#asking for holiday gifts that we usually give to members-only??

[shinayashipper]

Got scolded by the boss because I chose to reject orders from customer who told me to Suffer lmao. Maybe this customer put a spell on my boss or something hes bewitched

[deadwasteland-dazaisfan]

₊˚⊹ᰔ Valentine's day! ˖ ࣪ . ࿐ ♡ ˚ .

𐙚Synopsis: Valentine's day special!; 𐙚Pairing: fem!reader×dazai osamu&chuuya nakahara (separately) 𐙚Contain: headcanons, drabbles (?), sfw+nsfw, comfort, MDNI, hint of sex, rough sex, gentle sex, stimulation, oral sex, fingering, aftercare; 𐙚Author's note: (died after what is written above💀)... I tried to write this, but I don't know how well I did it. So... Once again, happy Valentine's Day to everyone! I'm a little late with this (っ- ‸ - ς)

DAZAI

•THIS MAN ADORES YOU

•Considering that in the past he had a great, great experience of various communication (and obviously not only) with girls, you are the luckiest in the world (or maybe not ...)

•Dazai is a man of different moods. You never know what will come over him at the most random moment. You even jokingly call him "Mr. Mystery," and he takes it as a compliment.

•He ALWAYS gives you gifts. Regardless of the situation. Regardless of whether it's a holiday today or not. Regardless OF WHETHER HE EVEN HAS MONEY (bruh, we all know that he has it; a former member of the Port Mafia without money? nope)

•His presents on ordinary days can be very diverse. But on holidays, he takes a particularly responsible approach to choosing gifts.

•Valentine's Day? RUN. HE WON'T LET YOU GO ALL DAY.

•He belongs to the type of men who like to do everything for show. HE BREAKS INTO THE AGENCY AND GRABS YOU, HUGGING YOU LIKE A PLUSH TOY

•You literally have to HIDE MONEY FROM HIM so that he doesn't buy up ALL THE FLOWERS IN THIS CITY.

•But it still doesn't help; HE STILL COMES WITH A HUGE BOUQUET, SMIRKING SMUGLY

•Usually he gives you white lilies, sometimes he can afford to buy roses or chrysanthemumsIn addition to flowers, you receive from him a gentle kiss on the cheek / forehead and a box of interesting sweets that you have never tasted

•Able to stay at home on holidays when you go to work. AND ALL JUST SO THAT IN A COUPLE OF HOURS HE COULD SPECTACULARLY APPEAR ON THE DOORSTEP OF THE AGENCY AND GIVE YOU A GIFT

•At such moments, he comes in a fashionable suit for a spectacular appearance

•You're always embarrassed, but he doesn't seem to care at all; JUST HAVE TIME TO ASK HIM NOT TO KISS YOU IN FRONT OF OTHERS, OH, HE'LL DO IT (just an idiot, what kind of man...)

•On February 14th, he congratulates you in the morning; if he is not a lazy ass, he can cook you a delicious breakfast, for example, toast, inside of which a heart is neatly cut out and fried eggs are filled it

•He tries to do everything for you as on ordinary days, and on this holiday (he just becomes even more clingy and cute)

•He will be too lazy to make you a valentine, but since everyone knows that you are a couple, everyone will congratulate you on the holiday, and Osamu will just (as mentioned earlier) give you a bouquet of flowers and sweets.

NSFW

•TURNS INTO A PERVERT AT 0:00 (okay, he always was and always will be)

•He will definitely go to the lingerie store, choose the most DEPRAVED UNDERWEAR (it will be open lace or something that will cover only the crotch and nipples)

•He'll give it to you in the evening

•No matter how embarrassed you are, trust me, he'll find a way to get you to wear it.

•When you find yourself in this depraved outfit, he will admire you for a long time until he finally breaks down

•There are two options for the outcome of events: HE WILL FUCK YOU OFF SO THAT YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO WALK FOR SEVERAL DAYS (not funny, it really is)

•Or it will be too, too gentle, will make everything carefully and too pleasant for you

•It all depends on his mood and the degree of excitement! Well, or for how many days have you refused his requests

•Anyway, in the end, he'll clean everything up, put you to bed, and fall asleep with you, cuddling you against him.

CHUUYA

•Loves and protects you like a diamond

•Grateful to you for everything, especially for being with him despite his dangerous work

•Does everything for you, just like for his favorite doll and princess

•He'll start congratulating you in the morning

•If it's a day off, you go to a nice restaurant where he will order you the most delicious dishes, a glass of wine and a dessert in the shape of a heart

•If it's a working day, he'll apologize for being busy and try to make you breakfast. If he doesn't make it, he'll at least order you something.

•GIVES YOU A LOT OF FLOWERS

•I SWEAR THESE ARE THE BIGGEST BOUQUETS IN ALL OF YOKOHAMA.

•These can be either burgundy, blood roses, or the most delicate and light flowers

•In addition, he will either leave you his credit card with a lot of money so that you can buy everything you want, or he will go shopping with you; If you can't go yourself, he will definitely find out what you want and buy it himself

•You like different shoes (almost all your shoes are heels)

•Therefore,he never skimp on buying you another pair (the HUNDREDTH PAIR)

•He even bought you a separate closet for your shoes.

•He's definitely not giving CHEAP shoes.

•They all cost as much as the agency's budget; on Valentine's Day he will give you something in this style; hearts and red!

•He will buy your favorite wine or open something from his collection

•At work, during a break, he will try to make you an origami heart, something like a valentine

•He'll leave work early to spend more time with you

NSFW

•GET READY.

•He'll kiss every inch of your body

•He will leave bites and hickeys on your neck, thighs, chest, even your stomach

•He'll really enjoy your moans

•He'll be very gentle, unless you ask him to be rude.

•He will do everything slowly and carefully, as if he is afraid that he might harm you.

•You're like a fragile doll in his arms.

•Passionate, sensual kisses are provided for you

•He knows how to please you, so he will use his tongue and fingers

•He will torment you slowly, pressing you against his back, while he gently massages your clit, listening to you whimper

•He enjoys the feeling of you trembling from his touch

•He will tease you and push you to the limit, and then stop abruptly; but it won't last long, and he will give you your sweet release

•Will make you cum first from his fingers and then from his tongue

•He will make sure that he has prepared you well by slowly inserting and removing two fingers from your wet hole

•He'll fuck you very gently

•If you don't ask him for anything, then yes; but if you ask him to be rougher, he will squeeze you into the mattress, face into the pillow, when he fucks you hellishly fast

•After any option, he will do everything necessary for you and him, and then you will fall asleep in an embrace

______________________________________

[sp00kymulderr]

giddy up jingle horse

Dieter Bravo x reader

Part three of wrapped up in you

Summary: You’re not feeling festive, so Dieter decides to help you find your Christmas spirit

Words: 1.2k

Tags/warnings: 18+, Christmas, references to sex, sex toys, pet play adjacent but not really. One clown mention. Reader should be gender neutral, reader referred to as baby and cookie. I wrote this on my phone and haven’t edited so I’m sorry for awful mistakes.

A/N: Happy Christmas to those who celebrate. This is my gift to the wonderful members of the @dieterbravobrainrotclub over on discord. I love you guys so much. Enjoy some terrible, unhinged, festive Dieter

As the flight status changes from delayed to cancelled, your Christmas spirit goes with it.

It was the last straw in a year of bad luck, and now just a few days before the big day you had absolutely no interest in celebrating anything festive if you couldn’t do it in Lapland with nothing but you and Dieter and the little cabin under the stars.

Dieter who made an actual effort to not only be with you for a decent amount of time this year but had booked the vacation especially for you. He knew what your year had been like, and he knew you needed to get away, and Dieter always did what he could to make sure you would get what you wanted. Especially at his favourite time of year.

You'd never expected him to be the Christmas loving type, given his interest in all kinds of new age things and his rejection of tradition so completely, but he had explained to you early on that when growing up he had spent many festive seasons with his Grandma and it was her absolute favourite time of year. For him, celebrating was honouring her.

Of course his celebrations these days were a little different, certainly not the wholesome family holidays he’d grown up on. Some of the efforts he went to to get you both in the holiday mood included sexy santa outfits and christmas themed sex toys and that whole thing last year where he'd gift wrapped his cock for you and also gifted you an exact replica of it. He had really made Christmas his own, and made sure to make those he’d spent with you as memorable as possible.

Unfortunately now all his efforts were falling undone with the last minute cancellation of the trip you’d been so desperately looking forward to for months.

"You okay cookie?” He asks, sitting on the side of the bed as you resign yourself to unpacking the suitcase that had been ready to go for a week.

"I’m…I’m just…" You sigh, throwing the cute snow boots to the back of the wardrobe so you don’t have to look at them again “We were going to see real snow! And reindeer! I was so excited about meeting those reindeer”

The reindeer experience had been a special add on, and the moment Dieter realised how much you’d wanted to do it he’d shelled out for a VIP option.

"I'll be fine" You muster the best smile you can, hoping it's true and youll find some of that merry feeling you had a few days ago. You don't stop him from coming over to wrap his arms around you, stopping you from fussing with the suitcase as he held you in a long hug and kissed your forehead gently. Your sweet man.

"You will...I'll find a way" Dieter says, set with determination.

***

It's two days later when he comes to you all mischievous and grinning like he's done something either incredibly good or incredibly stupid. You guess a mixture of both, that’s usually how it goes.

He's holding a small box in his hand, his eyebrow quirked and a dopey grin as he holds it out to you.

"Merry Christmas, cookie"

You take the box and give him a quizzical look. You don't do presents on Christmas eve, but Dieter just nods and waits for you to open it.

You open the box, which within it holds....something red. You're not actually sure what it is.

"Um..." You say as you pick the thing up. It's round, and red, and has a slot on the back.

A red nose? What the fuck…

”Dieter I don’t…is this another sex thing? Do you want me to dress up as a clown again?”

Dieter chuckles, an enthusiastic smile on his face, but he shakes his head.

”I love your sexy clown look baby, but not this time. This,” He yoinks the red nose from your hand and slots it onto his nose. With a squeeze, the nose glows bright, illuminating him in a red glow “This is for me…well, it’s for you too. But it’s for me to wear. Hold on, give me a sec”

You are no less confused by his response, and when he disappears into the next room you stand exactly where he left you confused and not sure what to expect.

“Okay come in here, cookie!” Dieter calls out after a moment and you follow his voice, for better or worse. You know whatever you’re about to find is going to be another unforgettable Christmas memory at least.

“Oh…”

The living room is covered in fake snow. A projector bathes the room in a starry glow, aurora swirling on the ceiling.

“…my god” you shake with sudden laughter at what you see next.

In the middle of the room is Dieter. On all fours. Wearing his teddy coat, the red nose and the very same antler headband with jingly bells on he’d worn last year when he’d fucked you under the tree. He’s pretending to graze, neighing and whinnying softly when you enter the makeshift reindeer pen.

“Dee…” you can’t help the snort of laughter when he gives you an extremely offended look, shakes his head, and points at the red nose.

“Right, sorry. Rudolph. What the fuck are you doing?!”

He simply points to the sign hung up on the wall - ‘VIP reindeer experience’ - before going back to his very serious and accurate portrayal of Santas favourite animal.

It’s sweet, really. It’s…a little weird, but it’s definitely sweet. He’s trying to bring the failed vacation to you, he’s trying to give you some of that experience you were so looking forward to. Your guess is he tried to get a real reindeer and couldn’t, so instead he decided to put his Oscar winning performing to use. The least you can do is play along, and you have to admit the efforts are elevating your festive spirit a little already.

He’s set everything up, including the carrots for you to feed him. You can’t stop laughing. Giggling and smiling more than you have all week.

“You’re so ridiculous, Rudolph” You murmur with a smile as you pet him and offer him a carrot which he happily chews the end of.

It’s when he tells you to ‘hop on’, spoken out the corner of his mouth so not to ruin the illusion, that you lose it completely.

“Dee, baby, I don’t think they let people ride the reindeers”

“I’m not like the others” He smirks, twinkle of mischief still playing in those deep eyes “You can ride me all night long”

He manages one lap around the room with you gingerly sat atop him before you both collapse on to the floor.

“All those sacks of presents, pulling that sleigh around…Rudolph has a bad fucking back” He wheezes out, groaning and reaching for you, pulling you into his side and laughing into your hair and bumping the red nose off onto the floor in the process.

“Merry Christmas baby, I’m sorry this is the best I could do. We’ll get to Lapland next year, I promise”

“This was perfect. You’re perfect, you lunatic. Thank you for making me smile, Dee. Seriously” You respond, hand sliding beneath the coat and onto his bare chest, as you kiss his cheek.

“One thing though,” You say, standing up with a cheeky smile of your own, leaving him alone for a moment before you come back to the room,

“You’re missing something”

You hold up the plug, fluffy tail attached to the flared base of it.

“Let’s put on your tail, Rudolph, then we’ll see about riding you all night long”

[nausicaamusiclover20]

Merry Christmas everyone my sweeties❤

Christmas Paws

The house was warm and cozy, the smell of pine and cinnamon filling the air. The Christmas tree twinkled with lights in the corner, casting a soft glow across the room. Metallica’s house was quiet for once, a rare moment of peace amidst the chaos of their touring schedule. The living room was packed with Christmas cheer: snacks on the table, a few scattered presents, and, of course, the band lounging around, ready for the holiday gift exchange.

James was sitting on the couch, trying his best to look casual, but I could see the glimmer of excitement in his eyes as he eyed the pile of presents. I knew he was curious about the gift I had gotten him. I had kept it a secret for weeks, and I was almost bursting with anticipation.

The guys were all in their usual joking, playful mood. Kirk was first up, tearing into a gift from Cliff.

“Alright, let’s see what we got!” he said with his usual enthusiasm. Inside was a vinyl record of a classic rock album. Kirk grinned, holding it up. “Cliff, you know me too well. Classic rock never gets old.”

Cliff rolled his eyes. “I swear, you get the same gift every year,” he teased, leaning back on the couch. “You’re impossible to shop for.”

Kirk laughed. “You can’t go wrong with the classics,” he shot back.

Lars chimed in with a grin. “Next year, I’ll just get you a guitar pick. It’s the only thing you ever need.”

They all laughed as James, sitting next to me, leaned forward, clearly eager for his turn. His excitement was contagious, and I had to bite my lip to stop from laughing.

Cliff tossed him a gift, smirking. “Alright, Hetfield, it’s your turn. Let’s see what you got.”

James ripped into it, revealing a custom guitar pick holder, engraved with his initials. “Nice!” James said, holding it up. “Just what I needed. Thanks, man.”

The teasing continued with everyone cracking jokes, but I could feel the moment coming closer. I stood up, holding the gift I had for James. It was time. I smiled at him, my heart racing.

“I’ll be right back with yours,” I said softly.

James raised an eyebrow, curious. “Okay, babe. I’m looking forward to it.”

I made my way to the other room, where the dog was waiting. It was the moment I had been waiting for, and I felt a mixture of nerves and excitement. The dog was medium-sized, scruffy and cute, with a thick coat of fur in shades of brown and white. He looked up at me with his big, trusting eyes, wagging his tail.

“You’re gonna make his Christmas,” I whispered to the dog, gently petting his head. “You ready?”

The dog wagged his tail again, as if he understood. I walked back into the living room, the dog following behind me. The guys were talking and laughing, but when they saw me walk in with the dog, everything stopped. They froze, all eyes on the little creature at my side.

James’s jaw dropped. “Wait… is that…?”

I could barely contain my grin. “I got you a dog, James. I remember how much you’ve wanted one.”

His face lit up instantly, and I could see the surprise and joy spreading across his features. “Are you serious?!” he asked, his voice full of disbelief. He dropped to his knees immediately, extending a hand toward the dog.

The dog ran right over to him, tail wagging excitedly, and James laughed as he rubbed its head. “Oh my God, Y/N, this is perfect,” he said, his eyes wide with happiness. “This is the best surprise ever.”

The guys were still recovering from the shock. Cliff, being Cliff, broke the silence first. “Guess we’re not the only ones stealing James’s attention now, huh?”

Lars smirked, “Yeah, just don’t let the dog start playing bass, or we’ll have to put him in the band.”

Kirk laughed, “We’ve got another member now, huh? Hope he can keep up with the riffs.”

James didn’t even respond, too busy giving the dog all the attention. “This is seriously the best thing ever,” he muttered, still petting the dog. “I don’t care what any of you say. This is my new best friend.”

I watched him with a smile, my heart full. The happiness on his face was everything I had hoped for. The guys continued to tease him, but I could tell they were just as happy as I was. This Christmas was shaping up to be one of the best.

I couldn’t resist walking over to him, sitting beside him on the couch. The dog, of course, hopped up with us, making himself comfortable on the floor. James looked at me, still grinning from ear to ear.

“Thank you, babe,” he said, his voice soft with affection. “This is honestly the best gift anyone could’ve given me.”

I smiled, my heart fluttering as I leaned down to kiss him. Just as our lips met, the dog—sensing the moment, or maybe just wanting attention—jumped up, his tail wagging furiously, and promptly started licking James’s face.

James pulled away, laughing, wiping the slobber off his cheek. “I guess he wants in on the action!” he said, his voice full of amusement.

I burst out laughing. “Guess it’s a good thing we’re not the only ones who love you, huh?”

The dog, tail wagging faster than ever, turned to me and gave me a big wet kiss on the cheek, too. I laughed even harder, wiping my face. “Well, now we’ve got the whole family in love,” I said.

James just grinned, reaching down to pet the dog, who was now rolling around happily on the floor. “I’m keeping him,” he said, still laughing. “No one’s taking him away from me.”

The rest of the evening was filled with laughter, teasing, and dog play. The guys kept poking fun at James, and he kept trying to get the dog to stop licking him. It was the kind of holiday I had always dreamed of—a perfect mix of love, humor, and friendship.

The dog, of course, was the star of the show, but I couldn’t have been happier to see James so genuinely happy. It was the best Christmas ever, surrounded by my favorite people and a dog who, I had a feeling, would be just as much of a character in our lives as any of us.

[almosthonest]

inspired by some things that @sopaprimordialy told me a couple nights ago!! trigger warnings for canon - typical violence and guns! (i also realize how fucked up this is as a christmas gift but happy holidays!!)

─────────────── ✦ ───────────────

You Shoot Him, You Shoot Me, too

He saw Luther hit Cropsy, but never this.

Peart didn't like how Luther treated him. His supposed second in command, his best friend. Whatever injury Cropsy got from Luther, he was the one to secretly treat it. And the worst part about it was Cropsy? He would defend it. He would try to find a reasonable explanation as to why Luther did this to him.

Peart had noticed a pattern. It was only Cropsy. No one else. Not even him, and he was the newbie. He would have totally expected it by now when he constantly questioned Luther and his ways. But, he could take it. He would be used to it. He would rather it be him than Cropsy.

So when Luther pulled the gun on Cropsy, he thought he was crazy. Well, he knew Luther was crazy. Insane is a better term for it. And Peart wasn't having it. And per usual, he said something.

"Woah, woah, woah! Dude, what the hell?!"

The other gang members try to hold him back. It doesn't work. Peart's already walking toward Luther and Cropsy. Peart almost tried to grab the gun, because he knew that Luther was ... A little trigger happy to say the least.

"Peart, it's okay──"

"No! Don't give me that bullshit, Cropsy!" Peart growled, before turning to Luther, "the hell do you think you're doing?! That's your friend. Your second in command!"

Peart could see Cropsy shaking in his boots. He could tell he was scared. And he felt bad because sometimes, all he could do was verbally defend. Seeing Luther point a gun at his own friend ... It made Peart's stomach boil.

"Oh, he's used to it," Luther told him.

It's not the words that make him angry. It's about how calm he is about it. Peart shook his head. "You're crazy, man. Seriously, get that gun out of his──"

Luther then turned. Peart heard the gun click. Now, it's at his head instead of Cropsy's. He doesn't flinch. In fact, Peart is still staring Luther down.

"Since you're being such a whiny bitch about it," Luther grumbled, "you can take the heat. Or better yet, both of you."

"You shoot him, you shoot me, too," Peart said back, "fair is fair."

Peart wasn't afraid of death. He's come close to meeting the grim reaper plenty of times. This would just be the quickest way to do it. He doesn't take his eyes off of Luther, not even for a second. And then Luther realized. He wasn't gonna budge.

"I ain't afraid of you, or that gun, or dyin'. So if I die, fine. Better me than your second in command," Peart told him.

He could feel the gang members staring. Cropsy is when staring in disbelief, still practically shaking. Luther's got his finger on the trigger, but doesn't shoot. His hand is actually shaking, and that's when he puts it down.

"I wasn't gonna shoot him, and yet he's still shakin' ain't he?" Luther told Peart, "he knows I wouldn't."

"By the looks of it? I don't think he does," Peart told him, "he thinks that one day, you might actually do it."

"Oh, spare it, Peart. No need to be sanctimonious," Luther told him. He's clearly annoyed, "he'll be fine."

Peart didn't say anything back. He watched the leader walk away before looking back at Cropsy, who looks almost relieved that Luther didn't shoot him. And that's when Peart's face softened up.

"You okay?" Peart asked.

"Fine," Cropsy answered.

"He pulls that all the time, doesn't he?"

"Rare occasions. But, better me than you or the other members──"

"Don't do that," Peart said, "don't defend him like that. He's wrong and you know it."

"Well, we don't have much of a say, do we?" Cropsy asked.

"You do. You're the only one he listens to," Peart told him, "at least from what I've observed. If you stood up to him more, maybe this wouldn't be an issue."

Peart doesn't even listen to what Cropsy has to say. He can't deal with it. Not right now. He pushed past the other gang members, leaving the premises.

"Hey, where are you going?" Cropsy shouted.

"Takin' a goddamn walk!" Peart shouted back, before shutting the door behind him.

[lovelyladyabsinthewrites]

🎄Merry Christmas🎄

Characters: Dad!Soldier Boy, Homelander, SoldierGirl!Reader, the Boys + Annie

Warnings: none really, slightly sad childhood?, absent parent, sweet older brother Homelander, Gunpowder being a creep?, ooc gunpowder?, time skip, MM begrudgingly tolerates Soldier Boy

Words: 2194

Summary: The sight of the white snow decorating the roof of your house only meant one thing for you: Christmas was upon you.

"Can Santa only fly with his reindeer? Or is he like us?" You ask your brother, turning your attention briefly away from decorating your small, Charlie Brown-like, Christmas tree. Soldier Boy thought it a waste to pay money for an actual Christmas tree. He simply instructed his children to go to the woods in their backyard and tear one down.

Homelander shook loose from that small tree a plethora of spiders before deeming it suitable to be inside.

Many of the ornaments you hung were crudely homemade and several years old. Some were made during your grade school years while others were a recent attempt to add more assorted trinkets. You'd even painstakingly made a popcorn garland to drape around it.

Homelander chuckles but gives your question some thought. "He's too fat to fly on his own. He needs nine strong reindeer to pull him through the sky. Otherwise all of the presents will be late."

His answer has you giggling at the thought of poor Santa trying to fly by himself. "Vogelbaum said that Santa's reindeer are the first supe-animals."

Snorting, Homelander sets down his scissors and wrapping paper. Gentle holiday music flows through the otherwise quiet house. If it weren't for the two of you, Christmas would never reach your house. Your dad didn't bother with any of that nonsense. Not when he was busy fighting the commies and what not.

All the decorations were thanks to you and your brother. And a little bit from Stan Edgar and Vogelbaum. A few of their gifts they gave to you and Homelander were tucked under the tree for Christmas morning. Homelander stopped you many times when he caught you poking around the presents, eager to find out what you got.

"What does that make the elves?" He asks you, heart warming when he watches your small facial features scrunch up in thought.

"Oh! What if it's part of Santa's powers? Like- maybe he makes them out of snow first and then brings them to life! That's why he has so many!"

Homelander's carefree laugh is cut off when the door slams open, making you jump and run to your brother.

"I'm telling you- I swear there's still some of that guy's brain chunks on my suit!" You hear Black Noir complain. "You really couldn't have given me a heads up before you shot that guy in the head?!"

"Quit your bitching, Noir." Soldier Boy grunts. He usually didn't invite the other members of Payback back to his house except for Crimson Countess.

"What a pussy." You heard Gunpowder snicker, making you move closer to Homelander. The hairs on the back of your neck always stood tall when Gunpowder was around. He was a little older than your brother but acted nothing like him. Gunpowder was crude and always staring at you.

"Watch your mouth. (y/n) is home." Countess rounds the corner to confirm her statement. She kindly smiles at you and your brother, though Homelander could care less. "Well, it certainly looks festive in here!"

Feeling a little better, you slowly peel yourself away from Homelander. "We did it all ourselves!"

Countess, like many others, adored you. "And it looks wonderful."

"Quit lying to them." Gunpowder waltzes in, scrutinizing the hard work you and your brother put into the living room. "It looks like kids made these cheap decorations."

That earned an aggressive slap to the back of his head by Soldier Boy. "Shut up." Your father examines the room before his eyes fall on the tree topper. His stern face threatens to break into a soft smile when he spots the teddy bear he'd gotten you so long ago at the very top. You'd made your bear little paper wings and draped toilet paper around his body to make it look like a celestial robe.

Noir notices the bear, you'd carried around that stuffie for YEARS. How could he not recognize your most beloved possession? "What's Mr. Bear doing up there?"

Ignoring the roll of Gunpowder's eyes, Homelander smiles at Noir. "He's the star of the show. We didn't have a Christmas angel or star. So (y/n) put him up there."

"I'd say he's a pretty good substitute." You proclaim proudly, hands at your hips as you take a look at your work; Countess and Noir laugh.

Finally, the old Soldier Boy seemed to return as he squared his shoulders in an authoritative kind of way. "C'mon. The documents are in the basement."

While the others file out, Gunpowder lingers behind. Beady dark eyes drilling into you, your keen ears subtly pick up the beating of his heart. Not liking the way it picked up speed when you glared at him. In warning, the backs of your eyes heat up to show off a flare of your heat vision that could easily melt his flesh off his bones.

That got him fleeing the room. You don't know why he looked at you that way. Either way, it had your skin crawling in unease.

Homelander's jaw tightened, standing by in case you needed his help. You'd insisted that you handle your own battles. You were just as strong as your older brother. He didn't need to baby you anymore.

Inhaling slowly, he calms himself enough to ask "Are you okay?"

"Yeah. That Gunpowder guy is a creep." Muttering under your breath, you busy yourself with repositioning an ornament. "Thank god he just seems to be dad's bitch and isn't much of a threat."

Your cursing still caught Homelander off guard. "You shouldn't use that language. Santa won't bring you any presents if he hears you cursing."

You didn't have the heart to tell him that you never believed in Santa to begin with. Not even when you were a small child. If Santa were real, he would have given you the real Christmas present you so desired.

He'd tried to make Christmas magical for you. If Soldier Boy wasn't going to give you whimsy, then your brother would try at the very least. You loved that he was willing to do such a thing for you that you played along. Always acting surprised on Christmas morning. Checking to see if Santa ate your cookies and drank the milk you left out for him. All of it was for Homelander's sake.

Years later, you find yourself staring at a similar, skinny tree. The ornaments are newer, thanks to Annie and Hughie pitching in to make the motel room look warm and festive. The cramped kitchenette bustled with life; Hughie, MM, and Butcher were in charge of dinner while Annie, Frenchie, and Kimiko clumsily decorated sugar cookies.

You and Soldier Boy were stuck with tree duty though your father was more occupied with lighting up another joint. He'd never been one for celebrating holidays. Some things never change.

This Christmas would go down as the oddest one yet. The first one since Soldier Boy was rescued from Russia.

Gently, you clear your throat to catch his attention. "Ben, can you hand me that ornament?"

Blue eyes flick up to you, still not used to you being a grown-ass woman and calling him by his first name. 'Dad' didn't suit him. He glances at where you are, pointing to the coffee table beside him. Soldier Boy lets out a grunt and hands you the entire tray of sparkling ornaments.

'Guess I'll continue to do this myself.' You internally grumble, not that you mind much. It was easier when Soldier Boy was out of the way.

"Whatever happened to the ornaments from the house?" He's holding a wooden one shaped like a bear.

"I don't know." Honestly replying, you turn your back to him and continue your work. "Probably trashed with whatever else Vought couldn't sell."

Behind you, he's quiet. You don't pay him any more attention until you're practically finished with the tree. You just needed to grab the tree topper, a crystal star.

Taking a break from the cloying aroma of sugar, Annie breaks away from the cookie station to siddle up next to you. "It looks great!"

"Thanks. This really takes me back. Jon and I loved decorating for Christmas."

"Hard to imagine Homelander as a child." MM mumbles from the kitchenette, his holiday-themed apron already stained.

He was sweeter when he was young. That was the Homelander you held onto tightly. The brother you loved and adored so much. The one member of your family who would die for you. "It was a long time ago, obviously." Now, Homelander was more prepared to kill you than die for you. Now that you have aligned yourself with the Boys.

"I liked the bear better."

That catches everyone's attention. Soldier Boy was only looking at you and the tree, though, like no one else in the motel room existed.

You share a momentary glance with Annie, unsure of how to address your dad's comment. You couldn't believe that your dad remembered Mr.Bear. The same Mr.Bear that you securely kept under your pillow. An old, ratty thing you couldn't bear to let go of. He was missing an eye and flattened to a pancake, the teddy bear your father bought you on a whim at the gas station.

Moreso, you were shocked that he remembered that cheap stuffie.

In a soft tone, you ask "You remember Mr.Bear?"

Soldier Boy scoffs. "Of course I remember Mr.Bear. He was the star of the show during our Christmas."

"Wow. That's actually really sweet that you remember that, Ben." Hughie smiles. Only thanks to your presence does Hughie escape Soldier Boy beating him to a pulp for pointing out his softness toward his daughter.

"Fuck you. I wasn't that shitty of a dad. I remember lots of stuff!" Indignately hissing, Soldier Boy jumps to his feet, causing everyone to momentarily freeze. He was still a literal ticking time bomb. The Russians really did a number on him. "I'll tell you what, I was a lot better of a dad than my old man was to me!"

"Alright, settle down. Hughie meant it as a compliment." You sigh, trying to back up Hughie. You weren't about to start a fight with your dad over something that happened decades ago. Grandpa was someone you'd never met, though Homelander said he had a foggy memory of meeting the old man when he was a toddler.

Passing him on your way to the cookie table, you grab one that was already frosted and shove it into Ben's hand. "Here. Eat something. You can't sustain yourself with alcohol and drugs."

"Oui and while you're at it, at least share your weed with me. I went through a lot of trouble to get you that much cannabis. Don't hog it." Frenchie points out.

Light laughter passes through, and the air of agitation dissipates. You stand next to Butcher and MM who'd been quietly watching in preparation to spring into action.

"Good job diffusing the bomb." MM whispers. Dark eyes follow Soldier Boy's every move. He would never really like him for what that monster did to his family. And if the opportunity came upon him to kill Soldier Boy, MM would definitely take it.

Hungry, you grab a dinner roll from the bowl MM placed them in. "That was nothing. He just gets fussy when he's hungry."

"Don't talk about me like I'm a fucking child!" Soldier Boy yells.

"Then stop acting like one!"

"I was an okay dad, wasn't I?"

Outside, watching the snow lazily drift down from the gray clouds, you lean against the bumper of the van. Soldier Boy perched himself on the bumper's ledge, smoking a blunt since MM complained about the smell.

"Do you really want me to answer that?"

"Ah come on. I was an okay dad. I didn't molest either of you, didn't force you to watch me fuck prostitutes, didn't put my cigarettes out on your arms-"

"Jesus Christ, dad!"

"I'm just saying-" He sharply looks at you. "You called me dad."

"That's what you are. Just feels weird to say sometimes." You merely shrug but the cheesy smile on his face has you straightening up. "What?"

"Looks like the Santa Claus is real. I got my Christmas present." He's tickled pink. Seeing you still didn't understand, he pulls back his smile a margin. "I just wanted to hear you call me 'dad' again. You've been calling me 'Ben' since I came back."

You're waiting for a punchline of some kind. For him to laugh at you and say 'just kidding, pussy'. Soldier Boy wasn't sentimental. That time didn't arrive.

Lowering down, you find yourself sitting right next to him. "Didn't know it meant that much to you."

"You forget that the last time I saw you, you were a little girl."

"I wasn't a little girl. I was seventeen."

"That's still a little girl to me." He huffs. After a quiet moment, Ben continues "I did leave you two home alone a lot. . . Maybe I could be a little too rough when it came to training but that was because I wanted you two to become strong! So you wouldn't need anyone to protect you."

That was the closest he's ever come to taking blame for your shitty childhood. "Well. . . if it's any consolation, it worked. Homelander doesn't need anyone to protect him and neither do I."

He quietly hums, sitting in the silence with snow dusting the top of his head.

"Merry Christmas, dad."

You wouldn't point out how his voice sounded choked up. You'd let him have this one.

"Merry Christmas, sweetheart."

[whorefortheevans]

Santa's Helper - Kai Anderson x Fem!Reader

Since the holidays are right around the corner I thought I'd write up something festive to make up for some time that I prob won't be writing. Enjoy and happy holidays!

CW: Kai Anderson, lingerie, spanking, mouth gagging, use of a belt, oral (m and f receiving), p in v, unprotected sex, slight bondage word count: 2387

It's not always easy being in a relationship with Kai. In fact, it's hardly ever easy. He's extremely stubborn and condescending, he talks to people like they're dirt under his shoes, and he can be overwhelmingly frightening.

But, as you're sitting here watching him speak at the last meeting before the holidays, you can't help but admire him. His charisma speaks so he doesn't have to, and no matter what he does or says, you know deep down that you'll never not love him.

"Now," Kai said, moving his eyes around the room to look at everyone. "Just because I'm letting you all have free time for the holidays, doesn't mean you can just sit on your asses all day. This is not a break. This is not a vacation. Use this time wisely, because if you come to our first meeting of the new year with no ideas, nothing but a hangover, there will be hell to pay."

You and the other cult members stood up, and as they all saluted their goodbyes to their savior Kai, you walked over to his side and sneakily tugged on his hand. It's been a while since he's given you any attention. You expected it, he always gets like that around the holiday season. Nobody wants to sit around in his dank, dark basement when they could be gift shopping and spending time with their families.

"Kai," you said. He kept a straight face as Harrison and Meadow stumbled their way up the stairs. He scoffed and rolled his eyes.

"Drunk already...and I'm expecting them to bring me useful information."

"Can we do something?" you asked, still hanging on to his hand.

Kai turned his head to look down at you. "Like what?"

You shrugged. "Anything. Maybe we can watch a movie or something."

"I got something for you." Kai said, stepping away from you and heading toward the stairs.

"You did?" you asked, surprised. It wasn't uncommon for Kai to buy you things. That was one of the only nice things he consistently did for you. But for some reason, maybe because he's seemed so busy running the cult, you were shocked he was still thinking of you. "Is it a Christmas gift?"

"Sort of." he answered shortly. You followed him closely up the stairs and into the kitchen, where he grabbed a glass and filled it with water. You watched as he gulped down the water and set the glass in the sink. He turned to face you, his hips resting on the counter and arms crossed.

"Well?" you said expectantly.

The corners of his mouth twitched slightly and he muttered a 'Well, what?' back to you. Of course he would do this. Kai loved to play with his food. You scrunched your eyebrows together and pouted, this usually always worked on Kai. "Well, aren't you going to tell me what it is?"

"I just told you," Kai said. "It's a sort of Christmas gift."

"Can I have it?" you asked, trying to keep the same cool as Kai, but clearly it wasn't working, because he just lazily gazed at you.

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because I said so."

Now it was your turn to scoff as you threw your hands into the air. "Because you said so! Why did you tell me that if you weren't gonna give it to me? It's not funny, Kai."

He stood there laughing at you, amused at your frustration with him. You don't know why you thought this was going to be any different than other times he's given you anything. Everything was always a game to Kai, even you.

"Wanna help me?" he then said.

"With what?" you said, putting more emphasis on the t than you usually would have.

"I've been working so hard lately, you know that. It's not easy leading the blind." he said.

"And?" you said, still irritated.

"Help me relax." he said.

You blankly stared at him, planting your hands firmly on your hips. "You know, I just asked if you wanted to watch a movie and then you ignored me just to tease me."

Kai left the kitchen mid sentence and sat down on the couch. He turned the tv on and started flipping through channels. "I left your gift on the bed. Go get it and come back here."

As tempted as you were to ignore his request and snatch the remote from him, you really wanted to know what he got you and you'd rather avoid being punished right now.

You dropped your hands to your sides and swiftly walked to his bedroom. You opened the door and saw the gift neatly set on his bed. Your heart gave a little leap at first, because you thought it was a cozy blanket he heard you mention at least a dozen times, but then as you approached it, your excitement died down a bit.

You rolled your eyes and yelled from his room. "Seriously, Kai? Your gift to me is a lingerie set?" He didn't answer, and you were just about ready to storm out there and throw the set at him and walk out the door, but the only thing that would do is piss him off and cause you a brutal spanking later on.

Reluctantly, you changed into the lingerie set. You might as well, if this was the only way you'd get to spend time with Kai. It was cute; a red velvet babydoll dress with a black leather belt. The top and bottom were hemmed with white faux fur, and the set was accompanied by a matching red velvet thong.

You left your clothes in a pile on his floor, and then turned and walked back out to where Kai was sitting on the couch. He was focused on the news broadcast, but once he noticed you standing behind the couch, he turned the tv off and stood up.

"Do you like it?" he asked simply.

"Do you like it?" you retaliated. Kai smiled and kissed the top of your head.

"You better lose that attitude," he said. "I'm in an awfully good mood right now, it'd be a shame if you ruined it." You had to hold yourself back from arguing with him. Of course he would blame you for him losing his temper.

Kai brushed his hand through your hair and looked at you adoringly. "I love you." he said, words which were uttered once in a blue moon from Kai.

"Love you too." you said, trying to hide how annoyed you were with him. Kai knew you better than you knew yourself, and the look on his face showed it. He clenched his jaw and wrapped one arm around your waist, pulling you into his chest and holding you tight, while his other hand swung down on your ass, leaving it red and stinging.

"You're all for relaxing as long as it's all about you, huh?" he said through clenched teeth.

"No, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to say it like that, I swear." you said, voice slightly shaky.

"You better not have," Kai said. He let go of you and sat down on the couch. "Get on your knees. You get to be daddy's helper today."

You moved to kneel in front of him. "More like Santa's helper," you scoffed. Kai took no time in spanking you twice more, making you jump and wince in pain.

"Keep it up, Y/N. Next time it'll be from the belt." he said, eyeing the black leather that lined your waist. You said nothing, and kneeled on the floor in between his legs. You looked up at him through your lashes and waited for his instruction.

He said nothing at first, but then he leaned back into the couch cushions and pushed his hips forward. "You know what to do." he said.

You licked your lips and reached for his jeans button. Undoing them and sliding open the zipper, you pulled his jeans and boxers down in two tugs. Kai was only half hard, but you knew it wouldn't take too much to get him there.

You spit into your hand and then wrapped it around his cock, slowly stroking him and then quickening your pace a few pumps later as he became fully erect.

You lowered your head and sucked his balls into your mouth, massaging them with your tongue as your hand kept its pace. You glanced up at Kai as he quietly grunted. His eyes were locked onto your head as he watched you blow him.

Taking his minimal moans as affirmations, you moved your head to the tip of his dick and smothered spit all over it. It made you cringe feeling saliva all over your face, but Kai liked it messy, so the more saliva, the better.

You slid the head into your mouth and hollowed your cheeks, giving him another few hard strokes before lowering your head as far as you could manage and sliding back up. You continued to bob your head at a steady pace while squeezing and pumping the rest of him the wouldn't fit, until Kai pulled you away from him and stood up.

You gasped for breath and wiped your mouth with the back of your hand. "C'mon," Kai said, lifting you up by the elbow and positioning you on the couch.

He had you on your knees, facing away from him with your upper body resting on the back of the couch. You gripped the cushions to prepare for what was to come. You weren't particularly fond of blow jobs, but doing anything with Kai made you sopping wet.

Kai bunched up your little dress and pushed it up to rest on your back. "Aw, I knew you wouldn't stay mad at me for long." he said, pressing two fingers against the fabric of your thong and rubbing them up and down. You mewled and pushed back against him. "Tsk tsk, little lamb. You know better, don't rush me."

"How come I have to do whatever you want when you want but when it's my turn you get to take your time?" you snapped, before you could stop yourself. The silence that followed made your heart stop, and you felt Kai removing the shiny belt from around your waist.

"You want something to complain about, I'll give you something to complain about," Kai said through clenched teeth. He folded the belt in half and whipped it down on your ass several times, each as harsh as the rest. You whimpered with each hit, trying to pull away from him to lessen the blow.

"Kai, I'm sorry, please stop!" you cried out after his tenth strike.

"Are you going to stop talking back to me?" he asked.

"Yes!" you immediately answered, turning your head to look him in the eyes.

"And are you going to shut the fuck up and let me do what I want?" You nodded your head frantically. He looked you up and down before leaning over you and shoving the folded belt between your teeth. "If this touches the floor, I'll use it to tie your hands together and leave you here."

You bit down hard on the leather and blinked away tears. Kai put his hands over your ass and soothed away the pain. He slid his index finger through the small bit of fabric between your cheeks and moved them to the side. He kneeled down behind you, used his hands to spread you as much as possible, and licked his tongue through your folds.

He then wrapped his lips around your clit and sucked, licked and nipped to his content. He was so good at this, so good that you almost forgot about the belt and jerked your head forward to bring your focus to holding it between your teeth.

You could feel your pussy throbbing as his mouth worked at you, and you could feel wetness drip down from your hole. Kai moved slowly from you clit to your entrance. He stuck his tongue inside you and pumped it in and out. You closed your eyes and let your head fall forward and rest on the back of the couch. You involuntarily clenched around his tongue.

Kai pulled back and let go of the hold he had on your hips. His lips were shining with your slick. He took his shirt off and tossed it aside, taking his cock in his hand and pumping himself a few more times. He lined himself up behind you, and without warning he buried himself impossibly deep in your pussy.

You moaned through the belt as Kai relentlessly pounded into you. He hardly ever gave you time to adjust to his above-average size, but the pleasure overruled the pain every time. Kai's grip on your hips was sure to leave bruises. The loud slaps of Kai's hips meeting your ass echoed around the room, and his balls swung up repeatedly, giving your clit some relief.

Your groans strained your throat as you approached your orgasm, desperate to scream Kai's name and beg him to go faster. Kai's grunts grew louder and his thrusts became sloppy as he shot his load into your dripping pussy. He reached between your legs and rubbed circles over your clit.

As Kai brought you over the edge, you leaned back into his chest and squeezed your eyes shut. You let your mouth drop open and moaned out, paying no attention to the belt as it fell from your mouth to the floor.

Kai pulled out of you and pushed you down on the couch, panting hard. You watched him as he bent over and picked the belt up from off the floor, and he looked at you expectantly.

"Sorry." you said automatically.

"You've been saying that a lot lately." Kai said, twisting the belt around in his hands.

"I couldn't help it. Please don't tie me up Kai, it didn't fall until we were nearly finished." you pleaded.

Kai looked from you to the belt, and back to you. He walked around the couch to where your hands were resting on the arm of the couch. "Yeah, well," he said, holding your hands together as he tightened the belt around your wrists. "We weren't finished, were we?"

[honoviadakai]

What team Urameshi likes about the holidays ☃️

Yusuke:

He’s not a big holiday guy tbh

Like he doesn’t hate it necessarily but it does get annoying when he feels he HAS to put in a bit more effort on things like gift

Honestly doesn’t decorate or anything, but he’ll wear holiday clothes if asked nicely

9/10 he’s getting people money or gift cards anyway

He’s also not a big fan of the malls and such being more crowded than normal around this time, he likes having elbow room

Don’t even get him started on holiday music, he’s losing his mind by minute 2 of walking in the mall 😣

Ok so…what does he like then?

Food

Both making and eating it

Christmas in Japan is different from Christmas in America(obviously), but the one consistent thing is the importance of food

It’s also one of his love languages

He probably didn’t have many instances of eating together like a “family”. The few times he did was when Keiko’s family invited him and his mom to eat with them so being to eat with as many friends and family members as possible makes him really happy

Not that he’ll ever admit it outright

Making food makes it even better, especially if everyone enjoys it

Also, who doesn’t just love stuffing their face hole with good food? Couldn’t be Yusuke

Expect at least ONE food competition with at least one of the guys…

Expect one of said challenges to be a spice challenge...against Hiei...the fire demon...

🤦🏻

He’s an idiot but he’s a really chill person so be around the holidays, especially if you’re not a huge fan of that time of year

Kuwabara:

Oh this dude is an absolute joy to have around the holidays

He LOVES this time of year because for him, it’s a time where he gets to pull out the stops and show all his friends and family how much they mean to him!

He might be a blockhead but he’s a smart gift giver ok?

He’s making mental notes throughout the year

Oh, Yusuke wants a new jacket? Already bought

Yukina’s kimono looking a little warn out? He’s already asking his sister to give him a list of top tier kimono stores and styles

Eikichi tore through another toy? Time to buy 20 more

He also sometimes makes gifts by hand!

I know we never see his mom in cannon but you can pry my headcanon of her teaching her kids how to sew, knit and crochet from my cold dead hands!

One year, his sister accidentally tore her favorite shirt.

This precious chad not only fixed it up, but he bought extra fabric to make it into a brand new dress!

He’s even made HIEI of all people a gift!

His first gift to him was a hand knitted scarf

He understands he’s a fire demon and that the cold probably doesn’t affect him at all, but he’ll be damned if he lets the little shrimp walk around in the snow with no winter clothes

It was the closest he ever saw to happiness in the swordsman’s eyes

He also goes out of his way to make sure every single one of his friends and loved ones is doing ok

financially, mentally, physically, emotionally, ect

He knows there’s only so much he can do, but he’s never gonna just leave a friend or family member to suffer in silence if has any word on the matter 😤

Keiko’s schoolwork been stressing her out? He’s bringing her snacks and a movie!

Shizuru been feeling down? Shopping trip! NOW!

Hiei and Yusuke being moodier than usual? Sparing time now, food after 🍜

He’s like the physical embodiment of a hug around the holidays!

Why wouldn’t he spread joy to his friends and family? Thats the whole point of the season to him!

Kurama:

Kurama both likes and dislikes the holidays

He likes it because he likes getting his friends and family gifts

They’re always practical gifts btw

Like clothes or home appliances that you’re in desperate need of

His mom is the one getting the extravagant gifts though

Don’t get him wrong, he’ll occasionally splurge on his friends…

But his mom 100% is getting like a Gucci bag or something for Christmas

His stepfather and stepbrother will also get nice gifts…but his mom’s getting the best gifts. Period. 💅

He also likes helping his mom decorate the house!

He’s tall so he puts up all the lights and the ornaments that go at the top of the tree

He’s very paranoid that she’ll fall of a ladder so she’s just straight up not allowed to help him hang the lights when he’s around

He’ll also help bake!

It’s been their cute little tradition to make snickerdoodles since he was a wee lad 🥰

Now for why he doesn’t like the holidays…

I feel like his human father died around the holidays…

So naturally, it was a very hard time of the year for him and his mother

Especially for his mother…

He’d often catch her crying alone in the living room or in her bedroom when she thought her son was asleep or busy

But he heard her…he always heard her…

Some of his memories from around that time in his childhood are mostly of him consoling his morning mother in any way he could

He’d sometimes take her out for walks in the snow and ask her to build a snowman or make snow angels with him

Sometimes he’d make hot chocolate and watch TV with her

And sometimes he’d even throw away his pride and sing cute holiday songs and do little dances for her!

Seeing her smile for even a moment was worth all the embarrassing home videos she’d take of him

Now that she’s now remarried with a new family, he’s not as worried about her since he knows she’s not lonely anymore

It’s still a difficult time for her, but she has people who love her to distract her

Hiei:

“What the hell is Christmas…that a human thing?”

Yeeeeah….

He doesn’t get the appeal

You surprised?

He’s not exactly social, so he won’t attend holiday events/gatherings unless he’s forced to

He absolutely sucks at gift giving…

In fact, sometimes it’s better that he doesn’t get people gifts…

For example…

One year, he was forced to participate in secret Santa…he got Yukina…

Now the only reason he participated at all was because he got his sister as the one he was meant to give a gift to

But he doesn’t know jack shit about what to get her…

So he got her a sword…he gave his noncombatant sister…a weapon…

Listen…

He panicked ok?

And he’d rather eat rocks and walk into the sea than ask for help

Weapons are useful right??? Who couldn’t use an extra weapon in the house

He just wanted to get something he felt would help his sister in a time of crisis

He’s lucky that Yukina liked it…she even hung it by her bed in her room

If he does put effort into getting his friends any sort of gift…it’s either something he stole or weird demon world stuff

Like…you know how dogs and cats bring random shit to their owners sometimes?

Yeah, it’s that vibe

Like he straight up gifted a small demon corpse to Eikichi once

He claims he felt she needed more substance in her diet

To his credit…she did eat it…

One of the best ways to get him to go to an event/ gathering willingly is to tell him that there’s gonna be a lot of free food

He grew up with bandits, he didn’t always have consistent access to food…it’s part of why he’s so short…that and genetics

So hearing that he has free access to food for the evening that he doesn’t have to fight for will have him being social and polite for at least an hour

He would rather saw his legs off with a rusty saw than admit this but he does secretly enjoy these human holiday gatherings

Everyone he knows and loves is in one spot where he can easily keep tabs on them

He kinda doesn’t mind the music and chatter

And the inside of the building they’re all in is always toast warm

He’s a fire demon so being out in the snow doesn’t bother him

But…it’s kinda nice to just be inside where it’s warm with all his friends and his sister looking so happy and at peace…

But you didn’t hear it from me 🤫

He definitely isn’t the guy you’re gonna go to for holiday cheer or anything

But he’s kinda starting to warm up to these human customs so he can occasionally be a somewhat jolly guy…in his own Hiei ways

[suckitsurveys]

xmas survey. i know it’s late but i’m catching up shh

Do you typically say “Happy Holidays” or “Merry Christmas”? If I don’t know someone I’ll say Happy Holidays but most of the people in my life celebrate Christmas so I say that more often than not.

Do you make or serve anything with cranberries around this holiday season? Nope.

Do you collect pine cones, or have you in the past as a child? What have you made out of them/what did you do with them? I've gathered them before as a kid and I vaguely remember making bird feeders with peanut butter and seeds once or twice.

Have you/your family ever roasted chestnuts as a holiday treat before? Nope.

Are red and green the colors that you typically associate with Christmas the most, or is there another color that you have in mind? What is it? Mostly red and green but also gold and silver.

What’s the worst Christmas gift that you’ve ever gotten before, and what made it the worst? I’ve never received a truly terrible gift.

Do you give your spare change to the mall Santas? Is that a thing people do? I’ve never heard of that; just people giving change to the Salvation Army people who stand outside ringing bells.

Do you get to open up any presents on Christmas Eve? Yes, we have a Christmas Eve party at my dad’s with our extended family and we open gifts from each other that day. We’ve also started doing our “family Christmas” with my dad and my sister and her husband and kids on Christmas Eve morning and we open gifts from each other around the tree at my dad’s house.

Do you believe in the saying that “good things come in small packages”? Sure?

Do your family members wrap your gifts, or were they just sitting there under the tree? How about when your parents were kids? We wrap. Sometimes there will be a larger gift or an odd shaped gift left unwrapped but in general things are always wrapped.

Do you know anyone who has a birthday on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day? Have you ever gotten a gift that was meant for both your birthday as well as Christmas, either because it was expensive or because the two holidays are close together? I don’t know anyone personally with a birthday on Christmas eve or day. I don’t recall receiving gifts meant for both my birthday and Christmas.

Are you someone who needs to work on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, or are you able to have those days off to spend time with your loved ones? No, I am very fortunate that we not only get those two days off, but we also get the days in between then and New Years Eve/Day off as well. It usually ends up being close to two full weeks off with the weekends and I always take a couple extra days because I do always end up working one or two of the break days to handle some behind the scenes stuff.

Have you ever gone on any sort of Christmas-themed scavenger hunt before? How about played Christmas-themed bingo? I've done both as a kid.

Is Christmas your favorite holiday? If so, why? If not - then which holiday is your favorite instead? It’s a very very very close second to Halloween.

When was the last time you sat down and made an actual Christmas gift? It was more for Thanksgiving but I made my sister’s friend a cute little banner with felt pies on it this year.

How often do people ask you what you want for Christmas and you’re unable to think of anything concrete until after the holidays have passed? We usually have a family google doc where we put our wishlists.

Do you watch “Kickoff to Christmas” or “Countdown to Christmas” movie specials on the FreeForm channel? When do you start counting down the days until Christmas? I don’t watch those. I usually start counting down after Thanksgiving but the countdown is more for me being off work for two weeks lol.

Does it ever deeply concern you to know that Santa knows when you’re sleeping, and he knows when you’re awake? That never bothered me, really.

What would you do if your grandma got run over by a reindeer? My grandparents have all passed away, but I have no idea what I’d do?

What’s the most unusual thing that you’ve ever wanted for Christmas? (like two front teeth or a hippopotamus, perhaps) This year I asked for a novelty hamburger phone for my Bob’s Burgers themed kitchen.

Do you donate toys to your local toy drive, or offer food for Christmas meals during this time? I’ve done both in the past.

[duoduotian]

sugar sugar rune anime vs manga 2

part 2 of my observations

11. lunch with pierre

well... it roughly goes the same though there's a few differences such as where the scene takes place, events in between, characters present in the scene. i felt it flowed better in the manga tbh. the anime meanwhile had a lot of filler until it went to this point.

comparisons:

12. christmas party

i guess they meant to leave it for later since it's a december holiday? nothing much changed though there's one extra scene with morita and chocolat, gifts from robin, addition of houx and saule etc. maybe the lines for this part below though:

13. new years'

pretty much the same, one obvious difference is that vanilla joins them. also, in the manga, miharu saw chocolat at school and gave her his lollipop... don't think he said anywhere he wanted to marry her either

14. valentines' day

it felt more chaotic in the anime maybe because of the addition of waffle's shenanigans. results were similar to the manga ie. chocolat getting more ecure than vanilla. timeline-wise it's rather different since for the anime, vanilla has yet to join the ogres. manga!vanilla's goal was to give out as many chocolates she could get more ecure than chocolat but anime!vanilla just wanted to share the chocolate with everyone

15. chocolat and mimura

the manga and anime is totally different. the snake was like the only constant + how she feels around mimura ie. she feels that it's fun hanging out with him. while mimura developed romantic feelings for chocolat in the manga, him hanging out with her in the anime was only viewed as friendship.

16. pierre asking chocolat to be queen of the ogres

definitely don't remember this in the manga at all so it's anime-only plot. after pierre's attempt to get chocolat's heart fails in the manga, that was it before he told vanilla some stuff to get her to join the ogres. in the anime, he first attempts to convince chocolat to be queen of the ogres, probably because chocolat still has feelings for him so she'd be easily swayed. side note: i like how we also saw more of glacier in this episode.

17. what made vanilla join the ogres

while one reason is that it stems from her feeling of insecurity to chocolat and that chocolat gets more attention from queen candy than her, pierre's talk with her was the final trigger. in the manga, he hints that she's actually an ogre while in the anime, he emphasises on how she is alone compared to chocolat who is usually surrounded by many people. i presume that they couldn't use the 'vanilla is a ogre' one because in the anime, chocolat has yet to acquire the heart-shaped hair pin and unlock the diary. in addition, vanilla went to confront queen candy about how they were going to make chocolat queen and the selection was just for show. he does talk about the false acacia thing next episode though.

bonus: in this episode, chocolat also runs for student council as urged by her classmates. vanilla also competed for the position at pierre's recommendation and support from the members as well which helped her to win. found a manga panel of chocolat outwardly rejecting to be in the student council

18. when chocolat meets takamura

pierre was the one who cast the jealousy spell on takamura but in the anime, it was vanilla who did it.

i wish we got this animated too:

19. void spice

in the manga, chocolat decided to give her the raspberries discreetly by leaving them on vanilla's desk as she felt vanilla would reject them. in the anime, chocolat went to seek out vanilla and passed them to her directly. she also attempted to make conversation with vanilla but was promptly shut down.

20. vanilla vs chocolat for ian's heart

the above scene takes place at school in the anime, meanwhile it happened outside in the manga

summer uniform in the manga vs regular uniform in the anime

[katbrando]

♡ a dinokat valentine's day

SFW (mildly suggestive) // 3.9k cw: illegal levels of cheese and fluff, diego being silly read on ao3 instead // full banner art

It’s an hour past the time Diego usually gets home from work; not quite late enough to raise concern, but still odd for a routine-focused man like him. I’ve refrained from making dinner for the two of us in hopes we could prepare a meal together; a plan that feels right considering the date, but one that’s starting to feel less and less feasible as the night goes on.

Valentine’s Day is difficult for me, a holiday with no positive memories, only embarrassing flashbacks that consistently raid my mind even weeks beforehand. My mixed feelings about it aren’t even the slightest bit Diego’s fault, as he’s always eager to extend romantic gestures, though the lack of anything so far today has surprised me. I glance at the time on my tablet – 6 PM, nearly on the dot – and huff an anxious sigh. Just sitting here on the couch and attempting to distract myself by drawing isn’t doing me any good. It’s not like it’s working; I’ve been nervously chewing on my nails for god knows how long at this point.

It’s just so odd. My mind wanders, as it tends to do, and I try to come to some kind of conclusion. I hate to be a bother, but I set my tablet aside and shoot Diego a quick text, simply asking “everything okay?”

We’ve been dating for nine months at this point, much longer than I ever could have dreamed of. Diego is good to me, scarily so. Sometimes it all feels like a facade, or some kind of sick joke, as if one of my friends or family members is paying him off to give me love and attention. I can’t help but feel pathetic around him sometimes; his experience is astronomical in contrast with mine, and I worry that I don’t live up to his expectations. Of course, this is all fabricated by my self-sabotaging tendencies. Diego tells me he loves me, shows me through his actions, offers me patience despite my anxiety in the face of vulnerability. I probably don’t deserve him, though I’m sure he’d scoff and call me ridiculous if he ever heard me say so.

At this point I’ve fully laid back on the couch, eyes fixed on the ceiling. He hasn’t texted me back yet, but maybe that’s a sign he’s driving home. Maybe, if I try to take a nap, the thoughts will subside for now. 

Moments after I’ve started to drift away, there’s a knock on the door. I immediately surge upwards into a seated position and look at the entryway of our home. Who in the world could possibly be bothering us this late at night, especially when the two of us are known for being insistent on privacy? I simply stare at the door, hoping whoever it is might give up and leave.

Another knock, a little louder this time. Clearly I’ve got no choice but to answer. I tentatively cross through the living room and tug a stepstool over to the door, glancing through the peephole and immediately feeling my heart jump.

There stands Diego, knocking at his own house. I can’t see very well, but he isn’t wearing his work uniform. I mumble a quick “Christ, what’s he up to?” and nudge the step stool out of the way with my foot. 

I quickly unlock the door and let it swing open. “God, Dee, you scared the shit out of m –”

My throat instantly barricades against whatever I was about to say. Clad in a dusty rose colored suit, Diego offers me a toothy grin and extends his hand. In it he holds a bouquet of dried flowers, a gift bag hanging from his wrist.

“Happy Valentine’s Day, love. I’m a bit late.”

“You –” My words are still jumbled. “What are you doing?”

“What do you mean?” He raises one thick eyebrow, practically shoving his gifts against my chest. “Is this not what a boyfriend does for his lovely girlfriend? On Valentine’s Day?”

I’m speechless, full of questions that I’m trying to sort by importance in my head. Why is he late? Why did he find it necessary to do this? How much money has he spent? 

“Darling, I know you’re spacey sometimes but don’t tell me you forgot what day it is.” Diego enters our home and I step aside to let him in, shutting the door behind him.

“What is this?” I gesture vaguely towards him. “Dee, you know I’m –”

“What, opposed to the tradition?” He knowingly smirks, one sharp tooth sticking out from between his lips. “I’m aware.”

Giving up on my hesitation with taking his gifts, Diego steps into our small kitchen and gently places both the bouquet and gift bag on the counter. I’m able to see his outfit better this way; he’s wearing a subtly striped white and pink button-down, partnered with a perfectly fit suit with a slightly cropped blazer, making his legs look much longer than they actually are. He’s unbearably handsome, like always, hair so gorgeously tousled, lips pulled into a soft smile. Diego approaches me again and leans against the wall, reaching out to lift my chin with one finger.

“I know you better than you’d ever admit, darling.” His cerulean eyes scan my face. “Allow yourself to indulge in a little cliche trope.”

“You didn’t have to do all…” I point to the gifts, “that. I’d settle for just spending time with you.”

“Right,” he says, tone almost dismissive, “and we can do that. We will do that.” He reaches for my hand and laces his fingers between mine. “I know this day isn’t easy for you.”

I squeeze his hand and avoid his stare, opting for the wall behind him instead. “I’m just not into cliches, you know that.”

“Hmm.” Diego tilts his head enough to lock eyes with me again. “Or are you just not used to someone making sure you enjoy it?”

Dammit, I hate how perceptive he is sometimes. The bastard is so smart, always unearthing feelings and struggles from within me that sometimes I’m not even aware of. With only one terrible experience in my singular relationship before him, it’s hard to hold any kind of positivity towards a day like today.

“Kat,” Diego softly demands my attention, and I offer it. “I need you to know how much I adore you. This is simply an expression of that. No one’s ever done this for you before.” He doesn’t need to remind me, but when he does I feel a wave of embarrassment rush through me.

Just as quickly as I’d looked at him, I lower my gaze again and try to fight off the stinging at the corners of my eyes. 

“Darling,” Diego coos, again lifting my chin, this time cupping it. He steps closer to me and runs his thumb along the space below my eye. “You deserve this. You’re so good to me. Not so much with plants, but I even picked a bouquet we won’t have to water. I’m quite thoughtful.” He cheekily smiles again.

A singular tear peeks out and is quickly caught by his thumb. Diego reaches out with both arms and I don’t even hesitate to embrace him. He’s warm and strong and he feels like home. 

“God, I love you.” His voice vibrates against my chest, his hand runs through my hair and he kisses the top of my head. “I couldn’t wait to celebrate today with you.”

There’s no use in holding back, so I let myself cry. I let myself grasp at the back of his blazer and hold him as closely as possible. He didn’t need to bring home gifts, it wasn’t necessary for him to get all dressed up like this (though I’m now keenly aware of why he’d left home with a full backpack, something he’s never done before), but he did. He’d put forth the effort to show me his love and devotion on a day he knew would be hard for me to get through. His devotion never fails to amaze me.

“Diego, I swear to god,” I mumble against his chest, then lift my head to continue more clearly, “next time let me know you’re gonna be late. My anxiety was through the roof.” I end the statement with a laugh, just so he’ll know I’m not actually upset with him.

“You worry too much.” Diego rolls his eyes. 

“I just want to make sure you’re safe.” 

“I love you for it.” He leans closer and brushes his lips against mine. “Now kiss me, I think I deserve it.”

Diego doesn’t need to ask twice, and even if he did he’d be interrupted by an impassioned kiss. He hums with satisfaction against my lips and coaxes them apart, dragging his tongue along mine in tandem with a grip of my waist. If he isn’t careful I might end up dragging him into our bedroom, but for now his eagerness to show what he’s brought home for me trumps any carnal desires either of us might have.

We kiss for only a short time, after which he grasps my hand and guides me into the kitchen. “Now,” he starts, flourishing his free hand towards my gifts, “would you like to see?”

“Of course,” I relent, leaning against one side of the island and eyeing the red gift bag. “Go ahead, show me what you’ve spent an obscene amount of money on.”

“Hey now,” Diego tuts, taking his place on the opposite side. “I know better. Can’t have you making me sleep in the car because I’ve spent our house payment on a silly set of diamond earrings or something.”

“Aw, you’re learning,” I tease him.

Diego sarcastically shakes his head and reaches into the bag. First he pulls out a neatly wrapped box just slightly bigger than his hand, then shoots me a sly grin. “That’s for later.” I watch him slide it off to the side; my mind doesn’t have to do too much contemplating to know what sort of item rests inside.He digs inside again and brandishes a chocolate heart box, placing it on the island and nudging it towards me.

“Chocolate?” I softly laugh. I’m not much of a sweets guy, but Diego certainly is. “I hope you’re gonna help me eat this, it might go bad before I finish.”

“Open it,” he instructs, “there's a little twist.”

Of course there is. My mouth pulls into a fond smile as I carefully untie the box’s ribbon and lift the lid. Inside, in each space meant for a piece of chocolate, sits a number of folded up pieces of paper. 

“Oh, so you ate it all,” I jest. “Now I’ve just got a fancy box.”

“Quit being ridiculous.” Diego waves his hand towards the several pieces of paper. “Pick one.”

My first instinct is to grab the paper in the very center. I stare at him for a moment with one raised eyebrow, but he just keeps looking at me with an insistent expression. Finally I unfold the paper and am met with his beautiful handwriting.

“I’m lucky to wake up next to you every morning; the way the sun graces your skin makes my heart go into overdrive. It’s a shame you wake up so easily, because there’s some days I want to simply lie there and admire you. I hope I’ll have more opportunities, so please work on your light sleeping or pretend to be asleep for longer.”

Dammit, the tears are back. 

“God, you’re such a sap.” I quickly swipe my palm against my cheeks. Diego, the smug bastard he is, chuckles softly at my reaction and leans further against the island.

“You like it,” he correctly observes. “It’s a small part of my enormous charm.”

Generally I’d throw some sort of humorous jab at him in response, but for tonight I let him bristle with pride. Instead, I reach to grab another piece of paper, but I’m interrupted by him quickly swiping the box out of my reach.

“Hey now,” he quips, “save some for later. It’s not healthy to overindulge on sweets.”

“Good lord,” I groan in response to his ridiculous joke. “You probably had that one tucked away all day, huh?”

Diego’s trademark goofy smile graces his face again and I fail in attempting to look at him in mock disgust. “Come on, it was funny.”

It’s no surprise to me that we’ve gradually been leaning closer to each other again; it’s like gravity is constantly easing us together. My palm cups the side of his face, my thumb grazing his cheekbone. Eating up the affection, he presses himself closer and watches me expectantly, probably itching to hear praise.

I leave him hanging for a moment, admiring every part of his expression before grasping his chin. Squeezing his lips between my thumb and fingers, I give his head a gentle shake. “You’re so stinkin’ cute.” I pause, relishing in the way he hangs off every word. “And funny too, I guess.”

Diego smiles again when I release my hold on his face, confidently grabbing the heart box and placing it farther off to the side. From my angle, the bag looks empty at this point, but Diego fishes inside again.

“There’s more?” I attempt to hide the guilt in my tone, but based on Diego’s raised eyebrow it seems I’ve failed.

“I’ve covered all the bases, love.” Diego scoffs, pulling out an envelope and extending it towards me. “It’s a shame you’ve never gotten the Valentine’s Day experience. It’s my mission to make up for all the idiots who’ve failed you.”

With a sigh I give him a look of silent thanks. The envelope is sealed with a heart-shaped sticker, inside is a typical Valentine’s card and another folded piece of paper. The front of the card shows a cartoon dinosaur surrounded by hearts, inside it reads ‘You’ve got me raptor round your finger.’ Perfectly cheesy, I’d expect nothing less from Diego Brando.

“Funny, right?” Diego prods, bristling with satisfaction when I nod and laugh. “I thought you’d like it.”

“It’s adorable,” I admit, setting it down and turning my focus to the paper that accompanies it. “Now what’s this? What cliche rests inside this paper?”

“Open it and you’ll find out, you nutter.” Diego waves his hand impatiently.

When I unfold it, I’m met with a handwritten list of songs, below which sits a sloppily taped cartoon dinosaur (much like the card) holding a heart. Every song he’s written down holds a lot of meaning to the both of us, songs that we frequently sing together in the car, songs we find ourselves dancing horribly to in the living room. It’s as if his entire goal tonight is to make me cry as much as possible, and he’s doing a very good job of it.

“God, Dee,” I manage despite being choked up, “this is way too much, babe.”

“No.” Diego shakes his head. “It’s not, quit acting so inadequate, it doesn’t suit you.”

Even if he thinks that, it’s still so difficult for me to feel worthy of his generosity. Diego doesn’t do things for people; it’s not that he’s selfish, he just doesn’t waste his time and energy on people he thinks nothing of. Knowing this, I should feel deserving of his affection, because it comes from a place of undying devotion and care. Most would look at him and see a man who’s self-centered and quite vain, and while that’s not completely inaccurate, it’s a shame that most aren’t privileged to see the side of him that I see every single day. 

“I love you,” Diego interrupts my overthinking, probably sensing that I need to be grounded at this moment. He gently plucks the playlist from my grasp and lays it on the table, reaching for both my hands and placing a kiss against both. “I don’t say it enough.”

“You don’t have to.” I squeeze his fingers tight. “You show me it every single day.”

Silence settles between us for a beat, the only communication present through our eye contact. His expression says a million words, all full of a tenderness he’s rarely comfortable enough to show.

“Now,” I start, narrowing my eyes at him and tilting my head curiously, “how in the world did you pull all this off without me having any idea?”

“Thought you’d never ask.” Diego stands up straight and lifts his chin, smugly giving a rundown of his thorough plans. “I took this outfit to work, sneakily packed it away so that you’d never have any idea.”

I stay silent about my previous confusion earlier this morning. It definitely wasn’t subtle, but he appears quite proud of himself and I’m not about to shoot that down.

“Work went as normal, though I’ll admit it was painfully slow. I had these flowers delivered during my lunch break, put in a pickup order at the store so I’d be able to simply grab your chocolate and card as I headed home. And the playlist? I wrote that out on my break as well.” He lowers his stare to eye me with delight, and I encourage him with a look of amazement. “One of our neighbors allowed me to use their shower so I wouldn’t smell like lizard piss, then I changed into this suit and voila, here I am.” He gestures dramatically towards himself. “Impressed?”

Just to fuck with him, I replace my amazement with a judgemental frown. “Hmm. Maybe a little.”

“Come off it!” He huffs, though based on his wobbly smile I know he’s aware I’m just joking.

“I’m kidding, Dee.” With one finger I beckon him towards me. “Get your ass over here.”

Diego eagerly walks around the kitchen island and stops just inches from me, lifting one eyebrow and smirking. “My ass is here,” he mumbles.

I give said ass a quick pat before wrapping my arms around his neck. “Thank you, babe. For all of this.” I pause just to appreciate the smile that spreads across his face, then lower my voice to a soft whisper, “Now c’mere.” Reading my mind as usual, the tail end of my request gets cut off by his lips softly pressing against mine.

No longer distracted by his desire to shower me in gifts, he instead kisses me without abandon. One warm palm rests at the nape of my neck, the other pulls me closer by my lower back. I’ll never get tired of doing this, no matter how many times we’ve spent quiet moments pressed so tightly together. I only break away to ask a question that suddenly pops into my head.

“So you’re telling me you ate all that chocolate already?”

“Hmm?” Diego’s face twists into confusion, as if he’s completely forgotten one of his gifts. Realization crosses his face after a few seconds. “Ah, of course not! Not before dinner, love.”

Still holding me close to his chest, he reaches over to the gift bag and pulls out a zip-lock bag full of chocolate. He grins and waves it around. “See? We can share it later.”

Heart leaping with affection, I press my face against his shoulder and groan. “God, you’re so cute.”

Diego lets the bag thump against the island and returns his full attention to me, running one hand lovingly up and down my back. “I’m also quite hungry.”

“Wanna cook dinner?” With my chin lifted I rest it against his chest. “I was hoping we could.”

“Of course.” Diego backs up and presses one last kiss to my cheek. “How’s pasta sound? Mum left behind a delicious recipe for mascarpone pesto.”

“Sounds perfect.” 

With that, we set to work. Diego shrugs off his blazer and, despite my suggestion that he change into something more comfortable, he waves it off and simply rolls up his sleeves. A view like that quickly makes me grateful he’s refused my offer. 

As we cook dinner he takes every opportunity to cheekily kiss or brush against me. It’s clear to me that he’s intending on riling me up for what I’m sure will be an eventful evening. While we enjoy our dinner together, Diego suggests – no, insists – that we both call in the following morning. Filled to the brim with appreciation and fondness, there’s no way I could possibly say no.

With dinner finished and dishes placed in the kitchen sink, I take up the task of filling the dishwasher. In the process, I feel one of Diego’s palms connect purposefully with my waist. The contact initially makes me jump, but only because I had no idea he’d been standing right behind me in the first place.

“Christ, Dee,” I start, then giggle when he spins me around to face him. Despite already finishing our meal, there’s a look of hunger in his eyes.

He says nothing in response, just grasps my waist and pulls me flush against his chest. Our lips connect in a quick, fervent kiss and my arms instinctively reach to wrap around his neck, one hand playing with the hair at the nape of his neck. Back bumping against the counter, I quickly understand where Diego’s mind is running off to.

Blindly, I kick at the dishwasher door until it swings and clicks shut. Diego pulls back to laugh against my lips, probably humored by my struggle. I take the opportunity to gently tug his bottom lip between my teeth. Understanding the gesture as one of encouragement, Diego wraps an arm around me and somehow presses me even tighter against his body. 

“How’s about we have dessert?” He whispers, warm breath fanning across my cheeks.

“We just ate, babe.” A quick brush of my hand against his ass is meant to punctuate my sarcasm.

“You know what I mean.” Diego lightheartedly scoffs. 

Of course I know; we’re both on the same page, after all. Within a couple minutes we’ve stumbled into the bedroom, his hands never leaving my body. As soon as the back of my knees bump against the mattress I take a seat and use the lapse in contact to admire him. He leans down, resting both palms on either side of my body as I quickly work at undoing his shirt.

Luckily for me, the top two buttons are already free, but the rest quickly follow suit. Diego’s lips are firmly pressed against mine, increasing with desire when I slip his shirt out from his pants. The garment lands on the floor with a soft thump and I quickly drag my fingernails along his midriff; the way he shivers at the contact makes me smirk with satisfaction against his lips.

“Is this alright?” Diego whispers, despite knowing the answer. He’s wonderful about consent, though I’m sure part of why he asks is because the validation gets him off anyway. 

“Yes,” I plainly answer, kissing the corner of his mouth, “this is part of the tradition, no?”

“Well,” he softly laughs, “I suppose it’s the final bit of the mental checklist I’ve been ticking off.”

“Let’s see it then, give me the full experience”

With my encouragement fueling him, Diego does just that. It’s clear to me now why he’d suggested skipping work in the morning. With the way things are going, we might be up for quite some time.

[renaissanceclassics]

Up From Slavery: Part 10

of 18 parts. Chapter IX. Anxious Days And Sleepless Nights

The coming of Christmas, that first year of our residence in Alabama, gave us an opportunity to get a farther insight into the real life of the people. The first thing that reminded us that Christmas had arrived was the "foreday" visits of scores of children rapping at our doors, asking for "Chris'mus gifts! Chris'mus gifts!" Between the hours of two o'clock and five o'clock in the morning I presume that we must have had a half-hundred such calls. This custom prevails throughout this portion of the South to-day.

During the days of slavery it was a custom quite generally observed throughout all the Southern states to give the coloured people a week of holiday at Christmas, or to allow the holiday to continue as long as the "yule log" lasted. The male members of the race, and often the female members, were expected to get drunk. We found that for a whole week the coloured people in and around Tuskegee dropped work the day before Christmas, and that it was difficult for any one to perform any service from the time they stopped work until after the New Year. Persons who at other times did not use strong drink thought it quite the proper thing to indulge in it rather freely during the Christmas week. There was a widespread hilarity, and a free use of guns, pistols, and gunpowder generally. The sacredness of the season seemed to have been almost wholly lost sight of.

During this first Christmas vacation I went some distance from the town to visit the people on one of the large plantations. In their poverty and ignorance it was pathetic to see their attempts to get joy out of the season that in most parts of the country is so sacred and so dear to the heart. In one cabin I notice that all that the five children had to remind them of the coming of Christ was a single bunch of firecrackers, which they had divided among them. In another cabin, where there were at least a half-dozen persons, they had only ten cents' worth of ginger-cakes, which had been bought in the store the day before. In another family they had only a few pieces of sugarcane. In still another cabin I found nothing but a new jug of cheap, mean whiskey, which the husband and wife were making free use of, notwithstanding the fact that the husband was one of the local ministers. In a few instances I found that the people had gotten hold of some bright-coloured cards that had been designed for advertising purposes, and were making the most of these. In other homes some member of the family had bought a new pistol. In the majority of cases there was nothing to be seen in the cabin to remind one of the coming of the Saviour, except that the people had ceased work in the fields and were lounging about their homes. At night, during Christmas week, they usually had what they called a "frolic," in some cabin on the plantation. That meant a kind of rough dance, where there was likely to be a good deal of whiskey used, and where there might be some shooting or cutting with razors.

While I was making this Christmas visit I met an old coloured man who was one of the numerous local preachers, who tried to convince me, from the experience Adam had in the Garden of Eden, that God had cursed all labour, and that, therefore, it was a sin for any man to work. For that reason this man sought to do as little work as possible. He seemed at that time to be supremely happy, because he was living, as he expressed it, through one week that was free from sin.

In the school we made a special effort to teach our students the meaning of Christmas, and to give them lessons in its proper observance. In this we have been successful to a degree that makes me feel safe in saying that the season now has a new meaning, not only through all that immediate region, but, in a measure, wherever our graduates have gone.

At the present time one of the most satisfactory features of the Christmas and Thanksgiving season at Tuskegee is the unselfish and beautiful way in which our graduates and students spend their time in administering to the comfort and happiness of others, especially the unfortunate. Not long ago some of our young men spent a holiday in rebuilding a cabin for a helpless coloured women who was about seventy-five years old. At another time I remember that I made it known in chapel, one night, that a very poor student was suffering from cold, because he needed a coat. The next morning two coats were sent to my office for him.

I have referred to the disposition on the part of the white people in the town of Tuskegee and vicinity to help the school. From the first, I resolved to make the school a real part of the community in which it was located. I was determined that no one should have the feeling that it was a foreign institution, dropped down in the midst of the people, for which they had no responsibility and in which they had no interest. I noticed that the very fact that they had been asking to contribute toward the purchase of the land made them begin to feel as if it was going to be their school, to a large degree. I noted that just in proportion as we made the white people feel that the institution was a part of the life of the community, and that, while we wanted to make friends in Boston, for example, we also wanted to make white friends in Tuskegee, and that we wanted to make the school of real service to all the people, their attitude toward the school became favourable.

Perhaps I might add right here, what I hope to demonstrate later, that, so far as I know, the Tuskegee school at the present time has no warmer and more enthusiastic friends anywhere than it has among the white citizens of Tuskegee and throughout the state of Alabama and the entire South. From the first, I have advised our people in the South to make friends in every straightforward, manly way with their next-door neighbour, whether he be a black man or a white man. I have also advised them, where no principle is at stake, to consult the interests of their local communities, and to advise with their friends in regard to their voting.

For several months the work of securing the money with which to pay for the farm went on without ceasing. At the end of three months enough was secured to repay the loan of two hundred and fifty dollars to General Marshall, and within two months more we had secured the entire five hundred dollars and had received a deed of the one hundred acres of land. This gave us a great deal of satisfaction. It was not only a source of satisfaction to secure a permanent location for the school, but it was equally satisfactory to know that the greater part of the money with which it was paid for had been gotten from the white and coloured people in the town of Tuskegee. The most of this money was obtained by holding festivals and concerts, and from small individual donations.

Our next effort was in the direction of increasing the cultivation of the land, so as to secure some return from it, and at the same time give the students training in agriculture. All the industries at Tuskegee have been started in natural and logical order, growing out of the needs of a community settlement. We began with farming, because we wanted something to eat.

Many of the students, also, were able to remain in school but a few weeks at a time, because they had so little money with which to pay their board. Thus another object which made it desirable to get an industrial system started was in order to make it available as a means of helping the students to earn money enough so that they might be able to remain in school during the nine months' session of the school year.

The first animal that the school came into possession of was an old blind horse given us by one of the white citizens of Tuskegee. Perhaps I may add here that at the present time the school owns over two hundred horses, colts, mules, cows, calves, and oxen, and about seven hundred hogs and pigs, as well as a large number of sheep and goats.

The school was constantly growing in numbers, so much so that, after we had got the farm paid for, the cultivation of the land begun, and the old cabins which we had found on the place somewhat repaired, we turned our attention toward providing a large, substantial building. After having given a good deal of thought to the subject, we finally had the plans drawn for a building that was estimated to cost about six thousand dollars. This seemed to us a tremendous sum, but we knew that the school must go backward or forward, and that our work would mean little unless we could get hold of the students in their home life.

One incident which occurred about this time gave me a great deal of satisfaction as well as surprise. When it became known in the town that we were discussing the plans for a new, large building, a Southern white man who was operating a sawmill not far from Tuskegee came to me and said that he would gladly put all the lumber necessary to erect the building on the grounds, with no other guarantee for payment than my word that it would be paid for when we secured some money. I told the man frankly that at the time we did not have in our hands one dollar of the money needed. Notwithstanding this, he insisted on being allowed to put the lumber on the grounds. After we had secured some portion of the money we permitted him to do this.

Miss Davidson again began the work of securing in various ways small contributions for the new building from the white and coloured people in and near Tuskegee. I think I never saw a community of people so happy over anything as were the coloured people over the prospect of this new building. One day, when we were holding a meeting to secure funds for its erection, an old, ante-bellum coloured man came a distance of twelve miles and brought in his ox-cart a large hog. When the meeting was in progress, he rose in the midst of the company and said that he had no money which he could give, but he had raised two fine hogs, and that he had brought one of them as a contribution toward the expenses of the building. He closed his announcement by saying: "Any nigger that's got any love for his race, or any respect for himself, will bring a hog to the next meeting." Quite a number of men in the community also volunteered to give several days' work, each, toward the erection of the building.

After we had secured all the help that we could in Tuskegee, Miss Davidson decided to go North for the purpose of securing additional funds. For weeks she visited individuals and spoke in churches and before Sunday schools and other organizations. She found this work quite trying, and often embarrassing. The school was not known, but she was not long in winning her way into the confidence of the best people in the North.

The first gift from any Northern person was received from a New York lady whom Miss Davidson met on the boat that was bringing her North. They fell into a conversation, and the Northern lady became so much interested in the effort being made at Tuskegee that before they parted Miss Davidson was handed a check for fifty dollars. For some time before our marriage, and also after it, Miss Davidson kept up the work of securing money in the North and in the South by interesting people by personal visits and through correspondence. At the same time she kept in close touch with the work at Tuskegee, as lady principal and classroom teacher. In addition to this, she worked among the older people in and near Tuskegee, and taught a Sunday school class in the town. She was never very strong, but never seemed happy unless she was giving all of her strength to the cause which she loved. Often, at night, after spending the day in going from door to door trying to interest persons in the work at Tuskegee, she would be so exhausted that she could not undress herself. A lady upon whom she called, in Boston, afterward told me that at one time when Miss Davidson called her to see and send up her card the lady was detained a little before she could see Miss Davidson, and when she entered the parlour she found Miss Davidson so exhausted that she had fallen asleep.

While putting up our first building, which was named Porter Hall, after Mr. A.H. Porter, of Brooklyn, N.Y., who gave a generous sum toward its erection, the need for money became acute. I had given one of our creditors a promise that upon a certain day he should be paid four hundred dollars. On the morning of that day we did not have a dollar. The mail arrived at the school at ten o'clock, and in this mail there was a check sent by Miss Davidson for exactly four hundred dollars. I could relate many instances of almost the same character. This four hundred dollars was given by two ladies in Boston. Two years later, when the work at Tuskegee had grown considerably, and when we were in the midst of a season when we were so much in need of money that the future looked doubtful and gloomy, the same two Boston ladies sent us six thousand dollars. Words cannot describe our surprise, or the encouragement that the gift brought to us. Perhaps I might add here that for fourteen years these same friends have sent us six thousand dollars a year.

As soon as the plans were drawn for the new building, the students began digging out the earth where the foundations were to be laid, working after the regular classes were over. They had not fully outgrown the idea that it was hardly the proper thing for them to use their hands, since they had come there, as one of them expressed it, "to be educated, and not to work." Gradually, though, I noted with satisfaction that a sentiment in favour of work was gaining ground. After a few weeks of hard work the foundations were ready, and a day was appointed for the laying of the corner-stone.

When it is considered that the laying of this corner-stone took place in the heart of the South, in the "Black Belt," in the centre of that part of our country that was most devoted to slavery; that at that time slavery had been abolished only about sixteen years; that only sixteen years before no Negro could be taught from books without the teacher receiving the condemnation of the law or of public sentiment—when all this is considered, the scene that was witnessed on that spring day at Tuskegee was a remarkable one. I believe there are few places in the world where it could have taken place.

The principal address was delivered by the Hon. Waddy Thompson, the Superintendent of Education for the county. About the corner-stone were gathered the teachers, the students, their parents and friends, the county officials—who were white—and all the leading white men in that vicinity, together with many of the black men and women whom the same white people but a few years before had held a title to as property. The members of both races were anxious to exercise the privilege of placing under the corner-stone some momento.

Before the building was completed we passed through some very trying seasons. More than once our hearts were made to bleed, as it were, because bills were falling due that we did not have the money to meet. Perhaps no one who has not gone through the experience, month after month, of trying to erect buildings and provide equipment for a school when no one knew where the money was to come from, can properly appreciate the difficulties under which we laboured. During the first years at Tuskegee I recall that night after night I would roll and toss on my bed, without sleep, because of the anxiety and uncertainty which we were in regarding money. I knew that, in a large degree, we were trying an experiment—that of testing whether or not it was possible for Negroes to build up and control the affairs of a large education institution. I knew that if we failed it would injure the whole race. I knew that the presumption was against us. I knew that in the case of white people beginning such an enterprise it would be taken for granted that they were going to succeed, but in our case I felt that people would be surprised if we succeeded. All this made a burden which pressed down on us, sometimes, it seemed, at the rate of a thousand pounds to the square inch.

In all our difficulties and anxieties, however, I never went to a white or a black person in the town of Tuskegee for any assistance that was in their power to render, without being helped according to their means. More than a dozen times, when bills figuring up into the hundreds of dollars were falling due, I applied to the white men of Tuskegee for small loans, often borrowing small amounts from as many as a half-dozen persons, to meet our obligations. One thing I was determined to do from the first, and that was to keep the credit of the school high; and this, I think I can say without boasting, we have done all through these years.

I shall always remember a bit of advice given me by Mr. George W. Campbell, the white man to whom I have referred to as the one who induced General Armstrong to send me to Tuskegee. Soon after I entered upon the work Mr. Campbell said to me, in his fatherly way: "Washington, always remember that credit is capital."

At one time when we were in the greatest distress for money that we ever experienced, I placed the situation frankly before General Armstrong. Without hesitation he gave me his personal check for all the money which he had saved for his own use. This was not the only time that General Armstrong helped Tuskegee in this way. I do not think I have ever made this fact public before.

During the summer of 1882, at the end of the first year's work of the school, I was married to Miss Fannie N. Smith, of Malden, W. Va. We began keeping house in Tuskegee early in the fall. This made a home for our teachers, who now had been increased to four in number. My wife was also a graduate of the Hampton Institute. After earnest and constant work in the interests of the school, together with her housekeeping duties, my wife passed away in May, 1884. One child, Portia M. Washington, was born during our marriage.

From the first, my wife most earnestly devoted her thoughts and time to the work of the school, and was completely one with me in every interest and ambition. She passed away, however, before she had an opportunity of seeing what the school was designed to be.

[historicsaranaclake]

Dear friends,

With seasons greetings, I am sending along this essay, inspired by a favorite holiday movie. Many friends shared their memories to help me write this back in 2020 -- Chris Brescia, Jan Dudones, Jim Griebsch, Bunk Griffin, Howard Riley, Jim and Keela Rogers, and our dear friend, Natalie Leduc, who, on December 8, 2020 came to the end of her truly wonderful life. We still miss her.

Best wishes from all of us at Historic Saranac Lake.

Amy Catania

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

It's a Wonderful Life, Tony Anderson by Amy Catania

"Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole.” — It’s a Wonderful Life, 1946

This is a good time of year to watch It’s a Wonderful Life. Bedford Falls brings to mind Saranac Lake, and George Bailey reminds us of the wonderful lives of Saranac Lakers from the past like Alton “Tony” Anderson.

Tony Anderson fell ill with tuberculosis while working as a toolmaker in Southington, Connecticut. As a member of the Masons, he received financial help to come to Saranac Lake for treatment in 1919.

“I came here to die,” Tony used to say. Facing death, Tony received a gift, a chance to imagine the world without him. He made his home here and dedicated his life to giving back. He served as village mayor for nine terms. He worked as a volunteer ambulance driver and a plane spotter on top of the Hotel Saranac during the war. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, the Elks Club, the Rotary, the Boat and Waterway Club, the hospital board, and the blood bank.

Each afternoon, Tony went home to his modest house on South Hope Street and sat on his porch in a cure chair. “Best seat in the house,” he called it. After his afternoon rest, he would go back to the theater for the shows.

Saranac Lake in the 1950s was a picture postcard of Bedford Falls. Everyone knew each other. Kids played together outside through all seasons. Downtown shops bustled year-round. The Adirondack Daily Enterprise was five times thicker than it is today. The theater, the radio station, civic organizations, and places of worship knitted the community together. Like the shadow of death cast by tuberculosis, the horrors of WWII inspired an appreciation for life and a sense of civic responsibility.

But forces were afoot that were beginning to devastate small towns around the country. Everywhere, industry and manufacturing were closing up shop. In Saranac Lake, the TB business came to an end. Jobs dried up and families left. Across America, suburban development was eroding downtown retail. Television offered solitary entertainment that took the place of public activities like going to the movies.

By the late 1960s, Tony Anderson’s beloved theater had fallen on hard times. The impeccably dressed ushers were gone, and, much to Tony’s chagrin, on Wednesday nights the Pontiac was showing titillating foreign films that reflected changing social mores. It seemed that only the bars were prospering. More and more, town was looking like Pottersville, Bedford Falls’ evil twin in the movie. Then, on December 19, 1978, a massive fire devastated the Pontiac Theater. Three years after the fire, Saranac Lake’s longest serving mayor died at the age of 82.

It’s a sad ending to Tony’s story. Real life usually doesn’t get a Hollywood ending. Saranac Lake will always have plenty in common with Bedford Falls and Pottersville. And unlike George Bailey, most of us won’t ever meet our guardian angel.

But “It’s a Wonderful Life” reminds us that, even in the midst of regret and loss, we can find beauty and purpose in daily life. This is one of the most important things we do at Historic Saranac Lake, we honor the lives of the regular people who came before us. We pay attention to people like George, Ernie, Bert, Mary, Mr. Gower, Martini, Harry, the woman at the bank who asks for only $17.50, and even Mr. Potter. We remember Natalie Leduc, Mary Hotaling, Andy Rawdon, Jane and Walter Webb, and Tony Anderson.

Merry Christmas, movie house! Merry Christmas, Emporium! Merry Christmas, you wonderful old Building and Loan! Happy Holidays, Saranac Lake!

Saranac Lake students presented about Tony Anderson at his grave in Pine Ridge Cemetery in 2019, part of Historic Saranac Lake’s annual 5th grade history tour. 

[jcmarchi]

The Parent’s Guide To Holiday Game Gifting 

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/the-parents-guide-to-holiday-game-gifting/

The Parent’s Guide To Holiday Game Gifting 

It’s a story that likely sounds familiar to anyone who works in video games, or even plays a lot of games. Every year around this time, a few friends and family members ask for game-buying advice. That’s great, as I love having the opportunity to help someone find gaming experiences that will lead to a great time. But it can be especially challenging if the giftee in question is a younger child who wants to play games, but is perhaps too young or inexperienced with the hobby to know what they might enjoy. We’re here to help with a brief rundown of some foolproof suggestions for parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, or anyone looking to find the perfect holiday gift for the young game player. 

Their First Gaming Console

One of the most common questions that comes my way, especially from parents who might not be into gaming themselves, is which gaming console to give as a first way to play games. 

There’s no fundamentally wrong answer here. But if you’re looking for the most straightforward and surefire way to get this right in the year 2023? The answer is a Nintendo Switch. 

The Switch is a fantastic first gaming console for a lot of reasons. One of the most important reasons is that its library of games has standout options targeted for family play, including big franchises like Mario and Zelda. 

It’s generally less expensive than the other major consoles. You will likely see many bundles and sales over the holiday season, but you can usually expect to get a new Switch unit for around $300.  

When shopping, you may see a few different models. As a general rule, you want the standard Switch. A “Lite” model exists, but it won’t be able to connect to your TV – it can only be played portably. There’s also an “OLED” model that features a better screen on the portable player portion, but that probably doesn’t need to be a priority for most younger players. Nintendo has an official comparison chart that can help you decide which model you want.

The Switch comes out of the box as a console that can play well when docked with your TV, but also can be pulled out and played as a portable system – like in the car on a road trip, or in a room that doesn’t have a TV. Pro tip: Consider unboxing the system before the big gift-giving day and pre-setting up the cables and creating relevant profiles or accounts. When the gift wrap comes off, you can get right to playing.

Finally, the Switch also arrives with two small controllers (called Joy-Cons) built into the system, without the need to purchase more. While we generally recommend that you eventually purchase at least one standard format controller (like Nintendo’s own Pro Controller), those two Joy-Cons will support multiplayer as soon as you get started. 

[embedded content]

What’s the Best Family Game This Year?

If the family and kid you’re purchasing for have a Nintendo Switch, the easy choice this year is Super Mario Bros. Wonder. The long-running franchise has a new installment that was released just a few weeks ago. It’s approachable and fun for even younger players and supports up to four players simultaneously. Among the playable characters are several that can’t be hurt by enemies, which goes a long way to make it easier.

It’s also a delightful adventure to share with your family, with cleverly designed levels and creatures, and a brilliant system that can suddenly transform each level you play with a weird and off-the-wall effect that toys with your expectations. 

Other Great Family Games Only On Switch

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is by no means the only game in town. If you’re sticking with recent releases that are only on Switch, any of the following would be good selections. 

Pikmin 4 is a strategy and puzzle-solving game where you control a squad of strange creatures/plants who must explore, fight bugs and other creatures, and find treasures. This one is good for kids who are big into brainteasers and have some patience.

WarioWare: Move It! is a fun and silly game that leverages the Switch’s motion-enabled controllers to let players confront quick-firing microgames that demand different poses and motions. Expect a lot of giggling.

Yoshi’s Crafted World came out in 2019, but is still one of my top recommendations as a first platforming game. Players control the dinosaur Yoshi in a world made out of crafted objects like yarn and cardboard. A setting allows you to make the game much easier so that Yoshi can perpetually float across areas without landing.

Disney Illusion Island is another excellent game, and an obvious choice if your kiddo is a Disneyphile. The multiplayer-enabled game stars Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy as they explore an island and gradually acquire new abilities. The visuals and music are beautiful, and ably capture the Disney spirit of these characters.

Family Games On Other Platforms?

While family gaming on Switch is great, plenty of awesome multiplatform options exist. 

Bluey: The Videogame (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC) just released, and it’s a good pick for households that might be obsessed with the little Australian Heeler family. The game is very brief, and the gameplay is highly simplistic; it’s not a good pick for older or more experienced players. But for some Pre-K and Kindergarten-aged kids who love the animated series, it’s a good fit to get to explore Bluey’s house, playground, and other nearby areas, with the actual voice actors and music from the show helping to provide authenticity. 

Lil Gator Game (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC) is a lovely action/adventure platforming game about exploring and having fun while running, climbing, and swimming across a three-dimensional island. After an earlier limited release on just a couple of platforms, the game is playable on almost everything. It’s great for young players who revel in creative play and discovery.

Just Dance 2024 (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch) is ideal if the young person in your family just can’t stop moving their body, or they love pop music and dancing. It’s the latest installment of a long-running rhythm and dancing game where players dance along to onscreen characters as big-name pop hits play in the background. Note that the game connects to an associated smartphone app for motion-tracking unless playing on Switch, where you can choose to use your Joy-Cons instead. We take no responsibility for phones flung across the room.

Sonic Superstars (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC) is another solid selection, providing a big adventure for the familiar blue hedgehog and his friends. The colorful stages and high-speed movement are a ton of fun, and for the first time, this installment of the long-running platforming game includes the option for up to four-player multiplayer. 

The OIder Kids

This article is squarely addressed to folks looking to purchase for younger gamers (or potential gamers), but a quick note about figuring something out for older kids. If your giftee is around 10 years or older, you may need to do more investigation to find the perfect gaming gift. The entirety of Game Informer’s game coverage aims to help players find great gaming experiences, so you can peruse our reviews section to find good options. 

It’s important to know which platforms the gift receiver plays on. In most cases, that means knowing if they have a gaming PC, a Nintendo Switch, a PlayStation 5, or an Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S. It might also be the case that some active game players may still be playing on slightly older consoles, including the PlayStation 4 or the Xbox One. Make a point to buy a game that will actually run on a system they own. 

As for the game itself, it’s certainly okay to ask if there are any games they’re particularly excited about. But if you’re going for the surprise factor, snag a top-scoring recent game like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (Switch), Star Wars: Jedi Survivor (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, PC), Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 (PS5), or Super Mario Bros. Wonder (Switch). Those are all excellent releases that older kids should enjoy, and are all appropriately content-rated for teens or younger. 

Of course, you can also buy a gift card for their platform of preference and let them pick their own game. 

No matter what gaming experiences you gift to your family and friends, happy holidays, and enjoy your gaming!

[nerdanel-the-wise-istarnie]

❄ Nerdanel's Feanorian Christmas ❄

I have seen a lot of blogs do this and I wanted to try myself :)

🎁Nerdanel has kindly allowed to let everyone ask anything and everything to her during this holiday season. She's willing to answer everyone Christmas letters until the 13th December 11 GMT (tonight). So only about 2 weeks as she's a very busy elf woman taking care of 7 kids, her hot-tempered husband and being the best sculptor in all of Valinor.🎁

❄ ·⊰ RULES:

୧ *·˚ ❝The same rules apply as before, but here are a few new ones to ensure fun and safety ┆↰

❄ There's a limit of one question per ask please because Nerdanel is very busy (building gifts for her 8 membered family). However, there is no limit on the number of asks from one person.

❄ You can ask her NSFW questions, however you must be 18+ to do this and these questions will be tagged accordingly.

❄ Will you like your letter to be privately send to your inbox so no one else can see, please state so in the ask with emoji:🤫

❄ Anons are allowed, however it would be more personalized if you wish to reveal yourself and as said before no one but Nerdanel will know who are if you choose the option above.

❄ Don't forget to have asks enabled if you choose the option of secret letters. DMs are too clustered and Nerdanel doesn't really like it. You can reply her privately too if so you want :)

❄ We know people love her unconditionally, both pre-oath and post-oath, but for this holiday season, please only pre-oath!

❄ If you could kindly follow and reblog, it would be great so more people can know about this <3

❄ ·⊰ PROMPTS:

Dearest Nerdanel, can you send me:

😲- a letter with a secret; the ladies love to gossip. Or would you like to know one of Nerdanel's secret recipes? Like her personal hot chocolate recipe that even Fëanáro doesn't know but tries to steal a second mug of it. Or do you want to share a secret with her?

🥰- an emotional support message? We all know Nerdanel is certainly one of the best at giving advice and this is why we had the option of secret letters, what advice would you like from her, it can be anything. She'll hug you and cry with you; kindly wipe your tears. Even ask Carnistir to knit you something or anything from herself or one of her other sons :)

💌- send her a love letter (describe 2 things about yourself anything you love about her). Word of advice, just don't let Fëanáro see you.

📝- ask her any question (the option is limitless, it can be anything about her sons, what they like for or to do for Christmas, how to make them swoon, how does she keep her husband's fire under check if the Ñolofinwë's or Arafinwë's family come over? Anything!).

🔥 - a very naughty letter (18+ only; choose a prompt if you like), again and big time, do NOT let Fëanáro see you.

🎅 - a gift from her (Nerdanel will make you something special, just let her know your favorite color and share one thing or more about you).

❄ ·⊰ NOTES:

Have fun and enjoy.

Pretty aesthetic by @sorisooyaa as per usual :)

Please kindly reblog so more people can see. Spread the love and joy.

[lcs-library]

Hellooo I saw the Christmas prompts you reblogged so is it all right if I request for “Your hands are freezing!” “It’s not that bad… Woah, wait, what are you doing!?” with Tsumugi Tsukioka? Thank you and I hope you have a nice Christmas!!

Thank you so much for the request! I had a lot of fun writing this one, so I hope you enjoy! I hope you have a nice Christmas, too!!

Request rules

Christmas/winter prompts

Christmas shopping was always a stressful event.

That’s what you’d usually say, but doing it with Tsumugi actually made everything quite calm and stress-free. There was just something about his aura, or maybe it was the way he talked, or possibly the way he didn’t mind taking his time finding a unique present for every member of the Winter Troupe. Whatever it was, it put your mind at ease.

On this particular evening, the two of you decided to go to downtown Veludo to stop by all of the stores and see what you could find.

“Okay, so just to recap, we have some skincare products for Azuma, some nice tea for Guy, gourmet marshmallows for Hisoka, of course, and a notebook for Homare, right?” You listed, pointing at each of the bags the two of you were holding as you exited the confectionary.

“Mmhm! We just need something for Tasuku, and something we can put in for the all-company gift exchange,” Tsumugi replies with a nod.

“Cool, so any ideas on those?”

“No, not really,” he says hesitantly, his hand shooting up to rub the back of his neck, “I mean, I know what Tasuku might enjoy, but I can’t seem to figure out what would be generic enough that anybody could receive it and be happy with it.”

“Yeah, that’s fair.”

You look into the inky black sky, the stars looking to be nonexistent due to the light pollution of the city all decked out in its holiday best. The chatter of people turns to mush in your ears as you walk beside Tsumugi, lost in thoughts of friends and presents.

“Oh, look at that!” Tsumugi exclaims, interrupting your train of thought.

“Hm? What’s up?”

“They’re doing performances in front of the big Christmas tree in the town square,” he explains, pointing.

Your gaze follows his hand, and sure enough, there’s a choir singing some jazzy Christmas music on a small stage.

“Let’s go see it, they might have some theater troupes performing later!” Tsumugi says excitedly, grabbing your hand to take you with him.

That is, except that he immediately drops it.

“Your hands are freezing!”

“It’s okay, it’s not that bad…wait, what are you doing?”

Tsumugi has shifted the bags he was holding to be on his arm so he can take off one of his gloves.

“Here, give me your hand.”

You comply, allowing him to put the glove on you.

“Okay, but what good is one glove gonna do….oh.”

The realization hits you when he joins your bare hand in his.

“There, now both of your hands can be warm!” He states with a grin, the corners of his eyes crinkling up in joy.

You can’t find the right words to say to that, only resorting to smiling back at him, your cheeks flushing, but not just because of the cold.

“Let’s go, shall we?” He offers, taking a step forward.

“Mmhm.”

And so he takes you to join the crowd, happily listening to the music.

You take a look over at Tsumugi to see his face bathed in light and color. He almost looks like an angel. It’s quite fitting for him, honestly.

After a few moments, he notices you’re staring and turns to you.

“Is something wrong?” He asks, tilting his head to the side a bit.

“Of course not,” you say softly, “just admiring the view.”

Now it was Tsumugi’s turn to blush, but he gave you a grin anyway.

“I’m glad you like what you see,” he replies, leaning over to give your cheek a quick, but tender, kiss.

Once more, you couldn’t come up with words, so you settled on a giggle before turning back to watch the choir.

The shopping could wait. You just wanted to bask in this moment for a bit longer.