#I’m going to buy my parents the most wonderful gift for Christmas I swear

[yoohyeon]

It’s costing me 800$ for my glasses…mostly cause I’m blind af 😭

[detectivemaker]

My Hope for season 3 of good Omens

as everyone knows the ending of the second season was quite a shock, and people have hopes and speculations of what's coming next and here I am to put in my hat

something I like to call " the Metatron gets hit on his stupid giant head with a bottle of celebratory ambrosia"

the about to be newly minted Supreme archangel Aziraphale vibrates in the company of his soon-to-be fellow archangels, hopes that he can make a difference dance like sugar plums in a child's dreams on Christmas

the Metatron says something he can't really hear in his Haze of Hope, and then he's filled with power, holy energy stretches the bounce of his previous Celestial ranking and pushes it quiet up

when he flutters his eyes open from the blast of holy energy into him, he's in a different white void than the random place in heaven his inauguration was in, he can sense around him God's holy light in this place more powerfully than any other place in heaven, "is this place a place in heaven?” he wonders

then all that holy energy seems to be vacuumed into one point that transmogrifice into a woman shaped form, this woman has a very motherly energy around her that mingles with the  still tangible holy energy quite nicely

"Aziraphale" the woman says in a voice he has heard many times in his existence, and has only heard once before speaking directly to him

"you're almightyness" the newly minted Archangel responds quite subservingly," are you here to congratulate me on my promotion, your holiness?" he says when all his great Lord does is smile a pleasant smile

" yes I am, sweet angel, but I'm also here to give you knowledge" his creator says and all that once he's filled was knowledge much like he was filled with holy energy not even a time he doesn't even know anymore ago, he can only gets glimpses of the future, of a greasy teenager that radiates Jesus energy, of the end of this game of his Lord's creation, a nice Cottage  him and Crowley together again, happy and cradling a baby size salamander in Parental Joy

he also gets instinctual knowledge of many things, that everything's going to turn out all right,  that everyone's supposed to win this game, but sadly only one side knows that, and some more unpleasant knowledge,....the metatron's lying to him

and he opens his eyes again and sees some pleased but slightly concerned co-workers and the Metatron, who's just pleased, and Aziraphale...

Well he looks at Metatron and his smiling old man face, and well

he's angry, he's completely and utterly enraged, oh he looks on the small gift table they set up sees a bottle and a wine shape field was ambrosia, he picks it up, gives it a couple testing swings and

bashes it into the Metatron stupid head, the screams of his co-archangels is muffled in a fluffy Haze of knowing what he must do

and he walks quite determinately to the elevator down to earth to talk to his demon about getting him a promotion as the new Prince of gluttony, so you know he can have a talk with God too and know everything's going to be okay,

it's just not fair if only one of them knows, and he will very much like that his demon knows that every single to be okay, and that they should probably buy some lizard parenting books for later

Oh and maybe some human parenting books too, he knows instinctually the little bundle of scaly Joy he sees in his future is going to be people shaped most of the time, and they are quite Rusty on human child care

and when the elevator's door open on Earth he can almost swear he hears Nightingales, but he doesn't dwell on it, he has instructions from God herself and like the good Angel he is he's going to do as he's told, from the only being who can tell him what to do, well one of the only beings,  he thinks with a blush imagining all the naughty punishment he's going to be for being such an impulsive and bad Angel to his darling demon

and so he continues his determined walk as Nightingale sing

[yellabella77]

The Most Wonderful Time of Year

Pairing: Kim Taehyung x Female Reader

Warnings: Swearing, Sexual Innuendos and Content

Word Count: 1934

Rating: Mature 18/21 +

Summary:  It’s 1 week before Christmas and 2 weeks before Taehyung’s birthday. Both Y/N and Taehyung are trying to give each other the best gifts ever. Lots of miscommunication ensues and tempers begin to flare. Will this be the most wonderful time of the year?

 It’s the week before Christmas and 2 weeks before Taehyung’s birthday. Y/N has finally finished her shopping for her boyfriend Kim Taehyung and their families. “Shit, look at the time. I better get going or I will be late getting back home,” exclaimed Y/N. As she walks to the car. She glances to her left and notices a display of cute squishy stuff animals. “Wow, these are so cute and so many to choose from. OMG! They even got their own names,” squealed Y/N. She decides to go into the store, just to have a harmless look. Y/N begins giggling like a schoolgirl that just locked eyes with her crush. “They are so soft and squishy, I love them!” Y/N squealed with delight. “I will buy this one, this one, this one, ooh that on too. I can’t leave you your name is Vee! Too cute! I think Tae Bear will get a kick out of that.” Once she completes her purchases, she takes a glance at her watch again. “Holy shit, Tae is going to be pissed. I was supposed to be back a half hour ago.” Y/N hightails it to the car remembering to be careful on the icy sidewalk. She manages to get all the packages into the trunk and hops in the car to blast the heat. “Brrr! It’s fucking freezing today. Why did I have to pick the coldest fucking day to go shopping?” Just as she was about to herself, her phone rings.

“Hello? Y/N says. “Hello beautiful,” a deep voice reverberates through the car. “Tae Bear! I’m so glad to hear your voice. You just warmed me just by saying “hello.” Y/N sing songs with a smirk. Taehyung chuckles. “Where are you? I thought you finished shopping a half an hour ago.” “Well, I …" “Y/N, what did you do?” Taehyung asked accusingly. “Well, I kind of saw something else, I just had to get.”

“Really Y/N? We are supposed to be having dinner with our parents in an hour and it will take you that long to get ready,” Taehyung sighed deeply rubbing his forehead. Taehyung began impatiently pacing back and forth simultaneously looking at the clock. Frustration slowing building as he waited for Y/N’s response.

“Look sweetheart, I am only five minutes away and I promise to be ready in fifteen minutes,” pleaded Y/N. “Please don’t be upset. I promise my love. Actually, I am on the road as we speak.”

“Yeah sure, just get your ass home in ten minutes. No speeding! Please drive safely. Love you.”

“Okay, Tae Bear, I love you too!”

Taehyung continues pacing the floor as he checks that everything is in place. He knew that Y/N would pull this stunt. He chuckles to himself. He told Y/N that they were meeting their parents in an hour. In all retrospect, everything will begin at 8:30 pm and it is only 6:00pm. “Now, I have everything in place. Y/N’s dress is laid out and the make-up team is all set. All Y/N has to do in come home and get in the shower.”

As Y/N is driving down the road all she can think about is this dinner with their parents. Why am I so nervous? True, we haven’t had dinner with both of our parents since we decided to start dating? What does Tae have up his sleeve? Maybe I am just overthinking this dinner. It is the holidays after all. Plus, we have been very busy with work and finally have time off. Quit being so nervous Y/N, everything is going to be fine, she thought. Y/N finally pulls into the driveway, takes a deep breath and goes in the house.

“It’s about damn time Y/N,” Taehyung shouts opening the door, “Just leave everything in the car. We can get them later. Please hurry in and get ready.

Y/N hurries through the door and proceeds to the bedroom to head to the shower.  She didn’t pay attention to the dress or the make-up and hair team waiting. “Honey, can you grab my black dress that’s hanging up in the closet,” shouted Y/N from the shower.

“No problem, bae, just shower quickly please. You promised me you would be ready in fifteen minutes, and it is already 6:30,” Taehyung said chuckling under his breath.

“Oh shit, okay, I’m hurrying. I’m rinsing my hair now!” Y/N shouted. “Okay baby, can you please hand me a towel?”

“Sure beautiful. Wow you look good enough to eat,” Taehyung said with a twitch of his eyebrow and a sinister smirk. “You know we do have a little bit of time left. We can have a quick round before you get dressed.” He said as he devoured Y/N’s body with his eyes.

“Oh no you don’t. We cannot, after you practically chewed me out for being late getting back. I don’t think so. Not to mention I would prefer to walk into dinner and not have to be wheeled in. Thank you very much.

“Fine,” Taehyung said with a defeated tone. He approached Y/N and handed her the towel. He gently wrapped the towel around her wet body. He decided to plant several kisses on the back of neck and shoulders. Y/N leaned into Taehyung and let loud a low moan. That is exactly what Taehyung was waiting to hear. He picked up Y/N bridal style and carried her to the bed. He planted soft kisses on her lips and neck. Y/N started to undo his tie and shirt while returning his kisses. Taehyung was about to remove Y/N’s towel and continue his way down. Just then there was a knock on the door.

“Fuck,” Taehyung let out a low growl. “Who is it?”

“Uh, Mr. Kim, is Miss Y/N ready, so we can do her hair and makeup?” The staff member called out.

“What the hell? What’s going on Tae?” Y/N asked once she snapped out of her euphoria.

“Shit, I got distracted, that was supposed to be a surprise. Anyway, surprise! I got a makeup and hair team to enhance her beauty tonight. I want you to look like the queen you are.”

“Aww, Tae, you are so wonderful.” Y/N ran into Taehyungs arms and planted a kiss on his lips.

“You deserve it baby. Now get dressed before I change my mind and pick up where we left off. As a matter of fact, we will continue this later,” he said while adjusting his dick and rebuttoning his shirt. Once Y/N finished dressing Taehyung opened the door to let the stylists into the room. “I will be waiting for you downstairs.” Taehyung said after giving Y/N a kiss on top of her head and walking out of the room.

Once Taehyung returned to the living room to wait for Y/N, the doorbell rang. He answered the door to be greeting by Jimin, Jungkook and their girlfriends. “What’s up my brothers, ladies?” Everyone greeted each other with hugs and kisses as they entered the house.

“Tonight’s the lucky night, huh bro?” Jimin and Jungkook exclaimed.

“Shh, Y/N is just upstairs. This is supposed to be a surprise, dorks,” whispered Taehyung. “But yes, it is. I am so nervous. What if she says no. What if she’s not ready to make this step. Shit, maybe I am rushing things. Maybe I should cancel…”

“Snap out of bro. She loves you right? You guys have been together for a while now. I think you are ready. Just take a chill pill, relax,” rationalized Jimin.

“Yeah bro, don’t be nervous. Everything is going to be fine,” reasoned Jungkook.

“By the way, where are the others? I don’t think they would want to miss this,” asked Jimin worriedly.

“Well, Jin and Hobi are going to meet us at the restaurant. Namjoon said he will be here in about 10 minutes. Yoongi said he was leaving the studio and will be here after he picked up his fiancée.” Just then the doorbell rang again. Taehyung opened the door to be greeted by Namjoon and his date followed by Yoongi and his fiancée.

“Hello little brother,” greeted Namjoon

“What’s up, brat,” teased Yoongi. Taehyung greeted them all with hugs and kisses, as he chuckled at Yoongi’s remark.

“Okay, everyone is here. Y/N doesn’t know what’s going on. She is still under the impression that it is just dinner with our parents. So, I have arranged a car for you all and then we will arrive about 15 minutes after you. This must go off without a hitch. So far everything is going perfect. Good, your car is here. Go ahead to the restaurant and thanks for being here, Love y’all.”

“Love you too, bro,” everyone said as they headed out to the car. Just as everyone successfully exited the house Y/N appeared at the top of the stairs. Y/N is wearing the emerald, green dress with black and gold accents that Taehyung picked out for her. Her long hair was neatly twisted up in a lose bun at the nape of her neck paired with bangs and loose tendrils at her ears. Just the way he liked it. Y/N’s make up was stunning. The perfect combination of brown and nude shades paired with bright red lipstick. Taehyung had to adjust his stance again as he stared up at his wife to be.

“Hello, my beauty,” Taehyung said smiling from ear to ear.

“Hello, my king,” giggled Y/N as she descended the stairs. “Who was at the door? Is it our parents?”

“Uh, no sweetheart. It’s the driver. Ready to go?”

“Oh, we aren’t driving?” Y/N stated slightly disappointed. She wanted to show him the Squishmallow named Vee. I guess it can wait until later.

“No, I can’t admire your beauty while driving. We won’t arrive safely,” chuckled Taehyung as he adjusted himself again. He gently grabbed Y/N’s hand and helped her into her coat.

“Okay, Mr. Kim, no funny business. This process took to long and I want to arrive intact,” snickered Y/N. She placed a gentle kiss on his lips as they walked out of the door.

“No promises. But I will try to behave. But you look so beautiful, and it will be very difficult.” Taehyung said with a little growl. They climbed into the car and made their way to the restaurant. When they arrived, they were greeted by the hostess and was taken to their private room.

“Surprised!” They were greeted by everyone. Y/N scanned the room and saw Namjoon, Jin, Hobi, Jimin, Jungkook, Yoongi and their S/O, and finally their parents. Y/N was both surprised and confused because she didn’t expect the other band members to be there. Y/N turned around to ask Taehyung what was going on and was greeted with him down on bended knee.

“Y/N, will you do me honor of being, Mrs. Kim Taehyung?” Taehyung was kneeing on his good knee with the biggest smile she has ever seen on his face. His long dark hair falling over his eyes. Y/N moved the hair out of his eyes and could see the never waiving love and adoration in those beautiful dark brown eyes. She took a deep breath as she contemplated her response.

“My beautiful Tae Bear, I……

  A/N: I just didn’t know where to go with this. I have so many ideas and they are currently jumbled with my other fanfictions. So, there may be a part 3, but that maybe just the wedding. I promise I won’t keep you waiting long. Please be on the look out for my other fandom ideas. NOT just BTS although it’s my favorite, but there is more to come. Unfortunately, I work midnights 6-7 days a week and that’s where a lot of inspiration comes from. Please bear with me my beauties! Much love and respect. I purple you!!!

Hey I don’t know what happened to part one. Sorry here it is.

[hiraethenthusiast]

"I love you most."| t.h.

pairing: actor!tom x reader

warnings: floof attack.

synopsis: tom gives you the best wedding you could've gotten. he's in love with you madly, that's what he says.

a/n: guess who wants this? i do. i absolutely adore a loving husband no matter what, and i adore heartfelt gifts even more! i hope you all like this fic, this one's really close to me! tpwk everyone!

listen to clinton kane's i guess i'm in love

--------------------------------------------------------------

“So do you, Y/N Y/L/N take Tom as your lawfully wedded husband?” The priest asks you while you and Tom look at him with impatience in your eyes.

“I do.” You say, making everyone cheer and making Tom smile.

“And do you Tom Ho-” “I do!” He shouts before the priest could even complete his sentence, making everyone at the altar erupt into laughs.

“Let him finish bubba” You laugh along, signalling the priest to go on when Tom mutters a small ‘sorry’ to him.

“Do you, Tom Holland, take Y/N Y/L/N as your lawfully wedded wife?” He asks again, while Tom looks at you with nothing but adoration in his eyes.

“I do.” And everyone cheers once again, and you gently squeeze his hand.

“So I shall now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.” The priest says lastly before getting off the stage and as if on queue, Tom sweeps you under his arms and holds your waist before pressing his lips to yours. The moment was wholeheartedly content, his and your parents, both with tears in their eyes, even Paddy and Harry shed a few, because the moment was so pure to just not cry at. Tom kisses you as if he was the luckiest man on Earth, like he had achieved something which he thought he could never. He pulls back to look at you beaming with the biggest smile he’s seen on you in years, and smiles to himself once again.

This was the best day of both of your lives till now, and there was no doubt about it.

After 4 years of being together, Tom finally proposed to you, and then forgot where he kept the ring, but you couldn’t care less because the man you were in love with was now, going to be a forever favourite in your lives. And today, he was now your husband from your fiance, and you couldn’t be anymore happier.

You both settle down after roaming from one place to another greeting every guest that had attended your wedding, finally for a drink and some food. Harrison sits right behind you, completing the duties of best man with all his will, and you smile at him. The twins and Paddy come in a bit later, but your eyes are looking for someone else. Where’s Tom? Your question was answered when you hear the clinking of a glass, just to find your handsome husband there.

“May I have your attention please?” He looks directly at you and you blow him a kiss, him pretending to catch it making everyone laugh. Actors.

“Thank you all for attending and being a part of our very wonderful day, I swear you guys are our favourite people” He says while chuckling.

“Today is the day I married my wonderful and stunning lover, Y/N and in recognition of that, I decided to give you the best gift of this evening.” He says, making you wonder what he got for you.

“I remember when Y/N once told me that she always loves heartfelt and handmade gifts filled with love more than people buying her the gift of her choice. She likes the element of surprise, as she likes to say. So Y/N my darling, I thought you might notice and scold me for it but you didn’t, not even once in this 4 year old relationship, and trust me this is going to shock you. I’ve managed to record every important and goofy moment of our lives, from falling on a staircase to the time I proposed to you, I have it all. I’ve compiled them into one sweet video for you, while your favourite singer of them all, Mr. Clinton Kane sings a song for us! Please give him a huge round of applause!” You jerk your head to the place where Clinton enters from, and he waves at you making you wave instinctively as well.

You look back again towards Tom, who was smiling sweetly at your little fangirl moment and continues.

“I’d also like to thank Harrison and Harry for helping me edit this video, because I’m literally so dumb without anyone of these four with me.”

“Can you put the lights out and start the video please?” He asks one of the workers there at the venue, and jogs up to sit down beside you, giving you a small peck while you take a hold of his hand.

And on queue, the lights are dimmed and the video starts to play. You can hear the faint strumming of the guitar that Clinton is currently playing, but you aren’t able to identify the song just yet. You look ahead towards the screen, and your eyes light up when you see Tom dressed up in his wedding tuxedo, you finally realising that this bit was filmed just a few hours ago.

“Hello my lovely wife! Well, I’m filming this part before the ceremony starts but I think I’m pretty certain on showing you this video after we’re married. This was...boring. Anyways, I hope you enjoy the video my love, and don’t hit me when we get home! I love you so so so much, enjoy!” He says before shutting off his camera, while everyone laughs at his goofiness and you glare at him playfully. The video rolls again and you look forward, but suddenly realise the song. It’s ‘I Guess I’m In Love’, you say to yourself. Tom had proposed to you after a few days when the song came out, and somehow on the night of him proposing, this song was played. You labelled it ‘our song’ and he happily obliged. 

“Haz hold the camera correctly for god's sake...” You hear your husband’s voice and move your head towards the screen, smiling brightly.

“Oh I’m obsessed. With the way your head is laying on my chest.” Clinton starts, immediately soothed by the presence of your lover and the melody in your ears.

“I am holding the camera nicely mate bugger off! Nikki taught me well!” Harrison says in the background making everyone giggle.

“She’s coming shut up” 

“What’s this Tom?” You ask him, as he looks at you like a kid in love.

“Y/N”

“Tom” You say in the same manner, feeling anxious by the second.

“So we’ve been dating for 4 years and trust me those have been the most beautiful four years of my life. I know this is so out of the blue, but Y/N Y/L/N, will you do the favour of marrying the person who loves you immensely? A.k.a. Tom?" He says and you laugh. You hold on for a few seconds, looking in his eyes which were filled with desperation.

"Yes" You say and his face lights up like a Christmas tree. He can't stop beaming and searches for the ring in his pocket, only to find out that he didn't have it.

"Oh I'm a mess. When I overthink the little things in my head."

"I have the ring I promise." He says, moving frantically.

"Tom-"

"I swear I kept the ring in my pocket-"

"Tom-"

"How can I be this stupid you probably don't want to marry me anymore-"

"TOM!" He jerks his head towards you as you shout his name.

"It's okay. I just want you right now." You say and he immediately hugs you, the tightest of them all.

The clip ends and you knew the tears were coming very soon, Tom senses the action and rubs your knuckles., giving you a hearty smile.

The second clip rolls in soon, your eyes brightening almost instantly.

"You seem to always help me catch my breath. But then I lose it again, when I look at you, that's the end."

"Why the hell are we on the top of the Eiffel Tower? And why do you want your phone to crash?" You ask him, while he struggles to make a video with his phone while the winds roar at the top of the monument.

"Because I want to remember this moment!" He shouts, making you smile even more.

"My goof"

"Your goof"

"You're lucky I love you"

"I wouldn't have it any other way darling" He says and gives you a quick peck on the lips, this moment too pure to realise.

"Why do I get so nervous when I look into your eyes? And butterflies can't stop me falling for you."

"Now we may invite, a very handsome young lad, who happens to be Spiderman, Mr. Tom Holland!" Harry shouts in the video, while you all pretended to have a grand gala when you couldn't attend Tom's premiere.

He walks in wearing a black tuxedo, his shirt buttons open from the top, looking dashing.

"Thank you for inviting Harold, but please, call the star of today's night." Tom says, making everyone groan about how in love he was with you.

"Patience Thomas. Now may I present, the queen of today's night, Ms. Y/N Y/L/N!" Everyone applauds as you walk down the stairs as you hear your name. You reach the door wearing a red and black dress, the clothing complementing your body more than ever. Everyone seems to keep clapping but your attention is towards that one dummy, who's standing like he's seen a ghost.

"..Oh wow." He's speechless, and everyone knows it. You blush at your boyfriend's gesture and nudge him in the shoulder, as a signal to stop staring.

"I hope you all understand that I scored a jackpot, thank you" He sees and everybody laughs.

You laugh along with the other guests, remembering the faint memory from over two years back. This was one of the most fun nights you've had with Tom. While you laugh at the clip, all Tom can do is stare at you in awe. How did he get so lucky, he thinks. He watches how your face glows when you see someone happy on the screen. He truly was blessed.

"And darling this is more than anything I've felt before. You're everything that I want, but I didn't think I'd find. Someone who was worth the wait of all the years of my heartbreak. But I know now I've found the one I love."

"Please don't go" You sniffle on Tom's shoulder, asking him to stay one last time before his flight leaves for Atlanta.

"If it was in my hands darling I'd never leave your side." He says, trying to hold back tears.

"It's okay, I understand." You say, pulling back and clearing your throat.

"Awh Y/N please don't cry." Tom tries to persuade his emotions by telling you to stop, but a tear falls down his cheeks in an instant.

"I'm sorry." You say, chuckling lightly, making Tom chuckle too.

"I'll be back before you know it."

"I know you will be"

"Please board the flight for Atlanta which leaves at 1330 hours" The flight attendant announces, and you know it's time to let him go.

"Come back home to me soon okay?" You say, wiping your tears.

"As soon as possible"

"I love you" He says.

"I love you more."

"I love you most." You can't argue with that now.

"Bye bubba" You say, giving him one last kiss, a very long one indeed, that left you both searching for oxygen.

"Bye darling" And he leaves to board his flight. You look in the same direction until he disappears and you turn around.

"Harrison, are you crying?"

"No-" He sniffles and you laugh.

You knew you were going to cry as soon as you saw the location. This was one of the hardest moments of your life, letting your lover go away from you for so long, and you weren't ready for that. You wiped your tears while Tom rubbed your hand with one of his, the other cleaning his tear stained face. You look back to see Harrison crying once again, and you laugh a bit at him before giving him your hand for comfort. He really was the best man. You blow a kiss to your family and Tom's, who were currently high on emotions. Even the brothers had tears in their eyes. You really did get the best family.

"And I love the way. You can never find the right things to say. And you can't sit still an hour in the day. I'm so in love, let's run away because us is enough."

The rest of the video were some clips of you and Tom being goofy and so in love, which were a delight to watch. The song played in the background, adding its own special touch, which was necessary to bind this moment together. All these moments which Tom managed to shoot secretly were a lifelong reminder of how much your person loved you. He loved you.

And that is all you need.

The video gets over and Tom looks at you with puppy eyes.

"So, how was it?"

"You're the reason my makeup is ruined and I have mascara stains" You say, laughing while crying.

"That good, huh?"

"That good." You say and he pulls you in for a hug and kisses your forehead.

"I love you bubba"

"I love you more" He says, kissing your cheek.

"I love you most." 

He couldn't argue with that.

"But I know now I've found the one I love."

--------------------------------------------------------------

tagging some friends who'd like to read!

@evanssimpybaby @hollandsmushroom @tomsoxytocin @scarletspideyy @leafy-holland @t-lostinworlds

[strangerthings-80s]

Can I request a fluffy Eddie x Chrissy long fic where it’s Eddie’s Birthday and Chrissy surprises Eddie with a present and when Eddie opens the present he finds a onesie that says Daddy’s Little Rockstar and a sonagram photo and Chrissy tells Eddie that she’s pregnant and Eddie cries he’s so happy?

I hope you enjoy!

Want a request? Send one in my inbox 📥

Chrissy sat down at the kitchen table after making Eddie a delicious cake for his birthday today.

She was excited to give Eddie the present that she had worked on for a while whenever Eddie wasn’t around.

Chrissy and Eddie had been high school sweethearts. Sure they came from two different backgrounds. She was the most popular girl and the queen of Hawkins High. Eddie was a outcast and the freak of the whole school.

But did that stop from Eddie and Chrissy from dating each other? Nope. They were secretly in love with each other during the time Chrissy met up with Eddie to buy weed.

That secret link turned into pure true love.

Chrissy suddenly heard a car vehicle arriving in the front lawn.

“That must be Eddie.” Chrissy said to herself with a smile on her face.

She was 8 weeks pregnant. She still hasn’t told Eddie about it.

For weeks, she’s been having her morning sickness. When Eddie noticed, Chrissy just brushed it off and convince Eddie that it was just food poisoning or something bad that she ate.

She finally convinced Eddie that It was just her stomach being sensitive to certain foods.

She didn’t think about being pregnant until she took a pregnancy test at work in the bathroom and she jumped up and down in excitement.

She knew that she was going to surprised Eddie just in time for his birthday.

And yes, she had the perfect plan to surprise him for his birthday…

“Hey Honey, I’m home!” Eddie says as he greets Chrissy with a kiss on the lips.

“Hey baby, how was the gig?” Chrissy smiles, kissing him back before adding “Happy birthday my love.”

“It was good, not that bad. We have thousands of fans loving our music! I swear Chrissy this is our big moment for the band!” Eddie says in excitement.

“How did you know it was my birthday?” Eddie jokes with a grin on his face.

“You silly goose. I could never forget my baby’s most important day of his life. I’m glad you exist in this world.” Chrissy wrapped her arms around Eddie’s waist.

“I’m also very happy to hear that it’s going amazing baby. You’re such a wonderful heavy metal artist and I’m excited to see you making it big to the world.” Chrissy laid her head on Eddie’s shoulder.

Ever since day one, Chrissy has been very supportive of Eddie’s career. She knew that he always wanted to play in a heavy metal band since middle school. She was really proud on how far Eddie has become.

“Before I forget… I got you a present.” Chrissy gently laid a kiss on Eddie’s neck before grabbing a beautiful wrapped box that was sitting on the kitchen table and handed it to Eddie.

“Aw darling, you didn’t have too.” Eddie smiled big at the beautiful wrapped present in his hands.

Chrissy could tell that Eddie looked very happy just looking at the wrapped present. But she knew he was going to be even more happy when he saw what was inside.

She knew that Eddie barley got any gifts growing up as a child. He didn’t have both of his parents in his life. His father was mostly in prison and his mother was unknown. But luckily he got his uncle Wayne in his life and he was basically the father that Eddie always wanted in his life.

Wayne tried very hard to give Eddie a happy life and a happy childhood. Eddie barley had any friends growing up as a child which meant he didn’t really get a lot of presents or birthday parties. Plus his uncle couldn’t really afford it at the time.

“Open it.” Chrissy said, her fingers twirling with her hair. Honestly she felt nervous. She felt excited. But she tried not to let Eddie see it.

Eddie started unwrapping the present like a little kid on Christmas Day.

“Ooo I wonder what’s inside! I love surprises.” Eddie said with excitement.

“You’ll see.” Chrissy said. She felt her heart pound with excitement. She couldn’t wait for this moment. Finally. She’s been waiting for this for a while.

Now it was coming true.

Eddie was finally going to find out that he was going to be a dad.

Eddie opened the present box and found a folded onesie.

“What’s this?” Eddie said before unfolding the onesie.

“Holy mother of-“ Eddie said in shock as he saw the onesie that said “DADDY’S LITTLE ROCKSTAR.”

“Chrissy… are you?” Eddie started to say and noticed that he saw the sonogram in the box.

“Yes Eddie… I’m pregnant.” Chrissy said with excitement.

“Oh my lord… I’m going to be a dad!” Eddie says as he started crying in happiness.

Chrissy teared up a bit as she saw Eddie crying in happiness.

She knew deep in her heart that her and Eddie always wanted a child together. Now both of their wishes was granted and they were expecting a baby soon.

She also knew that Eddie would be a wonderful father to their little one.

“This is the best day ever! The best birthday I could ever ask for. I can’t believe I’m going to be a dad!” Eddie says, wiping his tears from his eyes.

“You’re going to be a amazing father baby. I just know it.” Chrissy came over to Eddie and pecked him on the lips.

“You’re going to be such a amazing mother darling. I can’t wait to meet our child.” Eddie smiled really big and placed his hand on her stomach.

“How far are you?” He asked, gently rubbing her stomach with his hand.

“I’m 6 weeks pregnant.” Chrissy said with a happy smile on her face as she watched Eddie happily rub her stomach.

“That explains why you have been throwing up ! I haven’t even thought twice about you having pregnancy symptoms.” Eddie said.

“Well I was good at hiding it wasn’t it?” Chrissy winked at him with a smile.

“Yes you were sweetheart.” Eddie grinned at her and placed a kiss on her lips.

“I can’t wait for us to be parents.” Eddie leaned closer to Chrissy.

“I can’t wait either Eddie. Our sweet baby is definitely going to take over their father’s good looks.” Chrissy smiled as she placed her hand on his cheek.

“They are definitely going to have their beautiful genetics from their mom.” Eddie pressed his lips against Chrissy’s.

Chrissy giggled and kissed Eddie back.

“I can’t wait for what the future holds for us.” Chrissy whispered against Eddie’s lips.

“I can’t wait either darling.” Eddie smiled at her.

Both Eddie and Chrissy knew that they were going to be wonderful parents to their kids.

[hello-everyfandom]

“I just got you this because I saw it and thought of you!”

Warnings: Light swearing

Pairing: George Weasley x Reader

Words: 3.9k

Summary: Your love language is Gift Giving

(This is apart of my series “Love Languages”, please check it out!)

“Close your eyes.”

“Should I be worried?” George asked quite warily. 

“Will you just-” you huffed, “Please?”

“At least let me know what I’ve done wrong before you jinx my tongue to the top of my mouth.” George jokingly pleaded.

“If you know what’s best for you,” you lowered your voice to match his joke, “you’ll close your eyes.”

“Alright, but I’m trusting you,” George placed a grin on his lips, the dimple of his left cheek becoming more and more prominent. 

“Now, hold out your hands,” you said feeling more and more excited.George hesitantly put his hands out in front of him and jokingly flinched when you touched him. His comedic flinch made you laugh as you scanned him over to ensure his eyes were shut. Satisfied with George’s compliance, you slowly reached into your bag to pull out a wrapped gift. When it was safely in his hands, George’s fingers crinkled around the wrapping paper. He opened his eyes and saw you looking excitedly from the gift in his hands and to his confused face. 

Instantly, George began to sweat. Had he forgotten an anniversary? Or a birthday? Or some other holiday? 

He cursed in his mind, fuck fuck fuck fuck.

“Go on then!” you smiled, “open it!”

George looked uncertain as he slowly unwrapped the gift revealing a small box. He lifted the box to see a small shaped coin. “It’s... uh.” He asked, picking it up and fiddling it with his fingers.

“It’s a coin!” you giggled at his confused reaction, “I bought it when I was in Russia over the summer to visit my cousin at Durmstrang.

“Oh! It! It is a coin! I love it!” George moved to pull you in a hug before you chuckled and pushed him away.

“It’s not just a coin. It’s a coin that has been enchanted.” You pointed to the head on the coin, “When you flip it, it’ll tell you whether or not someone is near you. See?” You took it out of his hand and flipped it in your hand, immediately it flipped to Heads. “For pranking, yeah?”

George looked at the coin in wonder and then again at your adoring face. “I... I love it.” He put a hand on your cheek and leaned to press a loving kiss to your lips. “But, I...”

“What is it?” you asked, holding his hand to your cheek.

“I’m so sorry, love. I think I... I think I forgot our anniversary or birthday or... I don’t. I’m so unbelievably sorry!” George spewed out.

“What!” you exclaimed in surprise, “No! No, no. Our anniversary isn’t until October!” you began to laugh, “I just got you this because I saw it and thought of you!”

George let out a breath of relief before feeling tense once again, “But, I didn’t get you anything...”

You pressed a kiss to the palm of his hand, “I don’t expect you to! It was just something for my love, that’s all.” you looked up to see George’s concern written within his brows, “Really! I just got it for you because I thought it would be nice.”

George shook his worry and began to smile, “I love you, you know that?”

“Oh, I know. I’m the most glorious girlfriend in the entirety of the world.”

“And so humble as well.” George grinned before giving you another long kiss. 

George grew up with seven siblings. While he grew up with hand-me-downs and knitted clothing from his mother, you grew up on the richer side of the Wizarding World. He wasn’t used to receiving expensive gifts and frankly felt a little uncomfortable and insecure. All the gifts you had given him must have cost a fortune, something he would never truly acquire. And although he loved his family and his upbringing, he cannot help but feel shameful at the fact that he cannot shower you in gifts as you did to him. 

It began with a new quill, then some pranking supplies, and soon the smaller gifts like the flowers you collected for him and the ties you bought turned into new robes and wand adjustments from Olivander’s. He accepted them graciously and sometimes even refused gifts as they seemed to be too expensive. With your assurance, he took them with a smile on his face but his head hanging low. 

With your anniversary coming up, George could feel the hole in his pocket becoming larger and larger and the money he had saved up had gone to ensure the twins’ ability to start their own joke shop. 

“I have no idea what to get her,” George flopped down on the couch. 

Ginny, who was sat to his left, looked up from her book.“What do you mean?” She raised her eyebrow at her miserable older brother and looked to his twin who sat on his right.

“I mean,” George groaned and placed a hand over his eyes, “What do you get the most perfect girl in the world? What do you get her that she doesn’t already have?”

Fred began to laugh, “It’s happened, hasn’t it?”

“Oh, I think it has,” Ginny chimed in.

“What the bloody hell are you two talking about?”

“Georgie, can’t you see?” Ginny grinned teasingly, “You’re whipped.”

“Like Mum’s Christmas cream, you’re entirely whipped,” Fred added.

George sat up instantly and looked at his siblings with annoyance, “Well, we already knew that!”

Fred and Ginny joined together in laughter, noting how George’s vein is popping out of his forehead. 

“Will you two stop your bloody, dumb, shitty teasing and just-” George groaned again and flopped back on the couch, “Help me?” He asked almost pathetically.

“How much did you want to spend?” Ginny asked, quieting her laughing.

“I don’t know! I just know that I don’t have enough.” George moaned.

“A necklace for the lady, perhaps?” Fred suggested making George shake his head.

“She’s already got enough necklaces and jewelry to fill an entire block on Diagonalley.”

“New quill?” Ginny added,

“No, she’s got her school supplies shipped from some store in America.”

Ginny and Fred began to suggest more and more things to which George either did not like because they were not “you” or because you already had them.

“Oh for fucks sake,” Ginny exclaimed, throwing her hands up. “What the hell can you buy?”

Fred thought for a moment, putting his fingers to his lip as he usually did deep in thought. “What if you don’t buy her a gift?”

“And what? Don’t get her anything at all?” George said sarcastically, “Good plan, you bellend.”

Fred reached over the arm of his chair and gave his twin a good wallop on the shoulder, “No, you dickhead. Don’t buy her anything.”

Ginny caught onto Fred’s idea and nodded, “That’s actually not a bad idea, Georgie, don’t buy her anything.”

“Hello??” George yelled, “Are you two not thinking right?”

“George, stop being a smart arse,” Ginny berated, “Get her something homemade instead.”

George opened one of his eyes to look at his sister who stared back at him in annoyance. “Oh.”

“Yes, oh,” Ginny mocked, “Make her something.”

George groaned again making Ginny and Fred roll their eyes. “But I can’t make anything but dung bombs.”

“Then, you’re out of luck,” Ginny stood up, dusting off her pants. 

Before she could leave, George bolted up and grabbed her wrist. “Gin!” He yelled, “You know how to knit, yeah?”

“Uhm,” she looked to Fred for assistance, “I guess, Mum tried to teach me once, but I-”

“Brilliant!” George grinned, feeling his frustration seep away, “Then you’ll teach me!”

“Georgie,” Ginny rolled her eyes, “I don’t really even know how to knit myself, nevertheless be able to teach you.”

“But, you’ll help?” He asked, putting his puppy dog face on.

Ginny looked at her older brother, her weakness, and let out a sigh, “Fine, whatever.” George shouted in victory, “But, you have to also write Mum and ask her because she knows more than I do. And... you have to tell Y/N that the idea was mine.”

George reached up and kissed his sister’s cheek making her scream in disgust, “Yes, done and done! You are the best sibling in the entirety of the world.”

George turned sharply and sprinted up the stairs to write a letter to his Mum.

“What the hell am I then?” Fred crossed his arms, “Toasted squid?” 

The following days were spent with Ginny and George trying, and rather unsuccessfully, to knit a sweater for you. Fred watched in the background making witty and snide comments. Molly had written back with such haste that Pigwidgeon was nearly on his last breath before arriving at Hogwarts. She sent many words of encouragement and told him that he was the absolute “sweetest” which was in large contrast to Ginny’s frustrated and rather harsh criticism.

“No! You’re supposed to go over not, George! Have you even been listening this entire time?”

“Of course I have,” George said defensively, “It’s just confusing, that’s all.”

“Why can’t we just use magic?” Ginny whined.

“Because then it wouldn’t be homemade, hence the word, home, little sister.” George frowned, “What does it matter anyway? She won’t like it.” 

“Georgie,” Fred pushed off of the wall he was leaning on, “Stop being such a worry-wart.” He patted a hand on his shoulder, “Y/N is the sweetest girl, just because she’s richer than Merlin knows and can afford whatever she wants and doesn’t have to care about-”

“Alright, get on with it, Fred,” George warned.

“She’ll love it no matter what.” Fred finished, sending his twin a much needed reassuring smile.

“I hope so,” George sighed and picked up the needles once again. “Now, what the hell do I do again?”

By the time your anniversary approached, you were nearly bouncing with joy. You had gotten George the perfect present, something he’d never ever expect. Thankfully, your anniversary landed on a Sunday so you woke up and rushed to get ready in the morning. George waited, anxiously, on the stairs for you until you emerged. 

Dressed in jeans and a nice blouse, George was nearly breathless upon seeing you. He gulped as you walked down, seeing the gold necklace your parents had gifted you for your last birthday and pearl earrings they’d given you after getting amazing marks on your exams. 

“Hi,” you said softly, locking your fingers with his.

“Hi, darling,” he said back, pressing a kiss on your cheek. 

“Happy anniversary.”

“Happy anniversary,” you sighed contently and began to walk to the portrait.

“Now, what shall we do on our momentous day of love?” George asked, swinging your joined hands. 

You pulled your bag up closer on your shoulder and smiled back.“I think,” you paused, “we should go on a walk. A long, romantic walk.”

“Then a walk we shall take!” George led the way, pulling you through the corridors making you giggle. 

It was a delightful day spent with kisses and fond memories. You snapped a few photos of your boyfriend with the old camera you had bought.

“Now, I’ll never understand,” George raised his eyebrow, “Why you have a camera older than time itself rather than one of those new, fancy-schmancy cameras.”

You looked admiringly at the photo your camera just printed. As it developed, you could see the two of you, cheeks pressed together, you with a shy smile and George with his tongue sticking out. Another photo you had taken moments before was a snapshot of George’s lips pressed to your cheek and you could just make out the blushing on your face.

“Well,” you looked back up at your boyfriend, “I just happen to love old, worn things I suppose. Why do you think I’m with you?” you added, teasingly.

“Oi,” he defended, “ ‘m only a few months older than you, love. And I’m not worn, I’m newer than a baby’s bottom. You’re the only girl ‘ve been with.” 

“Only? As in there will be more?” you asked, a taunting tone on your tongue. George looked at you, as lovingly and as gentle as he ever could, and thought nothing more of the life you two would have. Happy, content, any other words that describe a healthy and romantic relationship. His thoughts began to waver at the idea of how he’d only be able to afford a small flat, that is if the joke shop even took off in the first place. He thought of all the expensive things he could never afford and how you may resent him. As you looked at him, you thought of the happy children you’d have and the copious amounts of dogs and cats you’d care for. George swallowed harshly.

“Only.” He repeated. You blushed once again and leaned to kiss him. The feeling of your touch on his made George fall quicker, deeper, and madly in love. 

After dinner in the Great Hall, in which George absolutely refused for anyone to sit next to or in front of you in order to make it more “private,” the two of you were laid, cuddled on your bed. George could feel the anxiety and panic set in when he realized soon he’d be giving the girl of his dreams a disappointing gift. 

You hummed, sweet with content, and put your chin on his chest. “I’ve never been happier.”

“I’m so glad,” George ran his fingers through your hair, pushing the stray ones behind your ear. “But,” you said as you sat up, “I do believe anniversaries come with a certain type of exchange.”

“Oh?” George asked, sitting up as well. His fingers felt knotted and his throat was closing up. He had sneaked his gift in, awfully wrapped in some colorful parchment, and placed it under your bed.Be confident, George pleaded and tried his best to act cooly. 

“I’ll go first, may I please, please go first!” you begged. 

George bit his tongue, much preferring he’d go first in order to deal with the disappointment before anything and also give you a chance to dump his impoverished arse.

“Of course, darling,” he nodded making you squeal in delight. George breathed deeply and closed his eyes, holding his hands out as he usually did when you gave him gifts. In his hands, he could feel a box wrapped with a bow.

“Alright, go on!” you nodded eagerly. George let out a shaky breath before carefully removing the bow and lifting the lid. To his delight, he picked up a pair of wool socks that were embroidered with small hearts on the sides. “It’s-”

“Socks!” you finished for him, “Because you get cold feet, remember? Now, when you are playing Quidditch or cold at night, you can wear them and think of me!” George broke out in a grin and thanked the heavens for his girlfriend and all the luck in the world that it took for him to find her. “I love them.” 

“Really?” you asked, pointing at the hearts, “I did those myself!” 

“They look wonderful, I absolutely adore them.” He leaned and kissed you. 

The kiss was long as George put a hand on your neck to pull you closer. His lips moving against yours made butterflies take flight and your bones become weaker. As he pulled away, you rested your forehead on his trying to catch your breath.

“My turn?” George asked making you nod. George pulled out his crappily wrapped gift, that Ginny told him off for, and put it in the bed. 

“Oh! Wrapped it yourself, I see?” you teased. George nodded proudly, becoming more and more confident in his gift. 

As you lifted your fingers to rip the paper off, you paused and faced him with another sly smile.

“Alright! Okay, I was going to save it till the end of the night, but I simply cannot wait.” George’s eyes widened as you jolted off of the bed. “You didn’t think I only got you socks, did you?” you asked, moving towards the trunk at the end of your bed.

“No, wait, Dear, the socks are lovely, I don’t need another-”

“I know, I know, but I couldn’t help it!” you sent him a wink, “Now, this one is the actual gift.”

“Actual gift?” George stuttered.Pulling out a large object, larger than your entire frame, George clenched his jaw. You struggled a bit to put it on the bed but managed and sat down in front of him.

“Happy Anniversary, my love.” your voice made him wince a bit.

You watched in utter excitement as George began to slowly unwrap his gift. Removing all the paper, George nearly fainted seeing his gift. A new broom, one of the best in the world, something he’d never ever be able to buy for himself. A broom, costing more than Merlin knows galleons. 

“So!” you bounced, “Do you like it? I saw at your other games, that bludger took out part of the tail end of your broom and I could not live with myself if you had an accident due to a faulty broom! I went and got it myself,” you said proudly. 

“And! It’s the fastest, rarest, and nicest type of wood, with a partially enchanted seat to help you stay upright!”

George’s hands shook, holding the broom.

“I-”

“Speechless? That was my entire goal!” you raised your fist in victory. 

“Y/N-”

“I know! And, not to mention, now you can wear your socks during the game! Two gifts in one!”

“Y/N-”

“I debated on getting you new gloves, but they wouldn’t be shipped in till middle of November and-”

“Y/N,” George said softly but firmly making you look at him with concern. You had never seen this facial expression on George as his eyes were nearly welled with tears and his lip was red from his biting.

“What’s wrong?” you asked frantically, “is it the wrong size? I gave the shopkeeper your height and everything-”

“No,” George said, putting the broom to lean on the wall next to your bed. “I can’t take this.”

“What do you mean? Love, I got it for you!” you laughed, waving your hand.

“No, Y/N, I seriously cannot take this.” You frowned, 

George’s voice was shaky making your heart drop. “I don’t understand.”

“It’s too expensive-”

“Nonsense, I saved up for it!”

“Baby,” George said, small and timid, “I cannot accept any more expensive gifts from you.” 

“What do you mean?” you questioned, leaning forwards to grab one of his hands, “the price doesn’t matter to me, I literally could not care,”

“But I care.” George protested. 

You nearly began to cry as you saw a tear dripped down George’s cheek. You sat up so you were sitting on your knees and gingerly placed your hands on his cheeks.

“My love, what’s wrong? Won’t you tell me?” you whispered, rubbing soft strokes with your thumbs. 

“I...” George struggled to find the words to describe how awful he felt, “I cannot take your gifts. And... and I’ll never be able to give you these types of gifts.”

Your eyes widened in surprise before you began to furiously shake your head, “George Weasley, what in the world are you talking about?”

“I’ll never be able to give you expensive things like necklaces or pearls or nice perfumes or nice suppers at fancy restaurants. I’ll never be able to give you the gifts you deserve. You deserve to be treated like a princess or a queen or anything and I cannot give you that, I can’t.” George let out.

You thought of his words in utter disbelief. Never once did you ever think of George’s economic standing and neither did you care. 

“But you do treat me like a princess,” you encouraged, making George moan with more tears, “You do. You tuck me in when I’m all tired from classes and make me cuppa’s in the morning. You massage my shoulders when I’m stressed and you hold my hand when you know I’m anxious.” You pushed his head up so your eyes met, “I mean that, from the bottom of my heart. I don’t care if you cannot give me expensive gifts or fancy dinners or anything, I care that you love me and want me to be by your side.”

“But, you give me all these-”

“I do it because I love giving you gifts! I love seeing you smile. And not all my gifts are expensive, sometimes I give you flowers I’ve seen or biscuits from the Great Hall. My darling, you do not need to worry if I feel as though you cannot provide for me, because you provide more than enough for me. I don’t care about money or gifts or anything like that.” you assured. 

George went silent and you began to pepper his cheeks, nose, and forehead with kisses until he cracked and started to smile. 

“I’ve just got the best girlfriend ever, haven’t I?” George asked, pulling you onto his lap. 

You curled into his chest and nodded.

“Oh, absolutely.”

It was quiet between you two again until you chimed up, “Well... may I have my gift now?”

“Uhhh, it’s uhh,” George stuttered. “It’s not amazing.”

“Don’t care!” you grinned and picked up his gift. “I’m so excited, I could nearly pee myself.”

George jokingly shoved you, “Oi, blimey well don’t do that. Not while you’re sitting on me at least.” 

You shoved him back before opening his gift. George held his breath as you unraveled the present and saw his gift. Your heart nearly stopped. You picked up the sweater, moving the parchment aside, and placed it on your lap. The sweater was yellow and made with soft wool. On the front, there was a badly made daisy, the flowers you always got for him during the Spring. Touching the fabric softly, tracing over each petal you stared at.

“I know it isn’t much but-” Before George could finish his apology, you took him by surprise and wrapped your arms around his neck tightly. Pressing kisses on the crook of his neck, he could feel your smile.

“I absolutely love it.”

“Really?”

“With all my heart, I’ve never been given something handmade nor something so sweet.”

“I made it... myself.”You picked up the sweater and laughed, “I can tell. How long did it take you?”

George paused, thinking and smiling sheepishly, “A few weeks maybe.”

“And you made it all by yourself? No magic?”

“No magic,” George confirmed, “But, Ginny did help me... she and Fred helped me come up with the idea.”

You shifted in George’s lap, moving so you could toss off the blouse you were wearing and shrugging the sweater on. It was warm and smelled of honey and pine and the string he had used made you feel as if you were wrapped in a hug of his. 

“George... I don’t know what to say. Thank you.” 

George blushed a deep red as you kissed first his cheek and then his lips.

“You’re welcome, Darling. I’m just glad I’ve finally given you a good enough gift.”

“Well,” you kissed the skin of his neck, “I’ll wear it every day. But...”

“But?” George asked, wrapping his arms around your waist. 

“But, I think right now, I’d like it off,” you suggested, lowering your eyes at him.

“Off?” George asked confusedly before his eyes widened in realization. “Oh! Oh, off!”

“You’re so smart, aren’t you?” you snorted before pulling George in for another kiss.  

[allfandomxreader]

Home for the Holidays (1)

Pairings: Steve Harrington x Henderson!Reader

Summary: Everything looks just about the same, minus the few stop signs that were added to the town’s main street or houses that got renovated. It never fails to amaze you how quickly things can change around here, even if you’ve only been gone a few months. Either way, it still feels like home.

Warnings: Language, very minor anxiety mention. It’s a clusterfuck, brace yourselves. 

Words: 2.3k

Part: 1/5? 6? idk yet

A/N: I’ve been thinking about doing this mini series for a few days and I'm absolutely in love. Also thank you so much @harringtown​ for letting me ramble about my ideas. As always, feedback is loved and appreciated :) Not my gif!

Series Masterlist // Stranger Things Masterlist

With a week before Christmas, to say your apartment had any sort of holiday cheer would be an understatement. There’s not a wreath on the door, a lit tree in the corner, or stockings hanging on the wall. You don’t mind this, neither does your roommate, Luke. Buying gaudy ornaments that would just shatter on the hardwood didn’t sound appealing. So, the two of you agreed the home would remain free of decor this season.

Luke sits across from you, delicately tying a bow around the present you asked him to wrap. Between work and finals, you saved preparing for the journey home until the very last second. This resulted in the living room floor being covered paper scraps, mismatched ribbons, and somehow glitter. Turns out, keeping your apartment ridden of Christmas is harder than you thought.

“Jesus, do you think you bought enough?” Luke gestures towards the pile of presents that remain untouched.

“Well, most of them are for Dustin, and I wanted to get The Party something they could all use together,” You try to explain, “They’re all just growing up so fast I don’t know what interests them anymore.” You say with a huff, grabbing another present to begin wrapping.

“And this all has to be done tonight?”

“Unless you want to wake up early tomorrow morning before we leave to do it, yes.” Luke doesn’t say anything after that, seemingly content with staying up late.

Two weeks ago, he let it slip he wasn’t visiting his family over the holidays while your mother was on FaceTime. To her, that was just simply unacceptable and insisted he’d join the Henderson household for break. To this day, you aren’t sure how spending time in Hawkins is more enjoyable than with his family in Colorado, but nevertheless, he agreed.

Of course, it took some convincing from you and your mother. He didn’t want to impose on any of the silly traditions that your friends and family have taken up over years. But your mother had no problem setting out an extra placemat for her Christmas Eve feast. Honestly, having Luke come put your nerves at ease. It’s always a little overwhelming to return to Hawkins.

The two of you don’t talk for nearly an hour, engrossed in perfecting box corners. “Wait,” He says breaking the silence, looking around the floor. You don’t look up, you’re too busy googling how to wrap a mug. “All of these are for the kids–” He points to the still growing pile of presents beside you.

“Teens,” You correct, knowing they’d have your head on a stick for being called anything else.

“Right, teens. These are for your mom,” He gestures towards only a cluster of gifts, “Then these are Robbin, Nancy and her boyfriend…”

“Johnathon,” You fill in the name for him.

“Yes, Johnathon,” He trails off again, still looking at the remaining presents behind you. “What’d you get Steve?”

You look up at him then, the worries of the unwrapped gift lost somewhere in the back of your mind. “It’s back home.” You shrug simply, hoping he’ll drop the subject.

“You haven’t been home since the summer, how is that even possible?”

“If I tell you, you can’t laugh,” You warn. He only raises his pinky as a silent promise. “When we were younger, we made this time capsule thing and said we’d open it once we were in college. When it felt right. I don’t know it… It feels right.”

“Oh,” He sings, “Is this how you’re finally going break the news you’ve been in love with him for the past ten years? Very Hallmark-y.”

“Don’t be a dick about it!” You laugh, throwing an empty tape roll at him.

“I’m not!” He quickly stifles his laughter, trying his best not to smile. “How were you even planning on giving that to him, dig it up yourself?”

“I don’t know, shovel with a bow? We always said we’d do it together.” Luke laughs at this, not even trying to hide it anymore.

“You cannot give him a shovel and a bow!” He practically screeches.

“I thought it was cute and sentimental!” You try your best to sound angry but fail between laughs, “Fuck it, now I’m insecure. He’s getting something else.”

“No, no, it’s really cute. Also, Christmas is literally in a week.”

“We’ll just go get something with Robin, easy.” You say, unlocking your phone to attempt wrapping the mug again.

“Suit yourself. Either way, I think you should tell him. I could even be your wingman.” He says, going back to whatever present that held his attention before.

“Fuck off,” You chuck a wad of discarded wrapping paper towards his head, settling into quiet once more.

The drive to Hawkins took longer than expected. You never realized how often Luke peed even with him living across the hall. By the time you make it past city limits, you’re exhausted.

Everything looks just about the same, minus the few stop signs that were added to the town’s main street or houses that got renovated. It never fails to amaze you how quickly things can change around here, even if you’ve only been gone a few months. Either way, it still feels like home.

Unlike main street, your house looks exactly the same as you pull into the driveway, under all the Christmas lights that is. They don’t look the best, you aren’t sure how your mother tricked Dustin and the others to hang them, but it was a good effort.

You don’t need to be inside to know the obnoxious wallpaper hasn’t been removed and the green paint is still chipped. No matter how many times you’ve told your mother the house is screaming for a makeover, a part of you has missed the outdated abode. Not that you’d ever say it out loud.  

Your mother screeches as she opens the door, sprinting down the steps before you can even get out of your car. “Dustin! Y/N’s home!” She calls, pulling you into a tight hug.

“Hi, Mom.” You manage to say. “Hey, nerd!” You call towards your brother standing on the porch, refusing to step into the cold air. Even from here you can tell his hair is a little longer and he stands a little taller since the last time you saw him.

“You must be Luke,” Your mother exclaims, throwing her arms around him as well. “It’s nice to finally meet you in person.”

“You too, Ms. Henderson.”

“Oh, please, call me Claudia.” She waves her hands in dismissal. “Dustin, come help grab some bags!” With a groan and a single eyeroll, he obeys. You ruffle his hair as he passes you.

The four of you take separate trips unloading bags until finally it’s just the presents left. Dustin’s retreated back into his usual spot in the living room and your mother puts finishing touches on dinner. You and Luke, however, are bent over the trunk, trying your best to organize the boxes into piles.

Somewhere behind you, a car door opens and closes. You don’t pay much attention, too focused on separating Dustin’s gifts from everyone else’s.

“Well, well, well, look who it is,” You don’t need to turn around to know the voice belongs to Steve. By the time you turn around to face him, you’re already grinning.

“Steve!” You squeal, running into his open arms. You breathe him in for as long as time allows, his scent almost foreign from months spent apart. When he holds you, as cliché and Hallmark-y as it sounds, it feels right. “I thought you weren’t getting in until tomorrow.” You say, reluctantly pulling away from this warmth.

“I finished finals early, thought I’d stop by to see if you were home yet.” He shrugs, shoving his hands into his pockets.

“Wow, Steve on top of his shit? Who are you and what have you done with my best friend?”

“Maybe the thought of seeing you made me want to finish early,” He says coolly. You roll your eyes out of habit, despite the butterflies erupting within your stomach.

“Keep it in your pants, Harrington.” You’re about to ask him a list of questions, how’d your finals go? Did you pass sociology? How’d your economics professor like your project? You wanted to know everything, to tell him how much you’ve missed him and talking on FaceTime doesn’t do it justice.

But the conversation was cut short at the arrival of a stranger beside him. She had long, black hair, rosy cheeks from the cold, and an award-winning smile. She was absolutely stunning.

“Oh shit, sorry,” Steve laughs, throwing an arm over her shoulders. “Y/N, this is my girlfriend, Margot.”

And there it was.

For a moment you swear the world stopped turning. A range of emotions wash over you, jealousy, anger, sadness. You can’t tell which one you feel the most. The butterflies you felt moments ago slowly died, you’re afraid if you say a word, you’ll cough wings onto the pavement.

“It’s wonderful to meet you, Steve never shuts up about you.” She giggles, cuddling closer into his side to shield herself from the cold.

The irony, Steve never mentioned you once.

“Wow, hi!” You sound overly cheerful once you break from your trance. “Luke?” You choke, desperate to find a way out of the conversation. It feels like an eternity as he makes his way towards you. “This is my boyfriend, Luke.” He freezes for a moment, cocking his head slightly to the side, something he always does when he’s stunned. you don’t think the couple notices “Luke, this is Steve and his girlfriend, Margot.”

“I thought you were just roommates,” Steve looks between the two of you, quizzingly.

“We didn��t know how to tell everyone, especially our parents.” Luke says, snaking his arm around your waist.

“Yeah,” You cough, “We didn’t want the judgement of moving in together so quickly, you know how Claudia is.” You force a chuckle, leaning into Luke’s side more. Steve only laughs, nodding in agreement, seemingly buying the story. There’s an awkward silence that follows.

“Well, we’ll let you get situated and spend time with your mom and brother. He misses you a lot, but you didn’t hear that from me.” Steve says finally, smiling down at the girl wrapped around him. “Good meeting you, Luke. We’ll see you both tomorrow?”

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world.” You stretch your lips into what hopefully looks like a smile towards the two of them. Margot offers a shy wave before they turn to leave.

The two of you walk quickly inside, neither of you speaking. You tell your mother the two of you need to freshen up before dinner, an excuse to get her off your back for more than five minutes. You beeline towards your bedroom, Luke following closely behind.

“What the fuck was that?” He whispers, once safely inside your bedroom.

“I don’t know, okay? I panicked. I was completely ambushed with his girlfriend. Since when does Steve have a girlfriend? And why didn’t he tell me?” You say, your pacing is muffled by the carpeted floor. “This is fine, right? Yeah, this is totally fine. We can pretend we’re dating for a while. And when we get back home, we can just say we’re better off as friends. No harm done –and nobody has to know.”

“I’m sorry, you do know that I’m gay, right?” This made you freeze. You had assumptions, he never outright told you, you never asked.

“Yes? No? Maybe? I don’t know –I mean I thought so but you never told me!” You scramble for an answer to his question.

“I thought you knew, I figured you heard my Grindr notifications!” He whispers, flailing his arms as he speaks.

“That’s what that sound is?” You start pacing again, mind reeling with ways to get you out of the mess you created. “I could just say I meant to say roommate instead of boyfriend, yeah?” You nod, as if that was the solution to your problem. “Fuck, no, we can’t even do that –you went along with it!” You tug at your hair in frustration, “What are we going to do?” You sigh, running your hands over your face. Despite it being freezing outside, your face is hot to the touch. “You know what, I’ll just tell the truth. I’ll say I panicked and you were just being a good friend.” You say with a sigh.

“No, don’t do that you’ll look desperate and make us both look stupid.” The two of you stare at each other for a moment. You feel as though you could burst into tears, from embarrassment or anxiety, you can’t be sure. “Hey, hey, hey. It’s okay,” His voice is calmer now, it’s the one he uses when you’ve had a bad day at work or when you got stood up on a date. Just the sound almost makes you sick. “I pretended to be straight all of high school, I’m pretty sure I can do it again.”

“Did everyone believe you?” He opens his mouth as if he’s going to agree but quickly shuts it once more. “Oh my god, we’re screwed.”

“Hey, I was in theater, how hard can this be?” You let out a laugh, a sad one, but a laugh nevertheless.

“And on the bright side, we’ll never fall in love with each other like they do in the movies.” You try your best to find light in this newfound situation, mainly for yourself.

“Even if I were straight, you’d be the last person I’d want to date. You’re a nightmare to live with.” Luke admits dryly.

“Okay, ouch.” You grumble, taking a seat on the edge of your bed.

Happy Holidays, everyone. You think to yourself as you fall back onto your childhood sheets. But by now you should know, Christmas never goes as planned in Hawkins.

Forevertags: @superfrankie111​ // @rueinn // @lemonadeorange73​ // @simplechicwithacrazedheart​ // @youshutthefuckupville​ // @captainpeggy40 // @alexdamereysmith // @llatpdnmm​ // @dummiesshort​ // @quaksonhehe​

Steve Tags: @empathetic-vibrations // @loulouloueh​

[binniedeactivated]

saint. || soobin (3.1)🌪

pairing: soobin x reader genre: au  word count; 3k

“wow, you’ve really been studying a lot haven’t you?”. you say, seeing soobin’s notebook splayed out on the bed filled with notes that you had no supervision on. you were shocked to know that he took the time to study by himself. he was really taking things seriously. soobin nods, 

“i want to pass”. 

“it sure looks like it. you’re going to do more than pass with all this knowledge”. 

soobin laughs, “good. maybe I’ll earn the ski trip”. 

“ski trip?”. you question, having absolutely no clue as to what he was referring to. 

“yeonjun told me that everyone who does good on the exams earns a ski trip as an incentive”. 

you were kind of amazed, “wow. that sounds fun. when did our school start doing stuff like that? they must really want us to pass”. 

“definitely. and I think if everyone doesn’t do well the school’s going to be shut down. so I already know my parents are to blame”. 

you roll your eyes and smile a bit, writing down your chemistry notes to study. “must be nice having money”. 

“stop saying that. you have money too now”. 

“really? where?”. 

“right here”. 

you shake your head and laugh. soobin eyes you before going back to write his notes. 

“seriously why don’t you ask me for money? you never ask”. 

“you want me to?”.

soobin nods as if it were a stupid question. “yes”. 

“why?”. 

“because why not? I think every boyfriend does”.

“I love how you just call yourself my boyfriend in front of my mom and now that counts as us being an official couple”. 

soobin laughs and takes your hand. you look at him like he was the biggest joke in the world. “what are you doing?”. you say trying not to laugh. soobin was holding in laughter also while attempting to look at you seriously in your eyes. 

“do you want to be my girlfriend?”.

“i hate you soobin”. you laugh. 

“I’m serious I’m serious stop making me laugh”. 

you roll your eyes playfully. “fine. I guess I can be your girlfriend”. 

“good. are we an official couple now?”. 

you sigh scrawling your pen against your paper pretending to be frustrated. “I guess we are an official couple now soobin”. 

“you’re always trying to act like you don’t like me”. soobin laughs again, flipping his notebook page to finish the rest of the notes on the backside. 

“because if i act like I’m in love with you then things will be cringy”.

soobin lays his head on his hand, staring at you. 

“are you in love with me?”. 

you try not to blush. keeping your eyes on your own paper. his stare was eating you alive. 

“of course not”. you mumble jokingly. soobin chuckles. 

“your first time lying to me and this is what you waste it on?”.

you continue laughing leaving his rhetorical question floating in the air. he was still staring at you lovingly. 

“tell me the truth. because I’m in love with you. and I’m not afraid to admit it”.

“why are you in love with me? I’m not shaming you I just kind of find it odd--I’m just a church girl. living a normal middle class teenage catholic life. there’s nothing special about me. and here you are every girl’s dream. you’re rich. good looking. everyone wants to be you. why me? I’m nothing”.

“do you really think I can fall in love with someone whose nothing?”. 

you sigh. “I don’t want to put all my eggs in one basket. I’m scared of getting my hopes up and then one day you just leave. there’s so many girls out there that’s better. look better and dress better. and you can get with every single one of them if you wanted”. you ranted and you didn’t mean to take it this far but it’s honestly how you felt. you couldn’t help it. 

soobin presses his warm hand against your cheek. “why are you getting so upset, princess?”. 

“I don’t know”. you utter being swarmed in a sea of vulnerability. 

“I’m not going to leave you. and if I did who would I even leave you for? some girl who only wants sex and clout from me?”.

“what about the ones who are looking for a relationship?”.

“I’m too in love to care”. 

you sigh again, giving him pitiful eyes. being the cheesy person he was leans in and kisses you. that didn’t stop you from liking it though. 

“I only want you i swear. now please admit to being in love with me because I’m tired of waiting for your answer”. soobin says gradually laughing. you smile a bit breaking out of your sadness. his reassurance was what you needed. to be this deep into a relationship and him leaving you? it was your biggest fear. 

“I may or may not be”. you joked. soobin sucks his teeth playfully. 

“fine don’t admit it then. guess you won’t be getting a car for Christmas”. 

“soobin?”. 

“yes?”. he grinned while continuing his notes, knowing he caught you by surprise there. 

“a car?!”. 

“you heard me”. 

“don’t buy me that it’s way too expensive”.

“i’m totally going to obey your command”. 

“soobin I’m serious”. 

“so am I”. 

“how am I even going to explain that to my parents? they’re going to think I did something for it”. 

“something like what?”. soobin asks knowing exactly what you were getting at. 

“you know. they’re going to think I had sex with you or something for you to buy me such expensive gifts”. soobin waited and laughed once you finally said it. 

“that’s hot. they think you’re like a little churchy prostitute”. you childishly punch his arm. “that’s hot to you?”. 

“if it’s you doing it then yes”. 

“how is having sex with someone for gifts and money hot?”.

“I just like the idea of you being a whore for me”.

you laugh, wondering what else went on in soobin’s mind. 

“you know--like the outfit you wore when you came over my house for the first time--god i wanted to devour you”. 

“oh yeah? why didn’t you say anything?”.

“because you were most likely going to punch me. you didn’t know me yet”. 

“I still don’t. I’m still learning”. 

yeah, but you know enough about me now”. 

“I wouldn’t say all that. how do I know you’re not some serial killer deep down?”. 

“you sat on my face last night I’m pretty sure that whole ‘secretly a serial killer’ bullshit is out the window at this point”. 

you laugh loudly, “soobin!”. 

“you also didn’t call me soobin you called me daddy”. 

“alright that’s enough!”. the both of you laugh in perfect sync. interrupting it was his mother obnoxiously calling him from downstairs. soobin promises you his return before he goes to stand at the top of the stairs answering her. 

“yes?”. he says kind of annoyed. 

“me and your father have a conference to attend. our flight leaves soon. if I come back and find out you’ve studied nothing words can’t explain your punishment. don’t just sit around this house making nothing of yourself”. 

soobin rolls his eyes, “where is your conference being held?”.

“france”.

“for how long this time?”. 

“why are you asking meaningless questions? did you hear what I said?”.

“it’s not meaningless if you guys just came back and spent less than 8 hours in the house with me before you leave again”. 

“soobin don’t start. we’re leaders and we are also missionaries. you know what is required of us”. 

“what about me?”. 

“what about you? study and make yourself useful for something soobin. we were glad finally seeing you out with the sports team and doing things that don’t require a suspension”. 

soobin’s breathing pattern changes swiftly. he could hear the nonchalantness in her tone and he hated it with a passion. 

“study and make myself useful and then what? so you both can come home and beat me and yell at me anyways?”. 

his fathers enters the foyer pointing his finger up at soobin. 

“watch your volume”. 

“for what! for what whose going to hear me?”. 

“for respect soobin! don’t make me come up these stairs”. his father threatens. 

“why should I respect you both if you guys barely respect me?!”. 

“what are you talking about you have a house to live in don’t you? you have cars you have nice clothes you have gourmet food to eat and your bank account surpasses any number of ever seen in my life. you have nothing to complain about you need to be grateful!”. his mother spat. 

“yes you’re right thank you mom thank you dad for subtracting the parental love I could’ve gotten in my life and supplementing it with material things! I appreciate it so much!”.

“what did I tell you about saying that? huh?! we love you. this is tough love”. his father replies. soobin ball his fists. 

“that’s bullshit you’re only saying that because you don’t want anyone in this town to know that the two people they respect so much don’t give a damn about their son! half the shit that you do you only do it so I can never say that I don’t have anything”.

“soobin watch your mouth!”. he father growls. 

“it’s true just fucking admit it and stop getting angry!”

soobin spat harshly and his dad was about to take off up the stairs in a fit of rage until his mother pulled him back. 

“our flight leaves in less than a half hour we have to be at the airport. we can deal with him later”. his dad nods and points his finger at soobin again. 

“consider yourself lucky”. he stated before clutching his suitcase. his mom clutches hers and they both approach the door. she shoots a disgusting look at him. 

“maybe this getaway will help you clean up your act”. she muttered and closed the door behind him.

“What about me!?”. soobin stands at the top of the stairs still yelling.

“your getaways don’t help! they never fucking did!”. he could feel his heart racing and his cheeks growing hot.

“just say you don’t really love me. thats all you have to do”. he croaks without even realizing he was crying. 

you’d been in his room overhearing the whole argument but unable to come out due to you not supposed to even being there in the first place. so you kept silent until you heard the front door shut. you snuck out of soobin’s bedroom to see him down the hallway still yelling, so it was hard to tell if it’s parents really left or not. you approach his tall frame timidly, touching his shoulder. 

“soobin?”. he palms his face sniffling. you wrap your arms around his torso and glance up at him. 

“it’s going to be okay alright? they don’t deserve you. you’ve made mistakes in your life and sure you weren’t the best behaved kid but you are still theirs and they should treat you as such”. 

“I hate them. I fucking hate them both”. 

“soobin don’t say that”. 

“I will say it. because they don’t care about me”.

“look at me”. 

soobin sighs, removing his hands from his wet eyes to glare down at you. he looked so miserable when he cried and you hated it. you’d only ever like to see him happy and laughing. this was cruel. 

“I’m in love with you, okay?”. you say, reaching up to help him dry his eyes. 

“do you mean that?”. he replies. 

“yes I do mean it”. 

“good because I fucking knew it”. soobin admits with a straight face until you playfully slap his chest and laugh. it was a relief to see his reddened face contort into a smile. 

╲╱❀╲╱╲╱❀╲╱╲╱❀╲╱

“babe! hurry up!”. soobin yells from the living room couch. he had the movie ready and he was just waiting for you to cuddle with him. you figured you couldn’t leave him alone while he felt like this. so you gave your parents your usual excuse for being out so late. 

you promised soobin you’d do anything to help him feel better and guess what he requested? you guessed it. 

four peanut butter and jelly sandwiches specially made by you. and of course the big baby was being impatient. you rushed and slabbed the layer of peanut butter on the last slice and sat all the sandwiches on the plate. 

you carefully walked into the living room with it and soobin started the movie. you sat criss-crossed between his legs on the couch, trying to hand the plate off to him. 

“feed me”, he begs. you turn your body and face him. “you’re a big baby do you know that?”. soobin smirks knowingly. you rip a piece of one sandwich and hold it up to his lips which he munches on adorably. you feed him a few more pieces and watch the crumbs fall from his lips. 

“you’re the only person I know that can get fed and still make a mess”. you use a hand to dust the crumbs off of his lips and hoodie. 

“you’re such a mom”. 

“and you’re such a baby”. 

“your baby right?”. you sigh trying not to blush once again. 

“cmon. it’s okay to admit it”. 

“I’m not going to make things cringy soobin”. you mumble and he immediately tackles you down on the couch playfully. 

“soobin you’re going to make me drop all of these sandwiches on the floor!”. you laugh.

“admit I’m your baby”. he laughs. 

he face was inches from yours. he looked so cute and cuddly in his big sweater and hood over his head. you pulled one of his drawstrings. 

“fine. you’re my baby”. soobin smiles and softly kisses you. 

“you forgot to get me something to drink with my food. I’m going to suffocate from this peanut butter”. 

you laugh, “you didn’t ask for anything to drink”. 

“I know. I should’ve asked for milk”.

“see, that’s your mistake not mine”. 

soobin thinks for a moment before grinning. “i mean--if i wanted some milk I can just--”. he interrupted himself just to snake his hand up your shirt and massage your boob. you cackled loudly. 

“soobin!”. 

and your mornings were usual. this time around though you were encouraging soobin. he’d be taking his first history exam today. 

“remember you got this. you are smart. you can do anything and you studied really hard for this”. you remind prior to kissing him. “I believe in you”. you added. you went into your classroom and let soobin put his skills to the test. he was even more inspired now that he had you rooting for him. 

“I tried to call you yesterday but either your phone was dead or you didn’t pay your phone bill”. taehyun admitted. 

“my phone bill is paid. my phone was probably dead”. you lied. you were declining his calls to keep from soobin’s wrath. 

“we can study today after school if you’re down. I don’t have anything to do and plus the exam is coming up soon”. 

damn. you couldn’t say no to his face. could you? 

“yeah that’s fine. library?”. you ask. 

“yeah that’s cool”. taehyun shortly replies. all the while you were wondering how the hell you were going to continue studying with taehyun behind soobin’s back. it wasn’t like you were cheating on him or anything. just studying. maybe soobin was being too overprotective. 

soobin adjusts his backpack strap and attempts recalling his notes in his head while he walked to his classroom. 

“ayo? you ready?”. yeonjun asked catching up to him

“hell yeah. I actually studied”.

“good. I uhh- kind of have some news for you though”. 

“what is it?”. 

“they found more evidence on the hotel case”.

“shit. why the hell would you tell me that right now?”.

“I’m trying to tell you all the shit I know before anything comes up later so you can be prepared”. 

“how do you know this shit anyways? do you have a part time job at the police station or something?”. 

“I have my connections. and i’ve been following it to make sure they don’t try and frame me”. 

“why would they frame you?”. 

yeonjun shrugs, “I was acting pretty hostile during interrogation. but still”.

“I don’t have time for this shit”. 

“yeah that’s probably why you still haven’t told your girlfriend”.

“don’t start yeonjun”. 

yeonjun shrugs again, “I’m just saying. you keep dragging this shit out she’s going to fuck around and leave you”. 

[horansqueen]

It Feels Like Christmas - Part 6

It feels like Christmas Just like Christmas It feels like Christmas with you...

MASTERLIST 🎄

Click Here if you want to be on the update list

hey guys, this story was nominated for Best Christmas Story so if you want to vote for me, please CLICK HERE! thank you! 

NIALL

I woke up the next day and stayed in bed for a little longer than usual. I was not sure what had happened between Mimi and I, and I also was not sure what was going to happen next. I had messaged her on the same night so she also had my number and had send a few Christmas emojis so she knew it was me. I hesitated but after a while, I changed her name in my phone and added the same emojis.

I closed my eyes again and tried to remember everything we had talked about together. After she left, I had realized a few things about Mimi, and the main one was that she was scared. She was scared of getting attached, she was scared of falling in love, she was scared of talking about herself, but most of all, she was scared of all these things because she was scared to be hurt and abandoned again. I had no idea how to show her it was possible for her to be loved and that not everyone in her life would leave, and it was bothering me. I kept thinking about it and about her and I was not sure why.

I knew making her see she could trust me was not going to be easy. After all, the parents who adopted her still took care of her and loved her and it didn't make her realize that she was worth it. She still lived in fear that they would disown her at some point and perhaps not going to see them much made her believe it would hurt her less when it would happen. I had no idea who her biological parents were, or why they couldn't take care of her anymore, but clearly they had no idea of the mess they made when they left her.

I finally got up and took a shower before dressing up and walking to the living room. I heard my mom working on something in the kitchen and smiled when I noticed a bunch of gifts under the tree. They were wrapped in white and red papers that fitted perfect with the decorations and it reminded me that I still had a few to wrap myself.

I thought about Mimi and how she told me she hated gifts, whether it was buying them, giving them, wrapping them but most of all, getting them, and I couldn't help but wonder what kind of gift could make her change her mind? This was not a cheesy Christmas movie, I couldn't just search around, find her biological parents in only a few days, arrange a meeting for them to tell her that they always loved her and that they had been looking for her for years. I just couldn't find out what would make her open up, if not enough to let me in, at least enough to give herself a chance.

"Pet? Are you up?"

I got out of my thought and blinked a few times before walking up to her and  kissing her cheek gently. I started helping her put food on the table and prepared two cup of coffees, bringing them to the table as we started eating. We remained mostly silent but I could see her glance at me and after a while, she pushed her plate away and grabbed her cup.

"We should get some more gifts today." she pointed out, taking a sip of coffee and looking up at me. "If we're still going to that family Christmas party tomorrow night, I'm gonna need gifts, especially for the kids."

"These kids are spoiled, ma." I pointed out with a chuckle. "I know you love them like your own grandchildren, but trust me, they'll get plenty."

"I can 'spoil' who I want, can't I?" she pointed out with a bigger smile. "Until you give me grandchildren, at least."

"You already have a grandson." I just said, raising my eyebrows.

"Whom I love more than anything, but I was just curious if you planned to have a few of your own, that's all." she shrugged, taking an other sip and making me laugh, shaking my head.

"I don't know, I think I'm gonna focus on meeting the love of my life, first. Then we'll see."

"The love of your life," she repeated, putting her cup on the table. "Nothing less."

"Not gonna settle for nothing less." I added a little lower, sending her a fond smile.

And my heart skipped a beat when I realized I was thinking about Mimi.

---

The mall kept playing Christmas songs, there were kids running around the halls and laughing, we were surrounded by Christmas decorations and trees, and I couldn't help but smile at all of it. The main reason why I loved Christmas was because almost everyone seemed genuinely happy on that season. It didn't last all year long, and I wanted to make sure I enjoyed it as much as I could while it lasted.

I also knew not everyone was lucky or happy on Christmas and I always ended up volunteering for a special charity cause for a few weeks. It was not so much about the money, but more about the time giving that mattered and every year, I tried to find something new to do, or a new place to help. For the past few years, though, I tried to be involved with kids as much as I could, and I loved it more than I can explain. I had never shared that with anyone, though, and I didn't really want to. I could wait until my mom would be gone to volunteer this year anyway, after all, people need help all year around and not just on Christmas.

"We need a toy shop!"

I glanced at my mom and chuckled again before making my way through a mob of people waiting for Santa Claus and taking the next hall. We reached the end where a big toyshop was and I could tell my mom was excited to go. We searched through the toys placed everywhere and after a while, my mom turned to me.

"Find a few soft toys will you?" she asked, grabbing a small car with a remote control. "Dogs, mostly."

I chuckled and raised my eyebrows. "Okay mom." I agreed, taking a few steps back. "But don't buy that. The kids will be happy. but the parents will kill you."

I smiled more until I bumped my back against something. It made me turn around quickly and once again, my heart skipped a beat. Mimi had turned around exactly at the same time as me, and I was wondering if maybe, just maybe, this was an actual Christmas movie. Perhaps I should really try to find her parents, who knows?

"Mimi!"

I expected this to be a bit awkward on her side but the smile she sent me made me want to take her in my arms. It was big and real, and I could even swear her eyes were sparkling. Or it was the neon lights that reflected in them. Either way, they were pretty.

"I will start believing you're really following me!" she joked with a chuckle.

"If I was I'd be more subtle about it!" I laughed, making her raise her nose up in a grimace.

"Okay that's creepy." she let out with a smile, making me laugh even more. "So, what are you here for?"

"Oh, my mom likes to buy toys for my nephew and my cousins' kids." I explained with a shrug, pushing my hands in the pockets of my jeans. "We're seeing them tomorrow and she wants to make sure she's got enough gifts for everyone."

Mimi nodded slowly as a fond smile draw itself on her lips. She tilted her upper body slightly to look behind me and her smile got bigger before she waved shyly at my mom.

"You... really look like her." she pointed out as her eyes met mine again.

"I've heard." I chuckled but stopped when her smile faltered a bit. "Do you look like your mom, too?"

She sent me a frown and finally, her lips parted but nothing came out. It took her a few seconds before she finally closed her mouth and cleared her throat. "Uhm, well, physically, I look more like my dad. At least that's what people used to say when I was young." she answered, nibbling on her bottom lip and frowning again. "You're the first one who ever had the guts to ask me something about my real parents."

"If it makes you uncomfortable, I'll stop. I'm sorry I just-"

"No!" she cut me, her eyebrows raised up as my lips parted. "It's nice, actually. You know, I don't only have bad memories of them."

"Makes sense I mean, you spent thirteen years with them, so it makes sense." I replied, smiling gently at her.

Her eyes softened and she pressed her lips together before licking them. "You remember..." she whispered, making me smile more.

"Of course."

Of course I remembered what she said to me. Every single time we met, our conversations echoed in my head over and over again for hours after we parted. But I couldn't tell her that.

We remained in silence for half a minute before she smiled more and shook her head, letting out a small but shy laughter.

"What about you? What are you here for?"

"Uhm, you're gonna think it's stupid but, when I was young, I would always walk in that store and make a mental list of everything I wanted to buy ." she confessed before shaking her head slightly and closing her eyes. "But I always walked away with nothing because I had no money. I thought it was worth coming back and just, you know, buy everything I want. For the sake of it."

Her eyes met mine again and while they were closed, my smile had grown. "That's an amazing idea, Mimi. I was about to check the stuffies, if you want to."

She chuckled a bit but nodded and we walked together until we found a large stand of stuffies. She started touching them all, poking their nose gently or petting them as if they were real animals. It made me laugh a bit, endeared by her behavior, and I grabbed a few for my mom as I noticed Mimi grabbing one, too. It was a reindeer and she turned around to show it to me, raising her eyebrows.

"Would buying that be a good start for that 'Christmas magic' you always blab about?"

This time, I laughed louder, letting my head fall back slightly. "Yes!"

"Perfect, then it's a deal."

We walked back to the front of the store and we both paid before I turned around again to face her. I knew she was leaving and I didn't want her to leave. I wanted her to stay with me for as long as possible. She moved closer to me and licked her lips, placing her hand on my chest, over my coat, as I looked down at her. It took her a few seconds to look up and when our eyes met, she sent me a fond smile that made me smile too.

"You're always so nice to me, Niall." she admitted, biting her bottom lip. "Thank you."

"You're my magic, Mimi, remember?"

She chuckled and shook her head before getting on her tiptoes and kissing my cheek. "I'll see you around."

I watched her leave and suddenly, it hit me. If I wanted to see her again, I just had to ask. What was the worst that could happen? If I didn't try, I'd definitely regret it.

"Mimi!" I let out a bit too loud, making her turn around and raise her eyebrows again. "How about we do something tonight?"

She smiled more and took a step in my direction. "Like, a date?" she asked, shaking her head. "I told you I'm not looking for a man."

I smiled too and shrugged, my eyes never leaving hers. "As friends, if you prefer."

It took her a few seconds and she finally nodded and shrugged. "Alright, cool, call me."

[averyonelovesjack]

cost of friendship III ~ daniel seavey

requested: yes

hiii can we please please please have another part to parties and the cost of friendship? love love love your writing!

hey hon just requesting a third part to 'cost of friendship' with dani whenever you have the time, thanks love

Hey! I hope things are going okay! I was reading your imagines and I'm a big fan of your works! I was just wondering if you were going to post a part 3 to "cost of friendship"? Just curious :) I understand if you discontinued it/you're on a break.

summary: six months into the relationship and just in time for the holidays, daniel and y/n recognize the difficulty in spending the holidays away from each other and have to determine if it’s worth breaking the secret.

warning(s): cursing

disclaimer: i use christmas and thanksgiving as plot points in this story because it fit better with the way i wanted the story to go, but feel free to replace them with any other holidays you celebrate!!

word count: 2740

author’s note: accidentally posted this, unedited, last night with no word count and the author’s note that i wrote in december of last year when i originally made the draft and didn’t write a single word of this story:) so now that it actually makes sense to post this, here is part three to cost of friendship! thanks for all these requests even tho they were clearly from a long time ago since cost of friendship II came out TWO YEARS AGO in september. welp hope this was worth the wait lol enjoy:))

read these first: part one, part two

six months with daniel went by really quickly. the summer was honestly a lot of fun. i could spent hours at the boys’ house and nothing was suspicious about it. i grew a lot closer with them all because we spent so much time together, and it wasn’t weird for me to hang out there, and i could see daniel whenever i wanted. we really got to know each other during the summer months. i had known daniel for a while now, but getting to know him on a relationship level was really nice.

summer ended pretty quickly though and then fall came. i was back in school. i didn’t think it would be hard to see him since i was still in the ending months of school when we started dating. i think that going from so much time together over the summer to only seeing each other a few hours a week was a really hard adjustment.

we promised we’d never let our schedules be a problem, but managing a full time student’s schedule and a singer’s schedule is really difficult. i had classes monday through friday, and any time i wasn’t in class, i was doing homework. that left my only free time during the week to be late at night. so we hung out late at night, but by the time we saw each other we were usually too exhausted to really do anything other than lay around and watch a show or talk for a little bit. weekends were usually better for me, but daniel had a crazy schedule that usually had studio time incorporated on the weekend.

we still made effort to see each other all the time we could, but it wasn’t easy. i think that probably plays into my current nerves. it’s early november and the stress of the holiday season had already gotten to me.

as a kid, the holiday season was the absolute best. thanksgiving meant seeing all of my family, including my cousins who were really close in age to me. and then the stretch between thanksgiving and christmas was my absolute favorite. it was filled with christmas music, christmas decorations, buying gifts, giving gifts, getting gifts, and again, seeing family. and don’t even get me started on new years. as a kid, staying up late was the absolute best thing. the sparking cider and noise makers were all the rave.

as a much older college student now though, it was a lot less fun. the holiday season meant figuring out plans and traveling home to see my family and not knowing which part of my family was actually gonna be available. it meant buying actual meaningful or useful gifts and then figuring out how to get them home. there was still the music and the lights, but i had no time to meaninglessly drive around los angeles and see the lights or spend hours around a fireplace watching christmas movies. i didn’t even have a fireplace to begin with.

the holiday season was also much more confusing this year because i had daniel. i’ve never even had a boyfriend during the holiday season, let alone a secret boyfriend. most of the things we went out and did we could pass off as just things we’re doing as close friends, but the holidays were different. friends don’t ditch the holidays with their family just to hang out with their friends family. i don’t even know if daniel and i are at the level in our relationship, and then even if we were, i couldn’t do anything about it because keeping our relationship a secret meant not being able to do the explicitly for couples holiday stuff.

as much as i think daniel and i are ready for the family stage in our relationship, neither of us have really talked about it because there’s not really much room to do it anyways. i’ve met daniel’s siblings and parents before, but never as anything more than a friend because it was too risky to tell anyone. and daniel’s never had an excuse to come meet my family since they aren’t just down the road like his.

the secret relationship really damaged my normal holiday mood and it honestly stressed me out. i have to book my plane home soon and to do that meant that there really was no chance that i’d spend the holidays with daniel. even with us only being together half a year, daniel meant so much to me. in every other relationship i’d been in, it felt like i was waiting for the relationship to end or i at least knew that it wasn’t going to last. it was different with daniel though and that was really hard since we couldn’t even tell anyone about it.

tonight is a friday and i had finally finished my work for the week. i was invited to a party, but i didn’t really feel like going since i was pretty tired from the week and i wasn’t in a party mood. daniel texted me soon after and asked if i wanted to come over. i wasn’t really in a socialization mood, but since it was just daniel and i haven’t seen him much recently, i said yes. he even said he would pick me up which made it ten times easier to say yes because he knows i don’t like taking ubers alone and i don’t have access to a car.

daniel picked me up at about 7. i didn’t feel like getting ready so i just wore my grey sweatpants and wdw tee that daniel had gotten me for free. daniel never seemed to mind my lazy outfits and i knew as soon as we got back he would change out of his jeans too.

“hi love, how was your day?” daniel asks as soon as i get in the car. i felt a little emotionally exhausted, but so happy to see daniel. the car was like our safe space because no one was around to walk in on us and we didn’t have to hide our feelings and actions.

“exhausting, but better now that i’m seeing you.” i admit.

“at least it’s the weekend now.” daniel says. “and i went to the studio a little early today so that we won’t have to go in this weekend and i can spend more time with you.”

“really?” i ask, that news brightening my day a little. “i was just about to ask how studio was today?”

“it was good. we worked on a new christmas song today when we were finished. i don’t know if we’ll ever release it but it was a lot of fun. i’m sure you’d love it.”

“you know how i feel about christmas music.” i grin. maybe a little daniel written christmas music will brighten my spirit in these next coming weeks.

“speaking of, i feel like you haven’t played any christmas music. i swear i barely knew you this time last year as compared to now but i knew how much you loved christmas music. i feel like you played it as soon as halloween was over.” daniel mentions and as much as i wanted to hold it back and not say anything, i felt too tired to not.

“i haven’t really been in the christmas spirit.” i admit with a sigh that i knew daniel would read through.

“i know the holiday season is hard. it’s been on my mind a lot too and i was hoping it wasn’t adding to your stress, but i should’ve said something sooner because i knew it would.” daniel says, looking over and gently ok in a hand on mine.

“it’s okay.” i say. “i probably wouldn’t have even admitted it until we got to a night like tonight where i’m honestly too tired to pretend i’m not stressed.”

“i’m sorry, love. do you want to talk about it?” daniel asks.

“it’s okay, i don’t even know what to say because we can’t even do anything about it.” i answer. “and i don’t want to stress you out with all of my little annoyances and sad things.”

“i know that the last few months haven’t been easy.” daniel starts, deciding for us both that nothing i could say would be too much for us. “with our schedules and then keeping it a secret.”

“it’s just-” i don’t even know where to start because i know when i’ll do i’ll either inevitably cry out of stress or sound angry with him when i’m not, i’m just annoyed at our situation. “it really sucks that i can’t spend any of the holidays with you and i fucking hate that because i love the holiday season and the spirit and i’m avoiding it because i don’t want to feel sad about us not being together for the holidays. and i love you. i love you so much and i want you to meet my family because i know they’ll love you, but it would be way too obvious for you to fly home with me for the holidays and there’s really no hiding that so i know it makes no sense to even think about that because it just makes me sad.”

“i love you too, y/n.” daniel says, still processing everything. “i didn’t know you wanted me to meet your family yet. i would love to, but i didn’t want to bring it up until you were ready.”

“are you kidding?” i laugh a little bit, looking over at him as he parked the car in the driveway but neither of us moved. “daniel, of course i want you to meet my family. i know they’ll love you because you’re you. god, ever since i told my sisters i have a boyfriend they’ve been begging me to tell them who so that they could meet you. i don’t know, the holidays have always just been about being with family for my family, and i’m sure yours too. you’re such an important part of my life now and i wish i could share you with them. it’s whatever, though. we shouldn’t talk about it because i know that it’s not possible.”

“what about thanksgiving with my family and christmas with yours?” daniel says and my heart skips a beat. “and then we can figure out new years later. i know you have to go home for christmas because you’ll get kicked out of dorms, and as much as i would love for you to just stay with us, i’m sure you want to go home and see your family.”

“daniel, as lovely as that sounds, you know how suspicious it would be for me to stay here for thanksgiving and for you to fly home with me? i don’t think even we would be able to keep that a secret.”

“fuck the secret, then, y/n.” he blurts out. “y/n, i don’t see us ending ever, and definitely not anytime soon and it’s not like we’re gonna keep this a secret forever. fuck the secret. corbyn was right, okay, the boys are gonna be happy for us. it’s not like they haven’t picked up on us being close these last few months and keeping this secret isn’t worth us being apart for the next few months, okay? it’s hard enough to spend only a few hours together a week, i don’t want to be away from you for all of thanksgiving and christmas too.”

“fuck the secret.” i say, with a smile forming on my face. “are we really doing this?”

“i see no better time than now, y/n.” daniel leans over the console to kiss my lips softly. “wanna go tell the boys now?”

“let’s do it.” i unbuckle my seatbelt with a weight lifted off of my shoulders. daniel and i meet in front of the car, our hands interlocking as we walked into the house as a non-secret couple for the first time.

the boys were all sitting in the living room and a movie was playing with all of the lights out. they all look over as daniel closes the door and the two of us walk over to them.

“y/n? what are you doing here? daniel didn’t tell us he was bringing you over.” zach says. “of course he just wants to hog you again.”

“do you guys wanna pause the movie for a second? we have some important news.” daniel says and we separate hands as to not give it away just yet.

“fucking finally.” jonah says.

“what?” i ask, wondering what he meant.

“i mean, i don’t want to be the one to say it and ruin it for you two, but i mean, come on, we’ve been waiting months for you to admit to it. so get on with it.” jonah gestures for us to continue. guess we weren’t as great secret keepers as we thought.

“y/n and i have been dating for about six months and kept it a secret from everyone.” daniel says and then takes my hand in his and pulls me closer so that i’m in his arms.

“SIX.” zach yells. “i knew there were vibes between you two but you guys are good. six months??”

“not that good.” corbyn mumbles, which causes the other three to look at him.

“you bitch!” jack then exclaims. “you knew? and you didn’t give me my damn money??”

“it’s their fault, they told me not to say anything!” corbyn defends, pointing a finger at the two of us. “i was not supposed to find out. i wish i didn’t, this was a lot of stress i didn’t need.”

“i would like my twenty bucks now, thank you very much.” jack says and corbyn quickly throws a twenty dollar bill at him.

“this is so unfair.” the ninteen year old looks at the rest of us. “jack gets twenty bucks, corbyn gets stress relief, daniel gets a girlfriend and it’s y/n. what do i get? i want something!”

“zach, i didn’t get anything from this either.” jonah reminds.

“shut up. you have a girlfriend.” zach screeches in his jokingly angry voice. “god, i’m so lonely.”

“i have a couple sisters, if you want.” i laugh a little. “you’d have to come home for christmas with danny and i, though.”

“and you’re leaving us for christmas? gosh damnit y/n, why can’t you guys stay with me for christmas?” zach exclaims, which makes us all laugh a little bit. i wasn’t sure how everyone was going to react, but this was a pretty funny one from zach.

“i hate to break it to you bud, but we’re, uh, all going home for christmas. we do every year.” jack sets a hand on his bandmates shoulder. “i’m pretty sure y/n would rather spend christmas with her boyfriend and her family than you, no offense.”

“what the fuck, y/n. you don’t wanna spend christmas with me?”

i’m laughing too much at this interaction to answer before jack.

“to be clear though, zach, i would choose to spend christmas with you.”

“well we have y/n for thanksgiving. we’re gonna see my family, so we’ll still be in la and can hang out. have our own little friendsgiving.” daniel suggests.

“no no no, i’m too lonely for friendsgiving.” zach expresses, deciding to be unhappy with everything we say just for the comedy of it. “i’m too single. you’re all in relationships, i can’t be the only lonely one.”

“um, bro, i too am single.” jack looks at him funny.

“okay, well yeah, but you have a child.”

“yes, a child who lives in hawaii. i’ll be your friendsgiving date.” jack offers.

“really? you meant it?” zach faked being emotional and jonah looks at them, then back at us with a funny look.

“well, now that we’ve dealt with... that, i just want to say we’re all really happy for you two.” jonah starts. “not that this is surprising to any of us, because there has been way too much sexual tension since we’ve all been friends for this to not have happened, but i’m very happy you decided to tell us.”

“are you guys gonna go public? like tell management?” corbyn asks.

daniel then looks at me a little nervously and then back at the guys, “yeah that’s the next thing we have to figure out.”

lovely.

[nanakyun0j0]

Cinema Rose

Hello! This is Nana here with my secret santa gift for @softsungchan! It’s been a while since I’ve written anything, and this is not proof read ;-; but I really hope you enjoy this. Have a super merry Christmas and a happy new year! I’d also like to wish @lucaswithnoshirt and @bumblebeenct a really wonderful Christmas and say thank you for organising this awesome event :D.

Genres: Fluff, comedy (I really tried)

Word count: 2024

Warnings: A few swear words, mentions of a heart attack, and old cinemas? (I am not very good at these, if you find anything else I should add,

lease let me know and I’ll put them in ^^).

————————————————————————————————————————————————

Remixes of old christmas songs blasted from the speakers around him, and Taeil sang along quietly while he made his way to the old cinema at the end of the shopping district.

It hadn’t been long since school had ended and he’d been too bored to stay at home and too tired from the school year to make plans with others.

So, he decided to walk around the places he always went to, but never paid any attention to. Like the shopping district he walked through on his way to school.

He’d heard from Taeyong, a junior he knew from middle school, about an old cinema that played christmas movies during the holidays for free. Taeil was skeptical at first. Playing movies for the whole month of December for free?

After some reconnaissance (read: asking his parents), he’d found that the place was apparently so old that the carpets smelled like caramel popcorn and old socks, and the lights flickered if you stayed after 7pm. They were surprised that it was even still open because of how decrepit the outside looks.

So, his initial impression of the old cinema hadn’t been the best, and he’d shrugged away any thoughts of visiting it.

Until today, that is.

His parents were out on a gift buying spree for their relatives, and his younger sister had been dragged along, which she wasn’t happy about, judging by her fierce grumbling as she slammed the car door shut when they were leaving.

So that meant that he had escaped the drudgery that was Christmas shopping, but he’d also been left at home alone with effectively nothing to do.

He’d finished playing all his games during the school year, instead of studying of course. There was also no way he’d actually be responsible and look over material for next year so he could get ahead of his classes. Which left him with only a few options:

He could go back to sleep, or restart some random game and play it all over again, or he could just wander around outside and find something to do.

‘Right.’ He thought to himself as he grabbed a jacket, his phone and house keys,

‘Guess I’ll just walk around.’

—————————————————————-

He’d walked around most of his neighbourhood, and without realising it, his feet lead him on the familiar path of the local shopping district. It was usually a bustling place, full of loud voices calling out to customers, and children playing around.

Today was no different and Taeil, who’d spent his whole holidays so far inside, found the change of pace refreshing. Despite the chilly weather and the fact that he really wasn’t wearing nearly enough layers for how cold he felt, he was enjoying the vibrant atmosphere of the street.

Shutting his mind off, he was content to explore the streets around him.

——————————————————————————————————

You stood slouched at the counter, face blank and head rested in your hands. You drummed your fingers against your cheeks and let out a long sigh.

Burying your head into your hands and groaning softly, you wondered to yourself why you got yourself into this in the first place.

When your uncle had asked you to work at the old cinema for the holidays, you’d initially been okay with it.

After all, it was quick money and, knowing how bad the sales were, you wouldn’t need to interact with people that much.

You valued your space after all, and serving customers was never really something you felt happy doing. Plus, it was fun to have the place to yourself for most of the day, and you were never low on snacks to eat.

In hindsight, you should have predicted the boredom that would come with standing around for the whole day. Even with your phone, there were only so many times you could refresh Twitter and Instagram and find something interesting to look at.

Day in and day out, you were stuck in the dark cinema with flickering lights and musty carpets, and it was slowly driving you insane.

You bit your lip and creased your eyebrows, mulling over if it would be that big of a deal to just leave the counter and go home. It was nearly closing time anyway, and you couldn’t imagine what poor fool would come to this dusty cinema when it was almost Christmas.

‘Everyone’s busy with decorating and gift buying, no one’s even gonna come here.’

You told yourself.

With your conscience cleared and stomach empty, you gathered as much popcorn as you could fit in the largest container, locked the counter and headed outside.

——————————————————————————————————

Taeil stared at the sign in front of him.

‘Cinema Rose’s Merry Christmas special event! For the whole month of December, watch a movie for free!’

It read.

He wondered how he managed to end up here, of all places. Especially after he’d promised himself so many times that he wouldn’t bother. Then he wondered if he even remembered the way he came.

‘Shit,’ he thought to himself

‘How am I gonna get home?’

He took a deep breath and looked around frantically, trying to find a familiar looking path. All of the streets looked new to him.

Finding nothing he recognised, he was about to pull out his phone when he heard the entrance to the cinema open.

His head whipped to face the doors and he saw a girl around his age in a baggy uniform carrying an obscene amount of popcorn in her hands. Her back was facing him and she looked like she was trying to lock the door.

‘She must work here! Nice, I can ask her for directions!’

So he mustered up his courage and cleared his throat and called out to the girl.

“E-excuse me, I’m a bit lost, could you please help me?” He cursed himself for his shaking voice.

The girl turned around and stared at him for bit with a confused expression, then blinked and replied,

“O-oh, yeah, sure! Where did you want directions to?” Her soft voice was gentle when she spoke to him, and Taeil was a bit flustered. She wasn’t only pretty, but had a cute voice too?

The same could be said for you.

You hadn’t noticed him standing in front of the cinema at first, so you were a bit startled when he suddenly spoke to you.

You turned to see who it was, and nearly had a heart attack. A boy around your age you’d assume, with a large puffy jacket and kind looking eyes. He’d appeared so suddenly that you were surprised.

He was so pretty you were shocked stiff for a few seconds, but you snapped yourself out of it and hurried to reply.

You cursed yourself for stuttering and hoped he didn’t notice. His blank face at your reply made it seem like he didn’t. You thanked the heavens above and waited for him to continue speaking.

“R-right.” He cleared his throat and you stifled a snort. You both seemed to be nervous around each other.

“Do you know the shopping district near the local all-boys school? My neighbourhood is around there so I just wanted to know how I could get to that area?” He explained.

You nodded at his words.

Despite being a homebody, you did like to go on walks quite regularly, and you lived close to the cinema so you knew the area like the back of your hand. You were about to tell him the way when your brain stopped you.

‘Wait, _____,’ It said to you.

‘If you just give him directions, who knows when you’ll see him again! If you’ll see him again! Don’t lose this opportunity, you’re already lonely enough as it is!’

Your brain made a compelling last minute argument, and you couldn’t help but agree. Your family had been here for a long time, but you had grown up in a different city for most of your life.

You’d only come here to spend the holidays with your aunt and uncle because your parents were away on business. You hadn’t managed to make any friends, so all you could do was stay at home or walk around the cinema or your house.

You at least wanted to try to make friends before you left, then it wouldn’t be so hard to be in this town while you stayed until school started again.

Taeil was staring at you with a worried expression while you were going through your little crisis, and he tried calling out to you to get your attention. It didn’t work, so he stepped closer to you and waved a hand in front of your face, causing you to flinch and shout out in surprise.

“Woah! What the heck?”

“Sorry-“ Taeil said with wide eyes and a small frown on his face,

“I called out to you but you wouldn’t respond so I- sorry…” His voice was quiet and apologetic and you felt bad.

“No! No, not at all, it’s my fault! I just got distracted because I was trying to remember the way, sorry about that.” You told him. He seemed to believe your poorly thought out lie with the way his eyes brightened in understanding and his head nodded along.

You inwardly wiped the sweat off your forehead and tried to make the most friendly expression you could muster after a whole day of standing around with nothing to do.

“I’m not very good with explaining, so would it be ok if I just showed you the way? My house is nearby too, so it wouldn’t be out of my way.” You said to him cheerily. You hoped he’d buy this lie too.

He smiled widely at you, and you almost felt a bit bad about imposing your presence on this boy you’d just met.

‘But this is all for friendship! Maybe more, but don’t get so ahead of yourself!’

“That would be great, thanks! If you’re sure it won’t be a bother!” He chirped. You nearly melted inside at how polite he was being with you.

Returning his smile and asking him to follow you, you lead the way out of the cinema and made your way to the shopping district, trying your hardest to think of something to talk about. Which wasn’t as hard as you thought.

For every question you could ask, Taeil had an answer. You quickly learned that he was really easy to get along with, and he was great at carrying conversations. He was awkward at first, but you soon found a rhythm while talking and before you knew it you made your way to the shopping district near his house. Your footsteps slowed and you both halted at the entrance, a lull now forming when you both stopped talking.

You stayed silent, not knowing what to say, stuck in your head with worries that he might not want to talk anymore after this. That he only continued conversations with you because he was bored.

Taeil’s voice broke through your thoughts. His voice soft and nervous again as he asked you for your number.

Your face heated up at his straightforward request bit complied, albeit with shaky hands. After you both put your phones away, Taeil spoke again.

“Hey, ____. I had lots of fun with you today. So uh-“ He fumbled with the strings of his hood,

“Do you wanna meet tomorrow as well? I get that you have work, but I could go to the cinema and we could hang out there? O-only if you want to!”

His eyes looked anywhere but you and you could see in his smile that he was worried about you refusing.

You grinned and shook your head.

“I’d love to see you tomorrow, Taeil. I really had fun today too!”

You spoke in the most sincere tone you could and hoped he could sense it. With the way he beamed at you after you replied, you were sure he understood you.

With that you both parted ways, and walked home with smiles on your faces, and chests so warm no amount of snow could make you feel cold.

[bluebird722]

Happy Birthday, Lian!

Summary: Rewrite of the episode “Home Fires” (but without the “nuclear weapon” subplot). It’s Lian’s birthday and the first without her mother. Come stress with Will as he goes the extra mile to ensure that his daughter has the best birthday party ever!

Rating: K

Characters: Lian Harper, Will Harper, Roy Harper, Artemis Crock, Jim Harper, Raquel Ervin, Amistad Ervin, Donny Allen, Dawn Allen, Iris West-Allen, Traya Sutton, John Smith, Queen Mera, Artur, Lynn Stewart-Pierce, Jennifer Pierce, Anissa Pierce, Lois Lane, Jonathan Kent, Karen Beecher, and a bunch of OCs!

Author’s Note: Happy birthday, @youngjusticeslut! This is for you, based on this (which, I guess, is something I’m responsible for)! I just figured, why the hell not?

Will stared at the date on his calendar, with a giant red star on the particular date. He had been dreading this day for months, but it was finally coming closer: his daughter’s birthday–or, rather, Lian’s first birthday without her mother. 

He closed his eyes and shook his head. No words could describe how he was feeling. Grief? Anger? Worried? What would Lian say, when she realized that Mommy wasn’t coming to her birthday party? Would it be one of those things in the movies, and Jade would show up unexpectedly, like an army parent coming home as a Christmas gift for their children? It wouldn’t happen, and Will knew it, but it helped to imagine it. In the meantime, he had to plan her birthday party, and he wanted everything to go perfectly. This was his daughter, and she deserved to be happy. 

He had seven million things to do to prepare, he knew, and it was more than just finding the cake and buying decorations and planning games and activities; it involved working late every night for a month to be able to afford the type of party he wanted to give her. He knew so much about heroes because he had been exposed to them all of his existence, and he wanted to give her everything hero: Justice League, Marvel heroes, whatever. He didn’t care. He could probably find a sneaky way to get the whole League to attend her party, or he could dress up as a hero of her choice a la that episode of I Love Lucy. 

A small shuffle of footsteps interrupted Will’s train of thought, and he turned around to see his daughter in pink blanket pajamas. “Daddy…”

“Hey Lian.” He stood up and walked over to his daughter, rubbing her eyes and looking sleepy. “Are you all right?”

Lian patted her stomach. “Tummy ache,” she whispered. 

Will gently lifted her up into his arms and carried her to the kitchen for children’s Tylenol and a glass of water, which she finished. Then he carried her back upstairs and sat her onto her bed. “Why are you up so late, Daddy?”

Will stopped himself from lying that he was working on files and shrugged. “I was getting ideas for your birthday, Lian,” he said. “I know it’s your birthday, and you decide what you want, but I was looking up where to get the cake, the decorations…you know.” He ruffled her hair. “I know I’ve been working a lot, but I just want to be able to get you a fun party.” 

“Okay,” Lian nodded. She grabbed her feet and rolled on her back. “I want a Paw Patrol party.”

Paw Patrol. Will’s heart sank. He knew more about heroes than that TV show that he knew Lian enjoyed, but he never really watched it with her. Apparently, she watched it with her friends from daycare or when she was visiting other friends. “Okay, I’ll see what I can do to get a Paw Patrol birthday party for you–”

“Can we invite my friends?” she asked, tilting her head. “Donny, Dawn, Ani, Khary, Greg, Jenny, Artie–”

“Of course,” he said with a stroke of her hair. “But you better get some sleep now so Daddy can start planning.” 

Lian sank her head back into her pillow, her arms around her Wonder Woman plushy. Will stared at her for a long time before he closed the door behind him.

***

The week before, while Lian was at daycare, he and Artemis raided Party City and got all the decorations, cutlery–everything, all themed to Paw Patrol. They picked up “Pin the Helmet on the Dog”, a giant piñata, and a “Birthday Girl” sash that even if Lian didn’t want to wear, they could place it over her chair. 

He called the other parents in the private parent-child circle and told them the situation: Lian was inviting them to her birthday party, but she wanted to invite friends from daycare, and he couldn’t afford to throw two parties even if he wanted to. The daycare didn’t throw birthday parties anymore due to food allergies. Eventually, after a strenuous group text, everyone agreed that the birthday party would count as the playdate for the month, but those with superpowered children had to ensure that their children would be careful not to expose their abilities to daycare tykes.

Lian was aware, though still upset, that “Grandpa Ollie” and “Grandma Dinah” weren’t going to make it, since they had “an important business meeting”, as Ollie put it, but Will didn’t know if he could believe them; they did promise to have a big birthday dinner for her soon. Of course, Grandmommy Paula couldn’t come, but she promised to mail her present as long as Artemis would film Lian opening her gift. Violet, on the other hand, was going to be at a training session with Dick and the others, and she encouraged Artemis to attend the party; she knew that Artemis wanted to be there anyway, and they could train together later. 

***

Will opened the door, relieved that it was his genetic template, holding what had to be the giant cake in both hands. “Come on in, Roy.”

The human barely closed the door with his hip when a little voice came screaming towards him. “UNCLE ROY! ARE YOU COMING TO MY BIRTHDAY PARTY TOMORROW?!” 

Roy’s ears began to ring almost immediately, and Will loudly shushed his daughter from the kitchen. Still, Roy looked down at the almond eyes that stared into his with a begging look. “Of course I am, kiddo. I’m helping get everything ready.”

Lian giggled and climbed on Roy like a jungle gym. Will took the cake and carried it into the kitchen while Roy spun Lian in a front flip. “Are you ready for dinner soon, chickpea?” he asked. 

Lian nodded eagerly.

“Good,” said Roy, “because the adults and I are getting your party ready, so you will need to go upstairs soon so it will be a surprise tomorrow.”

“Now?” asked Lian. 

“Not right now,” Will said as he took her from Roy’s arms, “but soon.”

The doorbell rang again, and Will welcomed in his fellow clone, who barely had time to walk through the doorway when Lian threw herself at his leg and held tight as he walked in. Jim grinned, knelt down, and pulled her up for a kiss. 

“Isn’t someone’s birthday coming up?” he playfully asked. 

Lian laughed and kicked midair as he positioned her so he supported her up by her chest and stomach. “Oh, look, you’re Wonder Woman,” he said as he made her “fly” midair. “Wee…”

Lian giggled and waved her arms until he set her down and opened the bag dangling from the crease of his elbow. “What’s in the bag?” she asked. 

Jim accepted the mug of coffee Artemis handed to him and took his time emptying the bag. “Everything for a moon bounce for a special little girl.”

“A moon bounce?!” Lian squawked, her jaw dropping. “I gotta moon bounce?!”

Will’s stomach sank. How many kids were injured by moon bounce-related injuries per year? 

“Yes,” Jim said, “but we’re not going to set it up just yet.”

Lian and the adults gathered around for pizza, which Will had picked up earlier, while she made sure they watched Paw Patrol. Roy was on his phone most of the time, Artemis ate and scratched Brucely’s ears, and only Jim and Will paid attention to what was on TV; every time Jim babysat, he always got super into what TV shows Lian watched since it was perfect uncle-niece bonding, and Will wanted to make sure he understood the characters that his daughter clearly worshipped. 

Eventually, the child went to bed at eight on the dot; Auntie Mouse carried her upstairs and changed her into pajamas while the men went on to decorate. Once Artemis came back down, they blew the balloons, set up the kitchen table with extra folding chairs, and mixed together the punch. Jim went outside and used the light from his phone to read the directions on setting up the moon bounce and how to keep it afloat overnight. Afterwards, the adults were up until midnight making gift bags for the children and going over the schedule, from games to lunch to cake to presents and more games. Since some kids were, as Will assumed, “gender neutral” (Roy had to laugh, since that was so new to him), they had to make sure to mix up the colors so the girls wouldn’t just get pink and the boys blue; some kids got green, some got purple, some others. 

Finally, Roy set down the last bag he was working on and sighed. His back ached from hunching over work for little midgets, and even the fingers on his robotic arm hurt. “I don’t know about you guys, but I’m going back to the hotel,” he yawned. 

“Me too,” Jim agreed as he rubbed his face. “See you guys tomorrow.”

“See you tomorrow,” Will greeted them goodbye as they put on their jackets and contacted an Uber to pick them up. As soon as the car drove away, Will went back to the decorations and kept going, wanting to make sure everything was perfect. He knew how many kids were coming, he didn’t want to be short on a goody bag, he double checked that there was enough food for everyone and that nobody was allergic to anything, and there was enough punch to make more bowls in case they ran out or some kid crashed and made an accident. 

“Will,” Artemis hissed. “Come on, let’s go to sleep.”

“I can’t,” he whispered back. “I have to make sure everything is perfect!”

Artemis bit her lip but smiled anyway. It looked odd. “Will, everything is perfect, I swear–”

“Artemis,” Will interrupted. He stared at the extra gift bag he was making as an emergency. “I have to make sure everything is perfect. I don’t want anything bad to happen. I want it to be the best I can give my daughter…because her…” His voice trailed off. 

His sister-in-law also looked uncomfortable when she clearly thought about her sister, who was surely not going to see her own daughter. Would it make up to Lian, to have a perfect party that her mother would not attend? Would everything Paw Patrol distract her from the pain of an absent parent? What if Lian still declared the party ruined because Mommy did not show up? Artemis rubbed her face and thought bitterly of her birthdays growing up, how even her assassin mother made time to host a small party and invite all her school friends, but Dad did nothing when his wife was behind bars. Lian didn’t deserve to have anything less than that, and for a moment Artemis wanted to hate her sister for making no indication that she was going to celebrate her daughter’s life.

“Listen, Will,” she sighed as she put her hands on his arms. “Everything will be fine, I promise. If anything goes wrong, I’m still there. So will Roy and Jim. You are not alone. Will, look at me.”

Will closed his eyes but reluctantly obeyed. Artemis smiled weakly. “I know what bothers you, and I appreciate that you’re doing this to give Lian the best birthday you can, but if you keep doing this, you’ll agitate yourself more. You’ll end up ruining the party for her if you don’t get any sleep or you strive to make everything too perfect.”

Will took a deep breath but nodded. “Come on,” she encouraged him. “Let’s get ready for tomorrow.” 

Artemis led her brother-in-law upstairs, and he was quick to brush his teeth and change into sleepwear. Still, he wasted two hours on his phone looking up nothing of particular interest until he yawned and decided that it was time to go to bed. 

Will did not remember falling asleep; he woke up promptly at six on the dot as though someone poured cold water over his face. He yawned, stretched his arms, and hurried down the stairs into the kitchen to make his daughter the best birthday breakfast ever. 

Not cereal today, he thought as he checked the cabinets. I don’t want to take her out to eat… French Toast? Maybe pancakes. 

Will wasn’t a terrible cook, but he was never one to perfect making his own pasta sauce; the one time he tried, Jade could not stop making faces and licking her teeth because it clearly tasted bad. Sighing, he pulled out his phone and looked up recipes.

Artemis walked into the kitchen with the birthday girl in her arms and was surprised to see the kitchen as though she walked into the set of a cooking show. Will was chopping strawberries at the counter, with a bowl and whisk beside him. Something heated on the stove, and Artemis tried not to moan because of how good it smelled–like vanilla and cinnamon. 

“Morning, Daddy,” Lian chirped through a yawn. 

Will instantly dropped the knife and quickly smiled. “Happy birthday, Lian,” he said. “Hope you’re hungry.”

“What are you making?” asked his sister-in-law as she set Lian into her big-girl seat. 

Will quickly smoothed the creamy filling between the bread and added strawberries and syrup before he presented the plate to his daughter. “A French Toast sandwich, with strawberries, bananas, and syrup, and chocolate chips,” he said proudly. He watched as Lian’s eyes lit up when she saw her yummy-looking breakfast and he took a deep breath. He wanted her to have the best birthday breakfast he could offer. She grabbed a fork, and Artemis helped her cut her sandwich into small pieces. Will’s heart beat faster, and Lian’s eyes widen. 

“Yummy!” she squealed before she shoved another forkful into her mouth. 

Will laughed, and Artemis gently stopped her from shoving another forkful between her lips and reminded her to chew and swallow first. Relieved, Will poured coffee for himself and Artemis, and cooked another patch before the party would start.

***

Artemis was outside and setting up decorations and party bags when the doorbell first rang. Lian was watching TV with her father, but Will was quick to walk up to the front door. All of a sudden, his anxiety came back. What if everyone else who came hated the party? What if this was the only kid who came to the party? Swallowing, Will peered through the peephole but opened the door with a smile. 

“Hello, Will. Are we late?”

“Raquel! No. You and Amistad are the first to arrive!”

The young woman clutched her squirming son and grinned. Will smiled at the little boy, clearly looking for his friend. “Come on in. Artemis is out back, but Amistad here can–”

“Ami, Ami!” Lian was at her father’s side within a moment and jumping. Raquel set down her son, and the children embraced.

“Aw,” cooed Raquel. 

“Today is your birthday,” said Amistad as he pet Lian’s hair. 

“Auntie Mouse is outside, and we got a moon bouncy,” Lian squealed. She and Amistad grabbed hands and ran to the backdoor but could not reach the doorknob. Will shook his head and opened the door for them. 

***

Over the next hour, Will did his best to relax. The party was going off rather smoothly. Lian’s friends were there, both from daycare and the parents’ group. Donny and Dawn, who somehow knew not to run around, were laughing and rolling around the lawn with Zehra and Khary. Artur and Traya were having too much fun inside the moon bounce with Greg and Brandon. Many of the daycare moms were still starstruck to meet Iris—the GBS reporter! Lian’s daddy knew a news reporter from the second biggest national news station, after GMA!—and Artemis, who had dropped off Brucely at the Watchtower for the day, was happy to photograph as many things as possible.

“It’s hard getting my kids out of the house sometimes,” sighed Nicole as Lian tried doing a cartwheel while Dawn and Zehra cheered her on. “What’s your secret?”

Will swallowed, at loss for words. “Uh, well, when you’ve lived with a millionaire most of your life, you get to travel a lot, more or less like an army brat, and you make friends with whoever does business with your adoptive dad. So…” He felt so awkward and worried that she could sense it. “I guess it’s…doing something new every day.”

“Ani, Jenny!” Lian and Dawn screamed.

Anissa and Jennifer, each carrying a present, shoved them into Lynn’s arms and bolted for their friends. “Happy birthday, Li!” Jennifer giggled. 

“Lynn, so happy you could come,” Will said as he handed her a cup of punch and offered two more to her daughters. The girls wiped their mouths, thanked their host, and let Lian tug on their hands as she rushed to introduce them to her friends from daycare. 

Will introduced Lynn to all the daycare mothers, who were very nice and alternated between watching the children play and talking to each other. “Wow, your daughter is really a social butterfly,” Masasa commented. “I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s voted Homecoming Queen in the future!”

Will forced himself to chuckle. He couldn’t imagine Lian at age six just yet, so just the thought of her as a teenager felt weird.

“Everything okay?” Lynn asked in a voice low enough so the daycare moms didn’t hear. 

“Yeah,” he whispered. “I’m not used to playing host, and…I’m worried something might happen.”

Lynn cocked an eyebrow. “Say that again.”

Will gestured for her to follow him as he slowly walked from the daycare moms. At a considerable distance, he took a deep breath. “I get nervous around the women from daycare. It’s not easy being the only dad–well, only really involved dad. I mean, other dads will help with things, pick up their kids and all, but…” Then he swallowed and double checked that nobody was watching. “I’ve heard quite a few women notice that I’m the only one of Lian’s parents to do things, and they’ve said some rather mean things, like her mother is a bad parent for not being with the other moms or…picking up our daughter.”

Lynn’s face made him think that he told her that her brother had just died. “Are you serious?”

Will nodded. “Yeah. Sometimes I have Artemis pick Lian up, just because…it’s kind of hurtful.” When Lynn didn’t say anything, he continued. “That’s why I want this party to be perfect, so these mothers can let the others know that I am a good single father even if I don’t have my wife with me.”

Lynn glanced at the daycare mothers chatting animatedly with Iris, Mera, and Raquel. “Well, I think it’s enough that you have her aunt involved, but…at least you have us. We know you don’t project your daughter’s needs to her aunt. We got your back.”

Will felt completely grateful and nodded. 

***

The doorbell rang shortly after Brandon won Pin the Helmet on the Dog, but some of the kids alternated between running inside and some were already back outdoors. Artemis reassured Will that she would watch over the kids so he could answer the door. 

“Hello, brother.”

Will smiled at his fellow clone, who carried a present wrapped in appropriately themed wrapping paper, but his smile sank when he saw Roy hunched over his phone. “Someone’s not in a party mode?” he asked. 

Jim glanced at their genetic template. “I practically had to drag him from the hotel. I’m starting to think that he may have second thoughts about being caught in a kiddie party.”

“I’m not deaf, you know,” Roy groaned. Jim chuckled. 

“Lian, Uncle Jim and Uncle Roy are here!” Will called out. “Put that down, however you pronounce your name again!”

Jim laughed and elbowed Roy to follow him inside, where Lian ran to them both for hugs and then dashed through the backdoor. He grimaced as he tried to set down his gift somewhere on the mountain of presents without it falling over. Once he was satisfied, he followed Will into the backyard. Some of the mothers he recognized, and the others must have been daycare moms. The only other guy was definitely the human android that Red Tornado set up. Roy walked away, but Jim looked up and saw a very familiar face that he was happy to see. 

“Hey, Karen!”

The expectant woman grinned, and they hugged as tightly but loosely as they could given her condition. “Glad to see you!” He quickly peeked around. “Mal’s getting better, I hope?”

Karen nodded. “Yes, but he encouraged me to come anyway, and I’m going to film Lian opening our present for him. Plus…” She glanced around at the little ones laughing and having fun. “When you’re going to be a member of an exclusive club like this, you don’t turn down the invite for what you’re expecting.“ 

“Absolutely,” he agreed, thinking of his protégé and how excited he was for the couple.

“So, uh…how’s Karen?” she asked as she cradled her baby bump. 

Jim grinned. “Your, uh, closest ‘geranium’ is doing well, and she hopes you’ll come back and visit soon.” He liked to see how Karen’s eyes lit up. “They all miss you and can’t wait to hear about your dissertation. Definitely let me know if—”

What cut him off was a squeal of laughter, and Donny and Dawn jogged behind the other kids, waving their arms and making silly noises. Artemis secured a few pictures, but Will could not laugh. He watched his daughter and a friend from daycare attempt to hula hoop, but both failed miserably. Fortunately, Lian just laughed, and so did her friend. He noticed Roy succeed in opening a bottle of water with one hand and offer a kid a juice box.

Then Will looked over his daughter’s head and panicked when he saw Mera put her hand to her son’s forehead. The prince must have dehydrated himself in the moon bounce. Will grabbed a water bottle and hurried over. “Here,” he said. “He looks thirsty.”

“Thank you,” Mera said as she handed her son the bottle and encouraged him to drink. Will checked to make sure nobody was watching, but he was worried. He wanted his daughter’s birthday to be perfect, and that did not include a child passing out, especially an Atlantean. 

When Artur took deep breaths, Will fanned him as best as he could. “If you want, the bathtub is upstairs if he needs a good soak.”

“Thank you, Will,” Mera said, “but I think he’s good for now.”

“You sure?” Will asked the prince. Artur hesitated but nodded. Will sighed in relief and chuckled when he saw some of the day care moms—Denise and Nicole—standing close to Jim, who looked amused and uncomfortable. Nicole, with the black hair, nodded to what he was saying and brushed something off his shoulder. 

***

“Lois! I’m so glad you and Jonathan could make it!” the host greeted the last guest before he welcomed the two inside.

“Thank you for inviting us,” Lois said. “I mean, I know he’s a little young for birthday parties, but it means a lot that you welcome us here.”

“Of course.” Will led mother and child to the backyard and ruffled the baby’s hair. “My daughter enjoys playing with your son, and she wanted him to come.” Then he clapped his hands and put on his best host smile. “All right, everyone, who’s ready for the piñata?”

Even little Jonathan bounced in his mother’s arms as he watched the children line up. Artemis took a picture of her niece clutching the Sky piñata before Jim hung it over a tree branch and Roy tied a bandana over Lian’s eyes. He handed her a wooden baseball bat. 

“Hey, no fair!” Jennifer whined. She pointed to the older kids behind her. “They’re bigger than we are, they’ll hit it better!” Then came a little chorus of protests, and Will panicked. He tried to read his daughter’s face, but it was hard given the blindfold.

“Not quite, kiddo,” Jim said with a smile. “Who says that I can’t lift”—he tugged on the rope so the piñata went up a few inches higher—“for the taller ones?”

“Damn, he’s so hot,” Will heard Kath mutter to herself or the other mothers. He tried not to chuckle, even though he knew that if Jim found out, he would have turned red. 

It took about half an hour and tiny cheers of encouragement, but at last Sky broke apart when Amistad whacked the side, and a shower of candy poured onto the grass. Children rushed over and grabbed handfuls of Tootsie Rolls, sugar stix, Twix bars, Kit Kats, lollipops, and Twizzlers, which their parents said they would hold onto until after presents. 

“All right, everyone,” Will said after he checked the time, “who’s ready for birthday cake?”

Roy would never admit to anyone that a hoard of tiny legs and bodies nearly trampled him to the ground in a rush into the house, and he was sure that one kid kicked him in the gut, but nobody noticed because everyone in the kitchen impatiently watched as Will removed the cake from the refrigerator. 

Will set down the giant Paw Patrol cake in front of his daughter, with the 3 candle lit and dancing. It was 4:16—the exact same time that Lian was born, after her mother was in labor for sixteen hours. The birthday girl and her friends bounced in their seats as Will and Lian posed for her aunt. Then Will let her take a picture of all the guests before he said, “All right, everyone sing…”

“Happy birthday to you…”

Lian blew out the candle, and her friends, their mothers, her father, her aunt, and her uncles clapped and cheered. Then Will slowly cut the cake into equal wedges and set them on tiny Paw Patrol paper plates for the children. (He then worried that someone would notice that he gave Donny and Dawn slightly bigger slices and regretted not ordering a stack of cupcakes for everyone so the twins wouldn’t detect if they were eating something sugar-free).

Lian, for no reason, ended up shoving her slice of cake in Roy’s face. Her friends burst into laughter, while their mothers blushed. Jim chuckled, but then he felt a stranger caress his arm and then his back a little too much for his liking. Will, for once, stopped worrying and started laughing. His daughter was happy. She was making other children laugh. 

Roy, who thought that Lian had wanted to whisper something in his ear, stared as cake fell from his face and onto the table. Lian giggled and licked her fingers. He shrugged and ruffled her hair. Little goofball—he couldn’t get mad at her. Then he searched for a napkin, but his eyes instead hit Artemis holding a camera, pointing in his direction, clicking more than once. The humiliation came back in a fresh wave. He needed to break that camera apart and burn it. He could not let anyone else see evidence that a three-year-old “caked” him like a newly married couple to each other. 

“Jennifer, no!” Lynn warned as she grabbed her daughter’s wrist before she could shove her own slice into her sister’s face. Anissa either didn’t care or was laughing too hard to notice. Will grinned as everyone ate and Jonathan smashed his fist into his own slice, and then he, Artemis, and Jim carried the presents and set them on the table where the cake had been.

At Auntie Mouse’s request, Lian had to open Grandmommy Paula’s gift first, though everything was filmed anyway. Paula gave her granddaughter two dolls that she had since she was a girl, a black dress, and a storybook in Vietnamese. Although Lian was not learning to speak Vietnamese fluently, she was able to read and understand some vocabulary. Will helped his daughter read aloud the letter his mother-in-law wrote, Lian in love with her grandmother’s handwriting. Artemis couldn’t help but feel like crying because Paula said the best words to her little sunshine. 

Artur gave her a pink conch and told her to hold it to her ear so she could hear the ocean. Lian nearly squealed because it sounded so real, but not even the little prince could explain why it could do that. Jennifer gave her a Justice League coloring book that featured nearly every hero in its history (Lian knew better than to point out that she found her own daddy in the book) and a stack of crayons, Anissa bought with her own money Green Arrow and Black Canary plushies for Lian’s collection, while Amistad’s gift was a kiddie bow and arrow set with suction cups, and Traya’s a kid-friendly book on different religions. Jonathan’s parents gave her a Superman teddy from Build-a-Bear, Donny and Dawn a picture album of their adventures to the beach and the zoo, and Zehra two stuffed cats. Khary gave her a collection of Peppa Pig plushies, Greg a candy-making kit, and Brandon the same set of Paw Patrol rain boots that he had so they could be "twins” for the daycare’s upcoming trip to an apple orchard.

Roy gave her the Brave read-along book, Artemis a collection of clothes, and Jim a suitcase with wheels to carry books, clothes, and toys for when she came to visit him, her name embroidered in sapphire blue. All three of them also gave her cards declaring their absolute love for the niece they shared and how she lit up their lives.

After Lian opened a bumblebee pillow pet from Mal and Karen, Will handed her his present. She pulled apart the wrapping paper to the solar system set that she wanted for a long time and a framed poem of a father’s love and wishes for his daughter. Everyone, even Roy and Jim, started tearing up as Will coached his daughter into reading it out loud. He promised to hang it over her bed after the party. 

Afterwards, the party spent the afternoon in the living room. The TV played Paw Patrol, but the children alternated between watching and engaging in other activities. Lian and Jennifer made buzzing noises to Jonathan using the bumblebee pillow pet. Artur, Traya, Anissa, and Dawn gathered at the coffee table while Jim entertained them with card tricks, and Masasa gave him coffee and a wink. Roy feigned interest as Donny, Greg, and Zehra sang along to whatever was on TV again and bounced on his lap and the couch. Amistad, Brandon, and Khary played Justice League while Raquel, Mera, Iris, and Karen got to know Nicole, Kath, Denise, and Grey. Will talked mostly to John and watched as Artemis made sure to snap pictures of everything. 

Slowly, beginning at six, the guests began to leave. Jennifer and Donny whined and complained as their respective mothers escorted them out, but they were excited to go home and open their party bags. Although the parents helped Will clean up as much as they could, only John, Roy, Mera, and Jim stayed. By the time Mera and John left, with Traya and the prince behind them, Will thought he was going to cry in relief. It was hard playing host and keeping an eye out on little bodies. Roy ordered a pizza for the remaining four adults to share as they finished the ice cream, and Will began washing the dishes. 

“Did you have fun, baby girl?” Artemis called out. A yawn was her response. Artemis chuckled and walked into the living room to sit beside her exhausted niece, rubbing her eyes and struggling to hold up her head. “Ready for bed? You must be sleepy.”

“No,” she sighed. “I’m fine.”

“Are you sure?” 

Lian nodded but yawned again. Artemis smiled and prepared to slide her hands under her niece’s body, but Lian made a noise of protest. “No, I want Daddy.”

“Is everything okay, Li?” Will asked as he stepped out of the kitchen.

Lian nodded and held out her arms. “Daddy put me to bed.” 

Will smiled and picked her up. Her head immediately landed on his shoulder. “Oh, my little girl’s exhausted,” he said. “Did you have fun today?”

Lian nodded as he carried her into the kitchen so Jim and Roy could hug her goodnight before she went to bed. “I did,” she whispered.

Will gave Lian a quick bath and had to keep his hand on her back to keep her from falling asleep in the tub, and brushed her teeth for her while she struggled to keep her mouth wide open. Lian sleepily wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her head on his collarbone as he helped her into her pajamas. Will laid her onto the mattress, but before he pulled the covers to her chest, Lian threw her arms around him again. “Thank you, Daddy,” she yawned. “It was the best birthday ever.”

[justasparkwritings]

Merry & Bright {5}: Pretend That We’re There

Previous: Baby, Please

Pairing: Jung Hoseok x Reader

Genre: Fluff

Rating: PG13

Warnings: Swearing! Kissing!

Summary: A Christmas tree farm with your love is the perfect way to spend a December evening. 

         Christmas lights are strung across exposed wooden beams. Icicles pinned to the peaks of the exterior, shimmering off the naturally reflective snow. The snow, freshly fallen, is still pristine, unblemished by the people who have just walked through the front doors of the Christmas Tree Farm. The air, ripe with pine and mulled wine and hot apple cider sweeps through the space, engulfing everyone in a sugar-coated induced holiday coma.

          Ho-Seok holds your hand, the warmth from his enrapturing yours. You feel his thumb making circles against the back of your hand, and glancing at him, you can’t help but smile. His eyes are wide, too wide, as if the larger his eyes are the more exposure he has, resulting in capturing the best memories. His mouth is mimicking his eyes, jaw slacked as he takes in the festive decorations and bustle of strangers, all smiling and happy as they engage in their own Christmas traditions. The music is soft, some version of What Christmas Means to Me, and Ho-Seok bobs his head to the beat.

          “Whoa,” He says, stopping in the middle of the space to fully take it in. “This is, incredible.”

          He moves slowly, eyes sweeping over the vendors selling mulled wine and apple cider, the stands of ornaments and Christmas trinkets, the signs pointing towards the animals and Christmas trees. The smells overwhelming his senses as he tries to locate the booth of fresh cookies and sweets.

          “Whoa,” He repeats.

          “Where should we start?” You ask.

          “Animals?” He suggests.

          “Perfect,” You can’t stop smiling, his joy radiating against yours.

          You walk through the venue, making your way quickly to the reindeer, glancing at the sign pointing you towards the full stable of nativity animals. They have a donkey, sheep, a camel, everything that would’ve welcomed the baby Jesus into the world. Squealing as you notice a baby reindeer, Ho-Seok takes a photo as you giddily pay the few dollars for a couple of carrots to feed them.

           “Do you think reindeer are better than people?” You whisper to the reindeer, all gathered to nibble the carrots you are offering. “We’re not all bad, especially him,” You jerk your head towards Ho-Seok, who is busy snapping pictures of you. “He’s pretty fucking great.”

           “Y/N! Don’t swear at the animals!” Ho-Seok scolds, slipping his hand into his pocket.

           “It was a compliment,” You wink.

           “I wonder if they’ll paint one of their noses red,” He asks, taking a carrot from you.

           “Maybe, I wonder if they have the full line up,” You say.

           “Dasher and Dancer and Donner and Blitzen!” He says full conviction in his voice.

           “Do you really know them all?” You ask, amazed he’d retained that tidbit.

           “No, they’re on that sign!” Ho-Seok guffaws.

           “You’re the worst!” You say lightly hitting him.

           “Let’s go see them, maybe someone will take our photo!” Ho-Seok pulls you along to explore the rest of the stables.

           Together you are in awe of the nativity scene, real people seated amongst the animals, a reader telling the story of the birth of Jesus. As you wander past it, you notice an arrow pointing towards Santa, and another reader is flawlessly reciting Twas the Night Before Christmas. Children and their willing parents are lined up to take a picture with Santa, his elves passing out candy canes to waiting children.

           “Did you ever take Santa photos?” HO-Seok asks.

           “No, absolutely not!” You respond, eyes wide.

           “Never?”

           “I think they tried one year with my sister, and never with me,”

           “She ruined it?” He inquires.

           “No, it’s just, weird. That’s not even,” You lower your voice, “The real Santa.”

           “Y/N, are you telling me you still believe?” He asks, shocked.

           “I’m saying that some of these kids don’t know that these Santas aren’t real, they work for Santa and do his work around the world while he’s busy planning the route and checking his list, twice,” Your voice doesn’t waver, causing Ho-Seok to wonder if you truly believe this. Your eyes are just wide enough, innocence fresh as you explain the innerworkings of Santa Claus.

           “Oh, makes sense,” He says nodding. He loved your nonsense stories, your traditions or quirks that made him scratch his head. He didn’t know people like you existed, people who still believed in the magic of the holiday season.

           “Are you thirsty?” You ask, guiding him back towards the main barn.

           “Mm, yes, and hungry,” He says.

           “I’ll get the cider; you get the cookies?”

           “Meet in the middle?” He offers. You nod, kiss him quickly and maneuver through the crowds to the vendor selling hot apple cider. You opt for the traditional beverage, though the temptation for a spiked cider is very appealing. Slowly you make your way through the extra stalls, looking at the gifts and the joy on everyone’s face. This is Christmas, the magic of giving and receiving, the bliss of spending time with family. It was all you wanted, wandering a Christmas Tree farm with someone you love, sipping cider, nibbling cookies, trying not to sing to the carols and songs playing.

           You circle through and find yourself in the middle, where Ho-Seok stood, still staring in awe at the Christmas bazaar. You exchanged your items, a cider for him, a sugar cookie for you, and began to walk through the stalls.

           “We should get something,” He suggests.

           “Like what?” You ask.

           “Something special, to commemorate this trip,”

           “Hmm, something to take out every year?” You clarify.

           “Yes, like an ornament,” He says.

           You agree, knowing full well he will never be able to decide, the temptation to buy them all and trying to find the most perfect one will overwhelm him, and he’ll leave empty handed.

           In true fashion, thirty minutes later, all stalls visited twice, drinks and cookies gone, Ho-Seok stands empty handed.

           “I don’t know why this is so hard,” He’s frustrated.

           “Babe, you knew this was going to happen,” You say softly, lips moving swiftly to kiss his.

           “I wanted to just, find something special.”

           “Maybe you’re looking too hard,” You shrug, hands moving from his shoulders to capture his hands in yours.

           “Maybe,” He says, still pouting.

           “Do you want to dance before we go?” You suggest, eyebrows wagging.

           “Dance?” He questions, no one was dancing around you, no couples were swaying to the tunes from overhead, no one holding their loved one close, absentmindedly stepping in time to the beat.

           “Yeah, listen,” You say, closing your eyes.

          Ho-Seok copies you, and faintly he hears a favorite, I’ll Be Home for Christmas. With your hands, still in his, you pull him closer to a corner speaker. He lets go first, only to place his hands on your hips, pulling you to him. Your hands around his neck, you sway, both singing lightly to the song. Your love, much like a bow on a present, ties you together. The joy of a Christmas spent together, enjoying the festivities brings out the adoration you have for one another. Even when he’s frustrated, even when you’re hopped up on sugar, like the star in the sky, you always find your way to each other.

           Two days later, a fire raging, Ho-Seok sits next to you on the couch, an arm lightly tossed behind you, drawing you into his side.

           “This is for you,” You say, untangling yourself from him and hand him a wrapped box.

           He smiles, beams, as he carefully slips off the immaculate ribbon and tears the paper. He’s careful with the weight, it’s heavy, which confuses him based on the boxes size. He looks at you, confused.

           “What is this?” He asks, opening the box and removing the tissue paper. Carefully he takes out the bulbous snow globe. His eyes are wide, words ceasing to flow from his lips. “When did you, how did you?”

           “You went to take a picture of something, right before we left, and I picked it up,” You shrug. “Do you like it?”

           “I love it,” He says, shaking the snow globe lightly, the glitter and snow swirling around the Christmas trees, mimicking the farm you’d spent an evening at just a day or two ago. On the placard at the base of the globe reads “May every wish come true”.

           “It’s perfect,” He says, still staring at the orb.

           “When you’re alone, you can shake it and be transported back here, to our time together,” You say, leaning forward to rest a cheek on his shoulder. His mind is still absorbed in the gift, the love you have for him… the love he has for you, a marvel.

           “When I’m feeling alone, I’ll have you to remind me of home,” Ho-Seok whispers to the snow globe.

           “Merry Christmas, baby.” You say, pressing a soft kiss on his cheek.

Next: Once Bitten, Twice Shy

[andyquhyn]

prompt list #3 (winter/christmas edition)

“Hey, it’s snowing outside.”

“God, you’re shivering so much— just take my jacket.”

“Don’t you dare throw that snowball.”

“Let’s cuddle to stay warm.”

“I made you hot chocolate, with marshmallows, of course.”

“I got you a present.”

“You’ve never seen snow before?”

“I swear I didn’t plan this, but… we’re under the mistletoe right now.”

“Come sit by the fireplace with me.”

“Help me wrap up these presents.”

“Let’s bake cookies!”

“If I freeze to death, I’m blaming you.”

“Just hold my hand, I won’t let you slip.”

“I guess we’re stuck here until the snow dies down.”

“So, are you going to be my New Year’s kiss?”

“My snowman looks better than yours.”

“If you play one more Christmas song, I’m going to smash my head through the wall.”

“We need to go buy a Christmas tree.”

“I’m not telling you what your gift is, you’re going to have to wait until Christmas!”

“Do I smell burning?”

“By the way, I might’ve told everyone that you’re my date because I didn’t want to go to this Christmas party alone.”

“Oh, we definitely have to go ice skating now that I know you’ve never done it before!”

“Come decorate the Christmas tree!”

“Oh no, we need to go emergency gift shopping right now!”

“I’ve never seen such an ugly sweater before. I love it.”

“Uh, surprise! I’m your Secret Santa.”

“You’re going to be home for the holidays, right?”

“Our gingerbread house is falling apart!”

“Oh, I need a lot more wine to get me through this dinner.”

“Ugh, I’ve caught a cold.”

“I have about thirty more Christmas cards to write and I’m nowhere near finished.”

“You can’t go outside in this weather.”

“I swear, I’ve never met anyone as festive as you.”

“God, is our first kiss really going to be under the mistletoe?”

“Dinner is supposed to start in twenty minutes and I’ve burned half the food and don’t have time to cook the rest.”

“I’m freezing my ass off.”

“I promise you, my parents are delighted to have you over for the holidays, and they’re so excited to meet you.”

“I need another blanket.”

“Your hands are so cold.”

“Our gingerbread men look like gingerbread blobs.” 

“Exactly how many candy canes have you eaten?”

“You’re lucky I love you, or else I would kill you for spilling hot chocolate all over my favorite sweater.”

“Surprise! I’m your Christmas gift.”

“Do you want some tea?”

“Is that my scarf?”

“You’ve had some brilliant ideas in the past, but driving through a snowstorm only to get stuck on the road has truly been your best idea.”

“Let’s frost the cookies!”

“I hate the cold so much.”

“Do we really need another box of sparkly, glittery ornaments?”

“Best Christmas ever.”

“Who knew you were actually a decent baker?”

��I didn’t think it was possible for someone to suck so badly at gift wrapping, but here you are.”

“You can’t tell them Santa’s not real!”

“I hate Christma—” “Don’t you dare finish that sentence.”

“Let’s just stay in here, where it’s warm.”

“Please just come to this New Year’s party with me.”

“Look! Fireworks!”

“You look adorable covered in snow.”

“I bet I’m a faster ice skater than you.”

“I kind of got too drunk at this New Year’s party and I need you to pick me up.”

“That is the most hideous sweater I’ve ever seen, and yet, somehow, you’re pulling it off.”

“It’s our first holiday together.”

“I got matching sweaters for us and the cat!”

“I’m still mad at you, but I’m going to ignore our argument just for today since it’s Christmas.”

“How could you not tell me your parents are coming over today?!”

“I told you to wear a bigger jacket.”

“Hey, careful, you’re going to slip!”

“You just saved Christmas.”

“How did you manage to get tangled in the lights?”

“Please don’t tell me you’re going out wearing the tinsel like a scarf.”

“I’m glad I get to spend the holidays with you.”

“Fuck it, a new year is about to start, and I can’t go another year hiding this from you — I love you.”

“Hey, you were the one who insisted on throwing a Christmas party, even when I told you it’d be a nightmare to plan!”

“Can you help me put the star on top of the tree?”

“If I fall, I’m dragging you down with me.”

“Your snow angel looks deformed.”

“I suck at giving gifts, but… I hope you still like it.”

“We’re totally putting this picture on the Christmas cards.”

“Did you spike our hot chocolate?”

“It’s New Year’s. Of course I’m drunk.”

“I got us matching Christmas socks.”

“Please tell me you kept the dog in the other room, away from the presents.”

“Hey, you started this snowball fight, and now I have to finish it.”

“We need a bigger tree!”

“Yeah, I’ve never made a pie before, but how hard can it be?”

“How are you not cold?!”

“I know it’s cliché but… all I want for Christmas is you.”

“I usually hate the holiday season, but it’s a little more bearable with you.”

“Are you still mad because I ate the last cookie?”

“Winter is the best season.” “I beg to differ.”

“Please just dress up as Santa for the kids.”

“I’m telling you, going down this snowy hill on your makeshift sleigh is a bad idea.”

“I wish you could be here to celebrate with us.”

“Oh, you’re so warm, don’t ever let go of me.”

“It’s supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year!”

“I refuse to go outside, it’s like the North Pole out there!”

“I was hoping I’d see you at this party.”

“Just step a little closer to me… to your left… woah! Would you look at that, we’re under the mistletoe, what a complete and utter coincidence!”

“I will treasure this gift forever.”

“Happy New Year, baby. I can’t wait to spend another year with you.”

[harringtonandbuckley]

jailhouse rock

robin buckley x reader

request: can you do something with #5 and #96? 

5: “I’m not here to make friends.”

96: “It’s Christmas, don’t be mad at me.”

It was a cold afternoon on Christmas day. Your careful planning and precision of the day ahead was one of high honor. You had made it a point to wrap your family’s gifts that morning to ensure everything was accounted for, but you completely overestimated how much paper it would take. Sure, you planned everything to a ‘T,’ but you never imagined that your downfall would be running out of wrapping paper. So, to your dismay, Robin had graciously offered to run to the store and pick some up.

Robin left your house at 12:30. It was now 2:58. Not only did you have to be at your parent’s house at 4:00, you also had to finishing wrapping the gifts, and, most importantly, prepare Robin for meeting the rest of your family. It was your first major holiday together, and your parents had insisted on her coming over. 

Now, the faster the time passed, you began to panic and wonder if Robin had just left to avoid going with you today. Seriously, how long does it take for one person to buy wrapping paper? You began to pace your living room, trying to create logical solutions as to why she hasn’t come back. Maybe her car broke down. Maybe the line at the store was ridiculously long. Maybe she drove through the main stretch of town and just kept going.

Finally, you gave in. You went to your phone and dialed a familiar number: Steve. The line was ringing, and for some reason, you had some feeling of hope. That ended quickly when the line went to voicemail. You left a quick message, nothing too concerning, just letting him know you had to ask him a question. You hung up and rested your forehead against the wall. What the fuck.

You were snapped out of your thoughts by the phone ringing. Figuring it was Steve calling back, you answered. “Thank god you called me, I’m worried sick.”

“How did you know I was going to call?”

“Robin?”

“Yeah, it’s me. Listen I-”

“Where the hell are you?” You figured you sounded a little bit too harsh judging by her scoff on the other end.

“I need you to promise me something before I start to talk.”

“Why?”

“Y/N, please?”

“Okay.”

“It’s Christmas, don’t be mad at me.”

“Rob-”

“I’m kind of in a jam and I need you to come and get me.”

“So why am I going to be mad.”

“Well, I may or may not be, um, kind of sort of in jail?”

“Are you being serious?”

“Y/N, can you just please come and get me?”

“You’re in jail?”

“Yeah, it’s a long story but I just need you to come and get me. That simple.”

“It’s not that simple when you are making your phone call from prison! Jesus, Robin!”

“I’m not here to make friends. You’re acting like I came here on purpose.”

“I’ll be there in five minutes.”

-------------------------------------

Your drive to the police station was full of nothing but anger and many, many expletives. You left your house at 3:20, and you probably wouldn’t get there for another ten minutes. Time was ticking away.

Finally, you arrived. With a huff, you got out of your car and stalked to the front doors. You were greeted instantly with Chief Hopper, a scowl on his face. 

“Please tell me you’re,” he looked down at his palm, “Y/N and here to pick up Harrington and Buckley.”

“I’m sorry, what?” You blinked and crossed your arms over your chest.

“Harrington and Buckley? They said some girl was coming to pick them up.”

“Yeah, that’s me. Just wasn’t expecting the ‘Harrington’ part.”

“Well, if it wasn’t you before, it is now,” Hopper put his face in his hands and sighed. “They’re absolute pain in the asses. I can’t take it anymore.”

“What the hell did they do?” You finally asked.

“Public disturbance. They can give you the details. Give me a sec and I’ll go grab them.”

You sat down in the lobby, fire coursing through your veins. Not only did Robin get arrested on Christmas day, she was with Steve? Once again: What the fuck.

Not more than one minute later, Hopper appeared around the corner with Steve and Robin in tow. “Have a Merry Christmas, and I hope to never see any of you again any time soon.”

-------------------

The car ride home was mostly in silence. You made Robin and Steve sit in the backseat. “Steve, what are your holiday plans?”

“Um, just uh, planning on watching a movie or something?” 

“Well, not anymore. You’re coming with me and helping me wrap those god damn gifts and you’re coming with to my parent’s.”

“O-Okay.”

You looked around, making sure no cars were around, and you swerved to the side of the road. 

“Jesus Christ!”

“Care to explain to me why you two were arrested for public disturbance?”

“Well, I was at the store to buy your wrapping paper, and Steve was also there.”

“Keep going.”

“Some guy was being a douche and Robin told him off, he got all in her face, and I punched him.” Steve added, raising his fist proudly in the air. You ran a hand through your hair and sighed.

“That’s all?”

“I may or may not have called him some choice words.” Robin mumbled. 

You nodded and turned your eyes to the road. You checked your watch. 3:55.

“You two are going to be the death of me, I swear to god.” You got back on the road and continued to drive. 

“Can I add one more thing?” Robin cleared her throat and stretched over to the front of the car, placing a quick peck on your cheek.

“If you must.”

“It was absolutely nothing like Jailhouse Rock.”

[fadingvitality]

The Fourth Christmas

*The lights were a colorful blur through the rain rolling down the windows. Somehow the image was reflective of me. I hated crying. Passionately, emphatically, more-than-anything hated it. I wiped forcefully at my cheeks, aggravated with myself for letting it happen. This year it was hitting harder than others. Damn holiday cheer and all the radio stations with the carols on constant rotation.  

My parents had LOVED the holidays with a fierce commitment. Hosting Christmas open houses, annual Nutcracker attendance, gingerbread house making, decorating to the nines, and spoiling me rotten were all part of their fa-la-la traditions. The time of year triggered so much - too much.

My dad would make me peppermint hot chocolate on Christmas Eve while we watched The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, and later National Lampoon’s. Momma would be making an overnight, French toast strata, and stuffing the stockings while I couldn’t see. I never wanted for anything, and by some miracle, their indulging me never led to being materialistic. 

And then it happened, my dad had died after a freak accident that had ultimately led to sepsis. There were ups and downs during the course of his illness that we weathered with hope, but ultimately...he didn’t make it. My heart broke in two, though his peaceful last breath had a beauty about it that I would never forget.  

Christmas was still months away when he passed, but I dreaded its arrival as the days came and went, spring turning to summer then autumn and finally winter.  My mom fought through tears she didn’t think I saw, baking cookies, buying the tree - the sparse kind he preferred over her preference for something fluffy and full.

But there was no more Grinch. No more National Lampoon’s. After he was gone, I couldn’t stomach even the ads for them, it always left me bursting into the hated tears. At that particular juncture in my life, tears were a total disaster, considering how heavy handed with the eyeliner and mascara I had been. 

Those traditions had been ours, his and mine. That first Christmas I was only just seventeen, and she had spoiled me with the most perfect and heart wrenching gift. Wrapped in a way that wouldn’t give me a clue, I had a momentary swell of pure joy on sight of his bass. 

What had once been his...an extension of his very soul, had been entrusted to me. A shiver shot up my spine, and I could swear he was right there with us. I would cherish it and care for it more than any other Christmas gift I’d ever received. 

As the years droned on, I did my best to support my mom, especially as she tended to get down herself. There were no more open houses, so we started going to the movies on Christmas Eve. We would still make the gingerbread houses and over-decorate. When she started crying in the eggs for the French toast strata, I drew a line.  I urged her to switch to an eggs bene with home fried potatoes, justifying the switch by saying we needed to balance out the sugar in the cookies with some salty and savory. In many ways our roles had shifted. I always found myself guiding her, and then she learned to rely on me. I tried to comfort her with so much love, she would forget the loss of hers...but I knew, deep down, those were Vans I could’ never fill. My parents would gross people out with how much they loved each other. I had the front row seat to their ups and downs, but they always worked their shit out. 

It made sense she carried the loss so heavily, and there was another thing I hated, that I couldn’t fix it for her. I would always wonder if maybe that was what really took her… her fractured heart, her half life without him, the lingering grief that trained behind her. It happened a meager four and a half years later. Four Christmases more, but not nearly enough.  

The doctors said it over and over and over but my mind was in deny and reject mode: brain aneurysm. There was a bunch of medical mumbo jumbo and explanations that translated as clearly as Charlie Brown’s teacher handing down an assignment. 

Ultimately, she was brain dead, kept alive by machines because she had been an organ donor. That choice had relieved me from everything but the formalities of signing paperwork. I’d not left her side for three days as the arrangements were made. 

Her hand was so confusingly warm in mine, and there was no strain in her expression, but peace. I had briefly considered taking her picture because she looked so beautiful, like Snow White in wait...only her true love’s kiss would have her waking on the other side. 

A chaplain had come to check on me. While I’d really, really wanted to be left alone, he’d made a suggestion that I would always be grateful for. In asking if there was anything special I wanted to do to say goodbye, I was suddenly stricken with inspiration. It was as if my dad had whispered in my ear. After assurances the chaplain would stay until I could get back, I took off. I made the trip as quickly as possible, returning with my dad’s bass. 

At first my fingers were shaky, and I wasn’t sure I could actually make it through. With a deep breath my voice cracked when I started to sing “Across the Universe,” one of my momma’s favorite songs.

My hands eventually trembled too much to continue, tears rolled down my cheeks, but I finished acapella, minus all the accessory "Jai Guru Deva, Om." It was only hours later I said my real goodbye, more than deeply saddened I wouldn’t be holding her hand at last breath. 

I was just twenty-two and both my parents were gone. I didn’t have extended family, both my parents were only children, like me. There were many friends, theirs and mine, that supported me but eventually even that waned. I poured myself into songwriting and singing, exorcising my feelings through the medium of music. My refuge. My confidante. I had makeshift, misfit families, composed of bandmates and their different circles of family and friends. I got by. I did my best. I extinguished the darkest thoughts and even darker tendencies. Christmas was my kryptonite, though. The outward bitchiness and bah humbug really came down to a defense mechanism. I couldn’t let anyone see the pain that pooled on my insides. 

This year, though, was going to be my fourth without both of them and that struck me. Four without him, then four without both of them. Sitting in my apartment, alone, it felt bigger and more empty than ever. I finally pulled my eyes away from the window, turning my head towards the small tree I had picked up just a little while ago. It was full and fluffy, like my mom had liked. 

I’d managed to set aside enough of my tips to swing it, even though every dollar should have been saved and it seemed extravagant. I had also splurged on a few groceries to treat myself to something other than ramen. My eyes then drifted down to the cup in my hands. The shock had worn off to a degree, but still, I was stunned.

The tree lot around the corner was run by volunteer firefighters with all proceeds going to charity. I didn’t want anything big, so my donation was completely meager, but at least I was supporting something meaningful. The guy handling the transactions had been pretty damn jolly, I was convinced he had put in some years as Santa, maybe still was. 

He was as gracious with me as he had been to the person that had dropped a mint on the eight footer just before me.

“Your cheeks are rosy, sweetheart, and I’m guessing that’s because of the cold. Give me a minute.” 

He turned away from me, doing something I couldn’t see because he was pleasantly portly. When he turned back around, he had a cup in hand, which he gave to me. 

"Peppermint hot chocolate, on me. Happy Holidays.” 

A familiar shiver wrapped around my spine. I blinked at the man, looking over his shoulder to see he had hot cider, coffee and peppermint hot chocolate in crock pots. It took me a few seconds to find the ability to speak.*

Happy Holidays to you. *I had lifted the cup in a gesture.* Thank you…

*Cup in one hand, full and fluffy yet petite tree in the other, I had walked home in a complete daze. I was in a state of abject disbelief. How had he known? What had him deciding on the peppermint hot chocolate? What if I wanted coffee, or cider? I didn’t know, and I really didn’t care. I’d propped the tree in a stand before I’d kicked off my shoes and dropped onto the couch. 

Sitting with the cup in my hands, I clutched it like a lifeline. The physical loneliness was stifling, and heavy. I lifted the cup, the scent of peppermint hitting my nose first, followed quickly by the rich, chocolate steam.  Memories swarmed at first sip, and I didn’t swallow them along with the hot chocolate. I closed my eyes as the flavor lingered, an inkling of the Christmas spirit I inherited returning. There was a third, winding chill up my spine. Somehow, some way, I just knew, no matter the depths of loneliness I felt, my parents were right there, with me. Always.*