#Thanks Giving Turkey 2023

[davis2007]

[yahoo201027]

What's your favorite Thanksgiving episode of Bob’s Burgers?

Doing another holiday episode poll for Bob’s Burgers since we don't have a Thanksgiving episode this year and was this close to not doing it because of the limit of the choices of doing a Tumblr poll, but here we are since Tumblr was generous to add an added option after 10. What's your favorite Thanksgiving episode? Give a vote.

[fallensapphires]

Holidays: Thanksgiving

Gratitude begins where my sense of entitlement ends.

[lady-0f-the-wood]

Happy Thanksgiving!

[skiersam10]

sorry guys, a little late posting this but whatevs. it’s giving season regardless.

[bewarethemuse]

Happy Thanksgiving!

[altherasart]

Give Thanks With A Grateful Heart: Ein Ausdruck der Dankbarkeit und des Herzensdankes.

[ihab-abuowkal]

My name is ihab, I am from Gaza, I am a 38-year-old father of four children , My story began on the 7th of October 2023. After this date I lost everything (my home, my work , my car), My family, and I went of hell as shelling and bombing haven't stopped even for one day. But this series of suffering couldn’t stop.

1- My children as the UN schools of my children were demolished, and there is no way for them to study again in Gaza. As important point my children were genius students and their dreams faded away.

2- I lost my own company . that I built step by step , IT company and workplaces .MY company had free workshops for serve society to decrease unemployment through freelancing .

3- I lost my warm and beautiful house. which bombed and destroyed

We got out miraculously to EGYPT, But we are suffering in EGYPT , and life couldn’t continue smoothly with us because we haven’t Egyptian residency . according to Egyptian granting laws , there for :

1- MY children can’t go to schools and complete their education . I can’t stand their question about when they can go to school as others , two years without education.

2- I can’t have chance to work in Egypt and have a job , My family is suffering from decreasing of basic needs of life (home, food, supplies, and medical necessities)

To stop this suffering we must leave EGYPT to any country that give Palestinians the residence as Turkey, Malaysia, Oman …atc through the residency I can work and my children continue their education .

The donations will be used to:

- Cover the costs of leave egypt for all family members.

- Secure temporary housing and provide basic necessities such as food, water, and medical supplies once wev are leave.

- Assist with initial resettlement expenses until we can find permanent solutions.

I am the father who struggles to achieve a safer future for his children . I hope you can save me and my family from this hell.

Time is of the essence, and we urgently need to raise money to ensure the safe passage and future of my family. Every donation, no matter how small, makes a significant difference in our lives. We appreciate your support and generosity and thank everyone who can help or share our story.

With all appreciation and thanks,

Ihab

[oonajaeadira]

For the Love of Fic Joel Miller

It's been a time in my world. Busyness and writer's block has been troubling. I think a lot of it stems from just feeling behind in general, so I thought I might launch into a catch-up campaign for myself ... in reading fic.

And I had a lot of this fella to catch up on.

So hold onto your butts, my friends, because herein lies the fics I loved in my several weeks of just. reading. Joel. <3

Spinner by @insomniamamma Joel has such a caretaker streak in him that being observant and taking to a neuro-divergent reader rings so true. I love a huddling-for-warmth tale--I do so enjoy a good cuddle with a gruff broad man.

The Reason for the Season by @prolix-yuy Now here's a fun idiots-to-lovers take where one of the yearners is our Joel. When Ellie has questions about old traditions, he takes her to the other idiot--a school teacher with a warm smile and some yearns of her own. Aka you. I very much enjoyed this tale of finding the many varied and true meanings for the Holiday in all its forms.

Please Mister Please by @grogusmum Hazel imagines Joel as a kindred lovely soul, one that has a song of his own that brings sorrow, just like yours does you. But is seems he has a better song in mind....

Carpe Diem by @boliv-jenta I love that fic writers want nothing ore in the world than to tell Joel he's going to get taken care of and doesn't have a choice in the matter. I'm so glad this one afforded him the chance to actually speak and grab the moment...even with a little help from a friendly weed...

Year of Small Joys: A Quiet Night In by @keldabe-kriff I'm in love with this little slice of post-apocalypse life. It gives me hope that even if the world falls apart, there will still be the chance to find the quiet somewhere, and with someone...

Simple Pleasures by @julesonrecord Listen. i don't care if the info trail goes cold or not. If it means getting off with Joel--even this cranky, somber version of him--I already consider my self lucky.

Able by @ladamedusoif I have no doubt that a cane would come in handy during an apocalypse, and for many reasons. It's fun to watch Joel realize it too, and to walk the reader through one of the things he knows--a full-blown panic attack. Disabled reader represent!

Snooze by @tightjeansjavi Short. Sweet. Quiet. A soft drabble of everything I want--now that Joel is safe and sinking into a domestic life, he loves him some naps. And with naps comes warmth and lazy days, and a big ol' bear of a man to cuddle with.

Mine by @secretelephanttattoo I really really love this beautifully written meditation on Joel and Tess' relationship; how they share intimacy and how they won't. It's heartbreaking and beautiful and so very real.

When His Eyes Open by @undercoverpena A beautiful train of thought from Joel as he opens his eyes to find you awake next to him, thankful for what you represent in his life. It's so soft and wonderful. It's a drabble, but I could read a whole multi-chapter fic of this.

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BY @something-tofightfor

Birthday Kiss #7: Joel Miller If I was stuck at the end of the world, I'd be thankful to have a Joel Miller to find me in the early hours, knowing exactly where I'd be and exactly what day it was, just to sing me a Happy Birthday.

Smutsgiving Feast 2023: Turkey - Joel Miller It's Thanksgiving in Jackson and Joel's been helping you get settled in after a traumatic past. Everything you need is here--family, an invitation, Joel carving a perfect turkey with his sleeves all rolled up...and perhaps there's more going on upstairs later....

Snow and Mistletoe (series) Rachael loves Christmas and I always look forward to her holiday fics since the coziness always comes through so strong in them. This series is no exception by far. A no-outbreak fic where you own a music store and Ellie's your niece and Sarah's her best friend and the two girls pull a parent trap on you and Joel in the very best way. It all unfolds against a backdrop of different holiday gatherings--social, work, family--and all of them sweet and beautiful and enticing in their own way. The season may be over, but this zinged me back in time a couple of months and I'm not mad about it. In fact, I'm thankful for it.

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BY @missredherring

Wrong Until You Make it Right A yearning Joel is always good in my book, but the earnest way he years after his plus-sized coworker here is so very juicy and sweet. I love to see him watch a lady do what she does best.

J.M. + "Tell me what you like" I think if I was stuck at the end of the world and asked Joel Miller to read to me because I had no glasses and he said yes, I might die of happiness on the spot.

Warming Up Joel deserves a good teasing, which is a little of what he gets for sleeping in while you go outside to shovel and then return to his furry, heated body to warm up. and, of course, maybe get a little recreational. After all, nothing warms up cold hands like all the bits and pieces of a Joel Miller.

A Flower in February I really love this story. Rachel does a good job of placing you firmly in the QZ with all of its bleakness, giving you one spot of color--a crocus in the snow. After a spot of bad luck with some bad people, Joel's there to set things right--well, as right as it can be. And I'll take it, because in the world of TLOU, it's everything.

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BY @ezrasbirdie

Observations This is so so sweet. Neuro-D reader is so observant about not being accepted or invited to be part of groups, it breaks my heart. But Joel sees her. Worries about her. Likes her. And he's getting better at pasta.

Sticky This one left me a mess. Maybe not as messy as the toy reader gives him to play with while she's gone or while she's on the phone, but I may have had to wipe the drool off my chin...

Crystal Now this one was made for me. Here we have a witchy reader and Joel has a lot of thoughts about her. Surprise though, because none of them are negative. They're curious and wondrous and endearing. He's bewildered by the hanging herbs and the rocks and oils, but they make her happy and that's all he asks. Sweet man.

Sparks Fly Two words: eating ass. That's what falls out of reader's mouth under the influence and perhaps that's a good slip because there's gonna be plenty going in her mouth--and Joel's--later on. And it's gonna be hot like fire.

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BY @blueeyesatnight

There's a Word for It As Blue says in her notes, this is where she lives. As in, it's what she does best. This here is a no nonsense meditation on Joel and Tess and how they met and how they functioned. There may or may not have been a word for what they had...it was many words. And they're all here in order, comprising this fic.

Trimmed This fic hit something deep in me, the way it uses memory is really lovely and really feels steeped in canon. The little things we share with someone, not worth mentioning to anyone else, hard to put into words how meaningful it is to you personally or maybe you don't know until they're gone...or until a familiarity with someone else triggers it...

Trouble This is a masterclass in examining Ellie and Joel after they return to Jackson. It weaves in and out of their shared POVs, examining their feelings about who they've become, how they justify Joel's actions and words, who they are to each other, how far they can trust one another, and maybe how tainted that love is. But it's still love all the same. It's amazing and packs a really good punch.

Honest Mistake A short and sweet trope reversal where Joel makes an honest mistake and instead of retrieving Tommy from a situation, kidnaps a boss instead. I love the way the brothers' relationship comes out in the dialogue.

Trying This fic broke my heart a couple of times. Blue imagines the Joel of beforetimes and then bridges the gap to Tess. The man just keeps at it, over and over....because its' what he knows. It makes his arrangement with Tess and actual heaven and I thank her for it.

I Like My Girls A Little Bit Older - (Over the Hill pair) And I like that Joel likes it. He certainly has a type and the reader in this fic has a real sassy, no-nonsense attitude that can meet Joel's in a pretty good dance. And that last sentence may be a spoiler for this story...maybe...

I Know Just What You're Saying - (Over the Hill pair) I love that when Joel is having trouble understanding a teenage girl, he has the foresight to go talk to someone what WAS one once. And that he cares enough to ask for the biiggest favor...and that the reader has no choice but to give it to him.

I Thought I Could Be Someone - (Over the Hill pair) There are so many forms of grief and some of them come out of nowhere from sources you never even knew. Blue does beautiful job in finding that moment here, all wrapped up in an unexpected softness from Joel. This is my favorite of the series yet.

Just Like Heaven - (Over the Hill pair) This brought me back to being a teenager, that "does he like me or want to keep me at arm's length" feeling, that "should I kiss him or is he gonna kiss me" feeling. Of course I get the ending I'm hoping for though! Blue is not gonna leave us hanging when it comes to Joel Miller.

That Summer Seemed to Last Forever - (Over the Hill pair) I still don't forgive Blue for this one. How dare she make me love so bittersweet? That's not to say it isn't beautiful and artfully done. Grab yer hankies, all.

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BY @morallyinept

O' Christmas Tree by @morallyinept This is a precious, delicate story, one in which Joel loves so deeply and hurts so much that the thought of losing you--a real possibility since you've been very ill. But he'd do pretty much anything to see you smile, even if it means facing down a day int he cold to bringyou something to warm your heart.

Northern Lights Imagine camping with Joel. Sharing a sleeping bag. Under the aurora. Hand stuff in the wild has never been so sweet and hot.

Saviour Harsh and heartbreaking and real, this Joel is almost beyond help and I love the way Jett so beautifully details the many little deaths of a survivor. Angst to spare here, but true to character all the way.

Adoration Imagine you are married to no-outbreak, breast-man Joel. Happy. Loved. With a lump. I'm so awed by this fic, that Jett takes a very common nightmare and examines it, never sugar-coating, never denying the difficulties. It's a hard process and maybe I cried. But then there's Joel and his beautiful, steady consistency. I've never been more in love.

Home I can't imagine the love of my life just disappearing one day...but Jett can. Don't worry though, there's a happy ending waiting for you.

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BY @maggiemayhemnj

Happy Tuesday There's no need for Valentine's Day if there's a Happy Tuesday. I love this take on a couple who know how sappy they are for each other but make a joke of subverting the sap. A no-outbreak Joel who's still 20 years on, 20 years in love, and 20 years loving it. Which is exactly how long I'll be loving these two.

A mini Happy Tuesday interlude (Spring prompt: Bees) - (Happy Tuesday pair) Maggie's damn good with a drabble, but even better with a good ending line. I smile every time.

He Sees You - (Happy Tuesday pair) If this is what goes through Joel's head as he watches you assess yourself in the mirror, then that man is in L O V E love.

Breakfast Is Served - (Happy Tuesday pair) I would do anything to be able to cook well, if only to be able to make biscuits for Joel Miller so we can sit at the table with messy bed head and use breakfast as Sunday foreplay.

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[fractalkiss]

can i ask about what lance is really good at on track and in races? i know commentators & other casual fans have said he's good under rainy conditions but your gif set interested me.. i was wondering about more if u'd like to give ur view

which gifset........ well, fast starts, for one. i think this is something that's often overlooked because he tends to start midfield or further back on the grid among cars he would have overtaken anyway, but i don't agree with that reasoning...see china 2018 where the williams car that season was horrible, and he still made up places in it (thank you to sunny strulovic for the clip find), and this crazy start at a rainy suzuka in 2022).

lance has a very reactive driving style which gives way to how he operates on the track - it has its cons, but really helps during changing and/or wet conditions. i'm not sure what gifset you're talking about but i will assume it's the last one i posted on this blog lol, but as examples:

half-damp race in hockenheim 2019 where he took a gamble on making the right call and was the first one to switch to the right tyres -> pushed him from the far midfield to the front of the line at one point which saved what was left of RP's weird strat calls ;_;

banked his maiden pole in turkey 2020 when the track surface had abysmal low-grip conditions + it just rained before the session lmao.

qualified pretty well (4th) in his rookie year for monza 2017, the first wet weekend that year if im not mistaken.

vegas 2023 where he slipped past the messy first-lap tangle, and made up a steady 9 places in the race by the end.

those are just a few examples i can think of rn! i could point you to an excerpt of a driving style analysis of the 2019 grid by hungary broadcast's f1 commentator gabor weber (full translated analysis here, thanks sunny for finding the post on the subreddit ages ago), but to highlight shortly: "His reaction time is incredible. This unrestful style is what limits his qualifying results, but it helps him during the races, because he reacts very well to unforeseen events and changing conditions, we rarely see him making mistakes then."

[sterekbros]

12.1K | Fluff | Soulmates | Meet-Cute | Getting Together

a glimpse of you and me (12129 words) by Winchesterek Rating: Explicit Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Derek Hale/Stiles Stilinski Summary: “You write about soulmates?” Derek asked, sounding curious as he leaned in. “I didn't know there was a market for children’s books about that.” “Yeah, it’s starting to pick up traction the last few years. I know there weren't many books like this when I was a kid, but maybe things would’ve been different if there had been.” Stiles shrugged. Then he paused, wetting his lips as he tried to control his breathing. “Do…you believe in soulmates?”

A gift to @evanesdust for the Fall 2023 @sterek-exchange And @sterekweekly Turkey

~*~*~

It was move-in day. A day that Stiles was dreading because he didn't want to move their whole life into their new home on his own. Then again, that was why moving companies existed. And he’d made enough on his last published book that he could afford movers along with what he’d saved to buy their first home.

He was so proud of it and hoped that his daughter would love it just as much as he did, despite having to leave her friends when they moved back to his hometown, Beacon Hills. It had been a while since he’d been here, since High School really. He hadn’t been back for more than holiday visits and to bring Hazel to see her grandparents.

But now they’d be able to spend more time together as a family because he was back in his hometown rather than halfway across the country.

“Hazel!” Stiles shouted, looking around for his daughter as he picked up a box.

“Yes, daddy?!” She shouted back, coming into view. Where had she’d disappeared to for all of a minute? Stiles had no idea. She was fast and sneaky. He was always worried that she would get lost. It was one of his biggest fears.

“What were you doing?” He asked, hefting the box into his arms and looking down at her.

“Oh. I was looking around the yard.” She held up a dandelion. “And I picked you a flower!”

Stiles smiled, always fascinated by what the mind of a seven-year-old was entertained by. Then again, dandelion flowers turned into puffy weeds that made Stiles sneeze, so he was happy for her to pick them from the yard so he could eventually throw them away when they dried out on the kitchen counter.

“Let’s go inside so we can check out your room,” Stiles suggested, motioning with his head.

“Okay!” Hazel replied cheerily and then skipped toward the house.

“I get to pick any room?” She asked, voice tinny. He trailed after her, thanking her when she stepped inside and opened the door for him, but then she dropped it on his face so he struggled to open the screen door and get inside the house at the same time.

Then again, she was seven. She had the attention span of a bee.

Stiles put the box down once he was inside and closed the door behind him, looking around. It was a two-story home with a modest living room and a nice open-concept kitchen that overlooked the backyard where he would be able to see Hazel playing while he cooked.

And it had three baths. Not that Stiles thought they’d ever use three baths and the four rooms in the house, but maybe someday if he had more kids he’d put them to good use. Right now, Hazel was enough to give him a run for his money.

She was up the stairs before Stiles could answer her, no doubt already running to each room to look at them and choose the largest one. He was going to have to break her heart that the master bedroom wasn't going to be hers.

He found her in the largest secondary bedroom, looking out the window and into the front yard. He tapped on the door jam with his knuckle to alert her he was there before he asked, “Is this the one, pumpkin?”

“I think so.” She didn't look at him, too focused on whatever had caught her attention outside. “Daddy, who is that?”

Stiles walked up behind her and looked out the window, searching for what she was looking at. His eyes landed on a man in the driveway of the house next to theirs, working on what looked like a motorcycle.

“It looks like that’s probably our neighbor next door. And he’s doing something with a motorcycle…” Stiles couldn’t help but stare a little too long because the guy was traditionally attractive and the shirt he was wearing didn't leave much to the imagination with how it stuck to his body from what Stiles could imagine was from his sweat.

“Can we go see him?” Hazel asked, looking up at him with bright, curious eyes.

“Not today, sweetheart. We need to finish unpacking boxes and eat lunch. And we should get all of your stuff ready in your room so you can sleep in here,” Stiles replied, running his hand over the top of her head.

“Is Mommy coming over later?” She asked, her red hair shining in the sunlight that trickled through the window.

“Maybe. I’ll call her and ask to see if she’s busy. You know your mommy works a lot, but she loves you.” That seemed to tide Hazel over as she nodded and looked out the window again, leaving Stiles to shake his head.

They’d explained to her early on as best they could that mommies and daddies weren’t always together, especially since his best friend Lydia had done him a solid and was the surrogate for the child Stiles had always wanted. She’d even donated one of her eggs to him because she said her genetics were superior and needed to be passed on. He always got a laugh out of that, but he didn't think she was kidding when she’d said it.

So, Lydia took Hazel on weekends when she could and they chatted all the time on FaceTime. They had family dinners when Lydia was in town and Hazel didn't seem any worse for it. It worked for them. Stiles had Hazel full time and he was perfectly fine with that because he was the one that wanted her and practically begged Lydia to give her to him.

He owed her more than he ever could repay her for the little girl in front of him now. He also cursed her name half the time too when Hazel was too smart for her own good and left Stiles often confused about what to tell her. She was quick and her wit was sharp. Stiles didn't want to think about what she might be like when she was a teenager.

“Come on, pumpkin. Let’s go get some of your boxes from downstairs while the moving men unload the rest of our stuff from the truck,” Stiles said, running his hand over the top of her head.

“Okay, daddy. Then I can unpack!” She smiled up at him and then turned around and hurried off downstairs. He could hear her trampling the whole way down. That was going to be something Stiles had to get used to.

They busied themselves moving the smallest boxes into Hazel’s room while the moving company finished unpacking the truck and dispersing the boxes to the correct rooms. Stiles left Hazel in her room to unpack her boxes while we headed downstairs to make lunch. Two sandwiches later, one without the crusts and with extra pickles, the other being Stiles’ which he would say is a normal sandwich, and Stiles was ready for a break.

“Hazel! Lunch is ready!” Stiles waited and listened, but didn't hear little feat trampling down the stairs. “Hazel?”

Stiles frowned and went upstairs to check on Hazel, not finding her there.

Oh, god.

They hadn't even been at their new home for twenty-four hours and Stiles had already lost his daughter. Inside their house.

He hadn't heard Hazel sneak by, so Stiles checked all the rooms, the bathrooms and anywhere else he could think of before heading outside to check the backyard. He didn't find her there so he hurried outside to check the front yard. The moving company had already packed up and left.

And the only thing in the driveway was Stiles’ blue Jeep.

Stiles sighed in relief when he heard Hazel's tinny, high-pitched voice nearby.

He followed it, finding Hazel standing in the driveway next door with their hot motorcycle-owning neighbor. Stiles was going to regret this, especially if he fell all over himself talking to him.

“Hazel,” Stiles said, walking toward them. “I was worried when I couldn't find you.”

Hazel looked up at Stiles with her bright eyes, red curls tumbling down her shoulders. “Sorry, daddy. I wanted to talk to Mr. Derek!”

When Stiles’ gaze returned to Mr. Derek, he was surprised to see an almost blinding smile that made his eyes sparkle like a kaleidoscope. Damnit. This wasn't good for Stiles. At all.

“Uh, hi. I’m sorry my daughter was bothering you…while you’re working on your motorcycle.” Stiles kicked himself internally.

“No, no. It’s completely fine. I needed a break anyway.” Derek cleaned his hands with a rag, stained with oil.

“I’m Derek Hale,” he added, reaching his partially dirty hand out in offering to Stiles. Stiles took it, giving Derek a firm shake, and tried not to drool on him before releasing Derek’s hand. “Hazel was telling me that you two are my new neighbors.”

Obviously, Derek couldn't have missed the moving truck, but Stiles liked how he entertained his daughter and their conversation. “Oh, yeah. I used to live in Beacon Hills growing up and I’ve been away for a while, but I thought it was time to move back home.”

Derek nodded, still smiling as his gaze glanced over Stiles. “Well, welcome to the neighborhood—-”

Oh. Right. Stiles hadn't given Derek his name. “Stiles. Stilinski.”

Derek’s face looked thoughtful as he asked, “As in Sheriff Stilinski?”

“That’s the one.” Stiles chuckled. “He really should retire, but I think he’d be bored if he wasn't working. He likes to keep busy, even when he takes time off.”

Derek laughed and god, Stiles wanted to see more of that.

“I can understand that,” Derek replied, tossing the rag onto a toolbox next to his motorcycle. “I try to keep busy, but it’s easy to do when I’m at the firehouse most of the time.”

Stiles smoothed his hand over Hazel’s hair as she leaned into him, knowing that her big ears were taking in everything that Derek was saying. “Firehouse? So you’re a firefighter?”

“Yeah. I wanted to be one as a kid. I guess I grew up and managed to follow my dreams.” Derek chuckled again and met Stiles’ eyes.

For some reason, Stiles hadn't expected that. “Wow. That must be exciting.”

“It’s…interesting, for sure. I can say that the job is never boring.” Derek leaned over and closed the toolbox, which Stiles took advantage of and checked out Derek’s ass, which was very toned and unfair. Probably because of how much he worked out due to being a fireman.

“Well, we should let you finish up here and get back to our place. I made lunch,” Stiles replied, looking down at Hazel. And she was far too fascinated with Derek already. He was sure she was thinking up a thousand questions to ask him about being a fireman the second she got the chance.

“Oh, yeah. Sorry. I didn't mean to keep you,” Derek replied as he straightened and turned to them. He reached his hand down to Hazel and said, “It was nice meeting you, Miss Hazel. I’m sure we’ll see each other another time.”

“We will!” Hazel confirmed as she shook Derek’s hand. Stiles chuckled.

“Come on pumpkin, before your sandwich is soggy.” Stiles scooped Hazel into his arms and perched her on his hip, his eyes casting back to Derek, who was smiling at him still.

“It was nice meeting you, Stiles. Welcome to the neighborhood.” Derek’s eyes were downright sinful and Stiles had to calm himself as warmth spread through him at Derek’s look. He wasn't even sure if Derek liked dudes.

“Thank you. It was nice meeting you too… I’m sure we’ll see you around.”

“You can bet on it,” Derek replied and picked up his toolbox, then headed off toward his open garage.

He really needed to get his thoughts under control or they’d never make it through lunch. He jiggled Hazel and she giggled before they headed off back to their house.

Stiles had a really good feeling about being home again. Like it was all going to work out perfectly.

Chapter 2

Stiles heard all too familiar giggles from the aisle over and he couldn’t help the smile that crossed his face. He couldn't remember how long it had been since he and Derek started dating, but it seemed just like it was yesterday.

He grabbed a couple of boxes of stuffing and put them into his basket, followed by two cans of cranberry sauce and a can of mushroom soup so they could make turkey gravy.

Stiles loved the holidays, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas. His Dad would be coming over, along with Derek’s family and they were going to have the biggest Thanksgiving dinner that Stiles had had since he was around 7 years old. He wished that his mom could be here, too. Stiles thought she would love Derek as much as he did.

He walked down the aisle and turned the corner, seeing Derek carrying Hazel under one arm like she was a bag of potatoes while she wiggled around and laughed. Stiles wasn't surprised. She often thought playing games in stores was the funnest thing. Stiles, on the other hand, was always afraid that he’d lose her. And god, he would never forgive himself.

Then again, Derek was always really good at keeping an eye on her. He walked up behind them and tickled Hazel as she squirmed and bucked, so Derek put her down with a grunt.

“She’s definitely your daughter,” Derek teased as Stiles wrapped his arm around Derek’s waist and kissed Derek’s cheek.

“I can verify that I was a wild child,” Stiles replied with a chuckle as Hazel climbed into the cart and sat down.

“I think you’re getting a little big for that,” Stiles told her.

“I’m only 9, Daddy,” Hazel replied, sounding annoyed like she often did these days. Hazel was 9 and it had been two years since they’d moved into their new house. Derek was rarely at his own place anymore and they’d been considering turning it into a rental for extra income. Not that they needed it, but it was a nice thought.

“And 9 is a little old to be riding in the grocery cart. Where are we going to put the turkey?”

“You can carry it!” Hazel said it like it was the simplest answer in the world.

Stiles frowned. “I’m not carrying one turkey, much less the three we’re going to need for our family dinner.”

Hazel sighed. “Fine. Can we at least get the stuff for our pie now? You know, the one that you said grandma used to make when you were little?”

“Of course. Why don't you grab us some cool whip from the freezer right there?” Stiles suggested, hoping that it would tide Hazel over since she’d be helping.

“I can do that,” Hazel said with a nod, climbed out of their cart, and went over to the freezer.

Stiles set his basket in the cart and turned back to Derek. “Hey there,” he said and leaned in to kiss Derek. The kiss was soft and sweet and Stiles wished he could kiss Derek longer, but it would definitely be indecent in the grocery store.

“Hey,” Derek replied, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “You find everything?” Derek’s hands fell to Stiles’ hips as he tugged him closer.

“I think I got everything other than the pie crusts and the cool whip. I figured Hazel might want to get those.” He wrapped his arms around Derek’s neck, his fingers playing with Derek’s hair at the base of his skull. He knew that Derek loved it when he did that and if Derek could, Stiles thought he would purr.

“Good. Then we’re almost done getting everything. We just need the turkeys.” Derek gave Stiles another peck that sent shivers down Stiles’ spine, like the kiss was a promise of more.

Stiles sighed, letting the happiness settle in his chest. “I love you, Derek. So much.”

“I love you too,” Derek replied softly. “And our little family.”

And Stiles hoped that one day, their family might grow. After all, he did have extra bedrooms in his house that he needed to fill.

***

Stiles jerked awake and held his chest, his heart pounding in his ears. It felt like he was ripped from another life. He reached up to touch his head. Stiles was still disoriented, swimming in and out of his dream, trying to figure out what was real and what was a fantasy.

What the hell had that been?

He’d never felt anything like that before. Nothing had ever been that real. His dreams were just dreams and he'd never dreamt of someone he’d just met before.

They were also dreams that Stiles was told that he’d never have. After all, Stiles didn't have a soulmate and he was told that he never would. It just wasn't in the cards for him. So they for sure weren’t soulmate dreams. That was ludicrous.

He sighed as he laid back in bed, letting the mattress hug his body, sinking into the foam. He breathed in and out slowly, letting his heart calm and his brain sort out what had been a fantasy and the real world.

But all he could think about was Derek. Derek that had been with them at the grocery store like it was any other day. Derek that had a smile just for him. Derek whom he was in love with in his dream. DerekDerekDerek.

Stiles knew he was really attracted to Derek but he needed to get it together. He wasn't crazy and he wasn't desperate. It wasn't as if he hadn’t had relationships and that men and women hadn’t been interested in him. He just wasn't in one right now and didn't really have any plans to be. His life was focused on Hazel and his career and Stiles was completely okay with that.

His mind wandered… and Stiles ran a hand over his face as if it would push away thoughts of Derek.

He was screwed and not in the best way.

Fuck.

Chapter 3

It had been six months since Hazel had accosted Derek, making him tell her all about his motorcycle and what exactly he’d been doing to it. He’d been changing the oil, something that Stiles hadn’t found out until days later when he’d chatted with Derek at their mailboxes.

Now he’d often find Hazel chatting away with Derek in the driveway when he was outside working on his motorcycle, or when he was in his front yard taking care of the bushes or mowing the grass. She’d even managed to get Derek to play soccer with her, which Stiles had no idea where she’d gotten a soccer ball from. So likely it was Derek’s.

Stiles was not athletic. At all. So maybe it was for the best that Derek had been the one that she’d talked into playing soccer with her that day.

They hadn’t played soccer since.

Hazel’s interests were fickle like that since she was only seven years old.

But really, Stiles hadn’t been able to stop thinking about Derek. Especially since every time he spoke to Derek, he had another dream. It was always something so domestic and simple, something so mundane that it would be boring for most people. That was what made it so awesome for Stiles, though. It was like Derek just fit into his life. Like he had always been there and belonged there.

Stiles had stopped believing in soulmates a long time ago. When he was seventeen he’d visited a psychic, one that told him that he didn't have a soulmate. At the time he’d been so lonely that he needed to know if he’d ever find his soulmate. If he’d ever find someone that would be his world. After that, he’d given up on soulmates. He lived his life like a normal person, never expecting to meet their soulmate.

It happened sometimes. A person would have no soulmate, or people could have multiple. Or maybe their soulmate would just end up being their best friend and it would be platonic instead of romantic. No one ever really knew how the whole soulmate thing worked, but it seemed like it had a mind of its own. How crazy was that?

Stiles looked through the mail as he lingered by the mailbox. He didn't know if Derek was home since he worked the oddest hours. Derek would be on for 48 or 72 hours, then he would be off for 24 hours.

Not that Stiles was keeping track of that. Of course he wasn't. Which is why he didn't really know if Derek was home. Maybe he should keep track of Derek’s schedule if he was going to try bumping into him more often. That would probably be the best idea. Although, it was also slightly on the crazy side. He wasn't a stalker.

Stiles faintly wondered if Derek had been having dreams about him, too. Sometimes someone’s soulmate wasn't always the other person's soulmate. Stiles wondered if Derek had ever thought about soulmates before.

He had to have, right? At some point in his life? Everyone did…

It would kind of be a weird conversation starter, so Stiles dropped it and sighed, closing his mailbox. He quietly hoped that Derek would be home later and that Hazel would sneak off to talk to him just so Stiles could find her and have a reason to talk to Derek.

He was a terrible person who used his daughter’s curiosity in Derek just so he could talk to their hot next-door neighbor.

Stiles walked up the pathway to his house and climbed the steps, heading inside.

Hazel was out with Lydia for the day, so he had some time to himself for work. He tossed the mail on a side table and grabbed his tablet from the couch, falling back onto it and resting his head against fluffy pillows. Stiles could also use a nap, but he had to turn in a few pages at the end of the week to his publisher. Just an update of what he’d been working on since he had gotten an advance on his next publishing contract.

Stiles opened a canvas and looked at the sketch of a little wolf and fox. It was a story of them becoming fast friends and falling in love. It was probably one of the cutest stories he’d written in a while. He wasn't sure if he should be thankful or not that children’s publishing companies pushed for books about soulmates, so children could learn about them early on.

Stiles knew that the fox and the wolf would have a tough time, especially because they were different, but they were soulmates, and children learning about differences and challenges was always a good thing.

He started coloring in the scene, focusing on the wolf for a while, painting his black fur, and giving him minute details that didn't really matter in a children’s book. He smiled at the wolf and stroked his finger over the image.

“At least you have a soulmate little wolf,” Stiles said softly, then frowned when there was a knock on the front door.

He glanced at the time on his phone. It wasn't nearly time for Lydia to bring Hazel back and he wasn't expecting anyone. He closed his tablet and tossed it back onto the couch, then headed to the front door.

Stiles opened it, shocked to see Derek standing there.

“Uh, hi.” Derek smiled, shifting there awkwardly on Stiles’ porch. Then he wiggled something in his hand and Stiles’ eyes dropped to see a package. “It looks like this was delivered to my house but it’s yours.”

“Oh.” Of course Derek was here to do something as simple as return a package to him. It wasn't like he was there for Stiles. “Thanks.”

Stiles reached out for the package, his fingers brushing against Derek’s as it was handed over. He might have lingered a little too long during the exchange, but he told himself that was because he wanted to make sure that he had a good hold on his package before taking it from Derek.

If he were using an emoji right now, he would definitely be using a side-eyed Discord dog emoji in response to the lies he told himself.

“Would you like to come in?” Stiles asked, opening the door more and stepping aside. Why he was inviting Derek inside? Stiles had no idea. He just knew that he didn't want Derek to leave.

“Oh, sure.” Derek rubbed his hands on his pants, then stepped through the threshold. He looked around as Stiles closed the door. “Wow. I guess I wasn't sure what I expected it to look like in here, but it’s nearly the same design as my house.” Derek paused. “The layout, I mean.”

“Yeah, I figured they would all look pretty similar. I think when they made the neighborhood the developer had very little differences in the main layouts of the houses. It was really based on how many rooms there were. At least, that’s what I found online when I was researching. And by researching, I mean avoiding drawing,” Stiles rambled.

“You like to draw?” Derek asked, pushing his hands into his pockets as he faced Stiles.

Stiles smiled and nodded. “It’s kind of my job. I write and illustrate children’s books.” Which was probably what was inside the box now that Stiles was thinking about it. Derek looked star-struck when Stiles’ gaze flicked from Derek to the box in his own hands.

“Wow. That’s…amazing. I guess it wasn't expecting that either.” Derek’s cheeks were flushed and the tips of his ears were pink as Stiles studied him.

“What were you expecting?” Stiles asked curiously, wondering what Derek thought of him. But if Derek was expecting something, then at least he was thinking of Stiles, right?

“I’m not sure,” Derek replied, shifting from foot to foot. Stiles wondered why Derek seemed nervous. He never seemed nervous when they’d previously talked.

“I guess most people never expect me to be a children’s book writer and illustrator. So I shouldn't really be surprised that you thought I’d do something else for a living.” Stiles picked at the tape on his package.

“I guess because your father is the Sheriff, I thought you’d get into something doing with law enforcement. Maybe a lawyer,” Derek added, his gaze focused on Stiles.

Stiles laughed, nodding. “Yeah, I guess I can see that. At least, the law enforcement part. At one point I wanted to work down at the station and possibly become a detective. I wasn't sure what kind of detective. And on another occasion, I entertained the idea of being an FBI agent.”

“FBI, huh? I guess your life would be a lot different if you did that for a living…” Derek rocked on his feet but he didn't turn away from Stiles nor look away.

Stiles tilted his head, thinking about that. His life might look different and he might not have the stability to have Hazel. Which meant that there was no choice. He wouldn't have it any other way.

“I guess it would be a lot different,” Stiles said and nodded. He licked his lips, the back of his mind itching to tell Derek he’d been dreaming about him. “Do you want something to drink?” he asked instead. Damnit.

“I’d love something to drink,” Derek said with a soft smile, the offer seeming to relax something in both of them. “Water is fine.”

Stiles tipped his chin toward the kitchen. “It’s this way, but if your house is almost exactly like mine, then you’d know that.”

It was Stiles’ turn to flush for no reason and he kicked himself mentally. He walked with Derek to the kitchen and set his package down on the island. “So you’re off for the next 24 hours?”

“Yes. I just got off shift.” Derek leaned against the island as Stiles grabbed a glass from the cupboard.

“Ice?”

“Sure.”

Stiles filled the glass with ice from the dispenser and topped it off with water before turning and handing it to Derek. “You must be pretty tired, then.”

“A little. I’m still running on adrenaline from our last call. But it will wear off in a bit.” Derek took the glass, not pulling it away from Stiles’ hand immediately. “Thank you…”

“Of course.” Stiles smiled almost shyly. “It’s the least I could do for you returning my package.”

Once Derek took the glass, Stiles looked at the box again and grabbed a butter knife. He cut the tape and set the knife aside before opening it. Sure enough, there were some proofs for his next book.

“Are those yours?” came Derek’s voice over his shoulder. It really shouldn't take Stiles’ breath away and send a shiver down his spine with how close Derek was now.

“Uh, yeah. Well, the beginning of a series that I’m working on.” Stiles pulled a book out and smiled as he smoothed his thumb over the black wolf on the front cover. “It’s about a fox and a wolf meeting and finding out they’re soulmates.”

Well, there it was. The topic had been thrown out into the open. There was no avoiding it now unless Stiles wasn't Derek’s soulmate despite Derek being his. Then Derek would have never seen glimpses of their possible future together.

“You write about soulmates?” Derek asked, sounding curious as he leaned in. “I didn't know there was a market for children’s books about that.”

“Yeah, it’s starting to pick up traction the last few years. I know there weren't many books like this when I was a kid, but maybe things would’ve been different if there had been.” Stiles shrugged. Then he paused, wetting his lips as he tried to control his breathing. “Do…you believe in soulmates?”

Derek looked hesitant, like he was searching for the right answer. After a few moments, Derek said, “I’ve always loved the idea of soulmates…but just because you have a soulmate doesn't mean it will work out, or that it will be romantic. It could be platonic. That doesn't mean you can't fall in love with someone that’s not your soulmate. That you can't have a life with someone and be happy if they aren’t your soulmate.”

Derek set the glass on the counter and shifted to lean his hip against it, standing next to Stiles. There were only scant inches between them, which had Stiles’ heartbeat speeding up. If Derek had supernatural hearing, Stiles’ heart would completely betray him.

“I think soulmates could make it easier if you’re compatible with the person. At least, if you’re mutual soulmates. I know it doesn't work out for everyone that way,” Derek added.

“So…you haven't found your soulmate yet?” Stiles asked carefully, knowing he was treading water and hoping he wasn't about to drown.

“Well…I wasn't sure that I had one,” Derek replied. “I, uh—also wasn't out there searching for my soulmate either. I figured if I ever met them, then it would happen because it was supposed to. I’ve never signed up for those soulmate dating apps or anything.”

So…then maybe Stiles wasn't Derek’s soulmate even if Derek was his. His heart sank at the thought and he drew in a shaky breath. “Yeah, well, I haven't used those sites either.”

The silence hung between them like it was something fragile that neither of them wanted to break. Stiles wasn't sure how long it lasted until Derek’s words broke into his thoughts with, “I had dreams about you after the first day we met, Stiles.”

Stiles looked at Derek, confused. Had he just heard what he thought he heard? “What?” Stiles asked, his mind fuzzy with hope and his heart breaking if it hadn't been.

“After we met that first day, the day you moved in. I had a dream about you and Hazel.” Derek took a deep breath. “We were at a grocery store shopping for a family Thanksgiving dinner.” He looked like he was waiting for Stiles to process what he’d said and Stiles’ mind was spinning.

Derek had had the same dream he had. Of them being a family, of being in love. Of spending the rest of their lives together. Because that’s exactly what Stiles had dreamt and felt then, too.

“Really?” Stiles asked, still refusing to believe it. He couldn't let himself believe that it was true. That his whole life had been a lie up until now. That he actually had a soulmate. “I—I— I had the same dream,” Stiles breathed.

“And your family was going to come over. And my dad. We were going to have Thanksgiving here.” Stiles slipped back into that moment with Derek, standing in the middle of the frozen section aisle while Hazel went to grab the cool whip for his mother's pie. He remembered the way Derek’s lips felt against his, how Derek’s voice sounded when he told Stiles that he loved him.

“Stiles?” Derek asked gently, pulling Stiles from his thoughts again. “Are you okay?”

Stiles ran a hand over his face, trying to push away his memories of their shared dream. Did that mean that Derek had shared Stiles’ other dreams? “Yeah, I’m okay. Sorry… it’s just a lot to process.”

Derek nodded, crossing his arms and shifting to lean back against the island, his body turned away from Stiles. “Yeah… I understand. I wasn't sure if I should say anything…”

“It’s not that I don't believe in soulmates,” Stiles was quick to assure Derek, “It’s just that I didn't think that I had one. So, it’s a little more to process than just finding out… I guess, like, normally.”

Derek was nodding, but he didn't say anything right away. “Well,” he breathed out. “How about we start out by going out on a date? I mean, if you’re into guys. I guess I should have asked that first…”

Stiles laughed softly, brushing a hand through his hair. “Yeah, I am. It would kinda be weird if I wasn't and my soulmate was a dude, huh?”

Derek chuckled. “Well, I guess in that case we could have been really good friends… and maybe great neighbors.”

Stiles laughed again, then he breathed out all the tension he didn't know he’d been holding in. “You’re into dudes, right?”

Derek smiled at him like it was a given. “Well, yeah. I wouldn't have suggested we go out on a date if I wasn't.”

“I just had to make sure. You never really know with these things. I didn't want to assume.” Stiles looked down at the book in his hands that he’d completely forgotten about. “Did you want to look at the book? I’m working on the second one in the series now.”

“I’d love to,” Derek replied, uncrossing his arms and reaching out to take the book from Stiles’ hands. “So, you said it’s about a fox and a wolf?”

“Yeah…” Stiles turned to lean back against the island, scooting just a little closer to Derek as he looked at the book in Derek’s hands. “Obviously the black one is the wolf,” he added, reaching out to brush over the wolf with his finger. “And the fox is a red fox.”

Stiles didn't know why he was telling Derek what he could see for himself. “They meet in the forest and spend the day together and promise to meet again before winter sets in.” He smiled as he studied the cover. “It takes a long time, between getting ready for winter and taking care of the pack, but within that time they dreamed of each other and of what their lives could be like if they stayed.”

Derek opened the book, looking at each page like it was the most interesting thing in the world. Like maybe it was their story.

“And they decide to winter together instead of being separated again.” Stiles smiled as he touched the opening of the wolf den on the page. “And then they never parted after.”

“So, the second book?” Derek asked as he looked through the rest of the pages. “What is that one about?”

Stiles shrugged and smiled. “Life, I guess. Just because someone is your soulmate doesn't mean you won't have challenges, right?”

“Right,” Derek agreed and closed the book. “I think it’s a really great book. And I can't wait to see what you come up with for the second book in the series. How many are going to be in it?”

“I’m not sure. But right now I have at least three planned out. I guess it depends on the publishing company and if they want more books in the series. I can always create new characters, though, for another series. New stories. New lessons.” Stiles bumped his shoulder with Derek’s and Derek handed the book back to him.

“I’d love to see your other work sometime,” Derek replied, not pulling away as Stiles rested their shoulders together.

“Yeah, I have other books I can show you. I don't think I can share what I’m working on right now, but after it’s all finalized I can share then.” He took the book from Derek and set it on the counter behind them.

“So…where are we going on a date?” Stiles felt his cheeks heat at the question, telling himself he shouldn't be nervous about this.

“I’ll leave that up to you,” Derek replied softly, smiling at Stiles. “We can work something out.”

Stiles had always believed that soulmates were forever and he couldn't wait to explore that possibility with Derek.

Derek was right. They’d work it out.

Chapter 4

Stiles checked his watch and sighed, looking around Hazel’s classroom and the other 25 first graders in the room. Today they were going on a field trip and Stiles had volunteered to be a parent chaperone.

He was already regretting it.

Apparently, there were no other parental chaperones. So, Stiles looked at the list of names in his hand and counted the kids again to make sure they had the correct amount before they all filed onto the school bus.

Their field trip was a short ride and Hazel had been talking non-stop about it. They were visiting a local firehouse to see the trucks and learn about fire safety. Stiles continuously reminded her that it might not even be Derek’s firehouse and if it was, Derek might not even be working when they got there. Or Derek might be out on a call saving someone from a fire.

Hazel promptly ignored everything Stiles said, insisting that Derek would be there because she was ‘going to see him be a fireman today!’

Stiles couldn't deny that he wasn't excited at the possibility of seeing Derek all dressed up in his work clothes. He hadn't seen Derek in anything related to his job yet, not that Stiles didn't like Derek’s regular clothes. But he’d thought about Derek on more than one occasion dressed up as a fireman. It had definitely fueled some of his late-night thoughts.

It had been two months since they’d started dating. It was difficult since he had Hazel full time and Derek’s schedule was a little crazy, but they’d found the time. Even if it was only when Derek came over after his shift while Hazel slept.

They snuggled and fell asleep together on the couch probably a little too often.

Too often for Derek not to have kissed him yet.

Stiles had been thinking about kissing Derek for weeks at this point on a daily basis. He just wasn't sure how to go about it and Stiles was worried that Hazel would wake up and catch them in the act. She’d never seen Stiles kiss anyone, so that would be a whole conversation in itself.

After he helped settle the kids into their seats, he took a seat at the front and they were off.

The drive was less than fifteen minutes to the firehouse and the kids were way too excited and in a chatter as they started unloading them. Stiles tried to keep an eye on everyone, even as Hazel took his hand and the kids gathered around in a small group with the teacher in front.

“Alright, class! We are going into the firehouse and they’re going to show us the firetruck after we discuss fire safety.”

With that, they filed into the building as quickly as 26 first graders and two adults could. Once they were inside the cramped space that looked like a lounging area that also had a kitchen on one side, they were greeted by three firefighters. Stiles glanced at their name tags, which read: Erica, Boyd, and Isaac.

The blond bombshell stepped out from the group. “Look at all these cuties!” she exclaimed excitedly, beaming at the kids. “I am Miss Erica and these are my two helpers, Isaac and Boyd.”

All the kids said hi in near unison and Stiles chuckled as he watched them explain fire safety to the kids. Then the blond guy, Isaac, acted like he was on fire, fake yelling and all before he dropped to the ground. Boyd, with an unamused look on his face, took off his coat and covered Isaac with it to pat him down. Erica narrating the whole scene was almost just as assuming as watching the two men act it out. The kids were enthralled by the demonstration.

All of them except for Hazel, of course. Stiles looked down when he felt Hazel tug his hand.

Her eyes were big and bright, looking expectantly at Stiles like he had all the answers in the world. Which he definitely didn't.

“Daddy…are we going to see Mr. Derek?” she asked, which made Stiles sigh. Again.

“I don't know, pumpkin. I told you that he might not be here when we got here. Right now it looks like we have some fun people showing your class about stopping, dropping, and rolling if you catch on fire, though.”

Hazel looked sad and uninterested. “I already know how to do that Daddy. We talked about it at school with the nurse.”

Of course they did.

Stiles glanced up at a tiny girl, who announced herself as Kira, came into the room and started separating the students. It looked like she was a paramedic and not a firefighter.

“Okay! Sir, you will be with me and I’m going to show your group the ambulance. Our firehouse is assigned an ambulance that makes emergency runs on its own but also assists the fire trucks. In addition, they back us up when we leave the firehouse on separate calls, just in case we need extra help,” Kira started as she motioned for the group of six kids that had been corralled with them toward the ambulance parked in the bay.

When they reached the back of the ambulance, a dark-haired woman was sitting inside with the doors open. Her smile was warm, her lips red, and her eyes sharp as she greeted the kids. “I’m Laura. Welcome to our firehouse. We’re so excited to have you here with us today!”

Stiles’ brows furrowed as he studied her. She looked frighteningly familiar, but he’d never met her before.

Kira and Laura helped the kids into the back of the ambulance, showing them the various tools inside. Hazel seemed more interested in talking to Laura, rapidly firing a million questions at her. Laura didn't seem to mind, like she was used to it.

His daughter had a way of wrapping every person she met around her little fingers and Laura looked like no exception. It was a good thing that they’d only interact for the field trip, otherwise Hazel might have another person out there willing to do her bidding for whatever she asked. Stiles chuckled to himself.

“Stiles,” came a voice from behind him and he turned to see Derek there, half-dressed in his fire get-up. He was also dirty, as if he’d just come from a call.

“Oh, hey,” Stiles replied, his smile growing. “I didn't know you were here.”

“I just got back,” Derek replied, motioning to the fire truck parked right outside the bay where other firemen were inventorying.

“We haven't been here that long,” Stiles assured him, tilting his head and taking in Derek’s appearance more. It really was hotter than Stiles expected it to be, especially because Derek was sweaty and had soot on his skin. “You okay?”

Derek nodded, smiling tiredly at Stiles. “Yeah. Just had a hard call. I can't exactly give you details, but everything worked out.” He walked over, reaching out to hold Stiles’ hand and tug him closer. All Stiles wanted to do was kiss him, but he managed to control himself as Derek wrapped his arms around him and buried his face against Stiles’ neck. Stiles circled his arms around Derek and held him, giving him whatever comfort he needed.

“Mr. Derek!” Hazel shouted, pulling Stiles from his thoughts. Well, there went the whole trip. He couldn't blame Hazel for being infatuated with Derek. Stiles was too. It was more than that for Stiles, though.

Derek chuckled and drew back, letting Stiles go, and looked down at Hazel who was already next to them, raising her arms excitedly. He picked her up and perched her on his hip easily. “Hey, Peep,” Derek teased.

“That’s not my name, Mr. Derek,” Hazel replied, sounding offended. Derek had given her the nickname within the first couple of weeks because he’d said Hazel’s voice sounded like a little bird. Stiles thought it was cute. Hazel did not. He supposed it could have been worse. He could have called her Chirp. Stiles really tried not to laugh to himself.

“Alright, alright. Miss Hazel,” Derek replied. “How are you enjoying your field trip?”

“Good, now that you’re here!” Hazel hugged Derek and Stiles thought it was the most adorable thing, but she would likely need a change of clothes with the soot that clung to Derek transferring onto Hazel.

She pulled back and looked him over, then frowned. “You’re stinky,” she stated matter-of-factly.

“Hazel, that’s not nice,” Stiles chided, but he was smirking and biting his lip. “We don't say those things to people.”

“But he is,” she replied and shrugged.

Derek laughed. “Well, I was going to take a shower so I wouldn't be stinky, but I wanted to come say hi to you before I did that.” He glanced toward the ambulance and raised his chin at Laura.

Oh. Oh. Well, Stiles knew now why she looked familiar. She looked nearly identical to Derek.

“I see you met my sister, Laura.” Derek’s gaze returned to Stiles and he couldn't believe that he’d just met Derek’s sister. They hadn't really talked about meeting each other’s families yet.

“I didn't know she worked with you.” And why Derek hadn't mentioned it before.

“We both got our EMT certificates in high school, but I decided I wanted to become a fireman. Laura was happy with staying in an ambulance. She gets to help a lot of people that way. At least on a daily basis.” Derek jiggled Hazel and she giggled, holding onto him.

Stiles looked back over where Laura was letting the kids hear her heart through a stethoscope. Yeah, they were definitely related. And the genetics were strong. Derek had told him she constantly reminded him she was fifteen minutes older than him since they were twins.

Derek nudged Stiles with his shoulder.

“I’m going to shower and I’ll be right back,” he promised, handing Hazel over. Stiles shifted her onto his hip as Derek smoothed a hand over Hazel’s hair. “It won't be long.”

Before Stiles could respond, Derek was retreating and Hazel asked, “Are we going to see the fire truck, Daddy?”

All Stiles could think about was how fucking hot Derek’s ass was as he disappeared into the lobby.

He was going to Hell.

Chapter 5

Stiles closed the front door and locked it before taking a deep breath and running a hand through his hair. Lydia had just left with Hazel for the weekend. And if Stiles’ weekend went as planned, Derek wouldn't be leaving until Monday since he had two days off. Two days that Stiles wanted to spend enjoying everything he could with Derek.

“Hazel leave okay?” Derek asked as Stiles walked back into the kitchen. He was chopping asparagus at the island, smiling at Stiles. He looked like he belonged there, just like he had when Stiles first dreamed about him ten months ago.

Ten whole months of domesticity and Derek slowly integrating into their lives. Stiles couldn't believe that much time had already passed since it seemed just like yesterday that they’d moved in next door.

“Yeah. She was excited about spending the weekend with Lydia.” He walked into the kitchen behind Derek, wrapping his arms around him and leaning his chin on Derek’s shoulder. “Lydia even gave me a wink.”

Derek chuckled. “High hopes for this weekend?”

“Maybe,” Stiles teased as he watched Derek finish the asparagus and put it into the pan. “I think the pot roast is almost done and I was thinking, maybe tomorrow we can have steak and mashed potatoes?”

Derek set the knife in his hand aside and turned the heat down on the stove before turning in Stiles’ arms to face him. He leaned back against the counter, one hand moving up to wrap around the back of Stiles’ neck.

“That sounds perfect,” Derek said softly, drawing Stiles in for a kiss. It was soft and sweet, undemanding. Safe. It made Stiles warm all over as he leaned in, pressing his body against Derek’s. When they parted, he sighed and rested his forehead against Derek’s, Stiles’ hands trailing up Derek’s arms and resting on his biceps.

“I could get used to kisses like that…” Stiles didn't pull away and wet his lips. “Every day…” The suggestion twisted his stomach, filling it with butterflies.

Derek smiled, brushing his nose against Stiles’, causing Stiles to look at him. “Are you asking me to move in with you Stiles Stilinski?”

“I—” Stiles studied Derek, looking into his eyes like they held the answers to the universe. Was he asking Derek to move in with him? Was ten months too soon? They were soulmates, after all. It wasn't as if they hadn't spent the last ten months weaving in and out of each other's lives. “I… think I am.”

Stiles breathed deeply, wishing for courage. “Hazel adores you,” he continued. “And I—” Oh, god. Was he going to say it? Would Derek say it back? Would Derek say yes? “I love you, Derek.”

Derek didn't hesitate as he replied, “I love you too, Stiles. More than I’ve ever loved anyone.” He pressed his lips to Stiles’ again, this time kissing him a little deeper, almost tentative. “You’re my soulmate. This is the only place I want to be.”

Stiles squeezed Derek’s biceps as if they could ground him, taking a shaky breath. “So does that mean that you’re moving in with us? Is…that a yes?”

He didn't know why he was more nervous than he was before. There was no way that Derek would tell him no after what they just confessed, would he?

“Absolutely. Whenever you want. We can pack everything this weekend.” Derek’s smile was almost blinding as Stiles drew his bottom lip between his teeth.

“I… was hoping that we’d, um—spend our time inside this weekend. Together.” He could feel his skin flush, knowing it would make him blotchy all over. “Preferably with no clothes on.”

“Oh.” Derek chuckled. “Well, I can't say that I wasn't hoping for the same thing, because I was.” Stiles always thought Derek was cute when the tips of his ears turned red, but at least he knew that they were both flustered over the prospect of all-weekend sex.

Stiles laughed. “Well, we should probably at least eat first. We made all this food. Then we can put everything away. I can officially show you my bedroom.”

“I eagerly await the official tour,” Derek teased, giving Stiles a peck. Stiles knew it was more so neither of them would lose control and rip each other's clothes off right there in the kitchen. Not that Stiles was opposed to having sex for the first time with Derek in his kitchen. “Come on, let’s eat.” This was going to be the fastest dinner Stiles had ever eaten, knowing that he’d be practically inhaling it in anticipation.

He pulled away, moving to the other side of the counter to check on the pot roast in the oven, feeling Derek’s eyes roving over him.

Oh yeah. Dinner would be quick.

They’d eaten in record time and Stiles may or may not have been keeping track.

“Leave the dishes.” He reached out for Derek, his finger slipping into Derek’s belt loop, tugging Derek close.

Stiles didn't hesitate as he pressed their lips together, melting into the heat of Derek’s body. He whimpered against his lips as Derek’s hands found his hips. God, Stiles had been wanting this. Needing this.

He’d never needed anyone as much as he needed Derek right now that he was so overwhelmed with it.

“Fuck, I need you,” Stiles breathed, nipping at Derek’s lips and pressing his hips against Derek’s, letting him feel how hard he already was.

Derek’s hands slid over Stiles’ ass, rocking him against him. “Need to get to the bedroom before I fuck you right here over the counter.”

A needy sound fell from Stiles’ lips, his arms wrapping around Derek’s neck. “I wouldn't say no to that but we really need lube.”

Derek chuckled. “Definitely.” He kissed down Stiles’ neck, leaving gentle bites as he gripped and squeezed Sitles’ ass. “Hold onto me,” he whispered against Stiles’ skin.

And then Derek was gripping him firmly and lifting him, taking Stiles by surprise, which made him laugh. He moaned softly, his legs wrapping around Derek as his lips trailed along any skin he could reach.

“Are you going to brave the stairs while holding me?” Stiles teased, his grin mischievous as Derek carried him.

Derek looked dubious when they reached the bottom of the stairs, which only furthered Stiles’ amusement.

“If you drop me, you’ll regret it,” Stiles teased and Derek laughed nervously.

“Well, then I guess I better not drop you.” Derek kissed him briefly, a promise of more, and then they were ascending the stairs. Not that Stiles actually thought Derek would drop him. He did carry full-grown men for a living. And it was so fucking hot.

Stiles’ hands never stopped moving, needing to touch Derek, his legs squeezed tight around Derek’s waist. “Mmmm, okay, okay. My room,” Stiles motioned with the tip of his chin.

Derek took direction well, carrying Stiles to the door and Stiles’ hand reached behind him to twist the knob, letting them both in.

Stiles was just as reluctant as Derek seemed as Derek set him down, but their hands never left each other. Their fingers were frantic as they practically ripped each other’s clothes off, their lips kissing over exposed skin until they were both naked.

When Stiles felt the bed behind him, he sat down, his hands gripping Derek’s hips as he buried his face against the base of Derek’s dick. Derek groaned, his fingers threading into Stiles’ hair. “Fuck, Stiles. You make me so fucking hard.”

Stiles breathed deeply, taking in Derek’s musky scent, and rubbed his cheek against Derek’s cock as if he were marking him as his. Only his. “God, I need to taste you.”

“Fuck yeah. Please,” Derek breathed, sounding as desperate as Stiles felt. Stiles wasted no time drawing back just enough to draw Derek’s cock into his mouth, laving the head with his tongue and teasing it into Derek’s foreskin.

Derek groaned above him, his grip tightening in Stiles’ hair. It only made Stiles’ dick harder, precome leaking against his thigh, swallowing Derek down like he couldn't get enough. He was drunk on the taste of Derek, his skin feeling like it was on fire.

“Stiles—”

Derek tugged against Stiles’ hair and he whined as he let Derek’s cock fall from his mouth with a filthy sound. “You okay?” he panted.

“Yeah, fuck. I need—” Derek didn't finish his sentence as he dipped down and captured Stiles’ lips in a kiss. Stiles understood Derek’s need as it burned through him, licking into Derek’s mouth as they kissed fervently. He scooted back onto the bed, Derek following him down until he was pressing Stiles into the mattress with the weight of his body.

Stiles whimpered as Derek leaned down, kissing across his chest, and captured Stiles’ nipple between his lips. “Mmmm, god, Derek. I need—I need you to fuck me. I want you inside of me.”

They’d never discussed sex dynamics, but Stiles never thought Derek would deny him anything. He needed Derek like he needed to breathe and he knew Derek felt the same.

“Whatever you want,” Derek breathed, kissing across Stiles’ chest to give Stiles’ other nipple the same attention. “But first…I want to taste you too.”

Derek tilted his head up, kissing Stiles again, slower and deeper which sent a shiver down Stiles’ spine. His hand slid between them, gently stroking Stiles’ cock and brushing across the head teasingly.

“Mmm, yeah?” Stiles breathed, feeling Derek’s fingers slicken with his precome.

Derek released Stiles’ cock, his hand dipping between Stiles’ legs to stroke and tug at his balls. “I want to taste you… here,” he replied just as his fingers pressed between Stiles’ asscheeks to brush over his hole.

“Oh, fuck,” Stiles moaned, his dick twitching at the thought of Derek licking his hole. He pressed against Derek’s fingers, needing more.

“Yeah, yeah. Okay, okay.” Stiles kissed Derek, needy and wet before he pulled away and rolled over, Derek’s hands running along his back and thighs as he settled. He could feel Derek shift on the bed, feel the heat of his body sliding down his side and the weight of Derek settle on his thighs.

Stiles arched his back, raising his ass as Derek gripped his cheeks and spread them. He couldn't move with Derek’s chest lying across his thighs and he groaned as Derek pressed his face flush to him, wasting no time teasing.

Derek’s mouth was hot and wet, his tongue demanding as he licked and sucked against Stiles’ hole until he pressed in and Stiles’ hole fluttered open. Stiles cried out in pleasure, his fingers twisting into the bed sheets when Derek fucked him with his tongue. He was relentless, filthy sounds falling from Derek’s lips, Stiles’ ass getting sloppy wet with Derek’s saliva.

“Derek—Derek—” Stiles begged, but he wasn't sure if he was begging for Derek to keep going or to stop. Stiles just wanted. “Derek, please—”

Stiles swore it sounded like Derek growled, but his mind was so fuzzy with his arousal that all he could do was focus on Derek’s hands and mouth. “I need—” Stiles whined.

Derek drew back with a wet sound, giving Stiles’ hole one more sloppy kiss before his fingers rubbed over it.

“Where’s the lube?” Derek asked, voice rough with desire. “Need to open you up for me.”

Fuck.

“Nightstand,” Stiles sighed out, the sound desperate as Derek pulled away and kneeled, leaning over to open the nightstand and fished out the lube. “Do you—want me like this?”

“On your back.” Derek closed the drawer and sat back on his calves as Stiles rolled over. “I want to see your face.”

Just Derek admitting that sent heat coursing through him and straight to his dick. God, if he could get wet from being so turned on, he’d be sopping with it. Stiles’ thighs fell open unashamedly, exposing himself to Derek. He reached down to grip his own cock, stroking it lazily, watching Derek open the lube and squeeze some onto his fingers.

Derek’s fingers were so much thicker than his, and fuck, it was so hot. “Derek—”

“I’ve got you,” Derek promised, leaning in to kiss Stiles thoroughly.

Stiles gasped, then groaned when three of Derek’s fingers pushed into him. He loved the feeling of Derek fucking him open, stretching him for his cock. And fuck, Stiles was so close to coming already it should be embarrassing, but he wasn't.

“I don't want to wait,” Stiles panted against Derek’s lips. “Mmm, fuck, I need you.”

“Yeah, okay.” Derek kissed him once more before pulling his fingers free and then slicked his cock.

“Nuh-uh,” Stiles grinned, pushing his hand against Derek’s chest. “You’re going to lay back and let me ride you until you’re filling me with your come. And I’m going to get every bit of it I can from your gorgeous cock.”

The sound that fell from Derek’s lips was debauched in the best way as he rolled onto his back, his eyes following Stiles hungrily. “I’m all yours.”

Derek stroked his cock, getting it nice and slick as Stiles crawled into his lap still kissing him.

“C’mere,” Stiles whispered against Derek’s lips, still grinning. His fingers circled around Derek’s cock, holding it as he settled into Derek’s lap. “God, you’re so thick.”

He didn't wait for Derek to respond before he pressed Derek’s cock to his already fluttering hole and then sank onto him, his head dropping back in pleasure. Stiles didn't take Derek in slowly, groaning as he stretched himself on Derek’s cock, the feeling of Derek’s fingers gripping his hips so hard that he’d have bruises later being the only thing keeping him grounded.

“Jesus—fuck—” Stiles gasped as Derek bottomed out, his hands pressing to Derek’s chest as he leaned down to kiss him.

“Fuck, Stiles, You’re so tight,” Derek hissed, his hands urging Stiles’ hips to roll.

Stiles laughed softly. “Well, it’s been a while. But I can promise you it’ll never be that long again.” He raised his hips just enough to feel Derek’s cock drag against his prostate, which had him mewling.

Derek’s arms wrapped around him and Stiles groaned into Derek’s mouth, swallowing the sounds Derek gave him as they moved. He fucked himself languidly on Derek’s cock, taking his time to feel each and every thrust, their hips moving in counterpoint. Every snap of Derek’s hips had Stiles whimpering with abandon until he gave up trying to keep his rhythm, his fingers digging into Derek’s arms as he held on.

Their needy, desperate sounds and the slap of skin against skin were the only things that filled the room, words having fallen away as they focused on the feeling of each other. Stiles couldn't feel anything other than Derek. Nothing else existed other than them in this moment, together. Stiles felt his chest swell with warmth as Derek’s hips started to stutter, Stiles’ lips brushing and pressing against Derek’s more than kissing him now. He couldn't catch his breath as the base of his spine started to tingle and —

Suddenly Stiles cried out, clutching Derek close, his ass squeezing and then pulsing around Derek’s cock as he came hard, dick spurting between them. He keened with unrestrained gratification, even as Derek tensed under him and fucked them through both of their orgasms. He faintly made out the needy, guttural sounds beneath him as Stiles collapsed on top of Derek, chest heaving and mind swimming in fire.

“Derek—” Stiles panted, unable to raise his head to kiss Derek like he wanted to.

“I’ve got you,” Derek promised, arms circling around Stiles as his hands smoothed up and down Stiles’ back. “I’m right there with you.”

They lay like that together for some time, lost in the aftermath, unwilling to let the rest of the world back in. Stiles only gave an unhappy sound as he felt Derek’s dick start to soften and slip out of him, already missing the feeling of his soulmate sharing his body.

“Don't wanna move,” Stiles whispered.

Derek kissed the top of his head, his hand trailing down until Stiles felt Derek’s finger pressing between his cheeks and stroking over his used hole, fingering his come back into Stiles. “Don't have to. We have all weekend.”

“Mmm, good.” Stiles turned to press kisses along Derek’s chest, enjoying the feeling of Derek’s fingers lazily fucking him. It was hard to describe how he felt, but he knew he’d never felt so complete before. “I love you, so much.”

“I love you too, Stiles.” Derek’s free hand stroked through Stiles’ hair, practically petting him down. “Until the day we’re no longer here and into the next life. That’s what soulmates are… and I’ll always find you.”

“And I’ll wait for you,” Stiles promised. “However long it takes. Forever.” His smile was loopy and content as he turned his face up to kiss Derek. “Mmmm, but I think I want—”

Derek’s smile was bright as he laughed, curling his fingers inside of Stiles until Stiles moaned. “You’re insatiable,” Derek teased.

“Get used to it.” Stiles grinned and nipped Derek’s lip. “After all, we have forever, right? Are you ready for that?”

“Always.”

It was a promise that Stiles intended to keep, always and forever, no matter how many lifetimes they spent together. Their love could span the universe. They were soulmates. And it was all that Stiles would ever need to make his soul complete.

Chapter 6

Three years later.

Derek rubbed his eyes, smiling to himself as he walked downstairs, yawning. It was bright and early Christmas morning and it was their tradition that he would make everyone the best breakfast they’d had all year long. Including powdered sugar waffles covered in both Stiles and Hazel’s favorite fruits.

Strawberries and blueberries and only strawberries and blueberries. No other fruits were acceptable. Not even bananas. Derek had found that out the hard way.

He didn't know how Stiles and Hazel didn't like pancakes, but they were definitely a waffle family now and Derek didn't mind one bit. Whatever made Stiles and Hazel happy, made him happy.

Once he was in the kitchen, he hit the button on the coffee pot to brew his morning cup and dug around in the fridge, pulling out ingredients for eggs, hashbrowns, bacon, sausage, and their decadent family waffles.

In a few short hours, Hazel would be up, eager to see if Santa had visited (Stiles always bit the cookies and drank the milk while Derek stomped on the roof jingling bells after midnight, just in case Hazel was waiting up to hear them).

The base of the tree was filled to the brim with presents, but Hazel knew that they couldn't be opened until her grandparents and Aunt Laura arrived. It was a true family event, with everyone converging at the Stilinski-Hale household for every holiday.

Derek set the ingredients aside, reflecting on the last four years of his life. He glanced at his hand where a traditional gold band adorned his ring finger, the memory of their wedding day held close to his heart. It had been two years ago when they’d said I do.

Other than the day he’d met Stiles and Hazel, it had been the best day of his life, followed by the day he’d adopted Hazel and they’d become an official family.

Derek busied himself making breakfast, whipping up the batter and sipping his coffee, warmth spreading in his chest. It wasn't long before he heard Stiles coming downstairs and he grinned as Stiles’ strong arms wrapped around him from behind.

“Good morning,” Stiles said, voice rough with sleep. He kissed Derek’s shoulder and then nuzzled against the back of his neck.

“Good morning.” Derek tilted his head just enough to press a kiss to Stiles’ hair.

Stiles responded with his usual sleepy grumble and then turned a loopy smile up at Derek as he rested his chin on Derek’s shoulder. “Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday.”

“My mother really robbed me of double presents,” Derek joked. “Me and Laura.” Stiles chuckled and Derek laughed. “If we have another kid and it’s a December baby, they’re getting double presents.”

“Yeah?” Stiles asked, his fingers trailing up and down Derek’s chest. “You want another one? Hazel is 10 now… a baby might be a lot for us, but I’m game if you are.”

Derek considered that. Hazel was as much his daughter as she was Stiles’, but he had so much love to share and they had extra bedrooms, which Stiles kept reminding him about at least once a year. “I think I’m ready…do you think—”

“I can ask Lydia for an egg if she won't carry a baby for us. I know she’s working on a big research project right now, but we can always ask someone else to carry our baby for us.” Stiles trailed kisses along the back of Derek’s neck. “Plus… this way, they’ll be related to Hazel.”

Derek licked his lips, focusing on the eggs in front of him, even as Stiles hugged him closer. “You think she would?”

“I think she would. And… If you want to, I think it would be amazing if you were the biological father. I’ve been dreaming about having a little boy or girl and they look just like you,” Stiles said softly, rubbing his cheek against Derek.

Maybe they’d have a boy with Lydia’s eyes and his hair, or a little girl with his eyes and Lydia’s hair, hair that would be exactly like Hazel’s. Or it could look just like him. What if they had twins? The possibilities were endless and Derek’s mind was racing with them.

Before he could answer, a happy shriek sounded from the living room.

“Oops…” Stiles chuckled. “I guess I woke her up. My bad.”

Derek laughed. “3…2…1…”

Hazel came barreling into the kitchen shouting, “Santa came! Did you see all the presents?!”

They both laughed. Derek was surprised that Hazel still let them pretend Santa existed. Probably because she always got exactly what she asked for. They still wrote letters to Santa every year.

“Good morning, kiddo.” Stiles reluctantly let go of Derek and pulled Hazel in for a hug.

“Ew!” She fake gagged. “You probably still have Dad's cooties. Don't kiss my hair!”

Stiles let her go, laughing, even as she made a barfing noise and stuck her tongue out at him before she hugged Derek.

“Oh. I see how it is,” Stiles replied, crossing his arms over his chest.

“Well Dad makes the food,” she defended. “And he doesn't give me cooties.”

Stiles rolled his eyes as Derek returned the hug, Derek’s focus returning to making breakfast. “The both of you are ridiculous.”

“The day you think cooties are nonexistent is the day that I’m going to remind you of these moments,” Stiles told Hazel.

“Yeah, that’s not happening.” She moved away from them and opened the refrigerator, grabbing the orange juice and taking the cup Derek was already handing her before Stiles could remind her not to drink out of the carton.

“Thank you.” She went to sit on a stool at the island, pouring herself a cup. “So when is the pack going to descend on the house? Because I want to open my presents.”

Stiles snorted. “Well… they’ll probably start showing up—”

“In four hours,” Derek finished. “Isaac, Boyd, Erica, and Kira said they’d stop by too once they’re off shift. Laura has the day off so she’ll probably be here before our parents.”

“My dad will likely sleep in, even if my mom bugs him to wake up in a couple of hours. He keeps saying he’s going to retire, but I’ll believe it when I see it.” Stiles leaned against the counter as Derek put the eggs, bacon, and sausage on plates, then grabbed the waffle batter.

“Well, Grandpa is old.” Hazel’s smirk spoke volumes, especially since she loved to tease them about how old they were all getting.

“Yeah, yeah.” Stiles was shaking his head, but his face was light with happiness.

Derek smiled, looking between the two people he loved most in the world. He poured the batter into the waffle maker and closed it, turning it over and, set the bowl aside.

He wasn't sure what he did to deserve this, but he thanked whoever or whatever had given him Stiles as his soulmate and the daughter which was their world.

It was more than he could have ever dreamed of.

It was perfect.

And he could only imagine how much more it would be as their family grew with love.

[riddles-n-games]

do you have any head cannons for avery and jameson during the holidays? (valentines, halloween, christmas, thanksgiving, etc)

Hi, sorry this took so long to come to but I just honestly didn't have a good answer for this one. First of all, if you want Averyjameson Christmas headcanons, you can check those out in my December 2023/January 2024 archive. It's all set at the True North ski lodge.

Valentine's Day:

Jameson likes to surprise her with a bouquet of flowers, each one a unique and uncommon species.

Avery likes to prepare an old meal that her mom made when they had a little more money to spare. Libby helps by making dessert.

They go to two date spots and it always depends; sometimes it's an escape room and a movie, other times it's a visit to the zoo and a fancy dinner.

But they always make sure to end with marathoning old shows in matching pjs and fuzzy socks. (And have a match to see who will fall asleep first, of course.)

July 4th:

They set up a burger making competition for everyone and you know how that goes. Competition ends in a food fight.

Avery sets up a charity fair event for the local kids hospital and Jameson takes to making sure he gives each kid a piggy back ride or push their wheelchair. (She melts because ugh, why is he good with kids? Husband material. Future hubby decided.)

She dares him to a "Who can ride the most rides by fireworks?" challenge and he wins but overdoes it a bit with some crazy stunts like flipping on the Ferris Wheel.

At the time of the fireworks, he sneaks away with her to the treehouse to watch them. The two kiss at the end.

Thanksgiving:

Avery somewhat gets down during this holiday and she gets depressed remembering the stuff she and her mom did for Thanksgiving.

Her dutiful boyfriend picks up on this and wants to cheer her up so he tries to make this more personal by having everyone pitch in for a homemade potluck.

Jameson decides he can handle a turkey but has more ambition with a turducken so he does without the advisory of Gray or Nash's supervision. Somehow, the kitchen doesn't explode and the turducken is intact.

In the midst of all this, he makes Avery a warm tea and brings a baggie with her faves. He hugs her and holds her until she falls asleep. She sleeps in his favorite sweater.

Come dinnertime, everybody is excited for the potluck and to surprise Avery. She is very happy to see everything that everyone brought and thanks everyone for coming.

Once dinner is done, having been told Jameson organized all this, he gets a little bashful and she gives him a gift.

They spend the night cuddling around the hearth and talking late before they fall asleep. A blanket is covering them the next morning.

[fafi-and-oblivia]

A quick note coming from Fafi on what Thanksgiving is, for those of you that don't celebrate it :] Thanksgiving is a holiday primarily celebrated in the USA and Canada. Its a meal where you come together with most commonly family but can also include friends as well. Its a time to give thanks and come together. Every family will do it differently and have different traditions but that's the basic description of the holiday. Anyhow enjoy!

THANKSGIVING WITH THE WHOLE BLOOMING PANIC GANG HCS

sal and his wife happily host everyone at their house

you, quest, nightowl, toaster, biglady, june, and even xyx show up in person

and everyone thinks onion isn't coming because of his lack of enthusiasm in the chats about the whole thing, but he shows up and surprises everyone

unfortunately two2 couldn't make it (his mom wouldn't let him 💀) but he hops on a facetime with someone so he can say hi to everyone

xyx is probably wearing a christmas sweater and sunglasses when he inevitably rolls in late

sal and his wife cook a lovely thanksgiving dinner but everyone else brings something to add

when everything is said and done, sal and his wife made a big turkey (and also a vegetarian roast!!), cranberry sauce and stuffing, quest brought mashed potatoes, biglady brings green bean casserole, xyx buys dinner rolls at the store, nightowl brings cookies, and june bakes like 3 pies

you bring enough drinks for everyone; cider, champagne, etc.

everyone sits around salo's dinner table (which surprisingly has enough room for everyone, but not enough chairs so some of yall have folding chairs or lawn chairs)

someone probably says grace based off of onion's insistence 

everyone digs in and banters throughout the meal, making the most of your time altogether 

quest is probably really nervously polite the whole time

he also probably scolds nightowl's table manners, which they all call him old for

you talk about work, school, the plane rides, love lives, plans for the future, and ofc bloomic 

sal tells everybody stories and you all listen intently and ask questions 

you crack jokes and talk as if you'd known each other your whole lives, as if you'd never been separated by thousands of miles and computer screens

you're pretty sure you even saw onion smile

and when everyone leaves the table that night, heading back to hotels and such, they leave feeling full; both their stomachs and their hearts

(Headcanon list made by Oblivia <3)

A (Early) Thanksgiving to Remember

This fic is placed after Toasty’s route, SO THERE WILL BE SPOILERS FOR BLOOMING PANIC. You can pick who you want to come with to the party, this will change a few things and how you interact with the LI (love interest), it’s implied that you live with your current LI in the fic. I will italicize and underline all the choices so you know where to click. That should be all, enjoy! :) -Fafi

Who did you come with to the Thanksgiving dinner?: (Click option to proceed)

Nightowl Quest Toasty Xyx

(If there are any complications with the links let me know -Fafi) (Edits made to story on(11/25/2023): fixed some link issues I found, apologies for the inconveniences! everything should work smoothly now <3 -Fafi)

[bones4thecats]

2023 Thanksgiving Special; Horror

A/N: Second to last part of this year's Thanksgiving Specials! I hope you enjoy this, and look out for my final part featuring a few slashers!

Spending Thanksgiving With Them

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💔 She was rarely ever around, so it was hard to spend a Thanksgiving together, but you guys did make it work

💔 You spend Thanksgiving together the day before, as she was to go out for a quick observational mission the next day, and you both knew she wouldn’t come home until late

💔 Nina helped you make the food

💔 I can see her as someone who isn’t fond of stuffing for some reason

💔 So, no stuffing

💔 She loved walking around you and throwing slight amounts of flour in your direction

💔 Nina loved to screw around while cooking, it was just something that reminded her of life before her incident

💔 The food wasn’t perfect, but what is in your relationship?

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🚸 Seed Eater and you didn’t eat anything in common (unless you ate children, which I pray you don’t)

🚸 He just grabbed a deer from the woods and plopped it in front of you and motioned to the kitchen

🚸 He also dropped a leg there as well, which made you gag a bit, but you were mostly used to this stuff

🚸 Seed Eater didn’t help you cook, but he did help you grab somethings

🚸 He lived in the woods all his life, what do you expect here?

🚸 He loves anything you cook, as long as it’s meat-related, but, afterwards, he does eat your remainders of turkey

🚸 He’s hungry, give him a break!

●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・

●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・

🪓 This guy has no fond memories surrounding this holliday

🪓 As the holiday approached, he grew more agitated and temperamental

🪓 His tics were out of control, and you had known why

🪓 You watched as Rouge and Wilson chased a victim around with Toby going ahead to jump them and just sighed

🪓 Walking back into you and Toby’s shared cabin in the woods, you began checking on the turkey you had been making

🪓 You bribed the other proxies to lure victims into the woods so that Toby could be distracted, and his anger could vanish

🪓 When he came inside denounced in blood and smelled the meat and foods you had made, he froze

🪓 He loved eating it with you, it gave him something new to look forward to, he finally had a day that would make him was to leave or murder more

🪓 He had Thanksgiving, with you, and he couldn’t be more thankful for you being there

[quietlyimplode]

the language of flowers and silent things

Whumptober 2023: Day 30 - borrowed clothing

Warnings: (Christmas?)

Word Count: 3.7k (a long one friends) (Gifs not mine)

Summary: Christmas at the avengers tower

A/N: Please be kind to your fic writers. We are doing our best. Your words and comments mean so much. So if you enjoy it let us know (if you didn’t keep scrolling). One to go after this. <3 <3 thanks for being on the whumptober journey.

Masterlist

Whumptober Masterlist

.

2014

NEW YORK

CHRISTMAS

Natasha eyes the Christmas tree. Everyone was asleep, she’s sure of it.

She holds off on asking Jarvis, instead tuning into the cadence and quietness of the house.

It’s Christmas.

She knows the presents inside carry things inside them, but she’s taken back to the night in Ohio and compulsively picks one up to shake it.

It rattles and she feels her breath slow.

It’s not Santa, but Tony is just as good as.

There’s a tiny package wrapped in newspaper, her name written on it with a black marker.

She’s sure it’s from Yelena.

She even thinks she knows what it is.

“Come to bed,” she hears, and Clint stands in the doorway, his hair disheveled and face tired.

Natasha pads towards him.

“I got you something,” he says, pulling her close, “and now it’s Christmas, can I tell you what it is?”

Natasha nods.

“Only if I can give you something?” she replies.

Clint disappears, and Natasha finds the package she had wrapped in paper.

“You go first,” she says quietly.

“What are you doing on the 27th?” he asks, laying down and pulling her down next to him.

“I don’t know? Did Fury give us a mission? Do we need..”

He puts a hand to her lips and then reaches into his pocket.

“Nah, but we may be getting married,” he proposes.

Natasha’s heart stops as she eyes the rings.

One has a tiny arrow, and the other has a tiny hourglass engraved.the rings they had decided on months ago, she had completely forgotten about.

“What?”

Her voice gets caught in her throat.

She’d all but given up on the idea that they would ever be able to. The hope she had all gone and the presentation of the rings brought it back as a flush.

“We’ve organised most of it, Pepper and I, but she’ll need to talk to you tomorrow or the day after, just around how you want it to go…”

Natasha flings her arms around him.

“What— hey,” he laughs,

“We’re getting married?” she asks.

He nods, a tear pricking in the corner of his eye.

“Yeah,” he tells her.

“Let’s get married.”

.

The food is what Steve feels he is drawn to. The Christmas meal has him sitting in the kitchen as he works alongside Pepper and Bruce to cook potatoes and green vegetables.

The two turkeys cooking smell so soothing that he keeps looking to the ovens to check it’s not just a sense memory.

They never had turkey, but they did have chickens his neighbor killed and gave them some of - a Christmas gift to the family.

In return, Steve’s mother had darned all their clothes to look presentable at church.

He smiles at the memory.

The community felt like the tower in this moment as he sets the table and hears Clint and Natasha talking and an heated conversation between Tony and Yelena about something he has absolutely no idea about.

He lays the last piece of cutlery down.

The man - Gus, Clint’s friend approaches him.

“Hello,” he greets with a friendly smile.

Maria wanders over to Pepper and Bruce and Gus sits down with a groan.

“Hello,” Steve replies.

“I keep trying to help, but everyone tells me to sit down,” Gus tells him, unprompted.

Steve nods.

“I think they have it covered,” he tells him, looking around, “would you want to come sit with me? Maybe you can tell me how you know Clint?”

Gus laughs.

“That’s a long story, did you know I taught him the magic he knows?”

Steve looks at him intrigued.

“Magic?”

Gus nods, then pulls two coins from Steve’s ear.

Delighted, Steve takes them and gestures to a seat near where Clint and Natasha are talking.

“Will you teach me how to do that?”

.

Bruce looks over to Pepper, feeling nostalgic cooking with someone else.

“Did you know in Kolkata there is a dessert that they’re famous for?”

Pepper looks up intrigued.

“Sandesh,” he smiles, the memory strong of the sweet treat.

“We would eat it all together sitting on the floor, telling stories. More so on special occasions, but it’s times like those become memories, you know?”

Pepper smiles and places her hand on his.

“What did you like doing in Kolkata?”

The conversation flows easily, he’s never spoke a lot about his time there, but as he chats and laughs to Pepper, then as Maria joins in too; Bruce takes a moment and enjoys the feeling of happiness.

He knows it doesn’t come often, and likes to take stock when it does.

Bruce looks to Tony who holds a drink up in acknowledgment, and he nods back with a smile.

The man who made this all possible.

A man who, didn’t seem to judge Bruce on his alter ego- rather he embraced it. He had no context for this friendship. These relationships and community that surrounds him.

Pepper taps him on the back and hands him a plate of potatoes, then together they begin to set the food out.

.

Maria spent time in Japan in her first rotation in the military. She remembers some of it, but the food, god the food she remembers the most.

She doesn’t remember having this conversation with Tony, that rice balls and ramen were her favourite foods but they sit in front of her on the table alongside a host of other foods, some that Pepper and Bruce prepared and others that had been catered.

The others slowly gather, taking their seats at the round table.

Tony and Pepper sit side by side, Bruce sits next to Tony, Steve on Bruce’s other side.

Maria watches as Natasha smiles, a rare sight. Holding her sister’s hand, almost dragging her to sit down, next to Steve, then Clint sits her on her other side.

Gus, the older man, who liked a chat, and brought a bit of magic to the table pulls out a chair for a Maria and nods to the food.

“It’s a lot, isn’t it?”

Maria smiles.

“I hope everyone is hungry.”

Tony stands once everyone is seated, holding his glass up and commanding attention as he so often does.

“I didn’t want to do this,” he opens, “given the attack, the… mission and everything that’s happened in the last month, it didn’t feel right to be celebrating.”

He looks down to Pepper.

Maria sees, when she really looks at Tony, the scared man that just wants to do right by his people. They were wrong to accept Ironman onto the Avengers and not Tony initially.

“It still doesn’t.”

Everyone looks somber, and Natasha holds his gaze.

“But where better to be than together?”

He shrugs with his one good arm.

“We aren’t alone in this.”

He sighs, “I’m glad we are all here and together, and I’m grateful for the company.”

Maria knows the truth under the words, and everyone nods in agreement.

He smiles, a fake one, Maria thinks.

“Let’s eat,” he announces, sitting back down and handing Pepper the broccoli.

.

Gus hadn’t known that there'd be so many people here when he’d agreed. He’d tried to back out, stay elsewhere but Clint had insisted that he stay.

He feels he owes the child more than he knows.

The blow of his brother being dead had brought them closer together but it had clearly been at a cost.

He sees Clint, and is proud of him, and from the others stories tell, the people here in the tower see his goodness and strength of his character.

Clint moves away to talk to Bruce, leaving Gus leaning back wondering when he’d last eaten so much.

“He wants to give you something,” Natasha tells him, coming up behind him and sitting on the chair’s arm.

“The watch, he kept it safe,” she nods.

Handing him a drink, Gus looks up at her; Clint’s fiancé and smiles.

She seems so normal… despite the obvious.

He’s glad of it, though

Nothing like Edith, and nothing like Howard.

Someone… different.

She smiles easily and he feels immediately at ease as she continues.

“He told me what you did for him when he was little,” Natasha pauses, “I know it’s not my place, but I want to thank you for it. You became a safe person in a place of uncertainty and it saved him, and without you he wouldn’t be here with me.”

Gus takes her hand and kisses it.

“You credit me with too much,” he comments lightly.

“The only person that saved Clint was himself. If I had a small part to play in his life, then I’m glad for it.”

“The watch, it was given to me when I needed it. For Clint, he was always so fascinated with the story.”

Natasha laughs easily.

“It can’t be true, that story? The one you told Clint about the watch? Is it?”

Gus nods.

“Of course! Shall I tell you my version and not Clint’s abridged version?”

Natasha sits fully in the chair listening to him as he launches into the story.

It’s nice, Gus thinks, to be around people.

.

After dinner, before presents, Pepper pulls Natasha aside.

“Can I show you something?” she asks, looking nervous.

Natasha feels the nerves but still follows Pepper into the tower, with a small look back to check on Yelena.

She’s talking with Clint and Natasha feels better that she’s not alone.

Pepper leads her into a room, a large one that Natasha hadn’t been before, painted a soft blue. Clearly, they had been staying in this room and not on their floor which was, perhaps; still being repaired.

There’s a large bag that looks suspiciously like it’s covering a dress.

Pepper notices Natasha looking, and pauses in front of it.

She lets her actions speak louder and unzips it to reveal a wedding dress, lacy and white.

“It’s beautiful,” Natasha says softly.

Pepper swallows.

“My mother, uh. My mother is dead,” she opens. Natasha had known this, but had never pried, Pepper had never seemed to want to talk about it and the subject of mothers was one Natasha felt was personal.

“She married my father, they were married til she died. She made this dress.”

Pepper swallows and brings the dress down. Gently she touches the intricacies of the lace and the way it blends into the skirting.

“I wasn’t sure if you had a dress, but if you want to, it’s yours to wear,” she offers.

Natasha’s stomach bottoms out, the generosity not lost.

“What?”

Pepper nods.

“It served her well, I want it to serve you well too,” she nods, holding it up and holding it to her.

“I think it will fit, but tomorrow… if not the dressmaker can make any alterations you need.”

Natasha starts shaking her head. It’s too much, too much to repay.

“No, I can’t, what about you? Don’t you want to wear it? Don’t you—“

Pepper holds up her hand.

“What better honor to share a dress with someone I know and love?”

In that moment, Natasha feels the tears and moves to hug Pepper.

“Do you want to try it on?” Pepper asks in the hug. Wordlessly, Natasha nods.

Taking the dress, Pepper points to the ensuite.

It takes a moment, before she exits.

“You look beautiful,” Pepper breathes.

She steps around, and pushes Natasha to a mirror.

Natasha can feel her gaze, burning directly.

“You can ask,” she tells Pepper quietly.

“Do I want to know?”

Pepper looks scars that moves from Natasha’s back, to her ribs; the four gashes gnarled but white and old.

“You can know.”

Natasha turns in the mirror and reaches across to touch them.

“Was it… was it from the Red Room?” Pepper asks tentatively.

Shaking her head, Natasha turns.

“The Red Room knew how to remove scaring, anything to make us perfect and unblemished.”

She touches the closest one.

“Clint and I were on a mission in Bucharest, we got captured by a militant group that enjoyed using whips as torture. When they saw how much it affected Clint when they touched me, well..” she pauses.

“It looks a lot worse than it was, and Coulson came for us. It’s just that those four were the deepest. There’s probably something they can do to fix it, just like the red room used to, but I don’t mind them.”

Pepper hugs her.

“I’m sorry,” she whispers

Natasha smiles.

“Don’t be, I’m not. I like my scars.”

Taking one last look at herself in a wedding dress, she swallows and leaves to get changed.

“You’ll wear it?” Pepper asks, taking the dress and hanging it back up

Natasha nods.

“Only if you’re sure.”

The laugh that breaks from Pepper is one of joy, and she links arms with Natasha and leads her back to the others.

.

He wishes it were different. Not the intense sense of dread that has been with him since the tower.

Pepper had helped, the movement of tower, how she’d moved things around so that it wasn’t the same.

The small differences that made it so he knew it was his home but also enough that it wasn’t the place that hydra infiltrated.

He didn’t want them here, but he’s glad they are.

He didn’t realise how much he valued his friends.

Adjusting his sling, he grows annoyed and takes it off.

He wonders just how hard it would be to build a motorised arm, and creates a schematic in his head as he watches everyone eat.

He wanted this.

He’s glad for this.

The people milling around him.

Pepper sees him, and even as she talks to Steve, she smiles at him; and despite the sorrow that pulls at him he smiles back.

Bruce hands him some water, and then his sling.

“You should be wearing this you know?” His friend berates.

“Got annoying,” Tony responds.

“It’s okay, you know? To fake it?”

Tony looks across.

“What?”

Bruce points to the mountain of presents and then gestures to the tower.

“Sometimes, faking it helps us to reset and allow others in so we can talk about what really matters and how we really feel.”

Tony looks down.

He doesn’t want to ruin anyone else’s Christmas with his sadness. And he supposes that it is sadness.

He’d usually just drink, but he’d promised Pepper to do better with that.

Be better.

So here he sits.

“The tower is your home,” Bruce continues; “and we all know what it means to you, to all of us.”

Bruce looks intently at him, like the next words are the ones that matter.

“I’m sorry they hurt it,” he says and the words hit deep.

“It’s silly,” Tony mumbles.

“Nah,” Bruce replies, “it’s not. Why do you think we have all worked so hard to be here? It’s our place too.”

It shouldn’t mean anything to Tony, but it does.

He watches Pepper and then Natasha and her sister.

The acknowledgment makes his heart slightly lighter. All the decoration and work Pepper had put into making this day what it was, brings him out.

It matters, not just to him but to everyone around him.

.

The abundance is phenomenal.

Yelena takes a moment to absorb it all as she wants into the room. The tree and presents, the meal, the people. She watches as Natasha smiles easily, holds her drink and easily talks to those around her.

Only having talked to Tony and Clint, she stays more to the side, watching the others.

She doesn’t know what it is but breathing becomes difficult, she takes a step out, the balcony providing shock of fresh air.

She doesn’t belong here, amongst her sisters friends.

It’s too much.

The day has been too nice.

Everything too much.

She doesn’t deserve this.

The thought perseverates in her head.

Looking out over the skyline of New York, she feels sick and her vision blurs.

She feels a body at her side, of course Natasha knows.

“I don’t deserve this,” she says with belief; not wanting to look back at the abundance of food and gifts.

“I don’t…” she gasps, feeling Natasha hand grasp hers.

The hand drags her down to sit on the cold concrete.

It’s slightly a shock.

“I’ve done bad things,” she tells her sister.

“I shouldn’t be here.”

Natasha doesn’t say anything, instead she pulls her close, arm around her and rocks her gently.

“Breathe,” she says quietly.

“After all it’s..”

“The secret to life,” Yelena finishes.

The old saying from the martial arts instructor, who seemingly never left the Red Room, does help to slow her breath.

Being held by Natasha on the roof of a tower in the middle of New York in America seems so surreal.

Maybe that’s the point if it.

“You’re exactly where you need to be,” Natasha tells her, hugging her closer.

“It doesn’t matter what’s come before, all that matters is now. Okay?”

It takes a second, but Yelena nods.

The moment is what matters.

She doesn’t deserve this abundance.

But she knows, she’ll likely never have it again.

The moment is what matters.

.

“Hello, old men,” Clint goads at Steve and Gus, laughing as they both frown.

“I’m not old,” Gus says indignantly, “and this man must be…”

Steve holds his hand out.

“I’m 94, theoretically, “ he laughs,

Gus looks aghast.

“It’s a super soldier thing,” Steve clarifies and Gus looks to Clint.

Clint nods, laughs, and passes two beers across, that both take gratefully.

“Come on, we’re going to open presents.”

Gus stands, “I didn’t bring anything?” he grumbles.

Clint clasps him on the shoulder.

“That’s because we said just yourself, now come,” he ushers pushing them toward the great room.

.

There’s more presents than there were last night, Clint is sure. Tony stands dramatically at the balcony on the stairs with a fake bead and a Santa costume tailored to his body, and claps.

It takes a moment but everyone looks, and Tony looks smug.

“They’re colour coded,” he says happily, “so find a present and pass it around.”

As it turns out, Clint gets passed the purple presents and Natasha shrugs as she’s passed the red ones.

He watches Yelena get surprised with blue ones, and Maria with orange.

Bruce’s are predictable green, whilst Gus’ are yellow and Peppers are gold and shiny.

Clint wants to hold this memory.

Remember it forever as he watches his friends smiling and laughing.

He looks Tony who had descended the stairs and helped pass out the presents.

The presents that aren’t colour coded take a few more minutes, but no one goes without, as everyone starts to open them.

Tony’s pile of presents is not colour coordinated, he didn’t bother to get anything for himself, but the presents that sit in front of him are perhaps more sentimental because of this.

Clint sits back, wanting to just watch.

He’s happy.

Despite the trauma of the last week, the frustration of losing the sceptre, he watches his friends; his family smile and laugh.

Natasha sits next to Yelena.

The tiny package in hand and she passes it across.

He watches as Yelena opens it, and freezes.

He thinks she’s overcome with emotion as her bottom lip turns up, and she looks to Natasha for assurance.

The little photo frame with both of them as children sitting in it.

Natasha then shows her its matching pair, one for each of them.

It was an idea she thought of as she looked carefully at the pictures.

It was his turn he supposed.

He turns to Gus opening a present of engraved playing cards, the man looks delighted

Clint holds out his own.

“Open this next,” he prompts.

Gus looks at Clint and looks to the present.

“I think I know what it is,” he says, taking it from Clint and opening it carefully.

“This watch,” he says slowly, “is not mine any more, it’s yours.”

Clint shrugs.

“I said I’d get it back to you?”

He promised, and a Barton always keeps his promises. This one anyway.

“Fine, but you have to wear it one more time, okay? Something borrowed.”

Clint laughs and nods, then hands him another present.

“This one next? It’s from Natasha,” he smiles.

Gus looks slightly overwhelmed, and takes the gift from Clint.

It seems it’s not the only photo frame she’d had made up.

The picture of Gus, Clint and Barney standing under the big top with them all looking serious, gives him pause.

“How did she—“

Clint smiles at his joy.

“I think these things are a lot easier when you know technology and have some super computers behind it,” he admits.

“I’ve got to thank her,” Gus says, standing and leaving Clint to look on.

As far as Christmas’ go, he’s glad for the memories of this one.

.

Natasha watches Tony, worried at how pensive he looks.

He leaves for the balcony and she follows him.

The others seem to mull around them, some cleaning in the kitchen, other sleeping on the couch.

Steve plays with his new iPod, sitting with Maria and together loading songs into it.

She doesn’t know why but the scene makes her smile.

She catches eyes with Clint who sits close to Yelena, both of them throwing Yelena’s new throwing knives at a target, with Yelena growing more frustrated at Clint’s inability to miss.

She nods and he smiles and grabs a blanket as she steps into the cold.

He turns to her and nods.

Sometimes things don’t need words.

Sometimes it’s about those who have lived lifetimes with you.

She wraps the blanket around them both, sitting on the swinging chair and listen to the sounds of the other and sounds of New York.

“We’ll get them, you know?” she promises.

“Yeah,” Tony says quietly.

“Merry Christmas Tony.”

“Merry Christmas, Nat.”

[thesims4blogger]

The Sims 4: New Game Patch (December 5th, 2023)

Following last week’s Laundry List, there is a new game patch out today in preparation for the release of The Sims 4 For Rent Expansion Pack this Thursday (December 7th).

If you have auto updates enabled in Origin’s “Application Settings”, the game will auto-update once you open Origin. If you have auto-updates disabled, you will need to manually update by clicking the game in your library.Advertisement

To ensure your game is up to date, check the game version found in Documents > EA > The Sims 4 > GameVersion.txt. Your game should now read: PC: 1.103.250.1020 / Mac: 1.103.250.1220 / Console: 1.84

Sul Sul Simmers!

The newest expansion pack has been freely living in all our heads and For Rent is finally due! The Property Owner is coming to visit in just a few days, but in the meantime there’s a couple of Base Game additions and a bevy of fixes to call out and share. Our favorite SimGuruNova is going to go into details below. Thanks all!

–   SimGuruNinja

What’s New?

Sink Assignments

The jig is up for Sims who had a penchant for shoving Harvestfest turkey bones down the drains of those poor, poor bathroom sinks. Starting today, all sinks can now be designated as Kitchen or Bathroom sinks.

The assignment you choose determines whether hands or dishes are autonomously washed in them. Unless, of course, you live for the chaos and assign the wrong labels to each sink. We won’t stop you from letting your Sims continue to be little freaks!

Switch Control to This Household

Listen, as much as we love the Manage Worlds screen, every healthy relationship requires a bit of space. So, we’ve declared a bit of independence from Manage Worlds, giving you the chance to switch your active household from Live mode directly with the “Switch Control to This Household” interaction! While we added this as a means to switch between units of your Residential Rental more seamlessly, this interaction will be available on the front door of all occupied residences, not just Residential Rental units. Rejoice with me, my fellow rotational gameplay Simmers!

Base Game Additions That’ll Knock Your Shoes Off

In celebration of the release of For Rent, we have a few housewarming goodies coming to the Base Game. Along with a cozy new outfit that’ll have your Sims lounging in style, Sims can now interact with the Men’s Shoe Rack and Women’s Shoe Rack items from Base Game to set rules for the house determining whether or not shoes are removed at the door. Which means everyone will know whether or not your Sim is wearing socks under those sneakers (please, for my sanity, make sure they are!)

Bug Fixes

Base Game/Multipack

Quick Meal interactions on fridges have been renamed to “Quick Meal or Drink” and “Microwaved Quick Meal or Drink”. Gone are the days of “Glass of Milk” erasure!

Sims who finish their drinks while also eating will now make sure to finish their meal afterward. That’s right, Mrs. Landgraab, chugging your Juice on the Rocks doesn’t count as “girl dinner”.

Child Sims with the Genius trait will no longer gain the Want to Solve Hard Problems, They’ll have to wait a few years before diving into such complex abstraction.

Sims with a Fear of Fire will no longer be tormented by constant, unavoidable fires starting while they are cooking.

On a somewhat related note, Sims will no longer be given the option to Cook Together on broken stoves.

In an attempt to curtail unwarranted surreal horror gameplay, household members should no longer randomly be labeled as neighbors and become unable to use doors.

In the spirit of respecting the laws of physics, towels hung on the wall are no longer translucent when hit with natural light.

Though they are things of beauty, certain columns will now, indeed, fade away… when they would otherwise be blocking the camera in Live Mode.

Sims will no longer be constantly using their phones at every hour of the day. Not a cell phone in sight, just simulated people living in the moment. Beautiful.

Hairy houseguests deciding to shave in your Sim’s bathroom will no longer cause the game to freeze.

Sims should now actually be able to finish writing songs. Perhaps those of us with closets full of unfinished projects should take notes.

Child Sims will now only have age-appropriate thought bubbles.

After plenty of confidence building exercises, certain table lamps will no longer snap to the wall when placed and will be comfortable standing wherever you place them.

Infants who age up in a dirty diaper will no longer produce stink clouds as if forced to wear that dirty diaper into adulthood (Rest assured, I hated writing that just as much as you hated reading it).

Sims will thankfully no longer slip and fall in mud puddles while holding an infant.

Adjusted frequency of body hair on randomized Sims to be slightly less excessive.

Some of the less friendly toddler and infant hairs have been taught proper conflict resolution and will now play nicely with hats.

Sims living on Private Dwelling lots are now willing to make exceptions for food deliveries. Because everyone loves a good pizza, even territorial curmudgeons.

Basement stairs should now play nicely with terrain when the lot has a raised foundation.

Changing foundation height should no longer stop windows from being placed on curved walls.

Sims have learned what it means to be that guy and will no longer constantly ask “What Happened?” for no apparent reason during conversations.

Sims who would invite themselves over and make themselves a little too welcome have relearned their manners and should now knock.

Much to the disappointment of illusionists everywhere, glass walls over basements should no longer hide basement walls when viewed from above.

We’ve educated Sims on the dangers of over-caffeination, so autonomous coffee making/drinking should happen a bit less frequently.

Blonde gardeners and redhead pizza deliverers everywhere can breathe a sigh of relief, because parents with graying hair swatches are now more likely to have children that match their base hair color, rather than unexpected red or blonde hair.

When loading back into a save and entering Manage Worlds, there’s no longer a chance that occupied lots appear empty.

A previously unnamed PooHoo bush has now discovered its true name.

Console

Hitting the Undo button on the controller no longer pulls up the search bar in Build Mode.

Kits

The nails from Poolside Splash are now tagged for both masculine and feminine frame Sims.

As fun as it was, Sims should no longer grow a second pair of feet when wearing the retro bikini from Poolside Splash.

Laundry Day

Hampers can now be dragged in and out of Sim inventories in Live Mode. The excuses for putting off laundry end here!

Dirty cloth diapers will now go into laundry hampers, where they belong, rather than the floor, where they do not belong.

Dream Home Decorator

The Standard Gas Oven by Blazin’ Ladles no longer disappears when placed on lots. May your ladles remain ever ablaze…

My Wedding Stories

Certain veils should no longer force Sims to have red hair (seriously, what is it with this update and red hair?)

Werewolves

Werewolves will no longer autonomously Check On infants during their rampage. And thank goodness for that.

Seasons

Plants no longer revert to dirt piles in dormant phases, and instead will simply stop growing. They should also now only become dormant when entering their off seasons, at the appropriate time.

Get Famous

Sims who have chosen to forgo the spotlight will no longer gain unwanted fame.

Cottage Living

Sims will now retain the Heroic Haggler buff when buying discounted items at village shops after haggling. Let them enjoy their Karen moment!

Your Sims will no longer be doomed to a life of Sisyphean crafting endeavors. They should now be able to complete the task to create a Cross-Stitch for the Taste for Adventure errand.

High School Years

The pink swatch of the Benchmark Seating chair is no longer masquerading as blue in the preview.

Teens who get more than 250 Social Bunny followers should now be able to complete the third level Admired Icon aspiration.

Growing Together

Playing other households will no longer cause Sims to forget certain achieved Milestones. In other words, the game will neither gaslight nor gatekeep your girlboss Sims anymore.

We gave that creepy tree in San Sequoia a stern warning. It should no longer be encroaching upon the buildable area of the Sequoia Cottage lot.

Sims will no longer earn the First Promotion milestone when getting a new job, no matter how much your Sim is willing to be annoying and debate the semantics of that.

Toddlers should now be able to Sing a Song with infants without being interrupted.

Horse Ranch

Your adorable little money laundering scheme has yee’d its last haw! Sims will no longer receive double the stated number of Simoleons for selling mini goats and sheep.

Sims riding horses should now have an easier time saying howdy (and other things) to other horses nearby.

Sims will no longer be taunted by an unreachable log filled with frogs in Chestnut Ridge.

The era of heavy metal square dancing has waned. Sims will now only autonomously perform Cowpoke Dance if Ranch music is playing.

For Rent

Fixed an issue where rent could go into negatives or be excessively high.