#Senior Nail Trim

[herespaaa]

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[becauseimanicequeen]

For the Love of Safe Sex (pt. 16)

Love Senior.

[filmbyjy]

BLACK PANTHER NI-KI (1)

SUMMARY: abandoned as a cub, ni-ki has never felt the feeling of affection or love. he lived in a harsh condition of being in a hybrid pound. you were a worker at the pound and you couldn’t help but feel bad for the large cat. you decided to bring him home one day. how will he warm up?

WORD COUNT: 1K words

warnings: none at all :)

MASTERLIST | START | NEXT

a/n: bro, i never knew panthers are practically just leopards. my mind has been blown.

“woah woah, calm down there.” you heard a growl coming the other room. it was a familiar growl you had grown accustomed to ever since you started working here. it belonged to a feline, a large cat actually.

you had walked over to the large cage, knowing the large feline wasn’t too happy. moreover, you were worried about your colleague possibly loosing an arm. the large cat was cautious and would attack new staff members. once you had arrived, your colleague was happy to see you, he quickly tugs on your sleeves.

“please help me. ni-ki doesn’t want to get his nails trimmed. i’m scared he might just pounce and scratch me.” the guy says. you snort.

“ni-ki doesn’t harm anyone, he’s just territorial. you need to be careful and not push his boundaries.” you grabbed the nail file. the large cat has never once changed into his human form. which meant no one truly knew how he looked like.

you had slowly stepped into his cage, a little wary. however, you knew that you had already created a little bond with ni-ki. you were sure you had gain a little trust from him.

“hey, ni-ki. I umm need to file your nails. they’re getting too long and if it’s too long, it will be harder to eat things.” you say.

the panther growls a little to answer you. he puts out his paw in front of you and you smiled.

“thank you. we’ll be done in minimum 15 minutes for all your paws. I’ll give you a big treat if you stay still, okay?” the panther roars. he places his head down to lay on the ground. you fight the urge to pet the cat.

10 mins was over, you must’ve forgotten your colleague was there.

“(name), how do you do this?” he watches in amusement and astonishment.

“it’s been 3 years since I started working here. I guess i just sort of gained a little trust.” you continued filing down ni-ki’s claws. the panther had fallen asleep a while ago, enjoying the silence.

“you know…I don’t think ni-ki has ever shown interest in anybody other than you.”

“did the seniors say so?”

“yeah. maybe…you should adopt him.”

“i’m not sure if he’d want that. I still need to gain his trust more. plus, panthers are pretty high maintenance. they are exotic pets.”

“what if he turns into his human form? it would be easier since he can eat human food too.”

“thats true but I don’t think he wants to. I think to him being in his animal form is comforting and safe. being a human is hard you know.” you say.

“you don’t live with your family though. you moved here with the intention of getting better education which means you’re pretty lonely. I think having a friend around would be great.”

you sighed, “I don’t know if ni-ki will allow it. i’m just afraid that if I bring him home out of nowhere, he’ll shun me out.”

“it’s been 3 years and you’ve tried to gain his trust. I think if you two stay together, it will be great for bonding.”

you could sense the hybrid was waking up. your met with his the moment they opened up. he was adorable in his animal form and you could only imagine how he’d look like. ni-ki doesn’t growl at you once he wakes up but he does once he noticed your colleague.

“see! he’s doing it only to me and not you! (name), come on.” your colleague says.

“fine. where do I sign the papers…”

you had signed the adoption papers for ni-ki and it didn’t surprise any of the staff there. they knew it was about time for ni-ki to get adopted and you were the best choice.

as you made your way to ni-ki’s you can’t help but realise if he ever was comfortable being in his human form, he’d surely have no clothes to change into.

maybe I should go shopping…

you entered his room.

“hey, ni-ki. umm minor change but umm you wont be staying in this cage anymore. you have a home now.”

this catches the panther’s attention. he roars.

“i’m raising you now. my home is going to be your home.” you say. the panther just stares at you.

well at least he’s okay?

“uh, we’ll bring you home at the end of my shift, how about that?” you inched a little closer to him. the panther doesn’t mind, in fact he circles around you rubbing his head on your body. you knew he was scenting you, kinda like marking his territory to let other people know you are his owner (or his).

“oh, you’re really dont mind it?” he lets out a little roar. you cupped the panther’s face and pet him. you’ve officially let your intrusive thoughts win. what you didn’t expect was for him to purr. guess he really liked it.

“you’re so adorable. i’ll come grab you when the shift is over, okay?” he does what seems like a little nod. you smiled.

“oh umm, I know you’re not comfortable changing to your human form but i’ll just place this here. it’s my brother’s, I sort of stole it from him before coming to this city. you can use it.” you say. ni-ki looks down at the clothes.

“see you later.” you waved at him before continuing with your day. you had other tasks to do for the day.

5:30PM. your shift had just ended and you knew you had to bring ni-ki out. however, how in the world were you going to bring the boy out? you couldn’t just bring a panther out, people may think you’re insane for bringing a wild animal out. it’s not like they knew ni-ki was a hybrid.

“hey, ni-ki I think we may need to call a-”

the moment you entered the room. there sat the said panther in his human form. you were in shock, why was he so…handsome? the way his hair was long, black ears barely making an appearance. he was tall, plump lips that looked kissable-

wait no, you can’t be thinking ni-ki in that light. sure, the both of you were the same age but no. nothing can happen between the both of you.

there is no way he turned into his human form. your mouth was wide opened.

“(name).” he says.

even his voice was deep. this is just the start of living together, how would you survive?

taglist[open]: @nyfwyeonjun @luvkait @hello-stranger24 @cowsidfk @tzuyusluv @beans-and-jeanes @andromedawillburryyou @belovedxiao

[roanofarcc]

PROJECT SUNSHINE CHAPTER SIXTY ONE → PERM MAINTENANCE

summary: steve harrington x oc || read on Ao3

when another product of Hawkins National Laboratory escaped a long-survived nightmare alongside her sister, she crashed into one unsuspecting teenage boy and dragged him deeper into the dark mysteries that made up their hometown.

word count. 3.6k || masterlist || ocs moodboard

warnings: cannon typical violence, child abuse, horror, gore, and depictions of mental illness. parts of this story were written pre-season 4 release. cannon divergence.

previous chapter ← → next chapter

tag list: @sattlersquarry, @leptitlu, @two-sides-samecoin

Steve skillfully balanced a bottle of black polish between his knees as he painted Robin’s right hand. She had her head turned, looking over her shoulder and into the Willow’s kitchen where Tamera was busy rolling strands of Nancy’s hair into curlers. Since Robin was unable to gesture with her right hand, she had doubled the intensity of her movements with her left hand, annoyingly so. Steve nearly missed up every time she got too excited but managed to keep the pain off of her skin and only on the nail. 

“And then he gave me a C. No English teacher has ever given me a C before,” Robin complained. “My paper was good, I know it was, but I swear he has it out for me!” 

Tamera tugged a tad too hard on Nancy’s hair, causing her to wince and squeeze her hands together tighter on her lap. She was hesitant to let Tamera freshen up her perm, considering she’d only ever been to the same hairdresser since she was little, which was pretty common in a town that only had one salon. But after some light begging from Tamera, Nancy agreed but looked to regret it each time Tamera pulled on her hair before pinning the roller tightly against her skull. 

To Tamera’s credit, she was learning. Instead of college, she set her sights on a cosmetology license. She needed people to practice on before she enrolled in beauty school. Steve flat-out refused. While he liked Tamera, or more so liked that Robin liked Tamera, he did not trust anyone around his head of hair with scissors unless it was his aunt, who also worked at the only hair salon in Hawkins. 

“Did you do something to make him have it out for you?” Tamera asked. 

“No! Of course not. I am a delight to have in class!” A quiet laugh sounded from the floor in front of Steve, where Sunshine sat with her freshly trimmed hair and newly painted nails. Robin furrowed her brows at her. “What?” 

“You called him sexist for only talking about male authors in class,” Sunshine replied, debunking Robin’s previous statement. The senior-year English teacher was a little bit of an asshole, from what he recalled, but he never did pay too much attention. 

With a huff, Robin said, “Yeah, well, am I wrong?” Sunshine shook her head and resumed writing in her journal. Steve almost stopped himself from peering down at what she was writing about because her journals were the one thing she kept close to her heart. Sunshine only ever showed him or anyone else when she felt like she needed to, but from the glance he took, he realized she was writing a list, not one of her stories. He finished Robin’s last finger before leaning down and wrapping his arms around her shoulders before resting his chin on the top of her head. 

“Whatcha’ doing?” he asked. 

Sunshine didn’t answer right away but instead finished the last word in her list, ‘toothbrush.’ “Making a list.”

“A list for what? I thought your parents got groceries before they left?”

Sunshine’s parents left for a four-day weekend trip that morning. Mr. Torres had a conference up in Michigan and they decided to use it as a romantic getaway. The couple hadn’t gone anywhere since Sunshine returned and she convinced them that a break from Hawkins would do them good. That left her alone until Monday morning, which meant Steve didn’t have to spend time at his home with his parents; he got to relish in the company of his girlfriend undisturbed. 

She turned her body, forcing him to let go and sink back into the couch. She looked a little conflicted, her gaze bouncing between him and Robin in the living room and Tamera and Nancy in the kitchen. “It’s for a little trip,” she said after a beat. 

Steve furrowed his brows. “We’re going on a trip?” She hadn’t mentioned anything about it before. 

Biting down on her lip, Sunshine slowly shook her head. “No. I’m going on a trip. A little one. Tomorrow…” 

“What?” He was taken aback. They had planned to spend the whole weekend together, watching movies he borrowed from work. 

“I talked to Kali last night, the one who Luke and Leia lived with before they came back to Hawkins with El. She’s another kid from the Lab and she agreed to meet with me in Indy, but she said I had to go alone,” Sunshine explained, but Steve was still confused. 

Nancy, with her head full of rollers, stood up from the kitchen stool and crossed her arms over her chest. She wore a look bordering between concern and confusion, probably similar to how Steve looked. “Kali? The one who’s in a gang? Why does she want you to go alone? Why do you need to meet with her in the first place? Is something going on? Is something happening again?” 

“No, no, no,” Sunshine said quickly, attempting to ease some of the concern that swelled in the home. “I’ve been remembering things from the Lab that I blocked out for a long time. But now they’re coming back to me and it’s really confusing. Kali has started to be in a lot of them lately and I think maybe it’s a sign. Maybe they’re coming back to me for a reason and maybe she remembers more than I do. I’m going to see if she can give me answers.”

Ever since Starcourt when Sunshine pushed herself way too far, she’d mentioned, briefly, some of the memories that started flooding back to her. Steve never pushed too hard; the memories she’d forgotten about seemed to all have plenty of reason to be scrubbed from her brain. Why they started coming back to her, no one knew, but Steve could tell it was bothering her. The gaps in certain memories left her awake at night; he could tell by the bags under her eyes that she tried to cover up or when she’d sneak out of bed when he stayed over to get some fresh air. And as much as he wanted to help her, there wasn’t much he could do but listen when she wanted to talk about it. 

“Do you think she’ll have the answers you’re looking for?” Robin asked. She and Tamera weren’t fully filled in on everything that happened inside the Lab, but Steve and Sunshine pieced together some of it for them. They were smart, though, and Steve had a feeling they had put more of it together on their own. 

Sunshine shrugged. “I have no idea,” she sighed. “But she was in a lot of those memories so maybe she can fill in some of the pieces that I’m missing and make sense of some of it. Maybe then I won’t feel as crazy.” She laughed at herself, but it was hollow. Steve frowned and squeezed her shoulder. She smiled back at him and leaned into his touch before she continued. “Kali doesn’t trust people. She hardly trusts me, which is why she asked me to go alone. If I don’t, there’s no chance she’ll talk to me. But I’ll only be gone for a day. And maybe I can convince her to come back to Hawkins with me. I can show her that she doesn’t have to stay on the run; she can find a home here that the rest of us did.” 

Tamera asked, “Are her parents here?”

“No. She’s not from Hawkins, according to the twins. Dr. Brenner and Miller took her from somewhere else.” At the mention of Calum’s father, Tamera visibly winced. She had lost her best friend when he moved to Indy with his mother. The two had one final argument after Starcourt that pushed Tamera over the edge, and she hadn’t spoken to him since. She was still hurt, it was written all over her face at the slightest mention of him or anything related to him. Steve figured Calum was in the same boat; the two of them had been inseparable since he could remember. 

Nancy opened her mouth, hesitating for a moment before she said, “Do you think she’d want to find a place here? I mean after everything and without a real family in town-” 

Underneath Steve’s fingers, he felt Sunshine’s shoulder tense. “I’m her family.” 

“No, I know,” Nancy added quickly. “Hawkins isn’t everyone’s ideal town to live in, that’s all. I just don’t want you to get hurt if she doesn’t want to come back here with you.” 

It was interesting, Steve thought, the way Nancy spoke to Sunshine. He wasn’t sure what it was exactly, but Nancy always seemed more careful around Sunshine than anyone else. There was an undeniable softness that smoothed out her usual harder tone and a look on her face that he hadn’t seen Nancy take with anyone else. Steve didn’t remember what she had been like around Barb, but he had a feeling it was similar, and Nancy had lost her. 

With a sigh, Sunshine toyed with the pendant of her necklace. “It’s her choice if she wants to. I can’t make her. I just…I want her to know she has a place to go and people who care.” 

There was no question that Sunshine could handle herself, but he felt like it was his responsibility to worry about her. She must’ve sensed his unease and looked at him, golden eyes soft. “I’ll only be gone for a day. I’ll be on the first bus back to Hawkins on Saturday morning,” she said. “But I have to do this.” And he didn’t plan on stopping her. If she thought talking to her estranged sister would get her the answers she’d been looking for, then she had to do it. But that didn’t mean Steve wasn’t going to worry; that was sort of his job and one he was very good at. 

The rest of the afternoon at Tamera’s passed in a gentle blur. Nancy’s hair was restored to its curled form. Robin’s nails were painted black and her hair was cut shorter, Tamera got more practice, and Sunshine finished her list for her first trip out of Hawkins alone. 

They all bid each other goodbye as six o’clock rolled around and Steve had to leave for the late shift at Family Video. Nancy and Robin headed home while Steve lingered in front of the Willow’s house with Sunshine. She picked up her bike from the grass and brushed off some of the dirt from the handlebars. She and Robin had ridden to Tamera’s after school together, which they did often since the weather had grown warmer. 

“Are you sure you don’t want me to drop you off?” Steve asked, twirling his keys around his finger. 

“You’ll be late to work.” 

Steve playfully rolled his eyes. “I think Keith can manage a couple of minutes without me.” 

Rolling her bike onto the sidewalk, she stopped in front of him. It was funny, no matter how many times she looked at him like that, with her head tilted upwards to meet his gaze, cheeks dusted pink, and lips pulled in a small smile, his heart raced. 

“I’ll be okay,” she said. “You’ll be over after work, right?” 

“Absolutely, sweetheart.” Sunshine smiled a little wider as she leaned in for him to meet her halfway. The kiss was short and sweet but left him feeling as giddy as always. Nearly everything she did left him feeling like some kid with a crush. Even before their first official date, after the Starcourt disaster, Steve was positive Sunshine was the person for him. But getting to date her, to be with her without the unspoken thing hanging between them, was better than he could have imagined. Dating his best friend was blissful. He was sure no one understood him as much as Sunshine did. She eased his worries and pulled him out of his spirals of self-doubt that sometimes hit him hard.

“I was going to tell you about Kali and me visiting her,” she said, pulling away from him slightly. “I wasn’t just going to leave.” 

“I know.” Because he trusted her, maybe what some people would consider too much, but it was different between them. Once you go through more than one life-or-death situation with someone, you tend to hold more trust, especially when they have never let you down. 

With that, Sunshine took off down the road on her bike, bidding him one last goodbye. He climbed into his car and headed to work. The Family Video store wasn’t the most ideal job, but it was enough for the time being. He wouldn’t be in Hawkins forever, working minimum wage jobs, but he’d stay as long as Sunshine needed to because as he had known since he was a little boy, he’d follow her anywhere. 

→←

The trailer park was quiet that evening. The air smelled like spring, budding flowers, and incoming rain. Sunshine parked her bike in front of the Mayfield’s trailer, beside Max’s, and skipped up the front steps with a bag of greasy burgers and fries from the little dinner she passed on the way. After a few knocks, the door swung open to reveal Max. 

She was skinnier, her face lacking freckles from the sunshine, and her blue eyes were a little sadder than they used to be. Max had been having a hard time since Starcourt, since Billy died, and she felt it was all her fault. No matter how often Sunshine reminded her that it wasn’t, Max didn’t believe her. In the wake of Billy’s death, his dad left Max’s mom, which forced them to sell their home on Cherry Street and move into the town’s trailer park. Her mom was struggling too, working twice as hard to support them and coping with alcohol when she was off shift. It was a shitty situation, but Sunshine refused to let Max isolate herself. It didn’t matter how hard she tried to push Sunshine away, she stayed pestering the redhead with dinner and small talk to take her mind off of her troubles for at least a little while. If Max hated it, she didn’t say so. Instead, Max always let Sunshine inside her house and ate the food she brought. If she was lucky, Max would talk about school or make small talk. 

“I didn’t think you were coming tonight,” Max said, stepping aside to let Sunshine in. She always seemed to stand or sit with her arms crossed, curling into herself any chance she got. Beer cans littered the coffee table and Sunshine had made the mistake of looking at them a little too long. Max huffed before she picked them up, shoving them into the trash. “She had a long day at work. The assholes at her job-” She started to defend her mom, but Sunshine stopped her. 

“Hey,” she said, softly. “I know. I just want to make sure you’re okay, that’s all.” 

Max kicked a couple of discarded jackets into a pile on the floor, pushing them aside to clear a path to the kitchen. “I’m fine.” She wasn’t. She knew she wasn’t and she knew that Sunshine knew that too. 

“I’m sorry I was later than usual,” Sunshine said, switching gears as she sat down the paper bag of food on the counter. “We went to Tamera’s after school.”

“Why didn’t Steve drop you off?” Max asked as she dug into the food. 

“He had to work. I didn’t want him to be late.” Max hummed in response. 

They ate in silence. After they were finished, Sunshine cleaned up their wrappers and helped Max clean up the rest of the kitchen, so that her mom would have one less thing to stress over in the morning when she woke up. Once they were done, Max sat back at the table and rubbed her head. “You don’t have to do this, you know?” she said, quietly. 

“I know,” Sunshine replied. “But since you’re not with the boys as often, this is the only way I get to see you. And this may come as a surprise, but I like hanging out with you.” She really did. Max was like her other younger sister, and she missed the spunky girl she met two years ago. She was still somewhere inside of Max, underneath the rubble of trouble and tragedy. Healing was complicated; Sunshine of all people knew that, and she didn’t expect Max to wake up one morning and revert to the same kid she had once been. Max wouldn’t tell anyone she was struggling; she’d do it all alone and shut everyone else out. Sunshine promised she’d be there though; she’d never give up on any of the kids.

Max rolled her eyes, but there was a small hint of a smile. “I guess I like hanging out with you, sometimes.” Sunshine laughed, musing the hair on top of Max’s head. 

"Oh! I forgot I brought you something.” She dug around in her backpack until she found a slightly wrinkled pink envelope covered in stickers of seashells, starfish, and other oceanic items. “El sent your letter to my house and asked me to give it to you. She misplaced your new address.”

Max’s whole demeanor changed. For a brief moment, the child-like giddiness filled her bright eyes as she snatched the letter from Sunshine’s hand and peeled it open. Inside was a one-paged letter on El’s notebook paper. Her letter had come the day before and El had told Sunshine all about her spring break plans with Mike, who was visiting California. El also started to plan Sunshine’s summer visit, listing all of the fun activities she wanted them to do together. Sunshine couldn’t wait to see the ocean for the first time and spend some much-needed quality time with her siblings. They had visited Hawkins during Christmas break, but a few days wasn’t enough time to catch up.

While Max read her letter, Sunshine moved to the sink to refill her glass of water. As the faucet ran, she gazed out at the gravel road between the trailers. The quiet night started to settle in but was interrupted by loud music spilling from a van that pulled into the lot beside the trailer across from Max’s. The music cut and out from the van jumped a kid who Sunshine went to school with, Eddie Munson. 

Eddie was loud and boisterous. He was also the leader of the party’s new Dungeons and Dragons club. Mike and Dustin admired the teen. Eddie was far from being considered “cool” in popular high school terms, but he didn’t seem to care about what people thought of him, and to the two boys who had a history of being bullied for being themselves, it was probably nice to see someone so similar to them not give into the pressure of acting like everyone else. 

Sunshine wasn’t too sure what to make of Eddie; they hadn’t interacted much, aside from brief hellos when she passed the boys at their lunch table or biked home with them after their meetings. 

“Ugh,” Max groaned, appearing beside Sunshine at the window. “He always comes home like that, probably waking up half of the old people who live here.” 

“The boys like him.” 

“Because they all like the same nerdy game,” Max said. “At least Lucas found a different hobby.” Lucas still participated in the club, but most of his focus was on basketball. Sunshine didn’t know much about the sport, despite having been to all of Lucas’s games that season, but according to Steve, he was really good and would no doubt be team captain come his senior year. Unfortunately, Sunshine’s trip to see Kali meant she’d miss his final game of the season, the championship. But she wished him luck before they left school that afternoon. He seemed to be genuinely enjoying himself, branching out, and finding more friends to connect with. Sunshine was proud of him, as was the rest of the kids for trying to stay afloat in the new world of high school. It was brand new for her too, and after nearly an entire year she still wasn’t sure if she had the hang of it. 

“Speaking of Lucas-” Sunshine began but was swiftly cut off by a sharp glare from Max; the effect of El’s letter disappeared. 

“Don’t.” 

“I was just going to ask if you were going to his game tomorrow.”

Lucas was a sensitive topic for Max. They had been on and off dating, as much as fourteen-year-olds could, all summer. After last summer, Max “officially” broke it off with him. Lucas gave Max the space she needed to cope, while still trying to be one of her best friends. But Max was hurting, bad, and pushed him out each time he tried to get in. He was still just a kid too, reeling from what had happened, so he backed off. Lucas carried his emotions outside his body while Max kept them buried within. He liked Max and would probably wait forever for her for a relationship or just a friendship. Sunshine had a feeling Max knew that and she was scared of it. Love at their age sounded silly and fruitless, but it was different after what they’d been through. Lucas was one of Max’s best friends; they needed each other now more than ever, but Max was having a hard time accepting that Lucas was trying to prove it to her.

Max shrugged lamely. “It’s not like he cares,” she muttered. 

“I think he cares a lot more than you think.”��

[mittensmorgul]

Christmas, Present

Pairings: Dean/Cas, Charlie/Gilda Words: 6102 Tags: Holiday fluff, college au, getting together, matchmaker charlie Rating: T

Summary:

Charlie just wants her best friend to be happy, and has been trying for four years to help Dean meet his perfect match. A last-ditch effort and a laid back holiday party in the woods could either help Dean find the Christmas spirit he'd been missing out on most of his life, or else backfire spectacularly. She could honestly use a Christmas miracle...

Read it now on Ao3, or the entire story below the cut :)

Two Weeks Before The Party

Charlie only ever wandered through the earth sciences department once a week on her way to class, but she was thrilled the day she actually managed to catch Benny hanging up a flier for the forestry department’s annual Christmas tree harvest blowout bash. Every year, it was the biggest unofficial holiday party on campus, and every year she tried to use it as an excuse to play matchmaker for Dean Winchester. It wasn’t the only time she tried to play matchmaker for him, obviously, but she always put in her best effort for that party.

Not only was it just sad to spend the holidays alone every year, the guy worked himself to the bone year round. And since Charlie had failed for three and a half years to convince him he needed an occasional excuse to let loose once in a while, even consider dating seriously and having a social life outside of their small group of friends, she was worried about him. Sure, he went on an occasional date, but nothing ever seemed to stick for long before he went right back to his old routines.

She’d been convinced that the only person who could succeed at the task of winning Dean’s heart was someone who magically didn’t seem to exist. She’d devoted an exceedingly large portion of her free time to trying to find that person anyway. And since they were seniors, she felt like she was running out of time to find Dean’s unicorn.

She sidestepped her way through the crowded hallway and zipped in right behind Benny.

“How’s the planning coming?”

Benny slowly looked over his shoulder, and then dropped his gaze down to her with a grin on his face.

“We got the last of this year’s harvest cleared out today. Brought in a tidy little profit, but tomorrow we start clearing the ground and preparing for spring planting of the new saplings. We got a ways to go before we can move into party planning mode yet,” he warned her. “Plus we got two weeks yet before the big night.”

She peered around his shoulder to read the flier. Every year it was essentially the same. The forestry majors decorated the clearing, set up a big tent and hauled out tables and chairs, but it was really the guests themselves who were expected to do most of the work. It was bring your own everything. Most folks showed up with their choice of alcohol— which was mostly the cheapest beer they could get their hands on, and the assortment of holiday-themed adult beverages like cider, egg nog and mulled wine— and a wide variety of takeout. One year, someone managed to haul out an entire living room set, including the fake fireplace with stockings nailed to it.

For a college party, it was practically sedate, and always felt more like a bunch of kids hiding in the forest pretending to be adults than a literal group of adults throwing a raucous party. Not that things didn’t get wild out there in their own way, but your typical frat party it was not.

The vibe could best be summed up as a decompression session between finishing exams and preparing to venture home and face the family for a few weeks. For an event that took place in an often snow-covered forest clearing, it was cozy. Sheltered from the wind by next year’s nearly grown Christmas trees decorated with random assorted lights and garlands, and a big bonfire with all the scraps trimmed from the most recent harvest of pine tree branches that crackled and popped as people drunkenly attempted to toast marshmallows over it. But it definitely fostered an atmosphere of getting cozy with your neighbor, and as such Charlie was borderline desperate to get Dean to connect with someone there. This was her last chance to spark that kind of magical holiday cheer and romance for Dean before they graduated and inevitably all went their separate ways.

Now she just had to convince him to show up.

Six Days Before The Party

“Charlie, for the last time I am not gonna hike out into the woods to freeze my ass off and make nicey nicey with a bunch of people I barely know,” Dean said a week and a half later.

She really was running out of time now. The party was in less than a week, exams were almost over, and while she knew Dean was staying on campus over the holiday break, he’d overextended himself again and was still struggling to put the finishing touches on all the portraits he was painting people as holiday gifts.

“It’s just a few hours, Dean,” she wheedled, lying on his bed and studying for her final exam while Dean painted at his desk. “And you know me and Gilda, and Benny, and Max and Alicia, and a bunch of our other friends will be there too. You deserve a break.”

Dean snorted, turning toward her with a little glob of blue paint smeared on his cheek. “Yeah, and I’m gonna get three whole weeks of break just as soon as everyone else clears out of here and leaves me with peace and quiet.”

Charlie frowned at him, getting up and crossing over to him to remove the blue streak from his face with her thumb, showing him the results of her efforts when he gave her an odd look. He batted her hand away and grumbled as he went back to his work.

“You need a social break,” she replied. “You know, where you talk to actual living people instead of just the portraits you paint of them.”

“I’m talking to you right now,” he replied without bothering to look up at her.

She dropped back on to the edge of the bed, crossing her arms and watching him for another moment.

“Why are you so grinchy about the holidays? Because it usually doesn’t take this much work to get you to at least be sociable for an hour or two. There’s gotta be something there…”

Dean stiffened, and took a deep breath. Charlie was worried for a second that she’d crossed a line, struck a too-painful nerve, but she just waited to see how Dean would react. At least he wasn’t yelling. Eventually he dropped his paintbrush in the cup of dirty paint water, clasped his hands, and spun his chair around to face her.

“Well aside from the fact I don’t enjoy freezing my ass off—”

“You know there is a bonfire, right? It’s plenty warm around the fire.”

Dean continued as if she hadn’t interrupted him. “I hate all that fake holiday magic shit. The cheesy music, the plastic decorations, it all just sucks and I get enough of that just walking through the grocery store this time of year. I don’t need to seek it out on purpose.”

Charlie frowned at him. “You do understand that we mostly sit around complaining about exams and professors, and all the stupid shit our families are gonna drag us to back home, or all the stupid shit they made us do as kids. Worst holiday memory story wins a case of beer,” she said, hoping that might entice his inner Scrooge.

“Yeah, well, my worst holiday memory was the year our house burned down and took my mom with it. Dad spent it in a bottle, and I spent it trying to keep my infant brother alive. I was five.”

He’d watched the look of horror spread across Charlie’s face as he ranted at her, and then looked contrite. In a much gentler voice, and with a sad smile, he continued.

“Look, that’s all in the distant past, but I really fucking hate dredging it up every year under the guise of celebrating something most people think is jolly fun, you know? I really ain’t good company this time of year.”

“I’m so sorry, Dean, I had no idea,” she said.

His smile turned more genuine as he reached out and patted her knee. “It’s okay, you couldn’t have known. Sometimes it’s just easier to just stay out of everyone else’s way rather than be a constant wet blanket about it. I’m not here to piss in anyone’s egg nog.”

She nodded slowly, and took a deep breath. “That’s why you make paintings for everyone every year,” she realized. “Giving people the piece of yourself you can, showing them they’re loved, without having to say it out loud.”

Dean frowned at her, but didn’t disagree. “Sounds dumb when you just say it like that, but yeah. I can’t really be part of it, but I’m still there with everyone in spirit, I guess.”

After a few quiet minutes, Charlie dared to speak again.

“Have you thought that maybe you just need to make some better memories to pin to the holidays? Not that you could ever erase the pain, but maybe it doesn’t have to control the rest of your life.”

Dean sighed, and nodded. “Yeah, I tried a few times back in high school. Took a job as an elf at the mall one year and earned enough to buy Sammy some decent presents for once, but that didn’t really do much to improve my opinion of the holidays in general.”

“Yeah, capitalism will do that to you,” she replied, commiserating. “The mall is not known for being an epicenter of the true spirit of Christmas.”

Dean snorted. “Yeah, it definitely didn’t inspire the whole peace and goodwill shit, anyway.”

Charlie smiled at him. “Well, I promise I won’t push if you really don’t want to come, but if you do…”

Dean held up a hand like he was gonna protest again, but Charlie just talked louder at him.

“If you DO come, I also promise a chance to make some more pleasant holiday memories with a bunch of people who actually care about you. Worst case scenario, you get to hang out with me for an hour or two, and I’ll bring you home the second you decide you can’t take it anymore. I’ll even make you a thermos of that hot cinnamon cider you like that tastes like alcoholic apple pie.”

Dean actually let out a little laugh at that, and shook his head. “I appreciate that, Charlie, and I swear I’ll think about it, okay? But right now, I gotta get back to work here. And you probably do, too,” he reminded her, pointing at her open textbook and piles of notes.

Charlie knew she’d at least done the best she could. Now she just had to tackle the other side of her problem. Who to introduce Dean to at the party that had the power to not only un-grinchify him, but convince him the holiday spirit was more than just the ghosts of Christmas past.

Three Days Before The Party

“Hey, Cas,” Charlie said to the library clerk who helped her check out the last stack of books she needed to plow through before her final exam in the morning.

She and Dean had both known Cas for years, even if he was an even bigger enigma to her than Dean was. He was an art history major, and Charlie knew he shared a few classes with Dean every semester, but he’d been even more difficult to convince to let loose and have a good time than Dean. The only time she’d been able to convince him to join them for a game night had been using Dean himself as a lure, and then Dean had had the nerve to bail on them for a date that he ended up bailing on halfway through dinner when it was clear they really didn’t have anything in common. When Cas had shown up and learned Dean wouldn’t be there after all, he awkwardly tried to make the best of it, but ended up excusing himself after a single round of Cards Against Humanity. Charlie had tried to invite him again many times, but he always had some excuse at the ready.

She knew he worked hard, between his classes and long hours in the library, but she really didn’t know him well outside of that. Aside from what Dean had told her about him— since Dean spent a suspicious amount of time talking about him— she really didn’t know him at all. But maybe that was just the thing… maybe she’d been trying too hard to find the perfect person for Dean when he’d been right there all along. But if she wasn’t even sure Dean would drag his sorry ass out to the party, she couldn’t very well invite Cas based on the tenuous hope that Dean would be there, too. No, she realized standing there wearily pondering her options. This would require subterfuge. But like, mistletoe-festooned subterfuge. She was struck with a bolt of inspiration, and began laying the groundwork for a plan that was practically foolproof, even if these two idiots didn’t want to cooperate.

“Oh, hello, Charlie,” Cas said when he blearily scanned in her card and finally recognized her. “Still studying for your finals?”

“Yeah, four down, one to go. What about you? Are you finally free yet?”

Cas nodded, looking like he was about to pass out on the desk. “One more,” he replied, lifting up the open textbook from behind the counter to show her. “I’ve been cramming between helping desperate people find last minute study resources.”

“Sheesh, they don’t even cut you a break during finals week? You look like you need a coffee. Or maybe a nap.”

“I can sleep tomorrow at three o’clock, after I finish my last exam. I have it penciled in on my calendar.”

“Well, if you’re recovered by Saturday night, you should really come out to the forestry department’s Christmas party. It’s a nice, relaxing way to end out the semester.”

Cas squinted at her, confused. “I was unaware you studied forestry.”

Charlie couldn’t help the laugh that escaped her. “I don’t, they just put on the best holiday do on campus. You met Benny at that game night, right? He’s the current mastermind behind the party planning.”

Cas nodded slowly. “Yes, I remember Benny.” He frowned then. “I see him with Dean a lot.”

Charlie knew she was losing him, and considering his current lack of focus it probably hadn’t been the best time to bring it up, but it wasn’t like she had a lot of time.

“Well, it’s totally worth delaying your plans to go home for a day or two for. If you need a little warmth and human kindness.”

“Those things all sound lovely, but I am home, so I suppose I won’t be going anywhere for winter break.”

Charlie blinked at him. “Wait, I thought you were from Boston or something? Or is it Chicago? How did I get that so wrong?”

Cas let out an ugly little laugh. “Well, I was from Boston until my parents decided that I was no longer welcome in their home.”

“Oh, oh Cas, I’m sorry…” Charlie said, and between stumbling across Dean’s childhood trauma and now faceplanting directly into Cas’s family drama in an effort to get them both in the same place at the same time, she was pretty convinced she’d failed completely.

“It’s fine, Charlie,” Cas replied with a sad smile. “It’s better this way.”

“Well, then you have twice the reason to come out and share a little holiday cheer with friends,” she replied, smiling encouragingly at him and sliding one of the fliers with the party details across the counter to him when he handed back her books. “We’ll be glad to have you.”

“I’ll think about it,” Cas replied, taking the paper and setting it down on his textbook. “Good luck with your exam tomorrow.”

“Yeah, Cas, you too,” she replied, collecting her things and heading for home. She was pretty sure there was at least a 50-50 shot that either of them might show up. But at least she’d paved the way for part two of her dastardly plan.

Party Day

Charlie arrived at the clearing before dusk. She expected to pitch in with the setup, and had brought a massive collection of ornaments she’d pulled out of the trees after last year’s party. Benny and his crew were nearly done stringing up all the lights, the tent and dozens of tables and chairs had already been assembled and arranged, and the bonfire pit was nearly ready to set ablaze. The weather had been unexpectedly cooperative, and it was warmer than usual, if still technically cold. At least it wasn’t raining, Charlie thought as she set her tote bags down and began hanging sparkly plastic baubles on lit trees.

“We were wondering where all those went off to,” Benny said, grinning at her and making his way over with a large box of new ornaments to add to Charlie’s.

“Well, you guys usually end up chucking them out or losing them every year, so last year I decided to take matters into my own hands,” she said, hanging another bauble and then turning her own grin on Benny. “Reduce, reuse, recycle, right?”

“That’s much appreciated, Red. Shame you didn’t go into forestry.”

“Even the forestry service needs IT people,” Charlie replied. “It’s not too late to recruit me.”

Benny laughed. “Yeah, well, I tried recruiting Dean after he said something similar about architects and artists, and yet…” he waved his hands around at everyone busily working around the clearing. “He’s nowhere to be found.”

Charlie frowned. “Did he tell you he was coming?”

“I know better than to ask him, but when he dropped off me and Andrea’s Christmas presents last night, I mentioned we hoped to see him here. He was… noncommittal about it.”

Charlie snorted. “Yeah, I’ve been nagging him since last weekend. I figure it would take a miracle to get him to show his pretty face, even for an hour or two.”

“The boy is set in his ways,” Benny replied. “He’s got his reasons, and I’m not gonna pry too hard into them.”

“Well, if you do see him tonight, just let him be, okay?” Charlie pleaded. “If he shows up, he’s got his reasons, and I don’t think it would help to tease him about it.”

Benny considered her for a moment, really thinking about what she was trying to tell him. “What sort of shenanigans do you have up those big pink puffy sleeves, Bradbury?” Benny asked with one suspiciously raised eyebrow.

“I’m just here to have a good time,” Charlie replied, a little more sing-songy than she’d intended.

“You just leave me out of any trouble you’re thinking of stirring up,” Benny replied. “The whole point of this shindig is to leave for the holidays on good feelings.”

“That’s the goal,” Charlie muttered under her breath, and then shot Benny a winning smile and patted his shoulder with her fuzzy mitten.

“Mmhmmm,” Benny replied, and then sighed, getting back to his work. “Just don’t let me hear you were causing problems, and we’re all good.”

Charlie waited until after dark, patiently keeping an eye out for Dean and Cas, hoping she wouldn’t have to activate her emergency protocol. She tried to enjoy the Thai takeout her girlfriend Gilda brought a few hours later, only having a couple of drinks and not really letting herself go too crazy, but of course Gilda noticed how distracted she seemed.

“Okay, so what’s really bothering you?” Gilda asked after watching Charlie anxiously pick at her food for half an hour. “You’re not worried about meeting my parents, are you? Because I told you they’re going to adore you.”

“What? No, absolutely not,” Charlie replied, turning a reassuring smile on her girlfriend. “I know we’re gonna have an amazing time with your family. I was just hoping to see Dean before we leave. I worry about him all alone here over break.”

Gilda smiled fondly at her. “This is why I love you. You care so much about all the people in your life. If he doesn’t show up by the time we leave, we can stop by his place on our way out tomorrow. Maybe take him out for lunch and call it our own little party.”

Charlie felt the tension melt from her shoulders. “See, this is why I love you, too. You get me. That I just don’t know how not to care so much.”

They finished their food, then moved over to the fire pit where Max was handing out little prepackaged kits to make s’mores and tending the flames. Alicia passed out mulled wine in little paper cups, ladled from a huge soup pot perched carefully on a large flat stone by the fire while conversation turned toward everyone’s plans for the long break. Charlie let herself relax for a little while, but when she checked her watch she knew it was now or never for her little plan. She sighed, leaned in and kissed Gilda’s cheek, and then stood up.

“You just wait here, I’ll be back in a few minutes, okay?”

Gilda nodded, only a little confused as Charlie pulled her phone out of her pocket and stepped away from the warmth of the fire. Her first call was to Cas, because if she couldn’t convince him to come, there was no point to making her second call. He was a good guy, though, and she only hoped he’d recovered from his post-exam exhaustion enough to actually be awake as she pulled up his contact info. It was still early, she convinced herself. At least, it wasn’t too late to ask a favor from a friend.

She took a deep breath and dialed the phone. If she swayed a little on her feet to help herself get into character, nobody else had to know.

“Hello, Charlie, how are you this evening?” Cas said when he answered.

“A little drunk,” she said, slurring her words just enough to be believable. “I’m so sorry, Cas, but I didn’t know who else to call. Everyone else I know has already left for break, and you’re a solid dude who might take pity on a drunk girl and help her get home safe.”

Cas sighed, but she could hear the smile in his voice when he spoke again. “Where are you, I can come and get you.”

“At the forestry school party. I think someone spiked the cider, and things just got away from me after my third or fourth cup.”

Cas laughed outright at that. “Okay, I might need a few minutes to get ready. Will you be okay until I get there?”

“I’ll just stay by the bonfire. You won’t be able to miss me. I’m the one in a hot pink parka and a toboggan hat with pointy elf ears glued to the ear flaps.”

“Yes, your coat is rather memorable. I’ll be there in about fifteen minutes. You just stay put, and maybe don’t have any more cider.”

“Good advice,” Charlie replied. “Though it would’ve been better advice an hour ago.”

“See you soon,” Cas said.

“Thank you, Cas,” Charlie mumbled into her phone, and then hung up and quickly dialed Dean.

The drunk story wouldn’t work on him, she knew from long experience. Dean would just tell her to have Gilda or Benny drive her home. And without getting into a long back and forth, or lying and telling him she and Gilda broke up— which he would never believe anyway— it was easier to concoct an entirely different lie for Dean. One absolutely consistent trait of his was his reflexive impulse to help any of his friends out of a sticky situation. It overrode even his ingrained dislike of Christmas parties.

“What’s up, Charles. I thought you were supposed to be out partying tonight?” Dean asked when he answered.

“Well, I was having a lovely evening at this little soiree, but now my car won’t start and I’m kind of stranded here.”

Dean sighed, and she could hear him fumbling around already pulling his boots on to come out. “So you need a rescue? What’s the problem? Is it turning over at all or is your battery shot?”

“It just clicks and nothing,” Charlie said.

“Yeah, it’s probably a dead battery. Did you leave the lights on?”

“I don’t think so,” Charlie replied.

“Well, I got jumper cables in the trunk, but worst case scenario, I’ll just bring you home and we can figure out what’s wrong with it tomorrow when we got some daylight to work with.”

“Thank you so much, Dean. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this.”

“Where are you parked?”

“Right up close, not far from the bonfire pit. I’ll meet you there.”

“Stay warm, Charles. I’ll be there in less than ten,” he said, and Charle heard him juggle the phone to pull on his coat as he grabbed his keys and then hung up.

She stood there in the dark for a moment, eyes closed, and then took a deep, fortifying breath. This was all either going to go very, very well, or horribly, awfully wrong. There was no turning back now, though. She marched back to the fire pit and took Gilda’s hand.

“Would you care for a romantic stroll through the woods?” Charlie asked her.

“Only if you promise to tell me all the juicy details of whatever scheme you’ve been planning all night,” Gilda replied, getting to her feet with a knowing smile.

“Of course, now that we’ve crossed the Rubicon, I’ve been dying to tell someone for weeks, actually.”

“Well, then,” Gilda replied. “Lead the way.”

Before they ducked into the trees, Charlie made sure to tell Alicia, Max, and Benny they were going for a little walk. Now that her unwitting accomplices were all primed to play their parts, Charlie led her girlfriend through the softly glowing trees at the edge of the clearing. She led them a couple rows further into the dark, and then looped around under cover of the trees to the other side of the clearing to wait and watch.

While they walked, over the muffled sounds of talking and laughter coming from their friends a short way away through the trees, Charlie explained what she’d done.

“I just couldn’t stand the thought of them both being alone anymore,” she finished with, and Gilda touched a hand to her cheek.

“You are a good friend, Charlie,” she said. “Maybe a little overzealous, but your heart is in the right place.”

“So you don’t think they’re both gonna disown me for this?” Charlie asked, sounding genuinely nervous, because now that everything was out of her hands, she was.

Gilda shrugged. “Dean might not talk to you for a while, but he’ll have three grumpy, lonely weeks to get over it before you have to face him again. He’ll probably have forgiven you by then.”

Charlie let out a shuddering breath and gave a nervous laugh. “I hope so.”

Gilda peeked out through the trees when they heard the engine of Dean’s car pull up. Charlie snatched her arm and tugged her back into the shadows with a warning look. The plan would fall apart before they even had a chance for it to work if Dean caught them now, before Cas even showed up.

Charlie dared a glance, and saw Dean looking at her car briefly, and then wandering over toward the bonfire. He greeted Max, who tried to force a s’mores kit on him, and eventually Dean relented, taking the stick and the little bag of cookies, marshmallows, and chocolate bars from him before apparently asking where Charlie was. Max pointed off in the general direction of the tent, and Dean thanked him before heading over that way. A moment later, he found Benny, who gave him a big hug and offered him a drink that he declined. They talked for a few minutes before Dean remembered his mission, and Benny sent him off into the woods in the direction Charlie and Gilda had gone.

“It’s working perfectly,” Charlie muttered excitedly, as Cas arrived and wandered over to the bonfire moments later, and was also directed toward the tent after a short conversation with Alicia. A few seconds later, he disappeared into the woods, as well.

“So what do we do now?” Gilda asked, sounding as quietly excited and invested in their little game as Charlie was.

“Now, we wait. And if they don’t storm back out in the next few minutes and tear me a new one, we quietly slip away and let nature take its course,” Charlie replied.

In The Woods, Right Friggin’ Now

“Charlie?” Dean called out. “Where the fuck did you go?”

He stomped down the row of lighted trees bordering the clearing, and then pushed his way into the next row, muttering under his breath.

“So much for staying put where I could find you.”

It was only a few minutes before he heard a distinctly familiar voice call out nearby. He shuddered at the sound that had filled some of his most frustrated fantasies over the last few years since they’d become friends, and shoved all those unrequited feelings down when he realized what Cas was doing out there. Also, apparently, looking for Charlie. Well, that was a disheartening development. But at least he figured he could have some help, and possibly even a little company while he scoured the woods for his wayward friend.

Dean took a deep breath and called out for Charlie again. Not far away, Cas’s footsteps froze in their tracks. After an extremely awkward moment, Cas called out again, this time sounding a little confused.

“Dean? Is that you?”

Dean steeled himself, and headed toward Cas’s voice. “Yeah, it’s me. You looking for Charlie, too?”

Cas fought his way through a row of trees and appeared on the path just a few feet from him with a relieved sigh.

“Yes. It’s concerning that she apparently wandered off into the forest in her state.”

“Her state?” Dean asked, taking in the pine needles sticking out of Cas’s disheveled hair.

Cas nodded, brushing more needles from his coat. Dean couldn’t help but think he looked adorably festive.

“She called me asking for a ride home. She was quite inebriated, and she shouldn’t be wandering alone like that.”

Dean snorted, shaking his head, and realized exactly what Charlie had done. “She was deadass sober when she called me ten minutes ago because she was having car trouble.”

Cas’s eyes went wide, still not having fully understood what was going on, or why he was standing in a cold, dark forest. “Then why did she tell me she was drunk if she’s actually having difficulty with her car?”

Dean reached out without thinking and laid a hand on Cas’s shoulder, brushing some more pine needles away and grinning at him. “Dude, I don’t think she’s drunk or stranded. I’m pretty sure we’re being set up.”

“Set up?” Cas asked, tilting his head to the side in that adorable way of his. “For what?”

Dean shrugged, letting his hand drop. He hated to pass up his chance, especially since Charlie had plotted and schemed to get them both out there for some reason. But he knew Cas wasn’t into him in that way, much as it had pained him to realize it years ago. When Cas had pointedly ignored all his flirting when they’d first met, Dean took the hint and had accepted that Cas wasn’t interested in anything other than his friendship. It had been a struggle, and those feelings had never really gone away, but Dean had endured. Cas was far too important to him to cut ties with, even if it broke his heart just a little bit every time Cas smiled at him.

“I think she was trying to get the two of us, out here, alone in the woods.”

Cas’s confusion was not alleviated by that information, so Dean pressed on with a heavy sigh.

“Dude, she was hoping we’d run into each other, laugh about it, and forget all about her as the magic of holiday romance swept us away.”

Cas squinted at him for a moment, before a look of recognition finally crossed his features. “Oh, is this supposed to be like one of those Hallmark Channel movies she talks about?”

Dean snorted, feeling relieved that Cas was finally catching on, but still disappointed that it wouldn’t change anything between them.

“Yeah, her heart’s in the right place, but sometimes her head ain’t quite screwed on all the way.”

Cas nodded, apparently understanding. “Because you’re not gay. I’m surprised she made that kind of mistake.”

Dean blinked at Cas, wondering if he actually heard that right. “What?” was all he could muster.

“She is one of your closest friends, it seems strange she would set you up for a holiday romance with me.” His eyes narrowed again. “Unless this is some sort of prank on us?”

“What?” Dean blurted again, and then shook himself off. Maybe it was the cold wind that had picked up freezing his frontal lobe, or maybe it was just the shock of Cas’s certain but entirely wrong declarations about his sexuality in general and his interest in Cas more specifically. After years of dutifully repressing all those tangled feelings, Dean was entirely unable to stop the flood of words that escaped his mouth next.

“Dude… she set us up because she probably knows I’ve been borderline lovesick over you since the day we met. And for the record, she’s fully aware that I’m bi, which she figured out when I spent the first six weeks of freshman year dating Max.”

“What?” Cas blurted out after staring openmouthed at Dean for a full thirty seconds.

“I thought you knew. I mean, after I spent the first few months after I met you putting all my best moves on you, I figured you just weren’t interested in me that way, and I let it go.”

“What?” Cas repeated, looking truly shocked now.

Dean stared at him for a moment, and then just broke down laughing. “Oh my god, you really didn’t know. You just… didn’t get that I was flirting with you, like at all.”

Cas slowly shook his head. “No, I didn’t. You know I’m not very good at picking up on that sort of thing.”

“Yeah, I’ve come to realize that pretty recently,” Dean said, feeling a giddy kindling of hope in his chest for the first time in years. Maybe Charlie hadn’t been as entirely off the mark as he’d thought. Or maybe she’d just finally accidentally stumbled into the mark. “At the time, I thought you were just trying to let me down easy.”

After a few moments, Cas quietly asked, almost like he was too afraid to hope for the answer he wanted to hear, “So does this mean you would still consider flirting with me now?”

Dean raised an eyebrow and stepped right up into Cas’s personal space. “Does this mean you’d be interested if I was?”

Cas nodded slowly. “I have also been, as you say, borderline lovesick over you, so yes, I would.”

“Huh,” Dean replied as his heart threatened to beat through his ribs. “I guess I’m not about to pass up a Christmas miracle when it’s practically gift wrapped and handed to me.”

Cas didn’t even have time to ask what Dean meant before Dean leaned in and kissed him. A split second was all it took for Cas to recover from his shock and kiss Dean back.

Charlie, Gilda, and their car were long gone by the time Dean and Cas wandered back out of the woods. When he got back to his car, waiting to follow Cas back to his place for a warmer and more comfortable continuation of the evening’s events, Dean sent Charlie a message.

“You were right, I should’ve just agreed to come to the damn party.”

“Everything worked out, then? You’re not gonna hunt me for sport?”

Dean laughed, and replied. “Not for this. We probably owe you a better Christmas present now.”

Charlie just replied, “No more ghosts of Christmas past. You just go and make some happy new memories with Cas, and we’ll call it even.”

Dean sighed and started his engine. He waved to Cas as he got in his car and they headed out together. Yeah, maybe this was exactly the kind of holiday spirit he could live with.

Read it again (or just leave comments or kudos!) on ao3!

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Shadows in the Night

This story is inspired by @misseviehyde‘s Twitter thread here.

It had all ended in an instant for Amber. The bullying head cheerleader of North Ridge high school never would have expected that she would have gone out in the way that she had. It was ironic really that the queen of mean who was notorious for being heartless would have died from a heart attack due to a rare undiagnosed heart condition. It happened in her sleep and in the snap of a finger, she was gone. Although not entirely.

Her soul refused to leave and enter the afterlife. It had plans, it had unfinished business. However each passing moment on earth made it feel weaker and dragged further to the afterlife. It needed a body. Taking the form of a shadow it detached itself from Amber’s body and crept next door to Amber’s neighbours house, the Joneses. It slid in the mailbox and up the stairs until it found what it was looking for. Or more accurately who it was looking for. Cassie Jones

Cassie was in senior year with Amber but that’s where the similarities ended. Where Amber was confident, vain and cruel, Cassie was shy, modest and kind. Amber’s soul would have preferred a more suitable host but time was running out. Cassie slept soundly as the shadow crept closer and closer. Just when it seemed like Amber’s shadow was about to attack, Cassie’s own shadow put up a fight. However Amber’s soul shadow was stronger even in its deteriorating form.

Amber’s shadow easily dominated Cassie’s. Even in shadow form Cassie was the victim to Amber. Cassie was moaning and groaning in her sleep, unaware of the fight happening but still reacting physically to it. Amber’s shadow began to absorb Cassie’s. It grew stronger in an instant as it latched onto Cassie and became her new shadow. Cassie stopped groaning as Amber’s soul took over and flooded her mind with pleasurable thoughts of being a hot bully. By morning she would be completely new woman. And not just mentally.

A subtle transformation began with Cassie's features. Her innocent and delicate facial structure gained an allure, her soft eyes now laced with a piercing gaze that promised manipulation. Her lashes elongated, giving them a seductive flutter that exuded power and control. Cassie's lips, once gentle and kind, grew fuller and took on a more provocative curve.

Her once modest and shy form underwent a metamorphosis. It molded her slender frame, accentuating her curves with a subtle but unmistakable allure. Her non athletic body began to tone all over, giving her a form that could flip, bend and pose in all the right ways. Even in her sleep her body's natural grace was changed, making her movements alluring and captivating.

Cassie's hair underwent a dramatic transformation. Once a plain and dirty brown, her locks now radiated with a lustrous, bright sheen. Strands of hair became sleeker, cascading in waves that framed her face, hinting at a magnetic allure. The color brightened to an alluring shade of bright blonde, exuding an air of beauty and seduction.

Next her nails underwent a captivating metamorphosis. Once neatly trimmed and natural, they now grew longer, becoming elegant talons painted in a glossy crimson. The tips of her fingers acquired a wicked grace, capable of inflicting both pleasure and pain, a physical representation of her newfound cruelty.

Her breasts, formerly modest in size, swelled and grew, accentuating her curves with a provocative allure. They became a symbol of her newfound sensuality, commanding attention and leaving no doubt of her transformation into a seductive and empowered figure.

These changes, although superficial, served to further mold Cassie's physical appearance into a vessel that embodied Amber's essence. With her hair exuding allure, her nails symbolizing her capacity for manipulation, and her enhanced breast size enhancing her sensual appeal, Cassie's exterior reflected the shadow's wicked intentions. The shadow's power transformed her into a seductive and cruel version of herself, equipped with the tools to captivate and control those who crossed her path.

The transformation extended to her aura, as a chilling confidence infused Cassie's being. Her once timid demeanor was replaced by a calculated charisma that would draw others in, only to be ensnared by her cruelty. The shadow's influence seeped into her every thought, twisting her empathy and kindness into callousness and malice.

As Cassie's sleeping body was reshaped by the shadow's dark power, a cruel and seductive version of her emerged, a haunting echo of Amber's former self. The new Cassie would become a force to be reckoned with, wielding beauty, manipulation, and wickedness in equal measure.

As the first rays of morning light filtered through the curtains, Cassie's eyes fluttered open, unaware of the physical transformation that had occurred while she slumbered. She sat up in bed, stretching her arms, and a surge of newfound confidence surged through her veins. It was as if a veil had been lifted, revealing a darker side of her personality that had lain dormant until now.

Her new conscience crackled with a newfound wicked desire, laced with a hunger for power and control. A sinister smile curved her lips as she contemplated the possibilities that lay ahead. The once timid Cassie had been replaced by a charismatic predator, ready to manipulate and dominate those around her.

Swinging her legs over the edge of the bed she walked towards her closet passing her full length mirror. She stopped dead in her tracks and walked back to the mirror. Her eyes roamed over the reflection of her body, taking in every curve and every inch of herself.

“I look… perfect. As per usual.” She said self satisfied with a bitchy smirk as she snapped some selfies of herself.

A new wicked voice whispered seductive suggestions in her mind, urging her to seek admiration and fear from her peers. It fueled her new desire to become the queen of the school, to take down Amber, but with a newfound edge of cruelty and malice. She craved the twisted satisfaction of wielding power over others, of seeing them tremble beneath her reign.

Cassie stood before the mirror, her gaze fixed upon her transformed reflection. A twisted smile crept across her lips as she spoke aloud to herself, her voice dripping with venomous determination.

"Amber, my dear, your reign ends today. I will topple you from your pedestal and claim the throne for myself. You will see, the queen of mean shall now be me, and only me."

She sauntered over to the wardrobe unaware of the flashing lights arriving next door. In her closet she found all her clothes to be lacking and made a mental note to throw it all out later and go on a shopping spree. Finally she settled on an old horse riding outfit she had when she was younger. It clung to her nicely and showed off all her perfect curves.

Venturing outside, her mind was awash with plans and schemes to take down Amber and take up the mantle of queen. It made her positively wet just to think about how much wicked fun she was about to have. However as she looked over to her nemesis’s house she was surprised to see an ambulance pull away with Amber’s parents driving quickly after it.

"Well, well, maybe it'll be easier than I thought. Looks like fate might be lending me a hand." She said to herself as she strolled over to a cop about to leave. Putting on her best sympathetic face she tapped him on the shoulder. The cop whirled around slightly annoyed but his demeanour quickly warmed when seeing the vision of beauty in front of him.

"Hey officer," she purred, her voice dripping with sweet naivety. "I couldn't help but notice the commotion. Is everything okay?"

The officer, caught off guard by Cassie's sudden attention, cleared his throat and replied, "There was an incident. Amber... well, she had a heart attack in her sleep. Tragic."

Cassie widened her eyes, a mask of false surprise adorning her features. "Oh my, that's awful! She always seemed so healthy. Poor thing."

Inside, Cassie reveled in the news, relishing the confirmation of Amber's demise. Her act of innocence had successfully concealed her wicked intentions, and now she could seize the opportunity that fate had presented.

Cassie's mind swiftly processed the information, concocting a plan to exploit the situation further. With a coy smile, she shifted her focus back to the officer, her eyes glimmering with a mischievous twinkle.

"Officer, I know this may sound strange, but... I was Amber's friend, and she said I could borrow a few of her clothes for a special event tonight," Cassie fibbed, her voice laced with a hint of desperation. "I'd really love to retrieve them as a memento of our friendship. Is there any way you could let me in, just for a moment?"

The officer hesitated, torn between his duty and Cassie's persuasive charm. After a brief pause, he replied, "I'm sorry, miss, but I can't allow unauthorized access. It's a crime scene."

Cassie leaned closer, her eyes sparkling with a mixture of flirtation and innocence. She lightly touched the officer's arm, using her charms to her advantage.

"Please, Officer... I promise I'll be quick. It would mean the world to me," she pleaded, her voice taking on an alluring tone.

The officer's resolve began to waver as Cassie's charm worked its magic. With a gulp, he finally relented. "Alright, but make it fast and stay out of the way. No touching anything."

Cassie flashed him a grateful smile, hiding her true intentions beneath the façade of a grieving friend. She had successfully manipulated her way into Amber's house, ready to seize not only the opportunity for stylish clothes but to step into the void left by the departed queen bee.

As she swayed up to the door she felt the eyes of the police officer on every curve of her. She’d have him helping her out of the house with clothes, jewelry and makeup before long. Maybe she’d even reward him, but probably not. It was good being a bitch.

[galtx]

GALTx eNews: Resolutions For Your Hound's New Year

This far into the new year, most of us have given up on our personal resolutions. Not to worry. We have ideas for hound related resolutions that you can easily achieve:

1) Schedule your hound's annual check up to review their vaccination status, check their weight, get a nail trim, and have an examination.

2) Begin a healthy dental routine for your hound that includes brushing at least a few times a week. If you already know your hound needs a dental and have been putting it off, get it scheduled with your vet.

3) Talk to your vet regarding preventative medications and make sure your hound is getting what they need to protect against internal parasites, ticks, and fleas (and all the diseases they carry).

4) If your hound needs to lose weight as much as you do, make changes to their diet to help them get trim. Maybe a little less kibble or fewer treats every day will do the trick. Seniors might benefit from switching to a senior food and, if recommended by a vet, might benefit from supplements.

5) Make sure your hound's nails are getting trimmed. Pick a day each month that you'll take a look and trim as needed or book a repeating visit to a groomer.

6) Inspect your yard, fence, and gate to identify any repairs you need to make to help keep your hound from escaping.

7) Inspect your hound's tags to make sure the contact information is still current and legible and while you're looking, make sure your collars, leashes, and harnesses are all in good shape.

8) If you have moved since adopting from GALT, send your updated contact information to us at info@galtx.org. Your GALT hound has a tag with our phone number on it and we want to be able to find you if someone calls saying they found your hound.

9) Check with your microchip company to make sure your contact information is still correct and, the next time you're in, have your vet check to make sure your hound's chip is still readable.

10) Establish an exercise routine with your hound that will benefit you both! If you're not walking regularly, start with a couple of walks a week. If you're already walking, bump up the scheduled frequency. Increase your hound's activity level gradually to make sure they don't over do it.

11) Start teaching your hound one new skill like stay, leave it, or come. These basic skills can be critical to averting an emergency.

12) Get more involved with the Greyhound community by joining a local Greyhound walk or sharing your hound photos in a social media group.

You don't have to do it all at once. Consider adding just one item to your calendar each month. You'll have a full month to get to it and at the end of the year, you'll have done everything on this list!

1/11/23

[peeetlovers]

Top 10 Essential Tips for Dog Owner

Owning a dog is a rewarding experience that brings joy, companionship, and a sense of responsibility. However, it also requires a significant commitment to ensure the health and happiness of your canine companion. As a pet expert, I have compiled a list of the top ten essential tips for dog owners, supported by scientific data and research. These guidelines will help you provide the best care for your dog.

1.Proper Nutrition Providing your dog with a balanced diet is crucial for their overall health. According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), dogs require a diet that includes proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. Feeding high-quality commercial dog food that meets the standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) ensures your dog gets the necessary nutrients.

2.Regular Exercise Exercise is vital for maintaining your dog's physical and mental health. The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) recommends at least 30 minutes to 2 hours of physical activity per day, depending on the breed and age of your dog. Regular exercise helps prevent obesity, reduces behavioral problems, and strengthens the bond between you and your pet.

3.Routine Veterinary Check-ups Regular veterinary visits are essential for early detection and prevention of health issues. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) advises annual check-ups for adult dogs and more frequent visits for puppies and senior dogs. Routine exams, vaccinations, and dental care are critical components of a comprehensive health plan.

4.Vaccinations Vaccinations protect your dog from various infectious diseases. The AVMA highlights the importance of core vaccines, including rabies, distemper, parvovirus, and adenovirus. Non-core vaccines, such as those for Bordetella and Lyme disease, may be recommended based on your dog's lifestyle and risk factors.

5.Parasite Control Parasites like fleas, ticks, and worms can cause serious health issues for dogs. The Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) recommends year-round parasite prevention, including regular use of flea and tick preventatives and routine deworming. Regular screenings for heartworm and intestinal parasites are also essential.

6.Proper Training and Socialization Training and socialization are crucial for a well-behaved and confident dog. Positive reinforcement training techniques are supported by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) as effective and humane methods. Early socialization helps prevent fear and aggression and promotes positive interactions with people and other animals.

7.Adequate Shelter and Comfort Providing a safe and comfortable living environment is fundamental for your dog's well-being. Ensure your dog has a cozy bed, access to fresh water, and a safe space to retreat. The Humane Society emphasizes the importance of protecting dogs from extreme weather conditions and providing proper shelter.

8.Mental Stimulation Mental stimulation is as important as physical exercise. The AKC suggests interactive toys, puzzle feeders, and regular playtime to keep your dog mentally engaged. Mental stimulation prevents boredom and reduces the likelihood of destructive behaviors.

9.Grooming Regular grooming is necessary to maintain your dog's hygiene and health. The frequency of grooming depends on your dog's breed and coat type. The ASPCA recommends regular brushing, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and bathing to prevent matting, infections, and other health issues.

10.Spaying/Neutering Spaying or neutering your dog has numerous health and behavioral benefits. According to the AVMA, spaying/neutering can prevent certain cancers, reduce the risk of infections, and decrease undesirable behaviors such as marking and aggression. Additionally, it helps control the pet population and reduces the number of homeless animals.

Owning a dog is a long-term commitment that requires dedication and knowledge. By following these ten essential tips, you can ensure your dog's health, happiness, and well-being. Providing proper nutrition, regular exercise, routine veterinary care, and mental stimulation are all crucial aspects of responsible dog ownership. Understanding and implementing these scientifically-backed guidelines will help you create a loving and fulfilling life for your canine companion.

[bunnysmooch]

i trimmed the boys' nails today all on my own! they both did really well too, I'm so proud

mochi usually fights us really hard, but this time he was much calmer. i think it may have been a combo of him not being held (I set him on the backyard table) and me not making A Big Deal™ about it (it was only me and not a second person, we didn't burrito him, etc)

or maybe its just old age lol. he's almost 9! according to the vet, he's considered a Senior Rabbit™ now

[herespaaa]

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[petsgrooming]

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While cats are known for their self-grooming prowess, some require extra care, especially those with long fur or seniors facing grooming challenges. With our Mobile Cat Grooming Car Service, we grasp the unique needs of cats, ensuring a stress-free grooming experience.

Comprehensive Cat Grooming at Your Doorstep

Radiant Coats through Brushing: Our grooming includes thorough brushing, promoting natural oil distribution, reducing fur ingestion, and preventing mats and damaged fur. Comfortable Nail Trimming: Long nails can cause discomfort. Our expert groomers handle nail trimming for your feline's ease of movement. Hygienic Medicated Bathing: Adventure-loving cats often accumulate dirt.

Flea and Tick Control: Regular checks and treatments keep your cat free from these pesky parasites. Health-focused Skin Examination: Our professionals diligently examine your cat's coat, identifying potential infections or dermatological issues. From stylish lion cuts to practical crocodile cuts, we cater to breeds with long fur or cats facing matting issues.

Nail trimming is crucial for cat grooming. Our expert groomers ensure a painless experience, preventing bleeding or discomfort associated with longer nails.

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Prioritizing your cat's comfort and health, our Mobile Pet Grooming Service brings quality grooming to your doorstep in Dubai. Experience the ultimate convenience of Professional Cat Grooming Car Services today!

[poipoipoi-2016]

But there are also downsides. As any Googler will tell you, these companies usually have a lot of fat to trim. Some of what looks like economic inefficiency is actually vital seed corn for the innovations of the future, but some of it is also just inefficiency, because nobody looks at the books, because it isn’t that kind of company. Likewise, being highly deliberative about everything can lead to some really smart decision making and avoidance of group think, but it can also be a cover for laziness or for an odium theologicum that ensures nothing ever gets done. Smart managers steeped in this sort of culture can usually do a decent job of sorting the good from the bad, but only if they can last, because you see there’s a third problem, which is that almost everybody involved is a quokka.

Engineers, being a subspecies of nerds, are bad at politics. In 1996, Boeing did something very stupid and acquired a company that was good at politics. McDonnell Douglas, another airplane maker, wasn’t the best at making airplanes, but was very good at lobbying congress and at impressing Wall Street analysts. Boeing took over the company, but pretty much everybody agrees that when the dust had settled it was actually McDonnell Douglas that had taken over Boeing. One senior Boeing leader lamented that the McDonnell Douglas executives were like “hunter killer assassins”. No, sorry bro, I don’t think they were actually that scary, you were just a quokka.

Anyway, the hunter killer assassins ran amok: purging rivals, selling off assets, pushing through stock buybacks, and outsourcing or subcontracting everything that wasn’t nailed down. They had a fanaticism for capital efficiency that rose to the level of a monomania,

which maybe wasn’t the best fit for an airplane manufacturer. And slowly but surely, everything went off the rails. Innovation stopped, the culture withered, and eventually planes started falling out of the sky

[piratekane]

7, 10 and 23 for the asks if you wanna. <3

7. What is your deepest joy about writing? I just... man. I just fucking love it. I love being able to take what's in my brain and put it down in a (semi) coherent manner. Because what happens in my brain and what comes out of of my mouth is a very twisted game of telephone. But being able to finally get it out brings me so much joy. And people responding to it! There are times where I've literally screenshot comments. I have an album on my phone for comments that always make me smile, especially when things get hard and it doesn't make sense to me anymore.

10. Has a piece of writing ever “haunted” you? Has your own writing haunted you? What does that mean to you? I'll say this. I went through my ao3 history and my most-visited fic right now is @thirteenyasmin/explosivesky's is at the top of my list. I am, you could say, haunted by how good that fic is. I think it was my first introduction to the 'Switzerland Era but make it they-get-together' vein of WN fic. It was just too good. The bar was set rather high. As for myself, I don't know that a fic has ever haunted me, or lingered with me long I've put it down. Maybe the last prompt fic I filled, where Bea has a panic attack? I dreamed that one up for something else, but it just didn't feel ready. So I guess, in a sense, it haunted me until I did something with it. And I still think about it now.

23, Describe the physical environment in which you write. Be as detailed as possible. Tell me what’s around you as you work. Paint me a picture. This is not glamorous, like some of the setups my friends have. Ones I am envious over. No, my entire writing adventures exist within the four walls of my living room, with my dog pressed into one side and small hands constantly asking me to fix this Barbie's outfit or unstick two Lego pieces. I have a sectional couch, deep and gray and a hole in one place where the dog's nails caught, and I sit at one end, pressed up against the arm rest that's slightly dented from the time my son stepped on it to turn the lamp on above it. There's a side table where I keep my things: my She-Ra and He-Man coasters, my ever-cooling coffee, a set of headphones for when things get too noisy, a collection of artwork my daughter draws for me. The sliding table, the one that tucks under the couch so I don't have to stretch forward, has a slightly-bent frame - I once got tangled in a blanket trying to get up and took it down with me, re-shaping the metal of it with the help of the solid wood coffee table. The edge of it is where they've glued a flexible trim to it is cracked at the seam. It's taken a beaten, but still stands well enough that I use it for hours a day. The walls are painted forest green. I came home one day to find everything was pushed to the center of the room and my wife had painted smeared across her cheek. My wife's art hangs on them, along with a picture of my grandparents on their wedding day and her grandparents at their senior prom. We have a faux fireplace, leftover by the last owner, and my wife decorates the mantle for every season. Do you know the Target birds? We have them all. It's not an office or a room just for me, but that'll happen when it's supposed to. And for now, I'll hope the couch lasts a few more years.

[zooophagous]

man theres a pyraneese-poodle-golden mix who visits the grooming salon I work at, who at 4 months old was so aggressive for getting his nail trimmed that my senior coworker was worried. I wrote it off originally as behaviour he'll grow out of... but its been months of regular visits and I can still barely get them done. how does this happen

Couldn't tell ya. Some animals are just always distrustful or uncomfortable no matter how acclimated you try to get them. Even breeds that are normally friendly.

I got very lucky that Blue lets me groom him even though he hasn't been with us for very long. I was sure I was going to get bitten in the face the first time I did nails lol.

[thebestherespa]

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[herespausa]

Get The Best Hair & Nail Care Services For Your Elderly In The USA

Who doesn't like a new look? A fashionable hairstyle, fresh hair colour, or even a simple wash and style may do wonders for one's mood. Looking your best improves your mood and gives you a good effect on others.

Beauty Care For The Elderly:

Regardless of age, a senior will always want to look her best. The beauty care of your senior loved one is essential for their health. The following are the two importance of beauty care for the elderly-

Hair Care For Elderly : As individuals age, their hair undergoes modifications. For example, it goes grey because hair pigment cells are not as regularly renewed. Unfortunately, this cannot be reversed. Therefore, colouring hair is the only technique to alter its hue. First, inquire whether your older relative wants hair colouring. Second, ask her what outcomes she hopes to accomplish. For example, some individuals like an all-over solid colour. This procedure, however, will result in the regrowth appearing as a grey line. If she finds this unappealing, highlights are a better alternative.

Nailcare : Nailcare is necessary for both health and attractiveness. For example, if your senior loved one has very long fingernails, they may accidentally scratch themselves (or you). On the other hand, nails that are unclean or too long might indicate that a loved one needs extra assistance with personal care, mainly if they are generally well-kept.

Get Beauty Care For Your Elderly:

In the USA, the renowned beauty and nail care service provider HereSpa offers the best-in-class aesthetic home nursing services for the elderly. Their seasoned, licensed, and trained cosmetology professionals provide hair and nail care services for senior citizens. You will get the following services from them-

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Final Words : No matter where you live in the USA, call the professionals of HereSpa to get the best in-home aesthetic home nursing services for the elderly. Book your appointment now.