#Winter Advent 2023

[akela-nakamura]

Advent Who Wrote That. I used the prompts Candle and Hot Chocolate.

This also contains SPOILERS for @halfagone's Lex Luthor's Ascent From Supervilliany to Fatherhood. Enjoy!

Lex realized quite early on that his son had no fondness for Christmas. Danny had not been shy when decorations had started to go up in November, nor when Holiday music had started to creep onto the radio and in stores. They’d escaped to California one year, to the beaches and away from the “winter wonderland” but of course, nothing in their lives was that simple. 

“Lex,” Danny groaned, staring dramatically at the ceiling. “We don’t need to escape the entire state or half the country every Christmas, you know.” 

Lex scoffed. “Next year we might try leaving the country. I have some property in Southern France that would be quite out of the public.” 

Danny rolled his eyes. “And I’m the teenager here, aren’t I supposed to be more dramatic?” 

Lex raised a single brow. “You are plenty dramatic.” 

Danny turned and looked at Lex with the driest of looks. “You’ve literally spent the last decade or more being a supervillain, and in the words of Megamind, it’s all about presentation.”

Lex refused to admit that possibly, maybe, the teen had a point. “Who is Megamind?” 

Danny waved it off. “Not the point.” He sat up, running a hand over Pepper’s back. The cat purred loudly, content. “The point is, neither of us like Christmas, but it doesn’t mean we have to run off. Cass asked what I had planned.” His son frowned. “I think she’s plotting something.” 

Lex huffed. As much as he wished his son hadn’t become so…attached to a Wayne, there were worse options, even within the family. Cassandra was, at least, a responsible and competent young lady. 

“You both have made quite the effort to make time for each other,” Lex reminded him. “Would it be so bad if she is plotting something? At the very least, her plotting won’t lead to explosions.” 

Danny’s face twisted and his eyes flashed toxic green. “Don’t joke, Lex.” 

Lex grimaced and signed. “That was ill said of me.” He could still remember the panic- Danny missing and LexCorp aflame. His own injuries buried under his fury and worry for his son. “She may just be trying to do something nice. You two are quite sickeningly sweet with each other.” 

Danny pouted. “We aren’t that bad!” 

Lex pointedly took out his phone and pulled up Twitter. Danny’s eyes widened when he realized what Lex was doing and he launched off where he’d been sprawled on the couch to grab the phone. 

“Okay, okay, I get it!” Danny said when Lex gave him a pointed look. 

“If you wish to stay around here this year, that’s fine,” Lex said, putting his phone away. “Go try and be an actual child for once and enjoy a night with your girlfriend. Hopefully without some form of disaster.” 

Danny looked pained. “Please don’t jinx it for me.” 

—

Cass was unusually tight lipped when Danny met up with her a week before Christmas. Even Gotham got into the Christmas season, although it was almost defiant in a way. A nearly violent cheer that lived through rogue attacks and wanton destruction. 

When Danny asked, she shook her head. “It is a surprise.” She squeezed his hand, eyes glittering in the light of the Manor. 

Christmas had always been a fight. Or at the least, a disaster. Maybe—just maybe, Cass could make it something- pleasant. It couldn’t be worse than fighting Christmas dinner or getting stuck in a Christmas story controlled by an overzealous ghost. And while the music grated on him and the lights were obnoxious, at the very least Cass was a sight to behold. She danced to music that spilled out of speakers. The way she looked into the defiantly lit Christmas lights was nothing short of breathtaking. 

…Okay, maybe Lex did have a point. Maybe they were a bit sickening, but despite it all, Cass was one of the best things to happen to him. 

Everything had been so exhausting. The kidnappings, the run-ins with various heroes, the explosion at LexCorp, Lex’s injuries, the fallout of his grandfather kidnapping him and nearly killing Lex. The court case. Setting boundaries with Cass. And- everything beyond that. 

It was nice to not have to think. To let Cass plan something and to know it was going to be something he’d like. He knew it wouldn’t be tied to Christmas, and that he wouldn’t have to sit and pretend to enjoy it. 

She led him through the city in the way of the heroes- over rooftops and through shadows, knowing that he could keep up. It became a game, after a bit. They danced and teased each other through the city and she must’ve planned the route, because there was very little in the way of Christmas decorations or music along the way. 

They ended up on the edge of one of Gotham’s islands, where the land tumbled down to the sea and the city started to fade. Out here, Gotham’s ever present gloom seemed to lighten and if one squinted, there were almost stars. 

The roof they landed on had clearly been prepared. There was a spread of blankets in the middle with a basket on the corner. Unlit candles were scattered across the roof, of all sizes, colors, and shapes. There was one perched atop the basket that was bright red and shaped like a duck, but there was also an oddly shaped blue one- Danny thought it might be a horse but it was hard to tell. 

Danny stared in awe. “Cass, this is…” He stepped further onto the roof, taking in the small pile of games that sat on another corner of the blankets. Cass moved, grabbing his hand and pulling him towards the blankets. Danny laughed and went along. 

“Surprise!” Cass said with glee, practically glittering with joy. Danny laughed. 

“This is so awesome- just a night for us?” 

“Yes!” Cass said, tugging him down onto the blankets. “This is just for us. I have games, hot cocoa, and you.” 

Danny felt his face go red at that and he ducked his head. “I love this. This is perfect, Cass, thank you.” 

Cass beamed and she was never more beautiful than now, sitting on a spread of blankets on the outskirts of Gotham, lit by nothing but the vague cast of city lights. She tossed him a lighter and together they went around and lit the candles. For some reason, he couldn’t bear to light the red duck or the horse. 

And in the candlelight, with hot cocoa warming their hands, they played games. The cocoa was like velvet and had the slightest tinge of spice. The candles’ glow was gentle and between them and a lantern, they easily were able to play the games. 

Beyond the lights, the music, and the expectations, it was like it wasn’t even Christmas. It was just a rooftop date- and all was right in the world.

❄️ Haunting Heroes DPxDC Winter Advent 2023 ❄️

The Haunting Heroes DPxDC Discord Server is happy to announce its first official event: Haunting Heroes Winter Advent 2023.

❄️ ABOUT THE EVENT ❄️

🔹 What is Winter Advent? A DPxDC (Danny Phantom and DC Comics crossover) winter event to celebrate the winter holidays and the end of the year. Each day has two prompts you can choose from, along with a total of 6 free days where you can create anything you want!

🔹 When? December 10th to December 31st (2023)

🔹 Where?

Tumblr: If you post on Tumblr, feel free to tag this blog @haunting-heroes-creative-games and use the tag #hauntingheroesadvent23 so we can find and reblog your submissions

AO3: You can submit to our AO3 collection. We'll close the collection on January 31st, so you have plenty of time to catch up.

Discord: You can share your work on our Haunting Heroes DPxDC (safe for work 18+) Discord server. To join, just send us an ask

🔹 What kind of submissions can we send?

We welcome all kinds of creations for this event: art, sketches, drabbles, one-shots, multi-chapter mania, you name it! You are free to combine or skip any days of your choosing. You don’t need to post every day in order to join! The most important thing is you have fun and enjoy these last few weeks of 2023.

We are so excited for this upcoming event, and we hope you can join us as we wrap up the end of the year and look forward to a thriving fandom in the next.

Thanks @disillusioneddanny for the calendar!! 🩵

[Full prompt list under the cut]

December 10: Free Day

December 11: Mistletoe // Snowman

December 12: Holiday Songs // Fireplace

December 13: Free Day

December 14: Candles // Winter Holiday

December 15: Stories // Hot Cocoa

December 16: Past/Present/Future // Sledding

December 17: Free Day

December 18: Stars // Gift Exchange

December 19: Workplace Holiday Party // Blankets

December 20: Free Day

December 21: The Grinch // Snowball Fight

December 22: Baking // Movie Night

December 23: Lights // Gingerbread House/Men

December 24: Free Day

December 25: Holiday Market // Cuddles

December 26: Family Time // Decorations

December 27: Free Day

December 28: Sleigh Rides // Love

December 29: Ice Skating // Money

December 30: Resolution // New Year’s Party

December 31: Year in Review

[holylulusworld]

After the dust settles

Summary: You and Ari got into a fight.

Pairing: Ari Levinson x fem!Reader

Warnings: angst, language, jealous reader, fluff

Written for: Winter Break Advent: Day 11 - Romantic fluff

Words: 1.1k+

After the dust settles you stare at yourself in the mirror. What happened? Why did you have to fight over stupid nonsense? Now it feels like everything you built over two years lies in ruins at your feet. – Just like the silver picture frame he gifted to you for Valentine’s Day.

He spent too much time with his friends, especially his lady friend, Rachel. You never liked the blonde. Maybe it was only your imagination, or your jealous streak telling you she’s after your man.

It’s not the first time you have tried to talk to Ari and make him see that Rachel is not interested in being only friends with your boyfriend. She always plays nice around Ari, but the looks she gives you tell a different story. Her smile is sugar-sweet, but her eyes give the truth away.

Rachel wants your man, and you are fairly sure you just drove Ari into her welcoming arms. His smile and soft kisses will be hers from now on, and you will be left outside alone once again.

You sniffle and kneel next to the broken picture frame. Your fingers tremble when you try to part the shards from the picture of you and Ari. The frame is broken in the middle, just like your heart.

Ari will turn his back on you due to a stupid fight. The waitress at the bar called Rachel and Ari a cute pair. You tried not to take it to heart that he danced with Rachel at the bar and paid for her drinks. But the waitress’s comment was too much.

You stormed out of the bar, walking away when Ari called your name. He followed you home and tried to talk to you but you started a fight. All the pent-up anger you held back for so long broke free.

The last thing you said was that if he wants Rachel, he should go to her and never come back. And he just did that. He looked at you for a moment, shook his head, and stormed out of your house.

That was around three hours ago and since then, you couldn’t move, or think. You just stared at the picture frame, feeling like you were frozen in time.

“I let her win,” you choke out a sob. “I let that bitch win!”

You get back up and step over the broken frame. If you lost Ari tonight, you need something to numb the pain. Anything…

“Ari,” you sniffle as you end up on voicemail once again. “Ari, I’m a little drunk. Baby, I’m sorry. I don’t want you to go to her. I want you here.”

You sigh deeply. “Ari?? Can you hear me?” You slur into the phone. “Baby? I’m all alone and I need you here. Please?”

You sigh deeply as you hang up the phone. With trembling fingers, you dial his number again.

“Ari…I’m mad at you for leaving me here. I hate drinking, you know that,” you scrunch up the nose. “It tastes like old socks. But not yours. I bet yours would taste good. Even your sweat tastes good.”

You hang up the phone only to dial his number again. “I forgot to tell you that I hate that woman. She always looks at me like she wants to kill me only because I love you. That’s it. I won’t call again.”

This time you turn off your phone and throw it onto your bed. You give up. Ari won’t answer your calls and you are sure, it’s because he’s with Rachel now.

Why not? No one is keeping him from being with the woman he wants. You gave him permission to be with Rachel. It’s your own fault.

If only you weren’t such a fool sometimes…

“Y/N? Peanut?” Ari stumbles into your house. He desperately calls your name, searching for you in every room. “BABY? I’m worried. Please make a noise. Y/N, are you alive?”

He jogs upstairs, almost tripping over his feet as he tries to check the rooms upstairs.

“Peanut? BABE!!” He looks inside the bathroom, huffing as your clothes lie splattered on the ground. Ari grins and snaps a picture before walking toward the bedroom. “Y/N?”

Ari sneaks inside the room, tiptoeing toward the bed only to find you curled up on his side of the bed. You’re cradling three of his shirts in your arms and snore lightly. “So, the lady doesn’t snore, huh?” He grins and gets out his phone to film you. “I’ll so tease you for this.”

“Ari…” you murmur in your sleep and hold the shirts even tighter. “Asshole.”

“Thank you for the compliment,” he grunts as he kicks off his shoes. “I’ll talk about your fecal language with your later, Y/N. You little stubborn peanut.”

While you mutter in your sleep, Ari joins you on the bed. He wraps his arms around you and kisses your hair. “Ari.”

“I’m sorry for leaving. I was mad at myself, not you. You were right all along. Rachel is not a good friend. When I came to her tonight to convince her to come with me and tell you that you don’t need to worry about her being into me she told me the truth.”

“Ari?” Your eyes snap open when you feel someone press himself against your back. “Please tell me it’s you.”

“Hey, Peanut?” He grins when you turn your head to look at him. “What did you drink? You called me fifteen times. I was already on my way back.”

“UH-I butt-called you,” you lie. The last thing you want is to let Ari get away with his behavior easily. “Maybe you have mistaken me with your lady friend.”

“Y/N, I don’t want to fight again. I’m sorry, okay. Please believe me that I only love you. Rachel was a friend to me, nothing else.”

“You danced with her, Ari! That waitress believed you were Rachel’s boyfriend, not mine,” you sniffle and angrily wipe your eyes. “I don’t want to fight but for you to see that I was hurt.”

“Baby…you’re right. I was wrong,” he gives you a cracked smile. “I told her that we cannot be friends if she wants to get in my pants. Then she tried to jump at me.”

“What? I’ll scratch her eyes out!” You square your jaw. “Let me kill her.”

“That’s my girl,” Ari grins proudly. “Don’t worry, Peanut. I told her to get lost and that I’m going to go home to my girl, kiss her, and tell her that I was a fool.”

“Good for your girl,” you relax in his arms. “I hope you know that I won’t forgive you so easily…”

Tags in reblog.

[nightshiftshenanigans]

Happy holidays you wonderful people!!✨

Here is my submission for the @haunting-heroes-creative-games Winter Advent mistletoe prompt!!🎄 Hope y’all enjoy🥰

[cywscross]

Title: To New Beginnings (So Long As It's With You) Fandom: Teen Wolf x Solo Leveling Character/Pairing: Peter Hale/Stiles Stilinski, Stiles Stilinski, Peter Hale, Original Characters Rating: T Word Count: 6,517 Summary: A single deviation lands Stiles and Peter in a whole new world.

They both agree that they're far better for it. Tags: Post-Season 6A, Canon Divergence AU, Dimension Travel, Crossover, Crossovers & Fandom Fusions, Original Character(s), Established Relationship, Domestic, Outsider POV, Multiple POV, Alternate Universe - Solo Leveling Fusion

Submitted For:

- 51+ Crossover Fandoms - 022. partnership - Post-July Break Bingo 2023 - "I can't lose you too." - 100 Prompts Challenge - 010. Stranger - Across the Universe Bingo - Dimension Hopping - Gen Prompt Bingo [Round 25] - Fork in the Road AU - Seasonal Delights Bingo: Language of Flowers [Card 2] - Sweet Pea - Seasonal Delights Bingo: Types of Love [Card 1] - "With You, I Found That it's Not as Lonely to Be Alone" (@seasonaldelightsbingo x2) - Lyrical Escape Bingo - "Until the dawn of time, we'll hold on." (@lyricalescape) - Any Fandom Angst Bingo - Trapped (@anyfandomangstbingo) - Winter Break Advent 2023 - December 11th-15th: Physical Hurt/Comfort | Going Through it Together | Kidnapped or captured by the same person | If you think that I'm someone to give up and leave - that'll never be me | Desperate measures + Working together - Fandom-Free Bingo: Frosty Edition - Stranded - Fandom-Free Bingo: Flight Edition - Opportunities - Fandom-Free Bingo: Valentine Edition - Begging Not to Go - Fandom-Free Bingo: Wild Edition [Card 2] - Falling Asleep on One Another - Fandom-Free Bingo: WBN Edition [Card 2] - The Truth About (Lies) - Fandom-Free Bingo: Maritime May Edition [Card 2] - Curled Up On Their Chest (@fandom-free-bingo x6) - Eclipsing Bingo - Sharing a Bed (@eclipsingbingo)

[catboyolli]

for day 6 of the BC Advent Calendar organized by @another-sun, the twins have put on their special sweaters!

let's just say that a certain someone wanted to get matching sweaters to celebrate the holidays ("c'mon, it'll be fun! besides, this one really suits me, don't you think?"), but another certain someone didn't like most of the designs at all ("no, too colorful", "do you see me wearing something like that?, "led lights on a fucking sweater?", "... absolutely not")

they found the middle ground and now they both get to wear a lovely sweater: Joonas gets one that supposedly defines him quite well, and Joel gets one that lets him stay true to his Edgelord persona 🖤

(looking back, Joel thinks that the one with the led lights was pretty cool...)

individual pics under the cut!

[leasstories]

Lea’s advent calendar day 20 - Stuck together

@writerthreads writing prompt for Christmas (2022), prompt 27:

[confessing a crush when it’s snowing]

Eddie x gn!reader

No trigger warning.

WC: ≈ 0.6K

December 20th, 1985

You went to the library to give back some books and as soon as you got out of the High School it started snowing. It is snowing so much that you can’t walk home, and your mom couldn’t drive to come get you. You turn around, looking for somewhere to stay when you spot that the theater room’s lights are on. You approach the room and spot none other than Eddie, sat on the throne at the head of the table. If there’s one thing to know about you, it is that you’ve had a crush on Eddie ever since you became a student at Hawkins High. At first, Eddie was two grades above you, but then he had to retake his Senior year not once but twice! And you were secretly happy to be given more time with him, even if you were only admiring from afar. Eddie and you share a few classes together, but you’ve never spoken. You’re the bookworm kind of person and you don’t think Eddie would be interested in spending time with you.

“It seems like you’re stuck with me” Eddie speaks up, cutting you off from your thoughts.

“Apparently” you tell him while sitting on the closest chair.

“It’s a real storm outside” Eddie says, trying to make small talk.

All this situation is nerve wracking for you. You’re stuck at school, with your crush. All of this seems like a really really bad dream, except it’s not.

“It is” you confirm.

Eddie says your name. “You’re YN aren’t you?” he asks.

You nod, fidgeting with your fingers.

“And you’re Eddie.” You end up saying. As soon as the words leave your mouth, you scold yourself.

“The Freak himself” Eddie answers.

“You aren’t a freak.” You tell him, self-assured.

“I am to everyone else in this goddamn town.” Eddie says matter of factly.

“They are just stupid. You’re not a Freak nor dumb like everyone says.” You tell him, angered by the town’s opinion on your crush.

“You don’t know me.” Eddie says.

“We might have never spoke but I’m really observant and I didn’t see a Freak or someone dumb. I just see a boy who’s hurting inside but tries to hide it. I see a bruised kids hiding behind a mean and scary persona. I see a kindhearted human being.” You tell Eddie, getting passionate about it.

Eddie is baffled by how much of him you understood just by being observant. Even his closest friends probably wouldn’t say such things about him. And the truth behind your words is what baffles Eddie the most. He is hiding behind his mean and scary persona.

“How did you see all of that?” Eddie asks, hesitant.

“As I said, I’m observant.” You shrug, trying to hide the blush creeping up your cheeks.

“You understood me better than some of my closest friends…” Eddie says.

“Eddie?” you ask shyly, the weight of your secret becoming more and more unbearable.

“Yes Sweetheart?” he asks.

“I know I’m not the kind of person you’re into at all, but I can’t keep it to myself anymore” you say before taking a deep breathe. “I like you.”

As soon as the words leave your mouth, time slow down, you can see each snowflake falling on the ground from the window, Eddie moves towards you as if the world was in slow motion.

You feel Eddie’s calloused hand cupping your cheek and feel him press a kiss on your forehead.

“You were wrong about one things Sweetheart. You’re definitely the kind of person I am into.” Eddie answered.

[petit-papillion]

Charles featured on the 2023 F1 Radio Messages Advent Calendar.

📸 F1RadioMessages

[faithfulcat111]

Winter Break Advent Challenge - Creator Challenge Weekend 2 (Day 1) - Understanding, cursed, apocalypse

Next Time (from Nightmare Time 2: Yellow Jacket)

Honestly this is one of my favorite edits ever. Just some of the cursed couples from Hatchetfield:

Paul and Emma - Only find each other right before disaster (usually an apocalypse). (The Guy Who Didn't Like Musicals and Nerdy Prudes Must Die)

Steph and Pete - Get together as they discover one of Hatchetfield's dark secrets and end up killing someone (not as intentional as most other couples) (Nightmare Time 2: Abstinence Camp and Nerdy Prudes Must Die)

Duke and Miss Holloway - He literally always falls in love with her but can never remember she loves him back as no one can remember her (Nightmare Time 2: Killer Track and Nightmare Time: The Witch in the Web)

Ethan and Lex - Always torn apart by circumstances outside of their control (Nightmare Time 2: Yellow Jacket and Black Friday)

<template>

[a-queer-seminarian]

An ebook I've had on hold for weeks finally came in yesterday, the third Sunday of Advent, which centers Joy. As the book is titled Inciting Joy, I found this quite fitting — but I also thought to myself, “Do I really want to read a book about joy right now, given the state of the world and especially the ongoing genocide in Gaza?"

Well, I figured, I’ll give the book a try anyhow. And it turns out that Ross Gay opens Inciting Joy with an answer to my exact concern! He describes how a professor once asked him that very thing: “How do you write about joy in the face of…*gestures broadly*.”

The issue, Gay says, is that we consider joy and “all this” to be opposites, when in reality joy must be allowed to break bread with pain — and here I'll let video me continue:

[Captions for the video:

'Well the issue, Ross Gay says, is that we consider “all of this” and joy to be opposites, with joy in some lofty, cozy room high, and heartbreak locked away in a basement corner — when actually, he says, they are “fundamentally entangled" — and here I’m going to read an excerpt from the book:

“...Or even more to the point, what if joy is not only entangled with pain, or suffering, or sorrow, but is also what emerges from how we care for each other through those things? What if joy, instead of refuge or relief from heartbreak, is what effloresces from us as we help each other carry our heartbreaks? Which is to say, what if joy needs sorrow...for its existence? If it sounds like I’m advocating for sorrow, nope. ...But what I am advocating, and adamantly so, is that rather than quarantining ourselves or running from sorrow, rather than warring with sorrow, we lay down our swords and invite sorrow in. I’m suggesting we make sorrow some tea from the lemon balm in the garden. We let sorrow wash up and take some of our clothes. We give sorrow our dad’s slippers that we’ve hung on to for fifteen years for just this occasion. And we drape our murdered buddy’s scarf, still smelling of nag champa, over sorrow’s shoulders, to warm them up some. We wedge some wood in the fire. As we’re refilling their tea we notice sorrow is drinking from a mug given to us by someone we’ve hurt. We ask sorrow about themselves, and we scooch closer to hear. We eventually decide to invite a small group of friends over for a potluck, because we want sorrow to meet them...."

And, as Ross Gay continues, eventually you and sorrow end up shrugging and inviting anyone who has any sorrow, which is to say, everyone. And everyone brings a little to share, and everyone introduces their sorrow to other people’s sorrows, and there's storytelling and supportive hands and laughing until you sob. 

And that, Ross Gay says, is joy. It’s that thing that emerges from “our common sorrow — which does not,” he’s quick to add, “mean we have the same sorrows, but that we, in common, sorrow.” And when we learn to sorrow together like that, we learn to love together, too. Solidarity is born.' / end of video.]

___

There’s a worship service some churches hold this time of year to make space for "common sorrow" in the midst of Christmas’s consumerist frenzy. It’s typically held on December 21, the winter solstice, and thus called the service of the Longest Night — or sometimes it’s called Blue Christmas.

It’s a chance to lament, to sit with grief a while, in community. Look up churches around you and see if any hold such a service; or create such a space for yourself at home. Take the time to sorrow in common — with loved ones, with Jews and Muslims facing rising hate, with our Palestinian siblings facing genocide. 

That’s what joy is — not locking pain away, but letting it sit, and speak, and break bread with laughter. And that, Ross Gay says, is why joy is a tool of survival, the parent of solidarity, in times like these.

[pokemonaday-artillerytortoise]

Pokémon A Day - Mega Sceptile (#254)

To prove I could draw it, actually.

[dijetemjeseca]

344/365 🍷

[velthurvik]

Vor dem Beginn

Vor dem Beginn eines kleinen Weihnachtsmarktes in einer kleinen niederlausitzer Stadt. Noch fehlen die Besucher. Doch der Winter ist schon da.

[holylulusworld]

Peacock

Summary: It's your birthday and you end up eating alone.

Pairing: Ransom Drysdale x Reader

Warnings: angst, trust issues, abandonment, Ransom being a douche, unrequited feelings, being lonely during birthday/Christmas, having the blues,

A/N: This is the alternative version of Dinner for one. I decided to turn it into a story too but with a different ending.

Written for: Winter Break Advent: Day 22 – Quote: "We click. There aren't that many people that you just 'click' with; and when you find those people, you don't just let them go."

“Anything else, sweetie,” the elderly waitress at your favorite café asks. Her name is Dolores, and she’s always kind. She knows it’s your birthday and brought you a cupcake with a burning candle for free. “Happy birthday.”

She watches you glance at the cupcake. You sniffle and try not to cry. This stranger showed more interest in you and your birthday than anyone else in your life.

“Thank you,” is all you get out. You blow the candle out, wishing for nothing but to not feel the aching in your chest any longer. “That’s so kind of you.”

“Don’t sweat it, sweetie. You’re my best and favorite customer,” she smiles and refills your cup. “Chamomile, your favorite.”

“Again, thank you,” you fake a smile. She’s so kind, and you don’t want to be ungrateful. “This made my day.”

“I’ll bring you your order later. Eat the cupcake and remember, not all days are bad. One day the sun will shine for all of us again.”

Damn her, she read you like a book. “I guess,” you drop your eyes and look at the cupcake again. “It just doesn’t feel like it right now.”

“It will,” she insists and walks off, whistling a tune.

“Maybe—” you swallow thickly when the man you had hoped to never see again waltzes into the café, smirking like nothing has changed. He holds the door open for two girls, and two of his buddies. “Why?”

This can’t be. Today out of all days he had to come here. Your favorite café. Ransom always hated it and now he’s here, on your birthday after he broke your heart.

He straightens his hair and puffs his chest. Showing off his expensive coat and the scarf you bought him for his birthday. He looks like a peacock wanting to impress the ladies. You giggle as he looks stupidly handsome and like an idiot at the same time.

His eyes dart from the table the waitress orders toward your table. For a moment, it looks like he stiffens when his eyes meet yours. He clears his throat, and turns away, acting like he didn’t see you sitting alone at the table.

“Hey, Ransom,” one of his buddies punches his upper arm, “isn’t that the mouse you dated some months ago?” The guy points at your table. You try to ignore him, and the girls looking in your direction.

“I don’t know what you are talking about,” Ransom snaps at his friend, adding another crack to your fragile heart. He can’t even admit that he used to date you. “I don’t date girls like her.”

“Dude, it’s her,” the other man insists. “I remember the pout and her mousish behavior. I bet she must be a bomb in the bedroom, if not you wouldn’t keep a girl like her around.”

“Listen, I don’t know that woman. Can we eat now, or do you want to ask me if I dated half of the people at the café,” Ransom gets louder, making you flinch.

He seems to be embarrassed by his friend’s question. Of course, he’s ashamed of dating you. You’re not one of his wealthy buddies or the spoiled girls hanging on his every word.

You exhale sharply as he continues to explain that he would never date someone like you. He even makes fun of the sweater you’re wearing. Even though he told you he found it cute not so long ago.

Self-cautiously you look down on your body, regretting that you decided to wear your favorite blue sweater with snowflakes today. You try to look away, or not listen to their words, but it’s impossible to not see Ransom staring your way.

“Sweetie, I got you birthday cake,” right when you want to flee out of the café, the waitress returns with three of her colleagues. They start singing Happy Birthday, and the lump in your throat grows.

The guests at the café get up to join the waitresses. They sing Happy Birthday and clap their hands, making things worse for you.

Ransom and his friends get up too, laughing and joking as they pretend to sing with the other people. You’re close to running out of the café and leaving town to forget about this awful birthday.

A few weeks ago, you were in love and believed you’d spend your birthday with Ransom.

 Now you are in the same room, but miles apart.

You’re living in different worlds, and this will never change. He’s got a huge trust fund, and you struggle to make ends meet sometimes. When you met Ransom he knew that you still got to pay back your study loan.

“That’s,” your voice cracks when they place a birthday cake in front of you. “Very nice. I-I’m overwhelmed.”

“I hope you enjoy your cake,” one of the waitresses sing-songs. She smiles, and hands you a fork. “It’s a red velvet cake. Your favorite.”

People sit back down and finally turn their attention toward their lives. You release a shuddery breath as the waitresses and some guests expectantly look at you. “That’s a beautiful cake,” you sniff. “But I already got the cupcake.”

“It’s a gift from one of the customers,” Dolores whispers. “We got instructions to serve you the cake when you come here today.”

“What? I don’t understand. Why would anyone buy a cake for me? I don’t know many people in town.”

“Well sweetie, he must be wealthy,” the waitress from earlier giggles. “This is the most expensive cake and he wanted extras. Just enjoy.”

“I rather not,” you doubt whoever bought the cake wanted to be nice. Gifts always come at a price. And you are not willing to be in anyone’s debt. “Can you take it back? Maybe tell the person who ordered the cake for me they can eat it.”

“Sorry, no returns,” she coos and points at the cake. “Dig in, miss. It’s free and very delicious. Look, the cook used leaf gold for the decoration. You don’t want us to throw it away, right?”

“No.” You hate this. All of it. Someone bought you a cake and expects you to eat it, just like the waitresses. “I’ll try it later.”

“She still got the cupcake. Maybe she can take the cake home,” Dolores jumps in. She offers to put the cake in a box for you to take the cake home. “Right, sweetie. You will take it home.”

Dolores tells the others to go back to work. She gives you a sympathetic look and walks away to get the box.

You shift in your seat and try to focus on the cupcake and your now cold tea. It’s not how you imagined spending your birthday but it’s better than to hide at your apartment and think about Ransom, and your breakup.

Ransom watches you eat the cupcake. He frowns as Dolores puts the cake in a box. You don’t look his way any longer. You finish your cupcake and drink your tea. When you get up to leave, you thank Dolores and reluctantly take the box with the cake.

It takes all of your strength, but you manage to pass Ransom’s table by and not look at him. You exhale sharply as one of his friends calls you mouse and cups his crotch.

“Y/N, open the door!” Ransom is fuming outside of your apartment. “Why did you refuse to eat the cake I ordered for you? I wanted to do something nice for you.”

“Like bringing these people to our place? How could you, Ran? How?” You sniffle. “You walked around the café I showed to you like a peacock to impress these women. Why did you come to the café? And why did you buy the cake?”

“Babycakes,” he sighs deeply. “I’m…we…I let their words get to me. I was a fool to believe I could spend a day without you.”

“You laughed about me at the café!”

“Please let me in,” he pleads. “I came to the café to talk to you, knowing you’ll be there. Frankie and the others waited outside. I must’ve talked about this place, and they wanted to try it out. I’m sorry for their behavior.”

“Just go away, and take that cake with you,” you open the door to push the box with cake into his hands. “We are done, just like you said.”

“I said we should take a break to think about our relationship,” he looks at the box in his hands. “I got scared, Y/N. You know that I have commitment issues and trust issues. But…I wanna get better.”

“You want to hurt me even more to make fun of me with your friends,” you sniff. “I’m done with people walking all over me. I won’t have it.”

“Please don’t give up on me, Y/N. I’m not the best boyfriend and I got flaws but…” He shrugs. “We click. There aren't that many people that you just 'click' with; and when you find those people, you don't just let them go.”

“You let me go,” you tap your heart. “You broke my heart and now you stand on my doorstep asking me to take you back?”

“If you can forgive me, I promise to heal your heart…”

You take the cake out of his hands and jerk your head toward the door. “I’ll eat the cake, and maybe, I’ll call you. For now, I want you to leave me alone.”

Tags in reblog.

[feyres-divorce-lawyer]

Royale High 2023 Winter Advent Calendar

Day One's Item

[irishgop]

”And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.“

‭‭Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭45‬ ‭KJV‬‬

(https://bible.com/bible/1/luk.1.45.KJV)

[thepaperboatblog]

Biglietti di Natale creativi da fare coi nani? Ecco un facilosissimo biglietto con sorpresa. Che ne pensate? 

Musica: christmas time is here

Musicista: home for Christmas