#and little kid rein with a sweater… yeah that sweater is based off of the undertale kids wkdbdn

[suffarustuffaru]

pls give reinhard all the silly little outfits he wants 🙏

[thefuzzzz]

Jasico Bingo Challenge #7!!

Prompt: Sharing a Bed

The Argo II was cramped, to say the least.

They only had eight rooms, one for each of the seven and Coach Hedge. The rooms themselves were practically broom closets.

Still, when Nico arrived they had no clue where to put him. Hazel offered many times to let him sleep in her bed, but he always declined.

The beds were tiny, and he wasn't fond of being touched while he slept.

Most nights, he crashed on the couch. He liked it, it was quiet and no one bothered him. He could stay up as late as he wanted and just blame it on the couch being uncomfortable or having to listen to someone being too loud all night.

Also, he got free rein on the TV. It only had demigod shows on it, but Aphrodite's dating show quickly became a guilty pleasure of his.

It all changed the night after the Cupid incident.

For once, that couch felt lonely. Nico curled in on himself, seeking something. Anything.

For a moment, he felt tears run down his cheek. He wiped them away, the feeling foreign. They glided against his cheeks like they did when he was young. When he still cared.

As soon as any evidence of tears had dispersed from his suddenly aloof face, he heard a knock on the doorway.

He didn't need to turn to know who it was. It was the only person who would bother to knock on an open doorway, Jason Grace.

Nico sat up and turned to him. For a second, there was a pass of hostility in his back eyes, but it faded upon seeing Jason.

Nico didn't know why, but he was scared. He felt like a rabbit being hunted by a wolf.

Jason was intimidating, like a wild wolf. Nico was pretty sure he'd heard Jason growl at least once.

At the same time, he was the least intimidating person on the planet to Nico.

The prince of the sky stalked over, pajama bottoms and tank top illuminated by the muted TV Nico needed to sleep these days.

"You ok?" Jason asked. He didn't need to say more, Nico knew what he meant.

"Yeah, better."

"Good."

A silence passed. Nico felt his face twist with discomfort. He felt like a little kid toying with the hem of his school uniform's sweater.

Jason couldn't relate. He stood tall, glasses pressed to his face. It was obvious he hadn't lied down to sleep yet. Nico wondered if he had been up thinking about Cupid.

Jason broke the silence with his strong yet soft voice. "I've...been worried about you," he said. His words tumbled in the air like a rushing river, pulling Nico unfairly into the undertow.

"Yeah..." Nico said. He felt the familiar lump in his throat and the tears in his eyes build up. He pretended to look at something on the ceiling to keep them from pouring over like Jason's words.

"You can come in my room, by the way," Jason mumbled. He elaborated upon seeing Nico's furrowed eyebrows. "I mean, if you want company, my room is plenty big. I imagine the couch isn't the best."

Nico nodded. He wanted to say yes, but "No thanks, I'm ok," tumbled out of his mouth before he could stop it.

Jason sighed. "Nico, I want you to join me. You're my friend. I want you around right now," he said, a little sterner but still soft.

Nico opened his mouth, but the words died on his tongue fast. He stood silently and followed Jason to his room.

Normally, he'd jump off a bridge at the thought of being in a room with any other the seven other than Annabeth or Hazel, but something in him made him follow Jason. He was almost under a spell. He briefly wondered if Cupid had done something to him, but the idea scared him too much. He had to let it leave his mind to be at ease.

Jason's room was slightly bigger than Hazel's, Nico observed.

"We drew straws for bigger rooms," Jason explained. "Leo got biggest automatically because he built the ship, Annabeth cheated or something and got second largest, and I got third based on the straws."

Nico nodded as he looked around. He tried not to be creepy about it, but the room was very different than Hazel's.

He had very little decoration, which didn't surprise Nico too much. Most of his things were either blue or purple. Nico decided those must be his favorite colors, but winced at the blue. Not again.

He sat down in the little rolling desk chair by the table. A few notebooks were scattered on the surface, but he didn't look at them. He knew too well what it was like to have your privacy invaded.

"So, I know we just met...and all that Cupid stuff happened. I'd like to get to know you better, besides that. I feel weird to know something so personal to you and nothing else about you," Jason stumbled. Nico had never heard his voice before so unsteady.

Nico thought for a second. "Hazel told me a bit about everyone. She said you were nice. That you were from Camp Jupiter. That's about all she said."

Jason smiled. "What do you do? Like, for fun," he asked, adjusting his glasses and leaning forwards a little.

Nico was reminded of all the times he'd been asked to go to the front of the class and introduce himself in his life. Military school kids were brutal.

"Not much. I play a lot of video games. I like to read, too," Nico said.

"What do you read?"

"Classics—Italian classics.

Jason nodded. Nico could've heard a pin drop right then.

"I'm terrible at reading. It's the dyslexia," Jason chuckled.

"I don't have it," Nico said a little flatter than he meant to.

"Like Frank?"

"Yeah."

Nico chewed his lip for a second. "How about you? What do you like to do?"

"I like architecture. Not as much as Annabeth, but I think it's interesting. I like making little sculptures. Not just buildings, but other sculptures too."

"That's cool. I used to paint," Nico said, trying to relate in any capacity.

Jason tilted his head. "Yeah? What was your favorite medium?"

"Oil paints."

"You look like the type."

Nico laughed lightly. He hadn't felt himself smile in a while. He decided this wasn't bad.

"Is shadow travel fun?" Jason asked.

"Not really. I like being able to go wherever I want, though. Is flying fun?"

"Not really, I'm scared of heights. But, yeah, it is nice going places other people can't.

They both yawned at almost the same time, and Nico stood to take his leave and return to his couch. Jason's voice stopped him.

"You can sleep in here if you want," he proposed.

"I'm alright. Don't worry."

"I'll take the couch. You really should sleep in a bed. You've been on that couch for a week."

Nico shook his head. "I'm not taking your bed, you have to complete this quest. I'm just hanging out there."

"I can put up a little pillow barrier? Then we can just share it."

The bed did look really comfortable. Nico thought about saying no again, but then he felt the sharp pain in his back. Maybe he should take the offer. He did go to Tartarus, after all.

"Is that...ok?" Nico asked, hesitantly.

Jason waved his hand. "Yeah, of course."

He climbed into bed and set up a few pillows to separate where their bodies would be.

Nico padded over and cautiously got under the blankets. The warmth enveloped him like a warm hug and he was glad he took the offer.

"Goodnight, Nico. I'm sorry again, about what happened today. That must've been hard for you."

Nico smiled. "Goodnight, man. And it's fine, you didn't do anything."

Despite the barrier, after falling asleep, Jason's arm ended up draped over Nico. Nico jumped at first, then settled in under the pressure.

He was really glad he took the offer now.

This is also on AO3:

My card:

[writersmacchiato]

Friday {artist au} - [Ponyboy Curtis x Reader]

based on this

* this is a modern au and ponyboy is aged up

You caught his attention, not because of your looks — you were pretty though — it was the yellow knit sweater that you wore. It was very similar to the one that he was currently wearing but yours had a small enamel pin on the right. He couldn’t make out what it was from across the classroom.

You’d only just transferred to his school, two weeks into the new school year and he was intrigued by you. It wasn’t often they got transfers from out of state and there was quite the buzz about you. If you knew, you didn’t show it and mostly kept to yourself.

“I like your sweater,” he almost choked on his spit when he realized that you, you, were talking to him.

“Thanks, I got it from Goodwill,” he didn’t stumble over his words, but why did he tell you that?

“Oh hey, I got mine from Goodwill too.” You smile at him and sit at his table, “is it okay if I sit over here? Table three is annoying and too crowded.”

“Yeah, I don’t mind,” Ponyboy couldn’t believe his luck. The mysterious new student was sitting with him and complimenting him.

It was silent after you thanked him - it was just a planning day in the studio so it was mostly quiet except for the classical music that played over the speakers and the before mentioned table three gossiping. Ponyboy didn’t really know what to do for this project. It they had to do was plan out a design for a pot but it couldn’t be a simple pot.

“What are you doing for your bowl?” He asked you, after erasing yet another design.

“Hm,” you lifted your head out of your sketchbook, “oh, I have no idea.”

“Then what have you been drawing?” You’d been hunched over and the soft scratching from your pencil had filled the silence at the table.

You flipped around your sketchbook and Ponyboy saw that you were drawing a sunflower. A very detailed sunflower.

“The shading on that is really good, wow,” Ponyboy was genuinely surprised. It seemed as if you had an eye for fine details.

“Thanks,” you shrug, “I don’t really like it, though.”

“Maybe that can be your bowl design?” He suggested, pleased with how your face lit up.

“That’s a great idea! Thank you, Pony,” you said with a warm smile.

Your eyes meet across the table and it lingers, before he glances away.

“You should design a cat for your vase,” you offer with a small laugh.

“Why?” He wasn’t opposed to it and frankly had no ideas.

“Who doesn’t love cats?” You raise your eyebrows at him, “although, I bet you have a dog.”

“I do,” Ponyboy chuckles at the look on your face, “but I wouldn’t mind designing a cat. Like one of those really tall and skinny cats that seem all elegant.”

Your eyes shine, “that’s exactly what I had in mind.”

————

He didn’t see you for the rest of the day. It turned out that Ceramics was the only class you shared together.

You texted him throughout the day, blatantly ignoring the no cell phone policy, and each time his phone vibrated he smiled when he saw your name come up. He answered the questions you occasionally asked, but for the most part, you just talked to him. Maybe you were just lonely and only talking to him because he was the first friend you made at a new school, but he couldn’t help but feel flattered. You had a cute smile, nice eyes, your hair was pretty. Ponyboy thought you were beautiful.

Lunch came up and Ponyboy waited by the entrance. His eyes scanned the crowd for any sight of you and almost drops his notebook when someone tap his shoulder from behind.

“Jesus!” He exclaims, turning around with half the mind to punch whoever it was. Instead, he’s faced with your sheepish face.

“Nope, not him.” You say, biting back a smile.

“Real funny,” he scoffs, but he’s smiling.

“So, how do the art kids spend their lunch?”

“Well that depends...”

“On what?”

“Whether you smoke.”

“Well I don’t. What are my options?”

Ponyboy pretends to think about it, “well...you could hang out on the bleachers like I do, or eat in the art rooms. Mrs. Lou doesn’t mind.”

“Bleachers?”

You pull out a wrapped sandwich, “lead the way, Ponyboy.”

——

Weeks fly by and summer has officially gone. Trees that were once a vibrant green are curling with yellow and red, fluttering to the ground one-by-one. The wind that was once a comforting breeze against the scorching sun is now a bitter assailant in the streets. It marked an end to your lunches outside with Ponyboy. Only after shaking from the cold for an entire afternoon, even indoors, did you and Ponyboy decide to move lunch inside. It turned out that he knew a lot of spots in school, ones that weren’t frequented.

The auditorium was always empty, unless a school production was being put on or used for a class. During lunch, though, it was always empty. There was something about being in there. The dim lighting, collected dust, the feeling that you shouldn’t be in there - it was your favorite spot in school.

Ponyboy was laying sprawled out across the stage, his piece of the sandwich you brought and shared next to him, his sketchbook in front of him. You watched as he sketched a sunset that he had described to you earlier. The sight was much more interesting than the geometry homework you were attempting to do.

“Hey, Pony,” you say, interrupting the flow he was in.

“Yeah?”

“Wanna hang out after school?”

He stops mid-sketch, his hand frozen over the paper. “Uh, you wanna hang out with me? Outside of school?”

“We’re friends,” you say, concealing your laugh at his shocked face. “I want to hang out with you. If you’re cool with it?”

“Yeah, that’s cool.” He tries to hide his blush.

Why did he have to be so awkward around you?

—

Ponyboy was pretty sure his heart was going to beat out of his chest. It had been beating extremely fast at your invite of hang-out. He stumbles into the DX, hoping that Sodapop was a break.

“Soda,” he calls out to his brother.

Sodapop walks past the counter, messing up his hair. “Hey, little brother. Whata doing here?”

“Remember that girl I told you about?”

“The real artsy one?”

Before he can respond, Steve cuts in. “As if he talks to other girls.”

“Shut up, Steve.”

He suddenly couldn’t find the words to say. Not when Steve was waiting to ridicule him. Soda picked up on that, leading him to a more secluded spot.

“What’s going on?” He asks softly, concern shining through.

“She asked me to hang out on Friday and I said I would.”

“All that fuss for a girl?” Soda laughs, his concern gone. “Listen, Pony, she’s just a girl. No biggie. Follow my advice and you’ll be fine. Just be yourself. She wouldn’t be asking to hangout if she wasn’t interested in you.”

Those words rang through his head on his walk home. Be yourself. How could he? He acted differently around the gang than he did around you. He hoped that Darry would have words to reassure him.

Darry was home, early for once, and prepping supper. “Hey, Ponyboy.”

“Hey, Darry...” he trudged into the kitchen, beginning a tangent of words that he managed to rein in, “so, I don’t know. We’re friends, but she digs okay, and she understands me.”

Darry doesn’t respond right away, wiping his hands on a towel before turning to look at him. His eyes are unusually bright, the only giveaway that he isn’t completely serious at the moment. “Just be respectful, alright? This isn’t an official date, but it’s just a date without the pressure of being a date.”

Somehow that made him feel worse.

——

Ponyboy hopes that he looks nothing like the nervous symphony that is stringing along inside of him.

It was Friday. The day of your designated hang-out.

He was not nervous. In the slightest. Just...apprehensive.

His stomach drops when he sees Steve saunter towards him.

Steve claps his shoulder, “don’t forget protection, Ponyboy.”

“Shut up, Steve.” Ponyboy is sure that his cheeks are deep red.

Just when he’s beginning to entertain the thought that you were joking and it was all a prank, he sees you turn the corner looking sheepish.

“I’m sorry, Pony, Mr. Peters called my ass out for the paper I did.” You huff, “said it was bullshit. Well, not his words, but that’s what he meant.”

“Mr. Peters sucks,” Ponyboy says, “had him last semester and it was awful. Never took him again.”

“I know that now,” you scoff, but shrug it off. “So, have you heard of the Tulsa Art Museum?”

“I went once with my parents, when I was real little.”

“I was wondering, because they’re bringing a limited-time Van Gogh exhibit to it and I wanna go. I love his work.”

“Maybe we could go together...” he looked more confident than he felt.

Your eyes lit up, “I’d love, too. I’ll look into more details and let you know.”

Ponyboy nods, eyes shifting past you and to the dreary gray sky. You turn to follow his gaze and frown.

“I hope it clears up tonight. I want to stargaze.”

“I just want to see the sunset.”

—

Your house is simple. Ponyboy is surprised at how quiet and still it seems, almost untouched.

“My parents are at work, so it’s just us.” You tell him as you unlock the door, “I probably should’ve told you that before.”

“S’okay.”

Your bedroom is almost exactly how he pictured it to be. Not that he thought about it often...

Silence lingers in the room before you pull out one of your sketchbooks.

“Will you be my model for an art assignment?” You ask hopefully.

“For what class?” He knew that the ceramics class didn’t require any human portraits.

“Art two. We’re on the portrait section,” you explain, “it’ll only be a quick sketch, won’t take long.”

Ponyboy shrugs, walking over to your windowsill and taking a seat. His head leans against the frame as he takes in the sunset. You have a good view of sunsets from your window.

Time passes by in comfortable silence. The only sound being the scratching of your pen on paper, distant hums of cars passing by, and the soft tap of his foot on the floor.

“I’m done,” you say, walking over to show him what you drew.

His eyes widen as he takes it in. It’s a simple pen drawing, with minimal details and just a basic outline of him.

“I purposely left it minimal,” you explain, “I’m going to use watercolor to capture the sunset.”

“Do you have a kit with you?”

Your eyes seem to glow as you bring it out, “I was thinking it would mainly be yellow with some pink and orange.”

“Yeah, pale daffodil would work, but I think it was more bright yellow.”

“You’re right.”

He looks over the colors you have. Admiring the selection as you both work out the color scheme. It reminds him of ceramic class and he feels warm at the thought. He felt comfortable with you.

“Hey, follow me.”

His heart stops when you slide the window up and climb onto the roof. You stick your head back in, eyes bright and smiling.

“Grab my blanket, it’s chilly.”

He does as he’s told, clambering through the window no near as gracefully as you had. You take the blanket from him and wrap it around both of your shoulders, head leaning on his shoulder. Your eyes are trained solely on the sky, watching the twinkling stars and seeing pictures that he could never make out. 

You were utterly enchanted by stars, having a random fact to sprout out at any given moment. Now, you seemed content to just gaze at the stars. 

“Is that the Big Dipper?” Ponyboy points, squinting as he tries to make it out. 

“No, it’s right...” you grab his hand, moving it to the correct spot, “there.”

He looks down at you, “you sure love space, don’t you?”

“I wouldn’t be wearing,” you pull up your jeans to reveal socks with spaceships on them, “these, if I  wasn’t.”

Ponyboy laughs, admiring them. He looks down at you, the words dying in his throat when he sees just how close his face is to you. You don't move away and neither does he. It’s still for a moment. He can hear more cars driving by, their lights shining light on the house before disappearing. His hands are cold and he finds that so are yours, when you touch his cheek. You pull him in for a kiss that makes him feel warm and fuzzy. He breaks away, cheeks flushing. Your lips are swollen, parting to say something that you never do as he’s pressing his lips against yours. 

Time stills and he can only focus on how you taste and how you feel. This was by no means his first kiss, but there was something about being under the stars. Something about you. He couldn’t get enough. You nip his bottom lip and he all but melts into you, letting out a sigh. 

His phone goes off in his pocket, startling him as he breaks away abruptly. It’s a notification from Darry.

Come home soon, please.

Checking the time, it’s past 10. Past his curfew. He sighs, looking at you unsurely. "I better go.”

He crawls back inside your room, gathering his things as you watch him from the window.

His shoes scuff on your floor as he chooses to avoid your gaze, “so,,,”

“So, same time next Friday?” You say, smiling when he lets out a dorky grin.

“Yeah, next Friday.”

---------------

taglist:

@ponyboyvhs @unique05sstuff @vanilla0826

the outsiders: @80smen @onlyfangirlsunderstand @charmingcheesecake @gclden80s  @retrodillon @greasygold @staygoldguys

everything: @venusstarlight108 @knivestheresnothingtoit @awesomefaith14 @ardentmuse @yajairayellow @salladwinston @maddieb97222 @anchy-bananchy @staygoldponebone 

[skele-bones]

1. Welcome Home

@puremchanzo has a 31 days of McHanzo event going and I wanted to try my hand at it. 

The first prompt is Welcome Home. I ended it at 2,609 words. It was not beta-ed.

AO3 - Want to buy me a coffee?

Click “Read More” to get the entire fic. Enjoy!

The seats in the Orca weren’t the most comfortable for travel. However, Hanzo would have been lying if he hadn’t practically melted into his seat after buckling in. The mission was a success and exhausting to say the very least and almost every part of him ached from excessive use. It felt like his arms and legs were made out of lead and he couldn’t possibly straighten himself up even if he wanted to. His tutors would’ve been beside themselves with grief if they could see him now. But as a heavy weight settled next to him and part of a red and gold serape wrapped around him, warming his exposed skin, he couldn’t care less about anything else.

Jesse helped him up into a sitting position, letting him lean against his shoulder as they shared the serape’s warmth. It might not have been the most comfortable thing with all of their armor and weapons in the way but it felt better than being alone. Part of Hanzo’s psyche chastised him for behaving in such a manner. Slumped over, showing his weariness, exposing himself to another person. But when he glanced up at Jesse, the cowboy met his eyes and gave a little smile, and that nagging voice in his mind was drowned out.

Their fingers laced together under the serape and the Orca’s engine along with Lena’s humming filled the silence. It was a perfect moment. They’d been gone from base for the last two weeks and all he wanted was to go home, change into something comfortable, check on his children and take a nice afternoon with his husband.

Maybe Genji could watch the boys for the evening and give them time to themselves. Spending a cold winter’s evening wrapped up in Jesse’s embrace didn’t seem like a bad idea.

A smile settled on Hanzo’s lips as he imagined it and allowed the lull of peace to draw him further into a light sleep.

“Oh my gosh!”

Lena’s exclamation punctuated the lull’s end as the Orca seemed to pick up speed. The change in pace causing Jesse to jerk in his seat while Hanzo lurched forward. His seatbelt digging into his skin resulting in a hiss and a pointed glare at the sheepish pilot.

“Sorry loves!” She called in a chippy tune that didn’t sound apologetic at all. “Got a message from Winston, Emily is on base! Guess we’re starting this holiday season off right, huh?!”

“Just make sure we get back in one piece,” Jesse teased.

Years ago, Hanzo might’ve told her off for pulling a stunt for such a “trivial” reason. But for more reasons than one, he understood what it felt like to want to see someone you loved as quickly as possible. Even if it meant taking risque ways of bridging the distance between you and them. He chanced a glance up at Jesse and felt the corners of his mouth tilt upwards. Settling his head against his shoulder, he felt Jesse wrap his arm around his shoulders and decided that he’d let her have this. After all, it was the holidays and for a good reason.

“You alright there, Han?”

The arm around his shoulders, serape covering his torso and the man sitting beside him were all warm and comforting. Worry laced in his tone as his fingers drummed out a tune on Hanzo’s shoulder. The archer sighed and shifted as close to him as their seats would allow, briefly opening his eyes to look up.

“I’m fine, cariño.”

Jesse stiffened. His eyes widened and the weary smile vanished, mouth slightly agape. Then it was back, broader and brighter than the sun. His body lost its rigidness and he all but melted into the seat, pressing kisses into Hanzo’s hair and whispering soft words. Words that couldn’t be heard over the roar of the engines and for Hanzo’s ears alone.

When they disembarked from the Orca, Lena made a blink line to Emily and nearly leapt into the redhead’s arms. The two spun around for a few minutes in a circle and Emily barely had time to greet Hanzo and Jesse as they passed before Lena launched into telling her about what they’d be doing for the holiday season. Jesse yawned and gave a half-hearted salute to Athena’s console as they entered the warm corridors of Gibraltar’s base.

“Wanna check on the boys, debrief, then head to bed?” Jesse asked.

“That sounds f-”

Hanzo’s reply was cut off by the sound of cheering and hollering.

“Athena, what’s goin’ on?” Jesse scratched his head and looked at the AI’s console.

“A gathering in the living area, Agent McCree. Agent Winston has requested your presence along with Agent Hanzo.”

The pair shared a glance and Jesse gave Hanzo a light shrug. Whatever was happening must’ve been good if everyone was in on it and there weren’t any explosions. Hanzo sighed and looped his arm with Jesse’s, the two of them taking slow strides to the living area. But the closer they got, the noisier it became and Hanzo couldn’t deny that he felt more curious by the second. The pair turned the corner just as the lights dimmed, only the faint outline of the other agents could be seen.

“Hey Athena, are Eastwood and Hanzo back yet?!”

“They have arrived, Agent Lucio.”

The light of Genji’s visor could be seen swiveling through the dimly lit room and Hanzo steeled himself for the speed that his brother was moving.

“Welcome home!” Genji yelled, arms open wide to envelop the pair in a hug. Jesse chuckled and patted the cyborg’s shoulder while Hanzo rolled his eyes and patted his back. “You two are just in time for the show!”

That got a confused look.

“Show?” Jesse tilted his head. “What show?”

“Come and sit down already! It’s about to start,” Hana yelled.

A light shined down on a space near the furthest wall, and looking closer Hanzo could see that the sofas had been rearranged in a semi-circle around that one space. Genji hopped over one of the longer sofas and settled in next to Zenyatta. Lena and Emily sat near one of the windows, the former waving excitedly to them from her perch. Ana and Reinhardt sat curled up with one another while Reaper and 76 seemed to be keeping a bit of distance between them. Or at least that what it looked like at first glance, if their linked hands meant anything.

Mei and Zarya stood in another corner talking to Angela and Fareeha. Though when Mei noticed Hanzo enter, she gave him a hearty wave and a smile.

Hana and Lucio were seated on the floor in front of the couches. The latter was messing around with something while the former held a holorecorder and beckoned hurriedly for everyone to take their seats and hush. She scrunched her nose and stuck out her tongue at 76 when he opened his mouth to speak. All in all, it was a strange thing to come back to. Hanzo looked to Jesse and the cowboy returned his gaze.

“Might as well see whatist about.”  Jesse shrugged and leaned against the wall closest to the exit, Hanzo leaning against him as they trained their sights on the spotlight in front of them. If things got too out of hand, they could always slip off and go find their boys.

“Jesse,” he said aloud.

“Yeah hon?”

“Where’s the boys?"

Jesse opened his mouth, closed it, then opened it again before realization dawned. Everyone else was in the room but their sons weren’t . However before they could voice their concerns, Lucio popped up with his usual energy and zest, drawing everyone’s attention to him and conversation to a close.

“Alright! Let’s get this party started, people!”

The others cheered and he smiled widely then raised his hand for a hushed silence. Holding up a microphone, he spoke into it and his voice could be heard throughout the room.

“This song is a way throwback, came from the 1970s, and was a request from our very own -- Gabriel and Shingen Shimada-McCree! To kick this holiday season off right, let’s remember to Give Love on Christmas Day !”

The other agents broke into wild applause, whistles and cheers as Lucio stepped out of the spotlight and sat on the floor next to Hana. Two little boys ran into the spotlight and Hanzo sucked in a deep breath, trying to fight down his smile.

Gabriel’s grin was unmistakable but looked silly under the red ball sitting on top of his nose. Reindeer antlers poked out from curly chestnut locks of hair, and his red and yellow sweater reminded Hanzo of the atrocious one that Jesse always lost around this time of year. He looked in his natural element under everyone’s watchful gaze.

Shingen’s hair was done up in a high ponytail, his eyes twinkling with mirth and a broad smile on his face. His blue and yellow sweater adorned with pictures of dragons and snowflakes, and Hanzo could have sworn that he heard Ana say, “ I’m so glad they fit ” amongst the noise.

“Just how long do ya think they were plannin’ this?” Jesse leaned over to whisper to him once the noise started to die down.

“I have no idea,” Hanzo whispered back. “But I want to see.”

Lucio handed each boy a microphone and they stood together in the spotlight as music started up. Gabriel’s head bobbed to the beat and he rocked back and forth on the ball of his feet. Shingen passed his microphone from one hand to the other, looking out to the crowd and scanning the different faces.

“Smile Shiggy!” Genji yelled.

“Knock us dead, enklein!”  

“Rein, please.” Ana swatted his arm lightly before calling out to them. “You can do it, habibi!”

The kids shared a glance and Shingen inclined his head forward, Gabriel shook his head and Shingen nodded. He stepped forward, opened his mouth and began to sing.

People making lists

Buying special gifts

Taking time to be kind to one and all

Jesse grinned and wrapped his arm around Hanzo’s shoulders, gently shaking him as his mirth seemed to overflow. Hanzo couldn’t chide him for it at all. Their Shingen was normally quiet and although he had little quirks here and there, this was different.

It's that time of year

When good friends are dear

And you wish you could give more

Hanzo smiled at the “good friends”, looking around at the people seated and enjoying their son’s soft singing voice. If it wasn’t for them and if it wasn’t for the man next to him, then none of this would have been possible. Sometimes it felt like he was living in a dream.

Than just presents from a store

Why don't you give love on Christmas day

Oh, even the man who has everything

Most of the other agents were swaying from side to side with the beat of the song and Shingen’s confidence seemed to grow. Jesse gave Hanzo’s shoulder a squeeze and pressed a kiss to the side of his head as their son belted out the next few lines.

Would be so happy if you would bring

Him love on Christmas day

No greater gift is there than love

Gabriel wrapped his arm around Shingen’s shoulders as he began to sing. While Shingen’s voice was soft, Gabriel was loud and he couldn’t seem to stop smiling.

People you don't know

Smile and nod hello

Everywhere there's an air of Christmas joy

“That boy is a smilin’ fool,” Jesse shook his head and laughed.

“Mm, he gets it from his pa.” Hanzo elbowed him lightly and he snickered.

It's that once of year

When the world's sincere

And you'd like to find a way

To show the things that words can't say

Hanzo’s world nearly stopped as he thought back to the moment on the transport carrier. He didn’t need anything but Jesse right beside him. Their hands clasped together, warm from sharing body heat, thinking about what he’d do when he got home. How he’d see his sons and enjoy the day with his family.

Why don't you give love on Christmas day?

Oh, the man on the street and the couple upstairs

Now, many of the agents were singing along or humming and clapping. Gabriel swayed side to side making Shingen jostle along with him. The two boys laughed and the room felt warm, cozy, and familiar. With everyone enjoying the show and his sons getting along so well, what else could he want?

All need to know there's someone who cares

Give love on Christmas day

No greater gift is there than love

Shingen unraveled himself from his brother and stepped forward with his mic but before he could sing, his mouth fell slack. Gabriel looked up from his own mic and opened his mouth to say something but Shingen pointed into the crowd. He pointed directly at Hanzo and Jesse. Gabriel’s eyes lit up like stars and Shingen seemed to remember himself as he sang the next lines, his eyes never leaving his parents’s silhouettes.

What the world needs is love

Yes, the world needs your love

The boys seemed to sing much louder, the others joining in and Reinhardt’s loud voice belting the lyrics was enough to make many of the other agents double over in laughter. Reaper leaning down and whispering something to Hana before reclaiming his position next to 76, leaning against him rather than sitting upright. Fareeha and Angela took to rocking from side to side while Genji and Zenyatta waved some of Zenyatta’s orbs from side to side, the light emanating a soft glow through the dimly lit room.

Why don't you give love on Christmas day

Every little child on Santa's knee

Has room for your love underneath his tree

It was amazing how everyone seemed to come together. Falling over one another, laughing and dancing, smiling and talking amongst themselves. And in the center of it all was two little boys who looked at Hanzo and Jesse as if they hung the moon and the stars.

Give love on Christmas day

No greater gift is there than love

“They’re really somethin’, aren’t they?”

“Yes, yes they are.”

What the world needs is love

Yes, the world needs your love.

Jesse smiled down at Hanzo. The archer’s eyes never left the stage, his smile wide and quivering. There was the slightest sheen to his irises and Jesse’s heart would’ve panged with worry if it wasn’t for the two boys standing in front of them. Pocketing one of his hands, he leaned down and tapped Hanzo’s shoulder. It took a moment for him to tear his gaze away from the stage but once he did, Jesse leaned down and brushed their lips together.

Hanzo’s gaze softened, fingers lacing in Jesse’s hair and pulling him closer. Their lips were chapped from the bitter cold outside but it was warm here. Warm and loving. After a moment, the kiss ended but they stayed connected with their foreheads touching, hugging close as they turned back to watch their sons.

Give love, oh give love on Christmas day

Every Tom, Dick, and Harry, every Susie too

Needs love every bit as much as you

Give love on Christmas day

The others broke into cheers and applause as the song finished, congratulating the pair on a job well done as they hurried through the crowd and into their parents’s arms. Gabriel climbed onto Jesse’s shoulders and Shingen wrapped his arms around Hanzo’s waist as best as he could.

“Welcome home!”