. And so will- oh rūs, don't cry, it's okay." She coos, swiping away her daughter's tears with gentle thumbs. 

Aemond swallows thickly, squatting behind Dany and shrugging her out of her Bluey backpack. He bought it for her last month, going against the agreement he'd made with Silla to not buy her any presents so close to the holiday but shit, he couldn't help himself. She's his only baby- and it's not like he's expecting to have another with anyone any time soon. 

Dany sniffles, her voice gentler than a baby bird's chirp. "But but Mummy, you'll be alone." 

Between Ysilla's eyebrows crease and she blinks rapidly, the whites of her eyes illuminating with tears. Aemond wants to reach out, squeeze her hand, her knee, cup her cheek… but he doesn't do any of that. He isn't allowed to anymore. 

"I'll be okay, sweet pea. Mummy promises." Ysilla presses their foreheads together, dusting butterfly kisses all over her girl's face. Within seconds, Dany's weeping turns to giggles, to full belly laughter after Ysilla starts to press obnoxious wet smooches anywhere she can reach. The sunshine smile that bursts over Ysilla's face steals Aemond's breath away. 

"Bye baby."

"Bye baby." Dany parrots back, smothering herself into her mother's neck, her tiny arms lassoing around her tightly. Ysilla squeezes her back just as fiercely, refusing to be the first to break away. Dany finally relents, fists rubbing at her eyes, before shuffling to the couch to sit. Ysilla's legs shake as she stands and Aemond ghosts a hand over the small of her back in a quiet comfort. 

The parents take their cue to give their daughter some space and start to work their way out of the room. 

"You know I don't mind if you stay. Not going to be doing much but lounging around and eating too much sugary shit. You can have your old bedroom back. I'll even clear out a drawer for you." He can be funny when he wants to be, all earlier unpleasantries forgiven and forgotten. Ysilla lets him lift her spirits, her wobbly grin the best Christmas gift he could ask for. 

"The sock drawer was never the issue, Aem… it was the hair care drawer." He snorts as she giggles, tickled pink by her own joke. They reach the front door and he imagines the feeling he gets here is similar to greeting the edge of the plank. 

"Anyways, I have a hot date with a bubble bath and a bottle of Myrish rum- I can't cancel that again." It's not the best excuse, especially because her eyes are still glassy with emotion, but Aemond won't take a mile from his given inch. 

Ysilla turns to face him after throwing one last look down the hall. An eyelash has drifted to freckle her cheekbone, the bat of her lashes no doubt stirring it loose and Aemond doesn't think before he cradles her cheek, his thumb sweeping it away. He drops his hand as quickly as he'd raised it, the warmth flowing from her skin too enticing to trust himself with. 

She hesitates then, for a moment, before tiptoeing up and planting a soft kiss on his cheek. She braces her palm on the curve of his bicep and she squeezes at the muscle, and he presses into her as close as she'll allow. Her voice is softer than snowfall at his ear. "Merry Christmas, Aemond." 

He turns his head just so, and he brushes his lips at her temple, the same way he'd greeted Dany. His words from before echo like the groaning ghost of Christmas past. His girls. "Merry Christmas, Sill."

He holds the door for her, watching her walk out of his life yet again and definitely doesn't get an eyeful of her ass as she goes.

He shuts and bolts it, and how pathetic is it that he has to dig his nails into the doorframe to stop from chasing after her and giving his best Love, Actually airport reunion kiss in the elevator. He thumps his forehead against the wood. He wonders if he'll stop loving her sometime soon, because three years apart has done fuck all for healing his broken heart and it sucks. Aemond stops feeling sorry for himself long enough to look back into the flat. Dany stands alone at the end of the hallway, Frostfire, her ratty stuffed dragon she's had since birth, clutched by the wing in her fist and swinging by her side. Her giant ice blue eyes pierce through him, and the sad small frown on her lips matches his. God, this never gets any easier.

"Come on, baby girl." His daughter tucks her hand into his as he leads them to the sterling white marble kitchen. 

He makes it good, special he hopes. They press shapes into the sugar cookie dough, and then frost the somewhat recognizable snowflakes once they've baked and cooled. He makes her cocoa, begrudgingly adding more marshmallows after being suckered by her pouting face, but he doesn't truly mind. There's not one memory he has of doing any of this with his dad, and he'll be damned if Daenerys ever thinks for even one moment that he wouldn't want to be anywhere rather than right here, with her. He'd give her a cereal bowl of marshmallows if he didn't know that she'd puke them back up after her sugar rush would fizzle out. 

They crash onto the couch eventually, the sun long since set, the view from this high up making all of the far and distant lights twinkle like gleaming stars. 

They're watching a movie, the one with the bratty kid who gets left behind by his family when they leave for Paris. It makes Aemond's mind hit the snooze button but Dany giggles every time one of the Wet Bandits gets hurt, so he relents and just enjoys having her here with him. 

 A tepid knock at the door is nearly lost to him, a particularly gusty wind shaking the triple pane windows something awful, but it sounds again and Aemond frowns. He's not expecting anyone, certainly not on Christmas Eve. He wraps the throw blanket tighter around Dany as he leaves their nest, and jogs down the hall. 

"Yeah yeah, I'm coming." He says, loud enough to quiet the knocker from sounding again. He doesn't bother with the peephole, unlatching the deadbolt and pulling the door open with more than a little annoyance. 

Ysilla stands stockstill, doing her best to place first in a snowman lookalike contest, so many white specks of snow littering her dark strands that she nearly matches Aemond's icy coloring. 

"I tried, there's no way I can drive back home in that. Had to leave my car on the street, snow's too thick to get through."

"Jesus, Sill, you're like a fuckin' ice cube." Aemond all but yanks her inside, wincing at the freezing sting of her skin.

"Want me to call you an Uber?" That's the last fucking thing he wants, but he'd move mountains for her, even if it's in the direction opposite of him.

Ysilla shakes her head in the negative, her teeth chattering so hard that the clinking sounds like it hurts. "I tried- nothing's available. Not even with surge pricing, fuck's sake."

Aemond falls silent, grabbing a towel from the linen closet and pressing it into her trembling hands. She gives him an appreciative look and starts to dry her damp hair. 

"Mummy stay?" Tink tink tink, like a bell, Daenerys' voice floats down the hall, her head hanging over the edge of the couch to stare at her parents with a marvelously mischievous smile. 

Ysilla glances up at him, apprehension bright in her lavender eyes. He's still so close, he can smell the jasmine misted over her skin. Their sheets used to be soaked in it, a calling card she'd leave him with anytime she had to travel. He misses her so much, it makes his teeth ache, so who is he to question a Christmas miracle?

"Mummy stay." Aemond declares, stepping behind Ysilla to tug her coat off. He's selfish in his chivalry and he lets his thumbs trail down her arms as he undresses her, and he'd pay good money to know if her shiver is from the cold or his touch. 

Dany jumps to her feet, bouncing on the couch and screaming at the top of her lungs, "Yay! Mummy stays, Mummy stays!" 

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Aemond pulls the glass doors shut on the fireplace, watching drowsily as the glowing embers snuff out to a chilly charcoal grey. It's late, close to midnight, time lost somewhere between Elf and The Polar Express. He stands, wincing as his knees crack and pop and goes to sit on the arm of the couch. 

Enjoying the quiet, he gazes upon his girls. Wrapped up in each other, Ysilla and Dany are passed out and have been for at least an hour. After he'd gotten some food in Sill, he'd all but tucked the girls in together, listening to Dany happy chitter until she finally knocked out, sprawled on her mother's chest and nestled into her father's side. 

Not wanting to wake her but knowing her back will thank him for it later, Aemond shakes Ysilla's ankle gently. She stirs, blinking slow and heavy before she spots him, and Aemond has to swallow past the lump in his throat. That look had gotten them into trouble many times before- in the back of a limo on the way to an art gala, on a beach lounger while they holidayed on the Orange Shore, when they first toured this flat and he decided they should christen the kitchen island. Good times. 

Let's put her to bed. He mouths, not ready to break the stillness of the moment. Ysilla nods, flexing her arms around their sleeping child and starts to untangle their legs. 

Aemond rises, hovering over them and tucking his hands into Dany's armpits to lift her into his chest. She's getting too big. She's got to stop growing before Aemond has a mental breakdown over dating and prom dresses while she's still in nursery school. 

"Mumma, Daddy…" She's still asleep, her lashes fanning over her rosy cheeks and hair a moppy mess. Aemond rubs her back and Ysilla trails along next to him, brushing their daughter's curls out of her face. 

"Sleep now, my angel. It's almost Christmas. And when you wake up, Santa will have visited and left you something special."

"And read my letter?"

"And read your letter." Ysilla promises, pressing a lovely kiss to her forehead. She stays behind in the doorway, letting Aemond clear the pink frilly bed of a million stuffed animals before sliding Dany beneath the sheets. He clicks on her firefly nightlight and tucks Frostfire in beside her. 

"Sweet dreams, dōna hāedar." He's not a crier but he feels the salty sting in his nose. She's his one constant, his daughter, his heir. He'll never be more thankful for Ysilla than when she ignored her lawyer's advice and decided to split 50/50 custody. Losing her nearly killed him, if his daughter would've been lost to him too? Aemond's not sure he could've survived. He departs after a few more peaceful moments, clicking her door shut softly behind him. 

He stretches, a pleased groan escaping him as he heads back to the living room. The couch is empty and in a brief moment of dumbstruck panic, he wonders if Ysilla seized her opportunity and left. He knows she's happy to be here with Dany, but he also accepts that she's not happy to be here with him. 

The faucet flipping on in the kitchen snuffs out his dread and he follows the sound like it's a siren song. Ysilla washes their mugs methodically, her too long sleeves rolled up to her elbows. He'd given her one of his hoodies to dethaw in, and the emerald tone against her complexion makes him hungry. She finishes, turning the cups upside down on the drying rack before she towels off her hands. The smile she wears when she catches sight of him may be small, but it's genuine. 

"Hey."

Aemond grins, a puppy given attention, his metaphorical tail wagging wildly. "Hey. Sad you missed out on your rum soaked bubble bath?" 

Ysilla snorts, rolling her eyes at him good naturedly. "No, not at all. This was… nice. This was all very nice." She swallows hard, rolling down her sleeves so that they dip past her fingers again. "I enjoyed every second of it." 

"So did I. It was like old times." 

Ysilla grins, leaning her elbows on the counter. The only light in the whole flat is from the Christmas tree, the soft gold gleam painting the room alive with merriment. 

"We practically lived on that couch when Dany was born, you remember?"

Aemond smirks, relishing in the memory. He treads into the kitchen, closing the distance between them as naturally as he can. 

"It was closer to the food. And more spacious than the bedroom. It was an easy choice." 

Ysilla laughs at his recollection, an easy laugh that he always celebrated getting out of her. He hopes Dany will laugh like her, be joyous like her. Aemond doesn't have much of that gene to pass on.  

"You look good, Aemond." She gives him an up/down, and there's not enough light in here to tell if she's blushing. He gives her one back, taking his time on her legs and the curve of her thighs before the rest of her frame is swallowed up by his clothes.

"You do too, Sill."

She huffs, pinning him with a faux annoyed glare. "Are you going to agree with everything I say?" 

"Oh absolutely." Aemond deadpans, leaning in closer before giving her his cheekiest grin. 

Ysilla cranes her head back so she can keep their eyes connected, but she ends up breaking first, staring at something above him with a somewhat startled look. 

"Mistletoe…" She trails off, almost too quiet to catch. Aemond looks above him and sighs. 

"New assistant decorated. She has a thing for the doorman that lets her in here. Maybe she was trying to get lucky." 

He dismisses the hovering green foliage as quick as he'd noticed it but when he looks back to Ysilla, she's still staring. Transfixed, eyes twinkling. 

"Isn't it bad luck? To not…" He wonders if she can't bring herself to voice it aloud. To not kiss? Before tonight, they've barely been in the same room for more than thirty minutes in the last three years. Slipping each other the tongue is most likely a step way past their invisible boundary. 

Aemond steps closer and they're toe to toe. Ysilla's eyes snap to his and the gulp she takes is damn near audible. He wraps a stray curl behind her ear, hand drifting over to cup the soft edge of her cheek. He presses his thumb under her chin, making her raise her lips to nearly brush against his. He stares into her eyes, the drip of the faucet thunderous, and bends down. He kisses her forehead, eyes closed and his nose burrowing into her fringe, committing her floral pheromone to his memory. He stays there, listening to the labored breaths rise and fall in her chest, and soaks in the moment. 

He has to leave because if he doesn't, he'll start something he's not sure Ysilla will be able to stomach in the bright light of day. Like pulling teeth, he steps back, purposefully (shamefully) avoiding her beseeching eyes. He mumbles a goodnight, lips burning and craving another taste as he turns to exit.

He's spun back around by a firm hand twisting him by his sweater. Ysilla yanks him down to her level, his back pressing into the counter, and she slides her lips over his. A puppet on a string for her and her alone, Aemond's arms circle round her waist and he crushes her to him. It's as good as their first- no, better. He knows every spot that makes her sigh, she can find each nerve to set him off. It's as easy as breathing, when they're together and he lets himself enjoy it all.

Ysilla breaks away and she's breathing much harder than she was before. "Now that's a proper kiss." She whispers and he feels her lips perk up in a silly little grin that he doesn't see, because his mouth finds hers again and he loses himself in her.

He lifts her and she goes gracefully into his arms, winding her legs around his waist. He needs to get them somewhere they could go horizontal, wishful thinking and all that. He guides them to the couch, throwing himself down on it and pulling her in as close as space will permit. She settles on his lap, her leggings and his joggers doing nothing to conceal the massive hard-on that spells out her name. 

"And what do you want for Christmas this year, little girl?" Swiss, gouda, cheddar. The line is so cheesy but Aemond feels inspired by the holiday fair. That, and he's been bricked since she put on his clothes. He wants to get her naked as soon as possible and if he can fast track that by way of a stupid joke that's right up her alley, he can live with that. 

She nibbles at his earlobe before slithering her tongue up the shell of his ear. Her lips tickle the cartilage as she whispers and it makes him shiver. "I really want to make a joke about Santa's sack right now." 

"Christ, Ysilla." Aemond groans, letting an exasperated laugh bubble out of his chest. This is so his fault. 

"You know I'm funny." She cradles his face, angling his head to the side so that she can lick and bite at his neck. 

"Maybe. But what I do know for sure… is that you're the most stunning woman I've ever been blessed to see. And you are a magnificent mother to our daughter. And you were a phenomenal partner to me…" Aemond braces himself, a glutton for punishment. "And I fucked that up royally, didn't I?" 

He feels Ysilla frown and she straightens, sliding back to sit on his knees rather than on his dick. "Aemond, you know that's not what happened." 

He hmms noncommittally, mourning the route that they both steered away from. Sex over feelings is usually a no brainer for any man but this is a conversation that he needs to have. And from the way Ysilla's eyes dim down to a sad hue, it's one she needs to have too. 

"We're not together right now because I couldn't, how did you phrase it? 'Get my head out of my ass and straighten out my priorities'? Yeah, you hit the nail on the head there, baby. It was my fault." 

"That wasn't fair to you. I could've tried harder. I was so stressed after Dany was born, I didn't feel like myself. Didn't start feeling like myself again until nearly a year ago." She picks up his hand and she cradles it between both of her own, stroking at the rough rise of his knuckles. 

"If you're feeling like yourself again, does that mean you're seeing someone?" 

Ysilla looks like she wants to hit him and Aemond thinks he should let her. 

"Of course not, why would you even ask that?" 

"You seem happier as of late- or, at least that's what Dany says. Couldn't help but think it might be because of someone new." The thought makes him want to chew glass but he has to ask. He's got to prepare himself for another year of the only girl in his life being a pint-sized princess that demands he plays pony anytime they go to the park. 

"We're separated, Aem. Not divorced." She rolls her eyes and the expression she aims at him spells out duh.

"You're a catch, Sill. Any fucker would be lucky to have you. Plus, it's been three years. I wouldn't be angry if you explored something new." Liar, liar. 

"Yeah, three years where I was focusing on what was best for me and Dany. And that certainly wasn't a new lover." 

Aemond wants to dance a fucking jig in absolute glee but he suppresses it. "So… no one?"

"No one." Ysilla looks at him like she's afraid to ask the next question. "You?"

"There's no one but you. Never has been." The words flow out of him as if they'd lived on the tip of his tongue his whole life. 

She exhales, a long, heavy breath of relief before the most brilliant smile blooms on her mouth. Aemond feels lighter than a fucking feather, his own smile pulling tightly at his lips before they find their way back to one another, licking and lapping into each others' mouths. 

He rolls his hips up, selfish in his desire, and rubs his entire shaft up the hot line of her clothed snatch.

Ysilla tsks, biting his lip and wagging her finger in his face. "Un-uh, wrap it up, big boy."

"Thought you liked it when I go raw." He squeezes her hips, his thumbs tugging at the edge of her waistband. He dips below the elastic, stroking the hot, smooth skin over her hip bones. She rocks forward, a gasp slipping from her mouth as her covered center brushes at his tented cock. "You always came harder when I didn't wear a rubber."

She doesn't deny it, winding her arms around his neck and pulling him back to her mouth. Between kisses, she whispers, "Proof of that is dreaming of sugar plum fairies as we speak." 

Aemond hums around her tongue, pulling away to kiss across her jaw. "Y'know, only children always end up weird." 

Ysilla scoffs, leaning away and raising a fine dark brow at him. 

"I'm kidding." Aemond smiles, brash and bright, pressing an apologetic peck to her chin. 

"No you're not." She groans, widening her thighs as he starts to pull her leggings down. His heart is beating so fast, he can feel his pulse jumping in his neck. His hands worship the skin he bares, stroking her fine, supple softness. He gets her pants past her knees before he loses his patience and decides that's good enough. 

He shoves past his waistband, palming at his stiff shaft before pulling himself free. His cock springs up, weeping head finding her silk covered hole like a dart to a bullseye. His clever fingers hook around the crotch of her panties, pulling them to the side, his knuckles dragging across her wet lips like a ghost of a kiss. He will be eating out at some point tonight, lord willing. 

"You're right, I'm not… I want a boy." He slips the tip inside of her, just enough to get a taste of the warmth of her pussy. 

Their eyes lock and they don't break as Ysilla sinks down onto every rigid inch of his prick. Aemond's jaw drops, stupid to the pleasure of her steaming, slick cunt wrapping around him in such an embrace. It takes her a minute, wincing and whimpering as she goes until finally they're flush, thigh to thigh. 

"That's my girl, takin' it all." Aemond croons, palm finding the back of her neck and thumb stroking just under her hairline. That lights her fire, Ysilla gyrating in smooth figure eights, finding a rhythm that has both of them biting their lips to keep from shouting. 

"Fucckkkk, I missed this." Ysilla pants, head thrown back in absolute ecstasy. She doesn't skip a beat, riding his cock like she'd never left it. "I missed you. You feel so good, holy hell." 

Aemond spreads his knees further apart, letting her spread herself out, reaching deeper in her than before as a result. Ysilla bounces in his lap, the lights on the tree behind her haloing her into something festively angelic. She's some divine dream and Aemond will kill any man who dares to wake him. 

A sharp, high whine brays from Ysilla's throat and Aemond's hand slaps over her mouth roughly. 

"Easy sweetheart, you can't wake Dany up."

Ysilla moves her head back, Aemond's hand slipping away until she ducks forward and swallows two of his fingers. The wet, wiggly muscle of her tongue slides over his digits sloppily, soaking them in her saliva and reminding him exactly how she used to win every fight they would have. She sucks once more, letting him feel the strong flex of her mouth before she pulls off.  

"Then put something in my mouth to shut me up."

He kisses her, long and hard, before retreating and whispering at her swelling lips. "I'm not pulling out of this pussy, Silli girl." 

Ysilla's breath stutters, hips hitching as he shifts just right, her channel fluttering around him in tempo with her heartbeat. 

"Mmmmm, then shove my face into a pillow so I can scream for you."

The way Aemond maneuvers her without pulling out is honestly impressive. Face down, ass up, he manages to rid her of her leggings and knickers, baring all of her silky skin for him to gaze upon. She's got a phenomenal ass, backshots with her used to drive him mad. 

Taking full advantage of their new position, he sets a brutal pace, sliding in harsh and deep, his grip on her hips unyielding. When he pulls out, he lets himself miss the mark, gliding his cock between her puffy folds, his slit slithering up to kiss her clit. 

Ysilla gasps for air, pushing away the pillow she'd been smothering herself with. "That's it, that's it, yeah. Pound my pussy, Daddy." 

It's been a long time since they've played this game but without fail, Aemond's cock jerks in interest and his mouth floods with saliva. He's famished, he's fucking starving, and they only thing that can satiate him is the woman he made a mother. 

"Mmmm, this all for daddy? Makin' a mess on my lap, leavin' a puddle on my couch?" His voice has dropped, the rumble of it pulsing from his chest. His thrusts hit harder, punishing in a way that's similar to a spank on the rear.

"Yes, fuck, I've been wet since I put your hoodie on." Speaking of, she's still wearing it, the Oldtown High logo on the back faded and peeling. Aemond pushes it up to her shoulders until it bunches at the back of her neck. His big hands span the curve of her ribs until he finds himself a handful of her tits and kneads the heavy flesh. 

He can't fuck her like he wants to when their baby is sleeping in the next room, but he gets as close as he can. 

"Your body wants me, love. Couldn't pull out even if I fuckin' wanted to." He strokes at her belly, caressing the place she'd grown their girl. "I think she wants one more." He plants a kiss between her shoulder blades, her skin fucking blistering with heat. 

"Oh, fuck fuck fuck fuck!" She throws her ass back on him, fucking him in earnest until she can't abuse that spongy spot inside of her any longer. She freezes, muscles trembling and fists clenching, the poor throw pillow being shredded by her teeth, until her body goes lax, and the vice grip around Aemond's cock loosens. 

His balls draw up, the edge of his spine burning in need, and he curses with gritted teeth. "Christ, Sill, tell me to pull out. Tell me baby, make me." She's the only one that gets to see him like this- unraveled at the seams and flying apart, unable to control himself when presented with the object of all of his fantasies.

"Mmmm no, so warm," she slurs, her cheek smushed against the couch cushion. She wiggles back against him, a sinful invitation to grab hold and let go. "Fill me up, Aem. Give me your load, come on." 

"Fuck yesss." He hisses, obeying as commanded, pistoning in and out of her pretty cunt before he's a goner, grunting as he cums deep in her greedy womb. 

He slouches on top of her bonelessly, the aftershocks stinging through his entire lower half, his breaths choppy and uneven until the wave retreats, and the feeling comes back to his toes. He slumps to his side, rolling off of her, yanking up his joggers and tossing a throw over Ysilla's alluring backside. 

His wife props her head up on her hand, staring at him with a sated, sleepy expression. 

"Santa came early this year." 

Aemond doesn't react except to say, "If that's a cum joke, I'm kicking you out." 

She breathes out a laugh, shoving at his shoulder. "No you perv, I meant my Christmas wish. It came true."

Aemond smiles, every bit of him happy to sink into the couch while watching her talk. 

"Care to share?" 

Ysilla blushes, as if she didn't just get creampied. 

"I wished for a really good orgasm, preferably with my baby daddy." She plays footsie with him, looping her ankle around his calf and ushering him closer. "Also, I wished for multiple. As many as he's willing to give me. Just so you know."

He kisses her because he can and because he missed doing so. He lurches forward until she's underneath him, their hands going to the other's shirts and ridding them of the suffocating material. 

"Ho ho ho, baby mama."

.

They both keep their word and don't read the letter, tossing it into the lit fire the next morning before Dany stumbles out and screeches Happy Christmas! to her poor, sleep deprived parents. 

The flames eat the careful, crooked scrawl in seconds but the words seem to have manifested to life as Dany watches her mother and father blush every time they bump into one another. 

Dear Mr. Claus,

I know I wrote you a letter last week but I have changed my mind. Please tell your elves to forget the dolly. What I truly want is for my Mummy and Daddy to be back together. They smile more when they're together, and I do too. This is my one Christmas wish and I will be very very very sad if it does not come true, so please try real hard, okay? Okay. Thanks alot alot. I wish you the best of luck with everything! 

PS: If you happen to have a spare dolly in your bag, I won't say no to it. 

Love, 

Daenerys Aemma Targaryen

.

.

.

rūs . baby

dōna hāedar . sweet girl

[yes-i-am-happyaspie]

WIP Wednesday

“Dude! Those aren’t for you!” Peter said, making a quick grab for the four large shopping totes. With very little thought he snagged the Santa hat as well. “And what are you? The Grinch? Why are you stealing things while wearing a Santa hat? “

Rather than answer, the currently Santa Hat-less Grinch Guy pulled a knife out of nowhere. Peter’s senses lit beneath his skin and before he knew it, he’d dropped half the bags and had caught a decent sized pocket knife by the handle. He looked down at it and grinned beneath his mask. “Awe. Are we exchanging gifts?” he asked. “That’s so sweet! I think I’ll give you a concussion!” He swooped forward and punched the guy in the face before webbing him securely to the wall. 

[truethes]

watched some of the available scenes on youtube but honestly forgot how often people commented to ku.ro about how 'normal' mahi.ru was for an eve which, at the beginning is rather easy to relate to mahi.ru's simple outlook of life but also equivalates to how, before this, ku.ros life has always been alongside other supernatural beings.

[surreal-duck]

THEY FINALLY GOT TO NARRATE/MC TOGETHER??

whatdo yoy mean yuzuru midori And naru sang together in brand new stars for starry night

[jungwnies]

ASKING YOUR F1 BOYFRIEND TO HELP YOU DECORATE THE HOUSE FOR XMAS 🎄

୨ৎ : featuring : max verstappen, lewis hamilton, george russell, carlos sainz, charles leclerc, lando norris, oscar piastri ୨ৎ : genre : fluff ୨ৎ : tws : light kissing, nothing heavy ୨ৎ : word count : 3094

ᡣ𐭩 a/n : it's finally xmas season & this one was so fun and cute to write i love it >.<

ʚ・max verstappen

it was a couple weeks before christmas, and you were sitting on the floor, a box of ornaments and tangled lights in front of you. max was on the couch, scrolling through his phone, looking entirely too relaxed for someone about to be recruited for decorating duty. you glance up at him, already preparing your argument.

“baby,” you say, dragging out his name a little.

he doesn’t even look up at first, just gives you a hum. “hmm?”

“i really want to decorate the house for christmas. the tree, the mantel… everything.”

that gets his attention. he finally looks at you, raising an eyebrow. “decorate? like, the whole house?”

you nod, trying not to laugh at his expression. “yes. it’s our first christmas here together, and it’ll be fun. please?”

he sighs like you’ve just asked him to do the impossible, setting his phone down and leaning back. “i’m going to be terrible at this,” he mutters, already standing up.

you grin and pat the spot next to you on the floor. “you’ll survive.”

turns out, he wasn’t exaggerating—max is hilariously bad at decorating. the lights are a disaster. he pulls them out of the box, only to end up with a massive tangle in his hands. “how does this even happen?” he grumbles, holding up the mess. “these things are worse than a bad strategy call.”

you laugh, reaching over to help. “just give them to me before you make it worse.”

then it’s the ornaments. he starts off just randomly putting them on the tree until he gets oddly picky about the placement. “you can’t put two gold ones right next to each other,” he says, moving one.

“since when do you care about ornament placement?” you tease.

“i don’t, but this looks wrong,” he says, smirking.

when it’s time for the star, he insists on lifting you so you can put it on top. “don’t fall,” he warns, steadying you with both hands.

“you’ve got me,” you reply, laughing.

later, as you both sit back and look at the finished tree, he shrugs like it’s no big deal. “it’s not terrible,” he says, but the small smile on his face tells you he’s secretly proud.

you let out a soft laugh and give him a kiss on the cheek, "it's perfect considering this is our first christmas together."

ʚ・lewis hamilton

it was a chilly december evening, and the house already smelled faintly of cinnamon and pine. you were standing in the living room, a box of decorations at your feet and the christmas tree still bare in the corner. lewis wandered in, his beanie still on from walking roscoe outside, and gave you a curious look.

“baby, you planning to do all that by yourself?” he asked, nodding toward the box.

“was kind of hoping you’d help,” you said, looking up at him with a playful grin.

he chuckled, stepping closer and taking off his beanie, his curls springing loose. “you know i’m terrible at this kind of thing, right?”

“you’ll be fine,” you said, pulling out a strand of lights. “besides, it’s about the effort, not perfection.”

he raised an eyebrow, a skeptical smile on his face. “you sound like you’re setting me up to fail.”

but, to his credit, lewis dove right in, untangling lights with the focus of someone preparing for a race. “these things are like tire warmers,” he muttered, holding up a hopeless knot.

“i don’t think pirelli makes christmas lights,” you teased, reaching over to help.

once the lights were on the tree—after much adjusting and a few laughs at lewis’ questionable wrapping technique—you moved on to the ornaments. he took his time with each one, carefully inspecting them like they were trophies, even asking about the stories behind a few.

“this one’s cute,” he said, holding up a small handmade ornament. “you make this?”

“when i was a kid,” you admitted, a little embarrassed.

he laughed gently as a slight smile spread onto his face. he help the ornament carefully, placing it near the middle of the tree. “it deserves a good spot.”

when it came time for the tree topper, lewis insisted on doing it himself. “gotta make up for my shocking lights performance,” he joked. he climbed onto a chair, carefully placing the star on top while you steadied him.

stepping back, the two of you admired the tree, the warm glow of the lights filling the room. lewis slipped an arm around your shoulders, pulling you close. “not bad for a rookie decorator, huh?”

you leaned into him, smiling. “you did great.”

he kissed your temple, his voice soft. “it’s not really about the tree, you know. it’s about moments like this.”

and as roscoe wandered in, settling near the tree with a content sigh, you couldn’t help but think he was absolutely right.

ʚ・george russel

it was late afternoon, and you were sitting on the couch with george, boxes of christmas decorations scattered around the room. the tree stood bare in the corner, waiting for some life to be added to it. george leaned back, one arm draped casually along the back of the couch, watching you as you sorted through ornaments.

“are we actually going to decorate today, or are you just going to stare at the boxes?” you teased, holding up a tangled string of lights.

he smirked, pushing himself off the couch. “alright, alright, i’m coming. but you know i’m terrible with the lights. they’re always a mess.”

you handed him the string, grinning. “well, you’re in luck. you’re tall, so you can deal with the top of the tree.”

george rolled his eyes playfully, taking the lights from you. “great. the perks of being tall. you get stuck doing all the hard jobs.”

“you’re lucky i’m not asking you to string lights outside,” you joked, sorting through the ornaments. “now, don’t mess it up.”

he stepped up to the tree, carefully draping the lights over the branches. “don’t mess it up,” he repeated in a slightly mocking tone, turning back to flash you a cheeky grin. “you’ve got a lot of faith in me.”

you laughed, shaking your head. “i do. just... don’t make it look like you threw them on blindfolded.”

george chuckled softly, finishing his work and stepping back to inspect it. “there. masterpiece. what do you think?”

you tilted your head, pretending to be deep in thought. “hmm... it’s not bad. i’d give it... seven out of ten.”

“seven?” he gasped, feigning offense. “love, that’s a solid nine at least.”

“if you say so,” you teased, holding up the star. “want to do the honors?”

he took it from you, carefully placing it on top of the tree. stepping back, he wrapped an arm around your shoulders, pulling you close. “there. now it’s perfect.”

you smiled up at him. “you know, you’re not so bad at this after all.”

“told you,” he said with a wink. “i’m a man of many talents.”

ʚ・carlos sainz

it was late afternoon, the golden light streaming through the windows as you wrestled with a tangled mess of christmas lights. carlos wandered into the living room, wearing his usual casual track pants, a hoodie, and that slight smirk he always seemed to carry.

“qué haces?” (what are you doing?) he asked, leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching you struggle.

you sighed dramatically, holding up the lights in defeat. “i’m trying to decorate the tree, but these lights have other plans.”

he chuckled, that low, warm laugh of his, and walked over to you. “ay, dios mío. you didn’t wait for me? i could’ve saved you from this mess.”

you raised an eyebrow at him. “oh, so you’re an expert at christmas lights now?”

“of course,” he said, grabbing the tangled strand from your hands. “i am el rey de las luces, the king of the lights." he gave you a wink, but within seconds, he had the lights in just as much of a mess as you did. “eh… maybe not.”

you laughed, shaking your head. “great job, amor.”

“oye, oye, don’t laugh. i’ll fix it,” he insisted, his accent thick as he focused on untangling the lights. his brow furrowed in concentration, the same look he wore when analyzing data back at the paddock. eventually, he managed to untangle the mess, holding up the lights triumphantly. “see? easy.”

stringing the lights around the tree became a team effort—or, more accurately, a comedy routine. carlos kept stopping to adjust them, stepping back every few minutes and tilting his head. “no, no, this side needs more. it’s like setting up the car—balance is everything.”

“you’re overthinking it, amor,” you teased, mimicking his accent slightly, which earned you a playful glare.

“cariño...don’t start with me,” he warned, pointing a light strand at you. “you want a perfect tree or no?”

when it came to the ornaments, carlos became surprisingly sentimental, asking about each one. “this one—where is it from?” he asked, holding up a little wooden angel.

“a market in my hometown,” you said. “my family bought it years ago.”

he smiled, carefully placing it near the top. “then it goes somewhere special.”

finally, the star. carlos insisted on doing it himself, grabbing a chair and climbing up with dramatic flair. “el momento más importante,” (the most important moment) he said, grinning as he carefully positioned the star at the top.

when he climbed down, he stepped back beside you, hands on his hips as he admired the tree. “mira. perfect,” (look. perfect) he said, nodding with satisfaction.

you glanced at him, smiling. “not bad for el rey de las luces.” you tease.

he looked at you, pretending to be offended. “eh, don’t disrespect the king.” then his face softened, and he slipped an arm around your waist, pulling you close. “but seriously… it’s nice, no? makes the house feel… like home.”

and with the glow of the tree lights reflecting in his warm brown eyes, you couldn’t agree more.

ʚ・charles leclerc

it was the weekend before christmas, and the kitchen smelled like cinnamon and sugar. you were trying your best to bake cookies, but the dough was a bit more messy than you expected. charles had just returned from his morning run, his hair still damp from the sweat, a towel casually draped around his neck. when he saw you, there was that warm smile—always so soft, so fond.

“hey, mon amour,” he said, his voice low and a little breathless, his accent as soft as the morning light streaming through the window.

“my love,” you smiled back, rolling your eyes playfully as you looked at the mess you’d made. “i think i need help here.”

he crossed the room with the grace of someone who was always in control, always in the moment. stepping behind you, he wrapped his arms around your waist, his chin resting on your shoulder. “bien sûr, anything for you,” he murmured in your ear, the words full of that effortless affection he always seemed to have for you.

“really?” you teased, glancing up at him. “because if you burn these cookies, you’re doing all the decorations this year, including the tree.”

charles chuckled, pressing a soft kiss to your cheek. “je vais pas brûler les cookies, don’t worry, i’m a professional.” (i won’t burn the cookies)

“uh-huh, and what if i don’t want a professional? what if i want my boyfriend making cookies with me?” you grinned, nudging him lightly.

his eyes softened as he looked at you, his thumb brushing over your cheek. “tous les jours avec toi sont parfaits,” he whispered, as if it was the most natural thing to say. (every day with you is perfect.)

you felt your heart flutter, your smile growing. “you’re making me all mushy inside,” you said, your voice quieter now.

“c’est toi qui me rends comme ça,” he replied, his voice filled with a sweetness that made everything feel softer. (it’s you who makes me this way.) you didn't really know any french, but these sweet words he said repeatively were easy for you to pick up.

he kissed the top of your head, then took the mixing bowl from your hands, stirring the dough with a calm focus. “you know, i was never good at this... but with you, it’s different. everything feels easy.”

you watched him with affection, the way his eyes lit up when he looked at you. there was something so deeply sincere about him, as if every word, every touch, every moment together felt like a promise. “i feel the same way,” you said quietly, heart swelling with love.

he stopped for a moment, setting the bowl down and gently cupping your face, his fingers tracing the curve of your jaw. “je t’aime tellement,” he whispered, his eyes locking with yours in that way that made everything else disappear. (i love you so much.)

“i love you too,” you replied, voice a little unsteady from how full your heart felt in that instant.

he kissed you then, slow and soft, and for a moment, everything else faded away—the kitchen, the cookies, even the christmas tree that waited in the corner of the room. it was just you and him, wrapped up in each other, the world outside forgotten.

“i don’t know what i did to deserve you,” you whispered when he pulled away, resting your forehead against his.

“c’est simple, mon amour,” he said with a tender smile, his voice full of that same quiet certainty. (it’s simple, my love.) “you’re everything i never knew i needed, and more.”

and in that moment, as the soft twinkle of the christmas lights reflected in his eyes, you knew—you were exactly where you were meant to be.

ʚ・lando norris

it was a chilly evening, and you and lando were driving home from christmas shopping, the car packed with bags and decorations. you were both exhausted, but there was that festive excitement in the air.

lando glanced over with a mischievous grin. “so, what’s the plan for tonight? we’ve got the tree to decorate and i might need to save you from messing it up.”

you rolled your eyes. “oh really? you think you’re the master decorator now?”

“obviously,” he replied, grinning. “i’ve got amazing taste. no one’s topping my skills this year.”

“right,” you laughed. “because last year you couldn’t even get the star on top of the tree.”

lando gasped dramatically. “hey, that was one time! and you were totally distracting me with your light-wrangling skills.”

“sure, sure,” you teased as he parked in the driveway. “let’s see how ‘amazing’ you really are this year.”

once inside, lando eagerly got the boxes of decorations, already talking about how tonight’s tree would be perfect. “first, we do the lights, then the tinsel, and finally the ornaments. it’s a science, really.”

“a science?” you grinned, grabbing a string of lights to untangle. “sounds like something you made up to sound more impressive.”

“maybe,” he laughed, “but trust me, i’ve got this. no tangles, no mess. just perfection.”

you set to work, and as you both decorated, lando made everything feel fun. his jokes and playful banter had you laughing the entire time.

“just don’t break any ornaments this year, alright?” you warned, glancing over at him as he placed a glass bauble on the tree.

“no promises,” he winked. “but trust me, it’ll look perfect when we’re done.”

you smiled, already knowing he was right. with lando, everything—even decorating a tree—was a little brighter and a lot more fun.

“you’re ridiculous,” you teased, admiring the tree.

“but i’m your ridiculous,” he said, reaching over to squeeze your hand. “and that’s all that matters.”

ʚ・oscar piastri

it was a warm evening, and you and oscar were sitting on the balcony, the australian summer air soft and easy. the christmas lights shimmered faintly in the dimming light, but something about it still felt a little off.

“you know, it’s just weird,” you said, leaning back in your chair. “christmas in summer. i keep waiting for snow, but it’s... hot.”

oscar glanced over at you, a small smile tugging at his lips as he took a sip of his drink. “yeah, i get it,” he said quietly. “it’s different. but i think it’s kind of nice, you know? christmas in the heat, just feels... relaxed.”

you laughed softly, shaking your head. “i just can’t get used to it. christmas is supposed to be cold. cozy, with fireplaces and snow.”

“it’s still christmas,” oscar said, his tone calm and steady. “just... a little warmer, that’s all.”

you smiled, but still felt a bit out of place. “i can’t be the only one who thinks this is strange, though. there’s no snowball fights, no cold air... just heat.”

oscar chuckled lightly, leaning back and stretching out. “yeah, i guess. but, uh... christmas on the beach is pretty great too, you know? different, but good.”

you gave him a sideways glance, still skeptical. “how do you just... accept this? i feel like i should be wearing gloves and snow boots.”

he shrugged, his gaze soft but sure. “it’s just how we do it here. doesn’t make it any less christmas. you’ll get used to it.”

you looked at him, a quiet smile playing on your lips. “maybe... but i’ll probably be dreaming of a white christmas while i’m sweating in this jumper.”

oscar’s smile widened slightly, his hand reaching over to squeeze yours. “if you want, we can just have our own little cozy corner. christmas is about whatever makes it feel right, yeah?”

you leaned against him, feeling more at ease. “yeah... i guess so. still feels a bit weird though.”

“you’ll get there,” he said with a calm smile. “just gotta give it time. but hey, at least we’re together, right?”

you smiled, your heart warming in the quiet evening. “yeah, you're right. it’s still perfect with you.”

“and, if it helps,” oscar added, his eyes twinkling slightly, “we can make the house feel a bit more christmasy—like, wintery christmas, if you want. i’ll help you set up whatever you need.”

your face lit up at the idea. “you’d do that? really?”

“yeah, we can hang fake snowflakes, maybe throw some fairy lights everywhere... i’ll even wear an ugly christmas sweater if it makes you feel better,” he teased, his smile soft but sincere.

“that sounds perfect,” you said, feeling the warmth of christmas already starting to settle in. with oscar by your side, maybe this summer christmas wasn’t so strange after all.

© 2024 jungwnies | All rights reserved. Do not repost, plagiarize, or translate.

[sweetieviktor]

"it's the tradition", feat. viktor.

summary: it's christmas in runeterra and couples are sharing kisses under the mistletoe.

word count: 1.000. (yes! exactly 1k im happy with it :]

content warning: just fluff as always! :DD (written with s1 viktor in mind!!!

author notes: ITS 5AM AND IVE WRITTEN 2 FICS IN A DAY, maybe im going to die but fuck it we ball. love viktor and love xmas, i wish i could use sweaters but in brazil december is sooo hot but yeah, here it is a lil something for the holidays. hope u like it!! :)))

whenever some holiday approaches, piltover academy is adorned in it's colour by students. it's december and the halls are decorated with reds and greens all the way, bringing joy to those who look up and see the fairy lights blinking slowly to them. christmas is coming, and so is winter.

everyone is using their thickest coats, but there's still some people who are cold, even if they are holding hot drinks to warm up both their hands and their body, or if they are rubbing their arms, creating some friction that could maybe help it, or sharing kisses under the mistletoe meticulously placed on the tree near the entrance of the academy, which have all kind of things hanging on it. some letters addressed to santa, little brilliant baubles made in all type of materials you could think of, red bows and colorful lights, all made by it's students.

you wanted to spend your day like this, enjoying over your partner's warmth under the mistletoe. well, life isn't fair. he was already working and you needed to work too, but maybe you could bring him some sweet milk and cookies on your lunch break, right?

so once the clock hitted midday, you walked to the cafeteria, the same one you and viktor got out on your first date, and ordered enough cookies for both of you. the women on the other side of the counter packed them to you, putting the little bag on your right hand, while you carried the cup of sweet milk on the other. finally, you got out, hands full, hoping that you could bring him some of the christmas spirit when leaving those in the lab.

when you made it to the academy again, it was even more crowded than earlier, students going in and out, chatting and joking around, throwing snowballs at each other and playing in the snow. and again, the couples kissing under the mistletoe. and all you could think of was him. oh, how you missed his kisses. so you hurried up, the flashy holiday themed colors in the halls blending together in an indistinguishable blur.

once you reached his lab, you knocked on the door, anxiously waiting for an answer. you could feel how your heart thumped against your ribs, maybe it's the nervousness or just because you runned all the way to come here in time. “come in,” was all you could hear from inside.

you turned the door knob, pushing it so you could enter the lab. he was hunched over his desk, but once he looked past his shoulder, realizing you were the one who got in, his golden eyes immediately lighted up, just like the fairy lights, but shined even brighter when he seemed the baked goods you carried, then turning again to his work, “just wait a bit, i will finish this, ehh- hopefully soon.”

you came from behind him, leaving both the bag and the cup over his desk, “i know these are your favorites,” you put your hand on his shoulder, “and it's my break now, but soon i need to get back to work,” his hand stopped, no longer making calculations. he looked up at you, then at the papers in front of him, thinking if he should or not give in.

sighing, he let the pencil over the papers. you knew he would keep working if you didn't say it. “i guess i could give myself a break, then,” the corners of his mouth quirking up while he reached for the bag, opening it and letting the smell of the cookies bathe the place, bringing coziness alongside it. he shoved his hand on the bag, picking one up and biting onto it, humming softly when it melted on his tongue, then bringing the almost half cookie to your lips, only to put away and eat it himself.

he was laughing loudly, keeping a hand over his mouth, to prevent any crumbs from coming out. “you ain't fair,” you huffed, crossing your arms over your chest. you knew he was just joking, but you wanted to eat too, “i brought those so we both could eat. together!”

“i know, i know!”, he said, getting the cup of sweet milk and taking a sip of it, “but it's fun to tease you. can't help it,” he shrugged, looking at your pouty expression turning into one of anger. picking another cookie, he proceeded to feed you first, your frown immediately disappearing. he was trying to not laugh again, but he couldn't contain it, as he did so, soon the frown came back to your face.

“stop making fun of me and let me eat, for jannas's sake,” you also couldn't keep your smile from growing, it was such a good atmosphere that, even if you were mad at him for stealing your cookie and laughing at you, you couldn't be mad for longer than thirty seconds.

you were laughing with him, happy with how your lunch was going, eating and talking, so busy with everything that you didn't see him fidgeting, looking for something inside his jacket pocket. once there was no more food nor milk, he cleaned his hands, bringing one over you both, holding something up. a mistletoe.

you scoffed, running your hand over your face, “really, viktor?”, you were astonished, he truly got one of those just he could have an excuse to kiss you?

“well, it's the tradition, isn't it?”, he grinned, placing his free hand on your waist, bringing you closer, “any person who's under the mistletoe must kiss, it's correct?”

“yes, absolutely correct,” you put both hands on each side of his face, kissing his lips softly, tasting the sugar on his mouth. “but you taste like milk and cookies,” you kissed him again, just to make sure you got it right, “maybe next year i will bring you more of these, so we could kiss under the mistletoe again.”

“oh, christmas may be my favorite holiday now.”

[watchmegetobsessed]

MISTAKEN HATRED

A/N: okay im veeery nervous about this one bc its the longest story i've written in probably months and it took me sooo long to finish it so im just praying its not utter shit 🙃 anywaysss, happy holidays guys! it's not overly festive, but it has some vibes so im labeling it as my xmas fic haha feedback is always appreciated! 🎄

WORD COUNT: 6.3k

SUMMARY: Things don't go as smooth as you planned with your bakery's opening, but you're doing your best to overcome the struggles. However there is one person who is hating on your business as if it was his job: Harry Styles. You just wish you knew what you did to earn his hatred...

MASTERLIST | SUPPORT ME!

This is not how you imagined the last weeks before your official opening. 

You imagined the interrior to be fully done by now so you can focus on the last touches, ordering the right ingredients and promoting the opening.

Instead, you’re staring at what’s supposed to be your eight tables, intact and put together but it’s all in pieces. You specifically remember the website said they would deliver them done and you wouldn’t have to play puzzles. But they arrived six days late and very much not the way they promised. 

Taking a deep breath you stare up at the ceiling and decide to take the trash out before turning your bakery into Ikea.

“It’s alright. I can do this. I can do anything,” you keep telling yourself as you drag out the trash bags that are almost the size of you. 

You knew opening your own business would be tough. Especially in Eroda, the little town you have some of your earliest memories from, where your grandma used to live, the place that was closest to her heart and it breaks yours to know she couldn’t spend her last years here because she was too sick to live on her own. 

She never asked you to come back here, but the moment you found her recipe books the summer after she passed, you just knew what you had to do. Now it’s been three years and you’re finally opening Nana’s that will bring her warmth and love back to Eroda, or you hope so. 

Pushing the door open with your shoulder, you keep dragging the bags to the containers behind the small shop and you’re so deep in your thoughts you don’t even notice the two people just a couple of feet away.

“Hi, Love!”

You recognize Anne’s sweet, chirpy voice and a smile spreads across your face even before you look up, but the moment you see the person standing next to her, all joy just drains from your body. 

Harry Styles is standing as grouchy and arrogant as always next to his mother, hands hidden in the pockets of his fleece jacket, his unruly curls are tucked underneath his beanie and any normal woman would be into the man, but you. Not after he very clearly let you know you don’t belong here and you should take your business back to the city where you came from. 

You expected some resistance, not much has changed in town in the past decades and you had a feeling some might want to keep it that way, but you guessed older people would riot against your bakery, not a thirty years old grown man. 

“Hi Anne,” you smile back and mustering up all your strength you throw one of the bags into the bin, but you overestimated your muscle work, because it only falls to the edge and almost topples right out. Luckily, you grab it just in time and push it in.

“Oh, dear, those bags are bigger than you! Harry, help her!” 

“No, it’s alri–” 

Before you get to protest, Harry strides over to you and grabs the remaining two bags as if they weighed nothing and throws them into the bin without breaking a sweat. 

Of course he is fit, the man probably runs up the hill carrying twice his weight every morning, because that’s how you can imagine him working out. 

Though you shouldn’t be imagining anything about him.

“Thanks,” you purse your lips and square your shoulders as you face the two of them.

“How is everything coming together?”

Anne has been so enthusiastic about your bakery, she comes around probably every other day, checks in on your progress and always offers her help. 

“Um, it is… okay, I guess,” you let out a tired chuckle. Glancing over at Harry you see him looking to the side, as if he wasn’t even listening, but something is telling you he is very much focused on the conversation.

Yeah, that’s right, I’m still here! Not even your arrogance can chase me away!

Anne cranes her neck, peeking into the shop and she spots the pile in the middle.

“Oh, are you planning to put those together by yourself? Harry, why don’t you help her?”

The moment she suggests, you both protest.

“No, there’s no need.”

“Mum, I don’t really have the time,” he says at the same time, but it doesn’t seem to go through. Anne’s phone starts ringing and she excuses herself, leaving the two of you there. 

Great, this is all you were missing today, an awkward, forced situation with the man who wants to see you gone. Perfect.

“Should’ve ordered them done, don’t you think?” he speaks up, nodding towards the shop.

At first, you just blink at him, then close your eyes and when you open them, you have the fakest smile on your twitching face.

“What a wonderful idea! I totally did not think of that!”

“Then send them back and ask them to bring what you ordered.” He rolls his eyes and it’s irking you so much. You definitely don’t need his stupid advices, not when you’re terribly behind your schedule.

“They arrived almost a week later than they should have, if I send them back there’s now ay they will send me the new ones in time for the opening.”

Harry stands there, staring at the pile of furniture pieces inside and for a moment you think he might actually offer his help, which you’re not sure you’d have accepted, but it remains a mystery, because that’s not what he says when he speaks up.

“I’m busy for real. Mum likes to offer my help around without asking me.”

It takes you a couple of moments to figure out what you feel about what he just said. And when you finally do, you see red.

“As I said, I don’t need help. I did everything by myself and I will get this done as well. I don’t need your unwanted, half-assed effort to pretend like you’re helping me.”

You come off rougher than you probably should have, but he’s been bugging you ever since you moved to Eroda. The man knows nothing about you or your business, yet every time he comes near your shop he acts like it physically pains him to even look at it. He’d be the last person you’d ask for help, he doesn’t have to act like he has so much to do and doesn’t have the time to help when he doesn’t actually want to help. 

Harry stares at you with such intensity you almost break and stutter a sorry out, but that’s when Anne returns.

“Ah, we have to run. But I will come by tomorrow, Darling. And Harry can hel–”

“No need for help,” you smile at her as gratefully as you can force yourself to be in this moment. 

“Alright, then see you later,” she waves and you nod at her before your eyes meet Harry’s one last time before they walk away and you return to your shop. 

It takes you six hours to assemble the tables later that day, but you do it.

With no help. 

Moving to Eroda, it hasn’t been your only goal to have your business become part of the town but you also knew you’d have to become one of the locals as well. Only a handful of people know who your grandmother was and you don’t plan to reveal it until the opening. You want them to taste all the baked goods and think of her first and then put the picture together. But this means you’re a total newbie for most people around. Last time you spent more than just a day here was when you were sixteen and you’ve changed a lot since then, so it’s natural people don’t recognize you. 

Anne has been your biggest help in breaking the ice and involving you in as many things as possible so you get to meet the people of Eroda. The weeks leading up to Christmas are usually filled with all kinds of winter activities locals enjoy wholeheartedly. Concert by the town hall, decorating the trees at the main square, collecting donations and cooking for those in need for example. You’ve been to all of these and very much enjoyed being part of the community. This weekend however, you can’t say you’re looking forward to the new festive activity.

Ice-skating on the frozen lake.

It sounds nice and fun, but you’ve ice-skated only once in your life and ended up breaking your wrist. Not your favorite childhood memory for sure and you don’t exactly want to relive it as an adult. 

You arrive with the intention of just sipping some hot tea and watch everyone else skate around until your fingers are falling off and you can go back to the shop to finish putting up the tinker lights at the back. 

Anne however had different ideas about today. Because as soon as you arrive at the lake, she is waving at you, holding up a pair of skates and you know they are not hers, because she’s already wearing those. 

“Kick those boots off, Love, I brought you my old skates! Come join us!” She smiles brightly at you from next to the pier where people get on and off the ice. 

“Oh, no, I don’t skate, Anne, but thank you!”

“Don’t be silly, even Bernie is on the ice!” She nods towards the old man who must be at least eighty, sliding on the ice as if he did this all his life. He might have, you have no idea.

“It’s really not for me, I–”

“Just try it! Come on!” 

She drops the skates by your feet and then slides away, leaving you no chance to protest.

Staring down at the skates, you can feel your stomach churning, but as you look up you see that literally everyone is on the ice, you’d look weird standing on the pier on your own. 

“Fuck,” you mumble under your breath as you give in and sitting down you start peeling your boots off your feet. 

“You’ll break your ankle if you leave it that loose.”

You know the voice and it just adds to your stress even more. You see his black skates in front of you as you’re trying to lace your own up.

“Hi Harry, so good to see you again,” you hiss through your teeth. 

“Tighten it or you’ll fall.”

“I’ll fall either way,” you mumble as you go back and pull the laces tighter. When you’re done you straighten up, but remain sitting on the end of the pier, anxiously string down at your feet. Harry doesn’t speak, but you know he is still there, probably watching you, trying to figure out what’s wrong with you, why you’re not just standing up and going at it like everyone else. 

Your hands are holding onto the wood underneath you for dear life as you picture yourself finally moving, but you never get to actually acting. 

“Do you need help standing up?” Harry speaks up at last and his voice is different this time. It’s not as arrogant, maybe even concerned. Do you look that awful right now?

“N-No.” Your voice cracks and you hate that it’s him who sees you like this. 

“Doesn’t seem like–”

“Would you stop being an asshole for a moment?” you snap at him and finally look up, eyes meeting his examining gaze. You have no idea what he sees in yours, but a few seconds later he breaks eye-contact, looks around as if he is hesitating before he sits beside you at last.

“You don’t have to skate if you don’t want to.”

“Tell that to your mother,” you mumble under your breath and it makes him laugh.

The sound of it is actually nice, surprising, but nice to hear something other than insults coming from his mouth.

“She can be a bit too much, but she’s just too enthusiastic.” You sit in silence for a bit before Harry turns to you. “You really don’t have to skate.”

“I want to take part, I just… I broke my wrist on the ice once when I was a kid and I haven’t tried skating since then.”

You didn’t plan on telling him much, but you felt like you had to explain why you’re being so dramatic. Part of you is expecting him to make fun of you for being scared of skating because of something that happened ages ago, but the arrogant comments never come.

Instead he stands up and when you look up at him he is holding a hand out to you.

“I’ll help you. You won’t fall.”

Any other day you’d think he is plotting against you, that he would get you to trust him and the trip you the first chance he got, but not this time. He looks and sounds genuine and as you take his hand, you put way too much trust into them than you would have ever allowed yourself to. 

You hold onto him with both hands and he keeps you steady as you finally attempt to push yourself up from the edge of the pier. Your knees wobble the moment your weight is on the blades and you instantly feel yourself losing balance, but Harry’s hands wrap around your arms and keep you from falling.

“It’s okay. Relax a bit, you’ll find your balance.” He encourages you and it’s almost strange to hear him so supportive of anything you’re doing, but not breaking your neck keeps you too busy to care about his random act of kindness. 

“Try to move forward.”

“I can’t,” you protest without even trying.

“You can, just relax.”

“Don’t tell me to relax, it’s not gonna help me relax!”

“Y/N, you’re gonna have a panic attack if you don’t relax,” he warns you and you realize how fast you’re breathing and all your blood is being pumped into your head. 

“I-I can’t, I can’t do this, I–”

“Y/N, look at me!” His hands snap to your shoulders and you grab onto his biceps as you look him in the eyes while your chest is still heaving. “I’ve got you, okay? You’re not going to fall. I’m holding you, I promise.”

Focusing on his words you finally forget about your fears and instead, you’re now trying to figure out where this version of Harry came from and why he hid from you all along. 

You’re not one to trust people that easily, but just from this one promise he made, you let go of all your doubts and hesitation. 

“Okay,” you breathe out. Harry nods and his hands slowly slide lower until they rest on your waist. 

“You knew how to skate, right? Before you broke your wrist.” You nod. “Alright, then it will all come back quickly.”

There’s a tiny smile hiding in the corners of his lips and your heart pitter-patters in your chest, but not because of the skating this time. His hands on you are not helping either, because for some reason, you feel heat radiating through the millions of layers you’re wearing where his hands are touching you. 

What is happening?

“Okay, I’ll hold your hand and you just focus on moving forward, yeah?”

You nod and panic rises in your gut for a moment when his hands leave your shoulders, but then they instantly take your hands and you feel safe again. 

Slowly you start moving, inching forward, your hands gripping Harry’s so tight, you’re afraid you might hurt him, but you’d never let go of him, not when you’re getting farther away from the pier. 

“That’s it, you are doing great,” he encourages. “Try to move a bit less rigidly.”

“Easy to say that,” you breathe out shakily. 

It takes time to loosen up even the tiniest bit and not grip Harry’s hand as if you wanted to crush his bones. But as you slowly move around the ice, led by him, you finally get more and more familiar with the feeling of sliding on the ice. 

“See? It’s not that bad,” he smiles when you stop for a short break after circling back to the pier. 

“I still fear for my life, but it’s bearable now,” you nod and he just chuckles.

It looks good on him. His smile is warm and welcoming, it’s a shame it took you so long to see it. You definitely prefer this version of him. 

“Honey, it’s so lovely to see you on the ice!” Anne slides over to you with ease, holding a cup of something warm, probably hot chocolate. 

“Well, it’s not quite my element,” you let out an awkward chuckle.

“You’re doing just fine. Besides, you just snatched up the best skater in town.” Winking, she bumps her hip against Harry’s. Your puzzled look urges her to elaborate. “Harry took over coaching the boys’ hockey team last year, the kids adore him!”

Instantly, you imagine Harry dealing with a bunch of cute kids, cheering on them, teaching them, making them laugh… The image is actually moving something inside you that’s been buried somewhere deep for a while now.

“Y/N, how are things coming together? Everyone is buzzing for the big opening!” Anne does a little dance that makes you laugh, but at the same time, something changes in Harry. 

“Um, it’s going okay. Not how I planned, but I’ll manage.”

“I’m sure everything will fall into place perfectly. And if you need any help just let us know!” She turns to Harry, looking for validation that he is open to lending you a helping hand as well, but his reaction is not quite what she was expecting, probably. 

“Sorry, I gotta go now,” Harry mumbles quickly, his gaze obviously avoiding you or his mother and he skates away so fast you just blink after him. 

“What’s gotten into this boy?” Anne huffs, but she lets go of it fast, starts chatting about something you don’t quite catch, because you just stare after Harry, watching him slalom between the skaters so fast it’s almost aggressive. 

And once again, you feel like you’re back where you began. He hates you and you have no idea what you did against him. 

Theoretically, opening Nana’s two weeks before Christmas was a great idea, because you imagined all the baked goods people would order for the holidays, you knew it would be a great kick start.

Realistically, it means that now you have to do the last touch ups in the harsh winter that’s as cold as the North Pole. Or at least that’s how you imagine the North Pole.

It’s been non stop snowing for the past three days, the fresh, soft looking snow is now covering every bit of Eroda’s breathtaking view and though it’s very festive and nice to look at it from a warm room with something hot to drink, it’s not as relaxing when you’re still working on the bakery, doing the last bits of decorating and starting the first batches of baked goods, because in 24 hours, Nana’s is officially opening its front door to the public. 

You’ve been here since five in the morning, now it’s four in the afternoon but it’s almost entirely pitch dark outside so it feels like it’s nearing ten. The place is not a mess anymore, but the kitchen is, there’s all kinds of dough everywhere, you’re doing everything you can now so there’s less tomorrow, but even with all the work tonight you’ll be here at five in the morning again tomorrow. 

It’s been hours since the last time you looked out the window, so it fully goes over your head how heavy the snowfall has gotten lately, chasing home every soul from the streets. While you’re covered in flour and keep muttering Nana’s recipes to make sure everything is measured right, there is one more person out there who is still not home, battling the weather. 

Harry has been going around town all day, helping out the elderly with either delivering groceries, or repairing the heating, whatever they needed a helping hand with. He’s usually the person one calls in Eroda when something needs to be fixed.

The roads are now not quite safe to be driving around, but with his jeep he’ll be able to get home just before it gets too bad. Or so the thought, but that is until he drives by the bakery and sees the lights on.

At first he keeps driving, telling himself it’s not his business. But the farther he gets the guiltier he feels and then he turns the car around.

You’re too busy to hear the knocking at first, but then you hear it again and know it wasn’t just in your head. Rushing out of the kitchen you stop in front of the door, because through the glass you make out Harry standing there, the snow already covering the top of his head as if he’s been out there for hours. 

“It’s freezing out here, Y/N! Would be nice if you let me in!” he shouts through the glass and you finally snap out of your surprise, unlock the door and Harry practically runs inside. 

“What are you doing here?” You watch him shake the snow off of him and finally turn towards you. For a moment you forget about how you parted ways at the skating, how cold he turned out of the blue after helping you. 

“Funny, I wanted to ask you the same thing. There’s a snowstorm out there, you won’t be able to get home if you stay here!”

“Are you kidding me? I’m opening tomorrow, I have a million things to finish!”

“So you’re risking getting snowed in? Were you planning to sleep here or something?”

“Maybe! Yeah! I need to get a ton of dough ready and I still haven’t put up the tinker lights and I need to clean up…”

Harry stares at you with such a vivid look, you expect him to start screaming at you or something. But he just keeps staring until he finally breaks.

“Okay, where are the lights and where do you want them?”

“What?”

“You’ll spend the night here if you do everything alone. I’ll help and hopefully we’ll be able to leave when it’s all done.”

Now it’s your turn to stare at him as he is looking around, searching for the lights to start working, but you can’t really believe he is about to help you out when he could be home by now. On the other hand, you could really use the help and maybe finish earlier than midnight, so after pushing your surprise to the side you start instructing him. While Harry works on the lights, you return to the kitchen. 

To test out the dough for the croissants, the one thing you’re the most nervous about because it used to be Nana’s specialty, you decide to make a few and pop them in the oven while you do everything else. 

It’s hard to believe you’re finally at this point, so close to the opening, turning your biggest dream into reality. You wish Nana would be here with you today.

“Lights are done.”

Harry interrupts your thoughts and you wipe your floury hands into your apron before following him out of the kitchen to see the work he did.

“Oh my God, this looks perfect!” you gasp, seeing all the tinker lights run along the ceiling and walls, lighting up the place like magic. 

Harry just nods, pressing his lips together, as if it was nothing. 

“Anything else?” he asks.

“Yeah, I have a few pictures I want to hang up and then it’s all done–” The timer in the kitchen goes off, letting you know the croissants are done. “Let me take them out and then I’ll show you where I want them.”

You rush back to the kitchen and take the fresh, steaming croissants out of the oven, completely missing that Harry has followed you and he is now watching you curiously as you take the baked goods off the tray one by one.

“That smells like…” he speaks up, but the words die on his tongue and you just smile, placing one onto a plate, holding it out for him.

“Here, try it.”

He hesitates, but takes the plate at last. Though it’s still hot and he should definitely wait a bit, it’s hard to resist, you know that. You watch him take a tentative bite and wait for his reaction as if he is about to tell you your future. 

“So? How is it?”

“It’s… it’s really… good. Really good.”

It’s obvious he is having a hard time admitting you did something right, but his face says it all. You just don’t understand why he looks kind of puzzled, but you think it’s just because he didn’t expect it to be this good. 

“I bet the croissants will be the bestsellers,” you chuckle as Harry takes bite after bite until it’s all gone. He devoured it so fast it’s incredible. You couldn’t help but focus on his pink lips while he ate and those tiny sounds he let slip… they surely planted some thoughts into your head, thoughts you shouldn’t be thinking of when it comes to Harry.

“Come on, I’ll show you the pictures.” It’s your attempt to clear your mind.

You walk out and grab the box that holds all the framed pictures you want to hang on the walls, of course, all of them feature Nana. 

“Okay, so I thought a few could go over here, and then on that wall as well, and these, I want them behind the counter…” You start explaining your vision, but when you turn around you see that he is staring at a photo in shock. “Harry? What’s wrong?”

You step closer and see that it’s the photo that was taken on your tenth birthday. You’re holding up one of the cupcakes Nana made just for you and she is standing behind you, with her hands on your shoulders. It’s a fond memory, one of your favorite birthdays you ever had. 

“Oh, is it the dungarees?” you ask, pointing at your outfit. “I wasn’t quite the fashion icon back then,” you chuckle.

“No, it’s– who’s this?” he asks, pointing at Nana. You give him a puzzled look, because it’s not rocket science to figure out who the woman in the picture is.

“That’s Nana, obviously.”

“But as in… your grandma?” He finally looks up at you and his face is frantic, as if he is solving a lifelong mystery. 

“Of course, Harry, what is goin–”

“Y/N, Nana was your grandma?”

“Yes!” you laugh in confusion. “Of course she was, that’s why I’m opening a bakery under her name with all her recipes she taught me!”

You can’t read the look on Harry’s face as he puts the photo back into the box and then starts walking around with his hands on his hips. 

“Why do you look like you just learned you were adopted or something?”

“Y/N, I didn’t… I didn’t know.”

“Didn’t know what?”

“That you’re… Nana’s granddaughter. I had no clue.” He runs a hand through his hair and you try your best not to stare at how his bicep flexes in the movement. 

“What? Harry, why else would I be opening a bakery, named Nana’s right here, out of every possible place on Earth?”

“I don’t know!” he admits, throwing his hands into the air. “That’s why I… Okay, this is why I hated the idea so much. Because I knew Nana, I loved her! She was like… my grandma too! And I thought you just chose this name for fun!”

“Are you kidding me?” you huff in disbelief.

“I felt like you were ruining her memory, that’s why I was so against this place. I had zero clue that you are actually… related to her.”

“Oh my God, Harry!” There’s nothing else you can do other than just… laughing. This whole situation feels oddly comical, like something that only happens in movies. 

“I know, I’m sorry!” He exhales sharply and you truly see the regret on his face. “I was such a dick.”

“Yes you were!” you laugh in agreement. 

“I’m so sorry, Y/N.”

“Well, now at least I know why you were my biggest hater all along.”

“Not anymore!” He holds up his hands and finally breaks a smile that looks so fucking handsome, it makes you forget about everything in a second. 

Turning to the side he stares out the window for a moment before looking back at you.

“The snowing has stopped, let��s wrap things up and go home, alright? Big day tomorrow.”

You both go back to work, Harry finishes quite fast with the pictures so then he helps you clean up in the kitchen and you notice how obviously different the vibes are now. There’s no trace of his usual hostile behavior, in fact he is so open as he asks you about Nana and how the idea of the bakery came. Then he tells you about her as well, how he has known him for so long and after the passing of his stepdad Nana helped him through the toughest time of his life. You’re surprised the two of you never met when you were visiting, but you believe in faith and it must be because it wasn’t the right time. 

It’s almost ten by the time you’re locking up while Harry is scraping the snow off his jeep. It’s rather eerie to see the town so empty, but it’s also pretty, the untouched snow covering every inch of the scenery. 

“Thanks for the help. And the drive home,” you say when he has parked in front of your house. 

“I’ll pick you up in the morning as well.”

“What? There’s no need, Harry–”

“Just accept the help,” he flashes you a crooked smile. “I have a lot to make up for.”

“What if I say you’re forgiven?”

“Then I’ll do it because I want to spend time with you.”

His answer comes so fast and honest, you can’t mask the surprise on your face as you stare at each other in the dark car.

“Um, alright then. See you in the morning.”

“Good night. Y/N.”

You fumble with the belt and then climb out of the car, still feeling kind of giddy from his words. He waits for you to get to the front door and you wave at him before walking in. Through the closed door you hear the engine roar and he drives away, leaving you with quite a lot to digest.

Never in a million years did you imagine the opening of Nana’s to be like this. The small bakery is full to the brim, there are people everywhere, you haven’t stopped thanking everyone for the love and support and your heart leaps in your chest every time you hear someone talk about your beloved grandma. All the pastries are selling well, but as expected, the croissants are the biggest hit. 

But it’s not just the opening that has you smiling ear to ear.

Harry did show up early in the morning and he’s been helping you out all day as if he was getting paid for his work. In the kitchen, at the counter or by the tables, he’s been a one person army and your hero. You couldn’t have done it without him. 

You have just a couple of seconds to breathe between two customers and you peek over the crowd, spotting him right away by the table his mom and her friends occupy. He just made them laugh and he’s basking in their attention as he rolls the sleeves of his shirt up, revealing his tattooed arms. 

Fuck, he looks so good, it’s criminal. 

Now that he is not an asshole to you anymore, it’s pretty hard not to notice everything you’ve been trying to ignore about him. His charming dimples, his bouncy curls, the way he throws his head back when he laughs, how his nose moves when he talks, they was his hips sway when he’s walking… there is not one inch on the man you can critique.

The situation would be a lot worse if it was one-sided, but it appears that Harry is just as keen on being around you, always touching your lower back when he walks behind you, or brushing your arm to get your attention. 

“I’m seriously writing you a paycheck when it’s over,” you tell him when he returns behind the counter grabbing some cinnamon rolls to bring to the ladies by the window.

“I thought that we were already over this, Y/N,” he smirks and you bite into your bottom lip as you turn back to the customer in front of you. 

It kind of goes by in a blur, there’s so much happening, you’re always on the move and before you could even process the events, the day is over and Nana’s is closing for the first time. After the constant crowd, it’s weird to see the place empty again, but seeing that everything has sold, it finally settles in your mind: you did it.

As you turn the sign on the door your eyes slide over to the picture on the right. It was taken in Nana’s kitchen, you were about six or seven, the two of you are photographed from behind as you stand on a stool, next to Nana at the counter while she is teaching you how to make bread. The memory still lives vividly in your mind even though it’s been over two decades.

“She would be so proud of you.”

Turning around you find Harry behind you with a soft smile on his lips, his eyes on the photo at first, then they move to you and your heart skips a beat.

“You think so?”

“I know so,” he chuckles.

“So, I was serious. I owe you a paycheck after today.”

He rolls his eyes before arching an eyebrow at you.

“And I was serious when I said I don’t want anything in return.”

“You’ve been here since six, Harry!” you huff out a laugh. “I would feel so bad if you just went home without anything.”

He stares at you for long moments and you start to think he’ll just let you suffer with your guilt, but then he speaks up.

“Go on a date with me then.”

You suck on your breath as your eyes lock with his.

“What?” you whisper.

“Go on a date with me, Y/N. Will you?”

“I-If you’re still trying to make up for–” you start, but he cuts you off.

“I’m not. I told you, I want to spend time with you.”

You blink at him once, twice, as if you’re waiting for him to say it was just a joke, but he stands his ground with a serious look.

“Are you gonna leave me hanging?” he smirks, snapping you out of your haze.

“Yes–I mean, yes to the date!” you shake your head, clearing up your answer.

“I was afraid you hated me too much to give me a chance,” he breathes out a shaky laugh.

“I never hated you, I was just confused. You were the one who hated me.”

“I couldn’t hate you, Y/N. And believe me, I tried.” You both laugh at his words. “I was frustrated, because I wanted to hate you and this place so badly, but still… I was drawn to you.”

“You were?” you ask, your voice barely more than just a whisper.

“You have no idea how much,” he admits with a soft smile, stepping closer to you. “When we were skating, I totally forgot about everything and just wanted to hold your hand and help you. It was like a slap across my face when mum brought the opening up and I remembered I was supposed to hate you,” he admits with a chuckle and e inches even closer. “I’m glad I don’t have to try to hate you anymore.”

“I’m glad too.”

He is right in front of you, his face only inches away from yours and you suck on your breath when he reaches up and takes your chin between his index finger and thumb, angling your head further up so your lips are now perfectly lined up with his.

His eyes move down to your mouth, then up to meet your gaze and even without words you know he is asking for your permission to kiss you. You push closer and he is quick to close the distance and press his lips against yours.

You’d be lying if you said you never imagined what it would be like to kiss Harry. Because you did, several times. But nothing compares to having him wrapped around you, his lips so soft yet rough against yours at the same time as he kisses you over and over again while you’re fisting the collar of his shirt so tight your fingers are turning white. 

Maybe you kiss for hours, or maybe it’s just minutes, you have no clue, but when he finally pulls back, resting his forehead against yours, you just know your life is about to turn upside down.

“Changed my mind,” he speaks up at last.

“Huh?”

“About the payment.”

His words sink in slowly and your eyebrows rise.

“Oh.” Harry laughs at your reaction.

“I want my payment in kisses,” he then says with the cheesiest smile you’ve ever seen on his handsome face.

“That could be arranged,” you breathe out when you finally get what he was talking about and grabbing the back of his neck you pull him in for another one. 

And another one.

And some more.

And just like that Nana somehow brought another wonderful thing into your life, even though she is not here anymore.

Thank you for reading, please like and reblog if you enjoyed and buy me a coffee if you want to support me!

[impactedfates]

so like i was thinking of scenarios where genshin or also hsr men whichever you pick <333 could we get some Christmas hcs :)) please 🎄

★ A/N: I decided to do Genshin characters for this request :)) Why not spend Christmas with the fandom that my account started off with hehe. Here's the Xmas special!! Hope you enjoy :>

☆ Genre/Trope: Fluff + Platonic (But can be seen as romantic if you want)

★ Format: Mini Scenarios (Characters Included (Separate): Diluc, Zhongli, Ayato, Alhaitham, Lyney + Childe)

☆ Warnings: None

★ Extra: Reader is NOT traveler // Some brief mentions of my OCs in some // Possible OOC Lyney

I don't think Diluc would necessarily spoil you but he wouldn't exactly NOT spoil you. We know he's rather rich and he can likely get you whatever you so wish however I believe Diluc's one of the types to not want to spoil people too much especially as many likely try to be his friend due to his income.

You'll get multiple gifts from and likely one or two of them are rather expensive things you once expressed an interest in liking, there's also smaller gifts like perhaps a plush of your favourite animal but there's also some homemade gifts he made. A good mix.

I feel like Diluc is someone who usually enjoys spending Christmas alone or just with a few close friends, when or if friends are over he enjoys sitting by the fireplace and chatting. He's not the type to do any of those Christmas games but there is a chance he could get roped into it one day.

Definitely doesn't drink, we all already know he doesn't like the taste of alcohol, besides. Even though he technically has the day off, I feel he'd rather not have a hangover the next day, whether or not he's off.

Speaking of a day off, once the maids/butlers finish their work. Which for that day would be small, just cleaner around the house and maybe cooking a Christmas dinner if friends are over, they can all go home. I also feel Diluc lets them have the next day off as well but for the whole day. He can deal with the housework.

At the end of the day, I think spending Christmas with Diluc means a very peaceful and quiet day. He wants to relax and he'll let himself, you and his workers relax just so they can spend time with those they hold close to their hearts.

Zhongli knows about the things people do on Christmas and he's more than happy to join in if it makes you happy. He goes out shopping for things for his friends (this time he DOES remember his wallet) and ensures it's the best quality while also ensuring it's something that would make you and others happy.

Hu Tao decides to hold a party, inviting you and Zhongli both! There's party games set up, a dinner made and also she insists on not handing out presents yet as she decides to do it near the end of the party, allowing everyone to give out their gifts and they can either open it or open it later at home.

If you decide to open it once you've been given the gift, Zhongli watches your reaction to see if he made a right choice in gifts and sure enough, with the way your face lit up tells him all he needed to know.

Once gifts have been given out, he excuses himself and leaves the party, bidding everyone a farewell. Why? Simple, he must spend some time with the Adepti as well right?

Ayato prefers spending Christmas with mainly family, of course he's not opposed if Thoma or Ayaka wishes to bring along a friend to join their celebration however he's not one to do the same himself.

This doesn't mean he won't give you a gift however, he still does. Ensuring it's wrapped with care before giving it to you. He knows what you like and likely gets exactly what you want.

It's not likely to really hang out with Ayato on Christmas unless Ayaka or Thoma invites you to celebrate with them. Christmas with the Kamisatos is a mix between peaceful and chaotic. We have the hotpot game where Ayato feels a bit more devious in what he adds but there's also the gift giving where people share smiles and thanks over what they got.

Sadly though, I feel unlike some characters, he's one of the few who still has some work to do despite the day. He gets them done quickly so he can hang out with family but the day after it's straight back to work.

But just seeing the smiles of his friends and family make it worth it for him, even if he can't celebrate the whole day and might only get a few hours and he needs to work the next day as well. Just seeing people he cares about being happy is enough for him.

For Alhaitham, I feel like he isn't one to really celebrate Christmas, not like his roommate anyways. Like he'll buy presents for friends but he won't really participate any further than that.

You can try to drag him to a Christmas Party, to have a Christmas dinner or whatever Christmassy thing you do but he'll refuse each time. While he does understand why people enjoy it and it's not that he doesn't enjoy it. He himself just prefers spending time alone.

You'll likely find him using the fact that many people are at home with family and friends to maybe take a peaceful and quiet walk, use the library to read, maybe he might go to the museum if it's opened or he might just be in his room for the rest of the day.

Overall, it's not that he doesn't like Christmas or anything like that, he just prefers to use the day to get time for himself without annoying scholars, he'll still make sure to get gifts for everyone and give them to them however aside from that, don't expect him to respond if you try to call him, he probably has his noise-cancelling headphones on.

(*Something to note: If you are his lover then he would like to spend time with you as well*)

I see Lyney performing a magic show, free of charge. He wants people to see the magic of Christmas. Well...as Christmassy as he can get it, it's your regular magician tricks with maybe some Christmas themed props.

He does this every year, and he'll also pick random kids from the audience and give them a gift. Kinda like a lucky draw! He adores the way the kids face lights up in delight as they quickly rush beside him and he asks them to choose a gift.

After the shows over, he disappears home so he can celebrate with you and his siblings, still doing magic to do so however haha. He'll make your gifts appear in your hands. He ensures you all have fun on this day as he believes that's what Christmas is about. To have fun with family. He even gets gifts for everyone in the orphanage!

However, you may find him on the floor wrapped in wrapping paper the morning of Christmas as he tries to struggle his way out.

"I was trying to wrap a teddy bear"

Is all he could say as he worms his way towards you so you can free him.

I think most of us can agree Childe is big on this day. Especially when it comes to family. He doesn't care how much something is, if his siblings want it he'll get it. No questions asked...although perhaps you could convince him not to get a "Mega Mr Cyclops" for Tuecer, I highly doubt Zakhar would want to see a certain redhead in his office when he's meant to have a day off.

He also spoils you as well actually! Let's say you went window shopping with him one day, not buying anything but just pointing out various things you seem to like. As long as you end up never getting them, expect each item to be in your Christmas present.

On one hand I feel he would have a day off, on the other, there's still that chance that Lady Tsaritsa needs him to do something, and he hates when that happens cause all he wants to do is be with his family and friends but his loyalties to her must come first.

He tries his best to get it done fast so he can come home, let's hope you have spare clothes for him encase and red stains catch on his clothes yeah?

Overall, he is probably the most enthusiastic about the day out of everyone listed.

Happy holidays everyone!! I hope this year has been going on well and I hope next year goes great for youse as well.

Honestly seeing how much my account has grown since my first post compared to now is almost unreal for me but I'm so grateful you all seem to enjoy my work ^^

As it's Christmas (where I am rn) I hope you enjoy today guys :))

[lovecla]

© property of lovecla, nhl masterlist, nico hischier x you.

FAKE IT 'TILL YOU MAKE IT, phase four:

<last chapter>

➴ chapter warnings: none!

➴ word count: 3.4k

💌 from me to you: if any of you can tell me how many times i mention nico’s dimples in this series i’ll give you a chocolate bar for xmas (or just a chocolate bar if you don’t celebrate xmas. or just a hug if you don’t like chocolate).

𖧷

emmaroberts

liked by miaturner, lhughes_06, trevorzegras and 3,982 others

emmaroberts i don’t think i’ve changed one bit but somehow the calendar says it’s my birthday today so here goes nothing i guess. happy 24 to me

View all 110 comments

lhughes_06 Happy birthday Em x

emmaroberts lhughes_06 thanks duke

user1 HAPPY EMMA DAY

elladavis happy birthday my sweet, sweet emma. i love you so much and i hope you have the best, most wonderful day ever. i’m sorry i can’t be with you today, but i’ll be thinking of you all day 🤍

emmaroberts elladavis i love you so much

nataliebrooks Happy birthday my love 💙 Sending you many hugs and kisses!

emmaroberts nataliebrooks we miss u

miaturner HAPPY BIRTHDAY LOVE 24 YEARS OF SERVING CUNT AND MAKING BITCHES MAD ‼️

user2 miaturner there are people like natalie and ella and then there are people like mia 😭💀

emmaroberts miaturner i love you lmfaoooo

njdevils Happy Birthday! 😈❤️

ninahischier I love you like a sister. Happy birthday Em! 💜

emmaroberts ninahischier i love you. thank u!!

user3 🎂🎉

nicohischier Happy birthday Em 🥳

emmaroberts nicohischier thanks mr hischier :))

jackhughes you’re getting old

emmaroberts jackhughes i’m starting to understand mia

miaturner emmaroberts 🤗

𖧷

TURNING TWENTY four is weird, and you have to spend a few moments just laying in bed to let it really sink in— it’s not as weird as turning twenty but it’s weird anyway.

You should be happy, and you are, but you’re also feeling like you’re not getting anywhere. You love your job, you love your friends and you love your life. Yet, all you seem to do is live for others and not for yourself.

This whole fake-dating thing really got to your head and as you make yourself breakfast, pancakes drowning in syrup and an iced latte, you question yourself if you should keep going with this.

It’s not making you feel great. You’re lying to hundreds of people, and you’re also lying to Nico in some kind of way.

Sure, the plan’s working— Nora’s now moved on to commenting on Nico’s posts on Instagram, which made him content— and Nico seems satisfied but then what?

You keep replying to the kiss you both shared in your head, and even though you know you shouldn’t, you do it anyway. The way his lips brushed against yours, the way his hands held you, gentle and secure at the same time.

And the look he gave you afterwards. Lord.

You keep asking yourself what would’ve happened if Nora hadn’t approached you. Would he have said anything? Would he have looked at you like he regretted it?

Inside your head, there’s a million ways of how things would’ve gone. And it’s tiring, honestly. Living inside your head is so exhausting and still, you can't seem to move on.

The pancake fills your mouth with sweetness and you sigh, closing your eyes slowly. Breathing in and out, you decide not to let these thoughts ruin your day. Turning twenty-four is a blessing and you should be grateful, no matter what. Your day should be spent in peace and quietness.

You finish eating your plate of pancakes and you swear to yourself you’re never making a whole plate of pancakes for you again— it’s a lie and it will happen again— because you’ve never felt so full. You change into your work clothes while you answer your parents’ call, smiling when they start to sing the happy birthday song and send you thousands and thousands of kisses and blessings.

It’s a tradition; they call you every year to do the same thing, even when you’re near them. This year they won’t be coming back home until Christmas, so the call will have to do it.

After chatting with them for a bit, you tell them goodbye and grab your purse and notebooks, ready to go to work. Or, at least that’s what you intended to do, which turns out to be impossible when a very perfect, very handsome Nico Hischier is standing in front of you.

“Nico?” You say it louder than you probably should at seven thirty in the morning but it’s not really your fault. He did scare you. “Oh. I wasn’t expecting to see you. Hi.”

He gives you one of those dimple-y smiles and leans down to kiss your cheek. “Happy birthday, Em.”

You smile, still feeling the warmth of his kiss on your cheeks. It’s the first time you’re seeing each other after that one night at Prudential Center and you’re glad he’s not making it weird.

Which can also mean that the kiss didn’t mean anything to him; not as much as it did to you anyway.

And it’s fine. We’re fine, you remind yourself.

“You got up at seven a.m. to come all the way here and wish me a happy birthday?” You chuckle, closing the door behind you and getting outside with him, the cold breeze makes you shiver slightly.

“Yeah, and I’m also taking you somewhere today so you probably should put on some winter clothes.”

You frown, sad to have to turn him down.

“I really wish I could, Nico,” you tilt your head. “But I have work… I’ll be free after two p.m. though, if that’s still okay.”

He clicks his tongue.

“Did you know that you can get a lot of things when you’re the captain of the city’s NHL team?” he leans on your closed door, crossing his arms in front of his chest. “I get free coffee all the time, which is weird because— why are they handing out free coffee to a rich guy?”

“Nico…”

“I get discounts sometimes too, which Nina and Mom love. And now, I got something really cool too,” he grins, white teeth shining. “Wanna know what?”

“I don’t really have time, Nico—”

“Ask me what.”

You sigh, giving up and putting your arms down. Smiling, defeated, you nod. “What did you get, Nico?”

“Well, I got you a day off.” You stop smiling, and your eyes double in size.

You like your boss, you really do, but if there’s something he can’t stand is people missing work days for minimal reasons. And as much as you hate it, birthdays are in his list of “minimal reasons”.

So ever since you’ve started working for him, you haven’t missed a day of work because it was your birthday. And now Nico is here, standing in front of you and telling you that—

“What,” you frown. “Mr. Campbell would’ve never let me have a day off on my birthday. Are you sure you spoke to him?” you ask. “Did the person on the phone sound like a baby who has a cold? Because if that’s the case than you spoke to John and not Mr.—”

“Emma,” he uncrossed his arms and leaned closer to you, looking down. “I am sure I spoke with your boss. He sounds like Jimmy Fallon.”

“Oh my God,” you gasp. “Am I going to lose my job? Nico, wait— that’s really, really, nice and I’m flattered but I’m not exactly rich like you and I really like my job so—”

“Stop freaking out,” he puts his hands on your shoulder. “It wasn’t for free. He asked for ten free tickets for the next Devils game, one signed jersey and a photo with me.”

What.

“What?!” you almost shouted. “That’s— Nico!”

He grabs your house key from your hands and opens your front door again, getting inside while you stand outside, astonished.

“It’s no biggie, I swear,” he opens the door wider. “Come on. Go change into something warmer. It’s going to be cold today.”

𖧷

WHEN NICO said “it’s going to be cold today”, you didn’t expect him to mean it quite literally.

“I’m freezing.” You complain, already outside of his car, shaking like a leaf. You have your beanie, your gloves and your warmest coat on but it’s still. Cold.

“I told you that it was cold outside. You Americans are so stubborn sometimes…” he mutters under his breath before grabbing a Nico sized coat from his backseat and handing it to you. “Put it on.”

You stare at the coat in his hands before sighing and giving in, for the nth time in just one hour. Nico Hischier can definitely get what he wants, always.

Fortunately, his coat is enough to make you stop shivering, so you just keep your complaints to yourself.

“Where are we, exactly?” You ask, looking around.

It was some kind of forest, but with a wooden pathway that led to somewhere you couldn’t see. The floor was mostly covered with snow, and so were the trees and the wood on the floor.

“This is one of my favorite places here in Newark,” he starts walking, and you walk faster to catch up with him. “I come here sometimes but since I get busy during winter it’s been a while since my last time here.”

“Mhm.”

“Thought you would like it, though.” He laughs and before you can ask what he means, the view in front of you takes your breath away.

It’s a beautiful, giant frozen lake. There are hundreds of trees surrounding it, pine trees to be exact, all of which are covered in pure, soft snow. The floor is also white as pearls and the lake is the most gorgeous shade of blue you’ve ever seen.

You turn around to face Nico, still speechless, and you can’t help but smile widely when you spot the two pairs of skates in his hands.

And then, you remember, one year ago when you had this one conversation with him.

“It’s still amazing to me how fast you guys are.” You say, amused with how fast the players on the TV are.

Nico gives you a warm, shy smile, and his cinnamon eyes are shining the way they always do whenever he talks about Hockey.

“I think we’re alright.” It’s what he says.

You scoff. “I wish I was ‘alright’ like you,” you make air quotes. “I can barely stand on the ice, let alone skate like you do.”

“I’m sure you’re not that bad…” he tries to sound nice, and you laugh.

“Last time I was on the ice I sent myself and a little kid to the hospital. Both with a broken bone.”

Nico tries to hide his horror but you can tell how shocked he is just by the look on his face. It’s funny, so you just keep laughing.

“But it would be really fun to try it again, now that I’m older.” You say, mindlessly, and he hums, going back to watching the game in front of you.

“You… you remembered.”

It’s shocking that he remembered a conversation you both had more than twelve months ago, but what’s even more shocking is the fact that he decided to act on it, instead of just… well. Ignoring it.

“Of course I did,” he grins, handing you the smaller pair of skates. “I just thought it’d be fun for you to do something like this on your birthday. Let me know if I’m wrong, though…”

He looks unsure and so freaking cute.

I’d love to kiss him again.

“You’re not,” you reassure him, leaning on a tree to put on the skates. “It’s probably going to be embarrassing though. You’re a professional skater and I write columns for a living.”

“Today, I’m not a professional skater,” he also starts untying his shoes to put on his skates. They look a lot like the ones he wears to his games. “I’m just Nico.”

“Usually when I skate, I like to, you know, let go of the tree branches and… well, skate.”

“I’m trying, Nico, I swear I am but maybe I’m not meant for this.”

“Emma—”

“Maybe? Pfft,” you humorless laugh while you hold on the tree for dear life, panicking a little bit more every time you remind yourself there’s literally a lake under you. It’s frozen and beautiful but still a lake nonetheless. “I know that I’m not meant for this. Let’s just go back to your car and go watch a movie.”

“Emma,” Nico smiles, kindness and patience coming out of his pores. “Let go of the tree. You’ll be fine, I’m here.”

“You’re, like, ten feet away from me, so you won’t be of any help. Thanks, but I’ll be staying here. I’m fine with watching you tho— what are you doing?”

He’s skating in your direction, and before you can even comprehend what he’s doing, he’s standing in front of you, dimples on display for you to admire.

“You said I was too far away. Am I close enough now?”

His chest is touching yours yet it still doesn’t feel like he’s close enough.

“I-I guess.”

“Then, let’s go,” he holds your right hand and slowly removes your left one from the tree. Now you’re just relying on him, entirely. “People will start arriving soon and then we won’t have the entire lake for ourselves.”

He’s skating backwards while holding your hands, and you’re slowly following him. It’s scary, especially when you can feel the ice beneath your feet crack slightly. It’s not alarming nor dangerous yet you’re still so freaking terrified.

“You’re doing really great, Em.”

His praise makes you blush, but you’re blessed by the fact that your cheeks were already red with the cold.

Skating with him is fun, and not as bad as you thought it would be. He’s patient and gentle, his words of encouragement make you braver and braver, and suddenly you’re skating by yourself, even if it’s just for a few seconds.

You are laughing, you are happy and you are grateful.

And Nico… Nico’s just amazing. Your heart keeps jumping inside your chest whenever he gets too close, and when he holds you tightly, you’re almost sure you’re going to explode.

One hour later, when you’re in his car, warm and cozy, you can’t stop smiling, shaking your right leg, or humming to the pop song playing on his radio.

“Did you like it?” He sounds just like before, unsure and nervous.

You chuckle, turning your body around and leaning closer to his, placing a light kiss on his cheek. “It was amazing. Thank you, Nico.”

“I think we should kiss right now.” He blurts out of nowhere, and you laugh, thinking he’s joking.

“There’s no one looking.” You answer, blinking twice.

“It’s okay,” he whispers, placing one hand on your neck, so close to you that his nose is touching yours. You hold your breath. “We’re practicing.”

His lips press against yours for the second time in your life and it's magical, and it feels like the most right thing you've ever done in your entire life.

His tongue caresses yours, and you whimper inside his mouth, grabbing the car seat with your left hand, looking for some kind of support.

You’re in heaven and in hell at the same time.

𖧷

TO YOUR ultimate surprise, Nico spends the rest of the day with you.

He takes you to your favorite coffee shop, your favorite restaurant and your favorite bookstore— the same as Mia’s—, pays for everything— which kind of makes you upset, but you don’t do anything other than pout and accept the gifts.

You keep asking him if you’re bothering him, or if he’s got anywhere else to be or someone more important to meet, and he keeps giving you the same answer.

“We’re both adults and we both have jobs so if you have to go I’ll understand—” You say, for what’s probably the twelfth time since you got out of the restaurant.

“Em,” he pokes your cheek with his index finger and then puts a strand of your hair behind your ear. You try not to shiver with his touch. “I’m not going anywhere. It’s your day.”

And it feels so nice. Not only because he took a day off to be with you, but because Nico’s a nice person. He’s fun, he makes you laugh, he listens to your rambling without looking away even just once.

Nora’s so lucky. And she doesn’t even know it.

“Well, I think it’s time for us to go home, no?” He blurts out of nowhere, and you stop taking pictures of the flowers decorating an old lady’s balcony to look at him.

You blush. “Sure— I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to take this long but,” you turn your head around again, staring at the tulips in front of you. “They’re just so pretty.”

“They are, yeah,” he nods, putting his hands inside his pocket. “But it’s getting late and you’re probably tired.”

You are tired, but you would stay twelve more hours awake if it meant looking at the handsome man standing in front of you. Since you couldn’t tell him that, you just nod and follow him to his car, sad that the day’s already almost over.

He drives smoothly back to your place, and you enjoy the quietness. It’s something that you’ve never experienced with someone who isn't your friend— this comfortable silence. Nico has his way of comforting you even when he’s silent and, honestly? That’s a hell of a talent.

When he parks in front of your house, you hold in a sigh, not wanting to seem ungrateful.

“Thank you for today, Nico,” you smile. “It meant a lot to me.”

He smiles back. “No need to say thank you, I enjoyed it as much as you did.”

You’re about to leave the car when he grabs your wrist, holding you in place. “Yeah?” you ask him, curious of what more he could possibly have to say.

“Can I use your bathroom, though? All that coffee drinking is catching up to me right now.”

You chuckle, nodding your head. “Of course. Come on.”

You walk out of his car and look for your keys inside your purse, moving as fast as you could so that Nico wouldn’t have to wait even more time.

You open your door and let him inside your house, before turning the lights on and—

“Surprise!”

You let out the loudest, most embarrassing scream of your life, and you move to hold Nico’s arms so fast it’s actually quite amusing. Your living room had been transformed entirely and now it had balloons, a sign that read “HAPPY BIRTHDAY, EMMA!”, confetti everywhere and lots of people.

You hear their laughs and you cringe at yourself, letting go of Nico’s arms and staring at your friends. Mia, Ella, Luke, Jack, and—

“Natalie?!” you shout, staring at the woman in front of you. That’s when you realize Quinn is also here which only means that they flew together from Vancouver to New Jersey. “Oh my God!”

You run to her arms and later it’s a four person hug, with Mia and Ella joining you and Natalie. You love them so much sometimes you think you’re going to explode, and you’re so happy that they are here, with you.

Your eyes are wet with tears when you let go of them but it’s fine— so are theirs.

“I can’t believe you’re all here…” you murmur, wiping your tears. “You… who even planned all of this? I’m—”

“For that you’d have to thank your amazing boyfriend.” Natalie answers and you’re about to ask her “what do you mean” when you remember.

Nico.

You turn around, staring at the man who’s now leaning against your wall and smiling at you.

Nico did this. Nico planned a whole surprise party for you.

“Oh,” you whisper. “Thank you, huh, baby.”

It’s not as natural as you would like it to be, but since everyone thinks you’re overwhelmed with the attention, no one notices or says anything.

“You’re welcome, Em.”

“Well,” Natalie coughs. “Mia did say you’re disgusting together. I see that.”

You all laugh, and you move on to greeting the rest of the people there. You spend a long time deciding what you’re going to order for dinner, and then you spend even more time chatting with Natalie and Quinn about Vancouver.

“It’s still so weird to see the two of you together, like, how did this,” you point to the two of them, who were sitting beside each other on your couch, while you were sitting on the carpet. “Even happened?”

“Well—”

“You see—” They both talk at the same time before looking at each other.

“Go ahead—”

“No, it’s okay—”

You watch them go back and forth with this for a while before you interrupted them again. “So. How did it happen guys?” you chuckle.

“Quinn’s team, the Canucks, work with my dad, and since he wants me to, you know, work for the NHL next year, he ended up introducing us.” Natalie says, cheeks so red it has you confused. “Not us like me and Quinn. Us like me and the Canucks.”

“I get it,” you smile. “It’s just such a coincidence, don’t you guys think? I mean, what are the chances, right?”

“Right.” Quinn’s the one to answer this time and you can’t help but laugh at how awkwardly sweet he is.

The food arrives— pizza and garlic bread— and you all chat while you eat. Your house is loud with laughter, music and talking, but you couldn’t be happier. You catch Nico looking at you from the other side of the room and you smile even wider at him.

“Thank you.” You mouth, and he just mouths back:

“You’re welcome.”

𖧷

𖧷

𖧷

𖧷

emmaroberts

liked by dawson1417, _quinnhughes, miaturner and 4,012 others

emmaroberts bday girl got a surprise bday party. i’m the bday girl btw. thank u all!

View all 200 comments

user1 IS THAT NICO BEHIND EMMA??????

user2 user1 well i know for a fact that the man behind her in the 1st pic is jack

user3 that’s nico hischier behind her !!

miaturner i love you and im still sorry for ruining your birthday cake

user4 miaturner i know the chances of u seeing this are low but what did you do??

miaturner user4 threw it on jack’s face

user4 miaturner WHAT

lhughes_06 ����🏻🎉

tmeier96 Happy birthday little Emma!

elladavis 🤍

user5 Nico behind Emma is sooo cute !!!

user6 user5 We don’t know if that’s Nico.

user7 user6 girl wdym it’s literally him he posted 2 photos of her today on his story

user6 user7 Okay, and that still doesn’t prove anything!

user7 user6 girl bye

user8 user6 so there’s this one river in egypt…

user9 i wanna a friendship like theirs so bad :(

<next chapter>

[cxffecoupx]

dear santa

lee seokmin + jokingly going up to the santas at the mall and embarrassing the other one wc: 645 warnings: written in a rush to finish the series, seokmin being painfully embarassing author's notes: I'm so sorry I keep posting such mediocre stuff i really don't wish to😭😭 also this should preferably be read before chan's drabble 'wrapping errors'. but I hope you like it <3 winter wonderland masterlist

"i think the store over there has some good gifts," you point towards the store with one hand to seokmin around who you've wrapped your other hand.

seokmin's still in awe over all the christmas decorations done in the mall when you look at him. red sparkling decor hangs from the high roof, glistening when light hits it at particular angles; lights arranged in the figures of reindeers and pandas; arches made of green leaves, with stars dangling at points; santas standing at various places in the mall, talking and playing with the kids that have come to the shopping center.

christmas is in full swing here.

however, you're falling behind because the two of you have spent days procrastinating and postponing buying the gifts for people you're meeting on christmas. like every year, all of you are meeting at seungcheol's place for the big bash he throws regularly, and for you, staying away from your family, they have become a second family to you.

you head over to the shop and look around for a while, contemplating whether to buy the most beautiful things you see there, even though they're basically useless to anyone. you manage to purchase a few presents, and when you're leaving, you notice that seokmin is nowhere to be found.

hands full of bags and gifts, you exit the store, mind wandering just like your eyes trying to spot him in the crowd. couples and families thronged the place, kids walking around with balloons and candies possibly gifted by the santas.

how the hell were you gonna find him?

the thought didn't stay for long when you hear his voice from somewhere, "yn!!"

"minnie?" when you look over though, you instantly wish that you hadn't.

there he stood, a few feet away from you, wearing an exact same white beard like the santa standing near him. the prop looked odd with the rest of his clothes, and his pose suggested that he was clearly losing some marbles. even the santa nearby seemed to ignore the embarassing creature standing near him.

you'd always had the fantasy of him role-playing as santa during sex, especially around xmas, but if this is what it's gonna be, you'd rather take up chastity. seriously.

"yn! wait why are you walking away- YN, c'mere. this is so fun," seokmin calls out to you again, this time louder, and the people nearby follow his gaze to see a shy you, face the colour of a ripe tomato. you could only wish that the ground would swallow you up.

and if all this wasn't enough, your boyfriend decides to laugh in an obnoxious manner, a distinct 'ho ho ho' echoing through the mall even in the chatter of the crowd.

that's when the mall starts playing one of your favourite songs, a song he'd start singing whenever, wherever you were. when you turn around to look at him, you see him already watching you, eyes searching yours for the silent message that comes with the song.

Shall I stay?

Would it be a sin

If I can't help falling in love with you?

you walk over to him, pressing a quick kiss to his lips before taking his extended hand to pull him away from the crowd. you return the beard to the santa with an awkwardness you're sure he understands as well, and return to seokmin, who's now decided to entertain a few kids who'd thought he was santa indeed, and the sight melts away any urgency you'd felt. it replaces with a warm and cosy feeling that slowly settles in your tummy.

"the kids loved me; i make a pretty good santa, don't i?" he asks when he sees you near him.

"i don't know about santa, but you'd make a pretty good dad. now let's get home quick now, we have to wrap the gifts."

prompt by @novelbear; dividers by @adornedwithlight

[mithrilhearts]

Fic authors self rec! When you get this, reply with your favorite five fics that you've written, then pass on to at least five other writers (except me because obvs I have done it). Spread the self-love ❤

Look at me getting to this 500 years later (I'm so sorry!!) Anyway.

Thank you both so much, @cilil & @laurfilijames for sending me this ask game thingy!! I figured I'd just do it in one post, so I hope that's okay, but here we go!

I think picking my "favorite fics" of mine is like, asking a parent to pick their favorite child - not easy, in most cases I guess lol...but I will do my best and explain why! These are all based off of fics I've COMPLETED, and by no means reflects on my love and affection for the other stories I've written. I love them all for their own reasons, otherwise I wouldn't have written them.

In no particular order...

May Your Forge Burn Bright - This is THE original longfic from me. I started this back when I was creeping my way out of RP and into fanfiction, and was nothing more than an independent baby writer. (Been writing a long time, just never like this), and the story means so much to me, as well as the commentary from readers along the way. It's still my longest fic to date, and I love a good "alternate first meeting" fic. It's the OG, and you can't replace that.

Dragonhearted - The Hobbit & Beauty and The Beast are my two FAVORITE stories, and mashing them together like this was perfect for me. Dragon!Thorin is such a fun concept for me, and badass Bilbo is another. This setting just WORKS. (Also, did you know @i-did-not-mean-to had a BLANKET made for this fic???)

Kurdu 'abadaz - That's right, I finished this one just recently, and it has easily stolen my heart to being a favorite. The Fix-it fic that I wasn't sure I'd ever be able to write, that went under a LOT of rehashing and had a huge overhaul in the story early on when planning. It turned out so much better than anticipated, and the love for this fic from readers/friends has been overwhelming.

Fuck Thy Neighbor - A VERY FUN ROM-COM STYLE MODERN AU!!! This really had me cackling the entire way through, and like a few other fics of mine, it spawned from a writer's ask game/tag game thing that I can't quite remember. Accidental marriage & neighbors? I love it. It's so funny, and I enjoy rereading it frequently for the laughs.

When Darkness Shines Brightest - Did you know that anything can be made into a Bagginshield Fic? Did you know that this fic spawned from a joke/conversation between @starthecozy and I and then erupted into this really original Hades/Persephone, Nightmare Before Xmas, blended style fic?? Various worlds and environments, powers over elements, and saving homes from a dragon?? The Onion Fic sprouted, and blossomed into one of my favorite stories, and I got to collaborate with Star the entire way through it, and we had SO MUCH FUN!!! Go give it a read, it's really neat!!

Honorable Mentions:

(Take Me Back To) The Night We Met - My entry for THAUC22 (partnered with the amazing @consultingpacha), and one of my FAVORITE concepts. Yet again, another "alternate meeting" style fic, featuring small kids Fili and Kili, rather than adults. What it sets up to at the end of the fic blends into the OG Hobbit story, but with a few small changes that I kind of want to explore one day in a sequel. 👀

Between Vices and Virtues - My entry for TRSB22 (partnered with @mysandwichranaway!!) First of all, I love working with Sandy, it's truly one of my favorite things on this good planet, and I can't wait to do it again - hopefully soon. Secondly, this was my take at a modern royalty AU, and learning about how to connect with the people around you. I have two sequels planned for this universe (even if this fic kind of felt like a let-down in terms of reception? but idc about that lmao) it was so fun for me. A light dusting of magic superstition in a modern au setting? Sign me up!

[oldiesstationlover11607]

Ugly Sweaters - Gerard Way x Reader

Warnings: none :)

Word Count: 893 (it's a short one)

A/N: Hope we like this little treat before xmas ;) Also I apologise if the formatting is off, I wrote this last year on google docs and then edited it on here 😭 It's crazy to see how much I've improved in only a year with my writing!

“Frank? What time are your friends coming over?” I asked from the living room, hanging up some of our final decorations.  Christmas was in just under 4 days and all of Frank’s friends were set to come home for the holidays. Frankie and I had been friends since high school and even dated for a while before he joined My Chem. I didn't really know Mikey or Ray that well but Gerard and I used to be best friends back in high school.

The doorbell rang, causing me to put down the drink in my hand and make my way to the front door. Opening it, I came face to face with someone I hadn't seen in years.

“Y/N?” 

“Gerard?” I asked, looking him up and down.

He'd aged more than I thought he would've. His hair now a bright orange colour–and a lot shorter than I was used to.

He pulled a face, almost like he was trying to rack his brain for memories of me. 

“Yeah, it's me,” I smiled. “Frank’s just getting ready but you’re welcome to come inside while I set up.” 

“Oh cool! It’s great seeing you, it’s been so long." He followed along, coming inside and sitting down on the couch. I grabbed my phone from the coffee table and put on some Christmas music before grabbing the rest of the decorations. Frank and I had decided to make our tree’s theme purple this year, much to my excitement. 

“I like your tree, the purple is cool,” Gerard grabbed a cookie from the platter on the table.

“Thanks, Frank let me do the tree this year.”

“How long have you guys lived together?” he asked but not before the doorbell rang again. Frank ran out from the hallway to open the door himself this time. 

“Ray!” he grinned, pulling him in for a hug. 

“Long time no see. Gee, I didn’t know you were coming. I thought you'd still be in LA,” Ray looked in our direction. I gave him a wave before turning back to the tree.

“Yeah, I’d just finished the solo album when Frank called and I thought it might be nice to come back to Jersey and see family. See some of Frank’s friends,” he said looking at me. Gerard’s orange hair stood out from the rest of our surroundings, the only bright colour in the room. 

After a while Mikey, Kristin and their kids pulled up to the door with food and presents for everyone. The kids ended up playing guitar hero with Ray who had always been better at actual guitar than the game itself. They had found ‘Dead!’ from the Black Parade and Gerard’s voice was coming out of the speakers, which was weird to hear with him sitting in the room. Mikey and Frank sat at the bar and caught up on lost time, telling stories from their past tours and daily lives. Kristin and I sat outside on the patio, the sky turning dark and the air crisp and cold. 

“Yeah Mikey surprised us with a trip to Disneyland last weekend and the kids were so excited,” she beamed.

I loved Disney.

"That's so sweet, oh my gosh," I replied.

"Disney’s always been our place, it’s where we got engaged.”

“I remember that,” Gerard spoke, leaning against the doorway with his arms folded. 

“I’ll leave you two alone,” Kristin smiled and got up before whispering something in Gerard’s ear. He nodded at whatever she said and moved to sit next to me.

“It’s cold out here,” he rubbed his arms gently. 

“I like the cold, it’s nice. Brings more energy to the Christmas spirit.”

“I get that. It never gets this cold out in California so it’s nice to finally have a proper cold Christmas,” he looked up at the sky just as it started to snow. 

“It’s beautiful. I’ve always loved the snow, how each snowflake is unique and like no other." I stuck my hand out to catch some falling snowflakes, cold and wet on my palm. Gerard watched me for a second before saying anything. 

“You’re beautiful.”

“Sorry?”

“I said you’re beautiful. Did you know I had a crush on you in high school?” 

What was he doing??

“No, I-uh… I didn’t know that,” I mumbled. He was cute, there was no denying that. I definitely felt the same way about him. The orange hair suited him, not to mention the ugly Christmas sweater he was proudly wearing. 

“I was wondering if you wanted to come visit me in California next month before I leave for tour?”

“Yeah, I mean that sounds cool.”

I wondered if Gerard's house was like Frank's–huge.

“Oh! I forgot I got you a present." He pulled out a box from his satchel. 

“Wow, really?” I smiled, taking it and opening the box. It was a sweater like his, except it was purple instead of blue. 

“Oh my god, Gerard!” I pulled him in close for a hug, feeling his arms wrap around my torso.

“You’re welcome,” he laughed gently. “You can repay me by visiting me sometime.”

“I will, I promise.”

"Good."

//

REQUESTS OPEN

[sprnklersplashes]

thought long and hard but i think jd and ronnies first xmas together after getting married would be cute as hell

your wish was my command! hope I did it justice!

support me

fanfic fundraiser

When they first moved into this apartment, Christmas seemed like years from then. They were still on their honeymoon when their offer was accepted, and it was celebrated with champagne in their hotel room. Between painting and finding cheap furniture and the fact that it was still summer, Christmas had been the last thing on their minds.

Which means that now it’s December, and they’re in the store loading their trolley up with decorations and Veronica is laughing so hard her face is redder than the Santa hat JD insisted on wearing.

(Sweet Lord, she married a complete dork)

“How many of these guys should we get for the apartment?” she asks, gesturing to a row of jolly-looking, rosy-cheekced elves on a shelf. She can get why JD grimaces, their massive, unblinking eyes are pretty unsettling, but it gives them charm. 

“We can put them in the windows to freak people out.”

“How very festive of you,” she says dryly, and then she puts two in their cart. On the way here, they again had the debate over whether models of Tolkein elves would count as Christmas decor (her response was “absolutely not”, JD remainced convcined his copy of Lord of the Rings was holiday-appropciate), and whether they needed another roll of tinsel alongside the ones Veronica “borrowed” from her parents’ house. The answer to that question sits in the babyseat of their cart, one green, one yellow and one silver. They’re not sure where they’ll put them just yet but screw it. They’ll find space. Also in the cart are various baubles and packs of fairylights, a garland that apparently goes on the stairs, some festive-patterned tablecloths, a little DIY model of a gingerbread house, and that’s still not all of it. Veronica had cursed herself when she realised they had next to nothing in the house, and spent more time than she should have wondering how the hell she didn’t plan further ahead.

As she watches JD play with a toy reindeer and he makes it bite her nose, she thinks maybe it was for the best. 

Getting everything home is a task in itself. Veronica hoists her bulging back on her shoulder, meanwhile JD carries a backpack and two carrier bags by his side. She offers to carry another, despite the growing pain in her shoulder, but JD insists through gritted teeth that he’s got it. Even when she spends the entire bus ride home trying to grab one off of him, he keeps it out of reach. She lets it go when they get off the bus, focussing more on the trek up the hill to their building.

By the time they get back to the apartment, Veronica dumps the bag on the floor and all but collapses onto the couch. She hears, rather than sees, JD push the bag out of the way, and then he’s patting her shoulder. She groans quietly and sinks further into the cushions.

“Can we hire someone to decorate?” she mumbles. “My body isn’t working.”

“Darling, we can’t afford a person,” he reminds her gently. Veronica lifts her head just enough to pout at him, and he runs his hand through her hair. “We do have coffee and cookies though.”

“Gingerbread cookies?”

“I am almost certain we do.” He taps his fingers up and down her spine, so delicate and so playful that she just about hides her face in the cushion before she smiles. 

Seconds later, he grabs her shoulders and drags her to her feet, and her smile doesn’t waver once.

Like they said in the store, they put the elves in the window, their plastic smiles shining down on the streets below. Inside, JD balances on a side table to position some holly on the top of the windowframe, pushing his luck as far as he can despite Veronica telling him to be careful. The damn Santa hat is still on his head, now with an added piece of tinsel behind his ear. He drops on the floor next to Veronica after he’s finished, one leg pressed against her back. He presses his nose against her temple and nuzzles against her. His hand wraps around her waist, his chin rests on her shoulder, and Veronica’s toes curl against the carpet.

“You’re distracting me,” she murmurs. He smiles into her shoulder, and his arm slowly lifts to circle her shoulders.

“I am?”

“Yes.” She bites her lip as he kisses her cheek. “Very much so.”

“Can’t believe I’m losing my wife to a gingerbread man.” She clicks her tongue.

“Sorry, he keeps me warm.”

“And I don’t?” 

“Nuh-uh.” 

She bites back a laugh as he feigns offence. In response, he pulls himself closer, until her side is pressed into his chest. His free arm reaches up and links with his other, so she sits safely in his arms. His thumb strokes her cheek, his leg stays solid against her spine. Her head falls to his shoulder, so she breathes in his cologne and the coffee on his breath.

“How about now?” A smile flickers across her face .

“Now you’re getting it,” she whispers, and she blushes as he kisses the top of her head.

It doesn’t take long for them to open the Bailey’s. While JD tinkers around in the kitchen, Veronica starts tackling the tree. It’s smaller than the one she used to have in her parents’ house, but at least it’s real this time. Last year, when they were two college students, they’d had to make do with fake ones that looked as similar as possible in their dorms. This year, finally, they’ve just got one, real and right beside them. Most importantly, it’s theirs. Chosen by them, bought by them, decorated with all their little keepsakes.

“You’re looking very thoughtful,” JD murmurs. He presses the mug into her hands. Veronica hums as she sips it.

“Guess so,” she says. She doesn’t need to say anything else. He gets it.

His free hand brushes hers and he gives her fingers a squeeze. Their fingers slide together the way their keys slide into their lock. Perfectly. Made for each other.  

“Tree looks good.”

“Yeah.” 

A small lump forms in her throat and she doesn’t even know why. Probably some ridiculously sappy crap about how this is their apartment and their tree and they have matching rings on their fingers. This is her life now. 

She sips her coffee just as the tears prick at her eyes. So stupid, she think, blinking them away. She’s crying over a Christmas tree.

Before she has time to think, she places her coffee down then walks up to JD and wraps her arms around his waist. He gives a small, surprised squeak as she presses her face into the crook of his neck, then almost instinctively leans into her. She his chest expand as he breathes, feels his spine relax as he leans into her. His hand comes over hers and holds tight.

“Oh hello,” he laughs. “Any particular reason for this?”

“Nah.” She rests her chin on his shoulder. “I just love you.” He laughs again, more soft this time. Like the snow falling against their windowsill. 

“I love you too, Sawyer,” he tells her. He lifts one of her hands to his lips and kisses it. “Now come on. We didn’t spend all that time at Costco to let the tree just sit here.”

Just a few seconds later, she isn’t crying any more. She’s laughing, because JD picked her up the put the star on top and she’s pretending to be mad about it and then they’re drinking Bailey’s coffees on their couch and this is her life now. She fucking loves it. 

[breadtheft1796]

20 Questions for Fic Writers

thank you for the tag @palettesofrenaissance <3

1. How many works do you have on ao3? 91 (with 8 of those posted anonymously and 26 current hidden).

2. What's your total ao3 word count? 316,689

3. What fandoms do you write for? i currently write for marvel and good omens. previously i have written for doctor who, hannibal, harry potter, hetalia, interview with the vampire, les misérables, and the walking dead (occasionally i dip back into writing those). and some other one-off fics for other fandoms.

4. Top five fics by kudos: quips and endearments (t, 1.6k) aragorn and legolas flirt to keep morale up acts of service (t, 4k) aziraphale falls nothing but theatre (e, ongoing) bucky/zemo fake dating and time travel au behind the make-up (t, 1k) the grandmaster exposes loki's mouth scars hannibal, it's tinsel (g, <1k) hannibal/will fluffy hissy fits over xmas decs

5. Do you respond to comments? i like to and try to but i've got behind on it lately. i need to catch up.

6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending? angst is my thing so most of my fics end angstily. maybe either: uncovered secrets (e, 5k) bucky recognises heinrich in one of zemo's family photos lithium (e, 3k) zemo's first look at the latvian apartment since his family's death

7. What's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending? definitely this, it's very hopeful for the future: falling leaves and apple pulp (g, <1k) bucky and sarah go apple picking

8. Do you get hate on fics? i used to but not so much anymore. i've had a couple of hate anons on here related to fics though.

9. Do you write smut? yes, occasionally but i'm not very good at it.

10. Craziest crossover: i haven't really done many crossovers but i mix adaptions a lot.

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen? i had a couple stolen off deviantart and ff.net back in the day but nothing off ao3 that i'm aware of.

12. Have you ever had a fic translated? no but i had one of my anonymously posted fics podfic'd, so that was nice.

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before? i'd say so, yes, because even though it wasn't a back and forth thing some of the babes from the winterbaron discord have plotted and contributed so heavily to fics that i refuse to take full credit. also me and @palettesofrenaissance are going to be co-writing something soon so that's exciting!

14. All time favorite ship? usually i would usually say peggy/steve from mcu because i've loved them fiercely since 2011. but i'm going to say england/spain from hetalia because i'm feeling nostalgic at the moment and i always fall back into writing fic for them when i'm feeling particularly stressed or down.

15. What's a wip you want to finish but doubt you ever will? i don't often write multi-chapter fics so only have one wip currently up. it would be good to get that finished, since i'm only 1 chapter away from an epilogue.

16. What are your writing strengths? angst. character studies and introspection. oneshots. i've been told i'm good at setting the tone and atmosphere, and i keep getting comments saying i'm good at conveying emotion, which makes me insanely happy.

17. What are your writing weaknesses? worldbuilding in general. multi-chapter fics. spelling and grammar. knowing how to end fics. smut. i'm also very quick to get discouraged and abandon fics all together.

18. Thoughts on dialogue in another language? i love it. other languages are often so beautiful and i like looking up commonly used phrases and contexts for how they are used. i've used other languages in most of my mcu fics.

19. First fandom you wrote in? i have hazy memories of this but i think it was twilight, where instead of going to italy to save edward, she and alice got together instead. i stand by 15 year old me's taste in ship. the first fic i posted online was for hetalia though, the twilight one stayed in a notepad.

20. Favorite fic you've written? i couldn't just pick one so: the last of fine days (m, 15k) zemo's old family home plays tricks on their minds -> my first attempt at gothic domestic/horror and i'm proud of it. migraine aura (m, 5k) aziraphale and crowley are exes stuck together at a party -> i wanted to write the most claustrophobic, overstimulating environment i could and i think i succeeded.

no pressure tagging, in case any of you felt like it: @zsparz, @milarca, @zemos-bathrobe, @fuddlewuddle, @yolkinthejump, @captainjimothycarter

[beamiesbuddies]

Web Update #3: Final Gallery Section & Commission Updates!

Hello all! Happy Fall! 🍂🍁☕🍄🌰

As the cooler weather approaches, it’s time to bring my big website gallery overhaul to a close with the final (for now) section- the Passion Projects Section! Here I’ve documented 3 of my bigger projects (including my most recent doll of Mr. Dream).

You will find the finished photos, as well as more in-depth commentary on how I made them, materials, fun facts, WIP photos, & more! I hope you will enjoy reading them. Go to beamiesbuddies.com, hit the Gallery > Passion Projects

With that section, my Archive Gallery is more or less complete! As I make more dolls going forward, I will update the galleries from time to time. Follow me on IG and/or Tumblr to see the most recent creations!

Now for the big one- Commission Updates!

As longtime BB fans know, I’ve been opening commissions on a bi-yearly basis, to give myself the summer to finish my own projects (or even -gasp- have other hobbies!) This year, the summer has been focused on beamiesbuddies.com, as well as working on my first new line of original dolls (which I PROMISE I will start sharing soon!)

The summer was also full of activity lifewise for me, most good & some not so much. As such, I’m a little behind where I wanted to be at this time, & more than a little burnt out. I wanted to open up commissions this month for the upcoming holiday season, but being realistic, I don’t think I would be able to deliver my best work with so much still going on/needing finishing. (One of the things needing doing is the shop on this website, after all!)

Therefore: I will be opening commissions as of January 2025, for the winter season. Big apologies to those who wanted to commission me for Xmas gifts & such, but this will allow me to get a good head start on my ready-made dolls & hopefully have them up by late fall in time for holiday gift purchasing time. So you may not get a personalized character, but you could have another very cool original themed doll ;)

November 1st I will be opening up slots for the January commissions, which I will announce at that time. So, if you wanted to grab a gift for a friend, maybe you can give them the gift of a Beamie’s Buddies Custom Commission Slot? 👀

I can’t wait to share my upcoming dolls with you as I think they are looking super cute & I have so many ideas for future ones. In all my years I have never really gotten to let my imagination go & make my own characters, I feel like I’m unlocking new potential as a doll artist.

Thank you all for your lovely support on my work over the years & to come!

Love, Beamie 💖

[mailamoon]

Hello !

Someone asked me for an english version of the little xmas text I wrote.

Sooooo, I'm still not bilinguist and I didn't asked anybody to edit it. Well, I meanly used Reverso to translate it... and I edited it, rewrite some part, you know... I hope it's not too bad.

And xmas is now behind us, but, anyway, it's never too late to read a little fluffy and cute little text about One Piece and Zoro and Sanji.

Please, forgive me all the mistakes in this text XD

Here we go for a little xmas special !

The woman sitting in the chair looked at the meager fire that was slowly dying in the hearth. Her eyes were filled with tears and she wiped away with a distracted gesture the wet streaks on her cheeks. She took a deep breath, tightened her shawl around her shoulders and resumed her story, the steam of her breath carrying her words in the cold.

- Since the storm, no one has been able to come to the hotel. The mountain pass is still blocked. It’s been five days already. Lydia and I are alone here. She was injured in the shoulder by a tile fall while she was going to check the building after the storm. I’m not a doctor, I don’t know how to treat her. And the cold...she got sick. She is lying in our bed and I keep the few wood we still have to heat this room. We have some stored at the bottom of the field, but with the snow that fell I can’t reach it.

The whole straw hat crew surrounded her and listened her words without interrupting. Chopper was examining Zoro’s chest. The swordsman had lost himself on the glacier and fall into a crevasse. A cigarette in the corner of his lips, Sanji looked at him with exasperation.

On that morning, covered in heavy clouds, the crew had crossed a majestic icy landscape on this winter island to arrive at the hotel. But instead of a welcoming and warm place in wich they could relax and celebrate Christmas in a cheerful way, they had found sad and cold rooms and this woman at her rock bottom.

- You know, it’s usually very joyful here for Christmas. Everyone from the village across the mountain pass comes here. We all celebrate all together. There are decorations, music, laughter and a real feast! But even if the pass was clear, Lydia is the cook. She can’t get out of bed… Oh, poor Lydia!

The woman buried her face in her hands, shoulders shaken with sobs.

The crew glances at each other. Luffy stepped forward and put his hand on the woman’s shoulder.

- Hey, what’s your name?

The woman raised her red and teary eyes.

- D… Dottie.

- Well, Dottie, we’ll help you.

Sanji stepped forward and offered Dottie a warm smile.

- Don’t worry, I’m a cook. The feast will take place!

- But… How? The pass is still blocked! The building has suffered damage, there are no decorations… And Christmas’s Eve is tonight!

Luffy burst out laughing.

- We’ll take care of it all and have a great Christmas together!

- Believe us, said Nami with a big smile.

- I will go to check the building, said Franky. In no time everything be brand new.

- Usopp, we should be able to do something about the decoration, don’t you think? asked Nami.

- Oh yes! replied the sniper enthusiastically. The fabulous Captain Usopp will prepare a decor so bright that you will have to put sunglasses to not burn your eyes!

- I’ll go see Lydia, Chopper intervened, finishing Zoro’s last bandage. I’m a doctor

- Brook, Robin, you come with me, we’re going clear the pass! cried Luffy cheerfully.

- Oi, Luffy, I’m coming with you! said Zoro.

Chopper rushed to the swordsman.

- No, no! Zoro you stay here, you have several broken ribs! You must rest. Medical prescription.

- It’s okay, I can go! Protest Zoro while getting up. He winced and raised a hand to his torso, grunting.

- Ah ah ah, Marimo, it seems you’re stuck here with me, said Sanji with a wink.

Zoro glared angrily at the cook.

- But… the pantry is almost empty…

- Don’t worry. Jinbei, can you get us some fish? Sanji asked, turning to his crewmate.

- Of course, Sanji, replied the former Shishibukai.

- See, everything is settled!

- Well... hesitated the woman.

She looked at them, surprised. Were these pirates really going to help her? She felt she could trust them and, after all, she had little choice given her situation. She cracked a shy smile.

- So... thank you! I’ll give you rooms for the night.

______________________

The first team composed of Luffy, Robin and Brook left the place. Luffy waved enthusiastically at his companions who were staying at the hotel. Zoro looked at them, sullen. Sanji approached him to give him a hug. The swordsman shrugged and sighed. A smile stretched his lips as the cook bent down to whisper something in his ear. Robin looked at them with amusement before turning around, laughing.

- Yohohoho, Robin-chan, what’s so funny?

- I was thinking about how the relationship has evolved between those two.

- Zoro and Sanji? Yohoho, I understand you, who would have thought that Sanji-kun would be more passionate about boxers than lace panties!

- I was not surprised! Said Luffy.

Brook would have looked at him with round eyes if he had still possessed eyeballs. A frank laugh crossed Robin’s lips and resonated in the snowy landscape.

- I haven’t either. They’ve been pining for each other for so long, she adds.

Brook looked alternately at his captain and the archaeologist, his jaw hanging.

- Because it was flirting? he asked, incredulous.

- For them, yes, Robin replied.

- Mm… many things have changed since my time.

They continued to walk in the thick snow. Dottie had lent them snowshoes and walking sticks to make the hike easier in this winter landscape. Brook had refused them. Light as he was, he treaded the white surface without sinking into it. They were surrounded by sparse fir trees whose branches bent under the weight of snow hanging from their branches. Higher up, a mountain range stood with its sides of rock and ice. The pass they were to reach was at the junction of two of these peaks.

______________________

At the hotel, Jinbei lost no time to go back to the coast. He plunged into the icy waters without hesitation to bring back to Sanji the fish he needed to exercise his invaluable culinary talents.

Franky took care of the wood first. He turned into an improved Franky Tank with a blade in front to cross thick white carpet of snow.

- Are you coming, Dottie?

The woman hesitated blushing. Seeing the straw hat crew take matters into their own hands had made her feel better. Someone competent was in charge and all his problems seemed to be about to be solved. She was marveled by those very helpful pirates. Relieved, her eyes sparkled again. She had put on a coat lined with warm fur to follow Franky outside. The hood over her head, she looked nervously towards the window of her room.

- I don’t know…

- Don’t worry, Chopper will treat her!

"Yes. I trust him, it’s just that..." she added, blushing even more.

Franky raised his eyebrows before smiling.

- We won’t tell her anything, he said, lifting up his sunglasses to wink at her. Come on, Dottie, ready for a snow trip?

The woman burst out laughing.

- You and your companions are a gift from heaven! Come on, take me into a wild journey!

Franky reached out to take her by the waist. Dottie flipped her head back, laughing louder as the cyborg lifted her into the air to sat her in front of him, back against his chest. Dottie snuggled against his body with an obvious pleasure and stroked his metallic forearm, amazed.

- Wow, that’s impressive! We don’t see a lot of cyborg around here.

- You have not seen everything! replied Franky maliciously. Hang on, Dottie, let’s goooo!

He rushed into the field, raising sheaves of snow and joyful laughter.

______________________

On the large desk table, Usopp and Nami looked with satisfaction at the plans they had drawn. The huge sheet on the table was covered with plans of the various rooms of the building and many drawings. The two companions had visited the entire hotel to draw these lines and had chatted animatedly about the best way to decorate them.

- That’s perfect, Usopp!

- Yes! said the sniper with a big smile. Now we have to go get all we need to prepare all this!

A loud voice echoied in the main room:

- Oi, oi! Make room!!

Franky was already back. He was carrying a small mountain of logs. Dottie, smiling, followed him. They put their load near the chimney.

- Thank you! said Dottie, giggling, it was perfectly exhilarating. Now I’ll go to see Lydia.

She left the room to went up the stairs. Franky watched her walk away with a satisfied smile on his lips before turning to feed the dying fire.

- Well, Franky, was it "exhilarating”? Nami mocked him as she walked into the room, adjusting her coat.

- Yes, Nami, that’s the effect a Franky Tank ride can have on a woman.

- Stop bragging, said Usopp, smiling. With Nami, we are going outside to find stuff to decorate this hotel!

- I can’t wait to see what you guys are up to!

Sanji’s angry voice interrupted their discussion.

- STOP stupid swordsman! Don’t try to raise your arm!

They turned to see the two men enter the room. The cook was holding a pile of white tablecloths. The swordsman followed him, grinding his teeth.

- Don’t tell me what I can or can’t do!

- You are stubborn. Ok, said Sanji, facing him, I will try to be clearer. You. Ribs. Injured. You. Stop. Moving. Right. Arm.

- Asshole, I’m not stupid! Why are you talking to me like that?

- You are not stupid? First news!

Zoro’s hand rested on the hilt of his swords.

- Shitty cook…

Sanji took a deep breath and pinched his nose. He restrained himself not to go to the physical confrontation that would aggravate the wounds of his lover.

- Okay, okay! Do what you want, he said, trying to cool down the discussion. But if you push again and I have to tie you up so you can stop gesticulating, I will!

- What do you care?

Sanji looked up and approached Zoro briskly until he was only a few inches apart. He reached out to touch his cheek and let his fingers slide down his chest to his crotch. Zoro’s features relaxed under this touch and he let out a sigh.

- I want you to heal, said Sanji in a deep voice caressing the swordsman through his clothes. And quickly. As long as you can’t move freely because of the pain, we won’t be able to do everything we wan…

- AHEM, interrupted Nami. I don’t think we need to know everything Sanji-kun.

The cook and the swordsman turned their eyes to their companions. Absorbed as they were by their argument, they had not realized that they were not alone in the room. Sanji stood up in a startle, removing his hand from Zoro’s body.

- Nami-chan! I didn’t know you were there.

- What the problem? asked Zoro with a smile, straightening up as best he could with his broken ribs.

- We don’t talk about such things before a lady, brainless mosshead! scolded Sanji.

Seeing them fighting made Nami laugh. There are things that will never change between these two.

- Aye aye, guys… Try to be a little discreet, to CHANGE! said Usopp.

- We’ll get pine cones and other little things in the area. Try to behave yourself, you are not alone in the building!

- Umf, said Sanji, given Zoro’s condition, what do you want us to do?

- Stop with that, groaned the swordsman.

- Anyway, I still have a lot of work ahead of me.

Nami and Usopp left the room laughing and headed to the stable to find a donkey peacefully chewing hay. The two friends hitched him to the sleigh in front of the building.

The sniper took the reins and led them on the path leading into the pine forest.

- I still don't know whether it is good or not that these two are together, said Usopp, taking advantage of this peaceful moment conducive to a good gossip session.

- I am happy for them! But I must admit that they are sometimes a bit embarrassing.

- You mean when they use pet names? Said a laughing Usopp.

He leaned towards Nami and advanced his lips.

- My treasure, my lovecook, I would die for you, he imitated in a sweet voice, provoking a burst of laughter from the sailor.

- Yes, it was disturbing at first, but I was thinking about their vocal prowess.

- Oooh… In the kitchen? The lookout? The storeroom? The bathroom?

- Stop, we heard them all over the Sunny.

- And you girls have a separate dorm. You have no idea what they’re capable of when they think we’re all asleep."

- NO?!

- Yes.

- Now that I think about it, I found you tired lately. You never told them that…

- No. It was nice to hear at first. It was exciting."

- That’s right.

- But I can no longer bear it. I need to sleep!

- At the hotel you will be able to rest.

- My room is next to theirs.

- Yes, but Zoro is injured. They will not be able to.... Nami stopped when she saw the look Usopp was giving her. No?

- Yes.

- Even when one is injured?

- Even when one is injured.

______________________

Franky had gone out to fix the hotel roof, Chopper and Dottie were at Lydia’s bedside.

In the main room, Zoro had slumped in the armchair by the crackling fire. He watched Sanji set the tables for Christmas Eve. The cook had already prepared what he could for the meal, now he was waiting for Jinbei’s return. A cauldron of deliciously spicy mulled wine quivered in the kitchen, filling the air in the main room with delicious scent.

Sanji had decided to set up the tables before the fish arrive. He had already put the tablecloths, plates and silverware. He was now positioning the glasses. The swordsman smiled as he saw how his lover was concentrated while carrying each glass to the light to ensure that there was no trace on it. It had the speed of the experience and the hundred seats was set up in a staggering time. To Zoro’s despair, it was not over yet. Now Sanji had grabbed the napkins to arrange them in the plates.

- Are you a waiter or a cook?

- When you start, you start at the bottom of the ladder, Sanji replied distractedly, artistically folding another napkin.

Zoro got up to join him. He slipped behind his back and hugged him by the waist. Deliberately pressing his hips against him, he whispered in his ear:

- I want you.

Sanji shook off to get more napkins. He looked at him severely.

- I have to prepare meal for hundred persons Marimo. And you are wounded.

- Woooh, I’m bored! And it gives me ideas to see you moving around like this.

- Go take a bath of cold water if you need to, but I don’t have time.

- I’m already taking too much bath now, replied Zoro, sulking.

- I hope so!

The door opened, bringing an icy wind. In the frame, Jinbei was carrying two large bags of freshly caught fish.

- Sanji-kun, here’s the fish for tonight! I just ran into Nami and Usopp.

Sanji approached him with a graceful and quick step. A big smile stretched his lips.

- Thank you, Jinbei! I will be able to prepare the rest of the menu.

- Hey, guys! Usopp shouted behind the fish man, can someone lend a hand?

- Can I leave you?

- Yes, of course, go help them! Zoro, let’s go back to the kitchen.

______________________

The decoration group had grown considerably. Franky and Jinbei had joined Nami and Usopp to help them. Then Chopper left Dottie at the bedside of a sleepy Lydia to join them.

Branches of fir trees were assembled and installed outside and in the corridors, garlands of pine cones were painted in red and gold, branches hung above the windows, candlesticks decorated with holly lit the tables and mistletoe balls hang in all the rooms.

A swirl of colors and glitter lit up the warmth interior of the hotel. The laughter of friends' conversations filled the hallways and enticing scents came out of the kitchen.

______________________

From the corner of his eye Sanji watched Zoro with affection. He asked him to decorate biscuits. It was a safe activity for his ribs. The cook felt a gentle warmth radiate in his chest while seeing this idiot swordsman, whose love had turned his life upside down, absorbed by such a calm and meticulous activity.

Sanji took a ladle to pour mulled wine into a glass. He put it near Zoro and hugged him from behind, chin to shoulder. His eyes fell on the biscuits that Zoro had already smeared with icing. Despite his lack of practice, Zoro had done a good job. The cook smiled.

- You’re doing well, he said proudly as he kissed his neck.

Zoro raised his head to kiss him tenderly.

- Take a break to drink your mulled wine, the others will soon join us to help you finish.

The cook opened the kitchen door to light a cigarette. In the outside the clouds lazily fled in the distance, tiny snowflakes falling from their fluffy sides, whirling in the icy air.

- It’s snowing! exclaimed the blond, his eyes sparkling with childish wonder.

Zoro stared at him with infinite love. The candid expression of his flamboyant lover was one of the dearest visions to his heart. He carried the glass to his lips tasting the delicious wine whose the flavor of the spices warmed both body and soul. He stand up to took Sanji by the waist and pressed himself against his body, looking with him at the snowy landscape and the sky filled with snowflakes falling softly. Sanji put his hand on his, intertwining their fingers.

______________________

In the hotel, everything was ready for Christmas Eve.

On the tables set with refinement, glasses and silverware sparkled in the warm and dancing light of candles. The fire, crackling with joy, bathed all the rooms in a welcoming warmth. In the kitchen everything was ready.

The sun went down to embrace the horizon without crossing it. In the clear sky, the northern lights unrolled their luminous green serpentines lined with pink. A few snowflakes lingered in the icy atmosphere, mingling with the mist of the breath of people approaching the building.

- FRIENDS! WE’RE BACK!! Luffy yelled.

With Brook and Robin, they led a group from the village across the mountain. All were dressed warmly and advanced with snowshoes on their feet. Many of them pulled sleds loaded with carefully packed box.

The vision of the hotel in front of them was a delight. Huge fir trees decorated with red and gold decorations framed the open door and a soft light shimmered inside.

Dottie went out to meet them. She was beautifully dressed. Her hair was raised in an elegant bun held by a golden pin. At her ears hung ruby earrings and around her neck was nested a golden nightingale. Wrapped in a burgundy cape, she rushed to hug the three pirates.

- I can never thank you enough! You and your companions are our Christmas miracle.

- How is your companion doing? asked Robin.

- Much better! She managed to get up and Nami is helping her get ready for the party.

- I told you, Chopper is the best, said Luffy with a big smile.

- Yohohoho, I am so happy that everything is over! Laughed Brook. My dear lady, could I see…

- Brook, not now! cut Robin.

Dottie laughed and turned to his friends in the village.

- I was so afraid not to see you again before the summer!

She extended her arms to greet them and motioned to follow her inside.

- Thanks to Luffy and his friends, we will be able to celebrate an extraordinary Christmas Eve. Come! Come and get warm, don’t waste any more time!

______________________

A group of about twenty people came to the kitchen to provide the service. Sanji took the lead and gave them orders for the smooth running of the meal. Zoro was impressed by the tremendous discipline in the kitchen. Everyone moved quickly and accurately and the delicacies that Sanji had prepared during the day were quickly transported to the banquet hall.

When everything was brought to the tables, Sanji took his lover by the hand.

- We’ll join them, he said with a big smile.

- I thought you were going to spend Christmas Eve in this kitchen, Zoro replied in a gruff tone.

- The proper conduct of the meal depends on the chef, I would come back to the kitchen in due course. For now, we’ll serve mulled wine, these poor people need to warm up.

______________________

A table had been installed in the middle of the hall. On it had been placed a stove and the pot of mulled wine. A multitude of terracotta cups were waiting next to them.

Sanji, wonderfully elegant in his suit, approached the table and began to serve people with a warm smile. Zoro helped him by distributing the drink. He felt his heart swollen at the sight of Sanji. His lover had eyes full of sweetness and a bright smile on his face. The blond may be hot headed but he was also endowed with boundless generosity.

Someone sneaked behind them and a cheerful voice shouted:

- Oi, guys!

The two men turned to look at their crew mate. Nami’s eyes glowed with mischievous spark. Behind her, Usopp and Chopper were giggling. Holding a mistletoe branch, Nami had extended her arm over them. Sanji and Zoro stared at the plant adorned with small white balls and their eyes met. They exchanged a smile before kissing. The kiss, rather chaste at first, deepens quickly, the two men being unable to resist each other.

- Hey, guys, that’s it! Usopp shouted to them. Someone, a bucket of cold water please! I told you, Nami, that’s not a good idea! They don’t need that!

Nami laughed.

- Oh, stop being grumpy, Usopp! They are so cute!

- I’m not cute! Zoro barked at her, turning sharply. He tightened his jaws because of the sharp pain that the movement gave rise in his chest.

- Watch out, Zoro! You must be quiet. Said he Chopper.

- Ooooooh, look! Shouted Luffy.

On the stairs, Dottie helped Lydia walk down the stairs safely. The woman, still weak, was dressed in a beautiful blue dress and her blond hair came down her shoulders in loose curls. A silver comb held a strand back. She had a sash arm and a pale complexion. Dottie held her fondly by the waist.

- Are you Chopper’s and Nami’s friends? She asked them.

- Yes, I am Luffy!

- We wanted to thank you with all our heart, she said with a big smile.

- Here my lady, it will warm you, coored Sanji as he approached to give her a cup of mulled wine, which Lydia gladly accepted.

- Hum...you’re under the mistletoe, said Robin.

The two women looked up and giggled like little girls before exchanging a tender kiss.

- Now that we are all together, let the meal begin! said Dottie with enthusiasm.

As they all headed to the main room, Lydia held Nami by the arm.

- Wait my dear.

- Yes? said the navigator.

- It’s for you, said Lydia, handing her an envelope. A news coo brought this letter for you this afternoon.

Nami took the envelope and the whole crew gathered around her.

- Move, I see nothing! Luffy protested.

The navigator opened the mail. Her face lit up as she quickly read it.

- It’s Vivi!"she exclaimed in an excited tone.

- Vivi!

- How is she?

- Did something happen?

- No, no, said Nami, with a broad smile. Nothing happened to her. She says hello to all of you.

- I want to see!

- I… Nami stopped and lifted the letter above her to prevent Luffy from taking it from her.

- Guys, guys, this letter is addressed to Nami, says Sanji. It’s probably personal. He winked at their navigator. Come on, everyone will settle for the meal, he added.

Nami looked with relief at the blond leading the whole crew to the dining room.

- I owe you, Sanji-kun, she murmured.

She approached the stairs to sit on the steps and read the letter.

"My dear Nami,

Not a day goes by without me thinking of you. The separation is long, but our hearts are bound forever. In the most difficult moments, the idea of our reunion gives me the strength to fight. I am happy to know that you are pursuing your dream in the company of the most charming pirate crew!

I wanted to wish you a wonderful Christmas.

I know and admire your strength and determination that have so much capsized my heart. Although we are far from each other, do not sink into melancholy on this festive evening. Beyond the seas, we will always find each other, my fierce pirate.

Say hello to everyone for me.

To you, forever, my brilliant love.

I love you.”

Nami’s eyes were filled with tears of joy. She carried the paper to her lips to kiss it tenderly.

- To you, forever, my untamed princess.

______________________

The villagers were happy to meet the people who had come to the rescue of Dottie and Lydia. Around the tables, conversations were going well and the atmosphere warmed up.

Brook played the violin, Franky played the guitar. Several villagers joined them and an improvised orchestra was quickly established. Everyone sang in chorus to the joyful rhythms that made the walls of the hotel vibrate.

The dishes were emptied, the glasses too. Gifts were exchanged and kisses given.

Lydia’s cheeks had regained colour. Dottie was radiant next to her lover.

Nami kept near her heart the letter of the one who had stolen it.

The whole crew had a wonderful Christmas Eve, full of joy, laughter, love and friendship.

When the room began to empty, Sanji wanted to go back to the kitchen to put everything in order. But firm hands blocked his way.

- No chef! We’ll take care of it.

- You gave us a good cooking lesson tonight, we’ve never eat anything so delicious.

- Now go and rest. We’ll take care of everything.

Tired of his culinary marathon, Sanji did not struggle. He took Zoro by the waist and they both went upstairs. Arriving in the room, the cook got rid of his jacket and loosened his tie before falling into an armchair, eyes closed.

- They are right, you know, said Zoro.

- What are you talking about?

- It was really delicious.

Sanji opened his eyes meet those of his lover. Zoro was looking at him proudly with a sparkling smile on his face. He approached him and wanted to bend down to kiss him but interrupted his movement, wincing.

- Tsss, stupid Marimo, whispered Sanji as he got up to take him in his arms. Stop pushing.

He kissed him gently and began to undress him with soft gestures. Zoro’s hands stroked him through his clothes as he slid the fabrics along the swordsman’s body. When the swordsman was finally naked, the emotion that this moment had given rise to in him was seen in the rigidity of his shaft. Sanji looked up at him with ardent eyes. He stood up to embrace him fiercely while taking off his own clothes with haste.

______________________

In the next room, Usopp turned in his bed.

- Qkske… He stammered, not understanding what had awakened him.

He listened out for sighs and grunts through the wall. The sniper moaned and folded the edges of the pillow against his ears.