#Obviously as someone who does celebrate Christmas this was more than anything just an excuse to draw something for the holidays

[itty-bitty-sunshine]

Happy holidays <3

They are fine. Probably

[ineededacentralblog]

hbo war secret santa

hi @dylaneon !! i’m happy to finally reveal your (first) oneshot for the exchange :) happy holidays and i hope this is what you were wanting!! there may be more to come ✨ it’s technically christmas day in my time zone, so i hope this brightens yours (if you celebrate) :)

wc: 2014

red noses

It’s the third mother with a sick child she’s seen this shift. Gail’s taking the vitals of a little boy in blue wintery pajamas. He’s practically falling asleep on her and she can’t blame him with a fever of 101 degrees. The sloth of the evening is taking its toll on Gail, too; she found herself feeling more tired than she would during a busy shift.

The mother’s rambling on about holiday plans, stopping here and there to text the boy’s other parent updates. After a longer pause than usual, Gail looks over at her. She has a stricken look on her face.

“Oh my god, I just realized. You poor thing. I hope you’re not missing out on too much tonight.”

Gail smiles reassuringly at her. “Oh, no, ma’am. My cat and I will have Christmas when I get home. My mom and I had dinner last night, too. And of course the holiday pay doesn’t hurt.”

It’s an easy excuse to most people. They don’t know her mother.

It’s the same routine with most of the patients, get about halfway through her tasks, answer an invasive non-question, reassure them, finish up mostly in awkward silences and then go back to the nurses’ station. The ER is unseasonably slow, but it is her first Christmas working in Nowhere, Wisconsin. After 9 p.m., things taper off completely and she starts reading one of the waiting room People magazines absentmindedly.

A few minutes later the metal push-door slams closed loudly. It startles her out of a mind-numbing article about Austin Butler’s dating life. It must be a truly off night for Gail because the first thing she notices is how gorgeous the woman who just walked in is. The second thing she notices is the blood gushing from her nose onto a green cloth napkin. Altogether, the scene is somewhat festive.

The woman unceremoniously deposits her arms on the desk. Gail doesn’t cringe at the bloody cloth being closer to her own face.

“Hey, doll,” She grins across the counter. Her smile is no less charming for the blood in between her teeth. “I don’t really know what you guys do for a bloody nose, but my ma dropped me off. It’ll be a nightmare to get an Uber here in this ice, so you can look it over, or I can watch TikTok in the corner ‘til one a’ my brothers can pick me up.” Gail can’t tell if the girl is really from New York (New Jersey, maybe?) through the painful-sounding nasal tone to her voice.

Gail jumps up from her spot behind the desk and motions to one of the open cots.

“Have a seat and I can get you a clipboard to fill out.” She smiles reassuringly. There’s no teeth obviously missing or anything broken. Maybe it was a disastrous attempt at a pie-smashing.

“Sorry, my voice is weird right now. I’m not seeing a doctor.” She’s still smiling but there’s a protective edge to her voice.

“No, you’ll probably see a nurse to start.”

Her smile wavers.

“I was just being polite.”

“It’s policy.” Gail responds with her best customer service brightness.

She takes the clipboard with a blood-stained hand.

“Thanks, doll.”

It sounds less sleazy than it does from the old men who come in here, even with the sharpness in her tone.

A few minutes later she brings the clipboard back to the desk.

“Here’s your clipboard.” She’s a bit more sunny again. “This is probably out of network.”

“We have someone on staff who can help you with the claim. You can see them right after we’re done here, or you can come back in when the holidays are over.”

“I sure as shit ain’t coming back. Not for that, anyway.”

That isn’t… This woman bears a disturbing resemblance in attitude to so many of the men that come in here with sick kids, injured wives and somehow still have the bandwidth to hit on her. Sometimes it’s disheartening how much horniness prevails even in the face of what’s close to the worst thing to happen on a holiday.

“I’ll be right with you.” She motions back to the cot and the woman goes.

Gail scans the forms quickly, taking note of the important details. Gail makes a face at Bennie as she stashes the paperwork in the filing drawer. Bennie shrugs and goes back to her typing.

She makes her way over to the occupied cot and drags a vitals cart with her.

“Jane Egan?”

She was shielding her eyes now. That could be a bad sign.

“That’s me. Just don’t call me Jane.”

“Ms. Egan?”

“God, no. It’s Bucky, please.”

Bucky was getting more interesting by the second.

“So what brings us in today?”

“I thought nurses were brighter than that. Then again, you are blonde.”

They’re gonna be here all night if she treats her with her best bedside manner.

“Tell me like I’m five.” She says as she sets up all the equipment. Bucky at least seems to know how to act for the machines.

“The nose that’s gushing blood like a goddamn broken faucet.” She leans her head back and squeezes the bridge some more.

“Actually, if you can lean your head forward,” Gail gently guides her head forward and gives her a wad of gauze to replace the soaked napkin. She gently guides her other arm down to rest at her side for the blood pressure read. She can wait on blood oxygen for now.

“I am prone to head injuries as well. But a volleyball hits a hell of a lot harder than that jackass.”

“What was the cause of the injury?”

“A fist. Pretty fucking simple. If you have eyes.”

Gail could see why someone would feel the urge to punch Bucky. But it was a shame with a face that would be pretty with less blood.

“And this is just routine, but do you feel safe at home?”

Bucky laughs deep in her throat but winces as the sound comes out her nose.

“That’s a complicated question, considering it was my father’s fist that caused this mess. But just put down ‘yes’, I’ll be outta here in a week anyways.”

Gail’s pen hovers above her notepad. Now, despite the assholery, she can tell this woman’s smart. She knows the regulations. She knows Gail has to report anything she hears. Either she wants Gail to report this, or it’s entirely possible she does have a concussion.

Bucky’s still talking.

“I’m just here for Christmas, y’know. I’ll be back on base soon, surrounded by men who dream of being Tom Cruise in Top fucking Gun. Which is fucking stupid because they’re Air Force and god knows they couldn’t handle the Gs.”

Bucky’s either very drunk, very concussed, or very loose-lipped. Gail thought that last one wasn’t usually a preferred quality in the military.

Bucky’s heart rate is high, which isn’t typical for someone who can clear a flight physical. She’s rambling on about something else now.

“Have you consumed alcohol or drugs recently? This won’t go beyond this emergency room, so you can answer honestly.”

“No drugs, but a shitton of alcohol. Y’know how Christmas is.”

Gail blinks the sting out of her eyes and shoves the echo of her father’s drawl to the back of her mind.

“Right. We’re gonna have to send you for a CT. We can do that here, so that’ll be done right away. If that’s inconclusive we’re gonna have to wait ‘til you sober up to do some other tests.”

Bucky mutters a curse under her breath.

“Let’s check on that nose first, the bleeding should have stopped by now.”

Gail takes the gauze away and it seems the bleeding’s ebbed. She leaves Bucky alone for a moment to order the CT. Once that’s done and Bucky’s back, she settles down at her desk again to wait.

Bucky appears in front of her again.

“You guys don’t have any Playboy, do you?”

Gail considers violence for a moment. She sees Bennie snicker out of the corner of her eye. Her salvation enters in the form of a man walking through the door with an oddly twisted wrist. He’s in a suit and there’s a woman next to him looking worried. Gail waves him over to the desk but Bennie swoops in.

“I can take you guys over here.” Bennie says in that chipper customer service tone.

Gail sighs through her teeth.

“So, Playboy?”

“You’re not actually serious.” She glares, a warning.

“My phone died, so…” Bucky drums her fingers on the counter.

Gail pulls her own charger out of the port and puts it on the counter between them. Bucky inspects the connector and puts it down awkwardly.

“Shit,” She makes the one syllable last a lifetime. “I actually have an iPhone.” She smiles that smile that she must think is charming. “How long are we going to be waiting on that analysis?”

“It’ll be ready just as soon as the doctor’s had a chance to look it over.” Gail tries to look busy and for once actually misses the busy work of a hospital.

Bucky slides a deck of cards onto the counter, brushing the cord aside. Gail laughs before she can stop herself.

“Does that work on all the girls?” She is amused, she can give Bucky that.

“Only the ones stuck in the ER on Christmas Eve.”

“So you do this every year?”

“Only when I hear the pretty nurses are working.”

Gail rolls her eyes but takes the hand of cards when Bucky deals them.

After a couple rounds, Gail thinks she can get away with pressing further about the injury.

“How did you say this whole thing started?” She doesn’t look Bucky in the eye as she shuffles, she doesn’t want to spook her back into the weaponized persona she’d worn before.

Bucky laughs a little.

“That’s actually a long story. You’d have to go back about fifteen years to get the answer to that. Short answer is, I’m a little too much and my dad has a little too short of a temper. And mom thought it was easier to dump me here than have a conversation like actual fucking adults.”

Gail feels bad for her having thought the same thing at first.

“To be fair to your mom, it does seem like you’re bad at having actual conversations.” Gail hazards a tease.

Bucky smiles softer than before. “That’s true.”

Bennie comes out of the back room with a file folder.

“It looks like you’re good to leave, Ms. Egan. We’ll give you a form to send to your insurance company and then you can go.”

Gail feels a little disappointed. Bucky’s crass personality has started to grow on her. She hands the deck of cards back to her and goes to retrieve the form. When she comes back and hands it to Bucky, she finds the other woman looks almost shy.

“Thank you. And happy holidays.” She almost turns to go, but Gail stops her.

“We’re being polite now?” She asks, well aware of the goofy grin on her own face. She pauses a moment. The mood changes. “You’re not going back to your father’s house, are you?”

Bucky shrugs.

“I don’t have any other plans tonight. Might as well.” There’s something mischievous in her voice.

“My shift’s over at midnight. And there is an IHOP across the street.”

“Is a healthcare professional coming onto a patient right now? I’ll tell the board about this, you know.” Bucky looks at her like she’s serious but there’s a spark in her eyes.

“What board? Like you fucking know.”

Bucky laughs. “What was the turn on? Was it the daddy issues or the bleeding all over you?”

“If it was the bleeding, there might actually be ethical issues with my nursing.”

Bucky laughs again. Is Gail actually funny or is Bucky still trying too hard?

“I’ll get us a table, alright?”

“Okay.” Gail smiles at her, even once she’s out the door.

Nowhere, Wisconsin might have some perks.

[moonlit-mystery-writer]

How do your OCs spend the holiday/winter season? Do they celebrate? Do they celebrate by proxy because of family? Do they just hole up at home? Do they enjoy the holiday season? Does it make them depressed because it reminds him of painful truths?

Woo! I get to explain this!! Answers under cut!!

Celeste - Celeste's relationship with the holiday/winter season is complicated. She celebrates Yule as her holiday. While she doesn't have many traditions due to information on Yule being rather scarce for the most part; she does what she can though. However!! She also does things for Christmas and decorates certain places in her home for Christmas. She even tells her kids about Santa and gets them Christmas presents.

This is because Christmas was Luce's favorite holiday. And Luce's favorite parts were decorating and getting gifts for her loved ones. Thus in her honor, Celeste does those parts of Christmas for her. She even leaves a photo of Luce facing the Christmas tree every year "so she can see it."

Things like the gift giving wasn't hard for Celeste to adopt into her practice. She already uses gift giving as a love language after all.

Delfino - The Superbia household wasn't large on any holiday really. Outside of what was expect of their family to do by mafia high society for celebrations and what her aunt did for her, Squalo, and their mom; Delfino has never really celebrated anything around the holidays. This changed when she started celebrating with the Cavallone Famiglia. The closeness of everyone there and just how they are means they tend to celebrate just about any holiday someone in the family does. Poor Del is still getting used to it, often juggling different traditions all at once and trying her best to keep up. Sometimes she makes mistakes, but everyone tends to be understanding and patient with her.

Noel - Despite her December birthday and her name literally being Christmas in French, Noel has only semi-recently grown fond of the holiday season. She didn't hate it before or anything, but it always tended to overshadow her. People either just assumed she loved Christmas and ignored her birthday early in the month or used one of the two as an excuse to not get her anything for either one. Then she met the other Arcobaleno and Celeste.

Celeste from the start already adores spoiling her loved ones on their birthdays in general, so of course she went all out for Noel's. And Chirstmas time is a perfect excuse to get her even more gifts. Skull expresses affection similarly, though most of his gifts were on Christmas as he needed more time to finish making them. Luce holds similar feelings too when it comes to birthdays and, as established, she loved giving presents at Christmas. The efforts of these three combined were plenty to get the others to also put effort into Noel's birthday and Christmas for her.

This was a first for Noel and what made her warm up to the holiday more.

Felicia - Felicia honestly doesn't care much for holidays themselves. Obviously she loves spending time with the people she loves and who doesn't enjoy gifts! But, the holidays themselves don't hold much meaning to her. What she really loves doing this time of year is baking. So many holidays and traditions this time of year have different things to bake. Felicia takes it as a fun personal challenge to keep improving her recipes for the things every year.

Hideko - So! Okay, I can't personally verify this lol. But from what I know, Christmas in Japan tends to be seen more as a couple's holiday. As such, Hideko tends to spend it more with Miyu than with her little sister or other guardians. But even then, she's not huge on it. She'll at most splurge on a gift for Miyu, get a strawberry cake, and some convenience store fried chicken (She's not waiting that long for KFC).

That's it for now :3 But!! Feel free to re-ask me this about any other oc!

[noxtms]

saoirse in flat #22b is under the impression that everyone gathered is commiserating yesterday’s montrose magpies loss at the quidditch league. her friend, roger, considers what’s happening to be more of a celebration of the falmouth falcons unlikely win - this disagreement will be heard all the way up in #35b, where eloise is treating the open tower block party as a slightly belated birthday bash. sarah, still at home but soon to show, receives a very confusing text message from a friend who received an equally confusing owl, earlier that night. something, something, the demiguise ddnt turn visible so sumemr is fucked. she won’t get an explanation on that one, but she will get a location : BEAUMONT COURT, MARJORIBANKS ROAD.

WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE :

only ONE thing is really for sure, and that’s that nobody is actually all that sure on how or why the tower block party on marjoribanks road kicked off. everyone that turns up gets another version of an everchanging story, to the point where even the most simplest of facts, like where it even started, are lost by the time it’s in full swing. someone says an apartment on the lower floor got a couple of kegs at a discounted rate and wanted to put them to good use. someone else says that someone farther up the building just got fired from their clerking job at the ministry of magic, and this is where it led. no one seems all that concerned about the lack of information going around, but then again, with so few and far between reasons to celebrate, of late, why would anyone in their right mind turn up the opportunity to really let loose ?

beaumont court is a 37 floor tower block at the heart of marjoribanks road. it’s not the tallest of the buildings that surround it and as one of the first ones to be built in this wixen settlement, it also isn’t up to the same sort of standard as some of the newer buildings - but what it does have going for it is the willingness of its residents to throw a hell of a party, when given half the chance. rules are established very early on in the evening. wix that want to get involved throw open their doors and invite partygoers ( many of whom are apparating in from farther afield than the surrounding london area ) into their humble abode. wix that don’t keep their doors charmed shut and throw up a ward to keep the noise out, letting everyone else have their fun without doing something silly like calling in the aurors. there is no dress code, and the overall code of conduct is a little shaky. some fights are expected to break out, but as long as the people involved deal with it without involving anyone else, no one is expected to be kicked out or anything. obviously, the statute of secrecy remains at the forefront of most people’s minds - or, some people’s minds, at least - but since most properties on marjoribanks road are already somewhat protected, as long as everyone keeps this within regular party bounds, everyone should be fine.

news travels by word of mouth. residents tell their friends, who tell their friends, who tell theirs, and that’s how it got so big, so fast - whoever did kick off this night of festivities probably didn’t expect the turnout that they got, but there’s no denying how magnetic it all starts to feel, after a while. as the first blowout event since the christmas attack, it’s obvious that everyone is glad to have an excuse to drink with their friends and laugh over drunken antics, and nobody can really deny the good it seems to do.

OUT OF CHARACTER :

it’s time to celebrate noxtms’ birthday, and this is an event that i have wanted to do for a really long time - so i hope you guys are as hyped up about it as i am ! the beaumont court tower block party is a little different to things we’ve done before, but the premise is much the same. this is your chance for your characters to let their hair down and get up to some - probably troublesome - antics, so make sure to take full advantage of that !

it may feel difficult to slot characters into this, especially those on the older side, but don’t worry - there are ways you can do it ( aurors could be making sure everything stays within the statute, for example ), and even if there ultimately aren’t, this is only the first of two events. the other one is a staple of the rp, and anyone who couldn’t dive in here will be able to dive in there ! go forth and enjoy, folks !

this event will kick off on thursday the 20th at 6pm gmt and will end on the 30th. click this sentence to find out what that start time translates to for you ! in game, this is happening on the 8th of april ! happy birthday nox !

no character is actually required to attend this event, nor are you required to take part, but you are heavily encouraged to !

this event is DASH ONLY, and starters should be tagged with nox.event033 or nox.beaumont ( or both ). the location for anyone who tags it is broadly marjoribanks road, a wix settlement located in south london comprised entirely of flat blocks and a small housing estate, with a handful of community areas ( allotment gardens, a plaground & a park ). you can find the channel for outfits on the main discord !

if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to message the main, and just give this post a like once you’ve read it !

[immaturityofthomasastruc]

#5: The One With Astruc's Self-Insert

In my introductory post, I said the main inspiration for this blog was @hypocrisyofandrewdobson​. For those who don't know, Andrew Dobson is an infamous webcomic artist known for drawing webcomics that tend to demonize people he's come across in public or people who disagree with him online (either critical of his art or his political views), while portraying himself as the victim or wise man calling them out on their differing beliefs.

If you want to learn more about this guy who I consider to be far worse than Astruc, check out the blog in question. And no, I don't know why he draws himself as a blue bear.

Why am I talking about this? It's one thing for some schmuck on the internet to use his work to respond to criticism, but the creator of a popular animated series dedicating an entire episode to attacking his critics and trying to get others to feel bad for him is another story.

The second episode of Miraculous Ladybug's third season, “Animaestro” served as a wake-up call for fans (myself included) to make them realize how immature Astruc could be. The plot centers around the premiere of a movie about Ladybug and Cat Noir directed by Thomas Astruc, who voices himself in the original French dub.

And this isn't just a brief cameo like what Stan Lee did in the MCU. Astruc is the Akumatized person this episode, so there's naturally a lot of focus on him. Throughout the first half of the episode, Astruc portrays himself as this timid man who nobody recognizes or respects, like this idiot who doesn't know what animation is.

Doorman: This is a private event, sir.

Astruc: Huh? Excuse me? I'm Thomas Astruc, the movie director.

Doorman: You filmed Cat Noir and Ladybug? What are they like in real life?

Astruc: Er, it's an animated movie. It's all cartoon characters. We don't actually film anyone. See, there's this whole team that draw the chara—

Doorman: Whatever. Who would want to see Ladybug and Cat Noir as cartoon characters?

Get it? Wasn't that meta joke hilarious? This is how much I was laughing:

And Astruc continues to get about as much respect as Rodney Dangerfield when he interacts with other characters like Jagged Stone and Chloe.

Jagged Stone: Ladybug is one of my best buds! I can't wait to see her movie!

Astruc: Well I—I'm the director, so actually it's more my movie, so to speak.

Jagged Stone: Oh, so you're the one who created the story?

Astruc: Well, technically the screen writers wrote the story, inspired by Ladybug's exploits.

Jagged Stone: Oh, okay. So you did all the drawings?

Thomas: No, no. The animators do all the drawings.  

Jagged Stone: So what do you do then?

(Later on...)

Chloe: So you're the one responsible for this movie?

Astruc: Yes, yes! Exactly! That's me!

Chloe: Then you were the one who left Queen Bee out of the trailer. You're lame, utterly lame.

I can't believe Astruc had a scene where he interacted with Chloe and didn't insult her at all.

The episode is determined to make the audience feel bad for Astruc. Nobody respects him and what he does. Isn't that saaaaaad? Nobody cares about animated film directors like Walt Disney or Tex Avery anyway. Not even these stupid children understand how hard Astruc works.

Several Children: Ladybug! Where's Ladybug?

Astruc: Hey there, kids!

Teacher: Ladybug isn't here children. We came here to meet the director of the movie. Children: (frowning in disappointment) Aww.

(Astruc looks visibly disappointed.)

Way to insult your primary demographic, Astruc. I thought you said kids have a better understanding of these stories when people criticized the writing of a certain episode (It's that scene in “Puppeteer 2” if you're curious/don't value your sanity).

It's almost like you're using that as an excuse to half-ass your work while still getting to claim this show is so groundbreaking.

In case you can't tell, “Animaestro” is one of those episodes. The ones where the showrunners decide to dedicate an entire episode to attacking critics of the show in a blunt fashion. Whenever a show addresses criticism, they either create an obvious strawman character to parrot the opinions of fans who don't like their work, or have someone defend the show and insult the critics directly.

The problem isn't that they're ignoring criticism. It's their show, and they aren't obligated to listen to critics or fans who don't like the direction the show is taking. On the other hand, they aren't obligated to fight back like this and treat their audience like crap. Any show that does something like the three clips I showed you usually comes off as petty and immature because they dedicate so much time to insulting the critics. 

Even during the Akuma fight, Astruc has to call out Ladybug for having problems with his movie in-universe, obviously representing critics of the show Astruc claims have no right to criticize the show while it's still airing.

Ladybug: What's with that trailer too? I am not scared of cats, at all.

Astruc/Animaestro: You haven't even seen the movie and you're already slamming it?

Cat Noir: He does have a point, you know.

Ladybug: I wasn't slamming it. It's called constructive criticism!

Yeah, how dare Ladybug be angry that this movie is portraying her as a powerless coward dependent on Cat Noir as opposed to a confident and brave superhero. She just doesn't understand the genius of Thomas Astruc!

And of course the character Astruc claims is “perfect” is the one to take his side.

And that's another problem with this episode, the metatextual references. Before he gets akumatized, Astuc says he spent three years of his life working on his movie. I get that time in this show is weird (we somehow had episodes taking place on the first day of school, Christmas, Valentine's Day, and the first day of Summer), but how did Astruc's self-insert work on a movie based on a superhero who has only been active for a year? Meta-wise, it's an obvious reference to the scorn Astruc has gotten from fans after working so hard on his show, but the only people who would get that reference are the ones who are aware of Astruc's reputation online.

Self-Insert aside, I actually think the titular Animaestro is one of the more visually impressive Akumas featured on the show. Animaestro takes on several forms based off several different forms and eras of animation, like flash, anime, rubber hose, and they all stand out. Granted, some of them are obvious parodies of other characters like Goku or Sailor Moon, but the actual Akuma fight is fun to watch. According to the Mexican Miraculous Ladybug Twitter account, this episode took two and a half years to create, and it shows. It's too bad the story behind it is completely insufferable, almost like the cartoon equidistant to Pixels.

But then comes the part that honestly makes the episode worth it, mainly for how unintentionally hilarious it is. Do you want to know what Animaestro's weakness is? Do you really want to know?

Animaestro is physically incapable of moving unless someone is watching him. I am not making this up.

Ladybug and Cat Noir literally defeat Animaestro by getting everyone to stop paying attention to him.

I could make so many jokes with this, but I can guarantee you're already thinking of something just as good, if not better, than whatever I write.

And there's the end where Astruc gives Marinette his ticket to the movie, which prompts Marinette to kiss up to him for no real reason.

Astruc: Sorry, I guess you don't know who I am either.

Marinette: Of course do. You're Thomas Astruc, the movie director!

Astruc: She recognized me. Somebody actually recognized me!

Nothing happened to make her change her opinion on the Ladybug movie, she didn't really say anything to him earlier in the episode that connects to this exchange, and outside of a few lines Animaestro said, she doesn't even know why he got akumatized (even though ironically she and Chloe accidentally contributed to it because of the awful subplot involving Kagami I talked about last time). If anything, it comes off less like she actually appreciates Astruc's work, and more like she's stroking his ego just to keep him from getting akumatized again.

So yeah, this episode is awful, and the fact that it came out right after the controversial “Chameleon” only proved to show what kind of direction the show was taking this season.

But honestly, even if Astruc still wanted to make about how he doesn't get enough respect the episode could have potentially. All he had to do was make a simple change: Instead of making it about validation for Astruc as a creator, make it about validation for animation in general.

It's a common misconception that animation is only used for shows and movies aimed at children, so the episode could reflect it. Instead of the huge turnout where several celebrities appear at the premiere, instead, the turnout could be a lot smaller, with the media dismissing it as some stupid kiddie flick. Instead of getting akumatized because he gets humiliated in public/getting no respect from anyone else, Astruc gets akumatized because he sees the audience didn't go wild for the movie after the premiere. All he can hear them say is that it's just “kids stuff”.

So when Astruc is Animaestro, he goes on about how important animation is. How it's helped produce propaganda since World War II. How it helped improve special effects in big blockbusters. How the medium is used to create movies that simply can't be filmed on a physical set.

After defeating Animaestro, Ladybug shows up to talk to him. She had seen the movie earlier, and actually enjoyed it. She had a few problems with the story, but they were just minor nitpicks and inaccuracies Astruc wouldn't know about, and she was blown away by the animation. She tells Astruc not to be deterred by his critics, and continue to do what he does. As a designer in her civilian life, Ladybug knows the joy creating brings her, and both she and Astruc want to spread that joy through their work.

Back at the premiere, Astruc thinks about what Ladybug said to him when he sees some kids reenacting a scene from the movie. Astruc walks over to them and asks what they thought of the movie. They said they loved it and how energetic it was. When he tells them he is the director, the kids' faces light up and they say they want to do what he does when they grow up, bringing a smile to Astruc's face.

Isn't that a much more humble approach instead of what we got? It would have helped Astruc come across as more sympathetic, especially with animation fans. But instead, we got an entire episode of Astruc whining about how misunderstood he is.

And you know the footage used for the movie at the beginning? Remember that, because I have a huge rant about it saved for a later post.

For now, here’s an example of a creator appearing in his work done right.

[puckinghell]

Mittens | Tyson Jost

Summary Requests: you never wear mittens so i knit you a pair and leave them for you to find as a gift from an anonymous person because i’m shy

and

your family ditches you for the holiday so i take you home with me, except my family thinks we’re dating now, and i don’t know how to tell them that we’re not Word Count: 3.8k Note: this is dedicated to @thesmutpeasant‘s knitting behaviour

---

When you finished your PR degree, you wouldn’t have said that working for a hockey team was your ultimate dream. You didn’t even know hockey. But working for the Avs has pretty much been the best time of your life, so far.

Where else could you spend an hour of your work day talking about Christmas gifts? 

So far, the boys have decided that for Christmas, Gabe needs to get some hairspray, Z needs a new wardrobe, and Mikko needs a girlfriend.

“What about Tyson?” you ask JT. “Have you gotten him a present yet?”

JT laughs. “No, I haven’t, but I think someone should get him a blanket or something. He’s not good with the cold.” “Hey, fuck you!” Tyson yells from the other side of the room. “It’s freezing here, we can’t all be cold blooded like you!” JT huffs. “He says that, but he’s dressed like he lives in California or something. Never wears a hat, or gloves. And then he complains about the cold all the time. One night he even asked if he could have my duvet.” “That was in Winnipeg, and you know how cold Winnipeg is,” Tyson protests. “Besides, I asked you to cuddle me warm first, but you said no.” It’s teasing, and JT rolls his eyes, but you know Twitter is gonna explode at this. “Thanks boys,” you say, putting down the mic, and the cameras finally leave the room. “What do you want for Christmas, Y/N?” Tyson asks. Out of all the boys - although you would never admit it - you like Tyson the most. He’s always chatting with you when the cameras turn off, and he asks you things like he cares about the answer. You’ve become friends, in the past few months. He’s also really cute. You shrug. “Some sleep would be good,” you say, because it’s been a long road trip, and Tyson laughs. “Same.” --- The next morning Tyson brings you a cup of coffee to the plane. “How is she gonna sleep on the plane now?” Burky teases, and Tyson turns bright red. You make sure to take a picture of Burky from an unflattering angle in retaliation on Tyson’s behalf. Not that it necessarily makes Burky look any worse - that guy doesn’t have bad angles - but it’s the thought that counts. You sleep on the plane and keep yourself busy during the day, but when the evening rolls around, you sit in your quiet apartment and busy your hands as your mind winds down. Knitting may sounds like a grandma hobby, but it calms you down, thank you very much, and it means you’ve always got a personal gift for someone. For Christmas, your grandma has asked for a scarf, your mom wants a hat, and your aunt asked if you can knit a romper for your few months old niece. You have no idea how to do that, but surely you can figure it out. However, today, you don’t really feel like knitting any of those. Knitting those requests feels a little too much like work, right now, and you wanna knit just to knit. You don’t even realize you’re knitting mittens until you’re halfway through the first one. You don’t need mittens; you’ve got a good selection of them, a wide variety of colors. You remember your talk with JT and Tyson, yesterday. There’s someone who needs them. --- It’s weird, that’s something you’re sure of. To just give Tyson a Christmas gift, a handmade Christmas gift, and not have anything for the other guys. They would chirp you to hell and back and you’re not sure you’re ready for everyone to know about your teeny tiny crush on number 17. However, you can’t deny the fact that you knitted these mittens with only one person in mind, and it would feel weird to give them to anyone else. So, one morning, when Pepsi Center is still dark and there’s nobody around, you put them in Tyson’s stall without a note and decide to never think about it again. Which would be easier if you’re not the one having to do pregame interviews that day. “So, the Blues are obviously the reigning Stanley Cup champions...” - EJ pulls a face and you can’t help but agree - “how can you make sure you take the two points here tonight?” “Probably score some goals,” EJ says with a deadpan voice and a wide toothless grin, and you’re about to yell at him for being an awful person to interview when there’s a loud noise on the opposite side of the locker room. “Ah, sick!” The entire room turns to Tyson, who is beaming with excitement and looking at the mittens in his hands. “Someone got me gloves!” “Those aren’t gloves, those are mittens,” Cale says wisely. Tyson stares at him for a few seconds, then obviously decides to ignore him. “There’s no note,” he wonders out loud, and you really, really hope your blush isn’t too noticeable. EJ’s eyes are a little too fixed on your face. “Maybe it’s a secret admirer,” Mikko offers. “Maybe it’s someone who’s just as sick about you complaining about the cold as I am,” JT says. “Where are my mittens?” Z ponders. “You’re not getting any, you don’t deserve them,” says Nate, and Z goes to put him in a headlock. The boys start arguing about why they do or do not deserve mittens and EJ turns back to you. “So,” he says, “any more questions?” --- The boys win in OT and there’s excitement radiating through the locker room. You’re not doing the postgame; Lauren is, but you follow her around anyway, mostly because you love the locker room after a win. The happiness is contagious, and you find yourself smiling all evening. Most of the guys have gone home when Lauren packs up her final stuff. “What a game to end with before Christmas, huh?” she says, giving you a quick hug. “Merry Christmas, Y/N!” “You sure you don’t want to come?” JT’s voice is filled with enough worry that it catches your attention. You pretend to focus on packing your bag, the door slamming shut behind Lauren as she leaves. It’s just you, JT and Tyson, now. “Nah, man, it’s okay.” Tyson sounds a little down, which is not what you would’ve expected, after he scored to put them into OT earlier. “You’re with your girl, and I don’t wanna be a third wheel. I’ll be fine.” “But you can’t be alone on Christmas.” JT is clearly indignant. 

You’re just standing up when Tyson gives JT a playful shove. “Go, Comph. Go have a fun Christmas. I’ll be chill here.” JT rolls his eyes but gives Tyson a quick bro hug. As he’s leaving the locker room, he sends you a smile, a “happy holidays” and then he’s gone. You turn to Tyson. 

“You’re staying here for the holidays?” Tyson shrugs as he puts on his coat. It’s not nearly thick enough to be a winter coat, and he’s not wearing a scarf. He does however, take the mittens and put them on his hands. “My mom is on a cruise and Kacey is celebrating Christmas at her boyfriend’s house. Everyone is leaving me alone this year.” He’s trying to sound light, like he’s joking, but there’s a sharp edge in his voice that tells you it matters more to him than he’s willing to let on.

Something squeezes in your chest. Nobody should be alone on Christmas. “My family is coming to my apartment on Christmas Eve to have dinner, do you want to come?” You blurt it out before really thinking it through; it’s probably gonna be hard to explain to your parents, that you’re suddenly having a guy over for Christmas, and maybe Tyson will think it’s weird that you’re asking him: you just heard him tell JT no, so why would you think he wants to come hang out with you? But when you brave looking up at him, Tyson is smiling widely. “You sure?” he asks. “Is it not too much trouble? I can help you cook if you want. Or, you probably don’t want that, because I suck at cooking, but I can do whatever else you need me to do. I’d bring gifts for all your family, of course, and…” He’s rambling, and it’s cute. “Tys,” you interrupt him, and you can’t help how fond you sound. “They’ll love having you around. My dad is always saying it’s not fair, four girls and one guy, and my sister is bringing her girlfriend, so I could use a partner in crime, too.” “Okay, that’d be awesome,” Tyson says truthfully, “thanks so much, Y/N.” He smiles at you brightly and then puts on his mittens. “Dude, these are so warm, I love them.” You nearly promise to make him a hat and scarf too, but then you figure you might’ve exceeded your maximum amount of weird for the day by inviting him to Christmas dinner, so you quietly follow him out to the parking lot while he excitedly chatters about Christmas movies. --- It’s the morning of Christmas Eve and you’re this close to having a mental breakdown. Your house is a mess; you figured you didn’t need to clean it, your family has seen it all, but now Tyson is coming and you would like him to not think you’re the biggest slob in the world. Also, there’s the fact that an extra mouth to feed means more food necessary, so you have to go to the store and get more groceries. All in all it means that when your doorbell rings, you’re still wearing an old Avs hoodie and leggings, and you’re pretty sure there’s cookie dough in your hair because you decided you needed dessert after all. It’s not like Tyson gets to sin all the time. Christmas is as good an excuse as any. “Hey,” Tyson smiles. He’s looking annoyingly nice, wearing a grey jumper and dark blue slacks. As soon as he sees the state of you, he frowns. “What is that in your hair?” “Cookie dough,” you tell him honestly. “You look nice.” “Thanks,” Tyson grins proudly, “I Facetimed Kacey to pick out the colors.” He walks into your apartment like he’s been there a million times before, pushes a bottle of wine into your hands and starts unpacking the bag with presents he brought, putting them under the tree. “Am I early?” “A little,” you admit. “I, uhm, kinda still need to shower. You know, get the cookie dough out of my hair.” You think about it, for a few seconds, then decide that you can trust Tyson with this one thing. “Can you take the cookies out of the oven in 10 minutes so I can shower?” Tyson nods, throws you a thumbs up and then parks his butt on the couch like that’s where he belongs.

It makes you feel... things.  And, well, you might take a little longer to get ready – putting a little more effort in your make up and hair than you would’ve if it had just been your family -  but the last thing you expect when you come back in is for everything to be ready. Except it is. There’s candles lit on your coffee table and the presents are all under the tree. Your mom has a glass of wine in her hands and greets you with a “honey, there you are!” Your sister and her girlfriend aren’t there yet, but your dad is standing at the dining table with Tyson. The dining table is fully laid and Tyson has a half eaten cookie in his hand. “Sorry,” he grins, when he spots you. “They just looked too good not to touch.” You must’ve been staring at the scene a little sheepishly, cause your mom laughs. “You okay there, honey?” 

“Uh yeah,” you bring out. “I see you met Tyson?” Your mom’s face instantly brightens. “Oh yes, we have, but if you want to do proper introductions…” For a split second, you panic, because you don’t actually know how to introduce Tyson – a friend? A coworker? You can’t really say an unreachable crush – but you’re saved by the door bell. “Y/N!” your sister says, giving you a quick sideways hug. “Amy and I brought some extra wine, in case you didn’t have enough booze and we have to listen to dad talk about baseball all evening while sober…” She stops dead in her tracks as soon as she sees Tyson. “Oh, hello.” “Thanks, Meg,” you mumble. “We uh, have enough, probably, cause Tyson brought some too.” Meg turns to you, wiggling her eyebrows. “A boy that brings wine? Keep him around, will ya.” You’re about to tell her to shut up, when your mom stands up. “Time for dinner!” --- It turns out Tyson fits in with your family right away, and you’re not even halfway through the night when you realize your catastrophically big mistake. Seeing him like this, as if he’s an integral part of your life already, does nothing to help your massive crush on him. Because Tyson is perfect. He talks sports with your dad and interior design with your mom – “My mom used to redecorate our place every year or so, you pick up some stuff” – and falls into a flawless routine of teasing you with Meg. He tops up glasses, passes the salt without being asked, and every now and then he sends you a smile that has your stomach turn in your body. It’s not until after dinner, when you’re standing in the kitchen with your mom, cleaning dishes, that you understand your mistake has been even bigger than you thought. “I’m so happy for you, sweetheart,” your mom coos. She’s looking at you with fond eyes. “I was worried, you know, that you never introduced us to a boy or girl. I don’t want you to be lonely here in Denver. But Tyson is such a lovely guy. You can tell he really loves you.” You can… what? “Oh, no, mom,” you stutter, “he’s not… He doesn’t…” “Oh, but he does,” she interrupts. “I see it in the way he looks at you, you know. When a person really loves someone, it’s in their eyes. And Tyson looks at you with love. You deserve someone who cares about you, babe, and I’m just so happy you’ve got someone here in Denver, when we’re so far away. I just don’t want you to be alone.” And, fuck, your mom clearly thinks you’re dating Tyson, and you realize you still haven’t introduced him properly to your family, of course they think you’re dating, who brings home a guy to Christmas for platonic reasons? You know you should tell her that you’re not dating, you know that, but she looks so genuinely happy, and you know if you tell her now it’ll break her heart. Quietly, you sneak a glance towards the living room. Your dad laughs at something Tyson says while Tyson ruffles through Meg’s hair. She swats at him, and Amy is smiling. Every single one of them would be upset to hear that Tyson is nothing more than a crush that’s way out of your league. 

You know you have to tell them. But maybe just not tonight. Maybe, just for one Christmas, you can let them be happy. “Thanks, mom,” you force out a smile and your mom returns to the dishes. It’s not even a few seconds later that Tyson wanders into the kitchen. “Hey,” he smiles, “can I help?” He leans into you and puts a hand on the small of your back and your heart flutters and it’s innocent, sure it is, he’s just trying to be friendly, but your mom gives you a knowing look as she says: “Sure, you guys finish up here,” and demonstratively closes the kitchen door behind her, leaving the two of you alone. “Your family is awesome,” Tyson grins, as he starts to dry the dishes. “Meg tells me you guys go skiing every February. Me and Kacey usually try to go during bye week, Meg said maybe we can go together!” And something inside of you bursts. “My family thinks we’re dating.” Tyson frowns, puts the plate he was drying down. “Oh, really?” He doesn’t sound upset by the fact, simply curious, and you sigh. You’re gonna have to explain this one. “I guess I just didn’t really think to tell them who you are or like, what we are? And so they just saw that I invited a guy to Christmas and they assumed that we’re together. They absolutely love you, Tys, and they always worry so much about me having a boyfriend, and I just…” You pause; you know you’re turning red and it’s impossible to get out the words. “Hey, it’s okay,” Tyson says gently. He reaches out, his hand landing on your arm in a gesture of comfort. “You don’t have to tell them now. We can just… date.” He flushes. “Fake date, I mean. For tonight. Or, like, however long you need us to.” “Really?” you ask, relieved, and Tyson laughs. “Don’t sound so surprised. As if it’s such a hardship, to pretend to be your boyfriend.” He shoots you a wink, puts the final plate away and wanders back to the living room. Leaving you absolutely stunned, wondering what just happened. --- “Gifts!” Meg says, clasping her hands together. “The true meaning of Christmas!” Your mom gives her a disapproving look, but even your dad is eyeing the presents under the tree with a little too much interest.   “I’ll go first,” Tyson says with shining eyes, “being the new one in the family, and all that.” “Ah, yay, it’s not me anymore,” Amy giggles, and you swear to God you are going to die. Somehow, despite not knowing your family, Tyson nailed his gifts. Your dad is over the moon with his new slippers, your mom keeps sniffing the scented candle he gives her, and Meg smacks Tyson across the head with the Avalanche beanie he got her, until she notices there’s two tickets to a musical that Amy has been wanting to see in there. 

You’re a little jealous, because you love gifts like that, until Tyson hands you an envelope. “I heard you tell Gravy how much you like them,” he says, and he sounds a little off. Nervous, even. “And if you need a plus one…” He wiggles his eyebrows and laughs, but even his giggle comes out a little nervous. In the envelope is two tickets to your favorite band, who are playing in Denver next month. You didn’t end up getting tickets cause they were sold out stupidly quickly and were ridiculously expensive in resale. “Oh my God, Tys, that’s way too much,” you tell him in awe, but Tyson just shrugs. “No use for an NHL salary if you can’t spend it on the people you care about.” It sounds weirdly genuine, a deeper level of something ringing through, but it’s way too much to unpack right now. You feel a little stupid about your gift for him, now – a nice wallet cause his old one looks like it’s been through a lot – although Tyson seems really happy with it, even gives you a hug to say thank you. For the rest of your family, you’ve got a normal gift and something knitted, as extra, and it’s not until you catch sight of the deep frown on Tyson’s face that you realize something. Fuck. You forgot about the fucking mittens. “Isn’t it cute, Tyson?” your mom says, as she wraps the scarf you made her around her neck. “She always knits people gifts. I swear it’s her way of saying how much she loves them. She spends so much time on these.” She pauses. “I mean, you’ve probably been with her while she makes them, you know.” “Yeah,” says Tyson, slowly, although you know he has no clue. After that, it’s like you can’t even really enjoy the rest of the night; you can’t focus on the Christmas movie Meg puts on, can’t focus on how cute it is when she cuddles up with Amy, can’t focus on how fondly your mom is smiling down at you or your dad’s soft snores as he falls asleep halfway through. You can focus on Tyson’s thigh pressed against yours, and how you have no idea how to explain to him why you knitted him those mittens. Finally, your mom stands up, gently kicks your dad’s legs, and smiles at you. “I think it’s time for us to go,” she says. “I’m sure you two wants to enjoy some part of Christmas Eve in privacy, too.” “Mom,” you scold her, feeling your cheeks heat up. Tyson grins at you. By the door, as your mom gives you a hug, she whispers: “He’s a keeper, honey,” and you nearly tell her everything. “Yeah, he’s alright,” Meg says way too loudly, and you hear Tyson giggle in the background and you decide to shut up. The door closes behind them and immediately, Tyson stretches out on the couch. “Ah,” he says. “I’m pretty good at impressing the in laws, no?” You don’t remind him that they’re not actually his in laws. Instead, you fall back onto the couch and groan. “Are you not gonna make fun of me for knitting you mittens and leaving them anonymously in your stall?” you ask, because you might as well get over it. Tyson frowns. “Why would I do that? Those mittens rock, my hands haven’t been cold since.” You blush. “Yeah, but, don’t you think it’s weird that I made those? I didn’t make any for the rest of the team.” For a second, he seems to think about that. Then he moves a little closer, his hand coming to rest on your thigh. Electricity zips through your veins at the contact. “I kinda hoped that meant something,” Tyson says slowly. “Tell me if I’m wrong?” You only had two glasses of wine but you feel like your world is spinning as Tyson moves closer tauntingly slowly. Finally, his lips touch yours, and you understand every cliché ever written into any romantic Christmas movie. When his hand moves to your thigh, settles on the skin right below the hem of your dress, you yelp.

“How are your hands still cold?” 

Tyson chuckles. “I mean, I haven’t been wearing my mittens, so...” 

---

Years later, you’re laying on the couch with your daughter, watching a Christmas movie after having just set up the tree.

“Daddy, what was your favorite Christmas present Santa ever gave you?” your daughter asks. 

Tyson sends you a private look above her head, then focuses on her. 

“A pair of hand knitted mittens.” 

“Like the one mommy made me?” she asks, and he grins.

“Yeah, kinda like that.”

[themessengerofmystic]

Mc has to go back to Hogwarts

Okay okay so I know this is a little- uh- out there?! But I just had this idea and I couldn’t get it out of my head. So in this HC, MC is 20(ish) and it’s after the Battle of Hogwarts. It just took 2 years to rebuild and also it’s set now instead of in the 90’s and MC is a pure blood- half British half Korean. Like I said, it’s out there but I’m doing it anyway!!

Yoosung:

* Sad but understands

* Thinks it’s cool that you go to school in a different country

* Doesn’t believe you when you said you were a witch

* Makes you promise to play LOLOL with him on weekends

* Asks if he can help you with your studies

* Doesn’t call you every day but sends you good morning/ good night texts

* He understands that studying is hard and wants to give you your space

* Worried about your family and friends not liking him

* You go to him at Christmas because his family is nicer lol

* Gets clingy in the week before you leave

* Lots of cuddles

* Tells everyone about his girlfriend who’s gone back to school because she’s that cool

Zen

* Oof

* It hits him hard

* 1000% worried that you’ll find someone more suited to you when you’re away

* Idk I just feel like once he knows you’re a witch he will not handle it the best

* Doesn’t make you feel weird or anything but he feels like you deserve someone who understands you

* Works a lot on his insecurities when you’re away

* He’s calling you ten times a day

* “What’s wrong?” “Hey babe, I just missed you” “... Zen, I’m in class”

* You want to invite him over for Christmas but you’re worried about him

* Overall it just makes you both stronger

Jaehee

* She’s proud of you

* Like, girl?!

* You went through a war and now you’re going back?!?!

* Helps you pack your things neatly to the point where it’s obvious you didn’t pack it and your friends tease you about it

* Much prefers writing to you

* Sends you long letters whenever she can

* Your friends tease you endlessly because you’re obviously completely in love with this girl

* Your parents find out about it through your friends and you thought you’d be in trouble but they already know how great she is for you

* They send her an invitation to the Christmas ball

* Without telling you

* “A ball, MC? What do I wear?”

* You definitely fall in love with her more and more

Jumin

* Oh boy

* He’s not happy about this

* “But we got married so you never had to leave-“ “Jumin, I’m mainly using it as an excuse to see my family... most of them don’t even know we’re married”

* Tries to buy Hogwarts

* Heavily invests in the redecoration that still needed doing because if you insist on going, it has to be nice

* Your family hates him at first, because there are traditions that need to be upheld and he’s a muggle

* Over time, they calm down

* When they first meet, they like how respectful he is

* He fits in more than he should

* Your brothers ask for him to just replace you

* If he finds out you play Quidditch, the boy would probably have a heart attack

* “What if you get hurt?”

* Regardless of his worries and his need for you to be close at all times, he doesn’t once try to stop you from doing what you want to do

* Finds out you have a cat called Oscar and gets upset that he’s only learning about this now

* Calls you every night

* Sends you a text every morning

* Emails you his schedule because he still wants you to be involved and really it’s just the things he would do anyway

* He’s so proud of you when you graduate

* Takes you wherever you want to go

* Supports you when the MOM offers you a job

* You end up declining it so you can stay in Korea with him

* Turns out all of the lessons you got taught as a kid are actually good for business so he brings you along sometimes

* After you graduate, you agree to have another ceremony for your family. Actually, it was his idea.

* He’s amazed at your abilities regardless, but he doesn’t show it often.

* He encourages you to be the best, as you do to him

Seven

* He’s just shook

* Something that wasn’t on the background check?!

* Ok

* Damn

* But he’s blown away

* Asks you to do magic tricks

* All the time

* You usually refuse because you’re better than that but sometimes you pour the cereal using magic in the mornings just to see him fall out of his chair

* He does not trust the security

* “How do you know nothing bad is going to happen when something bad has already happened”

* He hacks into your phone so he can make sure you’re safe

* He loves listening to you in class

* Very very very scared to meet your family.

* He just wouldn’t fit in, but you like that about him

* But he tries really hard to be respectful when he meets them at your graduation celebration

* Your mother instantly loves him

* Huh... maybe he has a family now?

[yeaahishowedupatyourparty]

Disney’s Truth Booth.♥️

You can read this as OOC or an IC interview, I really don’t mind!

GENERAL QUESTIONS

1. Please state your full name: “Disney Cosette Hamilton” 2. Does your name(s) have any kind of meaning? If so, what is it?: “My Mum never wanted Park and I to have the same name as any other children around at the time - there were a lot of Lauren’s and Rebecca’s and so on...My middle name is my Mum’s - and my own - favourite character from Les Miserables.”  3. Do you have any nicknames?: “None that are said to my face, ha.” 4. Where were you born? And in which country?: “I was born in auteuil, which is in Paris, France.”  5. What is your date of birth?: “The 15th December 1995.”  6. Of course, the following question; what is your Zodiac sign? “Sagittarius.”  7. Do you believe in Zodiac signs? “Yes, but I don’t want to hear what you have to say if you don’t know your Big Three. I know many, many, many Sagittarius people that I can’t relate to because our charts are so different.” 8. Where do you live? “Violet Springs, it isn’t permanent. I plan to move to New York after.” 9. What is your home situation like? (ex. do you live with your family? Your partner etc.?) “I live with Brody and my two daughters, Dixie and Fleur, as you guys all know.”  10. Do you have any siblings? “I have a twin brother and two younger sisters.” 11. Do you have any kind of allergies? “Nope.”  12. Do you own any pets? If so, what kind of pets are they? “We have a dog - a Pomeranian called Marilyn - and then two ragdoll cats; Eliza and Angelica.”  13. Why did you apply to St Jude’s? “It was really by chance. I was initially going to go to Cambridge, but I also wanted to keep going with my acting career and St Judes just felt like a better option.”  14. Did you had to go through a lot audition rounds? "No, I didn’t technically audition. I was accepted on my resume and my previous work I’d done before coming here.” 15. What is the current course you’re following? “Acting for screen and stage.” 16. If you can switch courses, which one would you switch to and why? “Probably producing and directing. I feel like that’s an area I want to look into at some point anyway, whether I switch courses or not.”   17. What is your proudest project you’ve done? “Gigi on Broadway...The last person to have the role before me was Audrey Hepburn. How do I top that?”  18. What is the proudest project that someone’s else has done? “I feel egotistical for saying so because I’m in it, but Mason’s Gossip Girl was really before it’s time. I personally haven’t starred in a project I’ve been as invested in as that.”  19. Do you like FanCons? “Not particularly.” 20. What do you like about FanCons? “Meeting genuine supporters who have something to say for themselves, rather than just screaming at you and shoving a camera in your face.” 21. What don’t you like about FanCons? “The screaming and excessive selfies.” 22. A fan memory that always stuck with you? Can be positive or negative. “I’ve really started to enjoy getting to know the fans who work at our store. It’s really good to see them grow as people and have their own dreams - rather than just chase around people who are already living theirs.” 23. Your favorite event so far? “Good question, I really love Springs Festival.”  24. What kind of event would you like to see in the future? “I’d like to see more international events; we’re based a lot in London and the USA.”  25. Would you recommend St Jude’s to friends, family. etc? “Yes, but I’d push for them to go to Liberty or Sulayman if they could.”

PERSONALITY QUESTIONS

26. What are your positive traits? “Loyal, an overachiever and I’d say I have a good eye for aesthetics.”  27. What are you negative traits? “I don’t have any negative traits. Just ones people can’t deal with.”  28. What would other people describe you as? “Probably a perfectionist.”  29. What are your pet peeves? “People who put on a front because they want to be seen as a certain way. It’s so annoying that people would rather spend their lives pretending than actually working on themselves.”  30. What makes you happy? “My children.”  31. What makes you upset? “Things that have no place or excuse to exist nowadays; racism, homophobia, I could go on.”  32. What is something you love? “I love acting and fashion, also travel.”  33. What is something you dislike? “People who completely disregard veganism without really looking into it.”  34. What are you strengths? “Standing by my word and making things work in my favour.” 35. What are you weaknesses? “I might have a compulsive shopping problem. It’s completely possible.”   36. A misconception people often think of you? “I think a lot of people assume that I’m conservative or my family is conservative. They’re always surprised when we believe in the rich paying higher taxes, being pro-immigrant, being allies to the LGTBQ+ community. People seem to assume we’re all anti-that stuff.”  37. Do you have any fears? “Poor hygiene.”  38. What scares you the most? “Being satisfied. Imagine just, stopping? I couldn’t.”  39. What do you do to entertain yourself? “Work or shop.”  40. What is your MBTI? “I’m an ENTJ.”  41. How do you deal with stress? “I shop, or sometimes exercise if I’m feeling it.”  42. Are you a determined person? Are you a stubborn person? “I am absolutely both.” 43. Do you consider yourself selfish? “Yes. It’s not a bad thing.”  44. Would you like to be different? “Absolutely not.” 45. Are you more introverted (focused on your inner world) or more extraverted (focused on other people and the outer world)? “I would say I’m more extroverted. Although, I don’t agree with those definitions. Being an extrovert is getting your energy from external places; time with friends, the world around you...Introverts tend to be drained by it and prefer solo activities.”

ROMANCE QUESTIONS

46. What is your sexual orientation? “Heterosexual.”  47. Current relationship status? “Married.” 48. When was your first kiss? “I was eleven and it was at our family’s Christmas party.” 49. Do you remember your first date? If so, with who was it? What did you do? “It was with Brody, we were thirteen and it was after filming High School Musical 1...It was something really lame, like the cinema, but at the time it was the best thing ever for both of us.”  50. Have you ever experienced heart-break? “Yes.” 51. Have you ever been in love? (If yes, skip to question 53) “Yes.” 52. If no, how so? 53. How do you know when you’re in love? “You just know, I think it’s different for everyone. The same way that you know if you’re sad, happy or excited. It’s nothing special compared to those other feelings - people just put for weight on it.”  54. What would be your ideal date? “I’ve had it and it’s something I’d rather keep private.” 55. What is your perspective on marriage? “If it’s for you, that’s good, but nobody should feel pressured. Its not something you have to do.” 56. (only for non-virgins) Are you a sub, dom or switch? “I’m not answering that.” 57. What do you think of relationships? “They aren’t necessary but again, if it is something you want then you should go for it.”  58. What do you think of one-night stands? “They’re fine.” 59. Are you still a virgin? “I’m not.” 60. Most attractive trait in a different person? “Confidence. I hate talking to people who don’t mind or have no real opinions. I’d rather be with somebody who’s my complete opposite but stands by what they say, than someone who just borrows the opinions of others.”  61. What matters most to you when it comes to a relationship? “Perseverance.”  62. Are you comfortable with PDA? Or would you be comfortable with PDA? “In moderation, it can come off tacky if you do it too much.”  63. Are you more of a type to be asked out or the type to ask the other out? “I don’t pursue people. I’m only ever pursued.”  64. How do you express love to the other? “If I’m allowing you to vent to me or generally be in my presence for longer than a few moments and have more than surface level conversations, I obviously love you.” 65. Who is your celebrity crush? “Prince Harry.”

GETTING DEEP QUESTIONS

66. Do you regret anything? “No, regret is the enemy of progress.”  67. Is there something you woule like to re-do? So, start all over again? “No.” 68. What is something you would never share with anyone? “Yes, a lot of my personal memories. Some things between my family and I are just that.”  69. When was the last time you cried? Why did you cry? “It’s one of those never share things from the last question.” 70. Most memorable event that happened in your time in St Judes? This could be anything: “Can you remember when we all almost died in the Caribbean?”  71. One thing you wish you could do all over? “Nothing, didn’t I answer this?” 72. Someone you miss? “I miss my Grandmother a lot, we don’t see her half as much as I’d like. Especially now we have the girls.”   73. Something you wish you could forget? “Again, there isn’t anything.”  74. Who has the biggest impact on you? “Probably my Dad, there’s a lot that he’s taught me that I think has helped me with success up until now.”  75. What is your perspective on love? Is it beautiful? Does it scare you? “Neither. Love is something that you either choose to pursue or you do not. My perspective of love is that it’s been romanticised and turned into something where people go above and beyond to prove that they are more in love than someone else...I think love and romance get far too blurred. One is a lot better than the other.”   76. What has hurt you in the past that you don’t want others to go through? “I’d rather not say.” 77. What is something you have gained, something you have lost and something you let go of during the past year? “I’ve gained two daughters, I’ve lost too much sleep and I’ve let go of drinking. I was never a huge drinker anyway, but I drink even less now and it’s nicer than you’d think.”  78. Have you ever lost a friend? do you wish you would still be friends? “Yes and no. Anybody I lose, I lose for a good reason.”  79. Do you have any triggers? What is the history behind these triggers and are they related to any disorders or mental illnesses?  “That’s a very personal question.” 80. If you could meet your 16 year old self, what would tell them? “Not to have so much self-doubt because you’re becoming exactly who you’re supposed to be. I think my 16 year old self was definitely more clued up than the average 16 year old. Also, you don’t have to dress like Cher from Clueless everyday.”

RANDOM QUESTION ROUND

81. Summer or Winter? “Winter.” 82. Cats or dogs? “Cats, I love both but cats are more independent. If they were people, they’d be better.” 83. Beach or mountains? “The beach.” 84. Phone calls or texting? “Texting.” 85. Have you ever skipped class? “Yes.”

[wildandsexyjacks]

Mocktails & (Not So) Useless Company Parties

Seungyoun + #11 from this holiday prompt list

Word Count: 1.5k

Warnings: alcohol consumption

You love your job, you tell yourself over and over again, looking at your own reflection in the mirror of the ladies room. You do what you’ve always wanted to do, what you’re good at, what makes you happy. It pays extremely well too, so really no complaints there either. The real problem is your boss. The old cranky son of a bitch has no life of his own and for some reason, he believes you don’t need one too, which is why he’s making you stay in town for Christmas when in fact you should be back at home eating your mom’s cookies and drinking hot cocoa with tons of marshmallows.

This stupid event is not even that big of a deal, to be honest. It’s just a boring business award ceremony, filled with fancy-dressed people from the entertainment industry drinking mocktails (mocktails!!) and bragging about their achievements this year and YOU are what your boss has to brag about right now. You know your cooking show’s been pretty popular lately, with a lot of celebrities wanting to join in as guests and its rating points only going up every week, so it was obvious he’d want to show you off... But it’s Christmas. Your favorite holiday and you’re spending it in an expensive designer dress with uncomfortable heels, looking pretty and greeting people who don’t give one real fuck about your show or the story behind it, only its numbers.

While you stare in the mirror and hate everything, the giggly pair of girls who got in the bathroom right before you come out of their stalls, so you smile and wait for them to wash their hands and leave. As soon as they close the door, you take a silver flask from where you previously stashed it under the sink and pour it in your drink. After taking a sip, you put the flask back in it’s hiding spot and fix your hair one last time before exiting.

The moment Mr. Yang - executive producer of your show and close friends with the company CEO - said you’d be his date for the year-end events it became obvious you couldn’t be sober for this. However, the CEO’s wish to hold the party at his wife’s art gallery and the fact that she abominated alcohol had you mastering a plan to do it under everyone’s nose.

It was all going very well up until your third visit to the bathroom for refills. Someone storms inside without warning and catches you red-handed.

“Oh, sorry, this isn’t the-.” the guy frowns “Are you okay?”

It’s when you realize you’re probably a bit tipsier than originally intended. You look from him to the mirror again, taking in your reflection one more time: shoes discarded on the floor, flushed cheeks.... you’re obviously looking at least somewhat drunk. With your glass set on the sink and the open flask in your hands, there’s no point in trying to pretend this isn’t exactly what it looks like, so you just mumble a yeah and resume spiking your drink.

His brows furrow even more.

“Don’t you think this is a bit too...? Um, okay.” The man moves forward, grabs your arm and takes the flask from you, then smells it and instantly makes a face “Woah... Would you like some eggnog with your rum?”

You look him dead in the eye.

“This is the ladies’ room.”

“Well, I admit to my mistake.” He closes the flask, and puts it into the inner pocket of his blazer “But you don’t look too good right now so is there something I can help you with before I leave? It’s Y/N, right? You’re representing tvN so we’re both under CJ and it’d be bad form to leave you like this... I also happen to really like your show, even tried the pear risotto at home and no one died after eating.” You laugh, and he smiles, seemingly taking pride in that “Seriously, I’m a big fan.”

That’s funny because you’re looking at the Cho Seungyoun, a.k.a WOODZ, hip-hop and r&b star and variety show king. He looks ridiculously handsome in an all-black suit with his hair pushed back, which makes you vaguely embarrassed of your current state so you try to discreetly fix your appearance.

“You look beautiful, don’t worry, that’s not what I meant.” he leans against the marble sink and crosses his arms in front of his chest “What’s the matter? I mean why are you sneaking booze into a company event?”

You roll your eyes and mirror his posture, sighing.

“I don’t know what I’m doing here, my boss won’t even let me promote my show. I’m only allowed to greet people and smile while he does all the talking. This is so stupid, I should be on a plane to Toronto right now but I’m in this useless party wasting my time instead.”

Seungyoun rubs his chin, pondering his next move. After a while, he nods to himself and glances at you, arching an eyebrow.

“I can’t send you to Toronto but maybe I could help fix the other issue. How quickly can you sober up?” You shrug and bend down to put your shoes back on while he downs your drink, grimacing at the taste “Ugh, awful.” 

You laugh again while checking your make-up, then wash your hands and hold onto the arm he’s offering so you can both exit the bathroom.

And for the next couple of hours, Seungyoun does the absolute most, introducing you to everyone he knows and talking about your show with enthusiasm. He wasn’t lying when he said he was a fan, you notice. He talks in detail about the dishes and the guests from previous episodes and seems truly interested in what you have in store for the next season when you explain it to higher-ups from other CJ subsidiaries. 

It’s a blessing Seungyoun be so charismatic and funny because everyone is too busy falling in love with him to pay attention to the way you lean on him for balance and laugh just a little too much. By the time they start handing out the awards, you’re sober enough to go up on stage with Mr. Yang, who gives a quick speech thanking you and the staff - and you do the same. After that, you’re free for the rest of the night and Seungyoun makes good use of that, tapping your boss on the shoulder as soon as you get up from your seats when the ceremony ends.

“Excuse me, sir, can I borrow her for a moment?”

Busy talking to other executives, Mr. Yang waves his hand, barely looking at him, and you take that as a yes.

“Thanks for saving me.” you say as he offers his arm once again “I had a lot of fun tonight.”

“Don’t mention it. I know it’s hard to believe but I’m actually kind of shy so it was nice to have your company.” he pats your arm, glancing at you “Have you seen the paintings here? They’re pretty awesome.”

You shake your head no, so he takes you to the first open room he can find. The sign by the door says the exhibition is called FLOWERS ON A RIVER, a series of gongbi flower and bird paintings by a chinese artist named Chen Zhifo.

When you go inside, there’s no one else there, the guest using up all their time for networking instead of art appreciation. Seungyoun drags you to study a very long line of flower paintings hanging on the wall, reading their titles and descriptions out loud and making funny comments about the birds.

“You know,” he starts when you reach the last painting “I’ve never been invited to guest on your show even though we’re from the same company...”

He glances quickly at you, pouting and blinking several times, and it makes you laugh. Yes, you both come from sister companies but no one could call that a real connection. Not to mention you didn’t even know he could cook before earlier tonight, anyway.

“My boss picks the guests.” you shrug. “Sorry.”

“I see. Well then maybe I could cook you dinner at my place, say, later this week... and you could put in a good word for me with your boss or something...”

You look up at him, surprised. Maybe you’re still a little drunk, but you muster up the courage to take a step closer and ask him what’s on your mind.

“Are you trying to buy your way into my show or ask me on a date, Seungyoun?”

“Oh, I don’t care, whatever helps me see you again the fastest.” he leans down a little, bringing his face closer to yours while staring at your lips “Which one do you prefer?”

“I think right now I’m gonna go with the date and we can talk about work later.” you decide, wrapping your arms around his neck and standing on your tiptoes to meet him halfway for a kiss.

“Ho ho ho.” Seungyoun mumbles, smiling against your lips.

It’s Christmas and you’re in a stupid useless party, but now you don’t regret it anymore.

-

it’s still christmas where i live so..... happy holidays everyone 💜

also i’m a time management disaster so i missed seungwoo’s birthday because when do i finish anything on time right? but i WILL have the next ysay chapter finished before the weekend so wooseungdans stay tuned xx

[midlifebeybladecrisis]

Merry, Merry, Merry

Secret Santa Gift for @ferrofen

This was really fun to write. I hope it doesn’t show I haven’t actually seen Tithi’s season but I still really liked writing him and Yu together! And of course Tsubasa showed up too because I cannot physically write Yu without him.

The amount of begging Yu had to do to score this trip should not be understated. Tsubasa was insistent on being a stick of the mud despite the looming presence of the holidays on the horizon.  An endless stream of questions met Yu’s request that Tithi spend Christmas with them. What about Tithi’s parents? His family? Would they be alright with him coming to another country to celebrate Christmas? Tsubasa should know already those questions aren’t ones to be answered lightly. Yu and Tithi were similar, they kept those secret answers close to their hearts. The past is the past, it has nothing to do with Christmas. Tsubasa was firm; it just wasn’t relastic for Tithi to visit over the holidays. Maybe another time which was Tsubasa speak for never.

Yu, as usual, did not take no for an answer. He was relentless in his pursuit of the fabled yes. He would follow Tsubasa to work, something he hated doing, and complain while Tsubasa was trying to get things done. No door could keep Yu from his goal, no receptionist glaring at him for running through her waiting room could deter him. 

He won in the end, he always wins in the end. He was glad his predictions were as flawless as always, he’d started his crusade in early Spring with the knowledge it would take a few months to break Tsubasa down. Tithi never doubted Yu’s reassurances the trip would happen no matter what. When Yu called Tithi with the good news he was more smug than excited, Tsbuasa had lost once again and Yu had snatched another victory. To be expected, of course, Yu was just that good.

The visit so far had gone excellent in Yu’s very informed opinion. Tsubasa refused to drive to the airport on his super cool motorcycle so they had to take a cab which dampened the ride there. The ride back was all excitement and merriment. Yu and Tithi had run at each other at breakneck speeds and collided in a long, warm hug. Upon seeing Tsubasa hovering to the side Tithi had grabbed Yu’s hand in fear.

“Don’t worry, Tsubasa won’t bite, I’ve trained him well!” This earned a glare from Tsubasa but it was well worth it. Tithi loosened up but still didn’t let go of Yu’s hand. 

Throughout the visit he slowly began to warm up to Tsubasa. He stilled like Yu better because who wouldn’t like Yu better? Still, Yu was a little relived Tithi was getting along with Tsubasa. They were both very important to him and if they hadn’t liked each other he wouldn’t have known what to do. Before he met Gingka and the others that wouldn’t have mattered much to him but now other people’s feelings factor into his calculations. Kenta taught him that. 

Speaking of Kenta, he had changed since the whole legendary blader affair wrapped up. Ryuga was a topic they didn’t talk about together, it was something forbidden much like the question of what Yu did before the survival challenge was forbidden between him and Tsubasa. Kenta was still Yu’s best friend. That was one thing that would never change. 

Yu, Tithi, and Kenta spent some time together doing Christmas things like baking cookies at Kenta’s house. The kitchen at Tsubasa and Yu’s apartment didn’t have near enough room or the right equipment to make proper holiday cookies. Tithi happily slapped the dough on the stick pan, Yu measured everything perfectly, and Kenta used the cookie cutter to make snowmen and christmas trees. Sadly, despite two geniuses working on them, the cookies came out completely charred (“Just like my soul”, Kenta had said). They had to call in Madoka to help them make proper ones.

Yu took Tithi to Tsubasa’s work and they sang him Christmas carols. He didn’t appreciate them near enough because he was trying to work or some nonsense like that. When Tsubasa kicked them out they went home and diligently decorated the apartment. They might have broken a few ornaments and the tree might have fell over a few times but nevermind any of that. The important thing is the apartment ended up looking plenty festive. There was never any doubt after all, they are geniuses. This is just a sample of the things that occupied their time in the weeks leading up to Christmas. 

Which brings the story back to the now. The forecast had been threatening snow all month. Tithi has never seen snow so Yu wished with all his heart it would snow. Over the night before Christmas Eve his wish was granted. 

Tsubasa stopped Yu before he ran out of the apartment in nothing but his pajamas. Now, they’re going through the motions of morning, much to Yu’s chagrin. Tithi seems to be bursting out the seams too in his own shy way. Despite spending a handful of weeks around Tsubasa he still hasn’t completely collapsed his walls. Yu takes smug pride in Tithi mumbling a few words to Tsubasa about breakfast. 

Typically, Tsubasa and Yu get into a fight while washing the breakfast dishes.

“You’re so boring! Come out and play with us!” Yu is angrily scrubbing a plate while Tithi stares at him from the kitchen table. Tsubasa is dutifully drying the plates and returning them to their proper place.

“I have work to do.” Tsubasa does not spare a glance at Yu as he dries the cup in his hands.

“It’s Christmas Eve!” Yu shoves the soaking wet plate into Tsubasa’s already full hands.

“Yu,” Tsubasa says, attempting to juggle the various dishes in his hands, “You can have fun without me.”

“Obviously! I have fun without you all the time I just thought you’d want to hang out with us but clearly not!” Yu takes out his anger on the last plate, scrubbing it so hard it was in danger of losing its coating.

“You’ll have a better time without me.” Tsubasa sounds like he’s trying disengage. He probably feels embarrassed fighting in front of Tithi but Yu himself doesn’t feel a hint of shame. If Tsubasa feels so bad he should just give in and come to the park with them.

“I’m done,” Yu says while pushing the last plate into Tsubasa’s still too full hands.

“Get on your coat, you’ll catch a cold if you go out lik-”

“You’re not my dad Tsubasa!” Yu yells, hopping off his stool with an angry thump. “If you were, you’d be a lousy one!” 

Yu grabs Tithi’s hand and leads him into his room. They don’t say much as Yu helps Tithi wrap himself up in various goats and scarves. 

“Will we build a snowman?” Tithi asks as they finish.

“The biggest snowman in the world,” Yu agrees and takes Tithi’s hand once more. Tsubasa is sitting at the dinner table with his laptop open. He is typing furiously, probably about something really important, more important than spending time with two stupid kids on Christmas Eve.

He looks up from his work when the two stupid kids pass by him. 

“Yu-” Tsubasa starts but he makes a face instead of finishing his thought, like he’s eaten a lemon or something. Yu doesn’t like that face, do they look that weird all bundled up in their winter clothes? 

“Going to apologize?” Yu asks, “Because I don’t want an apology, I want you to play in the snow with us. Tithi wants that too, right Tithi?” Tithi nods vigorously instead of an answer. He squeezes Yu’s hand in support which brings a light smile onto Yu’s face despite trying to look stern. 

Tsbuasa hesitates before closing his laptop. “Give me a second.” 

Yu has won once again as Tsubasa walks to his room to get properly dressed. He turns to Tithi with a wide smile on his face to find a mirror of it on Tithi’s. 

Tithi is all wide eyes and mouth gaping when they walk out of the apartment building. The world is powdered white. Snow is clumped to the side of the sidewalk, someone already has gone and shoveled it, and there was people out bundled up in thick winter clothes. They don’t stop to play in the snow just yet but carefully make their way to a park nearby. 

The first thing they do upon reaching the park is run head first into a pile of snow. They being Yu and Tithi, Tsbuasa is still too dull to do anything but hover on the edge of the park with his glove clad hands in his pockets.

Yu pulls Tithi out of the pile of snow, “Hey, lay down here.” He points to an unspoiled spot of snow. Tithi obeys silently, not bothering to shake off the snow that’s already accumulated on his coat. Yu falls down next to him, arms outspread. 

“Watch me,” Yu instructs as he makes a snow angel. Tithi follows suit dutifully. 

“Tsubasa! Come help us up!” Yu calls when the angels have been properly winged. 

“Excuse me?”

“Don’t just stand there, help us!” 

Tsbusa begrudgingly helps both Tithi and Yu off the ground resulting in pristine snow angels. 

They spend the lion’s share of the afternoon throwing snow balls at each other. Yu and Tithi team up to destroy Tsubasa multiple times. They make a snowman, then they make another. An army of snowmen each representing one of their friends. By the time they leave the park they are covered in white and shivering with cold. 

When they get home they slosh off their heavy, snow laden clothes. Tsubasa makes hot chocolate without having to be asked. Giant white marshmallows float the the top of their mugs and Yu and Tithi sit shoulder to shoulder on the couch wrapped in a blanket.

They whisper about the next day, the fun they will have unwrapping presents and spending time with everyone. There will be a little homemade beyblade tournament Yu swears he is going to win. Tithi giggles into his hot chocolate at that declaration. They fell asleep with their drained mugs on the floor beneath them and their heads on each other’s shoulders. 

The last thing Tithi says before drifting off is, “Thank you for inviting me.”

And the last thing Yu says in return, “Always.” 

Tsubasa eventually wakes them up for dinner and the happy chatter continues once more. Merry Christmas, their body language says as they frost cookies, Merry, Merry, Merry Christmas. That night they dream of sugar plums, of dancing fairies, and of snow angels. 

[a-walkingoxymoron]

Mistletoe

Word count: 3.8k

Pairing: Jackson X Reader

Genre: Fluff

A/N: This is late, I know. I also didn’t expect it to go on this long, I swear - but hey, it’s still December so. I saw the prompt when I happened upon a prompt list by @/drink-it-write-it and happened to think of this. I’d like to apologize in advance as the story’s all over the place, I think. Anyway, enjoy!

The prompt is “Alright, mister. I know you’re the one who keeps hanging mistletoe everywhere”

It was Christmas Eve and, as usual, Bambam was hosting a party to celebrate the occasion. After all any occasion he gets a whiff of is an excuse to party to him. Hell, if he puts his mind to it, you were pretty sure that he could host a celebration for everything that he can think of. That's what happens if you mix an extrovert, raw adoration of anything alcoholic, and a young person in college who had money to burn into one individual - you'd get Bambam. And while he does sound like a perfect recipe to be someone who's conceited and a brat, Bambam was actually not like that at all. He was naive in some practices of the middle class but nothing too major.

Another thing to note is Bambam and you were very close to the point that you couldn't deny your presence in his party completely lest you want to be at the receiving end of his sulking and accusations of not loving him anymore, that you were ready to end the friendship you two had worked hard together to form. You learned soon enough that it was far better to attend than to deal with that kind of guilt trip. You won't even begin how he was hungover while doing all that - how he forgets everything he does when drinking and shitfaced but god forbid he forgets if you were there or not.

That's why you were here at this very moment, being nothing short of a wallflower, observing the other goers. Bambam's other friends that you got to know over the years from hanging around him were polite enough to strike conversation when they spot you, even offering to get you a drink when they see your cup almost empty. Jinyoung and Mark, bless their souls, even took the time to drive away people who tried to hit on you once you look visibly uncomfortable - they were also the least troublesome.

Besides the fact that Bambam practically mandates you to attend, you were, as you dub yourself, a one man casualty control unit. Instead of socializing heavily, you spend most of your time going around, especially once everyone had more than a couple of drinks, seeing if there was trouble brewing somewhere and to prevent it before it gets worse.

It was a tiring task. Cleaning major spills in order so no one would slip, stopping Bambam from doing something highly idiotic and dangerous every five to ten minutes; saving Youngjae from being the center of a Bambam-Yugyeom tandem prank that would result in something undoubtedly painful; making sure Yugyeom doesn't slip and break his spine while dancing on top of whatever his long legs can climb then making sure his feet were on even ground before you leave him to check on others; coming to a poor, clueless party go-er's aid once Jackson prey's on them to be the one he mercilessly shoves into the pool unceremoniously; even Jaebeom didn't made your life easier when the alcohol gets hold of his temper and begins to aggressively pick fights with people who disagree with any of his opinion including what potato chips he thinks is the best. 

Right now, however, Jackson was at the top of your naughty list and the party has barely even started. Before the event began, there was a count of one mistletoe inside the whole house. You know this as you were the one who suggested where to put it up when you were helping Bambam set up, relenting to his whines in regards of how a Christmas Eve party isn't a Christmas Eve party without a mistletoe. And you made sure to ingrain the location of that mistletoe - singular - in your mind to avoid it as much as possible.

Now, two hours into the party and there were, at the very least, seven fucking mistletoe around the whole house excluding the five you already gotten rid off moments ago. As expected, no one but you was on the hunt for the mistletoe hanging culprit. You know it wasn't Bambam, that much you were sure of despite the fact that he told you to let it go.

How could you, though? It was hard enough to avoid being underneath one mistletoe with someone in a full house, harrowing when faced with several. Every direction you face, you somehow spot another victim of the mistletoe that materialize from who knows where and they ended up either having a full blown make out, a chaste kiss or being painfully awkward with each other.

Yet you just couldn't figure out who was the asshole who kept repeatedly hanging the dreaded plant. It was only when Mark spotted you with another 3 in your hands with a burnt out expression that no one should ever bear in a party as fun as Bamabam threw. His eyes softened, lips pulling into a pitiful smile as he approached you apprehensively in case a mistletoe was waiting to be discovered overhead. Once close enough, he nudged you gently before mouthing the word 'Jackson' without so much of an explanation.

But you didn't need an explanation. It all made sense. You haven't seen him, hadn't heard his booming laughter - you didn't even spot him by the pool where he usually stays to pick on an unsuspecting fool. Not even a shriek of excitement about a pair falling victim to the mistletoe tradition. You felt stupid. How could you not realize it by yourself.

Thanking Mark, you set off to hunt the bastard. You immediate went upstairs, knowing that the second floor was off limits to everyone that wasn't you, Bambam, Jaebeom, Mark, Jinyoung, Youngjae, Yugyeom and fucking Jackson.

True enough, you saw the source of your distress in the form of Jackson squatting down on another dozen batch of mistletoe - where did he eve get all of that - with his back behind you. He was inside Bambam's spare room where he kept clutter of unused objects he refused to throw away which is why you didn't see him two hours ago despite repeatedly going up and down the stairs.

"Alright mister. I know you're the one who keeps hanging mistletoe everywhere." You said aloud as a way to announce your presence. He turned around, wide eyed at first before standing up straight to his full height and flashing you his million dollar smile.

Ah, Jackson. Bambam's friend from high school. You didn't notice him back then unless you were the center of his jokes or pranks but he did age like fine wine. Jackson who had the face and body of a God yet the mind of a 12 year old.

"Oops," He chuckled nervously.

"Oops is right. What do you think you keep doing? Why do you keep hanging those?!" You gestured to his ammo of plants to hang, glaring at them with distaste having dealt with one too many of them already. It was a miracle you haven't fell victim to it yet.

"For holiday spirit?"

"Try again."

He walked over to you, laughing as he swung an arm to rest around your shoulder and pulled you closer to him until he was basically squeezing you to his side while his free hand gestured to the air slowly as if making you see the bigger picture of whatever weird scheme he came up with. 

"Imagine being in a party then you get stuck with someone under the mistletoe. You two kiss. Fireworks fly, they feel the spark and BAM you're in love!" Jackson pulled away after the ridiculous speech he dared call an explanation before grinning at you like a puppy.

"A Christmas Miracle!" He finished excitedly, matching it with loud hand movement. "Don't you want to be a part of the reason why that miracle happened?!"

You stared at him incredulously, taking a step closer and sniffing near his mouth. Not drunk - apparently he was too busy with his plan to even drink. "Are you high? Just how many Hallmark movies did you even watch to concoct something like this?"

But this is Jackson. You have to face the fact that it would only take one movie like that to make him elicit this kind of response. This was one of the times you thanked his personality, not that it wasn't loveable. It is. He was thoughtful and loyal to those he cared about but he was childish - too childish. If only he had an ounce of maturity in his bones then you were sure to catch feelings with a face like that. 

For a moment you remembered when you first saw Jackson in college. It was only months since you last saw him then but he apparently went to a crash course with puberty and came back looking manly, all trace of his boyish features gone. He had been working out too, being more fit since the last time. And then he opened his mouth only to reveal he was still the same old high school Jackson you had a puppy crush on in a mature body. And a puppy crush was all it would be. Like you, Jackson is one of Bambam's best friends and having any sort of feelings for him - or any one of them - would be a mess that was just waiting to blow.

You snapped from your thoughts at the sound of Jackson whining your name in an attempt to get your attention.

"Can I please hang more? Please, please, please." He stopped under the scrutiny of your weary gaze. He knew that look. That was the look of yours when you were ready to offer a compromise that should satisfy you both. A trick that was essential for you to learn from dealing with Bambam so much.

"You will not be hanging anymore mistletoe."

"But -"

"Shush! I'm not done speaking yet." Jackson shut his mouth immediately. How you were like this with them but required the aid of Jinyoung and Mark when chasing away unwanted advances was always a mystery to him.

"Again. No more mistletoe. But there are four more downstairs and I will not take anymore of them down for the sake of your Christmas Miracle." His face brightened, obviously pleased with the proposition. He let out that little giddy squeal he did whenever he was excited and pulled you to his chest to wrap his arms around you in a grateful hug.

When he pulled you away in arms length, you looked up only for you breath to hitch when your eyes met his. You weren't sure if it was because of the distance, or lack thereof, between you two but his eyes that you always did recognize as pretty were, in fact, beautiful and breathtaking if you let it blindside you - the twinkle of excitement only made it more entrancing as well.

You will yourself to look away and let out a laugh that hopefully doesn't sound so forced than it felt. "Alright, alright. Now let's go down, see how your genius plan unfolds and get you some alcohol in your system."

Pulling away completely from his grasp, you gestured to the party still on going downstairs which sounded much wilder than you previously remember when you were still on a haunt for Jackson. God, you can just imagine what kind of mess you need to look out for.

Still, you managed to flash an encouraging grin to Jackson. "You're too sober for a party that's hosted by Bambam anyway."

______

It was such a basic mistake. 

There you were, underneath a fucking mistletoe, finally falling victim to its grasps. To rub salt to the rather fresh wound, it was the very one that you and Bambam hanged - by the open doorway that separates the kitchen from the lounge. 

You should have known better.

Known better not to walk underneath it with the troublemakers around. Known better to even think for one moment you would leave unscathed from pranks. What's worse was that you can't even blame Jackson as this wasn't even one that he hung.

You looked at your fellow victim that was equally, if not more, annoyed as you. Jinyoung glowered at Yugyeom's direction who was hiding behind Jaebeom while chortling his lungs out. He had shoved Jinyoung in your direction when you were crossing underneath the mistletoe. 

Jinyoung of all people. Yugyeom was either brave or stupid to do so. Either way, it was evident that he was dead to Jinyoung thanks to his little stunt.

"Come here you shit -" Jinyoung almost lunged at Yugyeom if not for Mark that stopped him with a shit eating grin before tutting in a disapproving manner,  "No exceptions, Jinyoung."

Mark was one of the least troublemakers but that doesn't mean he doesn't join in them. Curse him, however, to choose this moment to jump in.

There were cat calls and hoots of encouragement from people witnessing around, chanting 'kiss' repeatedly like it was a mantra.

Jackson, who was now actively participating in the festivities as compared to earlier, rushed to see who the (un)lucky pair this time, only to deflate when he sees you. There was suddenly a sensation in his stomach. It always made itself felt when he saw you but this time it was unpleasant. 

A part of him didn't want to watch the inevitable scene unfold yet he couldn't take his eyes away from you two with bated breath. 

"Come on, Jinyoung. You know the rules." It was Jaebeom who was tossing tinder into the fire this time, an amused smirk on his lips. You could hear the man beside you hissing in annoyance while you were still trying to register what rule Jaebeom was pertaining to.

Ah. A kiss needs to last 7 seconds at the very least. 

Defeated, Jinyoung could only turn to you with an apologetic look in his eyes. You were suddenly all too aware how he was so much taller than you as he hovered over you only to lean down and press his lips on yours gently while both of his hands found its way to either side of your waist to still you.

You let him and, acting on pure instinct, your hands went to the hem of his sweater to tug on it yet you didn't find yourself returning the kiss.

His lips was soft against yours but that was it, there was no malicious feelings behind them. The two of you held your stance until the count was over before pulling away. 

"Was I really such a bad kisser that you didn't even attempt to return it?" He teased, chuckling. You sputtered, his words making you feel more flustered than the kiss did.

"No hard feelings?" Jinyoung asked once he failed to elicit a response from you. He was scared that he offended you. He hoped not, he did like you after all being the only sane one in his group of friends and the only one who he hasn't thought about murdering yet. You nodded as words failed you - what can you even say? But it seemed you needn't say anything as Jinyoung appeared to be satisfied with just that, patting your head affectionately before he left.

_______

There was a little over ten minutes left before Christmas. Which also means that it has been an hour since Jackson retreated upstairs once more but, unlike earlier, his mind was full with the thoughts of you.

Admittedly, he always had a crush on you. He finds you cute. How your eyes brightened when your excited, how your cheeks puff in annoyance like a chipmunk, how adorable you looked when your face was painted with the hues of red when embarrassed, and the next thing he knew, he was smitten with you.

He kept those kind of feelings buried, however. Because, much like you, he didn't want to complicate things. He enjoyed having you around him and the guys, he knows the other felt the same, too. And to be the one who possibly fuck that up, well, he'd rather not risk it. Bambam would never forgive him, as well.

Watching Jinyoung kiss you, despite it being an obligatory gesture to satiate a culture - a culture that he supported wholeheartedly and fixated on the whole night - made him realize how deep his feelings for you truly went.

He just wanted to pry you out of Jinyoung's arms and take you in his instead. But he couldn't - shouldn't. So instead of watching, he opted to go upstairs to sulk. The only consolation to his sullen is the mere fact that you didn't return the kiss.

Would you return it if it was him?

Jackson shook his head in a futile attempt to clear it. Those kind of intrusive thoughts is exactly the reason why he shouldn't be anywhere near you. Who knows what he could do? He wasn't really known for impulse control.

Five minutes before Christmas left.

Everyone downstairs was either counting down or passed out somewhere due to intoxication. You were counting, too, in a way. And you were missing one. The boys were complete by the kitchen except for Jackson. And, oblivious to his dilemma, you decided to look for him so all 8 of you would be together when the clock strikes 12.

Before you can even think about where he could be, your feet lead you upstairs and back to where you had found him earlier. Lo and behold, Jackson was there, seemingly lost in thought as he stared out the window from across the room, his fingers playing with a mistletoe he held absentmindedly. Quietly, you entered the room, calling out his name after closing the door behind you.

"Jackson?"

He turned to face you, blinking owlishly as if trying to process your presence, then a smile graced his lips. Not the bright smile that you have come to adore, not the boyish smile he flashed at everyone, no, this smile was different. There was a pensive sadness behind it that you rarely saw in the human sunshine you knew as Jackson. A smile that made your blood run cold and worry pump to your veins as your brows furrowed in concern.

"Hey," You tried again, your voice soft this time, afraid that anything louder would break him. "It's almost Christmas. We're waiting for you downstairs."

He offered a smile once more and there it was again ; a smile that offered no mirth. It was like a whole other personality possessed Jackson's body altogether. You pressed your lips into a thin line in thought. Never have you expected to become this unnerved just from his silence alone. 

"Are you okay, Jackson?" 

He wasn't. He wanted to say he wasn't.

Why did you have to go and search for him? Why now when his thoughts were a ball of mess he can't seem to untangle - doesn't even know where to start untangling - and feelings raw. There couldn't have been a worse time for you to barge in him tonight. Yet here you were, eyes large with curiosity and concern drawing him in. Concern for him of all people. Concern that he wanted to kiss away.

Jackson was not an expert in impulse control and Jackson could only take so much for a day. He thought the obligatory kiss you received from Jinyoung was the last straw. No, the last straw was you coming to him when he had tried hard to put distance between the two of you for the remainder of the night. Originally, the plan was to hide from you and sleep his feelings, promising to himself to act normal once the sun's up. But you were here now….

That had to be a sign, right?

He turned to you fully, finally speaking. "I need to tell you something."

If you thought you were already perturbed earlier then that was nothing compared to the apprehension you felt the moment you heard his words with a tone so serious. His voice was a new kind of deep, too, that you have only heard now. It was smooth and soothing and you probably wouldn't believe that it came from Jackson if you didn't see his lips move.

"Yes…?"

He took a step closer, hesitant at first, before he took another with a surer stride, stopping only when the distance between you two was a step away. Jackson's mouth opened, as if to say something, but nothing came out. Who was he kidding? He wasn't a word person. He was Wang Jackson and when wants to convey something, he does it best with actions; actions speak louder than words, after all, right? So act he did.

Internally, Jackson thanked you for convincing him to get some alcohol in his system, knowing he could have never dreamt of doing this sober. 

Liquid courage coursing through his veins, Jackson cupped your cheek, angled your face ever so slightly before leaning down and crashing his lips down on yours rather roughly in fear he might chicken out at the last minute.

It was awkward at first, with you standing there in silent stupor with a pair of lips on yours that you haven't quite registered yet. You do know that this was was entirely different than how it felt with Jinyoung. That was obligatory and made you feel… well, nothing.

But Jackson's was clumsy and still somehow hesitant yet making you feel warm all the same. He was about to pull away, most likely discouraged from your lack of response. Your arms were faster, though, hooking them around his neck and tugging him back. You could feel him stiffen against your hold for a moment before he resumed the kiss.

Feeling his lips move against yours, you matched his pace as the kiss that started out rather clumsily is now slowly yet steadily growing into something much more passionate and sincere. His other arm snaked its way around your waist as he pulled you closer until your body was flushed against his. And as Jackson got his confidence back, his kisses that were once exploring were growing heated. You can spend hours kissing Jackson, you realized, seemingly unable to get enough. So when he pulled away without warning, you huffed softly in protest, pouting your now swollen lower lip.

Now that you weren't engage in a liplock, your sense of hearing ,that you didn't know had left, returned just in time to hear the voice of people downstairs simultaneously counting down aloud.

3…

2…

1…

"Merry Christmas." Jackson whispered, locking gazes with you as he smiled that million dollar smile of his before resting his forehead on yours. You grinned back.

"Merry Christmas." 

And just like that, his lips were back on yours. Turns out, you two were the Christmas Miracle Jackson was so intent on happening.

[brightingales]

Birthday fic for Lena @jamesandharrystuff !! I saw you and @ivymaples talking about potential proposals and whoops, this happened. I hope you’re having a wonderful birthday! Aries is the best star-sign ;)

“As lovely as this afternoon has been,” Marnie says, putting her cup back in its saucer with a precise ‘clink’, “I would very much like to know what it is that you are after.”

Harry tries very hard to keep the disappointment from twisting his features. He actually thought that he was being quite subtle.

“Who says I have to be after anything,” Harry tries, wondering if there is any way that he can salvage the situation.

“Oh please. Over the last year you have picked up so many of James’s habits it’s rather endearing. And whenever James wants something, he makes sure that we go out for a nice day of retail therapy and high tea before he drops the bombshell.” She selects one of the dainty cucumber sandwiches from the cake stand and consumes it in two lipstick-red bites. “I’m not complaining; I just want to know. You and James aren’t in any trouble, are you?”

“No!” Harry rushes to reassure her. “No, everything is fine with us. Better than fine. That’s actually what I wanted to talk to you about.”

“Ah ha! I knew there was something,” Marnie says, victoriously. “You should never doubt a mother’s instincts when it comes to her boys…”

Harry almost doesn’t register what she has said; he’s too busy eyeing up the last smoked salmon sandwich and wondering if he can subtly grab it before Marnie does. He wonders what his former self would make of this situation and his new-found love of pretentious food. But eventually, he realises what her words have implied. She’s been doing this for ages – slipping in little references to how Harry has become part of the family. Marnie gave him a watch for his birthday that she proudly told him used to belong to her father. She made him help James carve the Turkey at Christmas because of some Nightingale tradition. She made a very strange tasting cocktail for New Year’s and made him, James and Romeo all try it, using the same excuse of “it’s tradition!” If Marnie thinks Harry doesn’t know what she’s doing, she’s very wrong.

But that’s why he’s brought her here, after all.

“It’s James’s birthday soon…” Harry begins.

Marnie waits for a moment as Harry’s words die in his throat. He hadn’t realised how nervous he would be.

“… and you want my help picking out something for him?” she offers.  “Honestly, I’m a bit surprised – the tie you bought him for Christmas was perfect! I have absolute faith in your gift-buying abilities.”

“It’s not that… well… it sort of is,” Harry says. Unable to stop stumbling over his words he decides that it’s probably best if he just shows her.

The small box has been burning a hole in his pocket ever since he picked it up from the jeweller this morning. It’s almost a relief to have it out on the table, where he can see it, and be reassured that he hasn’t lost or dropped it. Marnie’s eyes go wide as she looks at it, then Harry, then back at it as Harry picks it up again and with shaking hands, opens it.

Inside is a simple gold band.

“Do you think he will like it?”

“Is this…? Are you…?” now it’s Marnie’s turn to stumble over her words.

“Yes. I’m going to ask James to marry me.”

Marnie takes up Harry’s hand in her own. “You know, Harry, you really didn’t have to ask me. James is fully grown, and he can make his own decisions. But I’m honoured and flattered that you asked. Of course, you can propose to him! Nothing would make me happier and I’m sure the same can be said for James. You’ve made such an impact on his life. No one has ever made him as happy as you.”

Tears begin to well in her eyes. “Just the thought of you telling my baby boy that you want to spend the rest of your life with him…!” she dabs at her eyes with a crisp linen napkin obviously trying to stop her mascara from running. “Oh! I’m just so thrilled for you both!”

“Ah Marnie, that’s great,” Harry says, patting her hand in a gesture that he hopes comes across as comforting rather than patronising. “But I actually just wanted to ask if you’re sure he wouldn’t prefer platinum instead of gold…”

It’s like he’s slapped her. And for a horrifying minute, he thinks she’s going to revoke her permission and demand that he end his relationship with James right this second. But then she gives one loud “ha!” and descends into a fit of giggles.

“It’s perfect just the way it is, Harry,” she reassures him once she’s finished laughing. “He’ll love it, just like he loves you.”

“I hope so,” he replies, trying not to think about the long wait that he is now facing until he can finally give the ring to James.

The weeks pass slowly, but eventually, James’s birthday arrives. For the first time in ages, they have a celebration at the flat – just a few drinks with some friends. Though Harry does manage to procure some specially made canapés from the Hutch. He didn’t tell his dad exactly what they were for, but from the knowing and slightly crestfallen look in his eyes, Harry suspects that his dad might be regretting the fact that they have grown so distant. That might be why, when Harry goes to pick up the food for their party, there is a bottle of the red wine James always orders packaged alongside the antipasti.

James spends most of the evening drinking said wine as he threads his arm around Harry’s waist and makes small talk with their friends and colleagues. Harry always used to feel overwhelmed when meeting the lawyers James works with but after a few awkward meetings and stilted conversations he’s managed to ingratiate himself into the social circle. He’s even setting up a book club with Hannah from accounting.

They’re all very sensible and adult which means the evening is over by 10 pm. As Romeo and Marnie begin to pack everything away Harry pulls James to one side.

“I’ve got one last present to give you,” Harry says, gesturing his head toward their bedroom.

James smirks at him, a low hum rumbling in his chest. “I look forward to it. But maybe we should wait until my mother is out of the house?”

Harry just grins back at him, takes him by the hand, and leads him away. When they’re finally alone James uses this to his advantage, tugging Harry close to him by the wrist and pulling him in for a searing kiss.

“I can’t wait to see what this gift is – so secretive that you can only give it to me in the bedroom.”

“It’s not so much that it’s secretive. I just wanted to see your reaction. Properly. Without everyone else there.”

He takes a deep breath, screws his courage to the sticking place, and takes the box out of his pocket.

James’s eyes light up as he opens it. “It’s gorgeous Harry.”

“Yeah?”

“Yes!”

James quickly slips the ring onto his finger before pulling Harry back in for more kisses. Harry loses himself in James for a few minutes, grabbing at James’s shirt and enjoying the feel of his body under his hands. But as they break apart for air, he realises that something has gone a little awry.

“Um, James,” Harry says, casting his eyes down to where James’s hands are gripping his shoulders. “You’re wearing it on the wrong finger…”

“Pardon?”

“Well, aren’t engagement rings supposed to be worn on the left hand?” “Engagement?”

Harry nods. James has gone ever so pale and Harry doesn’t trust his voice not to shake if he says anything more. He doesn’t know what he’ll do with himself if James says no.

“You want to… You want to marry me?”

“Of course,” Harry sighs. “I love you, James. I want to be yours – completely, utterly. I want to be your family, I want to be your husband, and I want you to be mine.”

James stays silent, still processing. Harry knows this is his last chance to say everything he needs to.  

“I thought I knew what love was before I fell for you. I thought I knew what it meant to be loved by someone. But I was wrong – so wrong. The love I knew before was so small, so weak compared to what I feel for you. You make my heart race, James. You make every day better, just by being in it. And I need you to know that. I need to show the world what you mean to me…”

“Yes,” James interrupts. “I’m sorry, I just needed a moment. Yes, of course I’ll marry you!”

Harry throws himself back into James’s arms, so relieved he thinks he might start sobbing. But James quickly untangles himself.

“Sorry,” James says at Harry’s disappointed expression. “I just need to…” he works the ring off his right hand and places it triumphantly on the finger of his left.

“I did wonder why it was a bit tight…” James observes as Harry laughs at him and snuggles up against his fiancé. They’ll go back and tell Marnie the good news later. For now, Harry just wants James all to himself. Now, and forever.

[papa-rhys]

New Dawn: Where are they now?

Here are my headcanons for what Hope County folk would be up to in New Dawn (if they all survived). I stuck to main characters (catergory 1 and 2) for this and I didn’t count anyone who died in fc5 canon because there’s 100% no chance they’d be in New Dawn and this is meant to be a “what I expect from X character if they appear in ND” thing. If I missed any important people out, then let me know and I’ll see about adding them in!

Holland Valley

Mary May Fairgrave: Lives in Prosperity, even though she doesn’t enjoy it as she can’t quite shake the thought that John used to live there. She runs a makeshift bar in the kitchen. She tells everyone that it’s because it boosts the morale of the people living there, but really it’s because she misses the connection that the Spread Eagle had to her parents. She grew up behind the bar, so in the first 10 or so years after the bombs fell, when she was kept away from the Spread Eagle, she didn’t feel like herself. Making her own replica of the Spread Eagle in John’s old kitchen makes her feel like she’s a little closer to home.

Jerome Jeffries: In charge of Prosperity. He lead a few people to John’s ranch to look for shelter after they crawled out of their bunkers and as the group has steadily grown in size, they all look to him as the founder/man in charge. He doesn’t like to sit indoors and let people do his bidding though, so if he sends someone out on a supply run or a job, he’ll likely go with them. Otherwise, he feels like a bossy control freak who doesn’t care about his people and just has them running around and working themselves to the bone for him. It makes him feel too much like Joseph and he obviously hates that.

Casey Fixman: Casey still cooks for the people of Prosperity primarily (also sending nice home cooked meals to the Wolf’s Den once a week as a treat for the remaining Whitetails), but he also provides valuable knowledge about combat and the inner workings of human beings. He’s a very knowledgeable guy and Jerome can often be found having hush-hush meetings with him behind the kitchen whenever Jerome needs advice on how to handle a problem.

Nick Rye: Nick looks after the kids of Prosperity. He doesn’t fly much anymore as he’s found happiness in other things, like spending time with his family and looking out for the children that were born into this new world. He finds it incredibly rewarding to give them some kind of normality in the form of reading to them or playing hopscotch with them in the grass – things that he believes all kids should do.

Kim Rye: Kim works with Nick as a duo. Whilst he has fun with the kids, she gives them an education. She teaches them basic things, like reading, writing, maths (the important bits), etc. But she also teaches them basic (and age-appropriate) combat. Among other things, she teaches them how to hold a knife, how to fire a gun, and how to break free if someone grabs them. She loves working with the kids and takes pride in knowing that she’s helping them to stay safe. Nick is also super proud of the work she does and tells her everyday, of course.

Carmina Rye: Much to Kim and Nick’s misery, Carmina is a total brawler and is always desperate to go out on runs with the supply team. She wants to explore the world outside the walls of Prosperity and meet new people, often sneaking out of Prosperity and scaring her parents to death. She gets into trouble with Hudson a lot, mainly for silly teenage pranks or generally causing trouble. She likes Wheaty a whole lot and always finds an excuse to go with the trading team when they deliver things to the Wolf’s Den. She denies that it’s a crush, but it 100% is. Safe to say Nick doesn’t like Wheaty much anymore.

Grace Armstrong: Grace runs an adult combat training program. The kids get basic training from Kim, but once they get to a certain age, they move up to the adult tier, where Grace will give them full training. Including, but not limited to: how to use all types of firearm, how to properly use knives, how to fight without weapons, how to free yourself from restraints, different signals used in combat (and what they mean), and how to stealth kill. She’s basically doing the same job as Jacob, except she does it way better than he ever could.

Joey Hudson: Hudson is still a cop! She’d live in Prosperity and she’d patrol the place and make sure that everyone is getting on okay. She’d handle any arguments and disputes that people had, because even though they’re all on the same side, they’re still bound to fight. So she keeps the peace. She has a shorter fuse these days and has a tendency to get mad at people pretty quickly sometimes, but everyone knows what she went through and they cut her some slack, knowing that she doesn’t mean any harm.

Whitetail Mountains

Tammy Barnes: Tammy lives in the Wolf’s Den and still does the same kind of stuff. She “handles” what’s left of the cultists and still looks after Wheaty (who is now 36 years old and still doesn’t do his own laundry). She’s toned it down with the torture in recent years though, and has more time to do mundane things (like cooking, cleaning, and spending time with Wheaty) which she finds a lot of solace in doing. She also managed to find her true calling – knitting copious amounts of scarfs that Wheaty wouldn’t be caught dead in, although he appreciates the sentiment.

Wheaty: Wheaty now runs what’s left of the Whitetail Militia out of the Wolf’s Den. He went straight to the bunker when the bombs hit and after things had settled, he focused his efforts on rounding up as many of the remaining Whitetails as he could, desperate to hold onto Eli’s legacy. Now he trades with Prosperity and offers the help of his men and women should Prosperity ever need it (and vice-versa). When he’s not swamped with work and making sure his people are safe as they scavenge for supplies, he’s winding down by watching old tapes of Eli’s favourite TV show or home videos of Eli and his family celebrating Christmas or birthdays. He also still enjoys his music; often playing records for Tammy - the same ones that the Deputy collected for him all those years ago.

Hurk Jr: Still resides in Fort Drubman, which he’s built upon and fortified since his dad’s death. He doesn’t really do much outside of shooting at beer bottles and setting off rockets in his backyard, which he claims to have a good reason for beyond “it’s a whole heap of fun, amigo.” He occasionally works as a hired gun, helping out on supply runs for the Whitetail Militia whenever they need someone a little more… “heavy-handed.” In exchange, they give him a fraction of the supplies that were found (which is increased if he sustains an injury on the run). Other than that, he’s all about “kicking back and gettin’ buzzed, man.”

Jess Black: Jess lives in the wilderness, setting up her camp in a different place each night. She makes an effort to stay pretty clear of other people, suspecting that human beings have only gotten more dangerous since the end of the world. Tammy gets in contact with her from time to time, just to make sure she’s okay (after Eli and Dutch died, Tammy took on the responsibility of checking in on Jess), but other than that, Jess rarely has contact with people. She dedicates all of her time to surviving in the wilderness and any spare time that she has is spent on hunting and crafting. I could see her sat in front of a campfire crafting arrows or cooking a rabbit for her dinner. She doesn’t really care for anything else and is more than happy to live a secluded life alone in the forests of Hope County.

Staci Pratt: Pratt needs something calm, easy, and mundane ever since his brains were scrambled by Jacob. He can’t handle stress anymore and isn’t safe enough to be in combat or unsupervised around people. So he assists Casey in the kitchen, cooking food for Prosperity, which he enjoys more than he thought he would. In his spare time, he likes to read – mainly because it helps him to practice focusing his mind. He struggles picking out individual thoughts, often jumbling things together and getting stressed out by it. So reading a book and forcing himself to take time focusing on each individual sentence is really helpful for him. He also enjoys the escapism and seeing characters get happy endings. Other than reading, he likes spending time with friends; especially Hudson, who he feels very connected to after going through similar things.

Henbane River

Earl Whitehorse: He tried to secure the prison after getting out of his bunker, but it was too far gone, so he moved on to Prosperity. For a while, he acted as Sheriff of Prosperity, helping Hudson keep the peace in the ever-growing settlement. But he eventually began thinking of the apocalypse as his second chance. He figured that if he survived the war in Hope County, the Bliss, and then the nukes, then that has to mean something. And he didn’t want to waste his new lease of life on doing the same thing he’d been doing for the previous 30+ years. So now he spends most of his days fishing in the river behind Prosperity, providing fresh (albeit oddly coloured and disproportionate) fish for Casey to cook and providing himself with a taste of the well-deserved retirement that he never got to see.

Tracey Lader: Tracey has a whole lot of anger to share with her enemies (and people in general) so she found her place as a soldier. She acts as one of Jerome’s most trusted lieutenants and is second in command (and sometimes completely in charge, when Jerome isn’t there) of most of the supply run teams that are sent out. She debated going it alone like Jess for a while, but she ultimately likes human contact too much to live like that – no matter how annoying people can be sometimes. She’s pretty busy running the show for Jerome, so she doesn’t get much spare time, but when she does, she spends it in her room, brooding.

Sharky Boshaw: Sharky goes back and forth between locations; sometimes living in Prosperity, and sometimes living in Fort Drubman with Hurk. He still likes fire. A lot. But he contributes a little more to the grouthan he used to, using his “creative genius” (his words) to devise traps for enemies, ideally keeping said enemies as far away from the walls of Prosperity as possible. There’s sharpened branches, there’s tripwires, and most importantly; there’s fire. In his spare time, he messes around with Hurk, getting up to all kinds of trouble and not being inconspicuous in the slightest – much to Jerome’s dismay.

Adelaide Drubman: Adelaide is 83 years old now so it’s a miracle she’s still alive and you best believe she doesn’t let anybody forget it. She’s still rampantly horny, but doesn’t have the energy to keep up with her own needs anymore. So she spends most of her days messing with people around Prosperity; picking on them and getting a kick out of getting adverse reactions from them. She’s quite close with Carmina Rye (unfortunately for Nick and Kim), who keeps her feeling young, and Carmina finds her hilarious. The pair can often be found sat on the front steps of the former ranch, giggling at passers by and enjoying some time away from the destruction and misery.

[timeisacephalopod]

Belated

I thought hmm, lets write a little Tony/Eddie/Venom thing for Reasons. And yeah I know Tony’s bday was two days ago but still. I’ve decided that this is a thing I have written for a fictional character’s belated birthday!

*

Tony’s half buried in paper work ready to throw all caution to the wind and throw himself out a window when Eddie walks in looking pleased with himself. Probably means he sniffed out a good story and he’s found something compelling but he doesn’t look like an absolute human disaster so he’s not too deep into it yet. Once he is he kind of looks like he’s homeless and Rhodey doesn’t really get the charm but Tony once watched Eddie overheat to the point of just fucking losing it and sitting in a lobster tank at one of the fanciest restaurants in Manhattan so he thinks Eddie is the best. Venom being around doesn’t seem to help that except now maybe he’ll eat the lobsters instead of just bothering the hell out of them.

“Happy birthday,” he says, walking over to him and behind his desk, greeting him with a kiss.

Except Tony’s kind of confused. “Wasn’t my birthday last week?” he asks and Eddie frowns.

“No, honey its today. I... who forgets their birthday? And why would you assume everyone in your life also forgot your birthday?” he asks. He looks extra confused but that’s probably just the way Eddie’s expressions work. Rhodey finds his over expressing annoying but Tony thinks it's endearing.

“You all have lives, its fine,” Tony says. Pepper’s always busy running around doing things for him, Eddie seems to have found himself some new thing to rip apart for the next couple months, and Rhodey regularly gets shot at so he figures they all have more pressing concerns. 

Eddie sighs. “Sometimes I think you’re a prick and then you do something sad like make excuses for why everyone in your life would forget you were born. We didn’t forget, Tony, you got the date wrong. How did you forget when you were born?”

He shrugs, “I don’t memorize useless details. And in your defense I am a prick,” he says. They both know it, though Eddie is obviously a lot less hostile then when they met. He seems to have fallen for Tony’s charms, which he’s been reliably informed are pretty disarming.

Eddie leans in and gives him another kiss, “no you’re not, but you play one well,” pulling away and dropping his bag on Tony’s desk. Its disrupted his thread bare attempt at organizing his own life- not exactly his strong suit admittedly not that he’d tell Eddie he's managed to mess up what little organization he had. He pulls a stack of files out of his bag and drops them on top of Tony’s already too large pile of paper work. “Happy birthday, an organized list of all the moral and ethical problems I have with your company,” he says, grinning like its the best gift ever.

Tony snorts and starts laughing, shuffling closer to Eddie. He lays one hand on Eddie’s hip and pokes at the pile of folders with the other. “Well this is... intimidating.”

“Yeah, but you’ll look through it all because you do genuinely want to be a good person. You should be glad I didn’t go with V’s gift,” he says, wincing.

Fuck, Tony can only imagine when one of the first five things he did in Eddie’s body was eat several people’s heads. Sure, V turned out to be an overly sappy romantic ass goo alien but that’s a pretty rough start to things and now Eddie has to live with kind of eating people that one time several times. “Was it flowers?” he asks.

Eddie laughs, “that was suggestion like... fifty two. After I banned violence, drugs, sex- don’t give me that look it was a soft ban because that’s not a present, terrorist activities, harassing children, petty crimes of all varieties, eating heads, murder, grand theft auto, breaking and entering, space, possession, and about a half a dozen other things. He’s not too good with presents.”

“Well, he did alright with the cat,” Tony points out. V doesn’t really get Christmas, turns out his species wasn’t too cuddly and had no holidays, but he does have all Eddie’s memories of it. Conveniently, he tends to lean more towards Eddie’s view of Christmas as mostly a capitalist holiday that’s far more about big businesses making money, overworking retail employees, and present buying pressure that leads to suicide than the happy stuff. And that doesn’t even touch on Eddie’s view of religion. Though to be fair V probably gathered a lot more religious vitriol from Tony than Eddie.

“He’s threatened to eat that cat at least once a day since he decided to pick it out. Claims he’s a dog person,” Eddie says.

“Dogs are bigger, usually, so I’m not really surprised. More meat.” Given the look on Eddie’s face Tony’s going to assume V has agreed with that statement.

“We are not eating dogs,” Eddie hisses. Mostly he only does that around Tony, but its hilarious when he does it in public because most people don’t really recognize him anymore so he looks like a homeless loon being led around by a celebrity. Or at least he did before he became recognizable again through Tony’s fame and yeah, Tony knows all Eddie’s opinions on celebrity culture. None of them are positive and yeah, Tony can see why that is.

“Tell V to go hunt New York rats at night. He might have fun with that,” Tony says. “Wait, does Venom have a birthday? That a thing his species does?”

Eddie shakes his head. “Says he doesn’t have a proper earth date translation for his hatching day and I know he didn’t come from an egg so that’s a horrifying term to use. Do not enlighten me, V. I’m happy to stay in the dark.” He makes another face and Tony assumes V has let out some detail Eddie didn’t want to hear.

“That ever get annoying, the voice in your head?” he asks. Feels like it’d be exhausting. Tony doesn’t even like his own voice in his head let alone some random alien who decided pretty much on a whim to save the world strictly because he likes Eddie. Though to be fair Riot was an asshole and Tony was sick of being compared to Carlton Drake anyway. Guy was like cartoonishly evil. Though Tony will admit that he was good looking and damn smart, even if that didn’t really turn out to be a good thing later.

“Sometimes,” Eddie says, “but mostly  V offers some good entertainment on human customs. Turns out his species tended to eat each other to solve problems. He thinks our petty politics is fun to watch.”

Yeah, an alien would find that funny. Or everyone outside of America at least until America decides to invade for oil or some other resource. “So who did he want to possess?” Tony asks, grinning.

“No!” Eddie says, presumably to him and Venom.

*

Tony’s laying in bed pretending to have died when Eddie walks over and crawls over him, laying his entire weight on Tony’s back. He sighs because of course Eddie would find the most inconvenient way to get him to stop taking up the entire bed. “This is a king and you’re like three feet tall. How is it that you take up so much space?” Eddie asks as Tony starts wiggling around.

“Ask the cat, she’s a hell of a lot smaller than me and she always manages to take up at least half the bed.” Eddie rolls off and Tony props himself up. “Thanks for the present by the way, half the stuff you pointed out happens to be things I was already looking to fix.” But Eddie is a fuck of a lot picker than him and its nice to have someone trying to hold him to account. And Eddie has no problem doing so, he gives Tony his opinion on a lot of things all the time whether or not he wants to hear them.

“Yeah, I got you something else too but its taking eighty years in the mail so I had to improvise,” Eddie says.

“Let me guess, you refuse to use Amazon,” Tony says.

“Look, that fuckstick can’t even pay his workers and he’s the richest guy in the world, and what’s all that crazy shit about pissing in-” Eddie starts but Tony cuts him off before he really gets going.

“Jeff Bezos is a prick, I get it. Actually, might get stuck at the same charity event with him next week so I can bring you along if you want to punch him,” Tony says.

The bright look of unbridled glee in Eddie’s eyes makes him smile. Yeah, he’s maybe argued a lot about Tony’s wealth, but he at least appreciates that Tony does his best to spread it around a little. Its just that he has trust issues and he knows how corporate charity works- its all tax write offs and siphoning money out of most of the ‘donations.’ So he does his best to do his research and lucky him Eddie is probably a little too good at it so he’s got some more reputable charities to share with. And he thinks its fun to pay off random people’s debt. If he’s having a bad day he’ll pick a person and bam, debt free. He likes making people happy so Eddie only kind of side eyes his money.

Generally that means he only brings it up like twice a day instead of non-stop and if nothing else Tony can appreciate that he’s passionate about his views. Rhodey thinks he’s annoying but Rhodey isn’t dating him so he can deal with it.

“Yeah, alright,” Eddie says but the way he says it tells Tony that he’s not talking to him.

“Do not eat his head, V!” Tony says, panicked. “I do not want to deal with the fallout of that. Just ruin his life like a normal person. Get JARVIS to help, he’s been helpful in my long standing efforts to ruin Hammer.”

“Yeah, pretty sure all you two have managed to do is turn Hammer into the knockoff version of you, but he uh... seems to like that so I don’t know.”

Tony damn well knows he looks offended because that’s the fucking rudest shit he’s ever heard. “What did you just call Hammer?” he asks.

Eddie realizes his mistake right away and Tony fucking resents that he looks a little dead behind the eyes because he was the one who damn well decided Hammer was good enough to be the anything version of him. “I would sooner take Carlton Drake as the cheap version of me than Hammer,” Tony hisses. “At least Drake was actually smart and hot! What’s Hammer? He looks like he came out of the womb dressed as the class clown who decided to be an accountant!”

Honestly Tony resents that Eddie sighs at that. “No V, you can’t eat Hammer’s head,” Eddie mumbles.

“Yes you can,” Tony tells him.

*

Tony’s attempting to make coffee while also ignoring Eddie due to his previous transgressions. Compare him to Hammer on his birthday. The disrespect. Eddie walks out of their bedroom and Tony resolutely ignores him as he starts looking around the pent house for some reason. Tony side eyes him as he moves a bunch of papers around- Eddie’s, not his, knocks the pillows off the couch, and picks up the cat. He looks at Cotton for a moment, frowning before he shakes her a little. She meows in an annoyed, disgruntled way and Eddie sighs, releasing the cat.

“Uh, the fuck are you doing?” Tony asks eventually.

Looking for me says a voice in his head and Tony throws his coffee cup, startling so badly his entire body jerks and he slips, falling on his ass.

“Oh thank god I thought he went and possessed some random secretary so he could go eat heads!” Eddie says, rushing over to him.

“Oh no, you stay back there you don’t get to come near me or V after comparing Hammer to me!” he says, pointing an accusatory finger at him.

Eddie sighs. “Tony-” he starts but Tony has already picked himself up and turned around with his arms crossed, ignoring him.

So rude. Venom agrees. We should eat Hammer V says, perhaps a little too enthusiastically.

Tony sighs and it pains him to do this, truly. “V, we can’t actually eat Hammer,” he says in perhaps the most dejected, upset tone he’s ever produced.

Eddie gives him, Venom technically, an offended look. “You decided to crawl into him in the middle of the night and risk killing him so you could eat someone?” he asks, hand pressed to his heart quite like an offended PTA mom. “V, you better get your ass back in here!” Eddie tells him, pointing at himself.

He compared you to Hammer. We should leave him, go sight seeing V says.

Tony rolls his eyes. “V you aren’t going to manipulate me into carrying your ass out of here because Eddie put you in the dog house.”

“Venom!” Eddie says, voice rising.

Tony swears to god he feels Venom extend from his body and that is some worrying fucking shit how’s Eddie put up with that? “Tony thinks you sound like an offended PTA mom,” Venom tells Eddie and Tony squints.

“Since when the hell are you a rat?” he asks.

Venom turns to face him, “you take that back! I am not vermin!”

“No, technically you’re a parasite now get back here,” Eddie tells him.

“Maybe I will find a new home with hosts who appreciate me,” Venom says, sinking back into Tony and he does not like that.

“How do you get these things out?” he asks.

Eddie walks over and leans in, squinting at Tony shrewdly except he’s actually looking at Venom and Tony’s not sure how he knows that. “If you don’t get back in me I will play Bohemian Rhapsody at top volumes with Tony pressed against the speaker!” he hisses.

“That kind of sounds like fun minus the speaker thing,” Tony says.

“They don’t do so well with loud noises and vibrations,” Eddie explains and oh, that makes sense. Tony watches as black goo extends from his hand to Eddie’s and it almost looks resentful for it. Or maybe Tony’s imagining that.

Tony gives Venom a sad look as the last of him disappears back into Eddie. “I’m so sad he won’t ever experience Freddy Mercury like the rest of us,” he says, hand pressed to his heart.

Eddie sighs. “V says your music taste is heinous and he would rather listen to my music.”

He listens to exclusively shitty electronica music. “I’m leaving you both,” Tony tells him, turning and walking away.

[cakesunflower]

Sugar Coated Pain [Boxer!Calum AU] Ch. 3

All Chapters: Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7 | Chapter 8 | Chapter 9 | Chapter 10 | Chapter 11 | Chapter 12 | Chapter 13 | Chapter 14 | Chapter 15 | Chapter 16 | Chapter 17 | Chapter 18 | Chapter 19 | Chapter 20 | Chapter 21 | Chapter 22 | Chapter 23 | Chapter 24 | Epilogue | BONUS CHAPTER

Chapter 3

“I STILL FEEL bad, leaving you here by yourself,” Noelle worried, willing herself not to chew on her lips so she didn’t eat off the lipstick staining them.

Her seventeen year old sister rolled her eyes in exasperation. “I’m gonna be fine, Elle,” Andrea insisted. “I just found out Amazon Prime has all the seasons of Bones on it so I’m gonna binge watch the crap out of that and order food that I’m gonna eat until I pass out. It’s gonna be a fun night.”

Beverly descended the stairs that led right into the living room the other two were in. “Since when do you have an Amazon Prime account?”

Andrea grinned impishly. “Mom got sick of me begging for it and gave in. Perks of being the paraplegic child.”

Both Beverly and Noelle scoffed and rolled their eyes, used to Andrea using her disability as a way of getting what she wanted, though Andrea didn’t even have to use that as an excuse because they all babied her anyway. Still, Noelle and Beverly couldn’t help but shake their head in amusement as Andrea giggled giddily. She’s been paralyzed for three years now, and at this point she was fully capable of cracking jokes about her being confined to a wheelchair.

It had been a tragic accident, one involving Andrea and their father and a drunk driver, in which Mr. Simon died on impact and the driver was imprisoned for driving under the influence. It was one of the toughest times for Noelle and her family, trying to deal with their dad’s death and helping the youngest of the family adjust to a life in a wheelchair. For the longest time Andrea was angry at everything in the world—for the loss of their dad and for the loss of feeling below her waist—and it wasn’t until a year and a half after the accident where Andrea cracked the first joke in regards of her being a paraplegic.

“Okay, but if you need anything, call either of us, alright?” Noelle told Andrea with a raise of her eyebrows, unplugging her phone from the charger by the couch.

The seventeen year old nodded before waving her sisters off, telling them to leave already. It wasn’t often that the girls left Andrea alone at the house; their mom had long hours at the hospital and while Andrea was fully capable of taking care of herself, they still worried over her. They couldn’t help it; she was their baby sister. They’d been taking care of her long before she was ever paralyzed.

“So what’s Ashton throwing this party for?” Noelle asked once she and Beverly slid into the backseat of the Uber, leaning her back against the door as she faced her sister.

Beverly ran her fingers through her blonde hair to push it back. “Cal won every match he had this week so Ash sometimes throws a little celebration type thing. Obviously no one really knows the real reason for the parties because of what Cal does but, you know, still fun,” she explained with a shrug before grinning happily. “Now that you’re back in town, I finally have someone to go with!”

Noelle smiled wryly, pulling her phone out to scroll through social media. “Joy,” she dryly responded, though she was fine with accompanying Beverly.

Truly, Noelle was never opposed to a night out when she really wanted to go and from what Beverly has told her, Ashton’s parties or get-togethers were always a fun time, so it was time Noelle attended one. Though, the fact that this particular party was for Calum, meaning he would be there, had Noelle’s gut twisting nervously. Obviously, she hasn’t seen him since she met him the first time three nights ago, but Noelle wasn’t going to forget the disgruntled way he looked at her. She could only hope he wouldn’t be irritated by her presence and make her feel embarrassed once more.

If she was someone else, it would be enough for her to reject the invitation, but Calum was too handsome for Noelle to not want to just get a glimpse of him again. Was that desperate? Maybe.

They arrived to Ashton’s apartment in SoHo within fifteen minutes, getting rung in through the front security desk by Ashton and using the elevator to go to the fourth floor. When they walked in through the unlocked door, Noelle couldn’t help but notice how nice Ashton’s apartment was, having never been there before. Large windows and slanted ceilings with lights embedded in them, and sleek wood floors. Ashton was a general manager at a popular gym in Manhattan and he earned a pretty penny, and his residence showed that in the least obnoxious way possible.

There was music playing at an appropriate, non-deafening volume and there were a bunch of people hanging around with drinks in their hands as they talked and mingled. Noelle was relieved to see it wasn’t like a literal house party, many of which she attended during high school and college, and that everyone here seemed much more relaxed yet enjoying their time.

“They’re in the kitchen,” Beverly said, nodding towards the left of the apartment before leading her sister over. Noelle noticed Beverly waving and saying hi to a few people as they walked, already familiar with almost everyone there as they entered the kitchen.

“You’re here!” Came Ashton’s cheery voice and Noelle easily caught sight of the dirty blonde haired man as he moved his way around the center counter that was full of different types of alcoholic bottles, weaving past a few people that were lingering about. He reached them hugging and kissing Beverly with a grin. “Hiya, Noelle, I’m happy you’re here,” he added genuinely, pulling the younger girl for a surprise hug.

Noelle couldn’t help but smile as she returned the hug before pulling away. “I can never say no to free drinks, you know,” she teased.

Ashton giggled before nodding towards the counter. “What’ll you have?”

Before Noelle could answer, Beverly said to him, “Oh, make her a tequila sunrise.” To Noelle, she smiled, “He’s an expert at making that drink. So good.”

Not one to say no to a good drink, Noelle merely nodded and smiled in agreement as Ashton moved towards the counter to make two of them for the girls. As he did so, Beverly leaned forward on the counter opposite of Ashton as she asked, “Where are the others?”

As Ashton picked up the bottle of orange juice, he hummed, “Michael and Luke are around here somewhere and Cal stepped out for a smoke.”

Noelle tilted her head slightly as Beverly quirked a brow. “Isn’t he trying to quit?”

Ashton snorted. “Trying be the key term. We all know Cal’s not one to quit easily.”

“Stop talking shit about me behind my back, mate.”

Noelle felt her back straighten at the deep voice sounding behind her, watching from the corner of her eye as Calum appeared next to Beverly on the side of the counter diagonal of Noelle. Her gaze remained on him, taking in his simple outfit of black jeans and a white shirt with a black leather jacket on top, her thoughts immediately consisting of how damn good he looked. She watched as Calum reached for the stack of cups before pouring in whatever drink was mixed in a glass bottle, her eyes going to the tattoos on his hands, the silver bracelets on each wrist and the chunky rings on his fingers. A man’s hands should not look as good as Calum’s did.

“I’m not talking shit!” Ashton defended with a high pitched laugh before handing Noelle and Beverly their cups. “Just, you know. . . Complimenting you on your determination.”

Calum scoffed, looking away from Ashton to his left as he brought the cups to his lips. “Bullshit.”

It was when he turned his head when Noelle spotted the bruise that was blooming on his cheek, her eyes widening slightly at the sight of it. Dark blue and purple in color yet not too big in size, right on the side of his face near his jaw and she couldn’t help but wince slightly, thinking of the punch that was the cause of it. If almost everyone here didn’t know about Calum’s fighting, what did he tell them if they asked about his bruise?

“Oh, shit, ouch,” Beverly’s eyes widened, leaning forward slightly as she looked at the black haired boy’s face. Apparently she wasn’t hesitant on bringing up the bruise like Noelle was. “That looks like it hurts.”

Calum’s eyes flickered over to her, throat working as he swallowed his drink without complaint and lowered the cup. “Nothin’ I’m not used to,” was his reply, the corner of his lips curling smugly. Then his eyes shifted over slightly, finally landing on Noelle as she took a sip of her admittedly delicious drink. “Noelle, right?”

Honestly, Noelle was surprised that she didn’t choke on her sip as Calum addressed her, taking her by surprise as she swallowed her drink. Tequila always warmed her up easily, despite it being mixed or not, but she was sure the warmth spreading up her neck had more to do with the pair of dark brown eyes staring at her rather than her drink. “Um, yeah,” she stumbled out, mentally cursing herself for sounding unsure. “Hi.”

Calum merely nodded in return, making Noelle bristle slightly—how could a subtle action make her feel so unwelcome, and why did she care so much?—until Beverly spoke up. “Congrats on your wins, Cal,” she smiled, holding her cup out to him as she dramatically added, “You’ve made me proud.”

The tall, curly haired boy snorted, lifting his eyebrows at her as he responded, “It’s why I do it.”

                                                      ♔♔♔♔♔

Calum raised unimpressed eyebrows as he stared at his two best friends, who were singing a Queen song terribly and totally off-key, as he sat on Ashton’s couch with his legs spread and a red cup in his hand. Though they weren’t singing all too well, Ashton and Luke were definitely entertaining everyone here with their rendition of We Are The Champions. Calum knew getting Ashton that karaoke machine for Christmas would be a bad idea.

As Luke and Ashton started the second verse, an arm wrapped around the other as Ashton held the mic in his right hand and Luke held his cup in his left, Calum couldn’t help but let out a deep chuckle. Everyone around was laughing and recording the two of them, and Calum shook his head in amusement as Ashton and Luke swayed while singing. The party was a few hours in and his friends were a few drinks in, and Calum was surprised either one of them was staying upright.

His gaze flickered around the room before ultimately landing on a face he’s seen twice now. Noelle stood leaning against the wall that separated the kitchen and living room, a bottle of beer in hand after switching it from the liquor and a wide grin on her face that showed off dimples Calum wasn’t aware she had, as her eyes remained on Ashton and Luke. Just like everyone else, she was wildly entertained by the show the two idiots were putting on, her mouth forming soundless words whenever she spoke to Beverly.

Calum’s eyes trailed up her figure, taking in the exposure of her legs due to the blue shorts she wore and the way her pale yellow, form fitting tank top hugged her tightly. He attempted to ignore the tightening in his jeans at the sight of her slender neck, wondering what it’d be like to have his hand wrapped around it and lips pressed against the skin. Calum wasn’t afraid to admit he had similar thoughts the moment he saw her after stepping off the ring, wondering who the hell she was and what she was doing at his match, but he wasn’t going to voice his desires about Noelle after just meeting her. Especially not to Beverly or Ashton.

“That was for my man Calum Hood!” Ashton’s voice rang through the house thanks to the karaoke machine speakers, drawing the Australian’s attention back to his friends who had apparently finished the song already and everyone broke out into cheers. Calum’s eyebrows shot up once more in amusement as Ashton gestured to him with one hand and pressed his other to his chest. “The champion of my heart.”

Despite himself, Calum couldn’t help but let out a laugh at Ashton’s words, shaking his head as he lifted his cup to his two laughing friends in cheers, shaking his head before taking a sip of the hunch punch. “You’re ridiculous, mate,” Calum announced after swallowing his drink. Still, he found the gesture nice.

About an hour or so later, after Calum finished sipping at his first cup of mixed drink and was now nursing another one, he made his way towards the bathroom in the hallway. He may have taken small sips of his drinks as an attempt to uselessly stall the effect of the alcohol he was consuming, but he still had to really fucking pee.

Which was frustrating because the bathroom door was locked. “For fuck’s sake,” Calum cursed under his breath, wishing that Ashton had more than one bathroom in his place. Raising his free hand, Calum rapped sharply and impatiently on the door with his knuckles. “Others have to use the bathroom, too!”

Okay, so he may be slightly tipsy and raised his voice a bit louder than necessary, garnering the attention of the few people lingering in the hallway, though he paid them no mind. He was too focused on making sure he didn’t piss his damn pants right there. Calum let out a groan when no one on the other side responded, clenching his jaw and leaning his forehead against the wooden door, eyes shut in exasperation.

But then the door suddenly swung open, and Calum lost all sense of his fighting agility as he stumbled forward at the lack of support, eyes shooting wide open. His free hand shot out to grasp the door frame, but not before the contents of his full cup sloshed and a good chunk of his beverage spilled out.

A startled gasp sounded in front of him, and Calum looked up in surprise to see Noelle standing in the bathroom, her hazel eyes widened as she remained frozen. For a brief moment, he wondered if she looked so startled because he was standing there, but then his eyes trailed down and caught sight of her pale top and blue shorts darkened by the reddish-purple drink he had been consuming.

“Oh, my God,” Noelle breathed out, stunned at the sudden cold wetness on her front. She looked down, taking in the drink that had spilled on her right below her collarbone, effectively wetting her skin and staining her light colored clothes. It was wet and sticky.

Calum, too, was staring at what he accidentally caused, gaze lingering on the area right above her breasts that was glistening with the drink, forcing himself to break his stare when he realized who those ridiculously nice pair of breasts belong to. “Give a guy a warning next time, will you?” he practically snapped, immediately defaulting to his usual cold demeanor.

Noelle’s head snapped up, eyebrows lifting in surprise as her mouth dropped open with a scoff. Sure, she was a bit shaken at the fact that it was Calum who spilled his drink on her, but why was he the one with the attitude in this situation? “Are you kidding?” she let out a short disbelieving laugh. “You’re the one who spilled his drink on me!”

Calum dropped his hand from the door frame, straightening to stand at his full height and fighting the smug smirk that threatened to grow when he noticed Noelle’s throat work nervously as her gaze flickered up to maintain eye contact. “You’re the one who opened the damn door out of nowhere.”

Was he serious? “Because you were knocking and yelling on the other side!” Noelle countered, bringing her fingers to the front of her tank to pull the tight material away from her skin. She let out a small groan—her clothes were totally going to be stained now. A glare furrowed her brows as she looked up at Calum, completely forgetting that this guy definitely intimidated her as she demanded, “What were you even doing, leaning against the door like that? This is your fault.”

He seriously didn’t have time for this. Sure, Calum felt kind of bad for spilling his drink on Noelle, but that didn’t come anywhere near as the urgency he felt for needing to use the damn bathroom. And, yeah, he knew it was his fault for leaning against the door and losing his balance but apologizing wasn’t in Calum’s nature, and he wasn’t about to start now.

Grunting, Calum reached forward and placed his half empty cup on the sink right next to Noelle before shrugging off the leather jacket he wore. It was his favorite jacket, with two white stripes running down the length of the sleeves, but he begrudgingly put that aside as he held it out to Noelle, who blinked at the piece of apparel in confusion. Impatiently, Calum shook it and said through gritted teeth, “Just wear it over your clothes for now and get out of the damn bathroom, for shit’s sake. I have to piss.”

Immediately Noelle’s face scrunched up in mild disgust but when she took in the irritated expression Calum wore, mixed with the bruise on his cheek, she clamped her mouth shut and took the offered jacket with a somewhat shaky hand. He was lending her his jacket?

When she took it, Calum stepped aside and waved his hand, raising his eyebrows as he silently gestured for her to get the hell out. Noelle swallowed inaudibly before shuffling through the narrow doorway, catching a whiff of whatever cologne Calum wore over the pungent stench of the alcohol she was wearing, and wincing slightly when the door slammed shut behind her.

Calum let out a relieving sigh once he flushed and zipped up his pants, washing his hands as he stared at himself in the mirror. He turned his head to the left, hands still running under the cold water, as he assessed the bruise on his cheek. It still hurt when his facial muscles moved a certain way, and every time Calum felt that sting of pain he also felt a surge of anger for letting Underwood get that hit in in the first place. It was a slip on Calum’s part, lost in a thinking strategy during the fight a second too long and not seeing Underwood’s left hook coming for him, but managing to return the favor by knocking him the fuck out. It was a lucky shot on Underwood’s part and Calum was determined to not let it happen again.

Grunting, Calum grabbed his drink and drained the rest of it in the sink before dropping the cup in the trash before shutting off the faucet and drying his hands. When he left the bathroom, he realized that Noelle wasn’t in the hallway anymore and made his way back to the living room. And when he did, Calum couldn’t help the way he froze when his eyes somehow, almost immediately, landed on Noelle.

She was standing by the window talking to Michael and their friend Dominique, and Calum’s adam’s apple bobbed in his throat at the sight of her wearing his jacket. Her short and slimmer figure had the jacket practically enveloping her, the sleeves too long and shoulders hanging off hers. But what really had Calum taking in a sharp breath was the fact that the jacket was so long on Noelle that it made it seem like, zipped up, it was all she was wearing. Her legs looked even more appealing than they already did. The jacket was like a fucking dress Calum had the sudden urge to rip right off of her.

She should not be looking as good as she does in his jacket.

Calum huffed. He shouldn’t have thrown away his drink.

tags: @aphroditebeautyshit @modelukes @cartiercalum @candidcalum @tothemoonmikey @perfectlycake @cakestan @lukesback @polarizehood @luke2k18 @vaporlewk @biggestslutforcalum @kinkycorbyn @nostalgia-luke @captain-what-is-going-on @hoodstations @calumamore

[colombia-chan]

Ad idem

This is late I know, I really do. Stupid procrastination got to me! But this is my little one-shot of the second half of the MCLUL Christmas 2018 event involving my Evie and Castiel, and a Cameo of Evie’s cousin Lyndis, which here she is for quick reference.

But anyway please enjoy!

“God damn it. I…Hate...The…Cold.” Lyndis hisses out over chattering teeth, arms wrapped tightly around her form as she and an amused Castiel step into the all but empty Cozy Bear café. “Never again, I fricken swear Castiel, never ask me out in this weather again.” She glared as Castiel laughed at the pink haired woman’s shivering form.

“Hey, don’t look at me like that. It’s not my fault if you suck at staying warm even in all those.” He teased looking the soon to be twenty-four-year-old over as he took note of the winter bulk that was the outer pieces of her clothing. “Scarf, Hat, gloves, and multiple layers of clothes how’s it that I’m still warmer than you with less on.” He laughed as Lyndis flipped him off.

“Oh, screw you! We all can’t be natural heaters.” Taking a seat at a table farthest to the cafe’s doors Lyn glared as she struggled to keep from shivering. “Fuck you, and every other man and woman with your stupid cold resistance.”

“Yeah, no thanks.” Castiel huffed as he tried to and failed if Lyndis’s strained smirk were anything to go by, secretly search for a familiar brown-haired waitress of the cafe. “I rather not, no offense but you’re not really my type Lyn.”

Smirking Lyndis was finally able to stop shivering. “Oh, and what is your type, hmm?” Leaning forward on the table pink met grey eyes as she smiled amusedly up at the man she called friend. “It wouldn’t happen to be a wholesome little girl you used to date who’s all grown up and a waitress at this oh so humble establishment.” Castiel glare made Lyndis laugh, “Oh god, don’t tell me that’s why you pulled me away from my apartment.” Almost doubling over she grinned up at the red-haired man, “It is! You dragged my butt here just, so you’d have an excuse to see Evie!”

“Shut up!” Castiel snapped, “I just got home from a holiday trip with my parents, the only reason I asked you out is to try and destress from that.” He partially lied, hands clenched into fist as his friend continued to laugh at his embarrassment.

“Yeah right!” Lyn snorted as she leaned back in her seat, “You forget Cas, I may never have dated you, but you did date my cousin.” Smile sympathetically at Castiel Lyn shrugged, “And you’ve pretty much been my best friend ever since our last years at Sweet Amoris. So don’t you dare try that whole, tough and cool, front on me. Cause I’m not falling for it.”

Castiel’s gaze couldn’t help but soften at this, sighing in defeat as he rested his face onto his hands. He really should have seen this coming, it had been years now since his main source of friendship had been Lyndis. Even after Lysander left, even after Demons passing, even after his and Evie’s break-up, hell even after her and Nathaniel’s splitting, Lyn had still been there in some way. She had been, even with all the drama and new responsibilities placed upon her, remained his friend, and in some ways… his extended family. He almost winced at the thought.

Remembers how in someway that could have been true, how open to family Lyn was, how… how open to it Evie was, and more then likely still were. His eyes glance down to his school bag, and his mind is drawn to an item held inside. ‘Damn it…’ He thought.

“Lyndis!” Looking up Castiel watched as dark-haired man dressed in the cafes uniform came up to Lyndis, face flustered, obviously nervous to all hell and Castiel could not help but feel he had maybe met the man once before. Was it at the beach a few months back, he knows most of the gang was there, but his mind had been torn in two separate directions that whole day with his career and Evie.

“Oh, hey Hyun. How’s it going?” Lyndis nonchalantly replied, looking up at the man with a slanted smile.”

Looking around Hyun’s eyes landed on Castiel for a split second as he sent him a polite nod of acknowledgment, before looking back at Lyndis with a smile.

“Oh, I’m fine. Never better really, I went to see my family recently but since we don’t really celebrate the holidays we didn’t do much outside catching up.”

“Well, that’s nice.” Lyn smiled before her eyes quickly glanced over to Castiel, “I see you’re no longer stuttering.” She hummed as the Asian man became flustered much to Castiel’s slight curiosity. “Am I not pretty enough for you today or is it the lack of my uncle Philip perhaps.”

Was Lyn really teasing this guy, was she even interested to begin with this guy, Lyn wasn’t known for just randomly flirting with people right off the bat and stuff. Looking over at Hyun Castiel couldn’t help but feel somewhat confused, he didn’t look like Lyn’s type and if anything Castiel was sure Lyndis was still somewhat stuck on Nathaniel, and that the blonde idiot was just as much stuck on her even with his decision to leave her all those years back.

“I… Um…” Looking away Hyun groaned as he became dejected. “I’m sorry Lyndis it’s not that you aren’t, I mean you are but… and your uncle was… and Evie.” Castiel’s eyes became sharp here, noticing the change in pitch when he said her name, how his eyes glazed over in a love-sick way, how he struggled to meet Lyn’s eyes. “Was I that obvious?”

“To my uncle and I… oh definitely.” Lyn shrugged, “But to Evie…” Lyn had to look Castiel directly in the eyes to say this, “No.” A lie, Evie wasn’t so oblivious to people’s emotions and feelings, let alone things directed at her. And Castiel knew what Lyn was implying with all this. What Hyun was saying even without blatantly stating it.

He remembers his days back in Sweet Amoris then. Remembers Kentin and how he used to look at Evie, how he used to talk to her, about her, and try to be with her before he moved on. Castiel remembers the annoyance and jealousy he felt, when even when Evie was his, she was still being sought after by Kentin and that surfer. He remembers how guys looked at her, and how he hated it, remembers how his jealousy and possessiveness sometimes led to fights between them. He looks at Hyun and he feels it all again, and she isn’t even his to justify feeling this for anymore. He just feels annoyed now, he watches as Lyn orders for herself and him, watches as Hyun leaves, and hates how for the rest of the time they wait for their order the feeling of possessiveness and frustration over his and Evie’s relationship still lingers even though their now more. Haven’t been for years.

“Do you need a smoke?” Lyn quietly asks after Hyun places down their drinks and leaves. Her eyes are focused on him but Castiel's is just drawn to his drink as he tries to calm the storm in him.

“What was that?” He tries to calmly ask, hands clenched to the side of his coffee and he can’t help but remember the day he tried to help Evie out at the café when he’d first learned that she worked there.

“Do you mean the small talk or Hyun’s oh so obvious crush on Evie.” Lyn bluntly replied, taking a sip of her own coffee before looking away from her friend as he stood to leave.

“Forget it, I don’t—”

“Need to know any of this?” Looking back at Lyndis with a glare she didn’t even seem to care to look back up at Castiel as she solemnly stared down at her drink. “You do though.” Looking up at her friend she smiled supportively. “You idiots, three years later and you’re still pining for one another even when you try to lie to yourselves. I swear it’s like watching paint dry, talk about painful.”

“Lyndis.”

Shaking her head Lyn didn’t set a determine stare upon Castiel’s form, “If you don’t act now. If you don’t do anything again, like back then. When you ran instead of trying to fight, you're going to regret it Cas.” Looking away from her friend Lyn hands shook in frustration, “You’re gonna lose her for good.”

He leaves without a word, doesn’t really need to with the glare he sends, and Lyn doesn’t stop him. Silently watching as he leaves, brushes Hyun off when he returns from the back and doesn’t see Castiel with her. Pays for hers and his drinks before finishing her own and leaving, she’s done her part, now it’s up to them.

He walks to the college campus in frustration, Lyn’s words continue to ring in his head and the past won’t stop hitting him as though he’s haunted by Christmas past. He huffs at this and glares up to the campus dorms as he enters the colleges' plaza. His hand twitches at his side and he can feel the few stares of both fans and bystanders alike turning to look at him. He ignores them though and makes his way to the campus library, he sets out his things. Tries to sit down and study, but his mind lingers, his eyes pulled to his bag every now and again and Lyn’s words won’t leave him.

‘You’re gonna lose her for good.’

It’s frustrating and stupid, and he hates how she’s right. ‘What the hell am I doing?’ He makes his choice and pulls out his cell.

Evie is alone, and she is contemplative, in her arms she carries a gift, but she’s torn on what to do. Does she give it to Lyndis and hope she passes it on to Castiel as she’d done for the past years since her and Castiel’s break up, or does she swallow her fear and try to do it herself. Quietly she down to the university’s plaza, staring at the snow on the ground and heart longing for someone she knows she should have moved past of. The familiar feeling of wanting to cry is there, how pathetic is she to have not moved past her first love when she had so foolishly let him go, to begin with.

Shivering in her place she stops mid-walk, it so cold outside, yet she feels even colder inside. Maybe she should contact Rosa, or Alexy, maybe she should call up Lyn and finally tell her cousin of the internal conflict she’d been having. Her parents had just left not that long ago alongside her aunt Agatha, and Lyndis and her, Lyn’s, half-brother Leo had all returned to their respective apartment further away. Yet she still felt alone, still felt cold even after the wholesome visit, even with some family still in reach.

Her phone vibrates from inside her pants pockets, and she is torn from her thoughts, she leans herself against a lamp post and pulls out the device. She thinks it’ll be her mother, or Lyndis, somewhat hopes for Alexy and Rosa, maybe even Lucy or Chani to talk to. Instead, her heart skips a beat, her stomach twists into knots, and leaves her weak to the knees. “Castiel.” She reads aloud opening the text as she clutches her gift closer to her chest. “Hey, little girl. I don’t know if you’re around. I just got back on campus, feel like getting together?” She doesn’t know what to think, is it a joke, was it for real. It was Christmas day didn’t he have other obligation, just got back was he away. So many questions ran through her mind, yet as if on autopilot she replied. “Hey! Yeah, I’m on campus, too. Everything OK?” She almost wants to slap herself for it, it sounds so forced. So cheerful, she didn’t like how fake it sounded, how wrong it felt, it didn’t sound like her.

Castiel glared at the message before him, something didn’t feel right with the response. He could only wonder if maybe like him, Evie was in as contemplative of a mood as him.

“Yes, Mother, everything’s fine.” He decides to jokingly replies, he hopes it helps, maybe to calm her nerves or even cheer her up, before sending the rest of what he needs. “Seriously though, if you’re free, meet me at the library, we…” He stops mid type, and his eyes return to his bag, taking a deep breath his finishes the text, “to talk.”

It doesn’t take long for her to appear, she doesn’t respond to his final text she just appears. Hands behind her back, dressed similarly to Lyn minus a hat and of warmer shades of color. Her eyes avoid him, and she seems hesitant, he honestly feels the same… yet he can’t show it.

“Hey…” She finally looks towards him, “Merry Christmas!” and smiles nervously.

“Same to you.” He responds, “What are you doing spending the holidays here?” He is cool with how he responds, still unsure of what it is he should do. Even though she’s here, even though their talking it still feels like he’s that sixteen to seventeen-year-old who doesn’t know what to say when it comes to her.

Sighing loudly her smile became slanted as she leaned back on her heels, “I see the Christmas spirit hasn’t made you any friendlier.” Her smile becomes warmer then, and he can tell she’s more relaxed as she stares down at his seated form with violet eyes. “Might I point out that YOU are the one who ask me to come.” She teases, she isn’t mad though, she’s open, understanding even without knowing that even he is unsure. “But to answer your question, my parents and aunt came to visit Leo, Lyn, and me.” Removing one hand from behind her back she timidly played with a strand of her hair, “It was… actually kind of nice.”

“I see…” Castiel hummed, playing dumb as he remembered the conversation between Lyn and Hyun earlier in the day. “Personally, I just got back from a long family weekend. I’m relieved to be back here.” He sighed as he heard his Ex giggle in amusement.

“Knowing you, you’re probably exaggerating.” Smiling she rocked back and forth on her feet. “Your parents must be proud of you and your budding career!”

Turning his gaze away from her smile, that damn proud smile that said she understood more then she should, that she still knew him even better then she should. He tried forcing down a blush. “Pretty proud, yeah. They’re a pain.”

“If you say so…” She shifts on her feet, and Castiel can’t help but scold as he noted her continue to stand.

“How about sitting down a couple of minutes?”

Blushing brightly Evie stuttered slightly, “Y-yeah, sorry.” Sitting down Castiel curiously noted that she still seemed to be hiding something as she sat down before him at the table. “How was studying going?”

“Fine,” He lied, how could it be fine when his mind was being filled with too many thoughts of her, and Lyn, and Hyun, and the past. “I’m just taking a break.”

“Oh…” There is a tense silence for a bit, neither speak, neither really look at one another, and it feels like the relaxed atmosphere that they’d achieved had vanished away. Trying to lighten the mood again Evie recounts the events of her parents visit, and Castiel actively listens with interest, in some parts to avoid opening up himself and in others to collect his own thoughts and nerves.

It seems to work though as Castiel ends up loudly laughing near the end, “You know I knew Lyn mom was weird, but I never realized she was that weird.”

Laughing along with him Evie simply shook her head, “Tell me about it, I love my aunt and all but… Oh well, let’s just say I’m glad I’m so used to it by now.”

“In any case, sounds like she spoils both of you…” Smirking he can’t help but feel warm at the more relaxed atmosphere that surrounds them, or her more loving smile that reminds him of their past time together. “In the end, I’m not sure you need another present.”

Evie’s smile falls, “Another present?” She becomes confused, the hidden gift on her lap becoming heavier as she’s reminded of it. “That’s…” She interrupts herself as she sees him pull out a package from underneath the table. “Cas…”

“Here,” Holding the gift out he smiles honestly. “This could be useful.”

Her grip tightens on her gift hidden on her lap, “…You’re not serious.” Her heart is racing and Castiel chuckles as he notices the blush slowly creeping up her face.

“Oh, very. Merry Christmas, again.” He states, and Evie almost wants to burst into tears as she pulls out her own gift from underneath.

His eyes slightly widened at the reveal, but his heart melts when her smile becomes the warmest and most honest since their reunion months ago. “Merry Christmas again.” She repeats, and they exchange packages, they say no more. Both opening their respective gifts only for them both to burst out laughing at what they get. Wool Scarfs. “I guess great minds think alike.” Evie jokes holding up her new black scarf as she looks at Castiel.

He holds up his own one, a nice dark shade of red looking at it though he can’t help but shake his head amusedly. “Yeah… what are the odds.”

Without thinking she rises from her seat, moving around the table to kiss him on both cheeks. Castiel is left in shock and feels as his scarf his draped around his neck, looking up though he’s met with a smile he’s missed. A private smile once shared between the two in their youth as Evie stares down at him longingly. “Thank you.” A final quick kiss to his lips cheeks a light red and she flees. Scarf in hand, heart racing, she runs both excitedly and embarrassed all the way back to her dorm, and Castiel is left cursing silently into his new scarf fluster and giddy. Yet the two are still left longing and tentative for the other, both still unsure of what they are, what they will be… but at least for now they know, they are of the same mind, and longing.