#What a GREAT WAY to start December and start to wait Christmas :'D

[nei-ning]

Another brain fart moment I had yesterday evening :'D

But this is all true. AliExpress DID recommend me that Grimmjow figure which I had not seen before. I showed it to sis and she... "enlighted" me about it, ahah. Tho, I have to say I DON'T want to see that ugly monster dick of his EVER again! Normal sized and look? Sure, why not! I am a fan of NORMAL dicks, after all. This overly huge monster which will eat you alive?! NO THANKS! :'D

For obvious reasons I am NOT showing pics of it here BUT if you want to check it yourself, HERE YOU GO (You are welcome!)

I've been laughing my ass off since yesterday evening for Grimmjow's own taking about the figure's dick's size :'D KING SIZE! Like... honestly, ahahah! I can't! But so fitting for him too. I mean nothing else wouldn't suit The King himself, after all :D

Sorry if you don't understand my weird humor and damaged brain :'D I also should draw more "messy" Grimmjow arts since he ALWAYS come out way better in these than in those when I'm REALLY putting effort in his look :'D

[blahhhhhhhohmigosh]

Day 3, The great Mystery

Summary: Is Santa real? Well let's see what the turtles, April and Casey think.

A/n: I CANT WAIT FOR MY BIRTHDAYYY YALL, ANYWAYS ENJOY, T-CESTERS AND PROSHIPPERS DNI. (Btw I didn't have enough space for a Casey # so yea sorry 😭)

Lee: Casey, Donnie, Mikey, Leo, April.

Ler: Donnie, Raph, Leo, April, Mikey.

Extra: Splinter.

Warrnings: Just Fluff and if you still or don't belive in Santa then I suggest to skip the ending.

It was the 3rd day of December, 22 days left, The boys and April decided to meet up and write a letter to Santa together.

💚:Whait whait whait, so let me get this straight, you WRITE a letter to a guy dressed in red named Sa-satan?- Stain?-

💙💜❤️🧡💛: Santa.

💚:Okay a guy named Santa, you just WRITE a letter to that guy and you will get ANYTHING you whant by writing on that letter?

💜:Well technically no since you can't ask for a unicorn since those don't exist and don't have a physical form or place or evidence that they-

💙:WE GET ITTTT D.

🧡:Well yea! You just write a letter about Santa and there! Isn't that fun?? Santa's a great guy!!

Mikey said as he smiled brightly at the Santa thing. Casey was though suspicious of that as he said.

💚:I don't trust that guy...

💙:WHY not??

💚: A guy in a red costume comes and gives some presents that could be traps or poisoned? It's a bit...suspicous-

💜: Well you don't need to worry about that dear junior cause yours truly made traps that Santa won't go through! I finally will show you all that he is in fact not real.

🧡: *Gasp* D! How could you?! You know Santa can hear you??

💜: OH Pleasee Mikey! It's weird that NO ONE EVER saw this guy and somehow there are presents under the tree! I mean come on!

💙: D you're ruining the fun! Santa is real cause if NOT, HOW do we get presents under the Christmas tree???

💜: cough cough, WHAT about Raph huh??

Donnie argued pointing at Raph that looks anxious and nervous.

💙: What about him??

💜: OH please you DONT think HE might be the one setting presents under the tree?

💛: I mean Dee's gott a point, like come on guys, who on earth whould even HAVE 8 BILLION toys every YEAR. And do it for a century???

🧡:Santa! Cause HE is real!!

Mikey and Leo argued with April and Donnie while Casey was still suspicous of the mysterious man while Raph still was anxious. Before, suddenly the 4 heard giggles and turned around and saw Raph tickling Casey junior as he said loudly.

❤️: Santa's a good guy! Trust in him a little bit guyss!

Before April and Donnie could react the other 2 turtles yelled.

🧡💙:YEAAAA!!!

As they pounced onto the poor Human and the soft shell as the box turtle started tickling April into her sides and Leo started tickling Donie onto his tummy while giggling. Raph continued tickling Casey that was held in the air by the snapping turtle and squirm as he laughed hysterically with snorts.

💚: RAHAHA- *snort* STHOHOHOPPP-

❤️:Whaat?~ Raph dosent hear what you're saying junior~

💛:MIHIHIKEYYY STHOHOP!!

April squealed as she rolled him onto his back and started tickling his armpits in return as she giggled a bit with him.

🧡:Ahahapriiil!!!

Mikey giggled out as he started to squirm meanwhile Leo was tickling Donnie, Donnie managed to tap his wrist pad and 2 metal hands pulled Leo of and pinned him to the ground as Donnie giggled out.

💜:THAHAHTS IT BROTHER!

And started tickling Leos Ribs while Leo just begged and laughed hysterically.

💙: DHHEHE NOHOHOH-

This went on for a WHILE before Raph said.

❤️:Guys! Look! There is something under the tree!

And there were, presents.

💜:WHAAAAT??

💛:NO WAY!!

🧡:TOLD YOU GUYS!!

💚:...So that "Santa" guy is real?

💙:HAHA I WAS RIGHT, I WAS RIGHT, I WAS-

❤️:Told ya guys! Just trust the spirit of Christmas and you guy will get gifts! Now yall wanna watch a Movie?

All of them agreed and went to get themselves ready for the Movie night.

(Ending part reveal if you don't whant to ruin the Christmas Magic (especially if your a child) then I recommend to scroll down now, ba-bye!)

Later when it was night Raph came to Splinters room and he hugged his father ad there he was, the mystery was solved, there was papper and ribbons in Splinters room, it was Splinter, the weird fat man in disguise.

[coralinehecc]

Corals Monthly Update #3

HOHOHO!! FIRST BLOG POST OF 2023 AND I’M NEARLY 2 WEEKS LATE!!! Super sorry about the long wait! I’ve had tests recently and only got off of school like a few days ago haha! So! Welcome back to my monthly update on what I get up to in my life! Now, before we get into January, I, for the final time, have to tap back into the previous month. Curse past me for thinking the 21st was a good day to start doing these!!! ANYHOW! The rest of December and early January were a BLAST! But lemmie talk about what happened after I made the last update. CHRISTMAS!! I had a great time with my family and I got a bunch of fluffy things cuz that’s apparently the easiest thing to get me now. We also had dinner on Christmas day with my Grandparents like every year. Over-all that day was very fun! I even got drunk playing Minecraft which was funny for everyone in VC. The next few days weren’t anything exciting, however my brother Finn had a bunch of his friends over for his birthday which was chaotic. But the excitement picks back up on the 28th! BECAUSE SKYE AND VI CAME OVER FOR NEW YEARS!! We’ve been planning this since like, June, so it was awesome seeing them again! We did all kinds of stuff from shopping to playing some awesome games! (I am now chronically addicted to Ultra Kill thanks guys)

We even did some baking! Here is our glorious creation I dubbed, “The Jimothy”. 

Overall the rest of December was awesome! I’m glad I got to celebrate New Years with my besties! Overall, I’ll give it a 10/10! Best way to end 2022 >:D Here’s a few more misc photos hehehhehe

NOW! FOR JANUARY!! January started off still vibing with the guys. However they would then go home on the 4th which sucks. But before that, both Skye and I spent a lot of money on consoles that are almost as old as ourselves. They bought a fucking PS Vita and I got a motherfucking Wii. We both had fun with em and I even helped Skye homebrew their Vita since I wanted to put PebbleCD on it (I failed but shut uuup) But yea, sadly the guys had to go and it sucked! But I still had a great time. There’s a bit of a gap here right up until the 12th, where finally, the big event happened. CAREY IN THE HOUSE WENT LIVE!! I had finished it a few days prior but figured I’d build up hype by posting it on that Friday. AND IT SURE WORKED! The video blew up faster than any of my videos before it! I am so happy the response has been overwhelmingly positive. I also love how the only main complaint that was common amongst people was that Careys exaggerated accent was annoying which, yea can’t argue against. For anyone wishing for more CITH content, I did a behind the scenes mega thread over on my twitter if you wanna have a deeper look into the production! I’ll even link it here:  https://twitter.com/Carey_Black_/status/1619731723352444928 Now, to move onto why it took me forever to make an update. My mock exams.. BUT BEFORE THAT!! THERE’S ALSO THE FACT THAT MR WULF AND I WERE ABLE TO ARCHIVE THE ORIGINAL EDDSWORLD BANG BOOM SPLAT PROJECT FILE!!

This all started because Wulf wanted to edit the credits for his arcade BBS build since I was helping him out and since I said SWF modding is hard he just casually asked Psycosis and after seeing his WIP cabinet, gave Wulf the FLA! So a current “BBS arcade version” is in the works by yours truly thanks to both the generosity of Psycosis and the fact that Mr Wulf is a fucking mad man who could stop global warming in a month if he wanted to LOL! Here’s Wulfs finished Cabinet btw!:  https://twitter.com/MrWulfOfficial/status/1622295302685315073 But yea, for real. My mock exams were a pain! For those outside of Ireland or have a different name for em, Mock exams are, well, exams that act like a practice run for your finals. They’re always harder than the actual finals and are usually graded stricter too! Why? Who knows! The Irish education system is a joke. I feel like I did somewhat ok in them anyway? Some were definitely worse than others but overall it was more of an inconvenience. I did get this really cool art piece out of it however.

Exams would later spill over into February and like I said at the start, I finished and got off school a few days ago. Overall, this month was about a 7/10. It was pretty good, especially in the Eddsworld department, but mocks and other personal tid bits I didn’t mention here dragged it down for me. Since February seems to be mostly me being off school, I hope this month will be better haha! Only time will tell! Thank you for reading! And I hope to see you next month!! (Hopefully on time too haha!) 

[swiftsaltsweet]

Wednesday Season 2: Hyde in the Shadows (Fanfic)

Episode 1 Intermission 1: Enid’s Letter #1

Prev Episode

Characters: Wednesday and Enid (ft returning chars and new OCs)

Pairing: Wenclair

Important info: VERY Slow Burn, Canon Compliant (with season 1), read A/N For more details on everything.

Summary:  Stalking, murders, troubling visions, sins of the past, and a little bit of kidnapping. Wednesday’s start of the second semester isn’t a normal one, but when is her life ever “normal?” Wednesday has new mysteries to solve and catastrophes prevent, with the help of her overly enthusiastic roommate Enid, she just has to deal with some annoying relatives first.

Other Sites: AO3 and Fanfic.net

Dear Wednesday,

             I’m assuming from your lack of response to my texts you either: 1) Don’t know how to respond, or 2) you, like, don’t want to???? D:

I don’t understand why you wouldn’t want to text, it’s really convenient I swear! Join us in the modern era! >B)

Anyway, I took it upon myself to do some digging, and I was able to track down your address, and I thought “You know what? Wednesday seems like the kind of analog girl that might enjoy a handwritten letter!” Now you know how this lovely letter has graced your presence! Also, I hope you like the little early Christmas present I sent you too! Wait, do you celebrate Christmas? D: Um, it’s just a nice December gift, how about that?! ^_^

You better respond B-T-Ws! You aren’t getting out of talking to me over break! >:3c I have my ways of making you talk, Addams!

Anyway….what’s been happening since I last saw you…. Well there’s a full moon coming up, it’ll be the first time wolfing out with my family so I’m like super nervous! >w< Wish me luck!

Ajax is also going to be visiting, sometime before the full moon. He’s taking me out on a romantic moonlit stroll at this new meat market, can you believe it??? It only took me sending him various links to its grand opening for him to figure it out but we got there! XD

Speaking of visiting, you totally need to visit me! It’s really rainy and gloomy right now! ;D Any time is great, you can even show up unannounced! Or we can even meet up somewhere else! Just don’t leave me hanging ok??? >.<

I hope you and your family are doing well (or would you rather I say ‘unwell?’). Mine are as overbearing as ever. I hope your break is great (or should I say ‘ghastly’?), and to hear back from you soon!

                                                           Sincerely,

                                                           Your best friend and Roomie: Enid <3

 ________________________________________________________________

A/N: Most of these “intermissions” will most likely be this letter format. If not a small short story, a little filler romp that takes place during the story at some unspecified point (just depends on how things pan out). Posting this early because I finished the rough draft of Ep 2. TT0TT Now I just gotta edit and write Ep 2’s intermissions….. 8U

Fun Fact: In the 60s show, Uncle Fester had a pen pal and had an episode revolving around it. It involved him fibbing in his letters. >:3c

[crimsonblackrose]

.

Okay we are officially in December, I assume if all the opening stuff is Christmas related.

The Mills house

Ali's mom was shopping at Century City Mall (looks like they got a different actress) Looks like the original actress retired in the late 80s from acting and passed away in 2023.

She went to Nordstrem and did all her shopping including getting the last two ipads for the kids, which is spoiling them but they're her grandkids.

ALI!!!!!

Ali loves the snow in Colorado.

The holiday logo change.

Carmen: Where do we go from here?

Johnny: thinking she means breakfast.

First adult secret relationship.

Johnny's taking vitamin D.

The instant reaction to Ali responding to his message.

When I watched this the first time I kept going no Johnny no. Because he's with Carmen now. But Carmen's question, can't let your guard down or are you scared to is something that Johnny can only answer after re-meeting Ali, because from Johnny's perspective he never got closure on that relationship and it's been affecting him sense.

I can't believe Miguel's walking around inside of Mr. Miyagi's home in shoes. Sam why didn't you stop him? Also Miggy should know better about dojo respect from when they had the cobra kai dojo.

They're also just talking, but everything Sam says is very barbed. Miguels trying to make connections Mr. Miyagi was to Daniel as Kreese was to Johnny (True), but she takes offense to that and then sends a barb back "Mr. Miyagi taught my dad the right way." aka her karate is better and right and Johnny and Miggy's is wrong.

Trying to start parent trapping their sensei's.

I wouldn't say the styles are so far apart, they can come together in great balance that you all truly need. Daniel needs an outlet for his anger rather than just repressing it and burning people with the steam that occasionally shoots out. Johnny needs to chill and learn to just breathe and also to defend himself. And y'all need to learn the same things. Because Sam is a lot like her father and Miguel is rather chill already but can never get enough defense and calming chill.

Robby's the only one ahead of the curve here.

Miguel putting the hand drum in his pocket to spar with Sam is such a landmine waiting to happen. It's an accident but Daniel already doesn't trust him.

Are they truly officially broken up with Tory and Robby or did they both just manage to hurt Tory and Robby so badly that they figure the relationship is over? Because I fear it's actually #2.

Lol hi Daniel, welcome to the dojo, you're teaching teens, you're lucky they weren't making out at Mr. Miyagi's before now.

Also how did Daniel notice the drum so fast?

I will note that Daniel is wearing his shoes in the house too.

Robby very neatly rolling up his sleeping bag. Sleeping on the cement in the backroom.

Couple of questions related to that. Was Robby testing the waters with Sam before deciding to live secretly at Miyagi-do? Or was he planning to try and live with the LaRusso's? Kreese has fully moved into Cobra Kai with photos and what not, but has he moved out of the mission? Was he truly living at the mission? Is he still there? Did he invite Robby to live with him or would that never happen? Why is Robby living in the backroom on the cement and not the office which seems like it'd be a bit more comfortable? Did Kreese give him some of his military stuff? Like the sleeping bag? Where did Robby get that?I can't believe he's sleeping next to the weights and a water heater.

Someone please save this kid.

Also, Robby's kinda dressed like his dad. Flannel over a band t-shirt and jeans.

Kreese does apologize that he had to sleep on the floor and they bond over sleeping in worse conditions. Kreese probably actually approves of this and is like we're bonding. 🤣 Offers Robby coffee says it's not good but hot.

Kreese teaching Robby the cobra strike which was one of the first things Johnny taught Miguel on the same dummy. And it's the same instructions, lunge and bite.

Ah, Hawk and Kyler, I can't believe they're showing up together. What's interesting is in the back before they arrived there were like 3 backpacks, so either Kreese has 3, Robby has a backpack on top of that red bag he somehow acquired (his cute brown bag that Daniel bought him is probably with wherever Daniel put the rest of his stuff) or these kids are leaving their school stuff behind at the dojo.

Frequently Kreese sides with his students, but because Robby is Johnny's son and so he really wants Robby as a pawn to get both Robby and Johnny he defends Robby against Hawk.

Really I don't think Kreese has a ton of warmth for Hawk. He likes that Eli's vicious, and he'll defend him against Miyagi-do but other than that I truly think he doesn't care. If Hawk had lost against Kyler instead of being pissed and going against Brucks and beating him to a pulp Kreese would've dropped him too. I think he's truly only invested in Tory and Robby. (I say this because he was interested in Miguel until he realized Miguel will always pick Johnny over him and if Johnny doesn't come over he can't really use Miguel to lure him over) Even though Hawk took Miguel's spot as best fighter and top student.

Oh kreese catches Tory's nod to Robby.

Kreese's army photo wall is growing:

pretty sure that's an army logo mug too.

lol I was right.

The enemy of your enemy is your friend. (Somehow Daniel hasn't picked up on that) But in this case, what do you mean. Hawk is still pissed that Miguel was put in the hospital by Robby. Even though they abandoned and no longer deal with Miguel and he's quote on quote a traitor. So who is Robby the enemy of? Miyagi-do? Or Miguel? Pretty sure Robby right now is a free agent.

They changed Robby's bag. Earlier he had a red bag next to where he was sleeping, now he's got a green-brown one. also do these kids not pick up their stuff? They keep showing Robby cleaning up and putting his things away but then there's backpacks the other kids have I guess left behind and equipment out everywhere.

Tory hated Robby for what happened to Miguel. Sam, but most of all herself but couldn't run away like Robby could.

Kreese taught her how to channel her hate to make her stronger.

I've been looking, I think Kreese abandoned his pet snake at the LaRusso auto dealership.

Tory invites Robby to hang out after class.

Ali and Johnny meet up at the Magnolia kitchen cafe

Johnny listening to other guys to hear their orders to determine what he should order to impress Ali: vegan mung dahl bowl with spiced carrots, turmeric cauliflower and coconut yogurt.

Ali is so cute. I love her brown leather jacket

I can't believe he remembers the whole order. He'd be a good waiter. Unlike the lady from the double date restaurant.

I love that Ali is like I don't know what that is so cheeseburger.

Glad Johnny switches to the burger because there's no way he'd enjoy the vegan mung dahl bowl and would just suffer.

She does this all the time.

Usually the cars aren't covered, so it's interesting that this one time they are. I also went back and checked, Daniel is right Sam did have all the doors shut. Though Mr. Miyagi's place isn't near the house so I'm not sure what good that'd necessarily do.

I feel like leaving the door open isn't a bad rule but Sam thinks it's unfair. Which is wild, because it's like basic general household rules not just a 1984 rule. And for a girl who keeps lying and lying via omission to her parents about what she's up to....a little parenting won't hurt her. Daniel's not even saying, don't bring a boy here or tell me if you're going to invite a boy over into Mr. Miyagi's home, he's saying leave the door open. That's like the lightest little slap on the wrist.

Daniel totally thinks Sam is using the dojo to have sex and Robby walked in on it, not realizing that was Miguel and Sam's first back together kiss.

And while the way he words it is a little dramatic and judgy for a guy who had a new girlfriend in every movie. He is right that it's unfair to these boys that she keeps bouncing back and forth between Robby and Miguel. Like Miguel thought she was cheating on him with Robby, and she wasn't, but then she dumped Miguel for Robby and then while Robby was out he thought she was cheating on him with Miguel after she saw them together and she wasn't not in that moment but she had when drunk which I think Robby didn't fully hold against her because he's been around his mom drunk and probably his dad. But then now she is with Miguel again.

And she doesn't tell her parents about who she's dating, or at least hasn't since Kyler. Which is an additional issue. The secret boyfriends isn't fair to anyone and the not really breaking up with them, just hanging out with the other till the other gets jealous and then letting that be the break up to switch is kinda...unfair to each of them. Though them assuming she's cheating also isn't fair.

It's dramatic and a bit messy for sure.

I'm still your daughter and you can trust me.

Can he? Miss throws a party and doesn't tell anyone? Miss we closed the dojo but I'm going to teach underground fights and then use my defense only karate for revenge and get into more fights which negatively affects the dojo and the dealership? Miss gets into a car accident and doesn't tell her parents? I could go on. She's really like her father a la TKK not telling his mother anything.

He doesn't trust Miguel, but Miguel is a sweetie and he was drunk 1 time and screwed up by starting a fight but hitting Sam instead and going too far at the all-valley but Johnny's redirected him out of no mercy every chance he can. But again, Miguel is Johnny's student so he doesn't trust him.

What happened to there's no bad students only bad teachers? For some reason Daniel truly blames all of Kreese on Johnny, all of Johnny on Johnny and then everything that was compounded by those two things earned and unearned on everyone around him.

"He's not even in Cobra Kai anymore" is the thing that let's Daniel sigh and go okay maybe you're right. Which is it truly the name? If so is Johnny now in a safer boat?

Kyler hanging out with Eli is so weird. Also following orders. Like he went from being a leader to a second. Also Kyler is I guess the beer guy instead of Mitch.

Proud of Robby for say no.

It is nice that Tory explains whether things will clash with his probation or not because she knows.

Also I just realized that this group is kinda like Robby's back with his original two friends.

They're at Ventura zoo

Ali and Johnny got stuck on a ferris wheel for hours and it was windy and Ali thought they were going to die and Johnny was laughing. It was their first date and Johnny thought it was going terribly. Their second date was much better.

He partied through his 20's and 30's, then got a Shannon who he was dating pregnant.

starting with you.

The way Ali takes what Johnny said, hears it, and tells him she's messed up too. She did everything by the book and was unhappy, ex-wife.

Johnny apologizes for taking her for granted and screwing up. Messing up their relationship and friendship and worst of all, her radio.

He always does own up to his own actions and doesn't accept others, it's just when he blames himself for things or takes responsibility for things that aren't his fault that it gets hard to tell. Sort of like his conversation with Carmen, who blamed him for Miguel's injury only to realize how badly that had hurt Johnny and how much he'd cared and that it wasn't actually his fault. But Johnny took responsibility for it anyway.

Ali said punching Johnny in the face was fun.

He said he had that coming and she agrees.

Miguel gets Daniel's side of the story, that Daniel is originally from Reseda. The sensei was a rich kid.

Daniel pointing out that Miguel used that same kick without much trouble.

How does Hawk know all of this? There are two cameras over there, the security guard goes on break once every hour, we've got less than five minutes.

Do you think this is Kreese's snake? That this is what happened to it when the LaRusso's called animal control? (I assume that's what they did)

They're getting a gift for sensei.

They got into the back real easy. also none of these kids are dressed for stealth, they're so brightly dressed up and in their dojo logo, which is always so dumb.

Kyler forgot the snake pole. He's worried about Trig and his dad's reaction to it.

Robby just grabbing the cobra because he's good at this type of thing from his time pre-miyagi-do.

Welcome back home, I'm sorry grandpa kreese abandoned you at the LaRusso auto. (I'm going to headcannon it's the same snake)

Robby not expecting his time an ace degenerate to come in handy with the new kids.

The water hose?

Daniel: It was just sitting there I couldn't help myself. 🤣

I dunno Daniel, Miggy isn't fully like you or Johnny. He doesn't quite have that little trickster energy.

Miguel quietly defending Johnny.

Daniel says Ali was his first love too, which isn't quite accurate. He tells Sam a couple seasons ago that he had a first love back in Jersey if I remember correctly. But they're going for that parallel of Johnny and Daniel fighting over Ali versus Robby and Miguel fighting over Sam.

Daniel, you're missing part of the spiel here. "I thought she was the one" but then you also say you thought Kumiko was the one, and there were more after that.

Welcome to the plot bud. 30 years late.

This was all Miguel wanted in season 1. A chance to talk and meet Daniel without Daniel automatically hating him and without Sam hiding him from Daniel. I'm glad they had that conversation.

I like Sam's nails they're like a white to purple ombre.

Like the fact Daniel being willing to talk and shake Miguel's hand and Miguel and Sam being shocked by that is very telling.

Ali kicking Johnny's ass at air hockey and video games.

I think Johnny really needed this. Someone from his past that he loved, forgiving him and a chance to have a good time.

Like he's only had a good time so far with Miguel and the Diaz's. this expands his world a little.

They also play the basketball game and mini golf

The win a hippo plush, Ali hits him in the face with it and laughs.

I think he's also needed this closure.

Johnny posing the plushie

Ali also has a 17 year old.

Robby is complicated, smart, too smart for his own good, and a heartbreaker. As soon as Ali compares Johnny "a heartbreaker" to Robby he shuts down and tells her to tell him about her two.

Lucas is the oldest and is a talented soccer player and writer with a dry sense of humor.

Ava was on a path to being ballet dancer but then starts playing the drums and joins a punk band, a rebel like her mom. (Ali says she's a rebel now, but wasn't when she was younger but Johnny disagrees) Greg has them that week, so it's the week of Christmas, and it's Ali's first Christmas alone. Her parents are being annoying.

Her parents are more upset about the divorce then she is and they don't approve. Johnny's not surprised.

They almost kiss but neither of them closes the gap, waiting for the other to close the gap until Ali gets a message. Ali invites him to the country club party that she completely forgot about.

Robby puts the snake in the tank with his bare hands.

Hawk I think realized that no matter how much hard work he puts in he's not what Kreese's looking for. He just got snubbed for Robby. Which Johnny warned him about.

Kreese brought up Sam and Miguel's speech (all he knows) specifically to piss off Tory and Robby.

LaRusso christmas decor:

oh right the Miyagi-do christmas party.

Another new Miyagi-do

Mitch and Chris being the most dressed up for a holiday party but instantly pissed to see each other.

we're missing a red.

Bert and Nate's fighting is always so intense. I hate your stupid face so much| If you died I wouldn't even attend your funeral

Johnny having a white suit jacket. Not just that brown one he wears with the yellow

Into Encino Oaks Country club which I don't think he's been to in a while.

I wonder if Johnny didn't know Daniel became a member of his old country club. Which what a choice there Daniel.

[wolveswithblackpearls]

Puppy Love <3

characters: Park Chanyeol, Kim Jongin, reader

word count: ~2000

warnings: brief mention of abandoned pets but they are safe and sound in the fic itself no worries, it's all the fluffiest fluff ^~^

a/n: Happy Holidays @galaxybambamm - whichever you celebrate - 'tis me, your secret santa (Admin S, @starchild--27) ^-^ ❄️✨

I hope you are well and that you have a good time for the last couple of days of the year (and hopefully also with the little scenario i came up with :D)

this is my gift for this year's EXO-L Secret Santa event, which was wonderfully hosted by @exols-silver-christmas. Thank you so much for your dedication and hard work, once again I had a really good time participating and I hope we'll see each other again for round 4 next year ♡

Happy holidays to everyone who reads this, I hope December treats you kindly and that the new year starts all smoothly 💕✨

~

If someone asked you what your favorite thing during the Christmas holidays was, you never had to think long and hard about it. Sure, spending time with your loved-ones, not having your boss breathing down your neck everyday and the magic of the snowy scenery were all aspects you greatly appreciated but there was one thing you loved most: having time for volunteering at the local animal shelter.

When you were still in school, helping out with going on walks, grocery runs or simply enjoying playtime with the cute pets were your most-beloved hobbies, but after graduation, life just got too busy, so you could only visit maybe once or twice a month. Like that, the days around Christmas and before New Year's have been reserved for the shelter ever since. 

You could hear the yipping, whining and high-pitched barking of the puppies from outside already as you approached the main entrance of the old building that housed the shelter, and the mere sound made your heart skip two or three beats. You couldn’t wait for the tiny creatures to finally nag on the seam of your pants, eager to play around with you or to receive affectionate caresses.

With your lips stretching into a content smile you gave the entrance door a firm tug so you could slip from the chilling cold of winter into the welcoming warmth of the hallway. Quickly you shed your jacket with its last reminders of the snow outside, hanging it on the rack that was already carrying three more jackets. You wanted it to dry at least a little before you would put it on again. 

You let your eyes wander through the hall. Most of the doors were closed, like the ones which hid nursing and play rooms for puppies, kitties and occasionally bunnies, as well as a small medical station for emergencies and minor injuries that didn’t require a vet right away. Only the doors that led to the office and storage rooms had been left open, probably in a hurry. The last time you’d visited the shelter, everyone was going crazy over a cat that went missing on the day it was supposed to be adopted - turned out someone had forgotten to close the doors for a short moment, one long enough for the cat to follow its curiosity over the threshold of the playroom only to be found asleep on a pile of documents in the rather messy office.

The sound of voices and the shuffle of steps from behind one of the closed doors shifted your attention away from your memories and towards the door which led to the great playroom where both puppies and kitties were running free to explore once they were old enough to do so safely. You didn’t quite understand how it was possible for you to smile even wider but the familiar sounds of a frustrated, very human whine and an infectious laugh somehow managed to have exactly that effect on you.

With fast steps you approached the door, pushing it open carefully so none of the animals could weasel its way out while you were entering. The scene that presented itself in front of you was equally familiar to you as everything else in the shelter: there was Chanyeol, a little ball of white-brown fur curled up in his lap, as he desperately tried and tragically failed to hide dog treats from a certain energetic, black toy poodle. And there was Jongin, who sat next to his friend, laughing at his misery while running gentle fingers through the light fur of two more puppies that had curled up on the younger’s legs. 

“Hey there, guys!” you greeted them happily, “And hello to you little ones too.” You crouched down to pet the small army of kittens that had assembled at your feet. A lot of them were still quite young, too young for being adopted and too young for you to know them from previous visits. 

“Hey there yourself- Okay, okay. Here, Toben. Take the treats, it’s pointless to train you when you refuse to listen” Chanyeol pouted at the poodle and resignedly let the dog have its way, sort of forgetting to finish greeting you but you didn’t mind at all - the two of you had been friends for a couple of years now after all, always trying to visit the shelter together since you’d discovered your mutual love for animals. You were used to Chanyeol’s antics, the way he’s been trying to get into Toben’s good graces since his family had adopted the dog a few years ago from the very shelter both of you were volunteering in your free time. Soon enough, Jongin had joined your trio with endless adoration for puppies and a natural knack for dealing with dogs of any age or breed. Jongin, who interrupted fondling the baby dogs in his lap to wave at you with a happy smile before he turned to Chanyeol with the words “You know, maybe he would listen better if you didn’t always reward his lack of obedience.” 

But his friend didn’t seem to want to see reason, only huffing loudly through his nose, expressing his frustration as he handed Jongin the box with treats, challenging him to try to get the playful poodle to listen. Of course, Toben lost interest in Chanyeol the moment he had handed the treats over, now jumping and running around Jongin, who held up a treat out of the small dog’s reach and said with a stern tone “Sit!”

Toben stopped in his wild racing and sat down immediately, wagging his tail in eager anticipation. 

“I hate this dog,” Chanyeol said dryly with no bite or seriousness in his voice, and tended to the napping fluffball in his lap instead.

Giggling at the scene that had just played out, you made your way to the center of the room where your two friends were sitting and joined them on the ground, only to instantly be jumped by Toben who was hoping to get himself yet another treat if he behaved cutely (or rudely) enough. Instead, you pulled out a squeaky toy you had grabbed from a box in the hallway and carefully tossed it a little further away from your group - you didn’t want to hit one of the babies but also thought Toben could entertain himself for a little while so you had the chance to catch up with Chanyeol and Jongin and the little puppies in their laps, that you hadn’t seen around before.

“And who might these little guys be?” you cooed as you watched one of the puppies on Jongin’s leg wake up from its slumber, yawning and stretching out its little paws in the sweetest of ways. 

“They came here, I think, two or three weeks ago. Three new puppies and their mom. Junmyeon said, someone found them abandoned at a rest area near the highway and brought them over. But they are recovering very well so far” Jongin explained calmly as he re-adjusted the now awake puppy, wanting to prevent it from falling off his leg. 

Maybe you should be more used to such stories - you’ve been working with rescue cases for a long time now after all - but hearing about abandoned pets, especially puppies and especially during the colder seasons, always had your stomach dropping, your heart breaking a little every time. You had never understood how people could just drop off their pets out in the cold if they didn’t want or couldn’t afford taking care of them anymore, why they couldn’t just bring them to a shelter - that’s where the animals would end up anyway. But there was no use in getting all too angry over that, you thought to yourself as you watched the ball of light brown fur slide down Jongin’s leg after all and waddle towards you in healthy curiosity. You were here to help caring for the innocent creatures now, supporting a place that was dedicated to find them a new home - that thought never failed to bring you comfort.

“I know, it’s sad but look at the bright side,” Jongin nudged you in the side, lifting your gaze from the puppy sniffing at your shoelaces, “Chanyeol is totally in love with the little one in his lap already.”

“Yeah, there is no way I am not adopting her myself,” Chanyeol chimed in upon hearing his name. “Time for a dog that actually loves me.” And as if he had understood exactly what Chanyeol had said, Toben suddenly let out an upset bark and started running laps around his owner, who couldn’t help the dumb-founded expression on his face. Jongin and you exchanged meaningful looks at the irony of the situation. Sometimes it was very hard to believe that it was actually impossible for Toben’s behavior to be as calculated as it seemed. 

The poodle’s shrill barking had woken up the two other puppies though, so the three of you decided that it was time to take out the little one’s for an outdoor playing session. Junmyeon, who managed the shelter over the holidays and was probably bored out of his mind sorting documents in the office, had already prepared three tiny harnesses for them, complete with soft cotton applications that would provide some protection from the cold for the little rascals. You picked up the puppy that had played with your shoes before, another little girl as Chanyeol informed you, to get her ready for the outing. 

“This little princess here,” Chanyeol scratched the puppy in his arm behind her ears, “is Zzar. You know, short for Mozart.” She snuggled even closer to him. It was so adorable you almost let out a puppy-like whining sound yourself. She really seemed to be especially fond of Chanyeol, the total opposite of Toben, who never missed an opportunity to tease your friend.

“The one you are handling right now doesn’t have an official name yet, but I've named her Brahms in my head,” Chanyeol explained as he watched you fastening the straps of the little harness, before he handed you one of the leashes. 

“Of course you did,” you laughed. It would have been more surprising if he didn’t continue with naming pets after composers.

“The third one is Debussy” Chanyeol finished off his naming process, sending a cheeky grin towards Jongin.

“Don’t worry, I won’t ever call you that,” Jongin only half-whispered into his puppy’s ears, obviously with the intention of teasing Chanyeol who threw a fake punch in return - you couldn’t help chuckling at the typical habits and antics they displayed.

Something mischievous was flashing in Jongin’s eyes but before the situation could escalate into friendly but nonetheless petty bickering you loudly cleared your throat and gestured towards the scurrying puppies with a nod of your head.

“I think these babies can’t wait for their outdoor adventure time anymore,” you decided with feigned seriousness as all three puppies were leashed and more than ready to go, so the three of you grabbed your jackets and stepped into the cold air.

Everything felt so comfortably familiar as the three of you ventured outside, along the path that led to a small playground for dogs not far from the shelter. So it didn’t surprise you when Jongin dropped the box with the dog treats, the snacks scattering all over the ground. Or how Chanyeol told you with big eyes that he couldn’t tell you now what Christmas gifts he bought for his dogs because “it’s supposed to be a surprise - I can’t tell you right in front of them”. Or the way all three of you broke into a laughing fit when one of the puppies got a little too over-excited in its playfulness and stumbled over its tiny legs. 

That was how you knew, no matter how long you hadn’t seen each other, there were always things that would never ever change. ♡

[strangerthingfanfic]

Title: A New Start: A Christmas Story

Summary: a part of the A New Start story.

Billy gets to celebrate his first real Christmas

A Christmas Story

December 25, 1984

The sound of the ocean rang in Billy’s ears. The smell of seawater tickled his nose.

He hadn't been to the beach for almost a year now but he could still hear and smell it like it was just right there, especially in his sleep.

Listening to the waves crash against the shore Billy wished he could stay here forever. It was safe.

But he was safe. He knew he was safe but still had moments when anxiety and fear kicked in.

The sound of his bedroom door creaking open woke him up.

“You awake Billy?” Max asked, coming in slowly. “Yeah,” Billy said and started sitting up.

A blast of pain traveled up his spine and he crumpled back into the bed.

Max rushed over and took his hand calling for Mr. Sinclair to come and help.

Running in Charles quickly helped Billy get settled back in.

“Hey champ, I know you're ready to be back to normal but you're going to reinjure yourself if you push too much,” Charles said as he covered Billy back up making sure he was comfortable.

“Sorry I forgot for a sec” Billy said looking at the ceiling.

“No need to apologize Billy, you have made great progress and you're going to prove those doctors wrong and walk again but I won't let you do that at the cost of your life” Charles said sternly but with love.

Billy nodded and hugged him and said “thanks dad” and when he realized what he had done he tried to pull away. “I'm so sorry,” he muttered.

Charles held him tightly and said, “never be sorry. Your my son now and you are more than welcome to call me dad”.

Billy cried into Charles’s shirt. Half out of happiness for himself and a half for Max who was dragged into the hug.

Once the two escaped their dad's grip, Billy turned to Max and asked, “what did you need sport”?

“To wish you a Merry Christmas of course,” Max said beaming, making him smile. Not only did the Sinclairs change their lives but they fixed his relationship with Max.

“Merry Christmas Max, and dad” Billy said, actually looking forward to the holiday.

Ever since his mom had walked out Christmas became another day of the week for Neil to beat on him but not now.

“Max, why don't you go see what Lucas is up to and i'll help Billy get dressed,” Charles said.

Max nodded and ran out of the room. The first thing they did was sit down and figure things out so Max and Lucas could continue their relationship.

Billy gained full custody of Max and since he was eighteen he could live wherever he wanted. That way they still had parents there but Max was legally not Lucas's sister.

An hour later Charles was pushing Billy in his wheelchair to the living room where there were presents under the tree waiting for them.

Billy could smell the ham cooking and lit up when he saw that Patrick was there as well.

Patrick went over and kissed Billy. “They're gonna all be so surprised” Patrick whispered into Billy’s ear. Billy smiled and nodded and they kissed again.

As soon as “The Party” arrived along with Steve and his new flame, Eddie, who ran the high school dungeons and dragons club and now wants to run one at the middle school was connected to Steve at the hip.

Eddie was a bit out there but he knew good music so he didn't mind hanging around him.

They all gathered and exchanged gifts. Billy got a new hair care set and clothes along with some cash.

He had never got gifts before. This was all new to him.

As the day wore on and Max had joined in on Eddie's special Christmas D&D game, Billy watched out the window.

“What's on your mind handsome,” Patrick said, placing a kiss on Billy's forehead.

“Oh I just heard Hawkins has a beautiful snowy winter and yet nothing. It's cold. It's windy but there is no snow” Billy said with a sigh.

Patrick smiled. “It's Christmas baby, anything can happen. Come on dinner is ready so stop moping” Patrick said and before Billy could say anything started pushing him towards the dining room.

It looked like a spread at some fancy party. All of the traditional food was there.

That night they all ate like kings and were stuffed. The older kids went out onto the patio to get some fresh air.

That's when Patrick's Christmas miracle happened.

Snow.

Not just a few flakes but enough that within minutes there was a blanket of fresh snow where the lawn used to be and it was still snowing.

Billy's eyes teared up. He didn't know why but seeing his first snowfall was magical and emotional.

Slowly the house emptied out onto the deck where everyone watched the falling snow.

Lucas stole a kiss from Max before they all headed out to build a snowman and have a snowball fight.

Billy watched from his chair on the deck.

“Now is the best time handsome,” Patrick said grinning.

Billy nodded and using his strength he stood up and everyone went silent.

Once he gained some balance he took a step forward and then another.

He walked right to Sue who was just a few more steps away and hugged her.

“I'm so proud of you Billy” Sue said, sighing hugging him back.

“Thanks, mom but I think I'm ready to sit back down.

Once Sue and Charles had him safely sitting down Max ran over and hugged him.

“You'll be up in no time Billy,” she said and after another hug ran back to be with her friends.

Billy watched until Erica came over and handed him a pile of snow. “You're the strongest one here, time to pummel the others” she said with a wicked grin.

Laughing Billy joined in the snow fight which lasted an hour or so.

As they headed back in, Patrick stopped Billy and pointed up. They were right under the mistletoe.

Billy grinned, reached up and pulled Patrick in for a deep and sensual kiss.

“Soon it won't just be kissing,” Billy said with a wink and they both headed in.

“Merry Christmas handsome” Patrick said as he sat on Billy's lap. “Merry Christmas Patrick,” Billy said and hugged him tightly.

As the night wound down and when it became just Billy and the family he said “this has been the best Christmas I've had in years thank you all”.

“With more to come,” Sue said and they all headed to bed.

As soon as Charles had Billy safely in bed Max came in and cuddled with him.

“Good night big brother I love you,” she said as she drifted off to sleep.

“I love you Max and I promise you I will always be here to protect you from now on” Billy said as he fell into a deep and restful sleep.

[theladyofbloodshed]

A Very Nessian Christmas

(I'm just tagging all y'all who are reading the au acosf. Please let me know if you don't want tagging in these one shots. @sv0430 @mis-lil-red @confusedfandomslut @emily-gsh @sunsetsofanemoia @a-court-of-valkyries @swankii-art-teacher @moodymelanist @nestaarcher0n @my-fan-side @c-e-d-dreamer @nestaspegasus @champanheandluxxury @chosenfamily-valkyriequeens )

A modern Nessian one shot set at Christmas time

‘Are you serious?’

‘No, I’m Cassian.’

Nesta’s nostrils flared. Her grip tightened around the bauble in her hand as she debated where best to aim at the giant bat in the living room. He was so big that she’d hit him no matter what, but was it better to aim for his face or somewhere more sensitive?

‘Careful you don’t drop that one,’ he winked, placing a shot glass down on the side.

For every decoration of his that Nesta had picked off the tree and rearranged, he had taken a shot of alcohol. His cheeks had taken on a rosy hue as a result.

‘Carry on ruining my tree and I'll shove these baubles where the sun doesn’t shine,’ she grumbled.

It was so easy to annoy Nesta. Cassian was relishing in it. They had started out with a great idea of decorating the tree together, imagining that it could be something romantic, then cuddle on the couch with a hot chocolate watching festive films. The way it was going, a war was more likely.

He had started off the decorating by rearranging the carefully placed nativity scene that Nesta had put on the mantelpiece. She had taken one look at the golden tinsel wrapped around him like a scarf and threatened to strangle him with it.

Now, Nesta gritted her teeth as Cassian looped another golden bell onto a branch.

‘There is already a decoration on that branch. It’s clustered. Put it somewhere else.’

‘But they’re buddies,’ he grinned, waiting to see if Nesta would rise to the bait and adjust the decoration to her liking.

She took a steadying breath then smoothed her gold-brown hair flat. Her eyes flickered back to the branch. It was too much to hold inside. She was about to yell and obliterate the festive spirit then the front door opened - saving Cassian from being barbecued.

‘Feeling festive?’ Azriel asked from the doorway as he hung up his coat. He took in the sight of Cassian draped in tinsel, swigging straight from the bottle. ‘Well, one of you is.’

‘Nesta’s threatening to kill me again,’ he said dreamily, gazing at that beautiful, terrifying woman stood on the other side of the living room.

‘It’s well deserved, I assure you.’

‘The lights outside are a bit wonky.’

Nesta massaged her temples. ‘Next year, I am decorating alone. I will sit you in front of the television with a film, like a child, and do it perfectly myself.’

‘She’s very considerate,’ Cassian said to Azriel.

‘Eat. Drink. Be merry. Just leave my tree alone.’

Nesta shooed both the males onto the couch while she continued decorating. It was fun to annoy her, to try and thwart her quest of creating a perfectly decorated tree. Their tree could have one bauble on and Cassian still would have found it perfect. Just having Nesta with him, humming Christmas songs under her breath as she set out every novelty item was perfect.

He’d not realised what a fanatic she was until they lived together. Organised as ever, she had compiled a list of films they had to watch on certain dates, her shopping - and wrapping - was complete by the 1st December, and she’d ordered him into the loft for boxes and boxes of junk. Their house had turned into a grotto. Cassian was surprised they didn’t have elves living in the house, using the gingerbread scented soap from the reindeer-shaped bottle. Even the welcome mat had changed to one that said Santa stop here.

‘What have you done with it?’

Nesta’s hands were on her hips, her feet planted as if readying herself for a fight. But her eyes darted round the room then roved all over his body searching his pockets for a shape with five points.

‘With what?’

Azriel watched them both, trying hard to disguise the smile that so often came from watching them bicker with each other.

‘You know what. Give it back.’

‘Oh, do you mean the star?’

‘Put it on the tree.’

Cassian stood. He towered over most people, but Nesta was used to it. She craned her neck to stare at him with pursed lips.

He made a show of stepping forwards, pretending to move to the tree then Cassian swooped down on Nesta and hauled her into the air. He lifted her above his head, thankful for the high ceilings in their house.

‘Put me down, brute.’

‘You said to put the star on the tree - that’s what I’m doing!’

Nesta halted trying to escape and hung limply in his arms until he lowered her back down the floor.

‘You’re an idiot,’ she laughed.

‘I’m your idiot.’

Cassian leaned down to kiss her gently on the lips. For her, he’d endure the train running round a track in the kitchen, the dancing snowmen that were triggered by movement - even the novelty toilet roll.

[milks-writings]

✫ ˚♡ ⋆｡ ❀ ｡⋆♡° ✫ ˚♡ ⋆｡ ❀ ｡⋆♡° ✫

✫ ˚♡ ⋆｡ ❀ PAIRING: Kei Tsukishima x GN!Reader

✫ ˚♡ ⋆｡ ❀ WARNINGS: TEETH ROTTING FLUFF SAIDOFIXN

✫ ˚♡ ⋆｡ ❀ A/N: this is a special writing event!:D The fic is dictated to the person I got: @multifandom-addiction and I dearly hope that they like this fanfiction! Also thanks a lot for the person who organized this all @mizunetzu !!

I hope you all stay safe and have a nice christmas, and if you don’t celebrate it, I hope that you still have a few nice days of resting!!! <3

✫ ˚♡ ⋆｡ ❀ Masterlist

✫ ˚♡ ⋆｡ ❀ Scenario: All it takes is four steps

If you could say it like that, four was your lucky number. Four years since you have met Tsukishima Kei, the now first year and part of a volleyball club, also the tallest which makes him the middle blocker of the mentioned club. Tsukishima Kei, the same boy you met in kindergarden the first time but unfortunately you never talked to him, only later in middle school. And that’s where the small fire between you started.

You adding the wood and him lightening it up with the flint n steel he got.

In other words, you broke the ice between you two, with beginning to talk to him.

“Hey Tsukki!” “Don’t call me like that” was probably the nicest answer you expected him to give you. “We should start to hang out!” With just continuing the conversation like nothing had happened between you, you hoped to get some spice between you two, and make him less salty than he was in the beginning, because something just told you that he was not as salty as everyone says.

“not in the mood” His hand reached out to grab the book that laid on his table, stuffing it into his backpack.

Tsukishima may have had an eye on you, but he would never admit that. “Come on! You don’t have any other friends anyway” as a middle student these words didn’t seem very harsh to you yet, but now as those words recalled in your mind, they were worse than you had them in your memories.

“If you are annoying I will leave” was the agreement of the blond male, which basically started your four year journey of your friendship. A little later, even Yamaguchi started to tag along with you guys.

Like the great three, but with a small love triangle twist. You liked Tsukishima, Tsukishima liked you and Yamaguchi knew about both. That’s when the air around the fire got thinner, making the fire almost go out again. But the few air input, that came here and there, sometimes about to safe the fires life and sometimes just to make the fire stronger again saved your relationship with Kei.

In other words, Yamaguchi held you two together.

Quite unbelievable was for the shy green haired boy though, when the middle blocker told him that he couldn’t confess to you, scared for rejection and feared of ending the friendship because of a few stronger feelings peaking whenever you got into his view.

And that’s when Yamaguchi’s dilemma started with you two.

He had made it into a quest for himself to make the platonic great three into the non-platonic great two + 1. And this all before Christmas, the cold season that could just easily make the fire go out with the snow and the coldness, rolled around.

Day for day, never did anything go like he wanted it to go. Once Tsukishima almost confessed to you, but that was only almost.

“Y/N we have to talk” he started off, sounding a little colder than usual which made your blood freeze in your veins, causing your breath to hitch in your throat that had already caught any words, leaving you speechless.

With small steps you followed the tall male, hoping that the slower you walked the less bad it would be. But that triggered something within his thoughts, making him rethink the paragraph he almost was about to study off the letter he had written to you. “You walk slower than usually” the words were colder than the night, yet there was still somewhere this small fire in his voice that made you heat up, and made your heart race.

Four. He took four steps forward, inching closer to you before he let out a sigh, leaving a small cloud of warm air in the cooler air. “Never mind.” His voice was slopping with disappointment, but that day your mind didn’t get that hint. Your mind was still filled with things that would never happen, scenarios that were only your imagination and words that were only thoughts. “See you tomorrow” Your actually calm and not mad respond took lots of weights off his shoulders, even leaving a small relieved smile behind. “Sure. See you tomorrow”

Only four words that had made you feel a little less stressed, and that assured you that everything was okay between you two.

Four words that saved your friendship from crumbling into small pieces of dirt, that can’t be light on to a fire, unlike good and dry wood.

But now it was the day. The 24th December, of course it was not only one day, but your day.

After days, weeks and almost months of playing out scenarios in your head, which had already become like a small cinema for free. Just with a bad movie, and an even worse ending. Yamaguchi managed to somehow get you out of your thoughts, trying to make them reality. Of course not the bad ones, only the good ones, he promised.

But somehow your mind didn’t want to accept it. So the first step was to make you feel more confident. With simple words. Like “He’s the nicest to you” “He actually cares about you.”

The second step to make you two confess, what Yamaguchi had already planned, was to make Tsukishima also more confident.

With also even more simple things, like “Y/N often makes you, and only you small presents.” or “Y/N often talks about you. And not in a bad way. Actually in a good way.” and that was it.

But perhaps that was what didn’t make you two confess. The lack of knowledge. The third step was to get you two into a room alone, but little did Yamaguchi know that the fourth step could be only done with him. So having you two in one room, and himself too, you three just say awkwardly there. “So should we open presents?” You asked the two, making the boys nod in agreement. But something didn’t lay well in the air, something was slowly suffocating you and your words, making you rather insecure than confident around Tsukishima. “Listen guys--” The green haired boy started, trying to catch your attention, but you two were already all over the presents, rather paying attention to the colorfull boxes than to Yamaguchi. “Hey you two--” with a small sigh following, he almost gave up. Almost messed up the fourth step. But the fourth step was easier than he thought, and you two thought. “You’re so blind to not see that you like each other” The small sentence caught you off guard, just like the blond haired male.

“Huh?”

“You’re stupid to not see that you like each other.” Yamaguchi repeated, getting up. “I will get some water” he excused himself, slight anxiety building up in his mind. But it was worth it. More than worth it.

The blondes eyes laid on you, almost staring holes into your face as the process in his mind went only slowly on. “I like you.” He finally got to spit out the fire that has built up in his throat, only waiting to get relieved by some air to stop the burning. “I like you too, Kei” you finally replied, after seconds of thinking if this had been a stupid dream or not.

But it was worth it that Yamaguchi had made you two confess.

Because it only took four steps to get you two together.

«𝐛𝐲 𝐄𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐞»

✫ ˚♡ ⋆｡ ❀ LOYAL PEEPS: @elianetsantana

[angelic-jeonghan1004]

I think it's perfect || Hongseok

First one of my soulmate aus! I will be making this a bit festive since December is coming and when I post this it will be December and even if I'm not christian or that much for Christmas I love the music made for the holidays they give a warm and welcoming feeling.

Synopsis: Where you can hear when your soulmate is singing and vise versa

Pairing: Hongseok x reader

Genre: fluff

Warnings: none! Slight bickering though

Gif credits to owner~

It started when you where 8 that you started hearing your soulmate sing, for all people it was different ages where it started but for you it was 8 when you heard him sing. Working on a school project you got shocked when you heard a boys voice start singing a happy birthday to what you where assuming was one of his friends, asking your parents if that was normal they laughed and nodded their heads yes remembering when they'd go to birthday parties and hear the other one singing for a friend.

☆ﾟ.*･｡ﾟ♡ ☆ﾟ.*･｡ﾟ ♡ ☆ﾟ.*･｡ﾟ ♡ ☆ﾟ.*･｡ﾟ♡

As you two started growing in your teenage years the boy had a beautiful voice which left you self conscious so the only time you'd be singing is when you'd do it mindlessly. Unknown to you your soulmate was confused on why you didn't sing as much but he had no way to poke at it to find out, he enjoyed your singing voice and liked hearing it even if it stopped him from sleeping sometimes from your late night studying with playlists in the background.

One of your most embarrassing yet meaningful moments with your soulmate was when you where really scared on how your grades would be in your project you worked hard on that was supposed to be a group project yet you ended up being the only one to work on it leaving it sloppy in parts. Grading came back getting a D you where distraught since it was an assignment that meant a lot for your grade and you feared your parents reaction. Not being able to stop the tears running through your face you tried to listen to music that would comfort you deciding to humm the lyrics quietly. Your soulmate took quick action being able to hear the sobs in your humming he worried for you, you where his soulmate after all.

"It's okay~ you'll be okay~" he sang, he wanted to comfort you but didn't know what to do since he can only communicate through singing. You smiled taking note at how your soulmate is sweet for trying to help, not sure if he was singing a song but you realized from your humming he probably heard your muffled sobs through the song.

"I'll be okay~" you sang shaky while laughing. He couldn't help but feel warm hearing your laugh effect the 'okay.' Through this interaction he wondered what other things he could talk to you about through singing for how much the laws of singing soulmates would allow.

It's a warm moment you hold with you, it also started the asking questions in a sing song voice or communicating through the songs you're listening to with that.

☆ﾟ.*･｡ﾟ♡ ☆ﾟ.*･｡ﾟ ♡ ☆ﾟ.*･｡ﾟ ♡ ☆ﾟ.*･｡ﾟ♡

Even though you weren't the most confident in your voice you really wanted to communicate with him. Thinking on different ways to start conversation through a song or a sing song voice you'd seem to back out easily. You've also spent times thinking about how you'll meet him, will you be able to tell it's him just from his voice? What will happen if you hear him sing in front of you? Many questions you don't have the answer too but nonetheless you see still are eager to meet him, sleeping on those questions you waited till morning to brainstorm a bit. Waking up you brushed your teeth and got ready for the day but since it was a weekend you didn't have much to do so you searched up songs on youtube to play. You where struggling to pick a song but decided with L.O.V.E by Frank Sinatra to listen to as you cleaned your room up mindlessly you started to sing along to the song swaying your body as you folded clothing.

"L is for the way you look at me~ O is for the only one I see~" you sang letting yourself let go for a moment to just enjoy the warm feeling that was being created.

"V is very very extraordinary~" Your soulmate sang along morning voice active in how he sang obviously sleepy, you found it cute that he knew the song and sang along; it wasn't uncommon for him to jump into the songs you where listened too but you where always pleasantly surprised from him knowing the song. You also couldn't help to admit how dreamy his voice is, he definitely was gifted in vocals and that you where sure of.

☆ﾟ.*･｡ﾟ♡ ☆ﾟ.*･｡ﾟ ♡ ☆ﾟ.*･｡ﾟ ♡ ☆ﾟ.*･｡ﾟ♡

Sleepovers with your best friend where always pleasant, she gave the most welcoming space to you whenever you came over. Baking cookies she got reminded of a certain someone and went quick to tell you about him.

"Soooo y/n there's this guy that I think you'd hit it off with amazingly. He's from the cooking workshop I have been going to this week and I became his friend early on and I think you two would make a great pair, can you please please please let me play match maker just one time?" She said to you looking at you with plead in her eyes, chuckling at her please you decided to hear more into her reasoning before accepting the offer of match making.

"Okay okay tell me more about him,, I'm a little unsure since what if he's not my soulmate?" You said.

"But !! To counteract what if he IS your soulmate?? And he's tall, muscular, very sweet, charming, smart and a really good cook and you're love for food and his match well" She said laughing, it doesn't seem like a bad idea to give it a shot she genuinely seems to like him as a match for you out the different times she's tried to play match maker this one seems different.

"Okay fine but if the date goes wrong you owe me okay?" Nudging her shoulder

"Deal." Your friend said nudging you right back

"Wait what's his name?"

"Hongseok" your friend said with a wink causing you to to your eyes. You soon began to smell a little bit of burning quickly making in the question.

"how long have the cookies been in there?"

"Oh fu-"

☆ﾟ.*･｡ﾟ♡ ☆ﾟ.*･｡ﾟ ♡ ☆ﾟ.*･｡ﾟ ♡ ☆ﾟ.*･｡ﾟ♡

You friend doing her magic in getting the okay to give you his phone number for a date you couldn't help but get a little nervous, what if things are awkward? What if he's not like how she says he is and he's only like that with her since he's trying to impress her? Millions of questions pop up until she texts you.

The best girl: his number is ×××-×××-×××× thank me later😘

The roll on your eyes could not be stronger but you typed his number in your phone and went to text him

Y/n: hey is this Hongseok?

Hongseok?: Yes it is 😊 I'm guessing your y/n?

Y/n: so do you want to grab coffee Saturday? We could get to know each other?

Hongseok: sounds like a plan☺️

☆ﾟ.*･｡ﾟ♡ ☆ﾟ.*･｡ﾟ ♡ ☆ﾟ.*･｡ﾟ ♡ ☆ﾟ.*･｡ﾟ♡

All the days leading to Saturday many thoughts where taken and texts where sent back and forth so you weren't complete strangers and he was genuinely really sweet and you did have a lot in common, you hadn't checked up on your soulmate through sing quizzing in a while so you where nervous in some senses since what if this is your soulmate? Or what if he's not? So many questions but you'd rather let them stay blank for now instead of stressing further.

Walking down the sidewalk you started humming a holiday tune wether it be Michael Buble or Frank Sinatra you where having a euphoric moment in the giddy feeling over going on a date with the snow falling down your excitement was prominent. The sweet feeling had a curl to it when your soulmate started humming to, what if you're meeting him? But what if you're not and he's so cutely humming with you? Not wanting to have this moment you stopped humming and quickly started moving towards the end of the block where the cafe was at.

Once reaching it you went inside standing near the entrance so he'd see you when walking in, going to text him on your phone saying you where here was quickly stopped once you got a tap on your shoulder.

"Excuse me are you y/n?" Turning around seeing a tall unbelievably handsome boy say to you, standing their taking in his features you noted his cute brown hair and big lips, he looked like a cute tall ducky in which you smiled at him before getting too lost in thought.

"Yes that's me" You said smiling brighter with a light chuckle causing him to flash a smile right back.

"Would you like to order with me?" He said taking his hand out for you to hold, taking his hand in yours nodding; your heart stumbled at how nice it felt to be on a date and how cute he was.

Once ordering drinks and getting to your table you began to start talking together.

"So what did you do before getting here?"

"Well I got ready made sure to look nice, then went on my walk to hear humming a few tunes not the most interesting things" saying with nervous laughter, you saw his eyes shoot up.

"What where you humming?" He said quickly.

"Oh just your usual holiday season music like 'It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas' simple songs like that." You said starting to think about your soulmate and see if this could be the make or break if this was your soulmate.

"This may sound crazy but you might be my soulmate." He said ears red.

"Did you hum along the tune with me?" Saying barely above whisper. He quickly nodded at you looking down at your hands that where still connected giving it a tight squeeze.

"To attest can you sing for me? I know my soulmates voice like no other at this point." You said smiling causing him to go beat red, you both knew you where most definitely right but not too bad to be careful.

"L is for the way you look at me" Once he sang you knew it was him, the smile beaming on your face your heart couldn't help but melt at the simple reference for song choice.

"I can attest it's you, you're voice is gorgeous Hongseok. I wish mine was as good as yours" You said with a blush growing on your face.

"No matter how you feel about your voice I think it's perfect."

[thadelightfulone]

All I Want... 25 Days of Christmas Challenge, Day 13

A/N: Yes, this is another update since I fell behind. ENJOY!!! Back to our regularly scheduled program later this evening. 

December 6th

DeeDee swore off going out with her friends for a while. Phyllis was getting on her nerves and Beverly could only do so much. DeeDee didn’t even understand the hostility that was coming from her best friend. And now was not the time for her to be stressed out by shit she couldn’t control, like her best friend’s actions and reactions. So, it was time for a break and to focus on more important things, like her defense presentation. 

She had chosen her PowerPoint background weeks ago. She drafted her presentation outline weeks ago. But she hadn’t yet put any of it together, even with all the time she spent in the library. Then again, the last time she was studying there, she found Erik’s note.  

“Oh crap,” DeeDee grabbed her phone off the charger and saw multiple messages from him.

Prince Erik: Good morning Miss DeeDee

Prince Erik: I hope you have a good day and get some rest. You definitely need it. 😘

Prince Erik: Good night DeeDee

Prince Erik: Enjoy your day Miss DeeDee 

Including a voice message, “Damn.” 

VM: Sleeping Beauty

Do you know that you talk in your sleep? I learned quite a bit from you when you fell asleep mid-sentence last night. 

Don’t worry, I won’t hold any of it against you...unless that is what you really want. Then what the lady wants, the lady gets. 

I won’t tell you how long I stayed on the phone after you knocked out, but I’m sure that your phone probably died after I ended the call. 

Whenever you get up, hit me up. I have some questions for you, pretty lady. 

Later

After that eventful night out with Beverly and Phyllis, all she remembered was drunk dialing him, him answering the phone and then nothing else until she woke up late the next afternoon with a dead phone. She put it on the charger, but never checked any of her alerts and went right back to sleep until this morning.

DeeDee picked up her phone and went to her recording app. She didn’t want to flood his phone responding to his texts. And since he usually worked on weekends, she decided to send him a voice message instead. 

She walked over to her patio door, opened the curtains and sat down at her desk. DeeDee opened up her laptop and pulled up all the documents she would need. It was time to get to work. Less than 2 weeks until D-Day. 

---

Erik looked down at his phone for the umpteenth time that day and then walked the floor. It was weird, he hadn’t heard anything from DeeDee since he hung up on her Friday night. She was gone gone and yet, she still tried to talk to him. A sleepy drunk. He thought it was cute but he knew that hangover was gonna be a killer. 

He hoped that she was ok. He still sent his usual text messages but he also sent a voice one because she said somethings that had him thinking. And it is said that ‘a drunk mouth speaks a sober mind.’ If that holds true, DeeDee laid herself bare in the most beautiful way, and yet she may not remember any of it. What a shame.

Erik moved to stand by the window of his office, while DeeDee’s words took up residence in his mind. He stopped focusing on his weekly reports an hour ago. His impression of DeeDee and the reality that each day his feelings about her being the one for him became stronger and stronger, cradled her very words to him from the night before. 

A loud buzzing sound against his wooden desk, halted his wayward thoughts. He walked over and picked it up. It was a voice message from DeeDee. He unlocked his phone and opened it. 

VM: Greetings From Louisiana

Good morning Erik, 

I can’t believe you let me go to sleep on you the other night and didn’t say anything. Anyways, since I have no recollection of what I said, take it with a grain of salt. Please and thank you. 

Sorry for not responding to anything yesterday. I just slept the day away in recovery. Nothing stronger than wine for me for a while.

I do hope you are free to talk tonight. I may not have much time over the next week or so as I prepare my final presentation for my dissertation. But I really enjoy talking to you and don’t want to miss out. 

I’m probably rambling again. So, yeah. Just let me know if you have time and we can go from there.

Byeeee

Her voice always brought a smile to his face. He logged off his computer, grabbed his briefcase and locked up his office. He would have stayed there if she called, but since she didn’t, it gave him the perfect out. He could work from home and still talk to her until she needed to go. 

---

DeeDee had just finished putting her talking points into her presentation file, when her cell phone rang. Erik. He must have gotten her message. She saved the file and opened the application. 

“Hi Mr. Erik.”

“Hello Miss DeeDee.”

“I missed hearing that.” She said shyly. 

“Oh, you did? Could have fooled me.”

“Don’t do that.”

“Do what? I’m not the one who said hi, some other stuff and then passed the hell out on the phone.” He shrugged even though she couldn’t see it. “I mean, I know I can put you to sleep, but that is not how I would do it.”

“You know what?” She started to laugh.

“What?”

“I can’t stand you.” 

“Uh huh.” His voice was calm. “Lie again Miss DeeDee.” 

“I’m not. I mean it.” DeeDee stomped her foot on the floor. 

Erik laughed, “If you say so. But I think you feel differently about me.”

“Sir, remember I do not know what I said. I don’t remember anything after calling you.”

“And slurring my name?”

DeeDee groans, “So, that did happen?”

“Heeeeeeey Erik,” he mimicked her tone. 

“Oh my god.” 

“It was cute though. It lets me know you were thinking of me even when you were completely out of it.”

“I promised to call you when I got home.” 

He paused, “You know what, you did honor my request to hear from you to let me know that you made it home safely.” 

“Exactly.”

“So, it seemed like you had a very fun evening.”

“Nah, I wouldn’t say that.” DeeDee sighed, “One of my best friends who seemed excited for me to look for you, is now acting really funny towards me and I don’t understand it.”

“Funny how?”

“Well, can I share something with you?”

“DeeDee, you know you don’t have to ask that. If you want to tell me anything, I will listen.”

“Thanks E.” She curled her legs under her in the desk chair. “Remember how I said that I knew my career would take me away? You know traveling and experiencing the world and such.”

“Yeah.”

“Well, I haven’t told anyone that I have applied for tenure-track positions far away from Louisiana.” She exhaled deeply. “I got upset when she said that I would never leave here, among other things. But at that same time, it hit me that I never told them that I wanted to leave. So, they have just always assumed I would be around for whatever.”

“I see. So, what about your other friend who was with you both.”

“Oh, she’s fine. They both want me to live life, but she is the only one who appears to really support it. So, I know she will be fine when and if I do leave.”

“You mean, when you leave.”

“From your lips, to God’s ears. I have gone through many interviews, but the waiting game is a lot for me to deal with.”

“I understand that. But just focus on your defense. The full-time position will come.” 

“I know, and besides, there is always a postdoctoral fellowship too. And those look great on CVs.”

“Exactly. You can apply for one of those and work at another school until you find the school that fits you.”

“Yeah, that’s true. But Dr. O and Dr. Bell both think that I don’t have to worry and will get an offer my first time out.”

“I believe that, too. You are a bright woman, DeeDee. Any school would be lucky to have you.”

“Thank you, Erik.”

“You’re welcome.” Erik took a deep breath, “Speaking of Dr. Bell. I will be at her retirement party in a few weeks.”

“Really?” DeeDee squeaked into the phone, “I am so sorry that I keep yelling in your ear like that.”

“It’s ok. I knew to pull it away this time.”

“So, what does that mean?”

“Well, I was hoping that we could meet and you let me take you out while I’m in town. What do you say?”

“I would love that.”

“Good, so it’s a date?”

“It’s a date.” DeeDee giggled.

Taglist: @teakturn @ghostfacekill-monger @shaekingshitup @nahimjustfeelingit-writes @woahitslucyylu @ladymac82 @bugngiz @eyeknowmywrites @ajspencer1892 @arafatih @issimplyaamazinggg @tchallasbabymama @killmonger-fics @beautifullmelodyxx @raysunshine78 @fd-writes​ @ljstraightnochaser​

[winterfluffs]

A Chance Meeting

Pairing: Bucky Barnes X Reader

Summary: All he wanted was a night alone but fate had other plans

Warnings: Fluff. Major fluff.

Word count: 1.9k

Author's notes: I have finally finished something! This has been a very long time coming, so I am super nervous and excited, even a little afraid as no one else has read a thing I've written in 7 years. Maybe longer. Hopefully this isn't too bad! Also, apologies for any improper punctuation. And also for not knowing how to do an undercut as this is kind of long. I'm still new with posting/using the app on my phone.

Bucky Barnes slid on his coat, placed a hat on his head and as quietly as possible, slipped out the front door into the frigid December night air.

It wasn’t that he wasn’t happy: he had his best friend, close friends who saw him for who he was and not what he was or what he had done, a nice warm place to stay, food in his stomach. Hell, he was an Avenger for Pete's sake. He had come so far from his time in the war, the time where he was brainwashed to be an evil assassin – he knew he should be grateful, and he was – there was just still something missing. How can one man have so much and it be like nothing at all?

The thoughts ran through his mind as he walked through the dark streets; the snow that had started light only minutes ago was now coming down heavier and faster. He had no idea of what time it was, nor did he care. He just had to get out. Clear his head. Maybe force his body to get some sleep after some much-needed fresh air.

Even though he hadn’t been a Russian assassin since Steve Rogers had found him and helped him get back his memory, he still had awful nightmares. Terrors that lasted long through the night and well into the next day. Some so bad they shook him for days on end resulting in him not being able to sleep.

Which was why it was in the middle of the night on December 24th and he was in the middle of the town square staring at the giant Christmas tree in an effort to shake the bad thoughts that crept through his mind.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” a quiet voice came from beside him. Bucky had no will or want to talk to anyone. Especially at whatever ridiculous hour it had been.

Bucky gave the person a slight nod wanting nothing more to be left alone.

That was a downfall of being an Avenger. People always knew who you were, wherever you went, always knew where you’d be, and had always wanted something of you. He loved attention back when he was a kid, even thrived off it, but now that he was older, colder he loved to be left alone.

“I’m so sorry, but – “

“Here it comes.” Bucky thought and turned to the person, ready to put on his act.

“– do you know where this is?” the woman pointed to a map she had out in front of her. “This street, that is.” She shook her head while looking at the map, heavy snowflakes resting in her hair.

“Oh.” He blinked and gave her a curious look. He waited a few more seconds for her to ask him if he was the Winter Soldier, if she could get a date with the Captain America, or have drinks with the Iron Man.  When none of those questions came, he was stunned.

The woman was so focused on her map that she had temporarily forgotten about the man standing next to her. Bucky coughed to get her attention. “I am really sorry. I know it is late, it is super cold, and you’re a stranger who probably doesn’t want to be bothered. It’s just I was supposed to be at my parents’ house hours ago. My cab left me stranded on the side of the road when he couldn’t find my house, it started to snow, the streets have been completely empty, and you are the first person I found to ask for directions.”

God she was beautiful Bucky thought to himself while trying to concentrate on her words. His eyes wandered over the women. Long dark hair framed her face perfectly, her cheeks and nose rosy from the cold, her eyes warm and inviting. His stomach tied in knots as she looked at him helplessly.

“This is turning into a really awful Christmas.” She sighed heavily packing the map back into her bag. “I am so, so sorry to have bothered you, sir. Merry Christmas.” She smiled at him within a troubled glance then began to walk away.

“Do, uh, d-do you like hot chocolate?” Bucky stammered calling out to her back. He kicked himself for being so awkward, so troubled that he doubted himself in his ability to communicate with people.

“Sorry?” the woman turned around unsure if she heard him correctly.

“Hot chocolate. It is freezing out here and from the sound of it, you’ve been walking around out here for a pretty long time. Would you…want to go get a hot chocolate? Warm up a little?”

“It’s 12:45 in the morning.”

“I know a great little diner that’s open 24 hours. Best hot cocoa in the surrounding area.”

She smiled thankfully unsure as to why she couldn’t get enough of the quiet dark-haired man. “I would absolutely love a hot chocolate. Possibly some pancakes, too.”

“I don’t know about pancakes, but they have the best French toast I have ever had.” Bucky smiled as he made his way over to her, needing more time with her.

“Even better.”

 -----

“Oh my God you weren’t kidding!” she moaned as she let the melted cinnamony, buttery, eggy goodness slide down her throat. Bucky laughed as she took another bit, moaning louder as she chewed. “These are to DIE for.”

Bucky smiled as he watched her eat, a calmness coming over him that he hadn’t felt in an exceedingly long time. Like he was supposed to be here. With her. Like tonight wasn’t just a chance meeting between two strangers. He thanked his lucky stars that she didn’t take him for a dangerous person, even though deep down he knew differently.

“Thank you.” She looked at him her eyes locking onto his. “For all of this. My parents and siblings only just moved here a few months ago and this is my first time to visit. Mom thought she gave good directions but….” She pointed around in reference to her being lost in a diner with a random stranger at some crazy time in the morning. “Anyway, I really appreciate it.”

“Glad to be of service.” He laughed, his eyes crinkling on the sides. Bucky couldn’t remember a time when he felt this relaxed, this calm, this happy. He and mystery woman spent over two hours in the diner talking; about anything, everything, and nothing at all. He was happy to be in her presence, to make her laugh, to make her forget her worries for a little. It was only then that Bucky realized she did the same for him, too.

Since he laid eyes on this woman, he felt lighter; forgetting his troubles, forgetting the reason why he was awake at 2:45 A.M. on Christmas morning instead of asleep in his bed. She made him laugh. Laugh like he hadn’t laughed since the 40's, before the war, before the training, before the brainwashing, before the fighting, before the blood.

And he felt free.

He didn’t have to be Steve Rogers’s best friend, he didn’t have to be the Winter Soldier, he didn’t have to be an Avenger, he didn’t have to put up a wall he did when people got too close.

He was just James Barnes. It was a feeling he never wanted to forget.

 -----

“Do you want me to call a taxi for you?” Bucky looked around. The snow was coming even faster now, a good four or five inches already on the ground with no looks of stopping any time soon.

“No…I’ll have to think of something.” She shrugged. “Can’t be too far off, right?”

“I know this is going to sound really crazy but hear me out: I live right around the corner. You could stay a little, warm up and dry off in front of the fire, maybe have some more hot cocoa, hot tea if you’d prefer. And if you’d like, once you’re ready, I can drive you to your parents’ house. Or call you a cab.”

“I don’t even know your name.” she laughed blushing slightly. Or maybe it was the cold. What Bucky knew was that it made her even more adorable than she already was.

“I go by Bucky…. but my first name is James.”

“James…” she smiled taking his hand in hers. “[name].”

“Now that we officially know each other, what do ya say?” God he would do anything to spend more time with her, to know her inside and out. To spend the rest of his life making her happy, knowing he was the reason behind her bright smile.

“Fine. But only because I am still frozen solid and would love another cup of something hot.” She smiled that bright smile again. The smile that Bucky couldn’t get enough of. The bright smile that was now aimed at him. He was the reason for that smile. The thought made Bucky’s stomach turn and his chest tighten; the need of wanting and not knowing of what could be lingered in the air.

“Bucky, I want to thank you.” He froze at the mention of his name, the sound going straight to his heart.

“If you hadn’t stop to help….” She trailed off with a distant look in her eye. Bucky pulled her in for a hug feeling her sigh into his embrace. He moved the hair from her face, him finding himself lost yet again in her eyes.

Without thinking, Bucky gently placed his lips on hers smiling into the kiss when she instantly kissed him back.

“Don’t think either of us thought this is how our Christmas would start.” She laughed making Bucky laugh as well.

“No. But I know I am definitely not complaining.” His eyes crinkled when he laughed, something [name] found adorable and charming; she knew she was teetering on dangerous territory, yet she couldn’t get enough. Didn’t ever want to get enough.

He pulled her in closer, his lips hovering above hers. “This might be way too soon, but I think I’m falling really hard for you.”

“Funny you should say that – I was just thinking the same thing.”

Bucky’s heart nearly jumped out of his chest.

Having gone from being utterly miserable to meeting the woman of his dreams in one night was a story that no one would believe. He wouldn’t even believe it if someone had said it to him. Yet, as he and [name] stood together in the falling snow, [name] happily in his arms, kissing him like he had never been kissed before, Bucky couldn’t get enough. For the first time in his life, he didn’t want to fight off the pure happiness he felt.

“Let’s get out of here before we freeze to death.” He gave her a crooked smile and held her tightly as they walked the short distance to his house.

---

“Still cold?”

[Name] nodded her head, scooting over into Bucky’s embrace when he motioned for her to come closer. She sighed at the warmth of his body really relaxing for the first time since her trip began. She knew she was crazy being in a stranger’s home, cuddled up in front of a fire with a man she barely knew. Her mom would surely go crazy if she ever found out. Yet, she didn’t care.

All that mattered was her and him.

Together.

And that’s the way she hoped it would be.

Forever.

[babbushka]

Hey Z ✨ hope you’re having a very lovely day 😊 May I request for a one Mr.Zimmerman 6. drinking hot cocoa by a campfire/fireplace with a side of B or D. Dealers choice 🤣 can’t wait to see what you come up for these Christmas/holidays prompts cause the 8 days of lights were great and I highly enjoyed all of them ☺️

(~600w, fluff)

You’re snuggled up together near the fireplace on one cold December evening. Your friends have all gone back to their homes, the kids are asleep, and the snow is starting to pick up outside. White flurries zip past the windows and Flip’s glad he had the foresight to re-caulk the frames, make sure there weren’t any drafts coming in. He can’t have his girl cold, after all.

Speaking of, he’s got your head resting on his shoulder, one of his big strong arms wrapped around your body, tucking you close to his side. The two of you are tucked up under a blanket, and cupped in your hands is a mug of hot cocoa. The grocery store was out of small marshmallows, so you’ve just got two jumbo ones floating awkwardly in the mug in a way that has Flip huffing out a little laugh.

“We did it.” You hum, lifting the cocoa to your lips, staring into the flicker flare embers of the fireplace.

“Mm what’d we do, ketsl?” Flip’s hand that’s holding you close rubs soothing motions against your side, encouraging you to relax.

“Got through the year.” You sigh with a dry chuckle. “Wasn’t so sure there for a minute, but we did it.”

“Don’t go jinxing us, there’s still a couple days left.” He pinches your chin with a playful smile, tilts you up for a kiss.

Too much happened this year, you can’t help but think. A lot of good, yes, but so much bad. It sometimes feels overwhelming, how much negativity found its way into your lives, into the world. The end of the year always feels like this, like an ending. For once though, you couldn’t be happier about it. You were looking forward to putting this year behind you, and for once, the future feels hopeful rather than terrifying. Surely, surely when the world seemed to be at rock bottom, the only place left to go was up…right?

“It was pretty rough, wasn’t it?” Flip can practically read your thoughts, a byproduct of being by your side for so long. Ah, but he has been by your side, hasn’t he, and that has really made all the difference. You weren’t sure what or where you would be, if not for him, and he feels the same when he says, “Nothing that we couldn’t get through together though.”

“Remember when you first came home from overseas, and I made you cocoa all the time to help with the nightmares?” You kiss his chin, the corner of his mouth, before taking another sip of the delicious chocolatey drink in your hands.

“Mhm.” Flip too stares into the fire, it’s not something he likes to remember. But like most things, you make it bearable, make it easier.

“Seems like cocoa is a cure for everything, huh.” You give him a sleepy smile.

“You know what else is?” He asks, voice deep and gentle as it rumbles through his chest.

“What?” Your eyes are closed, and Flip pulls the mug away from your hands so you don’t accidentally spill or burn yourself.

He kisses you once the mug is safely on the coffee table, your mouth opening for him and welcoming him, wanting him, even as you’re slipping into dreamland.

“That.” Flip whispers, trailing the tips of his fingers across your cheek, gently, ever so softly, as you fall asleep.

And when he says it, what he’s really saying, is you.

[storybookwolf]

Everybody Loves Jonathan

[This is my contribution to Day 1 of @jancyweek2020. The theme is Family, so I’ve shown Jonathan getting to know the Wheelers as Nancy’s boyfriend. It’s set just after season 2. It’s shameless cutesy fluff, and I hope you enjoy it!]

Mike (November 1984)

Nancy had asked Jonathan to pick her up for school at 8.15. ‘Just wait in the car and I’ll come outside. If you come in we’ll get sucked into a vortex of a million question from my mom, and I’d prefer to make a clean getaway.’

He was doing what she’d asked, but he still felt like he was being kind of rude and weird, loitering outside of a girl’s house. Especially since he’d arrived twenty minutes early. He sat there, trying to read One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest but instead just scanning the same paragraph over and over without absorbing it and repeatedly glancing at the Wheeler house for signs of life.

Finally, at 8.04, the front door opened, and he felt all the tension drain out of his body. It was instantly replaced by confusion, however, when he saw Mike emerge from the house and come running towards his car.

‘Jonathan! Hey, Jonathan!’ the middle schooler yelled, wrenching open the door and throwing himself into the backseat. ‘How’s Will? Is he okay? When’s he coming back to school?’

Jonathan smiled. He was so glad that his little brother had someone who cared about him this much. ‘He’s doing a lot better, but I think Mom’s gonna keep him at home for a few more days.’

Mike grinned. ‘Awesome. That he’s better, I mean. It sucks that he has to stay home.’ Then he leaned back in his seat and looked at the older boy, suddenly serious. ‘So are you, like, Nancy’s boyfriend now?’

Jonathan felt himself start to blush (he hated when that happened). ‘Um…yeah, I guess? I think so. Has she said anything about it?’

‘She refuses to answer any questions,’ said Mike. ‘It’s cool if you are, though. She always seems happier when you’re around.’ He shrugged. ‘So are you dating or what?’

Before Jonathan could answer, the passenger door opened.

‘Hey, you’re early!’ said Nancy. She leaned over and kissed him. It was just a peck on the lips, but Mike started to make gagging noises as though they were full-on making out in front of him.

‘Ugh, why are you guys so gross?’

*

Karen (November 1984)

Nancy checked her reflection in the bedroom mirror for the twentieth time. Should she change her earrings? The hoops had seemed like a good idea, but her curls just kept getting tangled in them. She decided to switch them for tiny gold studs. The rest of the outfit was okay – navy tights, denim skirt, the peach argyle sweater that Jonathan had said he liked. She knew it was silly to be nervous about their first ‘real date’, given that they’d been together for three weeks now (and given everything they’d been through before that), but she couldn’t help but be a little anxious.

And the fact that he was late was only making her more nervous. It wasn’t like him, he was usually either early or exactly on time. Frowning, Nancy grabbed her jacket and purse and decided to wait downstairs … where she found her boyfriend in the Wheeler family kitchen, helping her mother unpack groceries.

‘The tuna fish goes on the third shelf down, and the spaghetti has its own special Tupperware, on the top shelf,’ Karen directed. ‘Oh, hi Nancy!’ she said when she noticed her daughter. ‘Jonathan pulled up just as I was unloading the car, and very kindly offered to give me a hand with all this.’

Of course he did, thought Nancy with a smile.

‘What are you two up to tonight?’ her mother asked.

‘We’re seeing a movie at the Hawk. Actually, it starts pretty soon, so we should probably get going,’ Nancy said, taking Jonathan’s hand and starting to pull him out of the kitchen.

‘Okay, have fun! Make sure you’re home by midnight,’ said her mom.

‘Isn’t your curfew usually 11?’ Jonathan murmured once they were out of earshot.

‘I guess you doing grocery duty gets us an extra hour,’ said Nancy, grinning.

*

Holly (December 1984)

It didn’t take long for Jonathan to become a fixture at the Wheeler house. He’d bring Nancy home from school and stay to study with her. He’d come over for Sunday lunch and weeknight dinners. He’d arrive an hour early to pick up Will from D & D, and spend the time sampling whatever Karen’s latest baked creation was. And wherever he went, he had a shadow: Holly.

The youngest Wheeler seemed to think that Jonathan was actually there to visit her, and therefore it was her job to entertain him. So she’d show him her latest drawings, and make him play dolls with her, and insist that he watch her favourite cartoons. And Jonathan always played along, engaging with the pre-schooler on her level in a way that Nancy found ridiculously adorable. But after a while, it started to grate. She just wanted to spend time with her boyfriend, and it was deeply weird to have to compete with her baby sister for his attention.

Which was why Alan Stavinsky’s retirement dinner seemed like such a great opportunity. He had been her dad’s boss at the insurance company for nearly twenty years, so her parents wouldn’t dream of missing it, even though it was being held all the way in the city and was bound to be a late night. So they’d need Nancy to babysit – she could invite Jonathan over, and once Holly went to bed they would have some privacy.

But Holly just refused to go to sleep. There was yelling, and tears (from both Wheeler sisters). Eventually, the younger girl was persuaded to put on her pyjamas and get into bed. Three bedtime stories later, she reluctantly agreed it was time for lights out.

‘At last!’ said Nancy, snuggling into Jonathan’s side on the couch. ‘I thought she’d never leave us alone. Now, how should we spend the rest of the night?’

‘Do you have any more Berenstain Bears books? I’m pretty hooked,’ Jonathan deadpanned.

‘I have a better idea,’ said Nancy. ‘How about we—’

‘I can’t sleep!’ a small voice announced from the doorway of the living room. ‘Jonathan, play Hungry Hippos with me!’

Nancy managed to stifle a groan of frustration as her boyfriend turned away from her and towards the little girl.

‘I think Hungry, Hungry Hippos might be a little too exciting for after bedtime,’ he said. ‘Let’s make a deal. Do you promise to go back to bed and stay there if we watch ten minutes of one of your Strawberry Shortcake videos?’

‘The Christmas one?’ she asked.

‘Sure.’

‘Okay!’ Holly bounced over to the couch and squeezed in between Nancy and Jonathan.

Nancy dutifully put on the video and went to the kitchen to get a glass of water, hoping to miss as much of the nauseatingly sweet cartoon as she could. When she returned a few minutes later, her little sister had finally fallen asleep – and so had Jonathan.

Sighing, Nancy switched off the TV and settled into the La-Z-Boy with one of her mom’s Cosmopolitan magazines. So much for a perfect night with her boyfriend.

*

Ted (January 1985)

It was the last day of winter break. Jonathan and Nancy had spent the afternoon hanging out at her house, doing nothing much at all.

‘Are you sure you don’t want to stay for dinner?’ Nancy asked as they said goodbye at the front door.

‘I’m sure,’ he said, leaning in for a quick kiss. ‘I told Will I’d help him with some art project tonight. Besides, your family is probably sick of having me around.’

‘Not at all! They love you,’ Nancy protested.

Just then, Ted Wheeler walked by, the newspaper under his arm and his evening scotch in hand. ‘Good night, Steven,’ he said, nodding at Jonathan.

‘Um…Good night, sir,’ said Jonathan. Nancy buried her face in his shoulder, trying to contain her laughter until her dad left the room.

‘Okay, so most of them love you,’ she said. ‘Me especially.’

Jonathan paused at that, and raised one eyebrow in an unspoken question. Really? He didn’t have to ask; it was clear from her fixed gaze on him that she meant it.

‘I love you too,’ he said.

[nanakyun0j0]

Cinema Rose

Hello! This is Nana here with my secret santa gift for @softsungchan! It’s been a while since I’ve written anything, and this is not proof read ;-; but I really hope you enjoy this. Have a super merry Christmas and a happy new year! I’d also like to wish @lucaswithnoshirt and @bumblebeenct a really wonderful Christmas and say thank you for organising this awesome event :D.

Genres: Fluff, comedy (I really tried)

Word count: 2024

Warnings: A few swear words, mentions of a heart attack, and old cinemas? (I am not very good at these, if you find anything else I should add,

lease let me know and I’ll put them in ^^).

————————————————————————————————————————————————

Remixes of old christmas songs blasted from the speakers around him, and Taeil sang along quietly while he made his way to the old cinema at the end of the shopping district.

It hadn’t been long since school had ended and he’d been too bored to stay at home and too tired from the school year to make plans with others.

So, he decided to walk around the places he always went to, but never paid any attention to. Like the shopping district he walked through on his way to school.

He’d heard from Taeyong, a junior he knew from middle school, about an old cinema that played christmas movies during the holidays for free. Taeil was skeptical at first. Playing movies for the whole month of December for free?

After some reconnaissance (read: asking his parents), he’d found that the place was apparently so old that the carpets smelled like caramel popcorn and old socks, and the lights flickered if you stayed after 7pm. They were surprised that it was even still open because of how decrepit the outside looks.

So, his initial impression of the old cinema hadn’t been the best, and he’d shrugged away any thoughts of visiting it.

Until today, that is.

His parents were out on a gift buying spree for their relatives, and his younger sister had been dragged along, which she wasn’t happy about, judging by her fierce grumbling as she slammed the car door shut when they were leaving.

So that meant that he had escaped the drudgery that was Christmas shopping, but he’d also been left at home alone with effectively nothing to do.

He’d finished playing all his games during the school year, instead of studying of course. There was also no way he’d actually be responsible and look over material for next year so he could get ahead of his classes. Which left him with only a few options:

He could go back to sleep, or restart some random game and play it all over again, or he could just wander around outside and find something to do.

‘Right.’ He thought to himself as he grabbed a jacket, his phone and house keys,

‘Guess I’ll just walk around.’

—————————————————————-

He’d walked around most of his neighbourhood, and without realising it, his feet lead him on the familiar path of the local shopping district. It was usually a bustling place, full of loud voices calling out to customers, and children playing around.

Today was no different and Taeil, who’d spent his whole holidays so far inside, found the change of pace refreshing. Despite the chilly weather and the fact that he really wasn’t wearing nearly enough layers for how cold he felt, he was enjoying the vibrant atmosphere of the street.

Shutting his mind off, he was content to explore the streets around him.

——————————————————————————————————

You stood slouched at the counter, face blank and head rested in your hands. You drummed your fingers against your cheeks and let out a long sigh.

Burying your head into your hands and groaning softly, you wondered to yourself why you got yourself into this in the first place.

When your uncle had asked you to work at the old cinema for the holidays, you’d initially been okay with it.

After all, it was quick money and, knowing how bad the sales were, you wouldn’t need to interact with people that much.

You valued your space after all, and serving customers was never really something you felt happy doing. Plus, it was fun to have the place to yourself for most of the day, and you were never low on snacks to eat.

In hindsight, you should have predicted the boredom that would come with standing around for the whole day. Even with your phone, there were only so many times you could refresh Twitter and Instagram and find something interesting to look at.

Day in and day out, you were stuck in the dark cinema with flickering lights and musty carpets, and it was slowly driving you insane.

You bit your lip and creased your eyebrows, mulling over if it would be that big of a deal to just leave the counter and go home. It was nearly closing time anyway, and you couldn’t imagine what poor fool would come to this dusty cinema when it was almost Christmas.

‘Everyone’s busy with decorating and gift buying, no one’s even gonna come here.’

You told yourself.

With your conscience cleared and stomach empty, you gathered as much popcorn as you could fit in the largest container, locked the counter and headed outside.

——————————————————————————————————

Taeil stared at the sign in front of him.

‘Cinema Rose’s Merry Christmas special event! For the whole month of December, watch a movie for free!’

It read.

He wondered how he managed to end up here, of all places. Especially after he’d promised himself so many times that he wouldn’t bother. Then he wondered if he even remembered the way he came.

‘Shit,’ he thought to himself

‘How am I gonna get home?’

He took a deep breath and looked around frantically, trying to find a familiar looking path. All of the streets looked new to him.

Finding nothing he recognised, he was about to pull out his phone when he heard the entrance to the cinema open.

His head whipped to face the doors and he saw a girl around his age in a baggy uniform carrying an obscene amount of popcorn in her hands. Her back was facing him and she looked like she was trying to lock the door.

‘She must work here! Nice, I can ask her for directions!’

So he mustered up his courage and cleared his throat and called out to the girl.

“E-excuse me, I’m a bit lost, could you please help me?” He cursed himself for his shaking voice.

The girl turned around and stared at him for bit with a confused expression, then blinked and replied,

“O-oh, yeah, sure! Where did you want directions to?” Her soft voice was gentle when she spoke to him, and Taeil was a bit flustered. She wasn’t only pretty, but had a cute voice too?

The same could be said for you.

You hadn’t noticed him standing in front of the cinema at first, so you were a bit startled when he suddenly spoke to you.

You turned to see who it was, and nearly had a heart attack. A boy around your age you’d assume, with a large puffy jacket and kind looking eyes. He’d appeared so suddenly that you were surprised.

He was so pretty you were shocked stiff for a few seconds, but you snapped yourself out of it and hurried to reply.

You cursed yourself for stuttering and hoped he didn’t notice. His blank face at your reply made it seem like he didn’t. You thanked the heavens above and waited for him to continue speaking.

“R-right.” He cleared his throat and you stifled a snort. You both seemed to be nervous around each other.

“Do you know the shopping district near the local all-boys school? My neighbourhood is around there so I just wanted to know how I could get to that area?” He explained.

You nodded at his words.

Despite being a homebody, you did like to go on walks quite regularly, and you lived close to the cinema so you knew the area like the back of your hand. You were about to tell him the way when your brain stopped you.

‘Wait, _____,’ It said to you.

‘If you just give him directions, who knows when you’ll see him again! If you’ll see him again! Don’t lose this opportunity, you’re already lonely enough as it is!’

Your brain made a compelling last minute argument, and you couldn’t help but agree. Your family had been here for a long time, but you had grown up in a different city for most of your life.

You’d only come here to spend the holidays with your aunt and uncle because your parents were away on business. You hadn’t managed to make any friends, so all you could do was stay at home or walk around the cinema or your house.

You at least wanted to try to make friends before you left, then it wouldn’t be so hard to be in this town while you stayed until school started again.

Taeil was staring at you with a worried expression while you were going through your little crisis, and he tried calling out to you to get your attention. It didn’t work, so he stepped closer to you and waved a hand in front of your face, causing you to flinch and shout out in surprise.

“Woah! What the heck?”

“Sorry-“ Taeil said with wide eyes and a small frown on his face,

“I called out to you but you wouldn’t respond so I- sorry…” His voice was quiet and apologetic and you felt bad.

“No! No, not at all, it’s my fault! I just got distracted because I was trying to remember the way, sorry about that.” You told him. He seemed to believe your poorly thought out lie with the way his eyes brightened in understanding and his head nodded along.

You inwardly wiped the sweat off your forehead and tried to make the most friendly expression you could muster after a whole day of standing around with nothing to do.

“I’m not very good with explaining, so would it be ok if I just showed you the way? My house is nearby too, so it wouldn’t be out of my way.” You said to him cheerily. You hoped he’d buy this lie too.

He smiled widely at you, and you almost felt a bit bad about imposing your presence on this boy you’d just met.

‘But this is all for friendship! Maybe more, but don’t get so ahead of yourself!’

“That would be great, thanks! If you’re sure it won’t be a bother!” He chirped. You nearly melted inside at how polite he was being with you.

Returning his smile and asking him to follow you, you lead the way out of the cinema and made your way to the shopping district, trying your hardest to think of something to talk about. Which wasn’t as hard as you thought.

For every question you could ask, Taeil had an answer. You quickly learned that he was really easy to get along with, and he was great at carrying conversations. He was awkward at first, but you soon found a rhythm while talking and before you knew it you made your way to the shopping district near his house. Your footsteps slowed and you both halted at the entrance, a lull now forming when you both stopped talking.

You stayed silent, not knowing what to say, stuck in your head with worries that he might not want to talk anymore after this. That he only continued conversations with you because he was bored.

Taeil’s voice broke through your thoughts. His voice soft and nervous again as he asked you for your number.

Your face heated up at his straightforward request bit complied, albeit with shaky hands. After you both put your phones away, Taeil spoke again.

“Hey, ____. I had lots of fun with you today. So uh-“ He fumbled with the strings of his hood,

“Do you wanna meet tomorrow as well? I get that you have work, but I could go to the cinema and we could hang out there? O-only if you want to!”

His eyes looked anywhere but you and you could see in his smile that he was worried about you refusing.

You grinned and shook your head.

“I’d love to see you tomorrow, Taeil. I really had fun today too!”

You spoke in the most sincere tone you could and hoped he could sense it. With the way he beamed at you after you replied, you were sure he understood you.

With that you both parted ways, and walked home with smiles on your faces, and chests so warm no amount of snow could make you feel cold.

[just-anka]

I realised I haven’t really regularly posted here since like... I don’t even know, September? It’s been a while, anyway. A lot happened, and I now feel like actually writing a post for the first time in a while, so here goes haha. The first bullet point is entirely work waffle so feel free to skip. Apologies in advance for the fact that this post will probably reach novel length by the time I’m done. 

• I took a week off in late September before Ben started his new job so we could go to the mountains for a bit, and it was a much-needed little break from work. And pretty much right after I got back, work got completely mental - nothing bad as such, just one thing after the other, loads of deadlines, so many important things. First I was finishing up data for a paper (first authorship was being debated which is partially why I threw myself into the job so much, but it looks like it’ll be the PhD student before me’s now, which is how it should be tbh, it’s much more hers than it is mine), then the date for my first committee meeting was set and I suddenly had only two weeks to prepare (did not think it was going to be that short notice, whoops, had a very stressful two weeks but all went well - for us, this meeting means presenting our research plan and preliminary data to a committee of four professors so they can give you input, it’s not suuuper formal but still pretty stressful), then I had to write the report for that (I love writing so that one was okay), then there was suddenly a lot to do for a really important cooperation with a company (big money responsibility which stressed me the fuck out), and then, just as I thought I was pretty much done for the year, I realised I needed my lab book up to date for my end of year meeting with my PI (which wouldn’t be such a big deal, except I didn’t have a lab book at the time. Never got around to starting one. So nine months of lab book were written within another very stressful week). Whew. Even writing this out makes me feel like that was a lot haha. 

• After the end of year discussion, I really was done for the year - I officially worked until the 23rd but there was not that much actual work happening, and with the pressure off after months, I properly crashed for a few days. Ben left for England on the weekend after to see his family for christmas etc, and I spent most of that weekend sleeping and doing very little. It was needed. Then my mum came to visit me for the holidays and we had four really lovely days together, also involving a lot of chilling (the only actual thing we did was that magical winter hike that I posted some pictures of the other day). 

• And now I’m skiing! I was planning to go to England as well for NYE to see Ben’s family, but with the corona situation escalating again lately I decided it was too risky for just a few days. So I made a last-minute plan to go skiing by myself instead, because all that involves is a 2 hour train journey. I’m actually staying in a hotel too, which I’ve never done by myself before, I’m usually a dorm in a hostel type of person, but well. Covid has changed a lot of things :D trying to stay safe and away from people, which is of course not entirely possible in a ski resort, but it’s going okay. The skiing itself is great, it’s really nice having some time to go at my own pace and a few days in a row. Today was day 4 and I’ve really found my groove again (more on that later). There’s not much snow though so not many off-pisteing opportunities :/ I’m staying until Monday and then it’s back to work on Wednesday. 

• Speaking of skiing, we’ve got season passes this year, my first season and Ben’s second. We’ve just been doing on the weekends so far - since the 21st of November I just realised while looking back in my calendar! That’s one hell of an early season start haha. We did just one day three weekends and then one full weekend right before Ben left. The first few days were bloody hard. For context, I learned to ski before I learned to walk and loved it as a child, then stopped for a few years because I felt like I wasn’t progressing anymore and was getting bored with it, basically. Then last January I went to France with Ben and his skiing friends and got introduced to freeriding and the idea of ski touring, and now I’m back to loving it haha. I’d ideally like to not have to resort ski anymore at one point (meaning touring) because I know it’s terrible from an environmental standpoint but... idk. It’s currently my only option, and I love it a lot, so I guess it feels okay? Anyway, since I learned to ski so early, it’s the one sport that I’ve always been pretty good at and like, never get scared, at least not on piste. Until this year. The first three individual days were just all kind of horrible, the conditions weren’t ideal with very hard surface and tons of ice and pretty busy slopes, and only steep terrain open as well (Engelberg, our “home” resort - we have a season pass that encompasses a bunch of resorts so we’re not limited to one - is literally dead flat beginner’s slopes, which weren’t open in the beginning, or red runs that should be black and black lol). Pairing loads of ice with my old skis which barely have an edge anymore was... not ideal. I was so scared constantly and it made me like I lost all my ability etc etc. But yeah, turns out I just needed a few days and some easier conditions to get back into it, and now ice and steep stuff and everything is fine again. Who would’ve thought. (a sensible person, probably). 

• But then, the full weekend we skied in December was awesome! Saturday already felt much better and then it snowed a bunch over night and Sunday we spent all day powder skiing, basically. I learned SO much and just had an absolute ball! Definitely one of the best days skiing I’ve had, and one of the best days recently in general. 

• Plus that whole weekend was just lovely, car camping in a campsite full of huge campervans was pretty fun :D I love the looks we get when people see the car and clearly wonder where we sleep. And we’ve got our setup perfected for winter now so both the nights were toasty. Friday night we had dinner in “bed” watching a movie, and Saturday night we sat in the little kitchen (the campsite has it open for everyone, but everyone else there has a camper, so it doesn’t seem to be used much) drinking tea and playing cards and ahh. Camping in the mountains. My ideal life eh? (though the weekend before this wonderful one, we got snowed in because it dumped over a metre over night completely unexpectedly and that was stressful as hell, but I think that’s a story for another day, if ever, I’m kind of trying to forget that day :’D) 

• Yesterday I also finally took the plunge and ordered new skis. Been debating for ages which ones to get but I’ve finally decided and I’m now very excited! 

• Ok this post so far reads as “work and skiing” which is pretty much what November and December were and probably what January is going to be too haha. Ben and I want to ski another week together end of January as well, and there’s some big exciting work things coming up as well. 

• Even though I have to admit, now that I’m on a break, I’ve spent a lot of time dreading work and questioning my career choices and all of that lark... sigh. I love my job most of the time, but I kind of hate having a job? If that makes sense? Sometimes (okay a lot of the time) I just wish I had more time for other things that I care about. But I also now I’m lucky to have that job, especially this year, and lucky to have a job I don’t hate, and get to do a lot of fun stuff on the side, even if it often means little sleep and downtime. 

• Speaking of things I care about, I was on a proper roll with writing for a few days before and after Christmas. It’s ebbed off again a bit, but it was still pretty cool, and my totally-useless-all-cheese-project is now 33,000+ words long and like, half-way there story wise. Had a lot of fun with that. 

• Lastly, Ben is still in England, and he’s coming back next Sunday, and I can’t wait! I miss him so much when we’re not together it’s actually silly. Although it’s less stressful this time than the last few times because... we live together, his work just offered him an unlimited contract from January, and I’m stuck here for another 2-3 years, so it looks like we’ll actually get to be in the same place for now. Which is all I wished for last year, and I’m so damn grateful - that stability really is the best thing 2020 has brought for me. And, as he said, even though we were apart for the start of the new year, it will hopefully bring more time together than any previous year ♡

• Okay I think this is long enough now, if you actually made it until here you’re a hero and I will try and post a bit more regularly again now to avoid this size of mind dump :’D I hope you all got into the new year alright, it feels very strange to me that it’s 2021 because I actually slept through midnight on new year’s for the first time since I was tiny haha but I’m sure a lot of people feel the same way!