#Maybe one or two Christmas ones but that’s if we’re lucky

[lemonmatronics]

y’all are never gonna see me recover from this actually

[sargeantposting]

A Logan Sargeant Primer: Part I (2000 - 2015)

Logan grows up in a ritzy suburb of Fort Lauderdale called Lighthouse Point with his parents and his older brother, Dalton.

The Sargeants don't have a deep motorsport history. Dalton and Logan get their first go-karts for Christmas in 2006, a gift from their father after their mother refuses to let her children ride dirt bikes anymore. Logan tells the NYT that:

“No one in the family was really even that much into racing. We just picked it up as a hobby, something to do on the weekend.”

The two brothers get more serious as the years go by-- within a few years, they're racing competitively. They both do well. Logan finishes in third place in only his first year of racing, and wins two titles in his second. 

Unfortunately, they figure out fairly quickly that there isn’t much more room to advance in American karting:

My older brother, Dalton, and I had been racing for a few years, and it had gotten to the point where we were asking around about where the next best level of competition was, and everybody was saying the same thing…. It was always Europe, Europe, Europe, Europe. To the point where my parents really started to think about it. At first it was just this idea, like Maybe we’ll move to Europe, who knows. I was just a kid overhearing stuff, so I didn’t know how serious the conversation must have been until this day I’ll never forget.

The conversation gets serious in 2012, when Logan’s dad, Daniel, asks the two if they want to move to Switzerland:

It was summer, and we were out to lunch. It was me, my dad, and Dalton. [...] So we’re at this restaurant, right? Chowing down on burgers (my favorite), and my dad gets to asking us about racing. Finally, he’s like, “What do you guys think? Do you really want to race in Europe? Are you 100% sure about this?” Me being 11 and naive, I was like, “Yeah sure.”  Looking back on it, I think I was lucky I was that young and that I didn’t really know what I was signing up for. All the different ways it could change my life, the level of sacrifice it would require from my whole family. Because if I had known, I don’t know if I would’ve made the same decision so easily. It all happened fast, like in the movies. One minute, it’s Christmas, I’m six, and me and Dalton are yelling at the top of our lungs, excited about the two karts sitting in the driveway, pointed diagonally at each other like in a magazine. Next minute, I’m 11 and Dalton’s 14. We’re sitting at the table eating lunch with my dad, and it’s decided — our family’s moving to Europe.

When Logan tells the same story in GQ in 2023, he says:

I was always just going with the flow. For me it was just: sure.

The Sergeant family leaves for Switzerland just as Logan finishes up fifth grade. While Logan always talks about the family move to Switzerland in the context of his parents making sacrifices for his career, it's a little more complicated than that.

 GQ’s profile steps around the subject, briefly mentioning that “in addition to the racing opportunities, [Logan’s] Dad had business there.” Unfortunately, business would be an understatement. 

At the time, Logan’s dad, Daniel, worked for the family business– an asphalt trading and shipping company named Sergeant Marine. One of the driving forces behind Sergeant Marine’s success would be Daniel’s older brother, Harry. 

When Logan’s detractors mention his family’s connections to Trump, they’re usually referencing Harry. The NYT describes his billionaire uncle as “a former [Top Gun] fighter pilot and onetime finance chair of Florida’s Republican Party who has been sued by the brother-in-law of King Abdullah II of Jordan and whose name turned up, tangentially, in the 2020 impeachment of former President Donald J. Trump. (Harry was not accused of any wrongdoing.)” 

Harry would leave the company around the time Daniel moved his family to Switzerland. According to The Florida Phoenix, “The entire family was embroiled in a long-running bitter series of lawsuits that ended with a 2015 bankruptcy settlement. Harry III walked away with a cool $56-million. In return he gave up any claim to ownership of Sargeant Marine and other family companies. There were 14 different lawsuits in several states in addition to the bankruptcy. The lawsuits produced salacious testimony that could only arise in a vicious dispute between millionaires. Harry III accused his brother Daniel of spending millions on his sons’ pursuits of race car driving and other ventures. Meanwhile, Daniel accused Sargeant III of being a spendthrift on things such as a $7.5-million mansion, private jets and exotic cars.”

Logan with his dad.

It would, somehow, get worse:

Oil and asphalt mogul Harry Sargeant III claims that industrial design plans along with recordings of "private consensual relations" were purloined from his private email account and traded off to a corporate intelligence agent as part of a years-long smear campaign against him spearheaded by his brother. Reigniting a long-running saga of brother-against-brother litigation, Harry Sargeant III claims that hundreds of pages of business records, personal discussions and "extremely sensitive videos and photographs" were illegally obtained from his email account. The material was used as currency for information-bartering between his brother Daniel Sargeant and a corporate intelligence chief at the nonparty legal service firm Burford, the lawsuit alleges. Harry is demanding damages for alleged invasion of privacy on the part of Daniel. The brothers had in years past worked together on managing the Sargeant family's global oil and asphalt empire, before intra-family disputes began to tear them apart. [...] The lawsuit claims the Burford investigator, a former corporate attorney, knows Harry well. According to the court documents, the investigator for years worked as an enforcement agent on a $28 million judgment secured against Harry by the king of Jordan's brother-in-law Mohammad Al-Saleh, who accused Harry of cutting him out of a deal to distribute oil to troops in the Iraq War. [...] Harry claims brother Daniel gave the corporate intelligence agent the treasure trove of Harry's emails  in exchange for inside information that would help the Sargeant family's asphalt company Latin American Investments in a separate multimillion-dollar legal dispute. Harry's underlying email account ran on a server of the family company Sargeant Marine. When he was ousted from the Sargeant empire, Harry had been told that the account was cut off at the root and all information in it had been destroyed, the lawsuit says. The lifted emails were instead provided to an "untold number of people" inside and outside of the family businesses in 2016, the lawsuit claims.

The information that Daniel traded his brother’s sex tape for would end up being useless. Daniel is currently out a $5 million bond and awaiting sentencing for the foreign bribery and money laundering charges he pled guilty to back in 2019. After bribing officials in three South American countries to secure asphalt contracts, the Department of Justice ended up making an example of the company– and Daniel– for violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. 

While Logan cites his career as a big reason for the family move, it appears that Sargeant Marine had conveniently made shell companies in Switzerland to aid in their illegal business dealings that same year.

Logan, blissfully unaware of any drama, tries to make the most of the big move. They move to Lugano, Switzerland– Dalton and Logan go to the American School on weekdays and race on the weekends in the European junior circuit, bouncing them between Italy, Switzerland and Britain. In GQ, Logan says:

“I definitely felt like school was a lot more challenging than in Florida,” he recalled. “And we were missing a lot of school, for sure, but that’s part of it with racing. It is what it is.”

Logan loves Switzerland. In his Players’ Tribune article, he says:

We moved into a three-bedroom apartment. It was me, my parents, Dalton, and our dog Roxy, the world traveler. Big difference from Florida. We had a whole new life. I loved Switzerland. I had a lot of good friends at my school there. I can’t explain it, but I just felt more a part of things. Me and my friends were big Chelsea fans, and we’d be hanging out, playing soccer all the time. We played Call of Duty like every other kid in the world.

However… Logan is the only one. Daniel is out doing shady asphalt deals around the world and suing his brother. Dalton moves back to Florida after a year-and-a-half. Their mother follows soon after that. Logan ends up living alone at the school: 

Dalton was my older brother, so for as far back as I can remember, I was chasing him. Man, we fought all the time. Every race, we were up against all these other kids, but he was always the one I was really trying to beat. But the thing is, when you’re a kid you miss things. You just can’t see everything so clearly. Like, for instance, being a bit older than me, I think he felt the shift more strongly when we moved, but I didn’t know it. He stayed in Switzerland for a year and a half, did some European karting, and started testing Formula cars. Then one day he just decided he wanted to go home and race in America. I won’t lie, that was a shock at the time. But I get it more now. Making that big life change was hard on my mom, too. Just think, you’re living in this brand new place, don’t have many friends. Me and Dalton were at school all day. My dad was traveling all over the place with work, so he was hardly there. The reality is, she was on her own a lot. So she ended up going back to Florida, too. For about a year and a half after that, it was just me. I was living at the school during that time.

When talking about how his mom moved back to Florida while Logan was living alone in Europe as a teenager, he told the Players’ Tribune that:

Looking back on everything, I just see all the sacrifices they made, and it means so much. No matter what they were going through, my family always pushed me to keep going. I feel like that was probably the hardest for my mom, especially. She means the world to me. She’s a bit of a worrier too, and overthinks. I think I get that from her. She’s always been the person I could go to when I was doubting myself. So I can’t imagine how hard it must have been for her to encourage me to keep going, when I know she probably wanted our family to be together. I’m really grateful, not only that they believed in me that much, to move our entire family, but that they took my passion for driving seriously enough not to let me give it all up.

While Logan’s personal life may be troubled, his karting career is doing exceptionally well. In 2014, he wins the prestigious SuperNats18 in Vegas:

Infinity Sports Management, Facebook - SARGEANT DOMINATES IN LAS VEGAS. Logan Sargeant produced a stunning display last weekend in the TAG Junior category at the Supernationals race in Las Vegas. After finishing runner up in the race in 2013 Logan was eager to go one better this year and bring home the winners trophy. Although Logan got pipped in qualifying he still managed to win every heat ensuring he would start from pole position for the final on Sunday. From there he kept the lead and came home 5.6 seconds clear of the second driver. With this win in TAG Junior Logan become the first driver ever to win the TAG Cadet and TAG Junior categories at the Supernationals race.

2015 manages to be even more exceptional. Logan starts the season by being the first North American driver to win a WSK event by winning the WSK Champions Cup in La Conca, Italy.

Logan with his mother after winning the WSK Champions Cup.

The season reaches its peak with Logan becomes the first American to win an FIA Karting World Championship, the top junior series, since Lake Speed in 1978.

He gets to go to the FIA Awards:

Logan: And I couldn’t thank my mechanic enough. And also my parents, uh, they really helped me to be able to win the world championship and it’s just an amazing feeling. Interviewer: I mean, did you, did you, what did you do when you found out you won? Did you call your friends at home? Did you phone your grandpa? What did you get up to? Logan: Uh, no, I just gave my mom and dad a really big hug. Interviewer: Is it still sinking in now? Logan: Yeah, it’s, it’s a really emotional thing. [...] Interviewer: Tell me about when you were a little bit younger than you are now. You’re only 14 now. But why racing, why, why is this so important to you? Logan: Um, well, my dad bought me a, a racing kart when I was five years old and we started from there. We thought it would just be like a little hobby and, uh, it ended up becoming like a professional thing we did. So. Interviewer: So, so was there a moment when you, when you or your dad just thought ‘Wow, I’m quick. I can do this’? Logan: Um, well, not really. We just kept progressing and then, um, when we, when we decided to come to Europe to race, um, we moved to Switzerland and from then on we were just, uh, going to school, I started going to school in Switzerland. And, yeah, and then we just kept going and then ended up like this. Interviewer: Do you have any other hobbies? Can you fit anything else in? Logan: Um, well, other than school it’s really hard. But when I get my breaks and I go back to Florida for, um, I like to go fishing a lot and, yeah, that’s what I do. Mostly. 

When interviewed after his win, Logan tells kart360 that:

Moving away from home is a very hard thing in your own personal life. You lose all of your best friends. You don’t have your "home" and you have to adapt to a different culture. It is hard to move to a country that speaks a different language than what you know, but racing is so important to me that I stuck through it and kept on going.

Logan clearly struggles on a personal level. He discusses his feelings in his Players’ Tribune article, saying: 

Coming up racing as a kid isn’t easy. That’s the most honest way I can put it. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve said to myself, I’m done. I’m ready to come home. I’m glad I didn’t, but there were plenty of times when I wanted to. I remember one big time was the summer right after Dalton went back. We took this trip to the Bahamas with some of our extended family and friends. We were on the water, and everything was feeling like old times. And I think I just had this pit in the bottom of my stomach, like dreading going back. There was a night when I went to my mom, and I was like, “I’m just ready to come home.” I remember her asking me more questions about what I was feeling. I don’t even remember what I said, to be honest. I just remember that she didn’t tell me what to do. She left it completely up to me. My dad used to always say, “If you put in the work now, it’ll pay off eventually — it’ll be worth it.” And he kind of reminded me of that on that trip too. It’ll be worth it. Those four little words … that’s what kept me going. After that I sucked it up, went back to Switzerland, put my head down, and I went for it."

When Logan makes the jump to single seaters the next year, his parents rent him an apartment to live in by himself in London. The only time he’ll spend more than a few weeks in the US since he was a 12-year old would be during COVID.

But Logan’s time in single seaters will be for the next installment.

Logan through the years.

[pastafossa]

Pastafossa's Daredevil Masterlist

To stop my massive Matt Murdock x Reader fic, The Red Thread, from devouring my Daredevil masterlist, it now has its own masterlist, which can be found here! For organization’s sake, I’m still leaving the fic link and summary here. All of the romance in the fics below are Matt Murdock x Reader, save for those fics where there is no romance mentioned.

🔥 = Smut // 🌧️ = Angst // 🌻= fluff // ⚡= Reader Favorite // 🐧 = Set in The Red Thread fic universe, though not always required reading

Full Fics

✞ “The Red Thread” [AO3] (F!Reader)🔥🌧️🌻⚡

It's said that every soul is connected to another by a red thread, and that these two souls are destined to meet. The thread, though it may tangle or stretch, will never break. That's not your experience, lucky or unlucky enough as you are to see the strings that bind people together. A red thread is developed and grown, not born, and you've worked hard to weed out any semblance of crimson that might cling to you. You pay your bills, you keep your head down, and you find whatever lost people or items you're hired to sniff out. Then the Devil of Hell's Kitchen tags along on a job, and your plan falls apart. 

✞ "Moan For Me" [AO3] [Tumblr] (GN!reader)🔥⚡

You wanted every last bit of him, whether his body wanted to give it or not, and he’s just as eager to share.

✞ "Ode to a Coat” [AO3] [Tumblr] (F!Reader)🔥

Inspired by Born Again set shots. Matt wears his new coat to Josie’s and your thoughts turn to pure sin.

✞ "Do I Need to Beg?” [AO3] [Tumblr] (F!Reader)🔥

Inspired by Born Again's leaked trailer showing Matt with a beard. After a long trip away, you come home to Matt sporting a new beard. Fortunately, he's been missing you, too...

✞ “This is a Code-F” [AO3] [Tumblr] (GN!Reader)🌻⚡

Matt gets the flu, and it’s up to you to look after him. How hard could it be?

✞ “It’s Really... Yellow?” [Tumblr] (F!Reader)🌻🐧

Foggy needs you to help him convince Matt the new red and yellow suit is terrible. Unfortunately for Foggy, you find Matt just as attractive in red and yellow.

✞ “A Brief Existential Crisis” [Tumblr] (F!Reader)🌻🐧

After the events of She-Hulk, Matt requires a little pep talk... and maybe some head scratches while you’re at it.

✞ “I’m Sending A Raven” [AO3] (F!Reader)🌧️🐧

After you're kidnapped by The Man in the White Coat, Matt and his allies are in a race against time to save you. But will he make it before all hope is lost? (Now with fanart. Click with caution, it's dark)

✞ “Hubris” [AO3] [Tumblr] (Vague MM x F!Reader)🌻

Bucky Barnes and Matt Murdock are human disasters without a lick of sense. At least Sam and you are there to keep things under control.

✞ “I’ll Be Better, I Promise” [Tumblr] (GN!Reader)🌧️⚡

You get insecure and think Matt deserves better, so you try to leave him.

✞ “Appreciation” [AO3] [Tumblr] (F!Reader)🌻⚡

You show your appreciation for Matt’s chest by planting your face in it while he teases you about it.

✞ “Poor Thing”  [Tumblr] (F!Reader)🔥

Based on the prompt 'Somnophilia' for Tuna-Tober 2024's prompt challenge.

✞ “Sharing is Caring”  [Tumblr] (F!Reader)🔥

Based on the prompt 'Are you blushing?' and '69' for Tuna-Tober 2024's prompt challenge.

✞ "Memory” [Tumblr] (F!Reader) 🌧️🐧

Amnesia angst in which The Red Thread’s Reader loses her memories of her romance with Matt just before she comes back from her 3 months away.

✞ “Haunted” [Tumblr] (F!Reader)🌧️🐧

A sequel to the above. You give yourself one month to see if your memories return, but Matt finds himself in a depressive spiral over the loss of what he had with you.

✞ "We’re Not Keeping Him” [Tumblr] (F!Reader)🌻🐧

You bring home a kitten and Matt is resistant... at first.

✞ “What Was That?” [Tumblr] (F!Reader)🌻🐧

Matt and you have to stop into a haunted house and things get spooky, at least until Matt’s catholicism saves the day.

✞ “The Biggest Tree In All The Kitchen” [AO3] [Tumblr] ( F!Reader)🌻🐧

Matt figures out you want a big Christmas tree, and the two of you attempt to drag an 18-footer into your apartment. It goes as well as expected.

✞ “And The Holly Cookies, Too” [AO3] [Tumblr] (F!Reader)🌻🐧

Matt is determined to be your Christmas cookie taste tester, even if it kills him.

Ficlets and Drabbles

✞ What If: Matt presents you with a courtship rock in front of the penguin’s zoo exhibit, and Foggy loses it. (F!Reader)🌻🐧⚡

✞ What If: You and Matt develop a tradition of hiding the rock for each other to find when either of you has a bad day. (F!Reader)🌻🐧

✞ What If: Matt is marrying you and gets a penguin cake topper (F!Reader)🌻🐧

✞ How on earth did Matt get his new red and gold Daredevil suit through airport security? (F!Reader)🌻

✞ Matt is basically a big cat, which means you have to cup, smoosh, and kiss his face at least once. (GN!Reader)🌻⚡

✞ A peaceful start to Valentines for you and Matt (F!Reader)🌻🐧

✞ Art-inspired drabble of you topping Matt (art included) (F!Reader)🔥

✞ To contrast above: Devil!Matt topping and biting you (F!Reader)🔥⚡

✞ Matt Murdock and his sensitive thighs (F!Reader)🔥

✞ Melting Matt Murdock with some head scratches (F!Reader)🌻🐧⚡

✞ Matt Murdock hearing you sing under your breath in Josie’s (F!Reader)🌻⚡

✞ Ask response drabble: “What would Jane and Matt get each other for Christmas?” (F!Reader)🌻🐧

✞ Tuna-Tober 2024 prompt: flower crowns (F!Reader)🌻

✞ Headcanon drabble: Crying (GN!Reader)🌧️

✞ Headcanon drabble: Hands 

✞ Headcanon drabble: Romance (GN!Reader)🌻 

✞ Headcanon drabble: Affection (GN!Reader)🌻

✞ Headcanon drabble: Scars (F!Reader)🌻

✞ Headcanon drabble: Sex  (F!Reader)🔥

✞ “Do you think Matt’s skin is more or less sensitive when he’s drunk?” (GN!Reader)🌻🔥⚡

Flufftober '21 Ficlets and Drabbles

✞ Flufftober '21 drabble: Winning A Teddy For The Other (F!reader)🌻

✞ Flufftober '21 drabble: Lazy Sunday (GN!reader)🌻⚡

✞ Flufftober '21 drabble: Pillow Fight (GN!reader)🌻

✞ Flufftober '21 drabble: Love Notes (GN!reader)🌻

✞ Flufftober '21 drabble: Sleepy Kiss (GN!reader)🌻⚡

✞ Flufftober '21 drabble: Silly Traditions (F!reader)🌻

✞ Flufftober '21 drabble: Costumes (F!reader)🌻

✞ Flufftober '21 drabble: Flirting At Work (F!reader)🌻⚡

✞ Flufftober '21 drabble: Caught In The Rain (F!reader)🌻

✞ Flufftober '21 drabble: Cuddling and Snuggling (F!reader)🌻

✞ Flufftober '21 drabble: Up Against The Wall Kiss (F!reader)🌻⚡

✞ Flufftober '21 drabble: Fall Asleep In My Lap (GN!reader)🌻⚡

✞ Flufftober '21 drabble: Holiday Traditions (F!reader)🌻🐧

For other characters and prompts, see my Flufftober '21 list!

Kinktober '21 Ficlets and Drabbles

✞ Kinktober '21 drabble: Telepathic Sex (F!reader)��🐧

✞ Kinktober '21 drabble: Sensory Deprivation (F!reader)🔥

✞ Kinktober '21 drabble: Temperature Play (F!reader)🔥

✞ Kinktober '21 drabble: Praise Kink (F!reader)🔥

✞ Kinktober '21 drabble: Biting (F!reader)🔥

✞ Kinktober '21 drabble: Bondage (F!reader)🔥

✞ Kinktober '21 drabble: In Public/Stealth (F!reader)🔥

✞ Kinktober '21 drabble: Edging (F!reader)🔥

✞ Kinktober '21 drabble: Masturbation (F!reader)🔥⚡

✞ Kinktober '21 drabble: Gags (F!reader)🔥

For other characters and prompts, see my Kinktober 2021 list!

Headcanons

✞ Headcanon: Four random headcanons for Matt Murdock and You🌻

✞ Headcanon: Matt is a great cook, he’s just a little unconventional about it.🌻⚡

✞ Headcanon: Does Matt Murdock like getting pegged? 🔥

✞ Headcanon: How Matt hugs you🌻

✞ Ask: “Thoughts on Dominant Reader with Matt?” AKA: Why Matt Murdock is a switch. 🔥

✞ Ask: “What kinks do you think Matt has?” AKA: answer followed by a fic-list of ten of Matt Murdock’s kinks with you. 🔥  

✞ Ask: “What are some other pet names Matt might use for F!Reader?”🌻

Find more Matt Murdock on my Flufftober 2021 and Kinktober 2021/2022 lists!

[heeliopheelia]

MERRY CHRISTMAS – christmas clichés with enhypen

𝘪 𝘸𝘪𝘴𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘮𝘺 𝘦𝘺𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘮𝘺 𝘨𝘰𝘥, 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘺 𝘤𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘮𝘢𝘴

event masterlist

LEE HEESEUNG

As you’ve stubbornly decided on having a real christmas tree this time, the both of you have found yourself on this huge christmas tree farm only three hours away from your home. 

Heeseung was kind enough to agree to your ridiculous idea and drove you here with little to no objections after you bargained with an evening full of cuddles and kisses.

“No, I want a taller one!” You fuss as you cross your arms over your chest. 

“Hate to break it to you, sweetheart, but it won't fit into our living room,” Heeseung sends you a mocking smile, rolling his eyes at you half heartedly. “Go get the wider one and let's go. I think I'll need to get my toes amputated if we stay here five minutes longer.”

“Well, sucks to be you but you still have to drive us back,” you say pointedly as you walk past him and further into another alley full of pines. “And I'm not getting the wider tree you’re so stupidly obsessed with – we're not leaving until I find the right one.”

Heeseung scoffs with amusement at your stubbornness but follows after you immediately. Not even two minutes later, the two of you are bickering over your purchase again. 

“It's thin and ugly, Heeseung, how can you even suggest buying that crap? You’ve got no taste,” You look at the tree with distaste, then side eye your boyfriend. 

“It's not ugly,” he protests, flicking your nose. “And my taste is very refined compared to yours, thank you.”

“You know what, you’re right. You’re dating me after all,” you say, scrunching your nose up. 

The two of you turn another corner and stop frozen in your tracks, gaping with held breaths at the most perfect christmas tree you’ve ever laid your eyes upon.

“Are you seeing this?” Heeseung breathes out as a grin displays on his face.

“We’re getting this one!” The both of you shout simultaneously, excitement filling your voices.

You jog over to the tree giddily, dragging Heeseung along with you. When you stop in front of it, you turn around and raise on your toes to press a kiss to his cold lips.

“C’mon!” Then you giggle playfully. “I'm a good girlfriend so maybe I’ll even let you pay…” 

“Aren’t I just so lucky?” He teases and presses a kiss to your cheek to hide the smile that’s blossomed on his lips after hearing your giggle.

PARK JAY

With a silent nudge to your side, Jay lifts the spoon with soup to your lips. You instantly open your mouth and let him feed you. 

Your eyebrows rise as you smile at him while nodding your head. “That’s really good!” 

You and Jay are cooking dinner as his parents are supposed to come today. You can't say that you're not nervous – you've only met them three times before, so this pressure keeps resting on your chest ever since the morning.

You are a chaotic mess at this point, so if not for Jay's composure to balance it out, you'd probably end up burning the house down twice today. 

And so it's no surprise when the knife you're cutting the vegetables with slips a little and cuts into the skin on your finger. You jerk your hand away quickly, a pained hiss leaving your mouth. 

Jay walks up to you with furrowed eyebrows, wordlessly taking your slightly trembling hand in his and lifting it up to look at the cut. 

“It's nothing, I just wasn't paying enough attention,” you say as you try to pull your hand away but he only gently leads you to the sink and pours cold water on your wound. 

“You need to be more careful,” he says quietly, stroking your palm with his thumb under the cool stream. 

“I know, I just… I don't know what's wrong with me today,” you mumble out, averting your eyes from him. 

But Jay knows you better than anyone else, so he only lets out a small hum before wiping your hand dry with a paper towel, then carefully patches your finger up with a band aid. 

“Stop worrying so much, sweetheart,” he finally says, voice soothing as he lifts your hand up and presses a gentle kiss against it. “Everything's gonna be fine.”

And you let him pull you into his arms, wrapping your own around his waist. 

“I know, I can't really help it,” you mumble into his shirt. “I just don't want to let anybody down today.”

“You won't,” he assures you firmly before leaning down and kissing your forehead. “Especially not me. I love you. There's not much you could do to disappoint me, trust me.”

You begin to smile again, feeling the tension slightly leaving your system. “I love you too. Thank you.”

“It's nothing. Now let's go finish this dinner, hm?”

SIM JAKE

“Oh god, babe, look at that.” Jake stumbles backwards with laughter as he takes the hanger off the rack and shows you probably the most hideous Christmas sweater existing. 

“Where the hell did you find it?” You giggle, scrunching your nose as you look at the obnoxious Santa’s favorite ho sewn with red thread right in the center of the sweater. “It’s so ugly!”

Once his cackles cease slightly, he walks over to you and shows you the item from up close.

“Please, please, please,” he begs with wide eyes, pressing a peck after peck to your lips. “You have to try this on for me.” 

And how were you supposed to refuse his sparkling eyes? Now you’re cursing yourself for being so whipped for your boyfriend as you stare at your reflection, torso wrapped up in the green itchy clothing. 

It takes all of your might not to run and hide as Jake slides the curtain of the dressing room to the side before quickly slipping inside the tight space too. He looks you up and down before a low whistle leaves his mouth.

“Damn, would you look at that?” He says with a toothy smile, spinning you around as you roll your eyes. “See? I knew you could make it work. You’re just different type of fine.” 

You scoff at his words and raise your eyebrow. He steps even closer to you, refusing to let you go no matter how hard you try. Of course he would get all excited now out of all times. Now that you don’t have more than half an hour before the mall closes and you still have two more presents to buy for your families. 

“Is it bad that I kinda wanna buy it for you now?” He grins, placing his hands on both of your hips before pulling you close to his chest and kissing your jawline a little too sultrily for this stuffy dressing room.

You push on his chest with a giggle, trying to get away from him. “You need to be stopped.”

“Well, I know for a fact you’re my favorite ho-”

“Jake!” 

PARK SUNGHOON

Loud laughter booms from behind you as you tumble to the icy ground again, your skates absolutely refusing to cooperate with you today. Within couple seconds, you feel a pair of strong hands wrapping under your arms from behind and you’re being pulled up again. As you try to balance yourself again, you find yourself slipping again and crashing backwards into your boyfriend’s chest.

“If I knew you were such a clutz, I wouldn’t even have tried to bring you here,” Sunghoon teases, sneaking his arms around your waist and keeping you close. 

Your eyes roam around the crowd, praying that this fall wasn’t as spectacular as your previous one and didn’t capture the attention of half of the ice rink. You sigh in relief when you notice no one is looking this time before tapping Sunghoon’s palm.

“Turn me around, please,” you ask him and he obliges with a chuckle, spinning you around until you’re facing his grin. 

“Already giving up?” He raises his eyebrow, squeezing your waist gently. 

You sigh. “I don’t know.” Leaning forward, you rest your head on his sweater cladded chest. “You never told me it was this hard.”

Sunghoon pats your back as he coos at you but you can still hear the way he’s biting his smile back. 

“Stop laughing at me!” 

You smack his arm, pulling away only to be greeted by a soft kiss placed on your nose. 

“C’mon, I’ll help you,” he says, reaching his gloved hand for you to take. When you look at him suspiciously, he rolls his eyes and grabs your hand himself. “I’m being for real this time.”

And since you’re unable to say no to him, you end up nodding your head and let him skate over to your side to wrap his arm around your waist firmly, guiding you slowly. 

And this time, he’s made it his personal mission to never let you fall again, doing everything in his might to not let you grow discouraged towards the sport he loves nearly as much as you.

KIM SUNOO

"You’ve put way too much butter in there," Sunoo points out, watching with a raised eyebrow as you form another greasy cookie and place it on the edge of the tray.

"I don’t remember asking for your opinion," you smile at him with an attitude, yet knowing well he's right as you glance at the glistening mixture of flour and butter with the corner of your eye.

"Oh my god, they look so greasy! They’re gonna merge into one big cookie in the oven," he laughs and points at the runny balls of dough already blending into each other. "Stop being so stubborn and listen to me for once. Well, actually if you did listen to me in the first place, you wouldn’t be having this problem at all."

You roll your eyes and bump your hip against his as you scrunch your nose at the butter covering your hands. "Yeah, yeah, whatever. Can you please put them in the oven? My hands are too slippery."

Sunoo groans but still puts on the oven mittens and fulfills your wish. A sigh wells up in his chest, knowing well that no matter how disgusting or inedible those cookies are gonna turn out to be, he’ll still be the one eating them all because after all it’s you who made them.

And he tries his best not to fall to the ground dramatically when the next words he hears from you are the ever so cheerful, “Okay, so chocolate chip next!”

Love will truly be the death of him. 

YANG JUNGWON

Jungwon casts you a concerned look when another cough leaves your already roughed up throat. It’s only your type of luck to get sick at Christmas – you shouldn’t even be surprised at this point. 

“Drink your tea, angel,” he prompts you gently, pointing his head at the steaming cup of tea laying on the coffee table.

You lean the back of your head onto his shoulder, snuggling backwards into his chest as he cuddles you closely on the worn out couch in your living room. That’s already the third christmas movie you’re watching aimlessly, wrapped up in blankets and Jungwon’s arms ever since the afternoon.

He presses a kiss to your hair, gingerly nudging you back forward to grab your tea. You oblige with a quiet whine, the effort of leaning forward becoming really burdening with your weakened body. Going back to your previous position, you sigh and take a sip of the tea that Jungwon’s prepared for you with so much love.

“Why do I always have to catch some shit before things I look forward to for months?” You huff, mind going back to when you were dying of fever on your last birthday or the time you lost your voice on your first anniversary with Jungwon. So, like you’ve said before, it was a given at this point. 

His smooth hands slip underneath the christmas sweater you’ve stubbornly refused to take off, and caress your warm skin softly, soothing you. He leans forward and kisses the tip of your ear – movements careful not to cause you to spill your drink. 

“Don’t get upset,” he says, pinching your sides. “It could always be worse.”

“Yeah? Like what?” You turn to him with a pout on your heated up face and he giggles. 

“At least I’m here with you, right?” His precious smile makes you feel warmer. “I mean, you could get stuck with Riki. How fun would that be.”

His words make you smile as well and you lean your cheek into his palm as he checks your temperature. 

Riki, as lovely of a friend he was, was not the one to know how to handle sickness. You instantly remind yourself of the time his throat was sore, so he concluded that slurping down a hot package of instant noodles on one go would warm up him up enough to heal his sickness. It's safe to say he couldn't swallow anything for the next two days without spasming from pain.

“Yeah, you’re right, I guess. That would be the worst.” 

NISHIMURA RIKI

"YN, stop, you're gonna hurt yourself!"

You roll your eyes as you balance yourself at the highest step of the small ladder. "I'm gonna be fine, don't worry!" 

"You should’ve let me do that," he scoffs and you poke your tongue out at him, reaching your hands up to hook the golden star at the top of your Christmas tree. "I'm not catching you if your clumsy ass slips and falls down! You’re gonna break my arms."

It's your time to scoff at your boyfriend as you know that he would never let any harm happen to you. "Oh, for sure you won’t,” you nod your head at him mockingly with a giggle.

As if to prove your point, you yelp loudly as you pretend to actually lose your footing and lean backwards. Just as you expected, Riki shoots up quickly to help you keep your balance. He places his big hands on the small of your back and gently pushes you forward.

"Have you actually lost your mind?" He asks as you burst out in a fit of giggles. You wiggle your eyebrows at him knowingly, clearly satisfied with your prediction. "Don't scare me like that again."

You pat his cheek lovingly before leaning down and kissing the same spot. "See, I'm always right."

Riki scoffs for the nth time this evening and turns around to go to the box and pass you some more ornaments. Just as he takes a step forward, you turn around to look at him and in result end up actually slipping and shrieking as you leap forward. Riki, without missing a beat, swiftly moves closer to you and catches you in his arms as you fall down. You breathe out in relief as you feel your heart jumping up to your throat.

You look up sheepishly as you’re met with the scolding look on his face, eyebrow raised up as he waits for you to speak up. Instead, you bury your face in the crook of his neck and throw your arms around his neck.

"Yeah, yeah, I know. What would I be without you?"

Riki rolls his eyes at your suddenly humbled state, then adjusts you in his arms and flicks your forehead. "Most likely resting in a cemetery by now."

"Hey!"

author's note: to make it up for my absence, i've written the final fic for this event and i'm gonna do the rest next year (hopefully)!! thanks for being patient with me, lovely and merry christmas!! ❤️

taglist: @beomgyusonlywife @bucketofhiros @jesterstrange @seongclb @wannatinyus @guroyeu @jngwnlvs @milisabunny @ariadores

permanent taglist: @bambisgirl @arizejkt19 @luvmura @milisabunny @cathy-1997 @satoruskitchenrag @ramenoil @jenjnk @jaylaxies @yoongspi @nichoswag @s00buwu @dazzlingligth @seungiesluv @i4kt @heehoonsnemo @seongslutt

[togrowoldinv]

Hot Chocolate

Natasha Romanoff x Female Reader

The family plus Yelena spends time decorating for the holidays

Note: Very soft stuff here y’all. Enjoy it!

Natasha Masterlist 1, Natasha Masterlist 2, Natasha Masterlist 3, Main Masterlist

Soft music fills the room as Natasha watches the scene before her.

You’re at the coffee table putting toppings on everyone’s hot chocolate. Belle is right by your side, telling you how many marshmallows she wants.

Ali and Ivan are standing by the tree, arguing about what tree topper will look best. Taylor and Jack sit by the fireplace in their cozy winter clothes.

Yelena and Fanny are on the couch chilling. She only offers her input to poke fun at Natasha or if one of the kids sweettalk her into helping with the tree. Belle’s sweet words and eyes usually do the trick.

Later on, the team will be over for a late Thanksgiving and early holiday celebration.

Natasha has no idea how she ended up this lucky. She catches your eye, and you share a soft smile with her.

“Belle, can you ask Mama how many marshmallows she wants?” You ask the little girl.

She stands from beside you and waltzes over to Natasha, undoubtedly her favorite mom. Belle reaches her arms up and Nat lifts her up to settle on her hips.

“Hi printsessa,” Natasha greets her.

“Hi Mama,” Belle replies. “How many mallows do you want?”

“Hm,” Natasha pretends to think hard. “What about 100?”

“100?!” Belle asks, her mouth dropping. She turns her head to you. “Mommy, do we have enough room for 100?”

“No, we do not,” you say, a chuckle following her reaction. “Ask Mama to give you a reasonable number please.”

“You’re no fun,” Natasha pouts.

“It’s okay, Mama. I’ll get you as many as I can,” Belle says before squirming out of Nat’s arms.

Natasha grins and walks around the couch. She places a soft hand on Ali and Ivan’s shoulders as she makes her way around the room. Taylor reaches for her, and she easily brings the girl into her arms. She drops a kiss to Jack’s head before she walks to sit next to Yelena.

“What no motherly hug or kiss for me?” Yelena jokes.

“Oh, my bad,” Natasha says. She grins mischievously.

Yelena gets up from the couch quickly and Natasha follows her, leaving Taylor on the couch. The two women chase each other with no regard for the furniture or the tree.

“Hey! Both of you stop right now,” you turn on your mom voice. All of the kids’ ears perk up. Natasha halts immediately. She looks at you to see a serious face. “No horseplay in the house.”

“Sorry, detka,” Natasha says. She nudges Yelena’s shoulder.

“Oh, yes. Sorry, y/n,” Yelena says.

“It’s okay,” you say. “It’s hot chocolate time.”

“Yay!” Taylor cheers from the couch. Yelena reaches over and lifts the girl up, throwing her in the air and catching her a few times until Taylor is giggling too much to continue.

Natasha makes her way to help you pass out the drinks. She then settles next to you on the recliner. You’re practically sitting in her lap, but she isn’t complaining.

“What does everyone want to make sure we do this year for the holidays?” Natasha asks.

The kids think while Yelena speaks up first.

“Can we have a big holiday party?” Yelena asks.

“We’re literally doing that in two hours,” Nat replies.

“What? I’m not dressed!” Yelena panics. She runs upstairs and you all laugh at her.

Natasha keeps the conversation going, “Al, what about you?”

“A Christmas movie marathon,” Ali says.

“Great answer,” you reply. “Ivan?”

“A cookie decorating contest,” he says.

“Everything is a contest for you,” Ali says, huffing with annoyance.

“That’s because I’m talented as hell,” Ivan says.

“Language!” Natasha scolds him.

You can’t help but laugh as she realizes she’s turning into Steve. Belle raises her hand like she’s in school. Nat calls on her.

“I want to read Christmas bedtime stories every night,” Belle says.

“Now that’s an idea,” you say.

“Yeah, we can do that baby,” Natasha agrees. Belle grins from ear to ear. “Jack attack, what about you?”

“Um, I don’t know. Maybe go see some lights,” Jack says.

“There’s some displays in town. We could definitely go,” you say. “And that leaves Miss Taylor.”

“Yeah, what do you want to do for Christmas, Taylor?” Jack asks. The little girl shrugs.

“What about making gingerbread houses?” Ali pitches.

“Okay,” Taylor says simply. “I’ll need help.”

“We’ll do it together as a team,” Natasha says.

You kiss her cheek and listen in as the kids talk to each other about anything and everything. You need to get up and cook for the party, but being here with your family is more fun.

Natasha feels the same way. She holds you close and thinks about her wonderful family. It will be a happy holiday season, and she can’t wait.

[luvely-stories]

Expecting

꒦﹋ٜ۪ꥇ໋۬ ꒷꒦﹋ٜ۪ꥇ໋۬ ꒷꒦﹋ٜ۪ꥇ໋۬꒷꒦﹋ٜ۪ꥇ໋۬ ꒷꒦﹋ٜ۪ꥇ໋۬ ꒷꒦﹋ٜ۪ꥇ໋۬ ꒷꒦﹋ٜ۪ꥇ໋۬ ꒷꒦

Nanami huffs annoyed as he shuffles through his closet, looking for a particular tie that he feels like is hiding from him. He grumbles before finding it and existing the closet.

“You finally found it?”

You ask, facing the full body mirror as you try to fix your necklace.

“Mhm, took more time then I’d like to admit though.”

You both chuckle as he walks over to the mirror beside you, grabbing his suit jacket and putting it on. He was off to a “party” at his office building for Christmas. If you asked him they should’ve just wished them well and left them alone, but alas.

At least you were going to come with him though. You always had a way of making things a little lighter. He smiled as he glanced at you in your beautiful deep red dress that matched his tie, you’d be so excited to have a reason to wear it.

Just as Nanami was about to leave to put his shoes on, he heard you let out a soft sigh as you continued to stare at yourself.

“What’s wrong dear?”

Nanami asks, putting a soft hand on your shoulder. You look down at your stomach, your hands gently resting on it as you turn in front of the mirror.

“I look pregnant.”

You sigh as you look at yourself deeply in the mirror. Nanamis eyes widen softly as he holds you close.

“Now what makes you think that?

You shrug as you look down. Nanami frowns before kissing your head gently.

“Even if you were pregnant youd look radiant, I know that for a fact.”

He smiles against you skin as you let out a giggle. Grabbing your purse, you shuffle through it like you’re looking for something.

“Maybe this would explain it.”

Nanami’s brows furrow as he gives you space before being handed something.

A test.

A pregnancy test.

A pregnancy test that said it was positive.

Nanami’s eyes shoot between you and the test, eyes wide as he brings it closer to his face to examine. When he takes another look at you face, he sees your bright smile and glimmering eyes and it finally registered in his head.

“I’m going to be a dad.”

He mutters out before a giant smile breaks onto his face and he placed a hand on your face.

“I’m going to be a dad!”

“You are!”

You laugh as you wrap your arms tightly around his neck. He clings onto by your waist as he buries his face in the crook of you neck, smiling so much his cheeks hurt. He couldn’t believe it. He was going to start a family with the woman he adored more than anything in the world.

Nanami lifts his head up only to cover your face in soft kisses as you giggled.

“I’m so lucky to start a family with you.”

He beams as he looks at you like you hung the stars.

“I’m the lucky one here Ken.”

As you two stare at each other with enough warmth to start a forest fire, your eyes latch onto the clock and gasp.

“Shit! Kento we’re going to be late.”

You say as you try to move, only for Nanami to grab you and keep you safe in his arms.

“It’s fine, it’s not like we have to go anyways.”

“But-”

“Besides,”

He starts as he rests his hand gently on your stomach and starts rubbing it as he stares into your eyes.

“I’d rather spend tonight with my lovely wife and child.”

[morgana-larkin]

Alright! Here it is, part smut, I meant two, part two, lol. It took longer than expected as I hit a creative block and was working a lot, as I did 26 hours on set in 2 days. Anyway, I would like to thank @esposadejoyhuerta for helping me by giving me angst free, I repeat, angst free, ideas and helped through my block. Not edited in the slightest and I hope you like it!

On another note: I’m getting through Worth It as I got an idea on how to continue it as I have 3000 words for it right now. So expect it hopefully tomorrow.

Part 1

Calling 911 - Part 2

Warnings: Smut, lots of fluff

Words: 2k

*one week later*

Melissa: do I need to bring anything?

You: just yourself

You…with clothes that are easily removed ;)

Melissa: how subtle

You: I never said I was subtle

Melissa: fair

“Texting y/n again?” Barb says and Melissa looks up at her from her phone.

“Maybe.” Is all Melissa says and Barb rolls her eyes.

“You guys have been messaging each other all week. When are you going out on a date?” Barb asks her and Melissa freezes.

“Well we’re going out tomorrow night.” Melissa says and Barb joins her on the couch.

Melissa’s family never celebrates Christmas on Christmas Day. Everyone always has different parties and events to go too. So instead, they always celebrate it on the 27th and Barb and Gerald joined in this time.

“Oh how fun. Where are you going on a date?” Barb asks her and Melissa blushes.

“I um, I don’t know. She won’t tell me, wants it to be a surprise.” Melissa says, not wanting to get into specifics with Barb about the date.

The next day Melissa is getting ready for the date, she decides to go for a green shirt, leggings and her black heeled boots. She curls her hair and does her makeup and then makes her way to the fire station.

When she gets there, she notices that there’s only one fire truck there and she goes and puts her hand on it, smiles and stares.

“You really do like fire trucks.” You tell her and she turns and looks at you, and her breath catches in her throat. There you are in full firefighter gear, complete with the helmet and you look stunning.

“Wow.” She says and you smile.

“Thought you might like the outfit.” You tell her and walk towards her. “I kicked everyone out for the night, they’re hanging out somewhere with 2 fire trucks.” You tell her and she tilts her head.

“You’re able to do that?”

“Well, being the chief has some advantages.” You say and she widens her eyes.

“Why are you a stripper if you’re a chief?” She asks and you smile.

“I started out as one to pay the bills while starting out as a firefighter. I do like it, I mean, I don’t have to take off all my clothes, just most of them.” You tell her and she strokes your hair. “So, want that tour now?” You ask her and she nods enthusiastically.

You give her a tour of the station and just as you expected, she’s beaming like a child at a candy store the whole time.

When you’re on the second floor, you see the fire pole and you look at Melissa. “Do you want to slide down the pole?” You ask her and she grins and nods.

“Of course I do, what kind of question is that?” She says and practically bounces over to the pole.

“Wait, you might need this, to have the real experience.” You tell her and take off your helmet. You see her smile get wider while you place the helmet on her.

She goes and slides down the pole and she looks back up at you with a big smile when she lands. “You coming down too hon?” She asks you and you nod.

“Yep!” You tell her and slide down the pole. Melissa watches you slide down and she can’t help but feel how lucky she is. She’s attracted to you, and not just because you’re a firefighter.

Once you slide down, you then get an idea. You pull your phone out, and you set it down on a table nearby and hit play on a song. The song fills the room and you start dancing with the pole and you watch as Melissa just stares at you like she did during the private dance.

You had your back on the pole, with your right hand holding it from behind and slid down the pole while looking at her. You see something in her eyes change and she starts walking towards you and puts her hands on your waist.

“Can I help you?” You ask her with a smile.

“You are wearing far too many clothes for my liking.” She tells you and reaches for the zipper of your jacket. She looks at you and you nod. She then slowly unzips and realises you’re not wearing a shirt underneath and smirks. “I see you dressed for the occasion, or should I say, not dressed.” She tells you as she takes the jacket off of you.

She sees you standing there with the pants, suspenders and a fire red bra on and she smiles. “See something you like?” You ask her and she nods. You then lean forward and kiss her for the first time, and definitely not the last time.

You both pull apart and look at each other and then go back to kissing each other. You put your hands on the back of her head and she moves hers to your back. You pull her closer to you and she ends up gasping into the kiss and you slip your tongue in her mouth.

Melissa moves her hands and slips your suspenders off your shoulders and then unzips your pants and they fall to the ground. You step out of them and Melissa pulls apart to look at your body and she smiles. She sees you standing there in matching fire red lingerie.

“The boots really bring the outfit together.” She teases you and you roll your eyes and smile. You then flip each other so she’s against the pole and you take your boots off.

You then push her up against the pole, put your hand on the pole above her head and lean in close to her face. “Now, what am I gonna do with you?” You ask her in a lower voice and she unconsciously rubs her legs together and you smile.

You go to the hem of her shirt and you look at her and she nods. You pull the shirt off of her and see her in a black lace bra and she looks spectacular.

“Wow.” You say breathy. “How did I get so lucky?” You tell her and she puts a hand on your cheek and you look at her eyes.

“I was thinking the same thing.” She tells you and you lean into her touch. You then take her leggings and heeled boots off and you see she wore matching underwear.

“Want to do it in the back of the fire truck?” You ask her and she nods immediately. You take your clothes to offer padding for the floor of the truck and you walk up to it and open it up for her.

She gets in first and you climb in after her and put the clothes down. You kiss her against the wall of the fire truck and hoist her up and she wraps her legs and arms around you. You kiss each other full of passion and desire and the need for each other right then and there. She unclips your bra and throws it somewhere and you do the same to her. She pulls back and looks at you, full of lust filled eyes and swollen lips.

“Hmm, I’m calling 911 about a fire inside of me that needs to be taken care of.” She tells you and you laugh at her joke and then nod.

“Yes miss.” You tell her. You set her gently on the clothes and climb on top of her and kiss her chest. You put a nipple in your mouth and she gasps and grabs your hair at the back of your head. You swirl your tongue around her nipple and suck on it and you pull the most amazing noises out of her. You move to the other and pull more noises out of her that you absolutely love. You know you can spend hours just pleasing her chest but she’s really turned on right now and you know she wants you inside her right now. You take her underwear after getting confirmation from her and you look at her completely bare beneath you and she looks stunning. You smile and then go back to kissing her lips. You place your hand between her legs and rub her clit. She gasp and moans beneath you and you smile into the kiss. You then pull back and kiss and suck her neck. You slip two fingers in her entrance and you pull the most amazing moan from her.

You pump in and out of her while you continue to kiss and suck her neck. “Omg y/n! Yes! Please, don’t stop!” She yells out and you place your thumb on her clit and she bucks her hips. You place your body more on her to stop her from bucking her hips so much and then pump faster inside her. You have her coming in seconds after rubbing her clit and she comes with a gasp. You don’t stop and her second orgasm is fast approaching. “Y/n! Please, it’s too much!” She yells, very breathy.

“It’s ok, just let go, I got you, take your time.” You tell her and then she comes again. You pull out of her and kiss her lips while she comes down from her high.

When she stopped shaking, she moved her hands to your underwear and slipped them off. She then quickly slipped her fingers in you and you gasped into the kiss. She quickly pumped in and out of you and she moved her other hand to your clit and began to rub it. You were gasping and moaning into the kiss until you come with a moan. She pulls out of you and you both take a minute to catch your breath.

“Wow, that was amazing.” You say through heavy breathes.

“Ya, it was.” She says, agreeing with you.

“So, did I tame your fire?” You ask her and wiggle your eyebrows and she giggles.

“You did, but I might need you on speed dial in case it needs to be taken care of again.” She tells you and you smile.

“Well in exchange, I would like to take you out on a date.” You say to her and she nods her head.

“I like the sound of that, I would love to go out on a date with you.” She says and gives you a kiss. You get up off of her and you both get dressed.

“How does in an hour sound? That’s when my shift ends.” You tell her and she smiles.

“Sounds perfect.” She tells you as you both exit the fire truck.

In an hour, your co workers return along with the 2 fire trucks and they introduce themselves to Melissa. Melissa blushes a bit at all the attention she’s getting from all the firefighters and you wrap your arm around her waist to support her and she smiles at you.

On the date, she asks you something that makes you laugh. “Maybe we should make fire burning our song? Considering it was playing when we first met.”

“We didn’t officially meet until the private dance, but I do like that song.” You tell her and she smiles at you.

Later that night, you go to her place and you push her up against a wall as you both kiss each other. You pull back and you’re both breaking heavily. “Somebody better call 9-1-1, shawty fire burning on the dance floor, woah.” You sing and she giggles.

“Hm, I’m calling 911 right now, I have a fire down below.” She jokes with you. You lift her up and she wraps her arms and legs around you. You make the fire truck noises and she laughs. You spin around to go to the bedroom as she giggles. “Woah.” She says as she wasn’t expecting you to turn around. She then kisses you with a smile as you make it to the bedroom.

Taglist: @esposadejoyhuerta

@imaginesmultifandoms

@idonothingalldays-blog

@sexysapphicshopowner

@dvrkhcld

@lilfartbox1

@ricejucie

@unicorniusfallapatorius

@a-queen-and-her-throne

@sleep-deprived-athlete

@og-kxsh-420

Let me know if you want to be added!

[grapejuicebluesrry]

28th may fic rec!

here are some fics i really enjoyed this month in no particular order!

Shadows Come With The Pain That You're Running From (Love Was Something You've Never Heard Enough) (51K) by yrsacd

a Band AU in which Harry isn't allowed to be who he really is and the North American Tour might bring some unexpected truths into the web of lies and also a bit of heat that has very little to do with the summer in the US.

⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁⠂⠄⠄

Help me (298K) by louxhazxx

Harry is innocent. Louis is not. Louis is a dom and a part of the BDSM community. Harry is not.

When Harry meets Louis and finds out about his lifestyle he wants him to teach him everything. Louis is hesitant at first, but what happens when he eventually agrees and they start a special kind of BDSM relationship without a contract? Will everything go well, or will there be complications?

⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁⠂⠄⠄

a crown of heartache (70K) by WordsInBloom28

The Royal Tail: an alpha den, a strip club, a place where secrets are concealed and consent is medicated. It’s also the place Harry has been trapped for the last three years.

Through luck or fate, Harry finds his way to Louis, a kind alpha who offers safety and comfort. After being freed from the confines of the den, Harry struggles to shake the darkness from his past.

He has a choice to make. Live in a mental prison of his own making or find the strength within himself to face his demons head on with Louis at his side.

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Could Be A Catastrophe (29K) by hazzahtomlinson | @itsnotreal

Louis is one of the two veterinarians in town and somehow gets lucky enough for Harry’s three cats to be his clients.

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giving you all you want and more (giving you every piece of me) (2.5K) by lousdelicatepointofview (starryhaze) | @starryhaze28

“Wanna feel pretty.” Harry whispers, looking up at the ceiling. His face is painted in a soft yellow hue that’s coming from the fairy lights Louis has hung all over his loft. His features look soft, cherubic even.

He’s so young, so young and broken and Louis always patches him up but never fixes him.

“You are my love.” Louis replies his finger tracing over the right laurel tattoo. And Louis knows by the way Harry grimaces that he doesn’t believe him.

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Together unfold (71K) by marcythesassykitten | @marcythesassykitten

the one where Louis is determined to be insecure and stubbornly lonely forever, until Harry comes along to mess up that particular plan.

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Written In The Stars? (50K) by unscattered_horizons

Niall is a writer. Well, technically he's a bar tender who's working towards the day when he pays the bills with his poetry. But for now, he works late and writes in the afternoon before his shifts, and shares a flat with his friend, Shawn. They were strangers before they lived together, but now they're inseparable.

His other friends from uni don't live far, and Louis and H have a kid now. Niall's in no rush to follow in their footsteps. He's happy with his life.

But he has a side job writing horoscopes for an online magazine, because London is expensive and he needs the cash. Niall may not realise it, but some of the horoscopes reveal more about his heart than he's ready to acknowledge. Niall's side gig might prove to be a catalyst for an entirely new life, one he didn't even know he wanted until it was staring right back at him, waiting for him to take a chance and trust his instincts.

OR

What I've been calling the horoscope fic. Inspired by a Tumblr post

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Maybe It's Heaven (81K) by therogueskimo | @bravetemptation

When Harry Styles finds himself forced to go home for Christmas, the last thing he expects is to fall in love.

But then he meets Louis Tomlinson … again.

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May You Enjoy Your New Life (264K) by aimmyarrowshigh

It begins for them all at the bungalow –

'Alright, time to lay out the cards. We’re in this together and hopefully, for the long haul, yeah? So I think – you know, we should just be honest. It’s deal-breakers time. That thing that like, if we’re gonna hate you or something, just tell us all now.'

When One Direction begins, Harry Styles is a sixteen-year-old boy foundering under the pressure of impending fatherhood. His ability to balance the sobering responsibility of caring for his tiny daughter, Millie, and the exhilaration of seeing his own dreams coming to fruition affects not only his future, but those of Liam, Zayn, Niall, and Louis, who never expected fealty to be the key to their success. But Liam is the first to show him how to grow up without growing old, and Zayn is the first to defend from the public what is private and precious. Louis -- Louis is the first for a lot of things; for most of the moments of Millie's life and for the moments of Harry's that matter. And Niall is the first to toast when Millie is born: Go maire sibh bhur saol nua -- 'may you enjoy your new life.'

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Allegiance to your burning heart (82K) by driveinbingo | @joekavaliers

“Have you written any more new songs?”

“I have, yeah. Lately they’re just…coming out of me.”

“Are there any more about me?”

He places a hand on the back of Louis’s neck, carding his fingers through the hair there. It’s getting long again, almost the length it was when Harry left. “They’re all about you.”

*

In the ten years since he last saw his ex-boyfriend, Harry has become very rich and very famous and everything's just great, thank you very much. He definitely doesn't even think about Louis anymore. And he's certainly not going to let a ghost from his past haunt him as he embarks on the biggest tour of his career.

Except Louis always did find a way to crawl underneath his skin, didn't he?

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Secrets in Winter (82K)by softfonds | @softfonds

If Harry Styles thought he was going to have a peaceful winter while staying far away from the rake who lived across the street, he was sorely wrong on two fronts. A Victorian AU.

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the very last drops of an ink pen (47K) by staybeautiful | @harruandlou

 just after midnight on Harry's 30th birthday, he realizes he can't do another year without change. So, he forces it. Breaking up with Louis might have hurt less if they weren't co-owners of Studio 28, living within walking distance of each other, and if he wasn't the thing Harry was most afraid of losing. Secluding themselves on their shared estate in an attempt to save their working relationship may shed a light on where everything else started going wrong. And perhaps give them a chance to fix it.

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Give Me Truths (110K) by iwillpaintasongforlou (The Rainbow Cookie series) | @canonlarry

the one in which Louis falls in love with a fragile boy and tells him every beautiful truth in the world, as long as it makes him happy.

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I Like to Watch (9K) by larry_hiatus | @larry-hiatus

If there’s one thing Harry loves, it’s watching his husband Louis get fucked by other men. After picking up a lad called Zayn who is baffled by this concept, the three men are in for a wild night.

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If you made it this far, here are some stats and a cupcake!

I read 37 fics and a total of 1,657,404 words (yes thats a lot but i love reading and also a fast reader)

×͜× 🧁🌼

[allwaswell16]

Part two of a fic rec of One Direction fics that have touch deprivation in them as requested in this ask. You can find part one here! If you enjoy the fics, please leave kudos and comments for the writers! You can find my other fic recs here. Happy reading!

—Louis/Harry—

✦ Light, Spark and Fire (series) by green_feelings / @greenfeelings*

(E, 239k, music industry) Harry’s working on taking Louis’ walls down, until he builds his own up.

✦ The Longer the Waiting the Sweeter the Kiss (It's Better My Darlin' I Promise You This) by pleasinglouis

(E, 160k, small town au) Louis is a big city omega that can't stand stubborn alphas and Harry is the southern cowboy that hates the city

✦ Invisible String by BoosBabycakes / @boosbabycakes28

(E, 84k, pack dynamics) Louis swears on his life that that man came out of literal nowhere and he thanks each lucky star for having good breaks in his car.

✦ Your Gift is Wasted On Me by therogueskimo / @bravetemptation

(NR, 54k, neighbors) Omega Louis has severe touch deprivation and is averse to touch. But he’s fine. Really.

✦ You're Not My Type (still I fall) by Imogenlee / @imogenleewriter*

(NR, 38k, farm) Harry is only twenty-four and has no inclination to settle down at all, especially not at the behest of an Alpha.

✦ Follow Your Arrow by LadyAJ_13 / @ladyaj-13

(T, 36k, canon) They said Louis playing alpha wouldn’t affect anything.

✦ Too Young To Know by @2tiedships2

(M, 35k, exes to lovers) the one where Harry doesn’t present as an alpha… until he does.

✦ Compass to my Soul by LadyLondonderry / @londonfoginacup

(T, 31k, canon) Louis Tomlinson, omega, is 1/5 of world famous boy band One Direction. He spends his time hoping his bandmates don’t notice him.

✦ never been a fan of change, but we’re still the same by fearsparks / @onlythebravest *

(T, 27k, uni au) after Harry's omega unexpectedly causes him to drop in the pub, their relationship is no longer the same.

✦ tread lightly on my ground by fairytalelights / @lookslikefairytale*

(E, 20k, mpreg) the one where Harry is having Louis' baby, but Louis doesn't know it's his.

✦ Keep Me Closer by zanni_scaramouche / @zanniscaramouche *

(T, 18k, uni au) Louis expects Harry to react poorly, maybe even file a formal complaint and that’s gonna suck ass but Louis won’t say shit cause he knows he deserves it, so he prepares an apology before Harry’s even turned around.

✦ how do I stay tender by jessicamcqueen

(E, 16k, neighbors) Louis has touch depri and Harry is the alpha neighbor that offers to help.

✦ Captain Cupid by @2tiedships2

(NR, 15k, friends to lovers) the one where Niall enlists his friends to help start a speed dating side hustle. Things don't go as planned... or maybe they do?

✦ Breathe me in, breathe me out by @lunarheslwt

(G, 14k, candle shop) Louis is drawn into a quaint candle shop in his desire to find ways to soothe himself while struggling with touch depri.

✦ A Fateful Snow by @parmahamlarrie *

(T, 13k, Christmas) Will Harry allow a simple misunderstanding keep him from the hottest alpha he’s ever seen? 

✦ Get Nesting & Soft Knots by ishiplouis / @pocketsunshineharry

(G, 5k, youtube au) AU where Omega Louis who runs a nesting materials Youtube channel meets Alpha Harry who knits his own blankets

✦ Perfect, For Now by @parmahamlarrie *

(T, 5k, neighbors) Moving to a new city is always hard, being away from home, finding your new community - none of it is easy. Dealing with all of this while being touch deprived is even more difficult.

—Rare Pairs—

✦ (I Was Broke) You Healed Me by @fallinglikethis

(T, 12k, Niall/Harry) Niall Horan is an unmated pregnant omega living on his own after his alpha boyfriend leaves him. 

✦ a little tenderness by @disgruntledkittenface

(NR, 10k, Harry/Niall) Harry’s never been around an omega in depri as bad off as Niall looks; most of the time, there’s an alpha friend or family member who can help out with scenting and physical contact.

[giggly-squiggily]

Ahh, does it make me cringefail if i talk about Franky twice in a row? Can you blame me? (You don't gotta write anything if you don't wanna! Just figured since we're sharing and all.... (ノ´∀｀*))

Considering his history with finding a partner, once he (somehow) sweeps [Y/N] off their feet, you bet he's gonna be boasting about it! EVERYONE is hearing about how awesome his partner is, how sweet they are, how skilled they are, etc etc..

ESPECIALLY Loid.

He tries to make it a competition between the two of them against Loid and Yor, but nobody else in either party really cares...

~💫Forgetful Anon (i guess we're sticking with that!)

(Headcanons to Dabbles: OFFICIALLY CLOSED)

Forgetful, my friend, my ally, my Franky-centric dabbler who brings me and the Fuzz so much joy; you are the farthest thing from cringe and this HC is truly precious! I love Franky both being so stupid in love and also just ridiculous it's a hilarious combo and I'm happy! I've gotcha covered! :D

“Hey there, Forgers! Have you met (Y/N)- wait, of course you have! They’re my partner now!” Your boyfriend announced with such glee- like a child who got their dream toy on Christmas morning. It was utterly adorable, if not a bit embarrassing.

“Yes, Franky. You’ve told us that- repeatedly.” Loid tsked with a small sigh, no real malice in his voice as he gave you a smile. “It’s always a pleasure to see you, (Y/N). I hope the trip here wasn’t too bad in this weather.”

“Oh no, it wasn’t bad at all! I’m used to this kind of thing.” You laughed as Anya ran over, taking your hand and bringing you to Yor. The three of you went about to the living room as Franky puffed his chest with pride.

“Aren’t they just amazing? Tough as nails, but sweet as candy! How’d I get so lucky to meet them?”

“Through me. And the agency.” Loid reminded, softening as he watched the informant swoon, head over heels in love. “You really do like them, huh?”

“Like? I’m so in love, Loid! I’ve never met anyone like them! They’re talented and smart and considerate of my time-” He paused briefly on that one, side eyeing Loid before continuing. “They always make me feel like I’m important, even when their plate is full.” He leaned in his arm as he watched you chat with Yor and Anya, laughing and smiling without a care in the world. “I owe you one.”

“You really don’t. I didn’t expect this to happen, but I’m happy for you both. Truly.” Franky eyed him suspiciously, but found no lie. He smiled after, lightly punching Loid’s arm.

“Say- we should do a double date soon. Maybe I can teach you the ropes on how to properly woo your lover~”

“No thanks.”

“Come on, I’m basically an expert on romancing people now!”

“You really aren’t, and I think I’m doing just fine with that.”

“I-” Franky raised his brows, not expecting that. Loid seemed to stiffen at the accidental confession. “No way, you’re-”

“Fuzzy head! Papa! Come play with us!” Anya’s cries of joy reached out to them, a pack of Bondman playing cards in her hands. “(Y/N) brought me a present!”

“We’re gonna play old Bondman! Is-is that what it’s called?” Yor asked as you grinned, lifting a shoulder.

“Sure- let’s go with that. Franky, you’re on my team.”

“Be right there, gorgeous! Winning couple reigns supreme!” He cried, laughing like a gremlin as he ran over. Loid shook his head with weary amusement, joining the party as Franky kissed your cheek.

He might be a bit of a show boater with this kind of thing, but his feelings were true. Franky clearly loved you, and to Loid; that was worth putting up with his informant’s antics.

[nicohischierz]

maroon: nico hischier 

you were sat on nico’s couch, your leg’s over his as his teammates hovered around sharing stories of their captain. the two of you had become close during his time in halifax and now you were in jersey going apartment hunting before you made the final move. 

it was moments like this that both of you treasured. the talks on the couch as you recalled the times nico would mix his french and swiss when he first moved to the way he would always call you to pick him up from training. 

it was a nice feeling seeing nico everyday since you moved to jersey. it was definitely better than only being able to see him over christmas and maybe during summer. 

tonight was another devils dinner. this one however, a bit more formal than the one in nico’s apartment. you were dressed in a satin, cream dressed that had a slight up to your mid thigh. 

nico was in awe when he saw you outside your apartment building. the whole night he was nervous as he kept a hand on your back and answered “we’re just friends,” to everyone who asked about your relationship. 

as the evening ended you, nico, jack and s few other couples made your way to a fast food restaurant. you and nico shared a look, the night reminding you of your high school dance. the two of you were dancing along the streets as nico held your heels in his hand. 

you had been in jersey for a couple months now and a routine had formed. between you and nico. the morning after a road trip he would always come back to your apartment. 

somewhere down the line, the visits that consisted of you providing coffee and breakfast before having a chat turned into the two of you ending up in your bed with minimal clothes. 

but as the devils got ready to make a play of run your interactions with nico became less frequent. you’d either miss his phone calls or he would be busy training when you called. he would show up at your door once a month if you were lucky. 

until both of you were so consumed with your jobs that the communication between you was almost non-existent. it wasn’t until you found yourself yearning for the feel of nico’s lips did you realised how much you missed him. 

game two against the rangers was the first time in a long time that nico made his way to your apartment. he missed the feeling of knowing you were in the stands and most importantly he missed you. 

you embraced nico in a tight hug. both of you were afraid that if either of you let go the other would disappear. it was then that nico cried in your arms. he confided in you on how he felt that he let his team down. that he wasn’t sure whether the devils would make it out of round one. 

but after that nico disappeared again. he never responded to your messages and he never answered your texts. it was then that you decided to put youself first. 

you knew the devils had lost in game five against the canes and that they were coming back to clear their lockers. but as you stood in front of your apartment door, your date leaning in all thoughts of nico slipped your mind. 

until you heard the soft call of your name. you looked at the sound of the voice and found nico standing at the end of your hallway a bouquet of carnations in his hand. it was tradition for him to buy you carnations after he once mistook them for roses. 

you pushed your date off of you. he seemed to have gotten the hint and walked towards the elevator giving a nod to nico. but nico stood still the carnations falling from his hands as he stared up at you, hurt in his eyes. 

“nico please,” you called for him as he turned to the elevator. you followed after him but it was useless, nico had gotten into the elevator and that was the last you saw of him. 

all your attempts to reach out to him went unnoticed as jonas had done the hard job of blocking your number and instagram. your memories were filled with nico as your house served as a reminder of everything the two of you had done together. 

when october came around the thought of moving back to jersey set you off. you’d been able to avoid nico for a couple of months but now your inbox was filled with invitations from his teammates to meet. 

eventually, you gave in. 

jack had invited you for luke’s 21st and as you were making your way to the brother you bumped into someone. their glass of wine spilling over your shirt. you heard a loud gasp from beside you and heat rushed to your cheeks. 

your cheeks became a shade of scarlet at the sudden attention. “i’m so sorry,” nico apologised as the two of you made eye contact. your eyes darted to his lips quickly before you looked him in the eye. 

everyone watched with bathed breath, unsure of how the two of you would react around each other. 

nico’s cheeks turned a dark shade of scarlet, almost a maroon, as he watched you examine his face. his dimple out on display as he tried to hide a smile as he was happy to just be in your presence again. 

[rogueddie]

A Quiet Express Train

Steve Harrington / Eddie Munson, Word Count ; 3444

Steve gets lucky- in 1978, the year that he gets on the Polar Express, it's one of the quieter years. No worries, or anxieties. Its nice, relaxing. A "normal" train ride. And he makes two awesome friends along the way.

Steve is only nine years old when he spends his first Christmas alone.

His parents work is important, he kept telling himself. They’d be there if they could, but they’re needed at their jobs. It’s important.

Despite his attempts at denial, he understands the truth far too well. He understands how little the holiday means to them. He understands how little he means to them.

He isn’t surprised then, and he’s not surprised when the same happens the following year. Or the year after that… or the year after that.

At twelve years old, Steve is used to spending Christmas day on his own. He’s familiar with it. He knows far too well, the hope and pain that comes with the cookies and milk he leaves on the counter, always untouched in the night. He knows that he’s too old to believe in Santa.

He’s not ready to grow up.

That Christmas eve, he places the cookies and milk on the counter. He made the cookies himself this time, took the time to warm the milk up on the stove. He put as much effort in to get them better than ever, as much as he can manage.

He hopes it’s enough. He hopes that, maybe, this time it will work. Maybe this time the fairytale will be true.

He curls up in bed, pulling the covers over his head, tucking in the corners. He still remembers his mothers soft voice telling him that Santa won’t come if he’s looking. He’s not willing to take any risks.

Even when he hears a bell. Or… not a bell.

After a moment, curiosity gets the better of him. He crawls out of bed, getting up on his tiptoes so he can peak through his bedroom curtain…

Only to stumble back, falling on his ass.

He stays there for a long moment, blinking, stunned. But the bell rings out again, so he jumps to his feet. He quickly slides on his slippers and a jacket, sprinting down the stairs and out the front door.

The train is still parked in the street. He gawks at it for a moment, trying to comprehend how it could possibly have gotten on the street. It’s massive, old. Steve glances back at the houses, surprised that no one else is coming out to check it out.

“All aboard!” Someone yells, startling him. It’s a conductor, holding out a light. “All aboard!”

Steve cautiously heads over to him.

“Well? You coming?”

Steve stares at him blankly for a moment. “Where?”

“Why, the north pole of course! This is the Polar Express!”

He gestures to the train, Steve following the gesture, eyeing the big letters painted on the side in gold; Polar Express.

“The north pole?”

The conductor squints at him for moment, humming, before holding out the lantern. “Hold this please.”

Steve takes it on autopilot. He glances back at the train as the conductor shuffles through some paper.

“Is this you?”

He’s holding out a piece of paper with Steves name and address on it, other information in writing too small for him to read.

“Yeah?”

“Well, it says here; no photo with department store Santa this year. No letter to Santa either. Hm… if I were you, I’d think about climbing on board.”

Steve glances back at his house. He can’t help but think about how empty and cold it feels. Looking back to the train… it’s so bright, a glowing orange. It looks so warm and inviting…

He climbs up the steps, going through the door inside when the conductor holds it open for him.

It’s noisy inside. There’s not a lot of other kids inside, but the ones there are loud. Four of them are on their feet, one younger kid bouncing around in his excitement. It takes Steve aback- he was expecting the other kids, if there were to be any, to be the same age as him. One of them looks like they’re four.

“Steve?”

Steve turns, recognizing the girl staring back at him with wide eyes. “Hey, you’re… we’re in the same history class, right?”

“Yeah. Right.” She blinks at him, surprised. “Right, sorry, yeah. I’m Robin, by the way.”

“Nice to officially meet you, Robin.” He sits down on the seats across from her, the only place with both seats still empty. It means he can sprawl out. “So… are we really going to the north pole?”

“Yeah! We’re gonna see Santa.”

They end up talking, just about small silly things, all the way until their next stop.

Steve gets up when they stop, kneeling on the seat so he can slide the window open and peak his head out.

The trailer park looks comforting in the shadows. All the yellow lights, soft and dim, give the area a cozy feel to it.

A kid hovers at the entrance, eyes wide as the conductor approaches him. He’s got a navy robe on that’s clearly for a grown man. It drags on the floor behind him and seems to swallow him whole with how big it is on him. It matches his hair- a little short, the dark curls flying all over the place. Even from the train window, Steve can see the dark circles around the kids eyes.

Steve wishes he could hear what they’re saying, especially when the boy shakes his head, takes a few steps backwards. He’s eyeing the train with apprehension.

“What’s his name?” Steve asks the person sat in front of him. “His surnames Munson, right?”

“I don’t know,” the girl eyes him, looking a little disgusted, sitting back down. “It doesn’t matter anyway. He doesn’t want to get on.”

Steve looks back to the kid. The conductor is walking back to the train, leaving him behind. Steve can see the lamp waving, the train slowly rumbling back into movement.

The kid stares at the train, at them, as they slowly start to move away. Steve offers him a wave when their eyes meet. And, not a moment later, he starts walking. Jogging. Trying to catch up with the train, trying to jump on.

“Hey, that kid wants to get on the train!” Steve calls into the carriage, but there's no sign of an adult. He turns back to the kid, stumbling as he struggles to run through the snow. “Come on!” Steve yells, waving him on. “Hurry up, come on!”

But the train is too fast. The kid is too slow. He’s being left behind. He falls.

“We have to stop the train!” Steve says, looking at the other kids.

“But we don’t know how!” Robin says, panicked.

“The emergency break!” One of the smaller kid pushes forward, pointing.

Steve darts over, jumping up so that he can pull it down with all his weight behind it. The train stops so suddenly that it throws all of them to the floor.

But, as Steve climbs back to his feet, struggling to get his bearings… the kids face looks in through the window. He looks confused as he looks at Steve, turning to the door of the other cart and walking inside there instead.

“WHO IN THE BLAZES APPLIED THAT EMERGENCY BREAK?!” The conductor yells, the door slamming open as he storms in.

“We had to!” The smaller kid, who pointed out the break, snaps back. “That kid wanted to get on the train!”

The conductor stands up, looking into the other cart, at the kid who’d climbed on. He clears his throat. “Oh… right. Well, let me remind you… we are on a very tight schedule a-” he pulls his pocket watch out, yelping when he looks at the time.”Ah- and I’ve never been late before! And I am certainly not going to be late tonight! Now everybody, take your seats, please.”

He darts out the cart as soon as he’s sure that everyone is sat down.

Steve turns to look at Robin, who’s turning to look right back. He tilts his head to the door, to the other kid. Robin smiles, nodding. They get up at the same time, trying to be quiet and glancing back as they creep back. They’re careful to open the door quickly, carefully hurrying into the other cart.

The kid looks up when they walk in, startled.

“Hey,” Steve greets. “We just wanted to make sure you were ok.”

“Yeah. We just... well, it’d be horrible to feel lonely at Christmas. Maybe we could keep you company?” Robin continues.

“We don’t need to talk or… be too close. If that would make you uncomfortable?”

“Nah, just… looks loud in there, ya know?”

“Oh, it is,” Robin nods a little too enthusiastically. “Lots of little brats too. You were smart to come in here.”

He’s starting to smirk, one eyebrow raising. “Yeah, totally. So, is everyone on here from Hawkins?”

“Looks like it. I recognize most people, anyway.”

Steve sits on the seat next to the kid. “You’re Munson, right?”

“Most people call me Eddie,” he drawls. “You’re Harrington, right?”

“Most people call me Steve,” he fires right back.

“And I’m Robin!” Robin jumps in, like she’s expecting conflict- but Eddie is looking at Steve with amusement. “Don’t forget about me when you’re flirting.”

“Ew, gross, dude!” Steve grimaces.

At the same time, Eddie pretends to gag. “That would only happen in my nightmares!”

“Exactly.” Steve nods.

Robin just rolls her eyes, sitting on the seat across the aisle, facing them. “Whatever.”

“What are you doing for Christmas day?” Steve asks, turning to Eddie.

“Oh… not much. It’s, uh, just me and my uncle these days.” Eddie shrinks down a little in his seat, shoulders hunched.

But Steve perks up, excited. “Really? Cool! What’s he like? Your uncle? You live with him?”

“Yeah… it’s alright.”

“I’m spending Christmas at my grans house,” Robin complains. “I think it’s just gonna be me, mom, her and grandad. Boring.”

“That’s not boring!” Steve scolds. “That sounds exciting! Do you usually spend Christmas with your gran or is this year-”

“No, we usually spend it with her. For the morning at least.”

“Cool.”

Eddie eyes Steve for a moment, realizing that his excitement is genuine. “I haven’t been with my uncle long, but it’s usually just the two of us. It’s nice. He’s quiet but he doesn’t mind that I get loud.”

“What are you doin’ for Christmas, Steve?”

“Oh, uh… not much.” He smiles tightly. “Nothing that would be as impressive as tonight! Do you really think we’ll meet Santa?”

Eddie and Robin share a look, easily seeing through Steves poor attempt to change the subject. But they go along with it.

Their conversation quickly devolves into chaos. Mostly because, once he’s over the initial anxiety, Eddie is loud. He doesn’t stay seated for long, bouncing to his feet and climbing whatever he can get himself onto- but even when he does sit, he’s moving around all the time. He keeps reaching out to Steve, nudging him or grabbing his wrist to throw his hand around in his excitement.

It’s fun. Especially with how easily Robin keeps the conversation going, slowly getting more and more open, until she’s just spewing out whatever thought she has. Even Steve finds himself getting excited. Even Steve starts to get loud and boisterous and all the things his dad had tried to beat out of him.

The journey is both too long, and not enough time at all.

He’s excited, stepping off the train with Eddie and Robin sticking to his sides… but he wishes they were still on the train, talking about nothing and laughing at Eddies antics.

The conductor is yelling out instructions that Steve half listens to. He’s too distracted by the odd little place they’ve found themselves in. The little elves in red too… there’s a lot.

Eddie steps up beside him, Robin standing her ground and insisting on standing directly in front of him. She even reaches back, holding onto Steve and Eddies hands. The conductor eyes them, clearly displeased, but he just tuts, shakes his head and moves on.

They move slowly towards a round platform, or a stage, Steve isn’t sure. But it’s not too long later that reindeer start being coaxed out, towards the stage. They keep jumping up into the air, seeming to swim against gravity, the elves hanging off the ground in their attempts to keep the animals from flying away.

“This better not be a dream,” Robin whispers, turning to grin at Steve and Eddie.

Steve laughs along with Eddie… but the thought has been nagging him, hovering at the back of his head. Because that would be the explanation that makes the most sense; he’s dreaming. But, like any other time the worry tried to push forward, he ignores it. He’s not ready to wake up yet.

Trumpets play, some of the elves coming out in two lines, holding a line of bells. They shake them, the crowd cheering in response.

Steve can’t hear anything. He tells himself it’s just because of the crowd. It’s so loud, of course they can’t hear the bells from here. One of the other kids yell about how pretty the bells sound. Steve forces himself to ignore that too.

The trumpets ring again, the two large doors opening a few moments later. Everyone loses their minds, screaming, the elves climbing on top of each other…

Steve tries to peer around them, tries to see, but there’s too many elves blocking his line of sight.

“He’s here! Holy shit, he’s really here!” Robin yells, bouncing in her excitement.

“Where?!” Steve yells back.

“I see him! There!” Eddie points. “He’s over there!”

“I can’t see him!”

Steve tries, and tries, and tries. But nothing he does works. It gets worse, too many things in the way, that he can’t even see the doorway anymore. He can’t see anything.

He looks back to the stage, back to the reindeer… back the the bells that he still can’t hear.

“I wanna wake up now,” Steve whispers to himself. He tries pinching himself, but his hands are shaking too much. His chest feels heavy, tight…

One of the bells is thrown off the little belt the others are still attached to. It flies high, slowly bouncing at a stop at Steves feet. It had stayed silent the whole way. He wants to pick it up, but he knows that if he does and still can’t hear the ringing, it will shatter his heart.

“Steve?”

He looks up to see Eddie frowning. “I c- I can’t-”

Eddie makes a quiet noise, stepping forward and hugging Steve tight. Steve clutches at him just as tight though, shaking, biting back what few tears he can.

“No, no, no, don’t cry,” Eddie quietly reassures him. “It’s ok. It just… maybe it takes a moment. And it’s loud, and there’s so many people.”

“The train was so nice,” Steve chokes out, voice cracking.

“It was, it was so nice, and fun.”

“I don’t want this to be another nightmare.”

“It’s not, and it won’t be. This is real, I’m right here and so are you. You need to believe in that.”

Steve isn’t sure how long they stay there, Eddie simply holding him, but he’s sure that it’s not too long until someone clears their throat.

Looking down at them with a raised brow, red suit, holding up the little bell, and…

“You boys alright?” Santa asks.

“Yeah… yeah, we- we’re ok, right?” Eddie looks to him, eyes a little wide, sounding breathless.

It makes Steve smile. “Yeah, we’re ok.”

He nods at them, looking around at all the kids, but ultimately turning back to them. “And for first gifts,” he speaks up, before pointing to Eddie. “Lets have this young fella, right here.”

Eddie tries to keep hold of Steves hand, but he and Robin are already pushing him ahead, encouraging him to follow Santa over to his sleigh. They both watch him awkwardly clamber into the sleigh, glancing over at them repeatedly as he talks with Santa. It looks like they’re arguing.

“What do you think is going on?” Steve asks.

“Maybe Eddie wants something that he can’t get right now?” Robin suggests, shrugging.

But, then, Santa stands up, holding his hand up. “The first gift of Christmas!”

After another quiet word, Eddie is jumping down, running back to them. He’s grinning as he grabs Steve by the shoulders. “Do you believe that this is real?”

“What? I do-”

“Harrington! Do you believe?”

Steve looks to Robin, then back to Eddie. And… “Yeah… yeah, I do.”

Eddie pulls the little bell out his pocket, shaking it. And Steve can hear it. He can hear it ringing.

“Holy shit!”

“Right?!” Eddie grabs his hand, pressing the bell into his palm and closing his fingers around it. “I got it for you.”

“What? But It’s your present, you should-”

“Steve. I got it for you. It’s not my present, it’s yours. Keep it.”

“Thank you,” Steve whispers after a moment.

They turn when the cheering reaches an all time high, just in time to see Santa in his sleigh lift up into the air. They watch him as he circles the little area they’re all gathered in, slowly getting faster until, in a burst of light, he vanishes.

“All aboard!” The conductor yells, train chooing, just as the elves start to party.

They’re quiet as they step back onto the train. This time, the three follow the other kids into the main carriage. They somehow manage to squeeze all three into two seats, without being so pressed together that it’s uncomfortable. Instead, it’s nice. Warm.

Steve keeps having to jerk his head up, struggling to stay awake for long. Robin is completely gone and Eddie doesn’t seem to be hanging on much better. The night has finally caught up with them.

Steve jerks back awake, feeling Eddie slowly trying to get up.

“Where are you going?” He mumbles, sleepily reaching out to try and stop him.

“Home,” Eddie gestures out the window. It’s the same stop they’d picked him up at. “But… we’ll see each other again, right?”

“Right.”

Eddie smiles. He looks towards the door, then back to Steve, hesitating. He darts forward after a moment, kissing Steve on the cheek. He’s blushing, stuttering through a goodbye, darting off the train as fast as he can go.

Steve watches him go, blushing just as hard, fingers touching his cheek, where Eddie had kissed him.

“You still think he’s gross?” Robin mumbles, rubbing sleep out her eyes.

“He kissed me,” Steve says.

Robin snorts, rolling her eyes. She sits up though, making a clear effort to wake up.

It’s not a moment later that the train slowly pulls to a stop. And Steves address is read off. It’s his stop.

“We’ll see each other again, too, right?” Robin asks.

“Of course.” He shuffles closer so he can hug her. “Just need to find you first.”

“Well… I’m not hard to find.” She tries to smile. She looks sad.

“Good. It’ll be good to hang out when I’m sure that I’m actually awake.”

She laughs. “Merry Christmas, Steve.”

“Merry Christmas, Robin!”

The conductor smiles, helping him climb down the steps. “Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas.”

Steve keeps looking back as he walks up the drive. He hovers in the doorway as the train pulls away, waving. He doesn’t shut the door until he can’t see or hear it anymore.

And he’s left, once again, in his cold and empty house.

The only solace is that, by forcing himself to stay awake on the train, he falls asleep as soon as he lays down.

When he wakes up, he’s sure that it was all a dream. Thinking back, it doesn’t make sense…

Well… until he searches his jacket pocket. The bell Eddie got him is still there, still ringing with that same unusual sound. It’s still there.

His doorbell rings.

Steve rushes down the stairs, careful to calm his breathing before opening it. He doesn’t recognize the man that looks down at him, shifting uncomfortably.

He clears his throat. “Harrington. I was wondering… are your parents home?”

“Uh, no… they’re on a, um, business trip thing.”

He clears his throat again, grimacing. He turns, looking towards the car parked outside the house… which is when Steve spots him.

“Eddie!” He waves, grinning when Eddie excitedly waves back. “You must be Wayne, right?”

“I am. My boy was wondering if you’d want to come over for dinner?”

“Really? Yeah! I mean- sorry, um… if that’s alright with you.

“Of course it is,” he chuckles. “We’ll wait here for you to get yourself dressed. Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas!”

[lobey-scribbles]

Can I please request a fic with post-Azkaban Sirius Black where he’s really happy during Christmas in OoTP and celebrates with his wife (the reader) the Order and the kids?

a/n: thank you so much for the request! i really hope you like it :)

˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗

Grimmauld Place’s First Merry Christmas - Sirius Black X Wife!Reader

summary: Sirius Black had largely considered Grimmauld Place to be the most miserable place on Earth, second only to Azkaban itself. So when, for the first time in his life, he feels genuinely happy there, surrounded by his loved ones, he can’t help but feel overwhelmed with gratitude.

word count: 1.2k

themes: FLUFF

warnings: none

⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾⋆⁺₊⋆

The radiance of the fire and the joyous laughter of his friends enveloped Sirius Black as he leaned against the mantelpiece, watching the snowflakes dance in the glow of the street lights outside. He took a sip of his mulled wine, relishing in the spices that tingled on his tongue.

As he enjoyed his quiet moment, Sirius couldn't help but overhear the boisterous conversation happening across the room between Mad-Eye Moody and Mundungus Fletcher.

"Oi, Dung, keep your eyes off the presents under the tree," Moody grumbled, his magical eye fixed on the thief.

Mundungus let out a nervous laugh, his eyes darting towards the twinkling Christmas tree. "Who, me? I was just admiring them from afar."

Arthur Weasley chuckled at the exchange, "You know, Moody, maybe we should put someone on watch duty for the night. Make sure he doesn't try anything."

Mundungus shifted uncomfortably in his seat, but before he could protest, Bill Weasley spoke up, "Maybe we should let him have one present as a reward for being such a good boy this year. After all, he’s not been chucked into Azkaban just yet."

Laughter erupted around the room, and Sirius couldn't help but join in. He was surrounded by his loved ones, and their playful banter was just another reminder of how lucky he was to have them.

His eyes then settled on you, who was sitting on a plush armchair by the fire, lost in thought as you observed Fred, George and Ginny‘s antics as they played a particularly competitive game of exploding snap. Sirius smiled softly, admiring how beautiful you looked in the warm glow of the firelight.

He walked over to you, taking a seat on the armrest of your chair,

“I could feel you staring, you know.” you remarked, playfully

“Can’t I appreciate my stunning wife on Christmas Eve?” a smirk played at Sirius’s lips, “You know I can’t help myself when you’re around, darling,” he responded, as his fingers traced your back lightly, his eyes still transfixed on you, causing your heart to flutter rapidly.

"What are you thinking about?" you asked, regaining your composure and taking his hand in yours.

"Just enjoying the moment," he replied, candidly.

Sirius couldn't help but feel an overwhelming gratitude that fuelled his entire body, for being alive and surrounded by the people he loved. He looked around at the members of the Order who were gathered in the room, all chatting and laughing together.

"Merlin, I never thought I'd see the day when you'd hear jubilation in this house," he joked, nudging your shoulder lightly.

You chuckled softly, gazing lovingly at the gathering of all their friends. "It's amazing how much things can change, isn't it?"

Sirius nodded, smiling at her. "Yeah, it is. And I'm so grateful for every moment we have together."

You turned your head to look at him, a soft smile gracing her lips. "Me too, Sirius. You have no idea how much you mean to me."

Sirius leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. "I think I do," he whispered, his eyes never leaving yours.

At that moment, Lupin approached you both, a warm smile spread across his face.

“What are you two lovebirds talking about?” he teases, taking a seat on the armchair next to you.

“Oh, nothing much.” you replied, playfully nudging Sirius, “Just relishing in the Christmas spirit.”

“Don’t think we’re the only lovebirds here if I'm not mistaken.” Sirius said, a mischievous glint in his eyes, “Could have sworn I saw you and Tonks snogging in the hall earlier.”

Remus chuckled, though his face had gone slightly pink. He took a sip of his own mulled wine. “Well, it's good to see you both so happy. You deserve it, after everything you've been through.”

Sirius nodded, a sombre expression crossing his face for a moment before he shook it off. He sighed, “Yeah we do. And I'm glad we have all of you to celebrate it with.”

The three of you chatted for a while, Sirius and Remus reminiscing about their time at Hogwarts. “Remember the time you and James levitated all the furniture to the ceiling in McGonagall’s office?”

Sirius let out a bark of laughter, “Oh, she was livid! But it was worth it just to see Minnie’s face when she walked into her empty office.”

“Yeah, but if I remember correctly it was up to me to get you both out of detention.”

“Yeah, we were a pair of right little terrors. We needed you, Remus, to keep us out of trouble.”

At the mention of James, Sirius’s eyes fell on Harry, Ron and Hermione who were joking and chatting amongst themselves in the corner of the room. A wave of happiness crashed over him. It meant everything to Sirius to know that despite the danger they faced, Harry was still able to find joy in these small moments and just be a teenager.

“Hey, you lot!” he called out, gesturing for them to come over. “Why don't you join the old folks for a couple of drinks?”

The trio grinned and made their way over, settling themselves on the floor by the fire.

As the night began to wind down, one by one, everyone began to make their way up to bed, saying their goodnights and exchanging heartfelt hugs and kisses. You had gotten up to make your way to your bedroom too, when Sirius wrapped his hand around your wrist and pulled you back to the armchair.

“Sirius- it’s nearly midnight!” you let out a gasp of surprise.

“Just stay here with me a little bit longer,” Sirius pleaded, his eyes locking onto yours. “I don't want the night to end just yet.”, peppering gentle kisses down the side of your neck.

A blush began to dust your cheeks, unable to ignore the way his lips burnt into your skin, “Alright, but only for a little while.”

Sirius sighed contentedly, resting his head on your shoulder. The two of you sat there in silence for a few moments, just enjoying the warmth of each other's company.

“You know, I never thought I'd be able to celebrate Christmas like this,” Sirius spoke up, breaking the silence. “With you, Harry, and all our friends. It's more than I could have ever hoped for.”

You ran your fingers through his curls, smiling softly. “I'm just glad you're here with us, Sirius. You deserve all the happiness in the world.”

Sirius lifted his head to look at you, his eyes glassy with emotion. “I am happy, Y/N,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “Happier than I've been in a long time. And it's all because of you.”

You leaned in, capturing his lips in a tender kiss. It was a kiss that conveyed all the love and gratitude that Sirius had felt in his heart. When you pulled away, he smiled at you, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

“Come on, let's go to bed,” you said, standing up and pulling him with you.

As you made your way up the stairs, Sirius's heart felt as though it had swelled about ten times its size. He had found happiness after all those years of despair and loneliness.

As he climbed into bed, wrapping his arms around you, and pulling you close, he knew that he had everything he needed right here in this moment : his family, his friends, and the love of his life. And for the first time in a long time, he felt truly content.

[lexiepiper]

Philanthropy

Happy Christmas Truce to @purpleruletheomiverse with their prompt (Post AGIT) Vlad, Dan and Dani attempting an incredibly awkward and angst-filled family Christmas. I toed the line a bit between angst and fluff, but hopefully it worked out okay!

Ao3 link

Summary: Who knew that decorating a tree could cost so much?

Warning for AGIT spoilers.

.

“You know I hate Christmas, right?”

Vlad paused, looking up from the morning news and trying to keep his expression blank. “You know who I’m doing this for.”

Dan shoved his hands in his pockets, continuing to loiter in the doorway. “You think it’ll be any different for her?” he asked. “She’s a clone, genius. She has his memories. Or have you gone senile?”

Vlad took a calculated sip of his coffee, trying not to look at the creature stuffed into the body of a boy. “You’re the one who dragged her back into my life and told me to make amends.”

“And what, you think a stinking old tree’ll do that?” He huffed, but finally stalked into the sitting room and motioned for the ghostly servant that hovered at the peripherals. “Coffee,” he said when she turned towards him.

Vlad raised an eyebrow and clicked his tongue at the rudeness.

Dan’s eyes snapped to him, literal red flames flickering where his irises should have been. “What?”

He pressed his lips together and took a deep breath through his nose. “I hardly want to fight before I’ve finished my morning coffee.”

Dan grumbled incoherently, but slouched into one of the plush armchairs. “You’ll be lucky if I don’t burn it down by the end of the day.”

Vlad made a show of looking back at his phone and taking a long sip of coffee before answering. “She said she wanted it, you know.”

“Did she actually say that, though?”

He sent Dan a sidelong glance. “Perhaps you should talk to her about it, before deciding to burn anything. She wants the three of us to decorate it together.”

He would have sworn that he could hear the grinding of teeth from halfway across the room. “No way, old man.”

Vlad sniffed delicately, turning back to his coffee. “The deal was that we improve together, was it not?”

“I never agreed to a Christmas tree.”

“Would you really pass up the opportunity to make her happy?”

Dan snarled, pushing himself to his feet and stomping out of the room.

Vlad bit back a smirk. It wasn’t much, but a disagreement that didn’t end in violence? Maybe there was hope after all.

.

Dani had woken a while ago to the sound of a door slamming, which really wasn’t that uncommon in the Masters household. When there had been no further noise that indicated a fight she’d snuggled back into the blankets of her - her! -  giant, comfortable bed, and dozed back off.

She hadn’t fully fallen back asleep when her door was thrown open, and she groaned theatrically and pulled the duvet over her head.

“Did you really ask for a Christmas tree?” Dan snapped.

She mumbled wordlessly, pulling the blanket tighter in a clear message for him to piss off until she was more awake.

“Hey.” She heard him walk over to her bed, and then his hand gripped her elbow through the duvet. “What’s the big idea?”

Giving up on sleeping through this, Dani groaned again and pulled the blanket back, shaking him off and giving a sleepy glare.

“We hate Christmas,” he insisted.

She huffed, rolling over to face him. “No, Danny hates Christmas. We just have his bad memories.”

“So?”

She rolled her eyes. “ So, don’t you wanna be your own person? Try things for yourself instead of focusing on memories that may or may not actually be yours?” She yawned. “Isn’t starting fresh what we’re all trying to do here?”

He was standing beside her bed with his mouth wide open, hands loose at his sides. “But… with a Christmas tree?���

“Yes.” She sat up, stretching her arms above her head with another yawn. “All the two of you do is nitpick over little things, without actually doing anything good. You won’t get better if you don’t do good things, you moron.”

The way his jaw twitched was immensely satisfying. Serves him right for waking her up.

“I draw the line at a Christmas sweater,” he forced through gritted teeth.

“I’ll buy you the most sparkly one there is,” she retorted, flopping back into her pillows and closing her eyes. “Shut the door on your way out.”

He huffed and disappeared, leaving the door wide open so she’d have to get up and close it herself.

Typical.

.

Dan perched on the bannister, legs morphed into a ghostly tail that looped and wrapped around the support spokes despite being in human form as he sipped his coffee and glared at the tree. It was in the grand foyer, since the ceiling here was tall enough for the tree to reach from the ground floor up to the second story.

A team of professionals were already hard at work. He didn’t know exactly what you had to be a professional in to decorate Christmas trees, but Vlad was a billionaire, so  it made sense that he’d be able to find all kinds of strange professionals that normal people would never even dream existed.

They weren’t exactly decorating the tree. Just… putting on the lights, which looked incredibly tedious and much more difficult than Dan remembered it being. Still, as with all of Vlad’s professionals they were paid more than enough to never disclose anything they might happen to see while in his mansion, so. He just sat there. Legs morphing into a misty, somewhat-incorporeal tail as he watched them from above.

“You’re a menace,” Vlad said from behind him.

Dan didn’t bother looking. He didn't want to give him the satisfaction. “That just makes two of us.”

“Must you terrorise my contractors?”

“Yeah. You never know when one of them’ll hide in that massive thing like it’s the Trojan horse and try to assassinate you for your unethical business practices when you get close.”

Vlad said nothing, and Dan entertained himself by imagining the incredulous frustration on the man’s face.

He waited for a long moment, and when he finally glanced back, Vlad was gone.

Excellent. If he was needed to keep the peace tonight, they’d all better leave him alone to get the brooding out of his system. And if it made the workers nervous, well… Dan smiled, wide enough that the ones on the ground floor would easily see his fangs. It’s what they got, for taking stupid jobs like this.

And if their nervousness made him feel even a teensy bit better, well… it’s not like he was hurting anyone.

.

The tiny knock on his office door was almost too quiet for him to hear. “Come in,” he said without looking away from the document that had been faxed through this morning. Because clearly, these investors needed to not only fax documents, but on Christmas Eve. If anyone was going senile, it was them.

Dani walked through the closed door, a lumpy mass of red and green in her hands. “Um… this is for you.”

He raised an eyebrow, putting the document to one side. It was late in the day anyway, and the investors could wait until after the break. Their poor timing did not constitute an emergency on his part. “What is it?”

She bit her lip, shyly holding it out. “I… I got us each one, though Dan’ll probably burn his as soon as he sees it.”

Vlad took the knitted lump, forcing himself to smile as he unfurled the ugliest christmas sweater he’d ever seen. “Why, Danielle, this is truly something.”

“It even lights up!” she exclaimed, some of the shyness melting away as she bounced forward on her toes and fumbled for the box sewn into the hem. “Look!”

Sure enough, the sweater lit up with tiny flashing lights interspersed along the branches of the garish knitted tree.

“Do you like it?” she asked, eyes wide with hope as she looked up into his face.

Vlad swallowed and forced his smile wider. “Absolutely,” he said, immediately pulling it on over his business shirt. “Thank you.”

She grinned, the freckles on her cheeks and the bridge of her nose lighting up into tiny constellations. “You look amazing! I can’t wait to give Dan his!”

Vlad sat back at his desk, opening the top drawer and sweeping the papers into it. “Even if he burns it?”

Her eyes sparkled, glinting as her smile turned sly. “If it stops him from burning the tree then won’t it be worth it?”

He smirked. “That’s true.”

“Glad you agree,” she chirped, heading back for the door. “I mean, I used your credit card to buy them all anyway, so yeah. Glad you think it’s worthwhile!”

Vlad froze as she slipped out of the office, glancing down at the sweater and hoping that she got it out of some bargain bin at the local mall. Though, judging from the softness of what felt far too high quality to be plain acrylic… It was a good thing he was a billionaire, but still, someone should probably talk to her about budgeting.

Maybe.

But still, the way she’d lit up like that had warmed his soul.

…

Damn it, the kids really were turning him into a pushover.

.

She found Dan lying on a couch in the parlour adjacent to the foyer, eyes closed and looking like he was asleep.

“You’re enjoying listening to them talk about you,” she accused.

“Whatever gave you that idea?” he drawled without opening his eyes. “It’s not my fault they started talking about me as soon as I left.”

“You’re a menace.” She threw the sweater at him. “Here. Wear this tonight. If you burn it before we get a group picture, I’ll replace all your snacks with toast.”

He squinted at her. “You wouldn’t.”

“Or would you rather I invite the Fentons over for Christmas dinner tomorrow?” she asked, as sweetly as she could. “I’m sure you’d love an evening with them all, right? Jack can tell us all about Santa, and -”

He sat up, pinching the sweater between his thumbs and forefingers as he lifted it to glare at the light-up knitted tree.

“It’ll look great on you!” she chirped, gesturing to the one she already wore.

He raised an eyebrow. “Do you feel better, then?”

“A little,” she admitted, flopping onto the couch that mirrored his over an opulent wooden coffee table. “It beats being miserable, right?”

“I’m always miserable,” he grumbled, lying back down with the sweater draped across his stomach.

“You’re really not though.” Dani turned her head, watching as he grimaced and closed his eyes. “Come on, you’re not.”

“Name one thing that makes me happy,” he said.

She smiled. “Oh, that’s easy, you idiot. Flying.”

His breath hitched, and then he snorted in a clear attempt to wipe away the smile that had touched the corners of his lips.

Spurred on by her success, Dani continued. “There’s also ice cream, coffee, lime and vinegar chips, Dumpty Humpty music, puppies when you think no one can see you…”

“Shut up,” he grumbled, turning away from her, but not before Dani saw his smile.

She laughed, pushing herself into the air and floating toward the ceiling, flipping herself so she was looking down on him. “We’ll decorate the tree at five.”

“Mmhmm.”

“You’d better be wearing the sweater,” she threatened, “or I’ll tell Jack you know how to find Santa.”

He glared at her with a flash of red. “You wouldn’t.”

Dani stuck out her tongue and phased through the ceiling, leaving him alone to wonder.

.

He traipsed into the grand foyer at five past five. They were there waiting for him, and Dan wondered if he’d be berated for his lateness, but Dani was too engrossed in flitting from one tiered display of brand new decorations to the next to care about his tardiness.

Vlad looked over at him and Dan gave him a withering glare, likely damepend by the fact that he was, indeed, wearing the same flashing sweater that they all were. “Don't you dare say anything,” he growled.

“Can we really use all of these?!” Dani shouted from across the room, hovering above a display of ornaments that glittered like crystal. Knowing Vlad, they probably were.

“Of course.” Vlad swanned over to her, gesturing for Dan to follow. “You tell us where to start.”

Dani hummed, looking between all of them with her finger to her lips before turning back to the probably-crystal ornaments. “Let’s go colour by colour,” she said. “Then it can be balanced.”

“Who cares what it looks like?” Dan huffed.

She scowled at him. “Stop being so sour. Can’t you at least try?”

He rolled his eyes. “It’s our tree, right? It just has to look how we want it to. It’s not like it’s for a competition.”

Dani sniffed and picked an ornament from the display. “Yeah, but a picture’ll be nice, and I can make a tiktok.”

“I’m not being in a tiktok,” he deadpanned.

“Not you, ” she huffed. “Just me. Going from the homeless girl barely trying to get by to the reclaimed daughter of a bachelor billionaire’s been wild for my channel, so I’m trying to do a mixture of chill ones for a while. The tree’ll be nice, and I’ll do cookies, and also maybe one at the fundraiser carols later.”

“What are you fundraising?” Vlad asked, choosing an ornament and following Dani as she moved to the tree.

“Homeless kids,” she said, hanging her ornament. “I tried to donate a hundred grand from us, and researched the best organisations, but apparently I’m not allowed to donate that much without your consent. So I figured I’d drum up interest online and at the fundraiser to get more people involved, and then announce your donation in front of everyone.”

“Sneaky,” Dan observed, crossing his arms over his chest and watching the two of them.

Vlad hung his ornament, expression pensive. “It really means that much to you?”

She shrugged, turning back to the display and examining it maybe a little too closely. “Homelessness is hell. Sure, there are a lot of other personal hells, but… not having a bed at the end of the day, or clean clothes, or enough food… Feeling like nobody cares and you could just die alone without anyone even noticing…” She wiped her eyes. “Yeah, I care about it a lot.”

Vlad stood by the tree, blinking with his mouth open.

Dan huffed when Dani sniffed. “So wouldn’t it be better if Vlad ended homelessness?”

She turned to him, eyes wide and wet. “What?”

Vlad started forwards as well. “It’s not that simple -”

“Then start small,” Dan snapped, grabbing the ornament closest to him. It was a crystal icicle, and he brandished it in a casual flourish that didn’t quite rule out a threat. “Amity Park’s a small city, but there are plenty of empty buildings. I’ve been thrown through enough to know. Pledge to clean it all up in the next year, and house the homeless. Kids and families first. Aren’t you on a self-improvement kick, Vladdie? ”

“But the social infrastructure -”

“Build it up, then.” He practically flounced over to the tree, not bothering to hide his glee at Vlad’s clear panic. “Kids needs social services if they don’t have guardians. People need health support, and money for necessities. Why don’t we fix the housing crisis and universal basic income? It’s worked overseas, after all, and you have more than enough to sponsor it for the first year. Pull some strings, see if you can’t get even more tax write-offs for it, and get the ball rolling.”

Vlad spluttered incoherently.

“You’d really do that?” Dani asked, and the sheer hope in her voice would have melted any glacier.

Vlad wilted. “I… Yes, Danielle. I’ll give it a try.”

Dani squealed, throwing herself at Vlad. He stiffened as she hugged him, hands fluttering as though uncertain of where to place them, but before he could decide she’d pulled away again, and launched herself straight at…

Dan froze as she hugged him, arms tight around his middle as she sobbed into the shoulder of his stupid ugly sweater.  “Thank you,” she wailed. “Thank you, thank you, thank you…”

He placed a hand in the small of her back, angling his chin so that her head tucked beneath it, and smirked over at Vlad. “Like I said, we’re all on a self-improvement kick. It’s about time we actually did something good.”

[rinwritiesbutitssecret]

chapter two ig?????

—--

I want to bring both Rae and Aspen along, but again, that would include me telling xem. 

My court date is January 4th. It’s currently December 21st. That gives me two weeks to tell Aspen and figure out what excuses I can give.

I’m spending Christmas with Aspy this year. Rae’s parents are getting a bit fed up with me, I think so at least. 

Maybe I can tell xem then?

I don’t know, I haven’t felt too good recently. Holidays always make me feel alone, I have no parents, no family other than Rae and Aspen. 

I chose not to have guardians, back in the afterlife. It would make me so sad for them to die. But, it also means I've been alone my whole life. Little second-time-around newborn me was cared for by the afterlife nurses and then plopped into a special home for a few years. After that it was just.. Me. If I’m homeless, they help, I get my allowance and stuff, but no one really cares for me. 

I feel like I can't complain though. I’m so fucking lucky. I’m so fucking special. 

Today’s one of those days when I feel extra lonely. Aspen is busy and Rae is on a date. I just lie in bed and do nothing. 

Nothing is interesting I guess. Sometimes nothing is crying, sometimes it's driving my motorcycle off a bridge, but it’s nothing. It doesn’t affect me, it doesn't mean anything, it doesn’t change anything.

Aspen:

Aster is so cool. I love him, just not.. Romantically. Well I think not romantically.

I don’t truly understand what I feel for him. We’re more than friends, less than lovers, some weird thing in between. 

Just sometimes, I feel like he’s not fully here with me. He’s distracted, in a new place. Maybe he’s in love with Rae. 

Aster isn’t very good at school. But he also doesn’t try. He’s never taken me home. I don’t even know if he has parents.

He’s my best friend but I know nothing about him. 

I’m too scared to ask. I love what we have. I love our conversations. I love laying in my bed with him and watching shitty tv and talking about gender. 

I don’t know what he’s hiding.

“Astie? C- can we talk?” My voice is shaky. 

“Yeah of course, what’s up?” He sits next to me, fidgeting with his hoodie strings.

“I- ok this sounds really dumb.. B- bu- but are you hiding something from me? A- I- I just feel like you’re not telling me something..”

He goes pale. Like really, really fucking pale. 

“Ast?”

“We need to talk.”

He shoots up, sprinting out of the lunch hall.

I follow.

…

What the fuck. 

So a little bit about me… I'm kinda sorta a demon. Not like a demon demon. But I have been alive for 3500 years. Once I start looking old I go back to hell and just reset. 

A little bit about Aspen.. Apparently they’re fucking immortal.

Like what the actual fuck.

I never thought I would meet someone like me. I never thought it would be my best friend.

Yet here we are.

—

[mirkwoodshewolf]

Hellfire's Mama fox Chap. 9; A Munson Christmas

*Author's note*

Since the last chapter was pretty short I give you guys a longer chapter to digest and enjoy. Kinda had difficulty with this cause writing a Christmas fic when it's summer time just doesn't feel right, especially when there are days when the humidity is too high to get into the Christmas spirit. But I hope you all enjoy this chapter nonetheless and until the next update my lovelies :)

NEXT CHAPTER

Taglist:

@plethora-of-things

@waddles03

@psychosupernatural

@queen-paladin

@jd-johndeacon-or-jackdaniels

@remussl0vers

@sweetpeapod

@assassinsasha23

______________________________________________________

Another thing about the holiday season is that we don’t just get a half week off for Thanksgiving, but our two week of Christmas and New Years also happens right around the corner.  After getting through our midterms everyone from freshmen to seniors could breathe a sigh of relief as this past week was a relaxing time before the Christmas holiday.

And as mentioned before, every Friday when hellfire met, I brought out my oneshot campaign of ‘The Wrath of the Snow Queen’.  Today was our final day to wrap up the entire story then Eddie had said he had an announcement about our New Year campaign.

“The freezing cold of the fortress has weakened your strengths. Though you all have fought bravely and valiantly, it would seem the Snow Queen’s wrath was too great for you all to handle. Do you yield and become part of her Winter army? Or does one of you have the guts to try one final time to finish her off?” I announced as I looked to the boys.

“Time out!” proclaimed Jeff as he and the boys huddled up.  “Guys I hate to say it but we’ve got to surrender.”

“I concur.” Agreed Gareth.

“Now hold on! If we yield now we’ll become eternal white walker zombies.” Eddie stated.

“He’s right. We’ve still got 15 hit points left we can’t just give up now!” exclaimed Dustin.

“We got lucky last time, maybe we can have a luck of the dice again.” Mike suggested.

“Unlikely Mike. The Snow Queen has frozen my sword unbreakable and Gareth’s scepter. Without our most powerful weapons we’re fucked!” said Lucas.

“Hey!” I interjected.  The boys turned to me as I then spoke as Jadis, the Snow Queen.  The motherly-like tone that held an icy, chilling tone.  “While I commend your efforts to defeat me, it’d be wise to heed the words of your comrades. Come and stand at my side. You know you have no hope of winning this.” I extended my hand out to them and gave them a sinister grin with a lustful, hypnotic look in my eyes.

“One sec.” Dustin held his finger up to me before the boys came back into their huddle.  “What do you think Mike?”

“Who here has at least enough hit points to go against her?” asked Mike.  They were silent before Eddie said.

“I guess that’s me. But it’s only 10.”

“Alright Eddie. I know it’s risky as hell but you’re the only one with enough strength to fight. So it’s your call.” Eddie pondered before coming up from the group huddle and he sneered at me.

“This isn’t over until the last one stands you bitch.” My smirk widened.

“Foolish mortal.” I taunted.

“Eddie, are you sure man? There’s no shame in running.” Jeff said to him.

“If we don’t win this, the entire kingdom will be engulfed in an eternal winter. And I can’t let that happen.” He said to Jeff before holding out his palm. “Give me the D20.” I picked up his black and red dice and tossed it over to him.

Eddie brought the dice up to his lips and blew into it twice before slowly rolling it between his palms then really began to shake it up.  The boys gathered around him all waiting with anticipation and anxiety as their fates came down to this last roll.

Finally Eddie let the dice go onto the board.  It skipped and rolled across the board until it started to slow down and finally land on it’s number.  Unlucky number 8.  The boys exclaimed in disbelief and fear as my grin went wider and I did a few hand movements, bending my fingers or flexing them like a dancer’s before whispering.

“Frozen heart.” I then shot my hands outward and Eddie froze to where he stood before collapsing onto his chair.

“NOOO!! BEREN!!!” the boys exclaimed.

“Do not weep for him gentlemen, you shall soon join him.” I spoke as Jadis before speaking once again in my Dungeon Mistress tone.  “You soon feel an icy chill on your feet, slowly inch by inch ice begins to encompass up your bodies until each of you are nothing but frozen statues. With a few waves of hands, you all soon awake but all any of you saw was a vision of a world of eternal ice and snow. You all have now become part of Jadis’ White walker army. And have failed in saving the Kingdom from an eternal winter.” I then laughed as Jadis before switching off the lantern.  “And thus ends our winter campaign Hellfire.”

“Damn Roxxi, you really showed no mercy on any of us.” Said Dustin.

“Can’t have you boys winning all the time.” I shrugged as I turned on the main lights in the drama room and started packing everything up.

“Alright my little sheepies. Before we depart on our Winter solstice holiday, I’d like to make an announcement about next year’s campaign.” The boys all turned to Eddie giving him their full attention.  “I want all of you to prepare new character sheets by January 6th because this new campaign will be the biggest one that Hellfire’s ever known. For we are about to embark on the Cult of Vecna.”

The boys cheered and high fived each other all talking about the well-known history of Vecna and his cult.  I too was excited and couldn’t wait to help Eddie with this campaign.

“Happy Christmas you guys, see you next year.” I bid farewell as the boys all packed up their stuff before leaving the drama room leaving Eddie and I alone to place everything back for the holiday break.

“You really were a brutal Dungeon Mistress with this campaign my Queen.”

“You’re not the only one who can be cruel when she wants to in her campaigns. You have no idea how hard it took me to try and make sure that none of you was going to come out on top. The rewrites I had to do.”

“Well if I’m honest sweetheart, this was probably better than your Halloween campaign. I mean don’t get me wrong, you went above and beyond for Halloween. Far more than you’ve ever done. But this campaign…..” he let out a low whistle.  “You had me sweating my balls off.”

“A little too graphic there babe.” I grimaced.

“You knew what dating me would entail. Explicit language and innuendos.” I rolled my eyes and playfully shoved him with my shoulder as I walked past him but he quickly caught me by the waist and pulled me onto his lap as he sat down on his throne.  Our noses grazing against one another’s as he let out a soft moan.

I pressed my forehead to his before capturing his lips with mine in a soft, loving kiss.

“And I wouldn’t have you any other way my Lord of darkness.”

“Good to know I surpass Ozzy Osbourne in your eyes.”

“Please, Ozzy don’t hold a candle to you. Plus he’s way too insane for me. No offense babe.”

“He may be absolutely bat-shit crazy.” He eyed me on that pun to which I gave him a slap to the chest for the terrible reference.  “But the man in a music god.”

“I thought that was Metallica?”

“Don’t get ahead of me sweetheart.” God I love it when Eddie gets so passionate about his favorite musicians.  “So, shall it be the usual Christmas at the Munson residence?”

“Not completely. I’ve got something special for you and Wayne this year.” His eyes lit up like a kid at Christmas.

“What is it? Come on tell me, tell me, tell me, tell me, tell me!” he pleaded as he bounced in his throne happily jostling me around before burying his face into my ear as he spoke as low as his voice could go, “Tell me.”

“Nah-ah-ah-ah. Not until Christmas Eve. Plus you and I still gotta decorate the trailer. We promised Wayne we’d help out this year.” Eddie groaned.  “Come on please. Please?” I gave him my best bunny face with cute nose twitch.

“You know I can’t resist the bunny face.” He pecked my nose.  “Okay, okay. For the old man.” I smiled and pecked his lips once again and we continued to clean everything up and pack up our D&D folders and figurines before finally shutting all the lights off and locking up the drama room for the winter break.

We drove into downtown Hawkins and gathered up the groceries for the Christmas dinner I would soon prepare for the Munson boys.  And with the recent rise in paychecks Wayne’s been getting, we got ourselves a decent 16lbs turkey.

I also gathered up some eggnog, beer, potatoes and gravy, and corn on the cob.  After paying for the groceries and as we came out of the store, we saw how the snow was beginning to fall.

“And just in time too. And thank god I got the essential groceries two days ago. Weather man was saying this could be our biggest snowfall of the Christmas season.” I said to Eddie.

“Well let’s get this stuff home and hunker down before the roads get too icy.”

“Yeah, with your driving we’d never survive.” Eddie gawked offended.

“Have I ever got us into an accident?”

“Yet. But there’s time, there’s time.” I felt a pinch to my butt as I let out a squeal before hitting Eddie in the arm.  Once we loaded the groceries into the back of the van, I took the cart back to the pickup area and got into the passenger seat as Eddie drove off.

“You’ve got snow on your hair.” Eddie chuckled as he reached over and took a strand of multi-colored hair and stroked the snow that had landed on the pink and blue parts of my hair.

“Both hands on the wheel Munson.” I gently reprimanded him as I pushed his hand towards the wheel and used the visor mirror to brush out the large snowflakes from my hair.

Once we got home, we unloaded the groceries and I packed them away into the fridge when I saw Eddie just standing in the middle of the trailer lost in his head.

“Eddie?” I walked over to him and took his arm which made him jump slightly and he looked down at me and seemed to relax.  “Sorry, didn’t mean to scare yah.”

“No you-you didn’t.”

“Where’d you go Eds?” I asked him.  He was about to argue but with a raised brow he sighed and said gesturing towards the trailer.

“This time of the year always makes me feel depressed. No matter how much Wayne works, we can only ever have a smidge of what a real Christmas is like once every few years. I can’t even remember the last time I decorated a Christmas tree. I see all throughout Hawkins how people can have these big trees, hell there’s one at the center of downtown every year for Christ’s sake!” he scoffed.  “But we Munsons……we don’t have that luxury.”

“Trust me, it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. Putting up the tree and decorations may be fun and exciting but packing them up after the holidays. That’s where the fun stops. It’s a pain in the ass packing it all back up again and having to store it somewhere or just throw it away. Not to mention all the pine needles that fall from some trees, or the tinsel that you still find in your hair when it’s the middle of April.” Eddie softly chuckled.

“Still…..it doesn’t change the fact that I have to have the Christmas traditions and their seasonal looks shoved down my throat and I can’t do anything about it.” I leaned against his arm and rubbed his back.

“You still got Georgie’s number right?”

“Right on the side of the fridge, why? You know he’s not in Hawkins anymore.”

“I know but I was thinking. You were one of the best auto-mechanics he ever hired here in Hawkins. Maybe he’d give you a job in his new shop in Chicago. I’d find a job there as well and along with your night gigs with the band, we might be able to finally afford a yearly traditional Christmas that you’ve always wished for. We could even get Wayne to come up and enjoy it every year.”

“You think we should move to Chicago once we graduate?” he asked me.

“It’s an option. Do you not like it? Is it too specific?”

“No, no. Just—this is why you’re the brains and I’m just the arm candy.” He said as he nuzzled his nose against mine.  I scoffed softly and pecked his nose.  “I mean it. All I had in mind was just us getting the hell out of Hawkins in general. No destination, no plan, just you, me and the open road.”

“I don’t think I’d be cut out for full on open road life. At least not until you make it big as my metal rockstar.”

“By day I’m an auto-mechanic at Georgie’s Tire shop. But by night, I’m Eddie Munson metal God of rock.” I nodded as I softly laughed.

“Exactly babe.” I then felt Eddie pick me up and swing me around before setting me down.  “Now come on, let’s get the lights strung up.” I took Eddie’s wrist and lead him towards the storage closet where he kept the fairy lights that he’ll sometimes decorate for either a special ‘at home dinner date’ or for our pillow forts that is required at least three times a month (at least according to him).

Together we strung up the lights all over the living room and we also got into the old Christmas packages that were stored under the crawlspace of the trailer and brought out some of Eddie’s old homemade Christmas decorations that were made by Little Eddie.

You know those snowmen and mittens you used to make back in elementary school during the Christmas season.  Apparently Wayne was given some of those by Eddie’s mom back in the day and only until I had moved in and discovered them did I want them to also be put up around the trailer.  Even when Eddie gets embarrassed of having these things be put up on display, I think its adorable seeing little five year old Eddie’s first cutout snowflake and Christmas trees.

Once the decorations were all put up, Eddie and I stood side by side and admired our handy work.

“Not bad.” I complimented.

“Not bad at all.” Eddie agreed as he wrapped his arms around me as he stood behind me.  “Plus I think the old man missed having some sort of Christmas spirit in this trailer.”

“Really?” I asked turning to look up at him.

“Oh yeah. Told me how ever since you came along, the holidays seemed to seep its way into our humble little trailer.”

“I think he also once said at our first Christmas together of how you’d managed to stop acting like the Grinch.” I teased with a giggle.  I felt Eddie poke me in the ribs making me jump but he made sure to keep a firm grip around my waist.

“You’re lucky I’m feeling merciful tonight. But push my buttons any further and I’ll tickle torture you until the New Year.”

“You wouldn’t dare.”

“Try me.” He darkly chuckled into my ear as he brought my closer to his back.  I squirmed in his hold but he kept me close as I felt him kiss my neck trying to subdue me.  It would’ve worked too had it not been for the front door suddenly opening up and in came Wayne with patches of snow on his shoulders.

“Wayne!” I exclaimed as I pushed Eddie’s face out of my neck.  “You’re home early.”

“The factory decided to let us off early due to this snow storm. Been getting updates from every station that it’s gonna be a big one in years.” He said as he locked the door behind him and took off his winter gear.  It was then he finally took notice of the fairy lights we had stringed up and the decorations we had set up.  “Now it’s starting to feel like Christmas in this place.”

“Roxxi’s idea. And thanks to her quick thinking, we’ve got plenty of food to get us through the storm.” Eddie said as he rocked us from side to side.

“Thanks Roxxi. We don’t know what we’d have done if not for your organized preparations.” Wayne thanked me.

“You boys would be living off on canned food and beer. Growing men need more than that.”

“I get me by why include Wayne?” Eddie teased.  I elbowed him in the stomach making him let out a grunt.

“Eddie, behave.” I reprimanded.  “So Wayne, do you think you’ll be getting a few days off work due to this upcoming storm?”

“Who knows. I’ll get word about it from the office sometime tomorrow.”

“I think it’d also be best to just stay home even if they tell you to come in. The slippery roads aren’t worth driving, especially at night.” I advised him.

“I’ll keep that in mind Roxxi.”

“Now then, how’s about I make us some grilled cheese and tomato soup for supper?” I asked them as I got out of Eddie’s arms and headed over to the kitchen.

“Sounds good to me.” Said Wayne.

“I can go for that.” Added Eddie.  I gave them a nod before gathering the stuff I would need to make them what we all had agreed to have for the night.

Once all of it was made, we gathered around the dinner table for the first time in a few weeks since Wayne’s been doing some overtime lately to try and get that Christmas bonus this year.

“So, in case we do end up being shut in from the storm, what’s the plan for Christmas Eve?” asked Wayne.

“Well like Eddie said. Thanks to the babysitting money I’ve been getting from Ms. Mayfield and a few of the other trailer moms around here, the savings Eddie’s had since his work at the automobile shop two years ago, I was able to get us a decent size turkey. Figured we’d cook that up, along with some mashed potatoes and gravy and corn on the cob.”

“Sounds like the perfect Christmas meal.” Wayne praised.  “Think you can help out this time without burning anything Eddie?”

“I swear on Metallica themselves.” Eddie said holding up his right hand followed by crossing his heart with his left.

“If you do good this time, I might just take that ban off of you so you can help cook more food besides soup.” I told him.

“Walking on thin ice there sweetheart.” He threatened playfully.

“Don’t back sass her boy. Be thankful she gives you as many chances as she does.” Wayne told him.

“I’m just too nice I suppose.”

“Yeah haha, maybe I should ask the big guy in red to give you both lumps of coal in your stockings this year for your attitude tonight.” I giggled and wrapped my arm around his shoulders before pecking his cheek.  “If that’s your way of bribery my love, you’ll have to do better than that.”

“No bribes, just to let you know we’re both teasing. Right Wayne?” he nodded with a hum as he kept eating his dinner.

Once our dinner was done, Eddie did the dishes and put them up to dry and we all decided it was best to hit the sack since it had been a long week for all of us.

A few days later and after helping Wayne for a few days of clearing out the snow from the trailer when it would snow every couple of days in between and the big day finally arrived.  Christmas Eve.

And like every year when Eddie and I started dating I made my Munson men my grandmother’s special Christmas chocolate chip cookies.  Every year she always made sure to make a whole bunch of them for me and Steve.  Of course mother dearest always tried to make her own mother stop feeding me fattening foods but gran-gran was always one step ahead of her own daughter when it came to spoiling me.

“I swear babe, did your grandma put some sort of drug in these cookies?” asked Eddie as he had his fifth cookie.

“No drugs whatsoever. And don’t talk with your mouth full, you’ll choke.” I reprimanded as I bopped his nose.

“So Roxxi, about what time you thinking about cooking our Christmas feast?” asked Wayne.  I let out a soft hum before looking at the clock to see that it was just past 11:30.

“Well the turkey’s gonna be the longest to prep. At least I’ve been letting it thaw out since six this morning. I’d say about…..2ish. That way we can eat by 6-7ish at the latest.”

“Works for me. I can handle the turkey prep. You kids handle the rest.” We nodded then Eddie proposed that the two of us should head out to do one final snow day before the Christmas day crowding.  So he and I got on our winter gear before heading outside with Wayne telling us to be careful out there.

If you’d like to compare just how much snow we’ve gotten for this year; using Eddie as a measurement the snow that had been shoveled away to clear a path from our trailer to the cars was up to his knees. 

As for the rest of the neighborhood when the snowplows came through the road, the piles alongside the road were well past every trailer.  I’m told there’s even been a call for this area to have some construction trucks up in and take some of the snow away like how they do with dirt sometimes.

But whether or not they’ll end up doing it that’s up to the politicians, which usually means they won’t cause they’ve got other important things to take care of.  Eddie took my hand and led us towards the woods just behind Max’s trailer, or I should say almost dragging me to the woods.

“I swear you’re like Bambi when he saw his first snow, Eds.”

“Hey it should be a crime to lose their inner child when it comes to playing in the snow! And anyone who does….” He trailed off before releasing my hand and got a handful of snow and just shot it at me making me shriek.  Suddenly I felt a snowball hit my face.  “Is punished by the Lord of snowballs.”

I spurted out the snow and wiped it out from my brow before turning to Eddie with a harsh glare in my eyes.

“So, you think you can take on the Snow Queen, foolish mortal?” I said lowering my voice to the tone I had used at my Winter’s D&D session.  I readied a snowball in my hands and took aim before firing at him and managed to get him in the arm.  He let out a groan before exclaiming.

“A flesh wound! Nothing but a mere flesh wound your highness!” he ran towards a tree while I kept throwing snowballs at him, some getting him in the back but most I ended up missing him completely until he got to his shelter.  I took shelter behind a large snow covered bush and readied my arsenal with as many snowballs as I could.

“This be war foolish creature! Once this war is over, I shall be the victorious one and you shall join my army of the frozen empire!”

“Nay! It is I that shall be victorious and free all that you have ensnared ice witch!” Eddie’s voice cried through the woods.  We soon began throwing snowballs at each other as viciously as we could but then Eddie made a suicide attempt as he came out from his hiding spot and began to charge at me.

“A foolish maneuver. Attack my White walkers!” I then proclaimed as I imagined Jadis’ white walker army marching out to meet Eddie head on.  He maneuvered with skill pretending to decapitate each of them (the only way to kill a White walker) once he got close enough to me, he revealed a hidden snowball and threw it right at my chest sending me falling backwards into the soft powder of snow.

“Hear me now. Eddie the Banished have doth vanquished the evil Jadis the Snow Queen! And spared this forest from her eternal winter.” He said as he stood over me victoriously.

“You may have defeated me…..but I’ll—be…..back.” I playfully choked and coughed out before closing my eyes and lying still in the snow.  I heard Eddie chuckle and heard the snow crunch beneath him as I felt him hovering over me.  I opened my eyes and saw the gleaming look in his eyes as he looked down at me in pure adoration.

“Hi.” He greeted me.

“Hi.” I echoed back with a giggle as I reached up and brushed the hair out of his face.  “Really wish you had worn a hat at least. Your ears won’t be too happy with you later.”

“I know a girl that can warm them up later.” I playfully shoved his shoulder as he reached up and took my beanie off and brushed the tangles out from underneath the hat hair I would have.  “This tri-colored pattern really makes it pop out in the snow, especially the blue.”

“You don’t think I overdid it do you?”

“Hey, if it makes you happy, I’m happy sweetheart. Plus I think each of these colors represents who you are.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. The yellow tips represent your beautiful creative mind. Usually girls only think about makeup and boys and the current fashion trend. But you my beloved Elf-witch; you think beyond materialistic things. You create beautiful words and stories that I’ve only ever dreamed of. Which leads into the magenta middle, and since it’s part of the red family. It shows your fiery passion to achieve those goals. And you don’t let anyone stop you. And at the roots, this deep blue shows your empathy and maternal instincts towards those that need it. You will gravely defend those who are closest to you and won’t take anyone’s crap for it.”

“If you’re trying to win brownie points from me Munson, know that it’s working.”

“I’m not looking for anything. I’m just stating the facts.” He took a strand of my hair and twisted it around his index finger gently before letting it slide off.  “You’re one hell of a woman Roxxi Murdock. And I can’t imagine anyone else I’d rather be with.” I smiled lovingly at him before bringing him down into a soft, passionate kiss in the snow.

After awhile we both grew cold and decided it was time to head back and get warmed up before we’d prepare our Christmas eve dinner.  Once the time came around, the Munson men and I got to work at our stations and worked for the next couple of hours to prep, cook and set the table up.

Once the turkey was good and prepped, Wayne set it down at the center of eating table while I lit the candles and set down the mashed potatoes while Eddie set down the gravy.

“Shall we?” asked Wayne.

“I can lead this time.” I volunteered.  Now Eddie and his grandpa weren’t all that religious like most of the people in this town were.  And I had lost my faith shortly after being kicked out of my parent’s room but deep down I felt like every holiday there still needed to be a Grace spoken to bless the meal and this holiday.  So I was fortunate that the Munsons had allowed me to indulge in this small favor after them taking me in when I had nowhere else to go.

We sat down at the table and held hands with each other across the table and bowed our heads as I spoke.

“It hadn’t been easy this past year Heavenly Father, but somehow we managed to pull through and make it another full year. Bless this food and the hands that helped prepare it. Give us warmth, love and hope as we try to get through the remainder of this year and into the new year. Bless these fine men who helped me in a dark time and give them praise for all their hard work. In your son we pray, Amen.”

“Amen.” Wayne and Eddie softly echoed as we let go and ate our well deserved Christmas meal.  “Mmm I swear sweetheart, without you we’d be feasting on beer and bean dip. This is the best mashed potatoes and gravy I’ve ever had.” Eddie praised.

“It’s not that hard to mess up mashed potatoes and my granny’s recipe for gravy is pretty easy. But you gotta give Wayne the credit for the turkey. Not even my aunt’s turkey could compare to this.”

“The key is proper spicing and some good old melted butter.” He said as he took a bite of his turkey.

“And mixing it with some gravy is just as good, if not better.” Eddie said as he dunked his spoon into the gravy bowl and poured it over his turkey.

“Can’t argue with that. Now quit hogging the gravy Eddie!” I said reaching out for it but he pulled it away from me.

“Not here and now you two. Gravy’s delicious but it’s a nightmare to clean up if it stains the carpet.” Wayne warned us.  After that, we didn’t say much of anything else as we continued to eat and enjoy our Christmas eve meal together.

Once we were full and packed away the leftovers in the fridge, as Wayne went to go get our presents, I went over to his old record player and grabbed a Christmas record and placed it into the record player.  Soon the trailer was filled with the soft gentle piano playing of ‘The First Noel’.

Wayne soon came out with two wrapped presents and handed them to me and Eddie.

“Merry Christmas kids.” Eddie quickly unwrapped his gift and stared wide eyed as it was the new Iron Maiden album that had came out back in October.

“No way! Iron Maiden’s Live after Death album. Been waiting to get my hands on this for months!”

“Good thing you didn’t.” Wayne said as he took a sip of his beer and sat down on his chair.

“Thanks Wayne. Really I—thank you.”

“It was nothing boy. Jerry at the record shop owed me for helping him when he got that flat tire back in the spring.” I unwrapped my gift and saw that it was a couple of X-men and Daredevil comics that I didn’t have in my collection.

“Oh my god Wayne. This is…..these comics are almost nearly impossible to find. How did you…..”

“You’re not the only comic book advocate. I’ll teach you the network and how to get your connections to all the good stuff.”

“Thank you. Guess I’ll go next.” I stood up and jogged over to Eddie’s room to find my presents to them.

Boy I’ll tell yah it was not easy to keep these gifts hidden away especially from Eddie.  Guy always like to peek and poke around especially as the holidays get closer to see if any presents are hidden away.  But thankfully I managed to find a good hiding spot for each of them.

I pulled out the long rectangular one out from behind the dresser where Eddie keeps his hand-me-down guitars gifted to him by Wayne then pulled out the smaller box out from one of my old shoeboxes.  I came back and handed Wayne the small box while Eddie got the big rectangular shaped one.

I watched as both boys unwrapped their gifts and hold their gifts up.  For Wayne I did a handmade mug that I personally hand sculpted and painted myself with the word’s GREATEST UNCLE written across.  And for Eddie, I drew him his own personal Rockstar poster.  Him with his infamous Sweetheart guitar standing at the edge of a volcano with smoke, ash and lighting dancing behind him as he shredded on his guitar.

“While I was away at the rehab center, they had an art and pottery making class. So I signed up for lessons and made you guys those. Do you like them?”

“Roxxi this is about the best mug I’ve ever received. Thank you darlin. I’ll find a special place for this mug to hang on.” Wayne said.

“That mug there was the fourth one I had to make. The first two ended up having cracks after they were baked, and the third one got broken by my roommate.” I then turned to Eddie and reached out to touch his shoulder.  He slightly jumped and I asked him, “You okay babe? You’re pretty quiet.”

He set the charcoal picture down and grabbed my face before placing his lips firmly against mine.  I was shocked at first but succumbed to his kiss as our arms wrapped around each other.  After a bit he separated from me and said.

“Roxxi, is there anything you can’t do?”

“Changing a car tire and taxes.” He booped my nose and picked up the picture.

“I swear, this could be an actual cover for Iron Maiden or even Metallica.”

“Well, when Corroded Coffin makes it big, you can use this as your first cover album picture. I give you the rights to it.” He looked at me in awe.

“Sweetheart—”

“I’m serious Eddie. Take it and promise me you’ll use it one day.” I held out my pinkie and he softly scoffed but wrapped his pinkie around mine sealing the deal.

“I swear.” He kissed our interlocked pinkies before standing up.  “I hope you now know that your gift to me will be inadequate to yours.” He said disappearing towards the storage closet.

“You know what I always say! It’s not about the price but the amount of thought and care into a gift that matters.” He soon came back and handed both Wayne and I our presents.  I opened mine up to see that it was a new handmade t-shirt.

It was the same color pattern as everyone else’s Hellfire t-shirt but when I went to unveil in, across the front it read:

HELLFIRE’S MAMA FOX. With the D20 dice acting as the O and a proud nine-tailed fox standing below the lettering with it’s paw resting on top of the Tiefling’s head and each of the fix tails were on fire.

“Eddie…..”

“Put it on, I wanna see how it looks on you.” I set the box aside and put the shirt over my current one.  I gave it a bit of a stretch so that it fit a bit more before turning to Eddie and asked.

“How’s it look?”

“Perfect. And I don’t just mean the shirt.” I rolled my eyes at him before pecking his lips once more and thanked him again.

“A free admissions ticket to the Hideout for an all-night Happy hour.” Wayne said.

“Figured you and I could go together or something. We’re hard working men after all. We deserve some nights off, right babe?” Eddie asked me.

“Agreed.”

“Even though I can’t condone you both drinking underaged. I know there’s nothing I can say to stop either of you. But then again this town could care less about high school teens drinking underaged at times. How long till these expire?”

“We got till the end of the year to use them. Figured we’d go the day after Christmas?”

“Sounds good to me. Do you mind if I steal my boy for the night Roxxi?”

“He’s your nephew, I got no leash on him. I can man the palace whilst you two are on your quest.” And with the gift exchange now complete, the only thing left for us to do was enjoy a little Christmas movie marathon starting with the greatest movie of all, A Charlie Brown Christmas.

Eddie and I were cuddled together on the couch while Wayne remained in his chair.  A glass of hot chocolate sat in front of us thanks to Wayne and I took my last sip of hot chocolate before cuddling close to Eddie and falling asleep somewhere during the start of A Christmas Story.

*Eddie’s POV*

Somewhere during our Christmas movie marathon, I felt Roxxi doze off against my shoulder and the second I heard her moan tiredly and snuggle deeper into my chest, I knew that she was now in that state between awake and deep sleep.

Very carefully I picked her up from the couch and took her into our room and set her down on the bed.  I covered her up and stroked the strands of hair out of her face, all while staring down at this gorgeous goddess before me.

I know I say this every time but this time there’s no question about it.  Roxxi is it for me.  She’s the only girl who I see being my endgame.  I want her to be the last thing I see before I go to sleep, the first thing I see when I wake up. 

She’s never once denied me of my dream to become a metal rockstar but she also encourages me to find roots before achieving that dream so that way we’re already on steady ground instead of going off of nothing.  After all she’s been through these last few years, she deserves a better life and I promised her I’d give it to her.  I leaned down and softly kissed her cheek and whispered to her.

“Merry Christmas Roxxi.” I soon shut the bedroom door behind me and returned back to the couch and let out a sigh.

“She really means that much to you, doesn’t she Eddie?” Wayne said.

“I still sometimes can’t grasp why she’d choose me out of any guy in Hawkins.” I told him.

“Because boy what you lack in ego and pride, you make up for in empathetic intelligence. You were the only one to stay with her when she had no one left.” I turned to my uncle and told him.

“She’s it for me Wayne. Once we graduate, I…..I’m gonna ask Roxxi to marry me. I know we might be too young but—I can’t wait any longer. She’s my wife and I want to make it official. Even if I can’t prove it with a ring, I still want her to be mine.” Wayne stood up without another word then went over to one of the cabinets and started rummaging through it.

I tried to look over to see what it was he was trying to find until he pulled a small black film canister out and came over to me.  He held out the canister and I looked at him confused.  He gestured for me to take it and I hesitantly took it.  I gave it a small shake and heard something rattling in it.

I popped the top open and turned it over and soon falling into my palm was a beautiful engagement ring.  I turned to Wayne in shock as he sat down next to me.

“This was my Mama’s engagement ring. Your paternal grandparents were married for 56 years. My mama gave me this ring hoping I’d find a girl to give this to. But as you know I’ve never been the one to settle down, and your old man would’ve sold this to get his next fix. But you Eddie, I see in you a man who knows what he wants. And if you believe with all your heart that that girl is a part of that dream, you give her this.”

“Wayne I—I don’t……this is……”

“Say no more son. But don’t give this to her until you both graduate. Let this be another motivation for you to get off your lazy ass and graduate.”

“Thanks to her I managed to pass my quarter classes, and get by with decent grades in my yearly ones. All that’s left is the spring term and then we’re done.”

“She’s good for you boy. Keeps you in line better than I ever could.” I placed the ring back into the film canister and pocketed it into my black leather jacket. 

This was never leaving this pocket, if I were to put it somewhere in my room I’d know either it’d be lost forever or Roxxi might stumble across it while cleaning up or reorganizing my stuff.

“Thank you uncle. For everything.” Wayne and I never really were much for sentimental feelings.  As men we just sorta—I don’t know just know when we love and appreciate each other.  But ever since Roxxi came into our lives, I guess I’ve been….wanting to show it a bit more lately.  Especially when Wayne agreed to have her live here after her parents kicked her out.

Hesitantly I leaned forward and wrapped my arms around my uncle and embraced him tightly.  I immediately felt his arms wrap around my back as we both gave each other a pat on the back.

“Merry Christmas son.” He told me.

“Merry Christmas, old man.” I told him giving him one last pat then separating from our hug.  “Think I’ll head to bed. Promised Roxxi I’d help make breakfast for you in the morning, don’t tell her that I told you that.”

“My lips are sealed.” He gave me a nod.  I nodded back before getting up and headed back towards my room and saw that Roxxi was still asleep.  This time she was on her stomach curled closer to the wall.  I walked over to her, got undressed and carefully got into the bed and cuddled close to her before falling asleep holding her in my arms.

Oh yeah, she’s definitely the one for me.  I hope the end of the school year comes faster than this first half of the year did.