#but I have advent fics to edit

[lululawrence]

Snow In Love - A 2023 Advent Fic by lululawrence

Harry Styles/Louis Tomlinson | 33k | 25/25 Chapters

Harry and Louis are best friends and have been for basically as long as they can remember. For the first time since middle school, they are both single for the holidays leaving them with the brilliant idea to take each other as their dates to work events. To make things easier they will pretend like they’re dating. But then they learn something funny.

People thought they were already dating. Weird.

An advent fic featuring childhood friends, fake dating turned actual dating, really horrible secret keeping, and a winter weather surprise.

☃️ 1 ☃️ 2 ☃️ 3 ☃️ 4 ☃️ 5 ☃️ 6 ☃️ 7 ☃️ 8 ☃️ 9 ☃️ 10 ☃️ 11 ☃️ 12 ☃️ 13 ☃️ 14 ☃️ 15 ☃️ 16 ☃️ 17 ☃️ 18 ☃️ 19 ☃️ 20 ☃️ 21 ☃️ 22 ☃️ 23 ☃️ 24 ☃️ 25 ☃️

Now Complete!

Buy me a coffee?

[olderthannetfic]

Warnings in general weren’t a thing in a lot of these spaces. Sometimes, people would be mad about things that were permanent like character death, but trauma followed by a happy ending just wouldn’t have made that list a lot of the time. I don’t believe romance novels were relevant. The lack of a concept of trigger warnings was. (The actual term seems to hail from the mid 00s, for example, though obviously, warnings existed prior to that.)

The biggest change was the advent of tags existing.

Technologically, they’re not a thing on the old internet, and metadata tends to just be sparser in general. Some fic archives did start to have some filtering, but it was pretty basic and varied a lot by space.

Keep in mind that for much of the 90s, the shape of a fic archive was a hard-coded html page or maaaaybe that X-Files FTP site. They looked fundamentally different from the more recent type where you upload things yourself and you can edit in a WYSIWYG interface.

I think the main driver of internet metadata is generally porn, and I don’t mean fandom. I mean commercial porn. This is likely a big driver for being able to sort anything at all by tropes. I couldn’t point you to exact moments that moved tech forward though.

[paracosm-draw]

Obikin Advent Calender 🎁🎄💕

Guys I have an idea !

I wanted to do something for Christmas but then I figured it would be even more fun to do it with you, so what I propose is this :

- My project is to promote 24 artists/writers, so one every day ; in that way the participants will only have to do one (or two) works for the entirety of the challenge (which I think is less demanding)

- For a reason of expectation vs. reality, if I don't have 24 different entries, you will be able to propose several works

- The works : basically everything you want, whether it's fics, drawings, edits or those pretty things you find on Pinterest and which I forgot the name, as long as the main themes are turning around Obikin and Christmas 🎄

- How to participate : if you want to participate you just have to put your tumblr name and the kind of work you do in the table i'm going to link just below, in front of the day you want 🍬

- Entries : I will make a first round of subscriptions from today to saturday 09 November. If I have 24 different persons then it's perfect, if I don't I will make a second round from Monday 11 to Saturday 15 and in this one you'll be able to subscribe for a second work 🎉

- End of the challenge : on Friday 29 November so I'll have the time to organize everything before the big reveal ! (Also for time zone reasons) 🎁

- How to submit your work : you can submit it to me via my tumblr or via my email address, that I'll give privately once you're subscribed ☄️

The subscription document :

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1TQJ98hmfX36BEYBHjq-AY5QkCTztr-40IQaBFaGQpsY/edit?usp=drivesdk

I'm excited to see which ones of you will want to participate 🥰🫶🏻

[tgmsunmontue]

PROMPT TWO “Christmas at sea”

2nd December 2024 - dedicated to @phisworld14 because I woke up this morning to an absolutely hilarious chat and it immediately gave me the spark for today's Advent Fic.

~ ~ ~ ~\==||==/ ~ ~ ~ ~

                There is a small brown box sitting on the pillow in his rack. While it is Christmas Day, usually people giving gifts like to see the person’s face when they’re receiving them.

                Unless it’s a prank gift.

                Like a glitter bomb.

                Then they want to be as far away as possible.

                He reaches out and pokes it, and it feels heavier than its size would suggest. Small enough to fit in the palm of his hand. Unlikely to be anything too dangerous given its size. He picks it up and runs a fingernail along the seal of tape, still a little apprehensive. Maybe it’s not even meant for him. But it was on his pillow. He opens it and there is tissue, and then there’s a little peek of red and yellow and he tips it into his hand.

                It’s a rooster.

                A little ceramic rooster.

                He turns it over to look at the base.

                Hand painted.

                Limited edition.

                What the actual fuck.

                “Merry Christmas Rooster…”

                His head snaps up from studying the odd gift.

                Hangman is standing there in the doorway to their bunkroom, face almost expressionless. Except Bradley’s gotten to know him better since the mission. Since the animosity dropped away into this uneven truce of something else. Can see the way half of Hangman’s bottom lip twitches when he’s nervous about something.

                Then it hits him.

                They’ve been at sea for four months, with three months to go. Which means Hangman brought this onboard with him. Made room in his limited duffle space for a gift.

                For him.

                Huh.

                Something else.

                “How long Hangman?”

                “Don’t know what you’re talking about.”

                He places the box and ceramic rooster onto his pillow carefully and steps toward him. Of course he doesn’t step back, that’s never been Hangman’s style, and it leaves them standing with a mere inch between them, so close he can feel the warmth of his body and the damp heat of his breath as it ghosts over his lips.

                “How long?” he asks again, and it might be the movement of the ship, but Hangman, no, Jake, sways into him. He runs the tip of his nose up the ridge of Jake’s nose, breathes in the scent of salt-jet fuel-soap until their lips are brushing, knows Jake can likely feel the prickle of his moustache against his skin. “How long Jake?”

                “Long enough. Too long.”

                The words are soft, quiet, but he can feel Jake’s lips moving against his own and he presses softly, ever so softly, lets his hands settle carefully on Jake’s hips as he kisses him, doesn’t want to scare him away. Not that he thinks Jake Seresin scares easily, but with regards to this he might; Bradley’s not willing to risk it. He pulls back slightly, likes the way Jake’s cheeks have flushed, likes knowing, hoping, that he’s the reason.

                “I didn’t get you anything.”

                “That’s okay, I’ve got everything I want.”

Today a 15 minute crayon on paper sketch (which I scanned in because I am at work), rather than a 4-hour thing from yesterday because digital art is HARD when you've only been doing it for a month...

[ksadvent]

Not to disturb your summer vibes, but September is here (*screams, part in delight, part in shock*) and this means: K/S Sign-Up is happening!

Schedule for 2024:

Sign-ups and prompt posts: September 1 - 30 Prompt claims and creation period: September 1 - November 20 Works due: November 20 Works revealed (gradually): Dec 1 - 31 The time for all these steps is: 11:59 AM UTC. A quick refresher of our FAQs and rules: FAQs:

Advent Calendar? Is this a Christian event? Do I have to create an X-mas-themed work?

No, K/S Advent Calendar is not a Christian (or, generally, religious) event. There's no denying that the concept of such an annual fannish event in December has its roots in the wide-spread, originally German Lutheran custom of advent calendars (which first appeared in the 19th century), and we do keep the term "advent" in the name, but it is important to us that this fest itself is not tied to any specific religion or culture. December comes with a multitude of holidays, traditions, and days of significance around the world (see this list on Wikipedia, for example), be they secular or religious or even fictional (e.g. Festivus or Hogswatch); all of them can be explored for this fest, as can the topics of end-of-year, New Year, winter, and family gatherings. This is a very wide and varied theme, and we hope there's something for everyone in it, creators and readers alike.

Why does this event take place throughout the whole month of December? Advent calendars have 24 doors.

Because it's fun and we think there can be no better way to end the year (and start the new one) than with the delight that is Kirk/Spock. (Also, not all advent calendars have 24 doors.)

Do I have to be on Dreamwidth or Tumblr in order to take part in this fest?

No, a DW account is not required. We have a community on Dreamwidth and a blog on Tumblr for announcements and discussion, but schedules and important admin posts will always be publicly visible. The only account you really need for this fest is an AO3 account. You are, of course, encouraged to post/link to your work anywhere you like to after its reveal; so if you prefer to share your art, for example, on Twitter or Tumblr for greater exposure, then you can crosspost it there as soon as your work is revealed.

Is this a fic exchange?

No. K/S Advent Calendar is a prompt meme, that means participants will not get matched one-on-one and assigned to a gift recipient as is the case in exchanges. So no one is guaranteed a "gift", but there's also much less pressure on participants. Members sign up and post prompts until the defined deadline (see the schedule). Prompts can be claimed by anyone who has an account on the AO3, and the resulting fanworks need to be posted to the collection until the deadline according to schedule. If you need more detailed information on how a prompt meme works (e.g. how to edit your prompts, where to find your claimed prompts etc), please see this section in the AO3 FAQ.

Do I need to be signed up to claim & fill a prompt? What if I missed the sign-up phase?

Admittedly, the term "sign-up" is a tiny bit misleading. The "sign-up" form is for submitting your prompts; if you would like to claim & fill prompts without submitting a prompt yourself, then you do not need to go through the "sign-up" form. Just browse the list of prompts other fans submitted and use the "claim" button to pick whatever tickles your muse. When you claim a prompt it shows up under "My claims" on the collection profile and under "Claims" on your own dashboard. Use the "fulfil" button to post your work, please. Rules:

1. K/S Advent Calendar is an event for adults as some prompts or fanworks might be mature or explicit. By taking part you confirm that you are 18 or older.

2. The theme of this fest is very wide: December comes with a multitude of holidays, traditions, and days of significance around the world, be they secular or religious or even fictional (e.g. Festivus or Hogswatch); all of them can be explored for this fest, as can the topics of end-of-year, New Year, winter, and family gatherings. The focus of your work should be on the pairing Kirk/Spock or Kirk & Spock. Slash (romantic and/or sexual relationship) and gen (friendship) are equally welcome. K/S has many layers and aspects, and this fest is a celebration of them all. No other pairings will be accepted (mentioning side pairings of other characters is fine, but the focus must be on K/S). If a prompt does not touch the theme of the fest at all, it is up to the person who fills the prompt to include the theme. So if you want to have more say in how this should happen, give a few pointers in your prompt. Otherwise the creator has free rein, barring any DNWs. (So if someone prompts, for example, "spanking in the mirrorverse", without any further details, then someone who claims this prompt will have to include the theme somehow. Maybe it's spanking al fresco, on a snowy planet? Or maybe it's 12 Days of X-mas spanking? Or maybe it's a family gathering on Vulcan that entails ancient customs – and whips and paddles (so, basically canon props)? And there are so many other ways the theme could be included.

3. When we say K/S, we mean: both TOS (series and movies) and reboot; Discovery and Strange New Worlds content is also welcome (let's hope we'll get some K/S-worthy material from these series one day). No RPF, please. AUs and mirror universe are welcome.

4. Crossovers between different Trek franchises or between Trek and other media are permitted if the individual prompt states this or actively invites them.

5. All ratings are welcome in this fest. However, when you fill a prompt please stick to the preferred rating of the prompter (if stated in the prompt).

6. All genres welcome, including darker subjects if the prompter asks for them (as long as DNWs are respected). Use the AO3 warnings if applicable.

7. Prompts can be filled by more than one person. You can even fill the same prompt multiple times – the "fulfil" button will show up on the prompt you claimed even if you have already used it for posting a work before.

8. Participants can fill as many prompts as they want to. You can even fill your own prompt.

9. Please list your DNWs (Do-Not-Wants) in the prompt if you want to avoid certain types of content, e.g. rape or character death or specific tropes. When you submit several prompts, please state your DNWs for each. We kindly ask you to not abuse the DNW system: keep it short and simple, and don't box in your creator. When you fill a prompt, please respect the DNWs listed in the request.

10. All types of fanworks are welcome in this fest: fic, poetry, filks, art, vids, podfic etc. Made a giant cake with life-size Kirk and Spock marzipan figures? Post the photos.

11. Minimum word count for written fanworks is 100 words (exception: poems have no minimum word count). There is no maximum word count. Minimum for art: a doodle or clean sketch (on unlined paper, if you use traditional media); manips are permitted. No banner or icon art, please, unless it accompanies a work of fiction or a podfic. No AI-generated works, be it fic or art, will be accepted!

12. Fanworks in languages other than English are allowed: As this is not a one-on-one gift exchange, but a prompt fest, fanworks in languages other than English are absolutely permitted and welcome! Each prompt can inspire a wide variety of fanworks, and as long as you respect the DNWs and the maximum rating of the chosen prompt, it’s all fine!

13. For K/S Advent Calendar, the works will be gradually revealed, at least one per day, hopefully even more than one if there are enough submissions. There is no anon period, but we ask you to not blabber about your work on social media before it appears in the collection. As soon as your work is revealed, you can link or re-post it anywhere you want to. While your work is in the queue and waiting for its scheduled day to go live, it will be marked as "awaiting approval by the mod". Fear not, this is just part of how the gradual reveal that is key for an advent calendar works. Please note that the AO3 keeps the date on which you submitted your work as publication date. When your K/S advent work gets revealed, you can/should update its publication date to its reveal date. Otherwise a work revealed on Dec 20, for example, might carry the publication date Oct 5. Which is not the end of the world and happens in AO3 prompt memes and fic exchanges often, but updating the date will also make your work appear among the recent ones when people search for a pairing or fandom tag. We mods can't do that for you, by the way; updating the publication date of a work is something only its creator can do.

14. Works posted to the collection must be new (created for this fest and unpublished) and complete. No WIPs or placeholder uploads! If you post a work with more than one chapter, it must be complete before the due date.

15. We allow extra works to be posted to the collection: If nothing among the submitted prompts tickles your muse, and if you missed the chance of submitting a prompt that you could have filled yourself, then you can still take part in K/S Advent Calendar by posting the work directly to the collection, without using any "claim" or "fulfil" button. Make sure to put the correct collection name into the appropriate field during the posting process (e.g. for 2024 the collection name is "KS_AdventCalendar2024", without the quote marks), so that the work stays unrevealed until it goes live. We think of these extra works as treats for the whole community. However, please do have a good look at the list of prompts before you choose to take this road. There are such lovely prompts waiting for creators to pick them, and this should take priority over treats.

16. Last but not least: Be courteous to the other participants, act in good faith and assume good faith. For all questions, please contact the mod (DW, Tumblr-Ask, or email: kirkspockmod+ksadvent@gmail.com). We are happy to help!

[inevitably-johnlocked]

Hello ☺️ first of all, I'd like to THANK you for all those ficrecs, thanks to them I've discovered many awesome stories!

I know it may be early for some,but do you happen to have a Christmas fic rec list? I am desperate for some bitter sweet Christmas stories 👀

Hey Lovely!!

NEVER too early! This is the perfect time to start is early December if you want a month of fuzzy feels!!!

Check out these lists of mine to please you!

Christmas Fics (Dec. 2017)

Christmas: Oblivious That One or The Other is In a Relationship

Christmas 2019 Part 1 (All Bookmarks XMas and New Years)

Christmas 2019 Part 2 (Marked for Later)

G / T / K+ Rated Christmas Fics (Dec. 2018) (Updated Dec 2021)

Community Recs: Christmas 2020 (Updated Dec 2021)

Christmas Trees / Decorating

Christmas-Time Love Confessions

Christmas & NYE 2023 Pt 1: Bookmarks & WIPs

Christmas 2023 Pt 2: Marked For Later

New Year’s Fics (Jan 2018)

New Year’s Fics (Jan 2023)

Hot and Cold Fics (June 2022)

And if anyone has a NEW fic this year that they or wrote or want to promote, please let us know!!!!

EDIT: AND just for shizz and giggs, here's some other people's lists I've reblogged in the past:

SilentAuror’s Fics 2019

Johnlock Comes A-Wassailing (Chriscalledmesweetie)

bluebell’s Sherlock Winter Holiday Bingo Contest 

apliddell’s Christmas fics

ineffable husbands Christmas fics (additions to my lists)

favourite johnlock christmas fics by starfleetholmes

Non-Christian Winter Holiday Fics

A J. Baillier Christmas Fic Package

A Very Johnlock Christmas by a-different-equation

Some Christmas Fics by discordantwords

Five Festive Fics Friday by 7-percent

calaisreno’s Christmas Fics 2021

Silent Auror’s Christmas Fics

Khorazir 2021

Calaisreno 2022

Berty’s Festive Fics 2022

helloliriels holiday list

thegildedbee 2023

Christmas Advent Pt 2 (swissmiss)

Mystrade Holiday Collection 2024

Enjoy!

[minewtweek]

Minewt week 2024!

Hello! ^_^ A year has passed, and now Minewt week is close by once more. This time around, if you have any doubts about the event, please contact @kestis-advent with any of your questions and thanks to @its-tea-time-darling for passing the torch to me this time around.

Now as for the prompts this year, we have a Bingo for you guys:

Rules:

Pick a prompt out of the two from each square at your leisure until you get the Bingo!

Combining prompts is allowed and will count as filling multiple squares. (eg: Magic shop and "I know your little secret.")

Post your submissions to Tumblr during the days of the event!

When posting tag this blog, and add the tag “minewtweek2024”

Please let us know what prompts are being used when you post.

Any type of submission (art edit fic podfic and more) welcome

You are welcome to post your submissions to the ao3 collection.

No minimum word count for fic.

Ot3s are allowed! Eg minho/newt/alby or any other ot3 with minewt you can think of

Collaborations are welcome

Can be combined with other ongoing events!

Explicit submissions are only allowed from adults

Any rating + topic allowed—but tag appropriately! in doubt err on the side of caution. submissions where tumblr community warnings apply (eg explicit content) will be marked with that warning upon reblogging.

Ao3 specific: needlessy negative comments are to be deleted without reply. this rule is non-negotiable, we will not give negativity our time of day 🤍

If you're not in the mood for potential downers in the comments you can, under "Who can comment on this work ?" click "Only registered users can comment".

I'll be reposting all the work submitted during the week of the 22nd to the 28th of August.

That is all, have fun guys and I hope you are excited about this year's event!

[canon-in-too-deep]

You Can't Abjure A Yuletide Ghost

Soooooo I wrote a Christmas story! 🎄🦝Aaaaaaand of course, it's a Baldur's Gate 3 fic based off of A Christmas Carol, with Gortash taking the role of Scrooge. (It was this, or The Gortash that Stole Yuletide).

This fic came to me in a burst of holiday spirit and a need to make Gortash suffer. Same vibes, really lol. And because I, too, wished to suffer, the fic also features an attempt at rhyming. I...I have not written poetry in ages. But it felt like this story called for it. Or at least called for a good ol' Baldurian try! Anyway, here's the link to my fic on A03! (Rated G, 2.1k words)

(∩◕ᗨ◕)⊃━☆ﾟ.* You Can't Abjure A Yuletide Ghost A very merry Yuletide to you all! Happy Holidays!

Edit: Also, I when I wrote this I hadn't realized Larian was giving Minthara the same treatment in the advent 😅

[dragonfire42]

Fan Fic Writer Interview

What fandoms do you write in?

All my current stories are Good Omens on AO3! But I do a lot of crossovers, including Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, The Neverending Story, Casablanca, Discworld, and The Seventh Seal. These are all GO stories:

How many words have you published in 2024?

So far – 177,152, but I have enough written on other stories not yet on AO3 to proudly say I passed 200,000 words this year!

What is your greatest achievement this year?

I wrote and performed an hour long solo show for a local Fringe festival, telling a true personal story using 30 puppets I made and 8 magic tricks I performed. It was very stressful and very fulfilling. And I hope to continue to hone this show and take it on the road eventually!

What are your favourite top three fics you wrote this year?

1. Fowl Play – The GO / Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy crossover I wrote in honor of turning 42 this year. Crowley gets ab-DUCK-ted by the alien ducks in S1 and has a post S2 space adventure.

2. Here’s Looking at You, Angel – the Casablanca inspired post GO S2 story I wrote for the Silver Screen Bang, with amazingly lovely art from GingerJo and Sae

3. The Neverending Archive – The Neverending Story / GO crossover I wrote as my very first posted fanfic as my love letter to AO3 and the fandom.

What was your biggest pit of despair moment?

In this fandom – SO many this year, trying to ride the waves of new information day by day. Since then:

-  I joined the We're On Our Own Side Fundraiser, to help bring awareness and raise money for the Take Back the Night Foundation. I’m currently finishing a piece for the fundraiser and another one for the zine. @ourownsidefund

- I plan to stay active in the fandom, support the fans, and specifically the Terry Pratchett estate for merch (www.discworld.com).

- (I also made a shadow puppet pumpkin with my feelings on S3.)

What have you learned?

What it means to be part of a fandom. I’ve always been a fan of all kinds of media. But this is my first time actually having fun with strangers on the internet (here’s a video about me learning Discord). Since I wrote that first fanfic in January, I’ve joined 15 different GO Discords, at least 7 FB GO groups, I have two GO blogs on Tumblr, (and just joined Bluesky), and did 7 different fanfics for four different bangs (The DIWS Silver Screen Bang, GO Theatre Bang, GO Spooky Bang, and Fairytale GO bang), and just finished three holiday exchanges (Dreamwidth, GO Reference Discord, and SVD FB Advent Calendar), and I've written monthly ficlets for SOSH Guess the Author and hosted my own round recently too! I’ve had the chance to work with so many amazing writers, artists, editors, readers, creators, and mods who provided so much support and encouragement to feed this delicious collective brain rot and have made so many new friends from around the world. I’ve grown as a writer, met huge deadlines, written more this year than any previous year of my life, and I’m better for it – and want to thank each and every one of you for helping me on that journey too.

What three fics have you read this year that you love?

This was the hardest one to answer. I've very literally read over a million words of fanfic this year and still have 70 tabs currently open of amazing stories from dear friends I'm still trying to read, and I'll have to do a long list later of all the ones I love! But to start with I want to share these three:

Naked and Afraid: Jingle Hell by @klikandtuna for the Sauntering Vaguely Downward Advent Calendar

Couples Therapy – Jurassic Park Edition by @rainwritings for the DIWS Silver Screen Bang

For another gives its ease by @andromeda4004 for the GOMM Reverse Bang

What ideas are percolating for next year?

I’m currently working on these stories:

- A GO 5+1 sickfic (15k written so far), posting in January

- A piece for the star themed GO On Our Own Side Zine

- An original sci-fi book

- A few new pieces for theatre

- Some sequels to previously written AO3 GO stories

- A couple of outside fandom stories, for Doctor Who, Our Flag Means Death, and Blucifer (a weird well known statue in Denver).  

Thank you specifically to @curiouspupsicle for tagging me in this and for all your support too!

Please consider yourself tagged if you read this and want to play, just copy the questions and post! (And also tagging - @naturallyteal, @stillsurfacequietpond @phoen1xr0se, who are always great at tagging me in fun things too!)

[ladykailitha]

WIP Wednesday Holiday Edition

Hey guys!! Welcome to this years holiday edition of WIP Wednesday where things will go a little differently.

This is how it usually works here. And for the most part how today will go, only there have been a couple of changes.

As I want the snippets to be a surprise (and usually the game has you do twice the work and only show the one you can show) I'm going to play a little game. You will send in a number between 1-12. Each number corresponds to two things. An AU from my master list and a specific character. Say you ask for number 5. I will write words in the snippet that will go out on the 5th day of my Advent (December 12th-24th) and then I'm going to spin for NAUGHTY or NICE. NAUGHTY will get you spicy headcanon for the character, say Jeff. And NICE will get you a nice headcanon about them. And 5 will always get you something about Jeff.

Now as the goal is to write ficlets, the word count will be from 500-1500 words each. So what happens if I have asks for 5 and I've completed it?

Glad you asked.

I will spin a second wheel I have that is numbered 1-12 and will write something for that number instead, including headcanon. Just so it's fair and we don't get 20 asks for Steve and Eddie and zero of say someone like the Unnamed Freak (Brian) or Jonathan.

Which brings to an important caveat and that's there will be none of the younger teens or adult-er adults. Most of the older teenagers in the show have hit 18 or were damn close enough that I could justify writing something spicy about them (or how they would be if I aged them up in fics.) So no Dustin or Will and no Hopper and Joyce.

Got it?

Great! Let's play!

Tag List:

@zerokrox-blog @forgottenkanji @w1ll0wtr33 @thesecondfate @dreamercec

@beelze-the-bubkiss @bookworm0690 @kultiras @niniel-karenine

[sobeautifullyobsessed]

🎄 Wrapped Up In Christmas Memories 🎄

a Stephen Strange Christmas fic

Chapter Two

genre: angst, catharsis, healing...and above all, love❤️💚

characters: Stephen Strange, Hope Collins (OFC); established relationship

word count: 1.9k

Reposting from last year as edits have been made on the way to finally completing this fic.⛄️🩵🎄

moodboard by @strangedreamings 💙🩵💜

The weeks ticked down towards Christmas, and Stephen remained as occupied with his work as in any other month of the year. And still Hope held steadfast to her promise to ask nothing but his tolerance as she rang the season in. Every few days, when he emerged from attending to his Sanctum duties or his ongoing studies, or returned from a far-flung mission or from Kamar-Taj itself, he would find she had added some new decoration or holiday detail, making not only his quarters, but the main floor as well, ever more festive. Her Artist's eye insured that she kept everything tasteful and in accord with the surroundings. Hope's latest addition had been an evergreen garland for the fireplace on the main floor, lit with colorful fairy lights and frosted candle holders of varying heights bearing ivory or red candles, nested along the greenery.

Whenever he complimented her newest handiwork, Hope would give a modest little shrug as she thanked him, moving onto the next subject of conversation without so much as a pause--though Stephen could absolutely feel how pleased she was. Thus, their equilibrium continued, and despite his ambivalence about the holiday season, he found himself quietly looking forward to each new surprise.

One such surprise was Hope's newfound dedication to attending the weekly vigil service each Saturday evening of Advent at a small Roman Catholic parish in Brooklyn. In their occasional discussions of philosophy and faith, she had given Stephen the impression that although she was lapsed from organized religion, Hope still held a true belief in a higher power. Indeed, he always saw her as a living example of the biblical maxim 'do unto others...'. And of course, she had understood and respected the beliefs he had come to hold about soul & spirit, and good & evil, based on his experiences and encounters with mystic realities.

In response to his curiosity on the first Saturday she shared her plans, Hope fell back on a familiar explanation. "It's a tradition that does my heart good to honor," she told him frankly. "It connects me to my family even when we're apart. With those who've passed on...and with past generations." He didn't miss the flicker of grief in her eyes and in the set of her mouth at her reference to those who had passed on, though soon enough, her honest smile replaced the sorrow. "Besides which, I love the music...the lights on the tree...the aroma of the incense they save for the most sacred moments. That sense of being one with a community of like-minded souls is vital to my experience of the Christmas season." Stephen found none of this surprising, for such was her nature, and part of the reason she had conquered his heart with no effort at all.

With a scant few weeks until Christmas Day, the Sanctum felt ripe with Hope's inimitable brand of holiday cheer. The sights, the scents, the flavors, and the very sounds that filled his rooms, became reminders of his own Christmases past, though Stephen refused to entertain those memories as he knew they'd only leave him morose.

Even the Sanctum kitchens had their own unique decorations, courtesy of some of Hope's grammar school-aged students; a couple dozen had given her handmade, crayon-colored Christmas cards and Tempera-painted winter scenes of snowmen and Santas, Angels and Christmas trees, or sledding and skating children, which found their way onto the walls and the refrigerators.

She'd even fashioned a miniature tree as a tabletop centerpiece, festooned with a popcorn & cranberry garland and a tiny paper chain of red & green construction paper loops. In a surprising moment of clarity, Stephen remembered the several years when he still believed in Santa Claus and had helped his mother create the same sort of decorations for their tree, and how excited he'd been counting down the days until Christmas morn. Memories of a simple happiness that he'd quite forgotten had been his. Gazing at Hope's little tree brought a warmth to his chest he would like to share with her - but he stopped himself each time, knowing full well that if he let that recollection bubble forth, it might open the gates to other memories not as pleasant.

Most evenings now found Hope settled on the sofa wrapping presents or penning personal greetings in Christmas cards, while her favorite Christmas movies played on television, setting what she considered the ideal mood. Stephen eventually ended up joining her some evenings, and once he took his place beside her, she very willingly set aside her project in favor of cuddling on the couch with him. He ended up adopting the habit of fixing them hot chocolate, and in Hope's homey company, he discovered that he didn't even mind the movies he'd once found trite and too sentimental since his undergraduate days. Besides, they made Hope happy--and her happiness had become key to his own.

On the 14th, Stephen was called to Kamar-Taj for an emergency meeting of all the Masters of the Sanctums and those in charge of the various disciplines. A rift in Earth's reality had opened inside the Kibo caldera of Mount Kilimanjaro, and whatever entities had worked that magic, it appeared they were trying to wake the dormant volcano into eruption. He only had time enough to fire off a cursory text to Hope, warning her he might be away for several days--and advising her not to worry. Then he was off to Tanzania, along with Wong and a dozen other Masters to beat back the incursion and seal the rift.

'Twas a grim Stephen that returned to the New York Sanctum just after midnight on December 17th. Hope was sound asleep, and he didn't have the heart to awaken her. He was sporting a split lip and multiple abrasions to his face, neck, and hands, and though he had been charm treated in the Kamar-Taj Infirmary, he still had a slight but nagging cough from smoke inhalation.

Yet he had gotten off more lightly than most of those who had to battle the dragonlike creatures that seemed to be ideally suited for a volcanic environment; that breathed fire and fought ferociously to maintain their foothold. Two Masters had fallen to their flames, and three more had suffered severe enough burns to be placed in magic induced comas while Healers worked around the clock to hasten the regeneration of new, healthy skin. Wong, who had suffered a broken wrist, bore the same sort of wounds as Strange and the other Masters did. Stephen was heartsick over the lost lives and the pain of his brothers & sisters, and his body ached all over.

Casting the Mirror Dimension on the master bath, he bundled up his rent robes and buried them deep in the hamper so Hope wouldn't see how badly they were damaged and bloodstained. Stephen had already repaired Cloak, and it had flitted off upon their return to the Sanctum to see to its own ablutions. He soaked in the tub of hot water and Epsom salt for nearly 90 minutes, trying to put the pictures frozen in his mind of the battle and the wounded behind him. Fearing that sleep would still elude him once he finally went to bed.

In the wee hours before sunrise, he slipped carefully and quietly between the sheets, and by some lovely instinct, Hope turned to him. She stirred a bit when he placed her hand above his heart--for he always found that soothing--and after a few moments she whispered, "Missed you, magic man. Is everything alright?"

Stephen sighed in the darkness, unwilling to disturb her peace with the truth, and murmured 'yes', and then, 'I missed you too'. What he wanted most was to forget everthing for a little while, and when she rested her head on his shoulder, he nuzzled the tender haven of her hair, focusing on Hope's softness until he was able to drift off the sleep.

Stephen rarely indulged in the luxury of sleeping in, but this day it had been a necessity. Though he felt physically refreshed when he finally left his bedroom, his spirit was all too weary, and he remained disconsolate in his very bones. No matter the season, he would've felt this way following the outcome on Kilimanjaro--but somehow looking at Hope's cheery holiday trimmings made it even worse. When he found her in the kitchen baking cookies, the sweet sight of her, so incongruous with the miasma he was lost in, prompted him to issue her a fair but regretful warning.

She had just moved a batch of cookies onto a wire rack to cool, then turned to greet him--but her smile faltered the moment she saw the misery on his face. "It went badly, then." Stephen nodded, and then she was sliding her arms beneath his, holding him tight, murmuring against his neck. "I'm so sorry, Stephen. Do you...do you want to talk about it?"

He shook his head and simply held her close, grateful that she was his true and loving sanctuary. When they parted just a little, Stephen cleared his throat before speaking. "Hope...honey..." he began, cupping one hand against her cheek, "I really appreciate how patient you've been with me this past month. And I appreciate everything you've done to bring Christmas to our..." He paused when his voice cracked, taking a moment before continuing, "...to our home."

Empathetic as usual, Hope simply reached to cup his cheek in her hand, and he wished he could just let himself melt into the moment. "But I dunno if the miracle you're hoping for is gonna happen this year. The past few days were pretty rough and given that...and the ghosts of my Christmases past...well, I think it's best if you lower your expectations about the holiday. I don't want to disappoint you but...well...I'm not gonna be catching the Christmas spirit this year."

Hope sighed and turned her face enough to place a soft kiss on the base of his thumb. "It's alright, darling. I...I understand." She sighed and stood tall enough to kiss his mouth, then whispered against his lips, "Whatever you need, Stephen. However things go." She embraced him warmly, then moved enough so she could look him in the eyes. "I spent five Christmases wondering how things might have been if you had survived Thanos. I know what's most important to me now--so in the end, all I really want for Christmas is you."

Stephen managed a small but genuine smile. He had expected no less. Undaunted, Hope briskly changed the subject. "How about I fix you some lunch and you go unwind with some mindless television? I'll bring it right to you."

"Actually, there's a little something I want to take a look at in my study...if you don't mind too much..."

"Of course, of course," she answered gamely, then swatted him softly on his way, "Gourmet grilled cheese and tomato soup are the special today, and the only tip I require is a couple dozen kisses."

"You can add those to my tab, honey," Stephen chuckled, then headed down the hall to his study, grateful for the distraction which he knew awaited him on his desk. Getting lost for a little while in a recently discovered manuscript might be exactly what he needed to get through the day.

If you enjoyed this little fic so far, you can read more about how Stephen & Hope met and fell in love in my stories 'Friday in the Park with Stephen' (meet-cute, flirtation & fluff), and 14,000,604 (hurt/comfort, angst, passion/smut, lovers reunited against impossible odds).

In addition, I've written a couple of one-shots/prompt fills as part of their ongoing series, The Wizard and the Artist. These works can be found both on tumblr and on AO3.

[neewtmas]

12 days of Christmas //

24 days of Appreciation //

A Lockwood & Co Advent Calendar

Hello everyone!

Seeing as the festive season is almost upon us, I thought I'd do a little something special for the month of december, leading up to christmas. Since I'm unfortunately pretty busy with uni and other life stuff, I wouldn't manage to post something every single day. That's why, starting either December 1st or 2nd, I'll post something every other day. That could be an edit, fanfic, etc. What exactly won't be revealed until I post it - that's why I'm calling it an advent calendar/12 days of Christmas.

On top of that, I would love to spread a little positivity in the fandom (the holidays can be a difficult time after all).

My idea: 24 days of Appreciation

Every day, I want to highlight different people who have contributed to making this fandom the great place that it is. Those contributions can be great fics, edits, gifs, fanart, memes, whatever you can think of. This can be used to highlight specific works (your fav fic or edit for example), or the entire blog and person. It can also be used to shout out people who are mainly here to support and consume - because those people are of course just as valuable and important!

And because I don't want to limit this in any way to just my little bubble on here I strongly encourage everyone to submit anyone or anything they want to show special appreciation to! (either through ask or dm, anonymous or not). You can write as much or as little as you want about who/what you're appreciating, and I'll compile any submissions I get in daily posts.

Also: this is christmas-themed because I celebrate christmas (though not really in the religious sense) and I love the festive season, but it should go without saying that this is for everyone, whether they celebrate or not. My only goal with this is to spread joy, and that joy is definitely not limited to a specific group of people. So even if you don't relate to christmas at all, I still encourage you to take part!

Tagging some people to spread the word:

@maraschinomerry @tangledinlove @wellgoslowly @ikeasupremacy @givemea-dam-break @waitingforthesunrise @quillkippsisalilbitchandilovehim @oblivious-idiot @locklylemybeloved @demigoddess-of-ghosts @jesslockwood @losticaruss @smol-being-of-light @tiredandcaffeinated @strawberryloveyyy @strawberrycowgirly @avdiobliss

[grelleswife]

The Owl and the Raven, Chapter 36: Cryptogenic

With Sebastian having obtained Lizzy's forgiveness and Christmas fast approaching, the manor should be filled with tidings of joy, but the mysterious illness that has taken hold of Mey Rin heralds the advent of something darker.

@bapydemonprincess and I have been hard at work editing the latest chapter of our Sebamey fic; we hope that we managed to deliver! Buckle up and hold on to your hats as the new arc commences!

[kiwiana-writes]

Fic Writing Review 2023

Tagged by my fellow stats nerd @stereopticons - thanks pal!

Rules: Feel free to show whatever stats you have. Only want to show Ao3 stats? Rock on. Want to include some quantitative info instead of stats? Please do this. Want to change how yours is presented? Absolutely do that. Would rather eat glass than do this? Please don’t eat glass but don’t feel like you have to do this either.

Words and Fics (fics written in 2023 only)

143,107 words published to ao3. At least 3,900 more guaranteed by the advent fic so... I think I should make a concentrated effort to break 150k, right? 👀

No good way of tracking unpublished words in WIPs written this year. My goal for 2024 is to set up my spreadsheet to track words written as well as published so watch this space.

3 published fandoms: Red White & Royal Blue (book), Schitt's Creek, The Last Of Us (TV show). Technically 1 unpublished fandom in Red White & Royal Blue (film) 😅

Most recent drop: Apart from the daily advent fic drops lilnked above, a PWP interlude in the hockey boyfriend Henry 'verse

Longest (published) fic: By a country fuckin' mile, With so much of my heart (that none is left to protest), aka the Much Ado actor AU, at 65,586 words.

Longest (published) oneshot: Kinda think that I might be his type (Alex and Bea fake date) at 12,864 words

Top Fics by Kudos (fics written in 2023 only)

With so much of my heart (that none is left to protest) [RWRB, Alex/Henry, rated E, 65,586 words]

Kinda think that I might be his type [RWRB, Alex & Bea + Alex/Henry, rated E, 12,864 words]

We were supposed to find this [RWRB, Alex/Henry, rated M, 3,384 words]

Puck It [RWRB, Alex/Henry, rated E, 9,739 words]

Feel your hands in my hair and you whisper my name [RWRB, Alex/Henry, rated E, 2,508 words]

Miscellaneous Data From My Unhinged Spreadsheet about 2023 fics

To no one's surprise, highest percentage of private bookmarks goes to Bukkake Breaky Heart.

Out of 24 fics published in 2023, 14 were explicit, 2 were mature, 7 were teen and up, and 1 was general audiences

3 fics didn't have a title sourced from anywhere. 3 were sourced from literature/poetry, 3 were puns, and the remaining 15 were song lyrics, with 3 each from Taylor Swift and Matt Nathanson.

My highest kudos/hits ratio was on Empty your heart of its mortal dream, aka the Fae Prince Henry fic.

My fandom fic events in 2023

Nilch nada zip in terms of, like, fests. I wanted to do Threesgiving but the words wouldn't come, so a sort-of-threesome-sort-of-foursome will probably appear on some random day in fucking February or something lmao. However while they weren't fandom-specific events, I did do:

Kinktober 2023

Advent 2023

Upcoming Events and Projects for 2024

I have a lot -- a lot a lot a LOT -- of WIPs that will be completed in 2024, so please don't think of this as an exhaustive list, but they are the ones I'm most excited for:

A Practical Arrangement - @clottedcreamfudge has Devised A Punishment if I don't get chapter two out for y'all by Christmas because my usual methods of pushing past my brain bullshit weren't working, so technically this is a 2023 project 🤣 @ships-to-sail and @celeritas2997 have the carrot and CCF has the stick.

Anastasia AU!!! I LOVE this fic and I think it's in the 'meaty one-shot' range buuuuuut we'll see. It might get a little out of control.

Angstapalooza RWRB edition - this is gonna be another long fic, 10-11 chapters, 50k words ish, and I cannot WAIT to make y'all cry sink my teeth into it. My Schitt's Creeks babes know what happens when I deem something 'angstapalooza' lmao.

Hockey Boyfriend Henry part 3, aka the whole reason I started writing the fucking series in the first place lmao

Leverage AU, which I haven't shared anything of yet because it's a post-angstapalooza longfic but I am VERY HYPE FOR.

Rafael Is Surrounded By Disaster Queers, aka the Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead-style Rafael POV... 5+1? Vignettes? set in the Much Ado actor AU verse. Which at this point is just a gift for @inexplicablymine and @cricketnationrise and I wouldn't have it any other way.

STFAU 👀

*infomercial voice* And much, much more!

BUT, 2024 is also for taking original writing seriously. Maybe flash/microfiction on patreon, definitely diving into an original novel. I've thrown in the towel with my contracting agency in the new year and everything. Ack.

Tagging anyone I've tagged above and also @anincompletelist @cha-melodius @hgejfmw-hgejhsf @indestructibleheart @myheartalivewrites and anyone who wants to play because I love data.

[shares-a-vest]

Lily. 32. she/they. Aus. Aquarius.

Currently Working On: Trying to get back into writing and my wips.

I am also obsessing over 9-1-1. My unhinged thoughts and reblogs can be found under the tag lily watches the weewoo show (I'm contemplating making a sideblog, so watch this space)

writing wip | talking | answering | fic recs tag

Joanie Munson AU: A fluffy ongoing AU focusing on Steve, Eddie, their bio daughter, Joanie, and their many cats. Eddie is trans. Most fics can be read stand-alone. No set schedule or tag list.

Platonic Stobin | Platonic Edancy | Ronance | Clarkson | Stargyle Rockie

Family Video Shenanigans: Shenanigans set at Family Video. Featuring Platonic Stobin, Steddie, and other ST characters.

Sick Fics | Post-s4 Healing Steddie | Steve Has Bad Parents™ | Vampire Eddie

Sportsball Eddie: Wherein Eddie suffers through (or enjoys) having a jock for a boyfriend. Mostly me projecting as I work through my complicated feelings about Australian sportsball.

👕🧥: Writing focused on clothes, hair etc. Typically inspired by the ST actor's other roles. Aka, I treat Steve and Eddie like they are my favourite Barbie Dolls.

STWG Daily Drabbles: Varying degrees of 'drabble' based on daily prompts from the Stranger Things Writer's Guild discord server.

Headcanons: Mostly Steddie. Plus appearances from other ST characters and the relationships listed above.

He's Gonna Save Me, Call Me Baby (wc: 1.1k | Rated: T | cw: Alcohol Consumption, Open-Ended - Happy) | Steve waits for Eddie at The Hideout and thinks over his failed relationship with Nancy. Written for the STWG Hozier Project.

I don't like sand. it's coarse, and rough, and irritating, and it gets everywhere (wc: 2.1k | Rated: T | cw: Alcohol Consumption) | Steve just wants to take Eddie on a romantic date to Lover’s Lake. But they quickly find themselves battling a new enemy: sand. Written for Lex's Spicy Six Fanworks Challenge (Summer 2023).

Eds, I'm Hungry (wc: 3.2k | Rated T) | Steve and Eddie being sickly lovebirds as they talk over a post-coital midnight snack. Written as part of Steddie Week, May 2023.

Joanie's First Word (wc: 1.4k | Rated: G) | Wayne Munson is spending the holidays with the boys and his granddaughter. But he doesn't expect to become an integral part of a key milestone.

you should come live with me and we can be pirates, then you won't have to cry (wc: 5.8k | Rated: G) | Steve and his mother have been packing up the house and in the process, he tells her about the Upside Down and his relationship with Eddie. Written for Lex's Spicy Six Fanworks Challenge (Spring 2023).

(Individual posts contain links to the original event blogs and event creators)

Steddie Microfics (Ongoing) | Flufftober Spring Edition 2024 | Steddie Love Month 2024 | Steddiemas 2023 | Eddie Month | Steddie Week 2023 | Platonic Stobin Month | Fruity Four Advent Calendar

[scary-grace]

Director's Commentary on "more than words can wield the matter" ⭐

So! This fic was for the Tolkien Advent Calendar 2022 and the prompt "love letters", and came together really fast -- I think over the course of a day or something. It went up after my typical zero-editing procedure, which meant I was doing a lot of post-posting edits for the next few weeks. As for the content of the fic, I would be remiss if I didn't pay homage to the early days of the Barduil fandom, in which there were some excellent epistolary fics. (I don't have a list off the top of my head, but if you sort the Ao3 tag for single-chapter fics and then put them in reverse chronological order you should see some of them.) I think my "twist" on it, such as it is, comes out of the Laws and Customs of the Eldar, particularly the bit about sex = marriage for Elves. (I know it's more complicated than that, but the concept is what I went with.) The amount of humor -- and angst! -- that could be generated out of Thranduil thinking they're married and Bard having absolutely no idea was too good for me to pass up.

The love letters themselves were a lot of fun to write, although I regret that I left most of Thranduil's smut-writing to the audience's imagination. My favorite part was probably writing Bard's letter back to Thranduil.

Thank you for the ask!

send me a ⭐and a fic and I'll do a director's commentary!