#an ikesen christmas

[ask-mitsuhide-akechi]

Merry Christmas to all my cute little mice. Were you good little ones this year? If not, no treats for you, and do not think you can decieve a kitsune such as myself. I will see it that only good little mice get rewarded.

@sh0jun @oda-princess @rubia8

[writingwhimsey]

Whimsey's Naughty or Nice Winter/Christmas Event

Hello everyone! Inspired by a post by @candied-boys (as well as other various holiday/winter themed events going around tumblr at large). I've decided to host one myself (I've never hosted an event before, so I hope this goes well).

This event is open to all in the ikemen/otome fandom. And it will officially run from December 1st to December 31st with the deadline to have fics added to the masterlist be January 15th.

Now for the actual details of the event. I have compiled a list of 25 prompts to choose from. They have the ability to go in multiple directions. Naughty or Nice being the main themes. In this case Naughty will be for smut and Nice will be for fluff.

Here are the prompts below:

Meeting under the mistletoe

Warming up by the fire

The first snow

Warming up your cold hands

Baking cookies

Christmas lights

Christmas decorating contest

Secret Santa/gift giving

Snowball fight

Building a snowman

Christmas/holiday party

Sledding

Stuck in a snow storm

All I want for Christmas is you

Ugly Christmas sweater

Drinking a bit too much eggnog

Jealous of Santa

Wrapping presents

Working on Christmas

Christmas wish

Slipping and falling on ice

Matching Christmas pjs

Homemade gifts

Wearing antlers/Santa hat together

Not wanting to leave the bed because it’s warm

You can use the prompts how you see fit for your writing. Since we have the naughty side of this event, only participate if you are 18 or older. Minors DNI.

If you do participate tag me in the posts (there are no limits on how many fics you can post for a prompt or how many suitors, the only limit is your imagination). However you want to participate is fine.

Also use the tag #whimsey-naughty-or-nice

I hope we can all have some fun together :)

I'll be making a post later with conditions for making requests from me :)

[aquagirl1978]

And may I also request touches #2 with Mitsuhide? I love doting on that man so much!!

Thank you for this request - sorry it took me so long to get to 🥺

Blue Christmas - Mitsuhide Akechi x Reader (ikemen Sengoku)

A/N: Day 4 of my Twelve Days of Christmas. Also part of my New Year, New Celebration follower celebration.

Pairing: Mitsuhide Akechi x Reader

Prompt: running fingers through hair

Word Count: 562

Tags: fluff

It was a cold and blustery day in December as you strolled through the streets of Azuchi. Your hands were filled with bags brimming with gifts for all your friends, including an extra special one for Mitsuhide -- a small porcelain mouse. 

Christmas was one of your favorite holidays – the lights and the trees and the family dinner of fried chicken were just some of the things that made this holiday so special to you. You had thought this year would be bittersweet, as it was your first away from home, but it had been anything but so far. Christmas might not have come to Japan yet, but there was nothing stopping you from bringing the spirit of the holidays here.

 You had planned to sneak out that afternoon under the ruse of needing to go to the markets in search of new fabric – it was the perfect excuse to go shopping alone to get everyone’s gifts. 

And then you ran into Mitsuhide.

“Where’s this little mouse running off to this early?”

Close. So close to freedom. 

After you informed him that you were going to the market to pick up some new fabrics, you were shocked when he asked if he could join you. Of course you said yes – who would say no to their boyfriend – but now you were in the unenviable position of trying to evade the kitsune somewhere in the market as you purchased the presents.

As it turned out, Mitsuhide was meeting someone in the markets, so it was easy for you to shop in secret. After spending an inordinate amount of time perusing various shops to find the perfect gifts – down to Nobunaga’s favorite konpeito, sorry Hideyoshi – it was finally time to return home to the castle. 

One moment you were hurrying through the streets of the markets in Azuchi, and the next, you were lying flat on the ground. Cheeks warm with embarrassment, you sighed, your bags lying scattered on the ground around you. Your only saving grace was that no one you knew witnessed your fall.

Or so you thought.

Your stomach twisted in knots as you looked up into the crowd and spotted a familiar head of silver-white hair, suppressing a groan as he approached.

“Little mouse,” he said, offering you his hand in assistance. You slipped your hand in his; he easily pulled you up to a standing position. His eyes flickered over your figure, assessing any injuries. He reached out a hand, tucking a stray lock of hair behind your ear. His hand lingered, his fingers grazing your still heated cheeks, his touch comforting. 

“You really do need to watch yourself,” he chided, his eyes fixed on a patch of ice on the ground. “It certainly would have been a blue Christmas if you had hurt yourself.” 

You turned to him, your eyes wide with awe. How did he know about Christmas? You hadn’t said a word about it as you were waiting until the 25th to surprise everyone. So who told him?

He gazed at you knowingly, his golden eyes twinkling like familiar Christmas lights. He huffed a small laugh, and as if he was reading your mind, he pulled you close to him in a warm embrace, his fingers running through your hair as he held your face close to his heart.

“Lucky for you, I was here to help.”

Tagging: @alixennial @redheadkittys @lordsisterxotome @kissmetwicekissmedeadly @chaosangel767 @ikehoe @kpop-and-otome @kisara-16 @lucyw260 @scorchieart @yarnnerdally @crypticbibliophile @tele86 @nightfoxqueen @judejazza @xbalayage @xenokiryu

[the12thnightproject]

If I made it in time... Could I ask for a greeting from Masamune?:o

Lorei! You absolutely made it in time. Merry Christmas... thank you for the ask!

And from Masamune...

Merry Christmas!

Are you surprised? I bet you had some suspicions when I started asking you about the foods you had in your home on Christmas day. Mitsuhide teased me about turning the castle town inside and out trying to find ingredients to make these pastries. I hope these taste like the treat you were missing. I tested them on Ranmaru, and he said he liked them, but he didn't know what they were supposed to taste like either, so...

Kitten, you gave up so much to throw your lot in with me, and I worry that especially when we get to holiday times that don't exist in this era, that you feel homesick. I never want you to regret a moment of time with me. Even though I don't know all of your traditions, I hope we can start some traditions of our own. Very Merry Christmas, Kitten, and lets start a new tradition by greeting the holiday with a kiss and a treat.

[justine-the-guillotine]

Gonna finally finish uploading the rest of my Christmas avatars lol

[ask-kanetsugu-naoe]

I have to say, it is quite interesting learning about foreign customs and traditions. Merry Christmas everyone.

[bakersgrief]

Ikemen Christmas trees (so far):

Ikevil:

William Rex @ask-william-rex

Harrison Gray @ask-harrison-gray

Liam Evans @askliamevans

Elbert Greetia @askelbertgreetia

Alfons Sylvatica @ask-alfons

Ellis Twilight @askellistwilight

Roger Barel @ask-roger-barel

Ikepri:

Yves Kloss @askyves

Keith Howell @askthekeiths

Silvio Ricci @asksilvioricci

Gilbert Von Obsidian @askgilbertvonobsidian

Gilbert Von Obsidian @ask-gilbertvonobsidian

Cyran Rose @ask-cyran-rose

Sariel Noir @ask-sariel-noir

Carlo @ask-ikepri-carlo

Emma @ask-ikepriemma

Roderic @askroderic-ikepri

Ikevamp:

Vlad @ask-ikevamp-vlad

Mitsuki @ask-mitsuki

Ikesen:

Mitsunari Ishida @ask-ikesen-mitsunari

Mai @ask-mai

If anyone knows of more trees I haven't listed, please let me know! I'm also happy to add oc blogs or take down blogs that don't wish to be on this list.

[ask-nobunaga-oda]

My men, I wish you all a Merry Christmas🎄

@ask-mitsuhide-akechi @ask-hideyoshi-toyotomi @ask-ikesen-mitsunari @masamuneskitchen

@dark-ieyasu

We will have a banquet tonight to celebrate and everybody shall have 3 days of break, you have been doing excellent work. @ask-mai You shall also join us, fireball. Azuchi shall welcome any other little lucky charms to celebrate tonight, feel free to come.

[sh0jun]

Masterlist <333

(Yes I finally figured out how to do it after asking it from 3 people qwq)

Request Status: closed temporarily! (only for Ikesen!)

Moot Appreciation <333

→ Merry Christmas<3

• Headcanons:

Ikesen Modern AU

Lawyer MC

MC with a doll face

Arson's birthday special

Political scientist MC

If MC got thrown in the dungeon

Warlords go to therapy

When Kenshin gets sick

• incorrect quotes/drabbles:

Modern Au Masamune

Ieyasu and MC

Kenshin

• Tears of Themis

Chapter 1 (long fic. No name yet)

• OC stuff:

Hekima (multifandom OC)

• Taglist:

@bakersgrief @kissmetwicekissmedeadly @mollycoddle707 @bontu-the-l0ver @ludivineikewolf

(If anyone would like to be added or removed just lemme know!)

[incorrect-joseimuke]

MC of Ikesen, dressing up as Santa: Merry christmas everyone! *Gives everyone a lump of coal*

MC of Ikesen: That's for massacring hundreds of people.

[lorei-writes]

Special Offer: Beta-Reading

I generally offer to beta-read works only to close friends. However, in the spirit of Christmas and gift-giving... I figured I may extend the offer to the fandom as a whole. Only until the end of the year.

What's beta-reading?

Essentially, beta-reading means that somebody reads your story to provide you with specific kind of feedback (looking for errors, reporting on whether the goals you've set out were accomplished, checking whether characters are in fact written in character, suggesting edits, etc). It may involve some constructive criticism.

The general idea is to share your true perception of the work, to possibly polish it or to enable the author to learn new things.

What could you beta-read?

Fandoms: IkeSen, IkeVamp, IkePri 2k words max. Fluff, angst, gen fics, hurt/comfort -- I do read smut, but I fear I'd be of little help with it (unless it was grammar or more technical aspects somebody wanted me to look at).

--

Obviously, I am just some person. The fact that feedback may be shared does not mean it has to be applied. But, if you were curious about this? Hit me up via DMs. Let's talk, and I'll gladly lend you my eyes.

[welp-back-on-my-bs]

To organize my chaos a lil:

Fanfics:

Ikepri: Tattos (1) (2), Blind Reader, TWST doorms, Blood and Ink, Metal Illnesses, time shenanigans, period, Keith and Silvio Bromance, Trans Gilbert AU, Dyeing Hair

Ikevil: plushies, Deaf Reader, TWST doorms, Periods, time shenanigans

Yandere Psychiatrist Roger

Ikesen: TWST doorms, Kenshin says trans rights, Alternative Kicho route

Ikevamp: PTSD Reader, TWST doorms, Period HCs, Platonic Yandere Comte

Obey me: AUDHD MC, first tattoo

Trans Gilbert AU

Gilbert and Chalaver,

Tokyo Debunker:

What?-

Ocs:

How to care for a Morgan, stats

Ikepri:

Morgan ikepri, Morgan and Carlo, dream wedding with the bois, Backstory, the Goodwill Gala, dress deal, First impressions, Sutours, Gilbert's Heart, Leave Luanne, Cats and Dogs (aka how Silvio and Gilbert got together), Ex's and Oh's, Learning to love myself, dark OC asks, blood and steel, Silvio's Regret, Confessions, a unforgettable night, Mourning

Platonic Yandere Yves x Morgan, Stop Pretending!, A Traveling Christmas, Morgan and Gilberts first time together, Morgan and Silvios first time together

Morgan Bond stories: First Impression, Piano Discourse

Andre

Welcome Home, Claws and Wings Polycule

The Witch and the Prince, Leslie

The Guillotine (French varriation of the Crown):

Intro, shitpost, dark OC asks, a warm reception, fairy tale keepers?, a mother's love, Morgan x Jude x Ellis, Liam x Vulcan, Ed x Harry, Judes' birthday

Morgan Bond Levels:

I want to know, Skills/Hobbies

Ikevamp:

Anastasia and Comte, Anastasia in the manchine, Anastasia's Nightmare, Ani's Halloween prep, cute Anastasia things

Ikesen:

Kaguyasama meets Morgan, Late Nights and Bad Memories , Relationships, Trials by Rest , Worry drabble

Trust

General Maorgan shit, Hideyoshi adopting Morgan, an unexpected surprise, Future vs past

Tokyo Debunker:

Hotarubi's artist and their secrets, Chapter help, Shippinggg

Other:

Intro,

[writingwhimsey]

Whimsey's Naughty Or Nice Event

This request came in from @tooold4thisish as one part of an ask! It features another of my faves ikesen Motonari! Hope you all enjoy!

Prompt: Baking Cookies- Nice

Suitor: ikesen Motonari

No warnings just fluff with a bit of teasing from this sexy pirate

Pirate Cookies

“Alright, flower girl, I managed to get the last of what you wanted.” Motonari declared as he came into the room.

I smiled as I looked at him. “You really managed to get it all?” I asked.

“Of course. What kinda merchant ya think I am?” Motonari asked with a sly grin as he came over to sit beside me and pulling me into his lap.

“Only the best one.” I answered as I wrapped my arms around him and gave him a kiss on the lips.

“That all ya got ta show me yer appreciation?” He asked, giving me a devilish grin.

“Of course not. What kind of lover do you think I am?” I replied.

Motonari grinned. “That’s my girl.” He said, his hands already beginning to wander.

I gave him a grin as I stood up. “I have a treat to bake for you.”

Motonari frowned at me. “I got a treat I want and it ain’t nothin’ that goes in the oven.”

I grinned at him. “You can have that AFTER I make this other treat. You can even help me.”

Motonari sighed. “Alright, but ya better not back out on me.” He said, grinning at me as he stood up and wrapped his arms around my waist and pulling me close.

I giggled and kissed his cheek. “Come on, let’s go bake some cookies.”

Motonari smiled at me, his red eyes warm and tender. “Alright, flower girl.”

We headed to the kitchen where he had all of the ingredients stored for me. It had taken him some time to gather everything I needed, but he managed to pull it off and I was beyond excited. Especially since it was December and getting close to Christmas. We could make my favorite sugar cookies...or at least very close to them.

“Alright, let’s get started makin’ these...cookies.” Motonari said. “But I gotta ask, why are they called cookies when ya bake ‘em? Shouldn’t they be called bakies?”

“You know...I honestly have no idea.” I answered. “I’ll have to write Sasuke and see if he knows. When you ask me questions like that I really miss being able to pull out my cell phone and do a quick search online.”

Motonari just looked at me, clearly not having any idea of what I was talking about. “We gonna bake ‘em or not?” He asked.

“Alright, alright. Let’s bake.” I replied, kissing his cheek before setting to work.

We gathered up our ingredients and I began measuring and then handing each item to Motonari to pour in the bowl.  “Alright, now we mix.” I declared.

Motonari back away from the bowl and gestured for me to stand and do the mixing. As soon as I started, he was behind me, his arms wrapping around my waist and his chin resting on my shoulder as he watched me mixing.

I couldn’t help but to smile. “Trying to watch my technique?” I asked, my voice playful.

“Somethin’ like that.” Motonari replied, turning his head to give a kiss to my cheek.

I mixed the dough until it was the right consistency, occasionally having to ask Motonari to get me another ingredient because I needed to add a bit more of something. Once that was done, we were rolling out the dough. 

Motonari had to help me with rolling out the dough as the Sengoku era rolling pin was a bit different than the modern equivalent I was used to. Of course, he didn’t seem to mind as he stood behind me, arms wrapped around me, hands on mine, guiding my movements. He would every so often give me a little peck on the cheek or the side of my neck...the latter never failing to send a shiver down my spine.

“You know, you’re making it hard to keep focused on these cookies.”

“What? All I’m doin’ is showin’ my girl a little love.” He replied, nipping at my ear and causing me to let out a squeak, which earned a chuckle from him.

Somehow we managed to get the dough rolled out. “Okay, now comes the really fun part, cutting it into shapes with those cookie cutters I had you order.”

“I was wonderin’ what these metal things could be used fer.” Motonari replied. “Especially when ya asked fer such silly shapes.”

“I’m just so happy the smith was able to replicate the shapes I requested.” I replied, reaching for the bag of cookie cutters and opening them up. I drawn the shapes I’d wanted and given the drawing to Motonari who gave them to a metal smith.

I pulled out the cookie cutters and sorted through them to see what shapes there were. The smith had managed to replicate my Christmas trees, my bells, the snowman, and even the raindeer. Though I was surprised when I saw some other shapes I hadn’t requested.

“I see a heart and some flowers here.” I said, turning to look at Motonari.

Motonari’s cheeks flushed slightly and he looked away from me. “I just…thought ya…might like ‘em…”

I smiled and stretched up to peck his lips. “I love them…almost as much I love the man behind them.”

Motonari grinned at me. “I’ll make sure ta pass on yer love to the metalsmith.”

I playfully slapped his chest. “You know I’m talking about you.”

Motonari’s arms wrapped around me and he pulled me close, peppering kisses on the side of my neck. “I know…and I love you too…”

I giggled. “Alright, let’s make these cookies now.”

We finished baking the cookies and made some icing. We put the icing on the cookies once they had cooled and then I was holding a cookie up to his lips. “Come on, try a bite.”

Motonari grinned as he opened his mouth and took a bite of the cookie. “It ain’t bad.” He said, reaching for another cookie, one of the heart-shaped ones and holding it to my lips. “Come on, yer turn, flower girl.”

I smiled as I parted my lips and took a bite. The cookie was pretty good. “So delicious…” I hummed.

Motonari leaned in and his tongue flicked over the corner of my mouth. “Ya had some icin’ on the corner of yer mouth.” He said with a devilish grin.

My heart was racing from that contact. “You…”

Motonari grinned at me as he removed his gloves. His arms wrapped around my waist and pulled me close, his hand lifting to cup my cheek. “Ya ready ta show me yer appreciation?”

I gave him a playful glare, but stretched up to kiss his lips. “Only because you got me all riled up.” I replied, wrapping my arms around him.

Motonari grinned and lifted me up, putting me on the counter. “That’s my girl.” He said before capturing my lips in a heated kiss. He broke the kiss to pull back and look at me, his crimson gaze tender. He lifted a hand to stroke my cheek. “I love you, flower girl.”

I smiled at him, my own gaze full of tender affection. “I love you, pirate boy.”

Taglist: @oda-princess @zulablaise @kisara-16 @tele86

@lovely-bubb1es @lucyw260 @queengiuliettafirstlady

[aquagirl1978]

C H A T S

Another Family Meeting - No Pets in le Thermae

Can you tie a tie?

New Residents at the Mansion (IkeVamp Meets IkeSen)

The One Where Leonardo Accepted a NSFW Art Commission

The One Where Jean Got Horny During Mozart's Concert

Father's Day at the Mansion

The One Where Leonardo Fell Asleep at the Wheel

Leonardo? Napoleon? Who?

H E A D C A N O N S

Suitor Reacts to a Fight (Leonardo, Arthur)

MC Reaction to Being Mad at Suitor (Leonardo, Arthur, Comte, Vlad)

Suitors Giving You a Massage (Napoleon, Leonardo, Theo, Jean)

A R T H U R

Santa Claus is coming to town (NSFW)

Have You Ever? (NSFW)

Reflections (NSFW)

Morning Coffee

C H A R L E S

A Joyful Wish (NSFW)

C O M T E

Tempting Desires (NSFW)

Dear Diary (Comte de St. Germain x Reader x Vlad)

Bound (NSFW)

Miss You More (NSFW)

My Cherie Amour (NSFW)

Auld Lang Syne

D A Z A I

In Through the Window...

And Into the Bedroom (NSFW)

D R A K E

Summer Dreams (NSFW)

J E A N

Let's Make Mararons (NSFW)

An Afternoon Surprise

Stolen Kisses (NSFW)

A New Tradition (NSFW)(Napoleon x Reader x Jean)

Happy Birthday (NSFW)

Thank You for Loving Me

Silent Night

L E O N A R D O

Don't Make a Mess (NSFW)

A Gift for Lumiere (NSFW)

Ghosts of Christmas Past (NSFW)

Painting with the Master

Unexpected Plans

Cara Mia (NSFW)

The Night We Met

M O Z A R T

Daydreaming

Relax and Unwind

N A P O L E O N

A Bun in the Oven (NSFW)

More Eggnog, Please (NSFW)

Midnight Tryst (NSFW)

A New Tradition (NSFW)(Napoleon x Reader x Jean)

Warmth (NSFW)

Another New Year (NSFW)

Peekaboo

Kiss the Cook (NSFW)

T H E O D O R U S

Blue Velvet (NSFW)

Theodours Fedorus (NSFW)

Longing (NSFW)

A Walk in the Park

Morning Kisses

All Night Long (NSFW)

All I Want for Christmas is You

V L A D

Under the Mistletoe (NSFW)

Dear Diary (Comte de St. German x Reader x Vlad)

Unsatiable (NSFW)

Dance with Me

I Found You

A Light in the Darkness

Cruel Summer

Winter Wonderland

[the12thnightproject]

Hello! I was wondering if you're taking requests rn?

Hi Anon,

Thank you for the note. Um, the answer is yes and no. I've had a busy few months (working full time, and taking a course that required a paper a week), so there are some requests that kind of stacked up.

Anyway, if it isn't a time sensitive request feel free to ask. I can do headcanons for Ikesen, Lovebrush Chronicles, and Love and Deepspace (although I've only been playing the game about a month, so I don't quite have a handle on the LADS guys yet... but I like them all a lot).

(And yes, for anyone who sent a request... I haven't forgotten! I will still get to them. Maybe during Christmas week - everything is still saved in my inbox).

[camuslittlesister]

From the OA Archives: A Very IkeSen Christmas

I can’t remember the exact prompt so I can’t tell if it was explicitly yume or I just thought it was hilarious to have the IkeSen meets Outlander vibe (I know they’re different centuries, my ancestors were there. If past lives are a thing I probably was there myself in a previous incarnation ☠️).

It’s safe for work. Mostly me teasing mummy Hideyoshi (I said what I said). Also, Saori is the name of the canon MC because I needed an excuse for…you’ll see 👀

It was my first Christmas in the Sengoku period. There were some Jesuit missionaries hidden somewhere in Japan, but having Nobunaga track one down for Midnight Mass was asking too much.

Everyone was already going out of their way to make it less hard for me to be not just 500 years into the past, but 500 years into the past of a country not my own. Not that being Roman Catholic in Elizabethan England would have been easier, but at least I’d have got some resemblance of my 21st century normality, with a banquet of roast game and a swishy velvet gown with fitted sleeves.

At least I was getting a Christmas tree. In fact, Nobunaga himself was overseeing the cutting of the tree for the hall. It all started a few days earlier, when Hideyoshi dropped by my room unannounced. I dried my tears and let him in, but couldn’t do much about hiding it, not to Azuchi’s mother hen at any rate.

Japan didn’t have the Gregorian calendar at the time, but the organiser in my bag reminded me it would have been the 3rd Sunday of Advent and I missed the unfunny memes about wearing pink on Gaudete Sunday that my friends would have shared on Twitter and I would have hated if I was there to see them.

The familiarity, even of something I found trite, made me feel really lonely, even if I was surrounded by people who welcomed me as one of their own (at least once they realised I wasn’t an assassin or a spy).

I confided in Hideyoshi, who stroke my head affectionately to try and soothe me, before declaring that Azuchi would have its first ever Christmas.

Not long after, Mitsunari knocked on my door, carrying paper and ink, ready to take notes about Christmas traditions. And that’s how we got to hanging things off a tree on the dais in the hall. We also handmade Christmas cards that Mitsuhide took to Kasugayama Castle, where Saori was now living with her Sengoku boyfriend, and Masamune was hard at work trying to replicate, as closely as possible, the panettone recipe handed down my family for generations.

Nobunaga looked on mildly amused as I directed his retainers with the strict professionalism of a decorator at Buckingham Palace and sung my favourite carols. What was left to do before Christmas Eve itself was buying presents. It has never been my favourite activity, but I wanted to show my appreciation to my new samurai family.

I had books ordered in town for Mitsunari and Ieyasu, sweets for Nobunaga that cost me more than the other presents put together (not surprising, coming from the poshest confectionery in the capital without Prime), a handmade book of recipes for Masamune, a fine scarf for Hideyoshi (because he’s always too busy worrying about everyone else to care about himself) and...also a scarf for Mitsuhide, because that’s one thing you buy when you don’t know what to buy to a man, and nobody uses ties.

I was getting ready for the Christmas Eve banquet when Ieyasu appeared outside my door, a frown on his face (not unusual, but it was a different kind of frown): “Give me your presents”. I knew better than to argue, and let him in to get the load, following him out.

His pet fawn Wasabi stood tethered to a cart already filled with packages, makeshift antlers on her head. I was surprised to see Ieyasu doing something he was adamant was “too ridiculous” just to “please some woman”.

“Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer...” I began singing on our way to the banquet, Ieyasu glaring at me. “All of the other reindeers...” two voices came from behind us. We both turned around full of disbelief: Mitsuhide was back, grinning like the Cheshire Cat. “Sasuke! Saori!” I threw myself in their arms for a group hug.

“We come bearing presents, but I’ve got the biggest of them all seeing that smile” there was only one man who’d come out with such cheesy lines and somehow make them sound appealing, and I realised they weren’t alone.

Yukimura rolled his eyes at Shingen’s greetings, Kenshin looked like he really didn’t want to be there, and Yoshimoto was just captivated by the festive atmosphere. “It’s like seeing the Christmas truce of 1914” I commented to Sasuke.

“We can play football in the morning” he laughed, our banter interrupted by Hideyoshi coming out of the hall to tell Ieyasu and me off for being outdoors so long.

He was both more, and less, angry when he saw that Saori was there, and we made our way inside. Masamune had cooked enough to feed the unexpected guests and, even though it was a new place with different people, it truly felt like a family Christmas, and I even managed to get a kiss under the mistletoe for the very first time.

Thank you for reading. Merry Christmas if you celebrate 🎄