#Midwinter Holly

[mysticalblizzardcolor]

Listen/purchase: The Holly And The Ivy by Jenna Nash

[adventuringpages]

[mimieux0u0]

[sweetfirebird]

Yule m/m romance!

Familiar Spirits

Hidden in small towns, witches live and work alongside the unaware. Theirs is a world of covens, ritual, and familiars, where some are strong enough to control the weather and others are content to read predictions in a cup of tea, but all of them are still human, and still struggle to find happiness in love. No matter how ancient or powerful their magic, all must overcome their fears to reach for who they want.

Holly and Oak

(Familiar Spirits Book Two)

Chester has been in love with Will for years, but the disapproval of their coven and the ritual magic that binds him to Will have kept him silent. He doesn't realize Will is willing to risk the ritual--risk even the town itself--if Chester wants him. There is more between them than magic. Will just has to get Chester to see that and to finally ask for what he wants.

A Little Blessing

(Familiar Spirits Book Four)

Overworked, exhausted, and ill, Yule and any coven obligations that go with it are the last things on Robin Blessing’s mind. Powerful witch Lucas Greysmith offers to stay with Robin to help him recover, and hopefully get Robin to see that the future might hold more for him than work and loneliness.

[ofglories]

Caster Arthur wearing different plants as accessories depending on the time of year (and tucking matching ones into Ruler Bedi's hair or clothes too). Bluebells in spring, primrose in summer, things like that. But he also switches it up depending on the day and his mood. The only common trait is they're seasonal plants.

[witch-trilogy-incorrect-quotes]

Holly: I'm having a child! Ariel: Ok, congrats. Holly: It's you, sign here.

[peacockstalemusicalstorytelling]

The Christmas Party

[literaryvein-reblogs]

Hello, I was wondering if you had anything writing notes related to winter such as vocabulary, phrases, etc.

Word List: Winter

Winter—the season between autumn and spring comprising in the northern hemisphere usually the months of December, January, and February or as reckoned astronomically extending from the December solstice to the March equinox; the colder half of the year; a period of inactivity or decay

Dead of winter - the middle of the winter

Midwinter - the winter solstice; the middle of winter

Nuclear winter - the chilling of climate that is hypothesized to be a consequence of nuclear war and to result from the prolonged blockage of sunlight by high-altitude dust clouds produced by nuclear explosions

Outwinter - to stay outdoors in winter

Winterberry - an eastern North American shrub (Ilex verticillata) of the holly family with axillary flowers, usually bright red berries, and deciduous leaves that turn black in the fall; called also black alder

Winterbloom - witch hazel; azalea

Winterbound - restrained (as from a favored sport or other outdoor activity) by winter

Winterbourne - a stream that flows only or chiefly in winter

Wintercreeper - an evergreen shrubby, trailing, or climbing euonymus (Euonymus fortunei) that is widely cultivated as an ornamental in several horticultural varieties differing chiefly in habit or in form or color of leaves

Winterer - one that winters; specifically: a winter resident or visitor

Winterfeed - livestock feed for winter use

Wintergreen - any of a genus (Pyrola of the family Ericaceae, the heath family) of evergreen perennial herbs (such as the shinleafs) that have basal leaves and racemose flowers; any of a genus (Gaultheria) of evergreen plants of the heath family

Winter-hardy - hardy in respect to winter conditions; especially: able to withstand much cold

Winterim - an intersession at some colleges and universities chiefly in January

Winterish - suitable to winter; suggestive of winter; somewhat wintry

Winterize - to make ready for winter or winter use and especially resistant or proof against winter weather

Winter-kill - to kill (a plant or part of a plant) by exposure to winter conditions; to die as a result of exposure to winter conditions

Winterless - free from winter; not characterized by wintery conditions (as of weather)

Winterlong - excessively or tiresomely long

Winterpea - a peavine (Lathyrus hirsutus) with densely silky pods that is native to the Mediterranean region but introduced into the U.S. as a green manure or winter forage crop

Winter savory - a perennial European mint (Satureja montana) with leaves used for seasoning

Wintertide - wintertime

Winterward - in the direction of winter

Winterweed - weedy plant that remains green during winter

Wintry - of, relating to, or characteristic of winter

The concept of winter in European languages is associated with the season of dormancy, particularly in relation to crops; some plants die, leaving their seeds, and others merely cease growth until spring. Many animals also become dormant, especially those that hibernate; numerous insects die.

Sources: 1 2 ⚜ More: Word Lists

Hope this helps with your writing!

[verecunda]

Eregion comes into its own at midwinter. When the winds come racing down from Caradhras, they bring flurries of snow that gather in shining white drifts over the gardens and orchards, and in the meads beyond the city walls. The banks of the Sirannon and the Glanduin are fringed with ice that glimmers like silver and crystal. But most beautiful of all is the holly: not just evergreen, the holly-trees of Eregion in fact seem to bloom more brightly in the depths of winter, the leaves gleaming green, the berries clustering like garnets - always there are plenty of berries, always enough to feed the birds and mice that shelter in the bushes.

In Ost-in-Edhil, the markets teem with merchants: Elves and Dwarves, and even some Men who might find their way in from the settlements of Eriador and Dunland, even some coming upriver from Tharbad and Lond Daer. In particular, the high road between city and Khazad-dûm is full of traffic: carts coming back and forth with goods to trade and with folk of both kingdoms coming and going to visit friends, Elves walking lightly upon the snow, Dwarves tramping in heavy boots and tasselled hoods.

The Elves have become used to celebrating Durin's Day with their Dwarven friends, so from the end of autumn until Yuletide, the houses are full of feasting and gift-giving, toasts drunk in Elven wine and Dwarven spiced ale. Houses and arbours are hung with greenery and coloured lights - Celebrimbor worked out the craft of Fëanor's blue lamps and has since developed them in other colours: green and gold, silver and red. The Gwaith-i-Mírdain in particular have a friendly competition with their Dwarven fellows each year, to see who can craft the most ingenious gifts for each other. Elf-children play with Dwarven toys, and Dwarf youngsters doze by the hearthside, pleasantly full of Elven cakes. Songs are sung in the languages of friends, Elven and Dwarven voices alike lifting in praise of Elbereth's stars and Durin's Crown, and hailing the return of the Sun together.

In the deeps of winter, the Land of Holly is a beacon of light and warmth.

[adventuresofalgy]

Algy had flown all through the previous day and for much of the moonlit night, but as a result he was so exhausted that when the pale light of the midwinter dawn began to ease up over the mountain tops, he had no choice but to stop and rest, for he could fly no further.

Spotting a large holly bush among some scrubby small trees near the edge of a burn, Algy dropped down to the ground and made his way carefully under the bush, trying not to get more prickled than was absolutely necessary. Once he was satisfied that he was thoroughly protected, he tucked himself up beneath the dense canopy of spiky leaves, with his magic pumpkin lantern close by his side, and promptly fell fast asleep.

And sad to say, Algy consequently missed that day entirely and made no further progress towards his home, for by the time he woke up and looked around it was already dusk and would soon be dark again. And this time it was not the illuminated darkness of a beautiful, bright, moonlit night, but the total blackness of a wild, wet and windy one, with storm clouds covering the sky and torrential showers of hail and sleet falling suddenly all around, battering the ground without warning.

Algy had little choice but to remain in his cosy temporary nest, sheltered by the dense holly bush, which was shielding him from most of the excesses of the weather. He was disappointed that he had had to interrupt his journey, but when he looked down at his pumpkin lantern he was somewhat comforted, for once again it had magically metamorphosed into a glowing candle. This time he was sure that it was burning much lower than before, and as he looked into the flame beneath the holly, an old Christmas carol came into his mind:

The holly and the ivy, When they are both full grown, Of all the trees that are in the wood, The holly bears the crown.

[Algy is thinking of a traditional British Christmas carol, The Holly and the Ivy.]

[breelandwalker]

Cold Moon - December 26, 2023

Bundle up, witches! It's time for the Cold Moon!

Cold Moon

The Cold Moon is the name given to the full moon which occurs in the month of December, particularly appropriate this year as the full moon will occur late in the month, smack in the middle of the bleak midwinter.

This will be another month when the moon appears full for two nights in a row, so we'll have a full moon for Christmastime, with peak illumination on Dec 26th at 7:33pm EST. (A perfect aesthetic for those who are fans of the classic poem "A Visit From St Nicholas" aka "Twas the Night Before Christmas." Personally, I'm holding out hope that we'll have the snowy conditions to match, though it's a long shot.)

Like most full moon names, the Cold Moon takes its' moniker from an English translation of a traditional name used by one or more North American indigenous groups. There are a number of indigenous names that reference the wintry conditions when this moon occurs, including Snow Moon (Haida, Cherokee), Winter Moon (Tunica-Biloxi), Hoar Frost Moon (Cree), and Long Night Moon (Mohican). More evocative names include Frost Exploding Trees Moon (Cree) and Moon of the Popping Trees (Oglala), both of which refer to a phenomenon which occurs during extreme cold, when the sap inside a tree freezes and the expanding pressure causes portions of the bark or even entire limbs to "pop" with loud cracking sounds that can be heard for miles.

Other names for the December moon include Yule Moon (Norse origins), Oak Moon (Celtic origins), and Bitter Moon (Chinese origins).

What Does It Mean For Witches?

The year is winding down. It's time to wrap up our projects and put aside what we haven't finished or no longer need. Rather than berating ourselves for the things we didn't finish or didn't accomplish, this is a time to give ourselves some grace and celebrate our successes and triumphs and the things we DID accomplish.

With only one page left on the calendar, many of us are already looking ahead to the new year, making plans and setting goals. This is a good time to brainstorm and engage in a bit of broad-view planning. Sketch out the things you'd like to see or do or try in the new year. Give voice to your dreams and start thinking of ways to make them happen.

The Cold Moon also falls soon after the winter solstice this year (Dec 21), which could be a boon for anyone looking to time their seasonal rituals in optimal fashion. A working could be begun on the solstice and built up to culminate on the night of the Cold Moon, just before the start of a new calendar year.

What Witchy Things Can We Do?

Have a small supper gathering with friends or family (holiday themed or not, it's up to you) to share joys and fellowship and enjoy good food and drink. Make wishes together for the new year. (Wish jars can be done individually or as an informal group ritual. Sharing wishes anonymously can be a fun party game.) A "White Elephant" gift exchange with inexpensive or homemade witchy goods for your circle could be fun too!

Make a wish jar for the new year on the winter solstice and put it out to charge under the Cold Moon. Cleanse any of your tools or crystals or accoutrements that you use moonlight for one more time this year.

This is the perfect time for divinations and goalsetting for the coming year. Pull out your favorite divination tools and your 2024 planner and sketch out the coming year. You can also try candle wax divination with holiday candles, if that's something that interests you.

Also, save those seasonal bayberry candles for future use! They're great for debt repayment and money-drawing spells.

If you need some ideas for a fun family activity, you can feed the birds for good luck, either with scattered birdseed or pinecone birdfeeders. String dried fruit slices, cinnamon sticks, pinecones, holly leaves and berries, and other seasonal faves to make garlands. Stick apples or oranges or clementines full of cloves in pretty patterns to make pomanders.

Use those fibre arts skills to create a special piece to keep your home warm and safe and well-supplied until spring. It doesn't have to be anything big - a simple weaving or single square will do. Crochet or cut out snowflakes for your home decor. If you want to get fancy, pick up a ball of cotton warp thread and look for old doily patterns - they look great as hoop weavings hung on the wall (or make a witch web in winter colors).

Make one more batch of moonwater to carry you through to the new year. If it happens to snow or freeze where you live, you can save clean snow or icicles for special (non-drinkable) elemental water, which can be a fun base for moonwater as well.

And speaking of elements, make sure to remember in all your seasonal decorating that fire safety is paramount. Be careful with your candles, warmers, light strings, plugs, extension cords, and cables. DO NOT "daisy chain" your extension cords or power strips. Never leave candles or wax warmers or simmer pots unattended, and turn off your holiday lights before bedtime. Safety first, witches!

Thanks for joining me for this exploration of full moon magic. See you next year!

Happy Cold Moon, witches! 🌕🧊

Further Reading:

Additional Lunar Calendar posts

Moon Rise Calculator - The Old Farmer's Almanac.

Cold Moon: Full Moon in December 2023, The Old Farmer's Almanac.

Full Moon December 2023: Illuminating the Cold Moon's Spiritual Meaning, The Peculiar Brunette.

How Do Trees Survive The Winter?, National Forest Foundation.

How to Make Pomander Balls, The Old Farmer's Almanac.

Fun Kid's Activity: Winter Pinecone Bird Feeder, Audubon Southwest.

Everyday Moon Magic: Spells & Rituals for Abundant Living, Dorothy Morrison, Llewellyn Publications, 2004.

(If you’re enjoying my content, please feel free to drop a little something in the tip jar or check out my published works on Amazon or in the Willow Wings Witch Shop. 😊)

[naturistgirl]

HAPPY NATURIST MIDWINTER

I write on the Eve of the year's longest night. This is the turning point of the natural year, one when nature seems to all but stand still. In the Wild Wood near our home, all seems quiet bare and still. It is as though the earth holds its breath while gathering strength. Still there are signs of strong and vibrant life. The holly trees are green, glossy and magnificent right now; the females laden with scarlet berries. Ivy glows in its shiny glory, its flowers giving way to the slowly ripening berries. By January they will turn glossy black. The Yew trees stand guard, wearing a darker green. There are blue tits twittering in the thickets as they hunt for food. High winds are forecast this weekend and the strong breeze will naturally trim the branches above us.

Now is a time when the ancient Celts mourned the loss of sunlight and looked forward to nature's rebirth. At this time of year, people have always headed into the abundant woodland to forage. Clothing was certainly optional. So it is for us too. I might wear a coat if it is near freezing but little else. People gather those fallen branches to fuel their winter hearths and keep warm. They gather green branches too to cheer their homes. All is at should be and we wander naked among the trees, enjoying the little light there is right now.

I am a person of faith, though not a Christian. I am a mother and appreciate that for some, this is a time to welcome a baby's birth. I brought my own first born into this beautiful world in cold January, not long after this time. New birth always brings joy to everyone, and for a new young Mum as I was, contentment. Your baby rests on your belly in full view where before she nestled inside you. Her little mouth searches for your breast and she imbibes life. All this is done naturally. You are naked, she is too. You will wrap her to keep her warm later but for now you are both as the creator intended you to be: No shame, no worry about clothing, just you and her.

For me and my faith, this is a time to recollect when our liberty was threatened, when the right to be who we are was denied. On the night of the 25th, we light one candle and celebrate our freedom; freedom to be who we are. Each night will see a new candle as others join in that celebration. We eat the produce of the earth; frying potato pancakes, and drink the fruit of the vine. As a naturist I am all too aware of threats to liberty and the right to express who I am. Like the turning of the year when we reject the idea of death and affirm life, I reject those who project shame onto me for being naked. For a woman, it can be tough. Men can tend to see your naked body as their property. They see your nakedness as flaunting something which is theirs by right. There is a tendency to sexualise you and see you as a loose woman. I am my own and my body belongs to me. I belong to my husband as much as he belongs to me. The union of naked female and male is a perfect balance of forces. We lean back and our partner supports us. In a great relationship, that balance is effortless and strong. My body then is without shame, perfect and wonderful. There is no need to cover anything. Certainly not my breasts or my vulva. Why would I want to cover or be ashamed of something that brought my precious and beautiful daughter into the world and why would I want to cover the means by which I fed her?

With my husband, we decorate the house for Christmas in a Dickensian fashion. Our house was brand new when it welcomed Christmas in the 1862. Just 19 years before, a 31 year old Charles Dickens published 'A Christmas Carol'. It captured the public's imagination with its depiction of Scrooge and the spirit of the season. Though I don't keep Christmas personally, I support my husband by celebrating this joyful time. Likewise, my husband joins in my celebration of Chag Urim: The Festival of Lights. We will celebrate life, being naked and the joy of being free. Everyone gets one gift for eight nights. This year our two festivals coincide; the first time since 2005. However and whatever you celebrate: The Solstice, Kwanzaa, Chanukah, Christmas, anything else, or just The Season to be Jolly; we wish you the best of times and the most wonderful of holidays.

Since you have read this far, you are almost certainly a naturist or at least naturally inclined. You don't need to read further. Happy Holidays! Please like and repost with our blessing. Do remember however that the text and images remain our copyright. While you go and do that, I have words of warning below the next picture, for others who aren't like us.

For those of you who didn't bother to read or were simply captivated by my naked body, not naturism, I have a new message. I am getting weary of seeing my posts shared on your sexualised blogs. By doing this, you totally misunderstand naturism. Naturism celebrates the naked lifestyle and not just sex. I absolutely adore sex but It is just one beautiful aspect of being naked, not its sole purpose! So from this point onwards, if you have a weird and empty blog with a name like 'hardon1969' or similar; if you just repost naked girls; other naturist's creative work and don't post your own - I may just have to block you, sorry. You will certainly also be blocked if you send sexualised messages and images of one tiny part of you! (you know what I mean) Do me a favour. Get naked in 2025. Post affirmative images of yourself on your blog. Better still, write something inspirational about naturism too. Make sure you also post an avatar that is actually you and not an icon. Be brave, be yourself and enjoy a Bright Nude Year!

Jane x

[wiltedreamofbaldursgate]

A Gift That Keeps on Giving

characters: Astarion x race/spellcaster fem!Tav/reader word count: +1.6k Rating: T read on ao3 FF Masterlist This hasn't been beta-read.

Astarion is an absolute menace when it comes to celebrations, especially Winter Solstice. Merry Christmas! ♡

Astarion had been driving you to the brink of insanity, which wasn’t anything new to you; over time, you’d gotten used to his antics. 

The weeks leading up to the Winter Solstice, however, had been something entirely different. 

The pale elf had become unbearable, positively so. 

One would think the Winter Solstice celebration was, in its essence, a simple affair. You decorated your house with evergreen and holly, maybe even some ivy, if you felt like it. Lit some candles to expel the long night. Danced around. Exchanged presents with your loved ones. It was all rather straightforward, really.

But not with Astarion, no; things were seldom simple with him, so you shouldn’t have been that surprised. 

He’d been planning for the celebration for weeks on end and—being a gods-awful planner—had turned that nice, simple affair into a proper ordeal.

Nothing had met his unprecedented standards.

The evergreens hadn’t been festive enough, so he’d crafted straw stars as additional decorations—only to deem them hideous after you’d helped make three dozen of them.  

Candles had been needed, a whole lot—nay! a sea—of them. Astarion had wanted the entire house to be filled with soft candlelight, only to get annoyed when he’d finally realised how much of a hassle it would be to actually light two thousand candles at roughly the same time.

Astarion thought you were a terrible dancer and teaching you some proper dance steps had already ended in tears once—neither of you wanted to speak of it ever again since you had more or less promised each other everlasting love and respect and little to no bloodshed. Dancing, let alone another dancing lesson, was off the table—indefinitely.

The only thing you’d been rather optimistic about was the celebration’s gift-giving aspect. Astarion had a very keen eye for things you might enjoy; pretty little trinkets, an excellent bottle of wine, a lovely new dress. 

The only issue Astarion had with gift-giving, however, was the gift-getting. 

He’d grossly misjudged the amount of time left until the Winter Solstice, only to find—with less than a week to go—that no potential gift had been good enough to present to you. 

Astarion had let you know in great detail that every trinket he’d come across had been tacky, and that every wine he’d sampled had tasted like piss. He was also strongly convinced that every seamstress in town was blind in both eyes. 

It had been a perfect predicament and with the days being reduced to only a couple of hours of scant sunlight, Astarion had been out and about most of the time—which, in all honesty, was the best gift he could have possibly given to you until the celebration was over.

And then the longed-for day had finally come. 

In true midwinter fashion, the weak sun rays barely penetrated the grey cover of clouds, and so you and Astarion found yourself tramping through knee-high snow in the early afternoon. 

You pressed your lips into a thin line as Astarion cursed again, kicking against a wayward pile of snow blocking his way. The snow scattered prettily before settling on Astarion’s already-drenched hood. He hissed but refrained from using any more profanities—for the time being, at least.

You wouldn’t be exaggerating when you said the general mood was a little sour on this most festive of days. 

For all your Winter Solstice planning, the fact that you two were travellers with no permanent residence to hold an actual celebration in, had somehow eluded you both. It wasn’t anybody’s fault, really. Sometimes, one could miss some crucial details here and there. Things like that happened all the time. No big deal at all. It was fine! 

You gave Astarion the side eye as you adjusted the straps of your pack which was stuffed with an ungodly amount of candles and greenery.

By the time you eventually reached an inn, you were cold and miserable. The inn’s soft candlelight dancing behind stained glass windows had guided you through the gathering darkness and you let out a deep sigh of relief when the warmth of its entry hall caressed your frozen skin. 

The inn was packed to the brim, the elderly proprietress informed you the moment you walked up to the reception desk—off you go again; there was no need wasting her time.

You took a deep breath before glancing over your shoulder to where Astarion was waiting outside, shivering and unable to cross the inn’s threshold. In your time together with him, you had learned that a dagger usually worked wonders, and it did not disappoint now, either.  

The elderly lady stared at the shiny blade you’d rammed into the polished wood of her desk and recalled that the attic was quite available to lodge in after all. 

You’d thought so, too, and gave her a courteous nod before taking the key from her.

“It’s cold outside. Would you be so kind and invite my partner in, too?” 

The proprietress assured you that it was no problem at all and invited Astarion in oh so enthusiastically.

“All settled,” you said as you held the door open for Astarion a moment later. They were the first words you’d spoken to him in hours but you fell back into thick silence when you stalked up the stairs to your rooms after him. 

The attic was a cold, damp and dark place. You’d made do in worse accommodations, though—and the hot bath the proprietress had promised you would make up for it.

To your surprise, Astarion bid you to warm up first. 

Although you all but wanted to fall asleep in the blissfully steaming hot water, you washed up quickly. You wouldn’t risk pushing your luck asking for another bath to be drawn but you didn’t want Astarion to soak in cold water, either. 

Red-faced and squeaky clean you hurried from the washroom back to the attic. You’d barely made it through the door that Astarion squeezed past you down the attic stairs, leaving you standing alone in the gloomy room. 

You knew he was only sulking because nothing had gone as he’d planned once again, but you would be lying if you said you weren’t bothered by the tension between you. 

It was the night of the Winter Solstice, after all. 

Sighing, you sat down on the old bed, suddenly wishing for a decadently decorated, candle-lit parlour and maybe even some music to dance to. Almost anything would be nicer than this draughty attic room and a frustrated vampire spawn. 

Grimacing, you were just about to comb your fingers through your wet hair when your sight fell on a little box resting next to you on the bed. You hadn’t noticed it before but a soft smile was already tugging at your lips when you picked it up. 

The box held a dainty pendant necklace with the palest ruby you’d ever seen. It was a subtle little thing—not at all Astarion’s style—but absolutely stunning in your eyes. 

You wasted no time putting the necklace on before you rummaged through your pack, looking for some candles. There were enough to light up the damn house, but one or two dozen would do nicely for your purposes. 

Over the past few weeks, you’d come up with a spell that lit every candle within a room with nothing but the snap of your finger, so it took no time at all to bathe the attic in soft candlelight. 

The evergreens you’d carried around looked a little worse for wear but you covered the narrow windowsill with them anyway before hanging some holly to the shabby bed posts as an afterthought. 

The room had turned cosy enough by the time you could hear footsteps behind the door. 

Not knowing how you’d received his gift, Astarion entered the room sheepishly enough. He raised an eyebrow at the sight in front of him, but his initial surprise was swiftly masked by a crooked smile. 

“You’ve been busy,” he observed, looking around before his gaze settled on you. 

He eyed the beautifully embroidered silk robe you’d gotten him as a present for the Winter Solstice. It was a little long for you, but that didn’t really matter—you’d only donned the robe for the purpose of presentation. 

“Do you like it?” You asked, stepping closer to him. 

Astarion reached for your hand, drawing his thumb over the back of it as he took a better look at the embroidery across your chest—although his eyes stuck to the collarbone that you’d left generously exposed.  

“You know, darling” he mused, cocking his head as he cupped your cheek, “Your taste might be a little questionable at times, but…” 

Chuckling, you pressed a kiss to the palm of his hand. Leave it to Astarion to insult you to your face and have you thank him for it. 

Maybe he did have a point, though; the colour of the robe did clash a little with his crimson eyes…

“But?” You sighed as his hand wandered from your cheek down your throat, brushing against your new necklace before it vanished into your deep, silken cleavage

“But…” Astarion started again, visibly pleased by your reaction to his touch; his gift around your neck.

You didn’t break eye contact when he tugged at the belt of your robe, nor when he circled your waist with his lean arm, pulling you flush against him.

“You do have an exceptional eye for presentation, my love.”

You tilted your head back to welcome his lips on yours.

Astarion’s kiss was deep and sweet at once—intoxicating you like no wine in all the realms ever could. 

The silk robe slid down your shoulders with only a little help from Astarion’s nimble fingers; the luxurious fabric pooled around your feet like water. 

You cupped the back of Astarion’s neck with your hand, deepening the kiss as he slowly guided you backwards until your legs brushed against the bed frame.

It would be a wondrously long night and it seemed like you would even get to dance together, after all.

[ironyscleverer]

5 Christmas/Yule/Winter Albums for Your Enjoyment:

the vibes are a spooky folkloric midwinter somewhere down the centuries in Darkest Europe (mostly England).

If on a Winter’s Night, by Sting

Ancient Winter, by Leah

The Castle of the Holly King: Secular Songs for the Yuletide by Shira Kammen

The Holly King, by MaddRegaeles Muse

A Feast of Songs: Holiday Music from the Middle Ages, by Barry and Beth Hall

Plus my own personal playlist featuring songs from all of these albums and more.

Happy listening!!!

[justporo]

From savoury to sweet

All your friends are invited for winter festivities and you're doing your best to prepare everything for a big reunion. But a certain vampire keeps testing your patience until it ultimately snaps...

MASTERLIST | AO3

Author's Note: Written for the "Delicacies" prompt of the BG3 Winter Holiday challenge and since I'm running this challenge I'm cheating a bit and also fill the "Holiday spirit" with this - because I guess everyone knows the feeling of feeling stretched thin when the end of the year comes around with all the joy and stress it has to offer... And sadly I don't have a sassy vampire to pull me through it *sighs* Happy holidays to you all!

Pairing: Astarion/GN!Tav (You) Warnings: none Wordcount: 1,5k ~~~

The little townhouse in Baldur’s Gate you and Astarion lived in was filled throughout with delicious smells: mulled wine, freshly baked pastries, simmering gravy. Together with everything being neatly decorated with holly, candles and more wintery decor it made for a very cosy and festive atmosphere.

Unfortunately, the comfy mood was disrupted by smells of burning and colourful curses being spat.

Gale and you had been bustling around the kitchen cooking, baking and making preparations, meanwhile Astarion sat at the long table there - one leg lazily dragged up onto the bench. He was reading something and kept stealing brandy infused cherries out of a bowl that always seemed to magically find its way back into his reach - no matter how often you moved the bowl away from him.

The wizard had come over to help you prepare a whole bunch of food. And of course there had been a very good reason behind all of this.

Somewhen when winter had rolled around and the Midwinter holidays had come closer, a thought had entered your mind and been stuck there ever since - and with that a wish.

It had been quite some time since you had seen all the other members of your little adventure group last - or friends rather because that was what they all had become. And you missed them all deeply. But fortunately there could be something done about that.

So, you had brought up the idea to Astarion to invite them over for the holiday to have a nice festive evening together.

Immediately, the vampire’s nose had scrunched up in distaste: “You’re not becoming all sappy all of a sudden, are you? I didn’t sign up for this.”

You had swatted his arm and pouted profusely, feeling a little hurt by his immediate rejection of your idea.

This had been a dream of yours for a long time: having a really fancy and enjoyable holiday festivity with someone to actually share it. Because you never had the chance to have that when you had grown up on the streets of Baldur’s Gate.

The closest you’d ever gotten to a holiday celebration had been sharing a stolen pie with some other urchins while you had huddled somewhere under tattered blankets, trying to escape the cold.

When you had painted that picture for Astarion (maybe purposefully laying it on thickly), his sassy attitude had immediately fallen. You had seen some of your past hurt mirrored in his red eyes. With a small sigh he had hooked his thumb on your chin and promised you to give you the holiday festivity you had always dreamt of.

“But”, he had immediately added when you had already started jumping up and down joyfully, “no one and I mean none of them will stay with us, darling. I had enough of sharing camp with all these buffoons for a lifetime - for all of immortality even.”

You had brushed off his sarcastic words quickly and had sent out letters to all your friends the following day. Answers had come in slow and sporadically since then - but that surely only meant that everyone was just very busy. Right?

But once you had started to think about what dishes you all wanted to prepare for this evening, how to get everything festive and whatnot, all these worries had quickly been forgotten. Gale had immediately been enlisted as your aid to tackle the massive task - obviously not taking no for an answer.

So there you were: a prodigy wizard and a former thief slaving away in the kitchen for almost a whole day in preparation for holiday dinner. Meanwhile a vampire was contributing nothing to the efforts - except if you counted his snide remarks (and of those he contributed many).

Every surface in the kitchen was filled with already finished dishes, loose ingredients or heaps of dirty pots, pans and utensils. Together with Gale you had prepared little filled pies as a starter, a variety of sides for the main course of different picks of meats and fish and sauces to compliment everything.

Almost all of it was done being prepped for dinner.  Now only your baked dessert was missing. And of course that had been where things had went awry. Your nerves had been on edge already, stressing how everything would go. Gale had not been helping with his unhelpful-helpful commentary. And not even to mention your vampire just lounging there on the bench like a cat, making it a point to annoy you even more with his sassy manner.

And you had reached your breaking point when you had pulled a completely burnt cake from the oven, covering up the delicious other smells while a small smoke cloud had erupted in the middle of the kitchen and Astarion hadn’t been able to keep his mouth shut about it.

“Oh love, I mean, I am no expert by any means, but I do think that’s a bit dark even for a dark chocolate cake,” he’d commented while he had barely even lifted his eyes from his book, one elbow propped up on the table and head placed on his hand while he popped another cherry into his mouth.

And that had also been the reason why he’d been hit with a small bun. Caused by your already thin stretched patience finally snapping you had grabbed the nearest throwable thing and had hurled it at the vampire’s head. That thing had happened to be a bunch of sweet rolls you had made as a side. Your impeccable aim had made sure that you hit your mark - and the screech you had let out had probably given it even more force.

Without even checking Astarion’s reaction you had sunk down on the bench opposite of the vampire and had buried your face in your hands while you tried to not let tears overwhelm you.

Astarion reflectively hissed and swatted the gnarly pastry away from him. But then he took in the scene and quickly realised that he had rightfully brought this onto himself.

Gale, who had taken a step back from you in caution with hands lifted defensively, threw the pale elf a sour look now while you suppressed sobs. “Incredibly supportive, Astarion, a job well done”, the wizard scolded the vampire who at least had the good grace to look ashamed of himself.

The wizard sat down beside you and started rubbing your back while he kept throwing Astarion looks. The vampire shuffled around awkwardly for a few moments, not being used to and not enjoying having to apologise.

With a sigh he finally got up and moved around the table and with a “shoo shoo” motion chased Gale out of the kitchen so he could be alone with you for a moment or two.

“Love, I’m sorry,” Astarion whispered as he sat down beside you and looped an arm around your shoulders. Immediately you let yourself fall into his touch. You really didn’t want to be mad at him. Under different circumstances you would have just laughed at his comment.

“I’m sorry I upset you with the stupid thing I said, forgive me?”, the vampire added and softly nuzzled his nose into your hair as you buried your face at his chest.

“I forgive you - sorry I threw baked goods at you”, you mumbled into his chest but you knew he had understood you when you felt the soft rumble of his laughter run through his whole body.

“It’s all good, my love. I got what I deserved and may I add: incredible aim. You’ve not lost your touch since the end of our grand adventure”, Astarion added and pressed a kiss to the top of your head.

You relaxed a little and just sat there with him for a few moments as you felt that your breathing slowly became normal again and some tension leaving your body. Astarion just held you.

After a while the vampire dragged over the bowl of liquor drenched fruit he’d been stealing out of. “Cherry, my sweet?”, he asked and with that made you look up again. He was holding the sticky fruit between his thumb and index and winked at you.

And for some reason that made you laugh. But when you didn’t immediately answer, Astarion shrugged his shoulders and popped the little treat in his mouth. You whacked his hand.

“No, Astarion! And stop eating those, we still need them!”, you scolded him as your partner pouted at you for being told off.

“Alright, no more cherries, but only if you agree to come with me and get some fresh air”, Astarion proposed. You wanted to protest but the vampire hushed you. “I’m sure Gale can be trusted to not burn the house down for like half an hour alone”, he continued.

You looked at him with some suspicion: “Unlike you to trust Gale with anything but walking in a straight line.”

Astarion rolled his eyes while he already got up and made to drag you along.

“Well, unusual circumstances and the like - you know”, he went on and let his free hand draw circles in the air. You just shrugged, honestly being happy to be dragged outside for a while.

“Now come, love, get your cloak - you need a break from all the sweet and savoury dishes here”, Astarion said and patted your butt for some motivation.You grinned at him: “Alright, except for that one sweet snack, my dear.”

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