#atlasthemayor

[aristocrating]

hey gang check out what @atlasthemayor drew for me, i'm fucking obsessed

i'm so normal about these two, i swear

[cricketnationrise]

CONGRATS ON HITTING 500!!! Sooooooo deserved frfrfr Here's to 20k MORE fic prompt: -3 AM -Basement bungalow -Chris ''Chowder'' Chow -Can be M or E, dealer's choice :-)

HI ATLAS obviously i had to write polyfrogs for your prompt so pls enjoy this lil senior year momente 💜💜💜

read the rest of the ficlets here

🏒🏒🏒🏒

3:00am, haus basement

It’s late.

It’s so late it’s on the bubble of being early, actually. Chowder should be sleeping—all three of them should be sleeping—graduation is tomorrow. He should be deep in a REM cycle, blissfully unaware of the creaking of the Haus, or the occasionally banging of the hot water heater. He should be dreaming, with the soft snores of Dex on one side and the endearing nose whistle of Nursey on the other. 

Should be. 

Instead, the bungalow is filled with the sounds of rustling bedsheets, of straining mattress springs. The quiet of late spring night is broken up with stifled moans, with whispered pleas, with gasping breaths of pleasure. 

Chowder trades long, heated kisses with Dex sprawled haphazardly across his chest. His hips writhe, straining to buck up into Nursey’s mouth. It’s overwhelming—in a good way, in the best way—to be between them like this, to be so utterly vulnerable and yet completely safe in their hands. He never wants to be anywhere else, would happily live in this moment forever, but—

Dex nips at the hinge of his jaw and Chowder’s thoughts scatter with his whine. All he wants is more: more pressure, more contact, more lips and limbs and tongues and just—more. His orgasm has been ebbing and flowing for a while, completely at Nursey’s whim. Chowder’s more than ready to come. 

“I think,” Nursey starts, getting the words out between kitten licks to the head of Chowder’s cock, “that he’s enjoying himself, Dexy.”

Chowder can almost hear the fond eye roll in Dex’s voice when he pulls away from Chowder’s mouth. “Get him off so we can sleep already, Nurse. He’s been waiting long enough.”

Thank fucking god. 

“Aye aye, captain,” Nursey says before swallowing Chowder to the hilt. Dex’s muttered why are you the way that you are is half-lost in  Chowder’s shout, consciousness narrowing to the tight, wet heat of Nursey’s mouth and the feeling of Dex’s fingers gripping his hair. 

“Please—Nursey. Derek, ‘m close—”

Dex stops whatever smart remark Nursey would have given by placing a hand on the back of his head, keeping him in place, sucking Chowder’s cock. “Stay focused, babe. No more teasing tonight.”

Nursey’s choked off assent is enough stimulation to get Chowder right to the edge of orgasm, but it’s Dex’s low, gravelly words—crooned directly in his ear—that push him off the cliff. 

“You look so beautiful; come for us, Chris.”

Chowder does, and it feels like making a save at the final buzzer, like breaking the surface after diving just a hair too long, like a wave crashing on the shore. 

He’s sort of out of it after that; the combined late hour and powerful orgasm is a potent sleeping agent. He blinks and Dex is wiping his stomach with a warm cloth. Blinks again and Nursey is untangling the bedding from Chowder’s ankles. Blinks a third time and the room is quiet and dark, and his partners are octopused around him. 

It's late. 

It’s so late it’s definitely wrapped around to being early by now. Chowder closes his eyes, sighs contentedly, and lets himself drift to sleep; they’re graduating tomorrow. 

[vitaliskravtsov]

This sounds cool!

Ship: Polyfrogs

Number: 5

5) Your Daddy’s Son from Ragtime

Music from those hands could Catch you like a spell He could make you love him 'Fore the tune was done

There’s something mesmerizing about Chowder’s hands. The way he plays goalie is kind of eye-catching in itself, but watching him play piano is an entirely other occupation.

Privately, Dex thinks that Nursey buying a baby grand for their Denver apartment wasn’t actually the waste he’d bitched about when he was 22 and stupid and didn’t know what his NHL contract would mean in real life and didn’t know what Nursey’s royalties would come out to in the next couple years.

Privately, Dex is wondering what kind of piano he can get for their house in Maine so that Chowder has something really nice to play in the summer, too.

Nursey’s behind Dex before Dex can move out of the doorway, transfixed as he is by the magic flowing its way out of Chowder’s hands and into the room.

“I know you’re standing there,” Chowder says, still playing, fingers still flying. “There’s furniture in here, babes.”

Dex makes a kind of strangled noise, and he feels Nursey choke on air.

“Not blind, just playing,” their boyfriend adds. “I’ll stop if you keep standing there like weirdos.”

“Uh,” Nursey adds, helpful as always.

Chowder switches to the Jaws theme, which is kind of startling enough to get Nursey moving. 

Dex slides in behind Chowder instead and drapes himself over his boyfriend instead, and Nursey, after a moment, follows him. 

“Piano bench is uncomfortable for hug piles,” Chowder comments, but Dex can feel his smile against his bicep so the point is kind of moot.

“Music rings true to the soul,” Nursey mutters into Chowder’s hair, sounding half-asleep.

“Mhh-hm,” Chowder says, and shares a look with Dex, one that says you’re carrying him and also I love you so much.

“If you weren’t so good we wouldn’t have to hug you,” Dex mumbles gruffly, and Chowder laughs, bright and glad.

“Just remember we have to save our cellys for after games, now,” he tells Dex.

It’s true - since joining the NHL and playing without Nursey and Chowder, Dex has gotten an awful lot ore post-game cuddles, ostensibly to make up for the ones he missed out on in the game, but probably just because his boyfriends are cuddle monsters.

“I’m going to be a pancake, soon,” Chowder says, after a moment, so Dex hauls Nursey into his arms and carries him into their bedroom and into bed, and they all tumble in together, arms around arms and legs over legs, breath mingling and skin touching, love pressed against love.

[virgoscringe]

certified loverboy christopher chow 🥰 largely dedicated to @atlasthemayor bc every time atlas shows up on my dash i think of polyfrogs hehe

my comms are opennnn <3

[skinneybonboni]

Secret Santa gift for @atlasthemayor

[beansprean]

Happy birthday to my brother in all things polyfrogs, @atlasthemayor !!

i drew da boys just for u 😘 (chowder and dex are so easy to dress, idk why nursey makes it so difficult for me dkjfh)

(ID in alt and under cut)

ID: Knees up of Chowder, Nursey, and Dex standing together on a white background. Nursey, wearing a long sleeved pale mustard shirt with thumb holes, a dark blue puffy vest, a thin green scarf, and dark wash jeans, has his arms thrown around the others’ shoulders and is leaning in between them with a grin. Chowder, wearing a sharks zip up hoodie and medium wash jeans, smiles back easily, hand grasping on to Nursey’s over his chest. His mouth is open around the smile, likely in the middle of infodumping and refusing to be interrupted by surprise affection. Dex, wearing a red plaid flannel with sleeves rolled to the elbow open over a white tee shirt, light wash jeans, and an analog watch, has one hand in his pants pocket and the other gripping Nursey’s wrist. He is half turned towards Nursey, teeth bared as if going to scold him for his clinginess, but is fighting a smile and losing. /end ID

[omgzineplease]

Contributor Feature: Atlas The Mayor

We are so proud to make a feature post highlighting one of our previous contributors. Today's contributor is Atlas The Mayor! The art you see above was featured in Zine, Please! Vol. 2: #SwawesomeGreetings! The theme of that volume was content all about omgcp characters celebrating winter holidays.

Let's Hear A Bit From This Amazing Creator!

Can you tell us a bit about your piece? I had a hard time coming up with something more Christmas related, but as soon as I thought of new years, the idea of something involving the midnight kiss GRIPPED ME! I feel SO much for these idiots and all of their different bonds between each other.

How did you feel about the journey of participating in this volume? It was real fun! It was great having everyone else on the zine server to help me brainstorm the idea and cheer me on as I worked on my piece! Tell us a bit about yourself and where our audience can find you! I am a traditional artist who enjoys videogames, comics, and the frogs! I've been part of the omgcp fandom since 2020, and got obsessed with the frogs around 2021.

You can find me and my art here on tumblr @atlasthemayor !

Wanna contribute to Zine, Please! like Atlas?

If you would like to contribute a piece to Zine, Please! then you're in luck! Zine, Please! Vol. 3: #TripleTrouble is currently accepting contributor and beta sign-ups! Sign-ups close November 30, 2024.

This volume's theme is content featuring your favorite canon and non-canon omgcp trios!

To Become A Zine, Please! Contributor, Sign Up Here! To Become A Zine, Please! Fic Beta, Sign Up Here! For More Info About The Sign-Ups, Click Here!

[transwicky]

This is @atlasthemayor 's fault.

Max is technically Nursey's little cousin, and they've never met. Never even heard of the other.

Until Nursey gets a call from CPS that his baby cousin was left at summer camp, and nobody picked him up.

Cue Nursey, Dex, and Chowder driving the fuck all hours/days it takes to get to Camp Campbell, where Max is staying with David until someone gets him, or gives custody to David. (Max isn't sure which is worse.)

Max is baffled by his cousin showing up with a fucking white guy. What the fuck.

Chowders okay though.

David is thrilled that someone came for Max, and while he's cautious about it - Max was FORGOTTEN and/or ABANDONED - when he learns Nursey never even HEARD of Max before, he's so shocked and saddened, and Nursey just goes "yeah, my parents are fucked up like that too, I got abandoned at a lot camps back in the day".

Max realizes that maybe Nursey won't be so bad. He gets it, after all. Shitty parents who never show up and shit, yeah? Maybe he'll grow up to be a kind of chill guy like his cousin.

And then over time he realizes his cousin is the cringiest bitch ever and he PRAYS to a god he doesn't even believe in that he NEVER becomes like Nursey because WHAT THE FUCK?

Dex is kinda cool with the building stuff. Chowder's kinda cool for letting him stay up late too.

Nursey? No. Absolutely not. He hates being seen with his cousin.

He will eat raw fucking meat in front of him just to torture him.

Dex usually sighs, but he's laughing, and Max knows he's good. Chowder scolds him for being insensitive. Nursey though just goes fucking chill and Max hates it. A lot.

They are the epitome of fighting each other in petty bullshit ways.

[zimbits-my-love]

made a cute drawing for @atlasthemayor

🤌🤌✨✨

[aristocrating]

I Spy, by Derek Nurse

Dear Will,

I spy two beers and a skin fair and freckled

The bloodshot of ears and a face red-hot speckled

Two seats by the pond, and an evening with a klutz

The beat of my heart, and a churning in my guts

The holding of hands, the potential of a kiss

A golden opportunity I don’t want to miss

Your amber-brown eyes, the color of honey

The guess that I like you, right on the money

I spy a mop of hair, gingery red

And the promise of a date (if I’m not injured yet).

~ Derek

Hi! I wrote this as one of the love letters Dex gets sent in @atlasthemayor's drawing for the Polyartober prompt "Lovers"! Check it out here!

[montrealmadison]

Ship: Parsechowswoops (don't think this ship even has a name) Kent/Chowder/Jeff Romantic Number: 25 Extra details: I adore love confessions, but if you don't have a specific idea for that, then anything's cool anyways! (My ao3 handle is Atlasthemayor, just like here) Congrats on the 400 followers, and here's to a thounsand more!

this was a really fun pairing and SUCH a challenge but what can i say, i love kent parson and i love you, atlas ❤️ thank you for the kind wishes and for this prompt!!

25. Kent/Chowder/Swoops + love confessions + R.E.M by Ariana Grande for @atlasthemayor

"Excuse me, um, I love you" I know that's not the way to start a conversation, trouble I watch them other girls when they come and bug you But I felt like I knew you, so I just wanted to hug you You like? "I love you" Who starts a conversation like that? Nobody but I do But you are not a picture, I can't cut you up and hide you I'll get you out my mind, mhm, I tried to

As a rule, Kent does not believe in miracles.

It feels good to come back to the desert, to leave the snowy Eastern skies behind for dry and bracing winds. Swoops spends the plane ride home with one big hand curved around Kent’s thigh, a gesture meant to soothe as much as to stop his leg from bouncing. He’s not the only one whose pent-up energy is palpable; the air in the cabin is thick with frustration. They sucked hard on the road this time around, and the time before that, and the time before that. 

Kent does not believe in miracles, so he’s already mentally checked out of the pep talk they’re going to get when they land. His homecoming routine involves no false promises. He wants to eat something bad for him, take a scalding shower, enjoy himself a goddamn nap, and get railed. Not necessarily in that order.

They pile their bags into Swoops’ nice new car and peel through the In-N-Out off West Sahara for shit that definitely doesn’t belong within a mile of their meal plan. Kathleen would own their asses if she found out. Still, licking grease off his fingers takes some of the sting out of the string of losses that keep playing in the back of Kent’s mind.

Some, but not all.

read on ao3 | request a fic here

[cricketnationrise]

9 books

thanks for the tag @missanniewhimsy, narrowing my favorite books down to just was (delightful) torture (i will in fact be cheating unashamedly by including series and i'm correct for that actually)

Protector of the Small quartet - Tamora Pierce

Murderbot series - Martha Wells

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society - Annie Barrows & Mary Ann Sheffer

The Blue Sword - Robin McKinley

The Book Thief - Markus Zusak

Matilda - Roald Dahl

His Dark Materials series - Philip Pullman

Exhalation: Stories - Ted Chiang

East - Edith Pattou

tagging so many people because i'm nosy and will shamelessly pick my next reads from their responses: @the-lincyclopedia @everwitch-magiks @parvuls @porcupine-girl @doggernaut @montrealmadison @freebooter4ever @appalamutte @clottedcreamfudge @cha-melodius @celeritas2997 @mrseugenefitzherbert @dumbpeachjuice @cheesecurdsgravyandfries @stardisnight @sherryvalli @rmd-writes @kiwiana-writes @dessertwaffles @petrodobreva @ivecarvedawoodenheart @inexplicablymine @checkdeezpucks @adreamareads @orchidscript @atlasthemayor @daisymae-12 @historicallysam @xthelastknownsurvivorx @14carrotghoul @zimms @designatedgrape @jubileesbian @tangredont @notallthosewhowander @thoughtsofthegirlwiththecurl @pallidvixen @a-very-gay-disaster

and also if you just want to, GO FOR IT

(seriously i want to drown in all y'alls favorites)

[virgoscringe]

Chowder 💖

also requested by @uncleshits and @atlasthemayor !! so i did one chowder for each of u <3

[peanutdoodler]

My secret Santa gift to @atlasthemayor 🎊🎉💖✨ it’s actually been a couple years since I’ve been able to participate in any secret Santa events. It’s also been a long while since I’ve had time to draw any check please fanart!

[ohyoufool]

Gotta go with my 2 numba ones for the ship bingo

Polyfarms, and Bittydex

(these frogs have corroded my brain beyond repair)

ATLAS YOU BROUGHT US OVER THE LINE!!!!!! @atlasthemayor

MOTHERFUCKING BINGOOOOOO

Polyfrogs for the win -- going in "so fluffy" because most of the content I see is like. they are teammates. they are besties. they're all in love. chowder is a little clueless. they know how to take care of each other like an intrinsic skill. SCREAMS.

As for BittyDex. OHOHO. I put "I like their friendship" BUT I have more complicated thoughts because I sooooo feel like Dex came in and had a gay crisis because of Bitty. ESPECIALLY senior year Bitty. Dex was gay about it, that's all I'm saying. However with that I do think it's very unrequited and also Dex would never say anything.

[striveattemptfail]

The snow's coming down, I'm watching it fall | Zimbits, G, 2k

Summary: It was because of this growing love for the holiday that Jack agreed to throw a Christmas party at his and Bitty’s place.  At first it was just inviting Coach and Suzanne for Christmas, so they could spend time up in Providence with Bits until New Year. Bob and Alicia always did the same. But then they started inviting old teammates, turning the family dinner into a full-on party. So many loved ones visiting them during one of Bitty’s most favourite times of the year, so of course Jack wanted to spend it with Bitty too. Read on Ao3

A/N: For the OMGSP Secret Santa Exchange. Takes place after Jack and Bitty are married. I hope you enjoy it, @peanutdoodler~!

Title from Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) originally by Darlene Love. Thank you to @atlasthemayor for the quick beta and sweet comments<3 Any other mistakes are mine.

—❄️—❄️—❄️—❄️—❄️—

i.

Bitty loved Christmas.

Jack loved Bitty.

So Jack liked Christmas now too.

When he was younger, he usually dreaded the season. It meant that both Papa and Maman would be even busier than usual with games and dinner parties and shmoozing with stuffy people Jack hated talking to.

He’d much rather stay at home, watch tape, and drink hot cocoa.

Bitty grew up a lot differently.

The holidays meant seeing family, baking even more somehow, genuine laughter and joy around the house. He loved the decorations, the music, the spirit.

When they finally got together, Bitty’s happiness was infectious.

And Jack grew to love Christmas.

It was because of this growing love for the holiday that he agreed to throw a Christmas party at his and Bitty’s place. At first it was just inviting Coach and Suzanne for Christmas, so they could spend time up in Providence with Bits until New Year. Bob and Alicia always did the same.

But then they started inviting old teammates, turning the family dinner into a full-on party. So many loved ones visiting them during one of Bitty’s most favourite times of the year, so of course Jack wanted to spend it with Bitty too.

He thought about this as he packed up after his last game for the month, the irony of how ready he was to return home and help his husband out with a party.

—❄️—❄️—❄️—

ii.

Bitty was in full swing setting things up for Christmas day.

Jack was out finishing the last leg of his roadie before coming home for the holidays, meaning Bitty had a lot to prep for.

The decorations had been set since Cyber Monday. The menu was decided two weeks ago so he had time to pick up groceries as the big day drew closer. Over the past week he started setting ingredients aside, pulling dishes and trays together to speed up his process so he didn’t have to go searching for them. Yesterday, he already began chopping up the vegetables he needed to prep for cooking all day on the 24th.

Bitty was in His Zone.

He checked his phone for a quick update, about to text Jack that he was going to be buried in their kitchen for the next few days and to let himself in, when he decided to call his husband instead.

—❄️—❄️—❄️—

iii.

“Hi, sweetpea!”

“Hey, Bits.”

“How’s the roadie?”

“Good. You watched the game?”

“Of course! Nice hatty there, Mr. Zimmermann.”

“Hah. Thanks.”

“You’ll be here by the 23rd right?”

“Mhm. By the afternoon if weather allows it.”

“Hopefully a bit earlier! I want you to taste test a few things before I go wild and actually start cookin’ up for Christmas.”

“Haha, okay. Anything particular?”

“Testing a new pie recipe.”

“‘Swawesome. So I—huh? Marty? Oui. Mm. D’accord.”

“Gotta go?”

“Yeah. Marty says the bus is loaded up.”

“Okay, travel safe! Miss you, honey.”

“You too, Bits.”

“Talk soon?”

“Yeah.”

“Bye, I love you!”

“Love you too.”

—❄️—❄️—❄️—

iv.

[Approx. 24 hours later]

Bitty hung up the phone, finally letting out the slow sigh he’d been holding ever since Jack told him that he would be coming home later than they planned.

It truly was a series of unfortunate events: a popped bus tire, plane issues, new flight plans... Jack had sounded so defeated when he relayed the news to him. Bitty expressed that he was disappointed by the delay, but he knew that things happened, none of it Jack’s fault, and he didn’t want Jack worrying about him.

So he told Jack that he could manage with Shitty and Lardo to help him out for the Christmas party.

And they did. The two were as boisterous as ever, making an early drive to their condo to help. They bickered with Bitty all while they assisted him with the extravagant Christmas meal he had planned for.

Then Jack texted him that his connecting flight got delayed by weather. And then that his baggage got lost.

Bitty kept up his spirit for Shitty and Lardo with every update Jack gave, though he doubted he convinced them that he was just fine, y’all, now get! You two need rest before the realchaos starts tomorrow morning!

(Lardo had let out a low groan while Shitty barked out a laugh. Then they said their good nights and retreated to the spare room.)

He had wanted this Christmas to be extra special since it was the first big celebration he and Jack were hosting.

And he was determined to keep it just as special, even if Jack only made it for half the day.

Still, that didn’t mean he couldn’t wait up for his husband on the couch, passing the time by scrolling for miles on Twitter, instead of looking at the door and hoping that Jack finally walked through.

—❄️—❄️—❄️—

v.

Jack was late.

He was so very late.

It started just after he got off the phone with Bits. The bus was loaded up and ready to go, just as Marty said, but less than a mile after they left their hotel, the bus popped a tire.

Which would’ve been fine, since the team usually flew on charter, but apparently their plane had a major mechanical issue, so they were told to either spend a day (maybe even two) to wait for it to get fixed, or to each catch a regular flight home.

After a quick discussion, everyone agreed to fly back individually, simply wanting to get back to their respective hometowns. The single guys were upset, but not as much as the guys with kids and partners they had to break the news to.

Bits was much more forgiving than Jack expected.

“I thought you said you wanted me to taste test things?” Jack had asked, unable to help his disappointed pouting.

“Oh, sweetie, don’t worry about that,” Bitty had reassured him. “I can call up Shitty and Lardo to make their way here a bit earlier. They can help out.”

He then sighed, swiping a hand through his hair. “I’m sorry, Bits.”

It didn’t help that he missed his single connecting flight because of a sudden snowstorm, and that his luggage got lost in transit because of the delay. Then when he finally landed in PVD, the taxi line was long as all hell because apparently everything happening in Jack’s life wanted to go wrong.

Which meant that instead of arriving home in the afternoon of the 23rd like he wanted, he actually got home past 11pm on the 24th, sneaking into his own condo quietly like a thief in the night. He unceremoniously dumped his bags by the door and kicked off his boots. Trudging over to the living room to take a seat on the couch, he decided to gather up a bit of energy before disturbing Bitty, who was probably asleep in their bedroom.

He was surprised to find himself proven incorrect. Instead of an empty living room, he found Bits lying on the couch, hand on his phone like he fell asleep while scrolling through it.

(Jack smiled, because he probably did.)

He tiptoed over to where his husband was sleeping soundly to kiss him on the forehead.

“Joyeux Noel, Bits,” he whispered.

At this, Bitty stirred awake, blinking up at him with a sleepy smile.

“Welcome home, sweatpea. Merry Christmas.”

The fatigue of the past 30 hours immediately melted away, and Jack figured Christmas could be a lot worse than coming home to the man he loved most, greeting him warmly with a soft kiss.

—❄️—❄️—❄️—

vi.

Bitty vaguely recalled the night before—he knew that passed out on the couch after he sent Lardo and Shitty off to bed—but for some reason he didn’t wake up in the living room like he thought he was going to.

Instead, he woke up in bed, Jack snoring quietly next to him.

He suddenly remembered the door clicking open, the soft thump of bags hitting the floor, and being awoken by familiar lips pressing onto his forehead.

Jack was home.

Even though he’d coached his friends through his intricate meal plan yesterday, he had still been stressed and upset that Jack had missed out. But now, all the sadness he’d suppressed melted away, leaving only a deep warmth and satisfaction that Jack was finally here, with him, just in time for Christmas.

—❄️—❄️—❄️—

vii.

Despite the delays he faced, Jack managed to spend Christmas at home. Lardo and Shitty greeted him with a big smile and a crushing hug respectively, and before long Bitty whipped everyone into a well-oiled machine to prep for the Christmas party ahead of them.

Yes, Jack included.

Bitty did give him the chance to bow out, considering his hectic travel, but the hours he spent with Bitty in bed (clothed, completely asleep) gave him enough energy to lend a hand.

He still wanted their first Christmas party in their home successful, after all.

And to spend it with his most favourite person in the world, along with some of his other favourite people?

There was nothing more Jack could really ask for.

—❄️—❄️—❄️—

viii.

[Several hours of cooking later]

The party was in full swing, food and presents laid out just in time, friends and family mingling and laughing all around their home. Somehow, he and Bits managed to catch a moment together, Jack corralling them to stand by the entry to the hallway.

Then he grinned to himself.

“You know,” he said conspiratorially, “we’re under mistletoe right now.”

Bitty looked up at him with a smirk. “You planned this on purpose, didn’t you, Mr. Zimmermann?”

Jack could only smile even wider, pulling Bitty close by the waist, and kissed him.

“OOOOOH!” Shitty hollered from across the room, as he often did. “FOOOOOINE! That’s a big fine right there, Jack!”

The room erupted with laughter, half the crowd agreeing with Shitty, the other half wolf-whistling. Somewhere, Jack could hear Suzanne and Maman cooing at them.

Jack flipped everyone the bird, deepening the kiss against Bitty’s smiling lips.

—❄️—❄️—❄️—❄️—❄️—

[BONUS: The day after the party]

i.

Suzanne and Coach Bittle go out to explore Providence since it was their first time visiting the city in the winter, Maman and Papa going along with them, so he and Bitty decided to spend the day out together too.

Unsurprisingly, they made their way to a frozen pond, skates in hand. Bits said it was deemed safe a few days ago, and there were a few people already skating around by the time they arrived.

Since it was just the two of them, they couldn’t play shinny, but a quick skate date wasn’t out of the question.

They passed the hours in the freezing cold, filled with smiles and laughter as he and Bitty skated around the pond with their hands locked the entire time.

When they left, flurries began to float down from the clouds.

—❄️—❄️—❄️—

ii.

He and Jack headed back as fresh snow fell around them. After checking his phone, they found out that their parents were still out, so he and Jack grabbed a few supplies from home before going back outside to mess around with the newly fallen snow. They built two little snowmen, one a little taller than the other.

“That’s adorable!” a voice called out.

Bitty turned around to find a young boy looking down at their creation. He was bundled in a yellow jacket, wild curls tucked away from his face with earmuffs covered in sunflowers.

“Do you mind if I take a photo?” he asked, looking up to beam a gap-toothed grin at Bitty.

He snuck a glance at Jack, who nodded.

Bitty couldn’t help but smile back. “Sure, honey!”

The boy squealed out a Thanks! before snapping his photos and leaving. He and Jack then took their own selfies before heading back home once again.

Later, when their parents returned from their day trip and Bitty regaled what he and Jack had been up to, he considered it a wonderful day well spent.