#does he think Elsa's their santa

[shadebloopnik]

I know we're all still a bit ruffled from the new episode, but I think we're glossing over a tidbit of information here that, I think, is actually incredibly relevant

Blitzø watches Frozen

[annas-hair-donut]

My Winter Holiday Fics

Secret Santa and the Ugly Sweater Contest - Kristanna (M)

Coworkers Anna, who loves ABBA just as much as the next girl, and Kristoff, the cranky IT guy, barely speak to each other, but that's about to change when they get assigned as each other's Secret Santa!

Always - Kristanna (M)

Kristoff's plane gets grounded when Mt. Hansyevik erupts unexpectedly, and he worries that he might not be able to keep his promise to his girlfriend Anna that he'll be back by Yule. Stuck in the cockpit, he spends his time thinking about their future, while a worried Anna, stuck at the airport, escapes between the pages of a romance novel about another Anna and Kristoff.

Overheard - Kristanna (M)

Kristoff gets into a fight with his roommate Anna when she coerces him into caroling with her, but it gets a little too personal.

Santa's Cookies - Kristanna (T)

Anna's in for a big surprise when she sneaks downstairs to eat Santa's cookies before Elsa can toss them out.

La Estrella - Kristanna (T)

Anna Starr moves to Arendelle, Texas, hoping to become a movie star. Instead, she becomes a thorn in the side of local newspaper salesman, Kristoff Bjorgman.

Sweet Poison - Wyler (T)

Mistletoe is a parasite, and its berries are poisonous when eaten. Or… Thing does a little matchmaking.

[gaisciochanams]

𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞 ! As always wishing you love and joy on this wonderful holiday ! We know how your firebringer feels about the cold, but what about your icy knight ? Is there anything Nick specifically likes about the holidays ?

Hiya Santa, pleasure to see you today! And the biggest hug to you for making my day!

Hmm. I think Nick truly enjoys the quality time he gets to spend with family and friends around the holidays. Even when he lost his sister, he still celebrates. He does like the cold weather, but I think he'd like the warmer seasons as well. Spring is his favorite, despite the pollen making him sneeze. (I'd think like Elsa from Frozen, every sneeze brings about snowflakes around him.)

[4lexnilsen]

when poppy and lily reappear in the kitchen,  the cookie decorating station is all set up.   “oh,  wow!”   alex gasps dramatically,  seeing how their niece’s makeup resembles that of her favorite disney princess —   elsa.   bright lipstick,  a blend of pink and purple eyeshadow,  rosy cheeks,  sandy curls braided.   poppy’s clearly managed to make the little girl’s dream come true.   “babe,”   he whispers in a conspiratorial tone,  but still loud enough for their niece to hear,    “i think there’s elsa in our kitchen.   like,  real elsa.   not sure if we can let her near the cookies,  though.   what if she turns them into icicles?”   the little girl squeals in delight and proceeds to assure her silly uncle that she’s not the real elsa.   “it’s lily!”   she insists,  shooting her aunt a look that says boys are so dumb before hopping on a little ladder and helping herself to the bowl of green icing.

at first, alex doesn’t notice the not-so-discreet looks that lily’s giving him,  focused on putting glitter on the christmas tree-shaped cookie in front of him.   his tongue sticking out from between his lips,  brows drawn together as though he was performing an open heart surgery.   he’s having plenty of fun,  even despite the annoying festive songs playing on the radio in the background,  but as the saying goes…   it’s all fun and games until a curious,  observant child begins to ask questions.   “hm?”   he lifts up his head and looks across the table at his wife,  amusement gracing his features as the awkward conversation unfolds before his eyes.   “oh,  yeah…   the flu could definitely ruin the holidays.   your mom is right.   but hey,  does being sick on the holidays mean you get an extra present from santa?   you know,  a get-better-soon kind of gift?”   he babbles,  hoping to distract the little girl and save his wife from answering any more uncomfortable questions.   it doesn’t work.   lily refuses to be distracted from her agenda.

noticing their niece’s humored and rather dubious look,  the way her eyes flicker to poppy’s stomach so unceremoniously,  alex barely has the time to collect his thoughts before she’s firing that one blatant question —   are you having a baby?   god,  she’s way too smart and curious for her own good.   he doesn’t really know what to say.   in most cases,  he refuses to lie to children as all it does is make them distrust adults later on,  but at the same time he doesn’t want to share such an important,  private-as-of-now piece of information with a six year old.   it’s too early.   a lot of things can still happen,  he thinks.   besides,  he doesn’t really want his whole family to learn about this life-changing event from lily.   and much like any other child her age,  she’s the biggest gossip girl.   “sure you not pregnint?”   she presses on,  reaching that small,  icing-covered hand out and pulling poppy’s shirt up,  as if there was an answer written on her bare skin.   “mommy says you can’t say dat to peoples,  but you look kinda pregnint to me,”   she insists,  glancing up at alex for further explanations,  but all he can do is blush and stare like a deer caught in the headlights.

wouldn’t he be scared to have a baby?   of course,  he would be.   he is.   he just prays poppy can’t see it in his eyes,  knowing he can’t make this about himself and his irrational fear or childhood trauma or whatever.   when he was younger,  in his early twenties,  he’d tried to convince himself that what happened to his mother would never happen to his future wife.   it was an accident.   nothing hereditary.   a medical negligence.   but then he got the vasectomy and felt so…   relieved.   when he and poppy got married,  had endless discussions about their future and the possibility of some day starting a family of their own,  he was both delighted and terrified all over again.   he’s trying not to let this fear control his life,  but at the same time,  it’s impossible to just escape it.   “n-no,”   he fibs,  pale blue eyes meeting poppy’s and realizing that faint stutter,  that little crack,  is most likely enough to give his true feelings away.   god,  she really is so small,  so petite…   “well,  maybe a little bit because it would be a big change,  and almost everyone’s scared of big changes,  but…   hey,  that’s kind of how you must have felt when you became a big sister,  hm?   that was a big change,  too.   what was it life?”   his heart is pounding in his ears as he once more tries to distract lily,  the air around him stuffy all the sudden.

when they find lily in their guest bedroom, the immediate relief floods poppy's system and two things strike her at once. one day there would likely be a child of their own in the very spot lily now sits, maybe even a girl. doing exactly the same thing; and secondly, what she feels now will be intensified tenfold. her maternal instincts were about to skyrocket. but for now, with their niece safe, all poppy can do is smile and join her. "let me finish her look first," poppy replies. "but also? yeah. so go buy a dozen of them while you wait for us."

when both of the girls return, they find the kitchen in perfect condition. alex has moved everything to the table in preparation for the decorating and the look he gives poppy is one of pride. for his own work and for the apparent joy his niece bounds into the room with after having poppy's help with her makeup. they make a good team and the evidence is in everything they do.

but as they settle in to decorate cookies, poppy notices lily's attention; how it lingers on her but moves to her uncle every so often. she dumps half a shaker of glitter powder onto a snowman cookie before poppy finally decides to ask, "are you okay, lil? you seem a little distracted." lily stops then, eyes darting to alex as if she was in trouble. "is aunt poppy all right?" she doesn't bother looking at her aunt when she asks. her focus doesn't shift until poppy turns herself directly towards the little girl. "because my mom says if someone is sick that i should try to stay away from them. the flu could ruin the holidays." her response makes poppy laugh, which in turn has alex laughing, too. "i'm not sick, sweetheart." again lily looks to alex, "but i heard you puking. that means you're sick. i always throw up when i'm sick." it was a deductive way of thinking that almost makes them proud. "sometimes you can do that and not be sick, you don't have to worry."

lily's eyes fall to her aunt's stomach so visibly that poppy's shoot across the table to alex. "are you having a baby? because that happens on 'a baby story' a lot when women are pregnint." poppy giggles again, charmed by how her niece is entirely right without realizing it. for a split second she debates being honest, but given how she and alex only just found out less than thirty minutes ago, she doesn't. "that's very true. i used to watch that show when i was younger, too. it's wild, isn't it?" lily nods in agreement, "you blow up like a balloon! and you're so small, aunt poppy. i don't know if you should do that. it might hurt." the little girl only pauses to ask her uncle a question. "wouldn't you be scared to have a baby, uncle alex?"

[ditaliaa]

I’ll Keep You Warm

Jack Russell x Elsa Bloodstone

A present for @wellyourenotwrong for the Werewolf by Night Secret Santa!! I was so excited to be your Secret Santa and I hope you enjoy this!! I loved writing it for you!! This can also be found on my AO3.

Summary: With Jack wounded and on the run, Elsa leads them to a safe house for the night.

Tags: fluff and angst, domestic fluff, hurt/comfort, taking care of wounds, dancing, kind of an ‘only one bed’ fic, kissing, denial of feelings, tenderness, angst with a happy ending

Word Count: 4.2K

Perhaps Ted had been right when he said Jack had a nose for trouble, but there was little good it would do him now.

Gravel kissed his face in a biting caress as his cheek was shoved into the ground. The boot of the hunter above him crushed his back, digging into his spine as his blade rested against the tender flesh of Jack’s throat. He tried to move, but an agonizing burn tore through him as he was reminded of the wound on his side. A low whine escaped his throat as he shut his eyes.

“Stay down, dog.” The man growled.

“Jack!” His eyes flickered open at the familiar voice, gaze colliding with the cold yet worried stare of Elsa Bloodstone. Her eyes lifted to meet the hunter above him as she leveled her bow.

“Elsa,” he ground out, “it’s ok.”

Her gaze slid to his once more, quick and reluctant, but he noticed the way her bow drooped slightly in her hand.

“Oh, the great Bloodstone heir has a soft spot for the dog, does she?” The hunter crooned and Jack laid deathly still as he watched Elsa. “I think it’s time we put him down, don’t you?”

Before the blade could even move, the man was dead, falling with a dull thud beside him. Jack’s chest constricted, breaths coming tight and uneven as he scrambled away. In a moment, Elsa had made her way toward him.

“Can you walk?” She asked, eyes glancing over him quickly and he nodded.

“Yes.” He breathed. “Are you ok? Once we got split up back there I-“

“I’m fine.” She cut him off quickly.

“There’s a cabin I’ve used as a safe house not far from here.” Elsa spoke, “We need to go. There’ll be more on their way.”

Jack tailed behind her, not entirely aware of what he had managed to find himself caught up in, and trusted Elsa enough to follow. It was snowing by the time they got there, though he had barely noticed, so caught up in adrenaline he could only focus on Elsa, and keeping continued pressure on his side.

The cabin was sparse, to say the least and he was almost certain it didn’t belong to her either, if watching her try to kick the door in proved anything.

“I thought you said you’d used this as a safe house?” Jack asked, “You don’t have a key?”

“It’s been a while.” Elsa ground out, but there was no malice in it, only frustration as she shivered in the cold and cast her eyes about the door’s frame.

“Let me see.” He gently set his hand on her shoulder and she looked at him with a curious glint in her eyes. Stepping aside, she allowed him to take over. He knelt, staring at the door’s knob before his gaze flickered back to her’s.

“Do you have a hair pin, or something long and thin?” Elsa’s brows scrunched in thought for a second before pulling a thin strip of metal from her boot.

“Will this work?”

“It’s perfect.” He smiled, grabbing the proffered pin, “Thank you.”

He placed it into the keyhole and began to gently slide each lock into place, each one snapping happily until the final one. He avoided Elsa’s surprised gaze as the door gave a loud click and opened under his touch.

Elsa quirked a thin brow at him as she walked past. “Do I want to know?”

“Probably not.” He murmured softly.

Jack shuffled inside the dark room, clutching his stomach to minimize movement.

“We should be safe here.” Elsa said, closing the door behind him. “At least for the night.”

“Ok.” He nodded, taking a moment to breathe and watching as she made her way about the cabin, checking the windows and closing curtains before turning on the light.

As she turned to face him, her gaze finally swept over him. Her eyes widened as she looked at him fully, lips parted as a breath of shock escaped her lungs.

“Shit.” The word puffed past her lips, “You’re bleeding.

“Oh this?” He moved his jacket a bit to reveal the wound, “It’s nothing.”

When his gaze lifted to meet her’s once more, he could see her unimpressed stare even in the dim lighting. He watched as she continued to the kitchen, flipping on a light that barely refused to turn on. It flickered and sputtered to life as he hovered in the doorway.

“Sit.” She called and he followed her orders.

Jack looked around the small kitchen, opting to sit on the table as there were no chairs present. The wood creaked beneath his weight and he froze as she turned to him.

“Let me see.”

Wordlessly, he lifted his shirt to reveal the cut that ran along the length of his side. It wasn’t deep, but it had bled enough to look concerning to any untrained eye.

“Shit.” She ran her hands through her hair. “Don’t move.”

“I wasn’t planning on it.” He cracked a soft smile despite the pain and she glared at him for a moment, eyes rolling as she walked away.

Jack watched as she began raiding the cabinets in a violent search. After a few minutes of listening to the sound, he spoke.

“What are you looking for?”

“I need to find a medical kit,” Elsa mumbled from beneath the sink, “or something to at least staunch the bleeding.”

She opened another door to reveal a full bottle of vodka. Her hands wrapped around the neck of the bottle and she looked at him, lips quirked up in a smile that would have been joking had it not been for the concern so present in her brow that belied the expression.

“Fancy a drink?” She shook the bottle and the contents sloshed slightly.

“I lose all control of myself once a month.” He offered her a kind smile, wincing in slight pain. “I can’t say I like to replicate the feeling.”

“Right.” She blinked, “Of course.”

“But you’re welcome to, if you want.”

Elsa shook her head, setting the drink down and continuing her search. She emerged with a tin kit. The box was scratched and banged up and were it not for the knowledge that this was the first aid she had been searching for, he would not have known what she had pulled out from the cabinet.

She set the kit down beside him, opening the tin and looking through it’s contents. He watched her hands as she picked up a suturing needle.

“Are you ok?”

Elsa scoffed, the sound tight and uncomfortable. “You’re the one bleeding out on my table and you’re asking me if I’m ok?”

“I’m not the one shaking.” The words weren’t accusatory, rather concern held in it’s weight.

Elsa reluctantly met his gaze. Sitting this close to her now, he could see the ring of fear around her eyes. He tried a different tactic.

“Do you know what you’re doing?” He asked not unkindly, though he knew the answer already.

She snorted, the sound self-deprecating. “Is it that obvious?”

“Given our first introduction?” He quirked a brow which earned a laugh from her, the sound real and full.

Jack smiled now at the memory of their time in the crypt and Elsa’s shoulders relaxed just a bit. She looked at him again, eyes now shining and warm and he fought the urge to hold her hand.

“Fine.” The smile slipped from her face as she confessed. “I don’t know what I’m doing here, Jack.”

“That’s alright, I’ll show you.” His gaze slipped down as he spoke. “First, you’ll need to wash your hands.”

Elsa looked down as if just now noticing the dirt and slight blood that clung to her nails. “Right.”

As she went to the sink, Jack busied himself by taking his jacket off; the shirt, he would need more help with. His side tugged and burned with the small movements and he seethed at the pain. At his sound, Elsa turned, taking in his half state of undress. She blinked, quickly looking away to dry off her hands and clear her throat. When she returned to his side, her hands were steadier now.

“Stay still.” She admonished and he froze beneath her touch.

Jack watched as she brandished a knife, grasping a fistful of his shirt and tore through the fabric. After she had finished one side, Elsa moved to the next, doing the same thing until what was left of his shirt fell away. She set the knife down and stared at him. Her eyes dragged across his lithe frame, snagging on the wound on his abdomen before trailing up to meet his gaze.

“That was my favorite shirt.” He accused.

“Well, I-“ she began to defend before meeting his mirthful gaze. Her lips twisted in a wry smile. “You arse.”

“It’s ok,” Jack smirked, throwing up his hands in a peaceful gesture, as he looked at her. “I’ll forgive you this time.”

“Oh, you will? That’s a relief.” Elsa rolled her eyes, her shoulders losing some of their stiffness.

Jack’s hands returned to the table as he watched her smile return.

“Next you’ll want to clean it, before wrapping it.” He instructed, swallowing the sudden lump in his throat. “Take some warm water and clean the blood around the wound first. It’s stopped bleeding, so it should be quick.”

Elsa nodded as she grabbed a bowl from the counter and went to work. Her nails drug across his skin in the ghost of a caress as she scrubbed the blood from his side and as she worked, she spoke.

“You’re wrong.”

His brows knit together in confusion and he looked at her. Elsa’s gaze was firmly trained on cleaning his wound and so he pressed.

“Though I’m not going to disagree,” he quirked a smile and crooked his head sideways, “I must ask about what?”

Her gaze met his for a second before returning downward and she spoke once more. “It’s not ok.”

It took him a moment to process what she meant before remembering. Jack closed his eyes allowing a slow breath to push past his lips. The memory of the hunter’s knife resting against his neck still vivid in his mind and the derision in his voice as he had called him what he was: a dog.

“No, I suppose you’re right.” He answered.

There was nothing more to say, what else could he? Nothing would change the fact that he was a monster and no other hunter, beside Elsa, would see him as such. But it was enough just to speak it - to remind him that he was just as much human as anyone else and perhaps even more so when compared to people like Ulysses.

Silence filled the air as Elsa continued to work and she seemed content to let the moment pass. As she finished, Elsa dried off her hands and moved to wrap the wound. Jack stopped her, placing a hand on her own and pausing her in her movements.

“What?” She asked, looking at him once more.

“Where did you put the vodka?” Jack watched as she grabbed it from the counter, turning to look at him once more.

“I thought you didn’t want any.” Her eyes flickered back and forth as she gazed into his own and he watched as realization dawned on her.

“We need to disinfect the wound before it’s wrapped. There’s no saline solution in here, so the best way to do that is with alcohol.” He persisted at her wariness, hoping to assuage her. “I’ll be fine, I’ve been through worse.”

Jack noticed the clench in her jaw at his words. She had no doubt he had been through worse, but there was a difference between witnessing such agony and being the one to inflict it. Her father had no qualms with either, but Elsa could not say the same.

Though her hands were steady as she unscrewed the bottle, Jack noticed the sudden change of her heart rate, only hidden by the forced regularity of her breathing. Elsa avoided eye contact with him as she readied herself to disinfect the wound, but a sudden warmth around her arm stopped her. His fingers pressed into her, drawing her eyes towards him and Jack held her gaze as he gently took the bottle from her hands.

“It’s ok, Elsa.” He whispered, as though trying not to scare her. “You don’t have to.”

“Jack-“

“Wash your hands.” He tipped his head, in the direction of the sink. “I’ll handle it.”

As the warmth of the water rushed over her knuckles, Elsa tried to ignore the agonized groans and shuddering breaths of the man behind her. When she turned back around, his eyes were closed, head leaned back as he breathed deeply. The stench of alcohol pierced her nose, strong and sharp in it’s scent. Elsa’s gaze swept over him, noticing how his stomach glistened, the muscles pulled tight from pain. In this light, despite the obvious suffering he was in, Elsa could almost admit he was-

“Elsa?”

Her gaze snapped up to meet his once more and found his sharp green eyes on her.

“Are you ok?”

She could feel her mask slide back into place. The vulnerability she had allowed herself to show this night was becoming more frequent around him and she steeled herself to return to his side. With a curt nod, she responded.

“So,” She cleared her throat, “I just wrap you up and that’s it?”

Jack stilled, his clever eyes pausing on her for a moment longer before answering.

“Yes.” He spoke, his throat a bit dry. “That’s it.”

Elsa nodded, quickly grabbing the gauze and working to fashion it tightly around his midsection. She ignored the way his breath felt against her neck as she reached behind him, the way the warmth of his body leeched into her skin with every brush of her fingers. She cleared her throat.

“There might be a change of clothes in the room, down the hall.” Elsa spoke as she tied off the bandage. “Take some Advil.”

Once she had finished, she excused herself to take a shower.

And she definitely didn’t think about the way his eyes never left her face as she wrapped his wound.

***

Elsa heard the music before the shower had even turned off, the sound of it growing louder as she dressed and wrung her hair out. The crackling melody of an older song she couldn’t quite name played through the hall, the sound muffled by distance.

“Jack?” Elsa called out as she walked closer towards the noise.

Her heart pitched in her chest when there was no response. She froze, letting out a slow exhale in a controlled breath before she prepared to round the corner.

She raised her arms pivoting toward the doorway… and dropped them at the sight in front of her.

There, standing in the living room was Jack, still shirtless and swaying gently to the rhythm of the music. His back was to her and she watched him, brows pinching together in confusion.

“Jack?” She couldn’t help the frustrated relief in her voice and he spun around to face her.

“Elsa!” He rushed to lower the volume on the record player. “I’m sorry, was it too loud?”

She shook her head, her anxiety on his behalf dissipating as she looked at him. “What are you doing?”

“Oh, well, I found this record player and I figured that after the night we’ve had, we deserve to relax a bit.”

She watched as he turned the volume up a bit more and began to sway his hips, the quick guitar strings creating a happy melody. Elsa would be lying if she said she wasn’t mesmerized by his movements. He shifted fluidly despite the wound in his side though, if she looked closely, he did move more gingerly than normal. A certain uneasiness began to creep up her spine.

“Come on.” He smiled, seemingly in better spirits as he waved her over.

“Jack, we’re supposed to be laying low.” She shook her head and he stopped, walking over to her.

“You say we’re safe here, yes?” His eyes glittered feverishly as she met his gaze.

“Yes.” The word barely left her throat.

“Then dance with me.”

Jack smiled as he took her hand and led her into the dimly lit room. She looked down, noticing he had kicked off his shoes and was now barefoot. Her eyes traveled back up to meet his.

This is ridiculous. She thought.

“I don’t know how to dance.” She said.

Jack’s lips quirked into a gentle smile, “It’s alright, I’ll show you.”

His hand grabbed her wrist, lifting it to set her hand upon his shoulder as he grasped the other one.

“You’ll want to step closer.” He murmured and she shuffled forward. A laugh bubbled in his chest. “Closer.”

Elsa stepped forward until she was flush against his body, her face nestled into the crook of his neck.

“Are you sure I won’t hurt you?”

“I’ll be fine.” He spoke, the warmth of his breath ghosting across the shell of her ear. “I’ll lead, you follow.”

She didn’t say a word as he began, his hand sliding across her waist to hold her back as they moved.

“You’re still on edge.” He noted, an amused tint to his voice.

“Because this is what gets you into trouble all the time.” she growled. Elsa could feel how stiff her limbs were, muscles coiled and ready should anything happen.

The sound of his laugh vibrated through his chest, she could feel it before she even heard it.

“What?” She could hear the smile in his voice. “By dancing?”

“Relaxing.” She pulled away to look at him and he let her, his hand slipping away for a moment. Elsa held his gaze a moment longer before returning to her previous position, the back of her mind buzzing at how close they were to each other.

“You let your guard down too easily.” She admitted softly and Jack stuttered in his movements.

She could feel the shift in his body, so close as he was to her and he stilled. The tip of his nose brushed the shell of her ear and he inhaled, a slow, deep breath that held a certain kind of weight to it. Elsa stared ahead, waiting for his response.

“Thirteen yards above us is a nest full of birds. Twenty-eight yards to the right of us is a fox, though it could be a badger, the snow makes it a bit hard to tell. Ten yards from the tree with the birds are a few squirrels. Our greatest threat is the deer a little more than fifty yards away from the cabin.”

Finally Jack moved to look her in the eyes.

“You’re right, Elsa. I do let my guard down easily,“ He conceded. ”but you don’t do it enough.”

Elsa felt as though she couldn’t move, shock and perhaps a hint of anger coursing through her. Then embarrassment flooded her chest, creeping up her throat until it tightened. She swallowed, and without saying a word, extricated herself from his arms. She walked to the record he had put on and lifted the needle, flipping the switch to stop it’s spinning and flipped the vinyl to the other side. Elsa flipped the switch once more and set the needle gently atop the record player.

The soft theme of a guitar played as she turned to face him and as she met his gaze, Elsa allowed herself to relax. As she walked back over to him, her shoulders dropped beneath his touch. Her feet stood between his own, intertwining their legs as his hands wrapped around her waist. She allowed her body to meld into his touch, and somehow, just standing her felt more intimate than anything she had ever done. It was terrifying.

Silently, he began to move, swaying gently to the tune as the man began to sing. Jack hummed along, the melody a low-pitched noise rumbling through his chest as they danced. Elsa couldn’t help the way her head dropped slightly, the heat of his neck brushing her cheek as he tilted his head. She was surprised when he began to sing along, the sound low and hesitant.

“You know Portuguese?” She asked, shifting her head to address him.

“Yes.” Jack nodded. “It’s close to Spanish, so it wasn’t too hard.”

“Do you know any other languages?”

“A few.” He admitted, “What about you?”

Elsa smiled, “A few.” She repeated.

Jack laughed as he stepped to the side and she followed, allowing him to lead.

“My dad insisted I learn.” She spoke, her voice suddenly growing sober. “It’s one of the few things I actually enjoyed.”

Jack stilled, their movements slowing until he stopped, the tip of his nose brushing her neck. His hot breath rustled her hair and suddenly she was all too aware of how close they were.

“Elsa,” Jack whispered her name and she closed her eyes. “I-“

Her lips parted as she breathed, listening to his words. She could feel him pull away slightly and she opened her eyes. His gaze fell to her lips and she froze. The heat of his shoulder leeched into her fingers, warm and soft. His bare chest pressed against hers and she could feel the rise and fall of it with every breath. The last time he had been so close to her was when they were in the cage. Jack paused once more before clearing his throat.

“I think I should clean up for the night.”

Elsa stood silent, letting his words pierce through the heady fog that had surrounded her to sink into her mind. As she stood, he moved, arms falling away from her to step backward. She blinked, recovering and looking away from him.

“Of course.” She turned away, forcing her voice to remain neutral. “The shower is just down the hall through the bedroom.”

Her gaze found the record player, watching the vinyl spin as the needle moved slowly up and down. It wavered as it reached the end of the available songs, a dust filled emptiness now crackling through the speakers. She waited until she could hear his footsteps recede before moving toward it, lifting the needle and flipping the switch off. Elsa ran her hands through her hair, fighting off the sting of tears.

“Bloody stupid.” She whispered.

***

“You should rest.”

The sleep-drugged voice was gravel lined with tiredness and it was a moment before he realized who’s it was.

“I’m not human.” He spoke, “I don’t need sleep.”

“Of course you do.”

“Not like you.”

As he exited the bathroom, his eyes adjusted to the dark of the bedroom, the dim light above the sink barely puncturing the darkness. Jack’s gaze landed on her, laying on one half of the bed, the other untouched. He watched as she sat up, red hair glinting in the soft light.

“Elsa-“

“Just go to sleep, Jack.” She cut him off, shifting in the bed to face away from the other side.

He hesitated in the doorway before moving toward the bed. It was clear she had left the side for him, but even though they had sleep next to each other before, sleeping in the same bed felt strangely intimate. Jack sat on the empty side, the mattress dipping beneath his weight, but she remained silent. He slid beneath the covers, laying next to her and shifted his head.

“I didn’t get a chance to say thank you.” He said into the darkness. “And I’m sorry.”

There was no response for a moment, then she spoke. “‘Why?”

The question was raw, and he could hear the pain laced in the single word.

“For the same reason you can’t dance.”

He closed his eyes, letting her scent wash over him. The crispness of pine needles with the citrus smell of oranges seeping through. The air was heavy with snow and earth and he breathed it in the quiet. If this was as close as he could get to her, he would take it.

“Is the deer still around?”

The question was a surprise and he couldn’t help the smile that tugged on his lips.

“No.” He murmured, “She’s gone.”

Jack lay still as she shifted in the darkness.

“And the fox?” Elsa asked.

A beat longer.

“Gone too.” His throat grew dry as she moved some more.

“The birds?”

She was facing him now. He listened and beneath the pillow of snow he could hear the flutter of wings and their fast heartbeats if he tried.

“Still there.” Jack said, “You’ll hear them in the morning.”

They lay there in the quiet and as he stretched his hands, they met her skin.

“You’re cold.” He spoke, the words leaving his lips in a hushed breath.

Her legs moved in small, incremental movements to intertwine with his and he moved to allow it, his breath hitching at the intimacy. His eyes adjusted, looking down to find her wide eyes upon him, and his gaze flickered down to glance at her lips. Elsa’s hand brushed the bandage, dancing across his side to wrap gingerly around him. The heat of his skin seeped into the sheets. Her lips found his, ghosting across his in a breath.

“Then keep me warm.”

[elsanna-secret-santa]

For Karolina

Elsa and Anna take their children to their cousins house for Christmas. They adopted a brother and sister from the orphanage in town. Elsa and Anna love them as their own. The boy, Evan is just like Anna in every way. Acting before thinking and going on adventures usually dragging his sister along. The girl, Scarlett is more reserved like Elsa. Although she does have her wild moments too. The whole family couldn't wait to go to Kristoff's house for Christmas. He goes all out every year and couldn't be more excited to have his daughter see and play with Evan and Scarlett. Of course Kristoff lives at the furthest northern city so there is a lot of snow for everyone to enjoy. The kids are given matching pajamas for Christmas Eve and they all sleep in Kristoff's daughter's room. Christmas morning is full of loud and crazy children all excited to see what Santa brought for them. It really was a perfect day. Elsa and Anna couldn't be any happier.

[kaibutsushidousha]

If the v3 cast were Masters, which Servants would they summon who has the highest compatibility with them ?

Akamatsu and Amakusa

Amami and Nursery Rhyme

Iruma and Caligula

Ouma and Nightingale

Ki-bo and Kotarou

Gonta and Bedivere

Saihara and Arjuna

Shirogane and Gilgamesh (Caster)

Shinguuji and Medusa

Chabashira and Xuanzang

Toujou and Queen of Sheba

Harukawa and Jason

Hoshi and Dantes

Momota and Mandricardo

Yumeno and Nagiko

Angie and Douman

Explanations under the cut in case you're confused, because you probably are.

First off, Twitter people might be wondering why so many choices are different from what I chose for this thread. Obvious consideration for who is normally summonable aside, the main thing I kept in mind here is that compatibility summon comes in two flavors. Pattern A is a hero similar in nature to Master (Sakura and Medusa, Ryuunosuke and Gilles, etc), and Pattern B is the hero the Master needs for the personal struggles of their character arc (Pepe and Ash, Erice and Voyager, Elsa and Arash, Jinako and Karna, etc). Pattern B is always more interesting than Pattern A, so that's what I'm using for all my choices. Now let me go over them one by one.

1. I say things will be different from the thread and immediately break the promise with Akamatsu. Akamatsu relied a lot on Saihara's brain to build her plan, but their relationship was never one of mutual trust because she knew Saihara would agree to her harsher and more definitive methods. The hero Akamatsu needs is someone both competent and like-minded. Someone who shares her earnest will to save everyone and willingness to use more extreme methods for it. Amakusa is the Servant for her.

2. For Amami, I'll go with Nursery Rhyme. Much like Raikou got Nursery in the Heian Singularity's Imperial Grail War as the emotional crutch daughter figure she needed, Amami gets an emotional crutch little sister figure to help him reunite with the twelve he lost. This pair would be interesting because it'd subvert Nursery's usual MO of simply forcing others to reconnect with their inner child. The whole reason why he lost 12 sisters is that his passion for seafaring and exploration distracts him from what he's supposed to do. Her role as the villain of the Santa Nightingale event shows she can be harsh when children are being neglected, so Nursery would be the force pulling Amami back on track, but she'd have to balance that with allowing him to enjoy himself to preserve his childish love for adventure. He'd be a tough and delicate case for our Hero of Children.

3. The hero Iruma needs is... anyone who tolerates her, really. My first thought was Karna, but he's about finding value where no one else does, and Iruma has her share of undeniable value, so I think he isn't the best choice. Their pair would be a watered-down version of Jinako's pair anyway. Fate/ actually quite scarce of Servants defined by being all-tolerant because that's a trait they push more on Fujimaru, but two examples that come to mind are Romulus, the man who loved all of Rome (read: human civilization) in both its sins and achievements; and Caligula, the man who went crazy trying to do the same. Romulus is too OP to help Iruma tone down her ego, so I'll go with Caligula.

4. Ouma is a hard case. He needs someone he can absolutely trust and finding one of those is a huge challenge. The only ones Ouma has expressed full trust to were Gonta because he was unquestionably good and weak-willed enough to never stray away from Ouma's instruction without asking first; and chapter 5 Momota, who was in circumstances so complicated that he wouldn't dare to throw away the chance Ouma's script offered. Ouma is the kind of paranoid control freak who would intentionally go for a Berserker because even the ones who speak are single-minded in a way that makes them easy to plan around. The alternative would be someone so like-minded in methods and standards that he'd probably hate them but still trust as someone who thinks the same way he would, but only BB fits that bill and she's not normally summonable. With that card off the table, the only options Ouma has left are Berserker he can trust to never kill anyone ever, and the only Zerk valuing life this much is Nightingale. BB's fellow nurse, amusingly enough.

5. Ki-bo would be offended with Alaya if he summoned a robot or homunculus just because he's a robot. And he also wishes for a partner that will treat him as an equal without denying what makes him different as a robot. In short, he needs a human Servant who is used to having normal relationships with robots. But not Chen Gong or Red Hare because they're too evil, nor Orion because he's too crude. That leaves us with robot Danzou's human son, Fuuma Kotarou.

6. Gonta's wish is to become a true gentleman his human family can acknowledge, and for that, he needs the example of someone who is both well-mannered and of a noble heart. Bedivere is an easy choice.

7. As I mentioned a few times before around 2017~18, I strongly think the best thing about Saihara is his interactions with Hoshi. Saihara is a guy feeling eternally guilty because he made one "good guy" murderer pay for his crime and he tries to make up for it by forcefully validating Hoshi's mass-murdering of the mafia. Then in Fate/, we have Arjuna, an all-around excellent man who adamantly believes himself to be evil because he did one dishonorable thing once. Saihara is the stubborn validating Master Arjuna needs to make him understand that he is not the monster he believes himself to be.

8. The first thing about Shirogane is that she really doesn't like reality, especially when it concerns herself. She can't muster any interest in the boring, plain girl she is or the boring, plain world she lives in, so she makes a hobby and a job out of becoming someone else, a larger-than-life figure in a fictional world. She loves all Danganronpa characters but expresses greater adoration towards Junko and Kamukura, the most unreal the series has produced. Enter Gilgamesh, the Hero King with the comically large ego and literally all Noble Phantasm to satiate Tsumugi's craving for a break from reality. That said, Gilgamesh has the recurring hobby of playing therapist to a Master disconnected from their own self and is the franchise's greatest symbol of the willing departure from the Age of Gods into the Age of Man. As much as he fits her tastes on a surface level, he's the guy who transitioned the flashy world of fantasy she dreams of into the plain world she hates, and he'll use most of his free time to the same on a personal level for her. The Caster version is being specifically picked because Archer has childish beef with modernity, and Caster is intentionally making his arsenal more limited and unimpressive, which is self-demonstrative of the points he wants to make to Shirogane.

9. One of his Free Time Events has him explaining why Medusa is his favorite myth, and I definitely can't claim to know this shit better than him. Deep emotional attachment to a story can net you compatibility summon, as Kiara is there to show, and Shinguuji gets bonus points from how TM Medusa became a monster out of living her life for her sisters rather than for herself.

10. Cute and righteous female Buddhist mentor figure who does martial arts. What else could Chabashira ask for?

11. Toujou takes self-worth from serving big important people with utmost perfection, so she needs her Servant to be a king or similarly important leader. But she also needs it to be a support Caster so she can properly invert the Master-Servant relationship and personally fight the enemy Servant for her king. The only characters in the middle of the Venn diagram of kings and support Casters are Medea and Sheba, and Medea wants nothing to do with the royalty life anymore, so Sheba it is.

12. The role of the hero Harukawa needs is already properly fulfilled by Momota in the story, so I'll go with Jason because he shares all of Momota's strengths and flaws. He's someone who'll force her to be part of a team, relentlessly encourage her to break out of her shell, and have a shitty personality she can never fully respect, making the relationship balanced. And things would go even smoother with Jason because his summon comes with Atalante, who is someone Harukawa can easily relate to.

13. Hoshi needs someone who would assure him of his choices and make him comfortably reconnect with his past like he did with Saihara in his Free Time Events. As practically the face of the Avenger Class, Dantes defines himself as an ally and guardian to the ones who were wronged and lashed out in less than virtuous ways, so he's a perfect fit.

14. Momota is too aware of himself as the protagonist of his own story to want a hero. He would instead want a loyal sidekick or a like-minded rival. Voyager is a good sidekick option due to his fit with Momota's wish for greater adventure further beyond and is a Servant Momota mentions in his Free Time Events, so there's the emotional connection to his story there. For a rival, a big-name adventurer like Drake or Odysseus could work, and so could a wandering warrior like Musashi. But there's one option that fits both roles: Mandricardo. Rica has the adventurer experience necessary to eventually compete with Momota, but also Saihara's level of self-esteem, allowing him to start on the sidekick role until Momota pulls him out of it and shapes him into a proper rival.

15. Like with Harukawa, the role of hero Yumeno needs is already fulfilled by Chabashira in canon, so we know what she needs is someone with high energy and a deep understanding of emotions. And Fate/'s biggest connoisseur of human emotion is none other than our Kiyohara no Nagiko.

16. Angie is a complicated case because she doesn't react well to being disobeyed. My first idea for someone with a functioning partnership with her is a knight, but knights generally work on the premise that their king is selfless and righteous, which Angie isn't. There are people like Lan Ling, Liangyu, the ninjas, Mori, or Okita, who submit their lives to anyone's authority, but for that same reason, they wouldn't help Angie improve. What she really needs is someone good at feigning humility, like Limbo. He wouldn't have good intentions for her Master, but by manipulating situations out of her control without letting her feel like her divine words are being challenged, he can force some level of change in her mindset. It's better than nothing.

[disneydarlin]

Top 10 Holiday Disney Movies

The holidays are around the corner. This means there are certain films people must watch every year around this time. For Disney fans, this means their favorite movies lists can become quite long. Some films are directly Christmas oriented while others are holiday related instead. In this article, the best seasonal films will be presented.

1. The Santa Clause: This movie is one of the few holiday films which always bring magical feelings into kids' souls whenever dreaming of Santa visiting on Christmas Eve. Tim Allen is the perfect Santa Clause. David Krumholtz as the Head-Elf, Bernard, is also fantastic. The creativity put into the film to describe Santa’s magic is wonderful. Many of the set designs, makeup and practical effects are great too. Due to the tremendous effort put into the world-building, it wouldn’t be surprising if this is exactly what most people think of when they envision how Santa Clause’s workshop looks and functions at the North Pole.

2. Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas: Simply because Halloween is over, doesn’t mean everyone is done with the holiday. This movie successfully managed to creatively combine two holidays into one with Christmas being secondary to Halloween. The simple story with its simple characters are brought to life in Disney’s first stop-motion animated film through Claymation style. Sally, the ragdoll, is the best character in the entire movie next to Santa. With all the Christmas elements, this movie is the perfect way to go back to Halloween while still keeping to the current season.

3. Home Alone: This movie is sure to make anyone laugh out loud. Especially if the viewers are suckers for grown men screaming out at random; assuming the wailing sounds and looks genuine. Marvin Murchins is the best character in the entire film. Daniel Stern’s acting as Marv is great. His facial expressions are hilarious. Anyone would assume Daniel’s  screeches were real with his fantastic voice-acting. Overall, Daniel seemed to capture some realistic outbursts.

4. The Muppet Christmas Carol: Like Home Alone, this film has a couple of moments which can make some audience members laugh a little, despite the comedy being different. Gonzo and Rizzo are a perfect friend duo. Those two work well off each other and make their jokes work. The puppeteers are great at adding visual humor, but the voice-acting is what really sells the comedy with Steve Whitmire as Rizzo and Dave Goelz as Gonzo.

5. Winnie The Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year– This movie is adorable. It has the warmth and charming ability to put people into the holiday spirit. The movie is about the residents of the Hundred Acre Wood sharing what they want for Christmas. It’s a basic tale, but hoping Santa will come to gift individuals with presents is something most people can relate to doing as kids. After all, this concept is what started most of people’s passion and love for Christmas.

6. Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmas: Nothing warms the heart more than classic animation. With a narrator opening the film presenting the magic of Christmas, this movie is another film which puts me into the holiday mood. Some moments make a person’s heart melt as the three featured tales all explain the meaning of Christmas.

7. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe– Even though this movie is more of a winter favorite, the film actually does mention Christmas. Due to this, Santa is presented with his sleigh later in the movie. There’s a short scene where he hands three of the Pevensie children their designated weapons and tools to aid them in Narnia. This nod makes sense as Narnia does feature Biblical themes and Christmas is all about the birth of Jesus Christ.

8. Frozen: Although this has nothing to do with Christmas, no one can deny this film is a winter favorite. Anna, Elsa, Kristoff and Olaf are all wonderful characters in the movie. Besides, Olaf, Elsa and her “Let It Go” song have become part of the holiday. Apparently, winter magic, along with blue and silver colors; is all something needs to become associated with Christmas. Well, if not the holiday season at the very least.

9. Mickey’s Twice Upon A Christmas: This is the sequel to “Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmas” film. Firstly, the movie has a lot of problems involving character demeanors and situations. However, perhaps this is intended as Christmas isn’t always a positive season or time of the year for everyone. For some people, the holidays can bring negative feelings regardless of how much they care about their loved ones. In fact, stress, depression and feeling overwhelmed are some of the emotions expressed by the characters in the movie.

10. Frozen II: If the first Frozen movie is considered a winner favorite, then this film is too. Even though there’s still a lot of ice magic involved in the movie, the film has a lot of Autumn scenery. The characters are also dressed for the Fall season too. Yet, somehow this film isn’t marketed as an ‘Autumn favorite’ around Halloween.

What do you think? Do you agree with the top picks? If not, what are some of your favorite holiday movies? Please share with me!

[darter-blue]

Stucky (quick fic) [Bucky is typing]

Steve is so tired, he’s thinking about stealing the duct tape from Tony's emergency kit to keep his eyeballs from falling out of his head. 

They’re mid flight back to New York from… wherever they were this time (somewhere cold and dark and exhausting). Nat is on his left, asleep with her eyes open, which is the creepiest thing Steve has ever seen - and he once watched Dum Dum wash dirty underwear in his regulation M1 helmet before wearing it into a skirmish (they all came out alive, maybe it was good luck).

His phone isn't in his pocket, which is typical Steve Rogers luck, all he wants is to play a few rounds of that terrifyingly addictive cupcake game Clint downloaded for him to switch his brain off. But, oh! It's under Nat's seat. 

And his fucking passcode locks him out after three wrong attempts, of course! So he uses the Captain America override function that all these goddamn Tonytech Avengers phones have with his thumbprint. Before he has a chance to even look for the game, a message pops up on his screen. 

Received: First of all you just ignored my cats dressed up as Santa, so fuck you. Secondly…

The ellipses show up to say this person is typing more, but Steve has no idea what on Earth it's about, or who it's from (Bucky? What's a Bucky?), So he quickly types back and hits enter.

Sent: who is this?

The ellipses stop and then start again, and quite quickly Steve receives a reply:

Received: Dont you new phone who dis me asshole

Which is mystifying, because those words don't make any semblance of sense in a sentence together and why the fuck is this Bucky so angry?

Sent: I think, firstly, your language is uncalled for.

Oh god, he is turning into his mother.  

Received: Natasha, wtf

Oh! Maybe this is a wrong number? Maybe his and Nat's numbers are just one digit off or something.

Sent: Ah, well, I think you have me mistaken for your friend.

Received: EXCUSE ME

Received: AFTER ALL THESE YEARS THIS IS HOW YOU DO ME

This seems like an excessive response, Steve wonders if he'll need to actually wake Nat for this. Maybe it's best to just refrain from hyperbole and set the poor man (woman?) Right.

Sent: No, I mean, you think I’m someone I’m not.

It occurs to Steve right after sending that, he is being somewhat obtuse.

Received: Nat, omg, what are you talking about???

Okay, Steve, spell it out:

Sent: No sorry, I’m not Natasha

Received: What?

Sent: I’m Steve

Receieved: Who the fuck is Steve?

Immediately the phone is ringing. A picture of a ridiculously attractive man pops up as a display picture and it must be an actor or a model Tony has programmed into the phone as a joke (one time he lets slip that Jimmy Stewart would be his Hall pass and he'll never live it down).

He answers, because it would be rude not to. 

'Who are you and why do you have Natasha's phone?' 

'I think maybe you have the wrong number,' Steve says back to that gruff, salty greeting (salty is his new favourite word of the day, thanks to the urban dictionary app FRIDAY put on his phone) 

'I… hang on..' the phone goes silent for a moment and Steve likes to think he's waiting very patiently for Mr grumpy to come back on and apologise profusely. He secretly is quite interested to hear that voice when it's not so gruff, and maybe a little contrite. 'No!' the voice barks into Steve's unsuspecting ear, 'This is definitely Nat's phone. I am not going crazy.' 

And for the first time Steve wonders if it's entirely possible this is, in fact, Natasha's phone.

Huh.

'You still there, dude?' Bucky asks. And Steve grunts to confirm he is, but pulls the phone away slightly to check, and oh. Look at that. There is no crack in the bottom left hand corner of the back of the case.

Oops.

'Ah, so it looks like you might be right,' Steve says, in lieu of an apology.

'Oh good, okay, you're not going to apologise for causing me a ridiculous amount of identity crisis for three a.m on a Monday morning?'

'No,' is Steve's answer. Partly because he never apologises. Partly because it's sort of fun to fuck with this guy.

'Wow, nice. Okay, Steve, what the fuck are you doing answering Nat's phone at this late hour?' Bucky asks, his voice has lost its gruff edge, has taken on the mild warmth of amusement (it is even more pleasant than Steve had anticipated), 'You guys hook up or something?'

'What? No!' Steve blurts out wildly, before he can stop himself (but, yuck. Natasha is like the pain in the ass little sister Steve never asked for) 'We work together.'

'Ah,' Bucky says, like he's just discovered a state secret, 'You're Steve from work.' - Oh lord, what has Natasha been saying about him? - 'You sound cuter than I was expecting.'

What. Does that mean?

'I uh…' Steve is at a loss, 'I am not cute.' 

Steve is a thirty something year old super soldier too world weary to even wear a parachute these days. He is not. Fucking. Cute.

'Sure, send me a selfie, I need to judge for myself.' He can hear Bucky chuckling to himself on the other end of the phone.

'I am not sending you a selfie.'

'Fair enough, you want me to judge in person, I can respect that,' Bucky says, and the warmth in his voice has reached dangerous levels. It's affecting Steve more than it should. 'Okay, if you’re Steve from work then you live here in New York, right? Which means you can meet me at Elsa's tomorrow night at nine.'

'I don't… know where that is?' Steve says, flustered and breathless for no good reason. 

'Google it. Okay it was nice chatting Steve but I gotta go,' he can hear Bucky yawn, hears the crack of his jaw, 'You shouldn't be calling people up at three in the morning, it's rude.'

'I didn't… You called me!' Steve says incredulously. Except Bucky has already hung up. He pulls the phone away from his ear and states at it, like it might offer him some answers. 

It does not.

It does have a picture of Bucky in the contact information though. And okay, if he's not a model or an actor then life is just unfair. Steve doesn't realise he's staring at the phone until Natasha's voice breaks through his musing.

'Two years I've been trying to set you up with someone nice and you end up picking up my best friend with a butt dial?'

Steve looks over at her and she hasn't moved at all. She still looks asleep. She really is creepy.

'It wasn't a butt dial!' he doesn't even know what that is, but he's sure it doesn't apply here.

'Uh huh. Remind me to get Tony to take your fingerprint override off my phone.'

Steve lays Nat's phone gently in her lap where she pretends to sleep on. He fishes his own out of his chest pocket, must have been there the whole time, and puts his head in his hands. 

He just wanted to play his cupcake game…

The phone pings a few seconds later and it's a message from Nat; Bucky's contact information (including his picture).

And he isn't sure what this feeling in his gut is, but it's definitely not the roiling miasma of banality that has been festering there lately.

Which is probably a good enough reason to not back out of this.

Really, how bad could one drink with a handsome stranger be?

He leans back in his seat and let's his head fall against the headrest. It could be nice actually.

'Atta boy, Steve.' Nat says, still as a statue.

Steve is pretty sure she can read minds.

He wouldn't even put it past her to have set this whole thing up somehow. 

The tiny tilt at the corner of her mouth suggests he might not be wrong.

part two  part three

[scabopolis]

the gift of gab, the gift of you

Here it is @thisonesatellite! your 2020 CS Secret Santa gift. It was a complete and total delight to get to be your gift giver this year. That is not hyperbole - you are a gosh dang delight! Each of your message responses left me in stitches and while I will NEVER try and convince you a movie you think is bunk is good, I am delighted at the opportunity to recommend rom coms that don’t make you want to gouge your eyes out. 

This fic is heavily inspired by your love of coffee shops AUs (except...you know, a pub), your travel stories (which I shamelessly incorporated into the fic) and I believe rates about a 4 on the reindeer scale of Christmas cheer.  You’re a total eagle eye, so I just need to say I am well aware that Colin O’Donoghue’s accent in no way resembles an accent from Cork, but I just need that to be ignored, please and thank you.

Also, I’ve decided we’re fandom friends now. Okay? Okay! Finally, thank you to @cssecretsanta2020 for organizing this exchange and being the actual best and most patient fandom soul. 

*** Title: the gift of gab, the gift of you

Summary: Emma needs an Irish man. Wait! No! It’s not what it sounds like. And then the universe just has to go and provide her with the world’s chattiest, flirtiest, blue-eyesiest Irish man in existence. 

Available on AO3. ***

Emma is in no position to complain. From where she sits both literally – (perched upon a comfy barstool in the world’s coziest pub) – as well as existentially – (traveling abroad for the first time in her life) — she is fortunate and blessed. 

It’s just – 

It’s just it would be easier to enjoy it all if she didn’t have to deal with a rather annoying request from her rather annoyingly persistent mother. 

Her headphones are in but Emma still takes great care to speak in hushed tones over video chat. There’s nothing she wants less than to be the loud American who shares her private conversation with an entire establishment. The pub she found is at the end of a quiet lane off of Cork’s high street. The customers within the pub appear to be locals well known by the staff who tend the pub. In truth, she wouldn’t even be having this conversation if it wasn’t for —

“Who have you talked to today?” her mother asks. 

“Uh, I’m pretty sure I thanked the barista who made my coffee. And I ordered a pint in this pub.” 

“That’s not talking.” 

“It is by definition talking.” 

“That’s not what I meant. How else are you going to get to know the city?” Her mom interrupts before Emma can properly formulate a snarky reply. “And don’t you dare say ‘guidebooks.’ Your father and I raised you better than that.”

“Mom, please don’t make me do this.” 

“You said I could have anything I wanted as a souvenir.”  

“What about a mug? I bought Grandma Ruth one with a big fat sheep on it.” 

“Sounds lovely, sweetie, but no.” 

“Mom.” Emma realizes that as a twenty-six year old woman it is probably unbecoming to whine, but her mother is being absolutely ridiculous. Where is her dad when she needs him to rescue her? All he requested was a bottle of whiskey. What a sensible person!

“No. It’s fine. If you don’t want to get your mother the one thing she asked for on this trip that’s okay. I won’t say one word about paying for this celebration trip, or paying for graduate school, or —” 

“Shit, mom. Did you take a Guilt Trip 101 class or just Google how to?”

“Oh, this is natural talent. My present, please.” 

“Fine.” There’s a group of bearded men, the ones she pegged as locals, tucked into one corner of the pub. They’re probably her best bet, but she just arrived last night, and the combination of jet lag and travel nerves make her feel not yet up for that. Which leaves the staff working the bar. 

One of the two men she’s seen pouring pints and serving up food has gone missing. Besides, Emma wouldn’t trust herself in her sleep-deprived state to not say something utterly absurd to the blue-eyed, dark-haired, scruffy bartender. Probably a good thing he’s gone. Much safer is the other man working the bar – the one who refused to serve her Guinness but was very kind about it. While arguably attractive, he is a decidedly less intimidating sort of handsome. Unfortunately, he is in the midst of a heated discussion with one of the patrons, the two of them gesticulating to something happening with a football match on the screen. Which leaves the blonde haired woman currently polishing glasses. 

Emma lightly clears her throat. “Excuse me, ma’am?” When the woman turns to look at her, Emma smiles, and signals her over. She sets aside the pint glasses and tucks the polishing rag into her apron. Her mother, on the other end of the video call, is not satisfied. 

“Did you say ma’am?” 

“Mom,” Emma whispers.

“I said an Irish man, Emma Blanchard Nolan. Man.”

“No. You said person.” 

“The man was implied.” 

“Then you should have been more specific.” 

“Ready for another?” the woman at the bar asks. 

Emma looks down at her half-full pint. “Not quite.” She frowns. “And, uh, you’re not Irish, are you?” 

“No. Canadian.” 

“Ah. Okay.” Emma lowers her voice again and looks at her phone screen. Her mother remains unimpressed. “That’s foreign. Technically she’s a foreigner.” 

The sternness of Mary-Margaret’s expression is evident even over the video call. “Emmaline —” 

“Not my name, mother.” 

“Emmaline Blanchard Nolan, you promised me.” 

“I’ll find an Irish person tomorrow.” It’s about this time Emma realizes she’s rudely ignoring the very kind and apparently Canadian bartender. The one she asked to speak with. What’s more, the very kind and apparently Canadian bartender has been joined by the curly haired bartender. Both of whom peer at her with matching expressions of amused befuddlement. Emma removes her headphones and addresses the man. “You’re Irish, right?” 

“Well, miss,” and the gentle brogue of his accent, even with those two short words, is quite evident, “you are in Ireland.” 

“Excellent! Can you talk to my mom?” She detaches the headphones from her phone and turns the camera around to face the man and woman. “My mom wants to have a conversation with an Irish person.” 

“Irish man,” her mother corrects.

“An Irish man. Out in the wild.” The bartenders stare at her, nonplussed. “It’s her souvenir.” 

The woman presses her lips together – an obvious attempt to stifle a laugh. 

“Well, uh, aye.” The man tugs at his ear. “I guess I could —” He’s interrupted from his stuttering by the return of the blue-eyed, stubbly bartender, hauling a new keg into the back of the bar. 

“Actually,” the woman cuts in. “My husband,” she hip checks the curly-haired man, “needs to replace the keg.” 

“I do?” he asks. 

“He does?” This from tall, dark, and holy hell! also possesses an Irish accent. 

“But Killian is in the middle—”

“Shh,” the blonde woman interrupts her husband. 

“Yeah. Killian is—”

She goes on to shush the man Emma now knows to be Killian. 

“Oh no,” Mary Margaret whispers over the video call, “there’s two of them.” 

“What is happening?” Emma’s not sure which of the two men asked, this whole interaction spinning rather absurdly out of control. 

“I don’t know,” Emma says.

The woman ignores all of them. “I’m Elsa, this is Liam, and that,” she points to Killian, frozen with a hand on the keg like he’s uncertain what to do, “is my very single, very Irish brother-in-law.” And all at once it becomes clear what Elsa’s intentions are. “Killian, can you come over here and help our lovely patron and her lovely mother?” 

“Oh, Emma, Killian even sounds like an Irish name.” 

“Mom!” Originally she found her mother’s request to be silly but harmless. The more people who become involved, however, the quicker it approaches mortifying. Emma watches as Elsa whispers something to her brother-in-law, likely explaining the unconventional request. 

“I’m very friendly,” Mary-Margaret reassures anyone who might be listening. 

“You are a flirt, is what you are,” Emma scolds. “And what would dad say if he found out about this?”

“He asked for whiskey. I asked for this.” 

“Come on, lass. Don’t deprive me of a dashing rescue.” Killian leans across the bar, his hand reaching out for her phone. All that stubble and the blue-eyes and the accent are worse when directed directly at her. “Besides, your mum sounds like a woman after my own heart.” 

“If you’re sure—?”

“Absolutely.”

To her abject horror, the moment she hands Killian the phone, he walks away with it in hand. 

“As requested, milady,” he says to the screen, “one genuine Irish man.”

Her mother’s delighted giggle is embarrassing for all Americans everywhere but it seems to delight Killian. She can just makeout her mother’s question about where he grew up when he rounds the corner, out of her hearing. 

“Where is he going?” Emma asks, craning her neck. “Where is he taking my phone?” 

“If I know Killian, your mum is probably about to get the most thorough oral history of Irish pubs she could have asked for,” Liam says, tossing a towel over his shoulder. 

“Oh. Okay.” She drums her fingertips on her glass. “I’m sorry about all the trouble.” 

“Nonsense,” he waves her off. “This is the most exciting thing to happen in our pub since Seamus and Willy hosted their wedding reception here.” He jerks his chin towards the group of bearded men she noticed earlier, though which one is Seamus and which is Willy she can’t be certain. 

After another fifteen minutes, Emma has finished her pint and Killian still has possession of her phone. He crossed through the room once, merrily chatting with her mother as he regaled  her with the story of how he got the scar on his cheek. 

Elsa is filling a series of pint glasses for a group of women standing at the bar, and Emma feels the need to apologize again. “This isn’t what I expected,” she explains. 

“What’s that?” Elsa asks. 

“I was kind of thinking, best case scenario, there’d be an exchange of hellos and that would be that.” 

Elsa nods, hands the pints off to the women, and then fills one more. “Are you familiar with the legend of the Blarney stone?” 

Emma nods. She has absolutely no intention of kissing the dang thing (her research indicates local teens do all manner of ungodly things to the stone, knowing that tourists intend to kiss it), but it’s on her list to go see. 

“Well, Jones family legend —”

“I take it your husband and his brother are Jones’?” 

“And me by marriage. Jones family legend has it that Killian must have been birthed upon the stone because never has there been a man more endowed with the gift of gab.” Elsa finishes pouring the pint and sets it in front of her. 

“Oh, I didn’t order this.” Right at that moment, Liam returns to the bar and sets a turkey sandwich in front of her. “Or this,” Emma says. 

“Knowing my brother, you might be here a while,” Liam explains. 

“Gift of gab?” 

He nods, pleased that the Jones family lore has reached her. “Gift of gab.”

Liam proves to be correct, which means Emma has ample time to get to know both Elsa and Liam. The two of them are freakishly adept at juggling bartending, interacting with their customers, and keeping up a steady flow of conversation with her. The highlight is hearing the full story of Seamus and Willy (she is able to identify them by their matching navy sweaters – sweaters which Willy apparently handknits for the both of them), two men who worked on the same fishing boat for decades before realizing they were in love. 

“Once they sorted that bit out, they got married three weeks later,” Elsa says. 

“So which one of them is the designated driver?” Emma asks. 

“That whole lot lives down the street.” Liam raises his voice so the group can hear them. “And they do nothing but hassle me every day of my life!” The group all raise their pint glasses and cheer, indicating this kind of teasing is something central to the pub’s dynamic. 

Killian returns from wherever it was he was busy flirting with her mother and sets her phone on the bartop. She looks down at the display only to find it blank.

“Uh, your mum had to run to the market, but she indicated she’ll call you later.” 

“She didn’t even say goodbye? Unbelievable.” As Emma gears herself up for peak mom-annoyance, she gets a text message. “Speak of the devil.” 

4:38 PM - Mom to Emma hubba hubba

“Ah, geez, mom,” she grumbles. 

“What’d she say about me?” Killian asks. 

“What makes you think that text was about you?” 

“Because you have roses in your cheeks.” Emma frowns. She what? “You’re blushing,” Killian says. 

“No I’m not.” 

“It’s getting deeper, I’m afraid.” He takes away her empty pint glass. “Another?” 

“Yes, please.” 

He sets another pint of Murphy’s in front of her (Liam was the one to inform her that one drinks Murphy’s when one is in Cork). “Your mother is lovely.” 

“Yeah, she’s something alright.” She sips the beer and licks the foam off her lip. “What were the two of you talking about for so long?”

“Oh, just having a chat. She wanted to know about the pub and how Elsa and Liam met.” 

“The gift of gab.” 

“Ah,” he says, “Elsa told you of that, then?” 

“Like my mom didn’t tell you anything about me?” 

“It was all good, Emma.” 

She snorts. “Yeah, I’m sure.” 

“Why a conversation with an Irish man?” Emma frowns at Killian, not quite certain of what he’s asking. “For a souvenir. That’s truly all your mum wanted?” 

“Oh, that. In between flirting, did she tell you anything about her and my dad?” Killian shakes his head. “It’s kind of a long story.” 

As if waiting for his cue, Liam comes up behind Killian and slings an arm around his brother’s shoulder. “My dear little brother has time.” 

“Younger brother,” Killian corrects. 

“Shorter brother.” Liam bumps Killian towards the other side of the bar. “Why don’t you keep Emma company?” 

“I have another three hours on my shift.” 

“I think Elsa and I can handle it until Will arrives.” 

“Liam.” 

“Don’t make me fire you.” 

“You can’t fire me. We’re co-owners.” 

“Fine. Don’t make me quit.” 

Killian rolls his eyes but slides out from under Liam’s arm. He crosses to the other side of the bar and sits beside Emma. “I’ll take a pint, then.” He raps his knuckles on the bartop. “And make it quick.” 

Emma hides her smile in her pint glass. Both Liam and Elsa have been so lovely. There’s no reason to switch allegiances at this point. Regardless of how much she might be tempted by the stubbly-faced, blue-eyed flirty Irish man sitting beside her. 

“Between the two of them and my mother,” Emma says. 

“Yeah, not the most subtle lot.” Liam shoots Killian a glare as he sets the pint down to which Killian responds with the cheekiest grin Emma has ever seen. The interaction has older and baby brother written all over it. “So, your mom and Irishmen. Go.” 

“Oh, that.” Unlike her mother, and even her father, Emma holds the details of her life close to her chest. She’s made the mistake in the past of sharing too much too fast. When people leave her, either by choice or circumstance, it physically pains her to know there are people out in the world with knowledge of her worries, fears and dreams. But maybe it’s the sandwich sitting warm in her stomach, or the jet lag, or simply the buzz of international travel, because she feels inclined to share at least a few details of her life with Killian. 

“My mom and dad both took a gap year after high school and met while backpacking across Europe. They met at the Roman Colosseum, decided to match up their itineraries, and by the time they arrived in Budapest five months later they were in love and my mom was pregnant.” 

“And they’ve been together ever since?” 

“Almost 27 years.”

“That’s quite the story.” 

She nods. “They cut their year of travel short, and went to live with my Grandma Ruth, my dad’s mom. They always talked about returning to Europe, finishing their trip at some point, but by the time I was old enough to leave behind with my grandma, dad was in vet school, mom was teaching, and they were running a wildlife rescue from the family farm. They kept making new plans to travel but they just kept getting pushed back and back and back. Until, one day, they decided to put all that money towards sending me on my first trip instead. So, as much as I fight every silly request she has of me, I would do anything if it made her smile.”

“Your mum and dad never made it to Ireland?” 

“Nope.”

“Thus the strange request.” 

“Thus the strange request.” 

“Well, it gave me a reason to chat with the lovely lass at the bar, so for that I’ll be forever grateful.” 

Her Grandma Ruth, Aunt Ruby, and frankly everyone who knows her parents well, routinely comment on the resemblance between Emma and her dad. Apparently in temperament and affectation they are almost identical. But maybe she’s more like her mom than anyone knows because the conversation between her and Killian flows fast and easy. Easy enough that she barely notices when she and Killian finish their pints and Elsa slides new glasses in front of them. Emma’s head is feeling a little buzzy, and that turkey sandwich was more than a couple hours ago. Maybe she can hint at Killian that she wants to go to the Christmas market. Hint even more specifically that she wouldn’t hate if he went with her. 

No, she can’t do that. To even think such a thing would be ridiculous. 

She can’t possibly ask a practical stranger to walk up and down the stalls of the festive market with her. She can’t expect him to want to sample all the baked goods and food they can handle. Or to hold her hand while they drink spiked apple cider. That kind of thinking is romantic, and hopeful, and not at all her brand. 

“This is really your first trip out of the states?” Killian asks.

“I mean, Canada, but that’s so close to home it doesn’t count.” Emma catches herself, eyes darting to Elsa. “Don’t tell your sister.” 

“Your secret’s safe with me.” Killian angles his body on the stool to face her more directly. Without Emma realizing it, they’ve drifted close enough together over the past hour or so that the move makes it so their knees knock together. Emma could move away, put some distance between them, but everything is foggy and hazy in that delicious way, and she can’t bring herself to move. “What does that make me, then? The ruggedly handsome foreigner you intend to seduce as a notch on your bedpost?” 

“Who said anything about seduction?”

“You’re giving me bedroom eyes.” 

“I do not make eyes of any kind. Especially bedroom eyes.” 

Elsa jumps in, setting glasses of water down for each of them. “Yeah, but Killian does. And he needs to put them away.”

Emma tries to react quickly enough to Elsa’s teasing to evade Killian’s detection, to turn away and hide her smile in her shoulder so he can’t see, but the gentle tug on the end of her braid indicates he caught her. 

“Think that’s funny, do you?” 

“You and my mom ganged up against me. I deserve to join with your family against you.” 

“Your mum is great.” He shrugs. “Well, based on the little I know.”  

“I know she can be a little intense. I hope she didn’t—”

“She was as lovely as her daughter.” Before his words can fully sink in, perhaps bringing that blush back to her cheeks, he’s moved on. “You’ll have to bring her with you when you return.” 

She rests her chin on palm, blinking up at him. Okay, maybe she sometimes makes eyes. “What makes you think I have any plans to come back?”

“Ireland gets in your blood. You’ll be back.” 

This time they’re interrupted by Liam. He swipes away the pint glasses in front of them, remaining beer and all. “That’s about all I can stomach of that.”

“What do you mean?” Killian asks. 

“You’ve been flirting with the kind tourist long enough. Time to go.” 

Oh. Emma looks down at her boots. A surge of deep embarrassment heating her cheeks and causing her stomach to churn. “Sorry,” she says quietly, her eyes turned down. “I didn’t mean to—”

“No!” The twin cries from both Liam and Killian startle her. She’s not sure which one appears more stricken by her announcement she intended to leave.   

“Apologies, Emma, I wasn’t clear,” Liam says. He extends his hand to Killian. “Apron.” It takes Killian a moment to react but when Liam stays in his place, his hand extended, Killian removes his apron and hands it to him. ���See you tomorrow, little brother.” 

“Younger.”

“Dumber.” 

“Stubborner.”

“Not a word.” Liam stalks back over to Elsa who is shaking her head at the whole display. “They’re both idiots,” Liam says, and Emma is just going to pretend she didn’t hear that, thank you very much. 

“Have you been to the Christmas market yet, Emma?” Killian’s voice brings her back to the pub, and this particular bar stool, with this particular man. This particular man who has somehow intuited the secret desire of her heart to go to the town’s Christmas market with him. 

“No. No. Not yet.” 

Killian jumps down from his seat and extends a hand to Emma to help her down. “Come on, love. Let’s sail away.” 

There’s 100 ways Emma could respond to that. She could tell Killian she isn’t his love. She could jump down from the stool on her own. She could insist she’s fine going to the market by herself. But she tries to channel a little magic, that particular magic which for her mom and dad turned one day in Rome into a lifetime, and chooses differently. 

(Not that she’s saying she expects—)

She takes Killian’s offered hand and his answering grin is all the confirmation she needs she made the right decision. 

And so they go to the Christmas market, and at Killian’s insistence she tries mulled wine but quickly trades it in for a cup of boozy cider. They ride the ferris wheel, the cold stinging her cheeks from the top, the lights of Cork spread out before her, and that thrum of love for this place beats loudly in her veins. Suddenly every travel story her parents have ever told her makes sense and maybe Killian is right  – maybe Ireland is in her blood. 

They walk together side-by-side and at a point Emma can’t remember – somewhere between sampling whiskey, buying several bottles for her dad, and licking salt and malt vinegar from hot chips off her fingers – they transition to walking hand-in-hand. The heat of Killian’s skin, even through two layers of gloves, is what she blames for the fact that she actually starts humming along to Christmas carols. Where’s that deep cynicism she has been committed to for her life when she needs it? 

“Told you,” Killian says after the two of them step away from a stall with handmade ornaments. She must have been channeling her mom because she couldn’t stop herself from striking up a conversation with the vendor. Somehow by the end of the interaction she’d agreed to join him and his wife for their annual holiday pub crawl the following night. 

“Told me what?” 

“That you would fall for Ireland.” 

“You get the honor and privilege of keeping me company on my first full night on my first real trip out of the country and all you can say is ‘I told you so’?” 

“I believe what I am trying to say, love, is you appear very much at home here.” 

The sentiment makes everything in Emma buzz, but she does what she does best and works to diffuse it. “Well, uh, I don’t know. Does it ever snow here?” 

“Eh, we get about 50 mm every year?” At her look of confusion Killian smiles. “Not much.” 

“Have you ever had a white Christmas?” 

“Can’t say I have. They’re pretty rare in Ireland.” 

“In that case, I think this means you should come to Maine. We do a great white Christmas.” 

“Maybe I will.” 

“Great. Next year sound good?” 

Killian laughs and squeezes her hand. “Sounds great.”

She hears the faint echo of advice her dad once gave her. It was right when she was fresh off her heartbreak with Neal and wasn’t sure she had it in her to apply for grad school. He said something to her about moments. About the need to notice good moments even in the midst of bad ones. 

Standing here hand-in-hand with a man she met only five hours ago, the glow of Christmas lights dancing in technicolor hues against his cheeks and hair, Emma is absolutely certain this is a good moment. 

“Emma?” 

She answers Killian’s question by rising up on her toes and kissing him. It’s quick and fleeting, barely a brush of her lips against his, but the look on his face as she pulls away, all bright eyed-wonder, deserves to be classified as a good moment all on its own. 

It takes self-control Emma wasn’t aware she possessed to not drop their shopping bags to the ground, grip him by the lapels of his jacket, and kiss the crap out of him. Instead she loops her arm in his. 

“It’s getting late,” she says. “Want to walk me back to my hotel?” 

He swallows, that poleaxed expression still on his face. “Aye.” 

The next morning, Emma is woken up by the sound of her video call alert and boy it was a mistake to not extend her do not disturb until noon. She reaches out and blindly bats at the bedside table until she makes contact with her phone. As soon as she swipes up on her mom’s call, she squeezes her eyes shut again. 

“Hello?”

“Oh, sweetie. Are you still jet lagged?” 

“And a little hungover.”

“Sounds like you had a very eventful night.”

Killian grumbles from somewhere behind her. “What time is it?” he asks.

It’s right about this moment Emma realizes her error. Her mom goes quiet and Emma considers taking the opportunity to end the call. And then maybe ignore every call thereafter for the next five days. 

“Emma Nolan. Is there a man in bed with you?” 

“No,” Emma answers, though it’s perfunctory and not at all convincing. 

Killian presses closer to her, and shifts so his chin rests on her shoulder. “Hello again, Mrs. Nolan. And this must be Mr. Nolan.” 

That gets Emma’s attention and she opens her eyes enough to see her mom and dad sitting beside one another on the couch. While her mom is positively gleeful, her dad looks as though he wishes he could melt into the couch cushions and disappear. 

“There are certain things I don’t care to see,” her dad says. “Certain things I don’t care to know.” 

Emma rotates in bed and onto her back, holding the phone above her head so both she and Killian are still in view of the camera. “Oh hush, Dad, you and mom did it the first night you met.” 

“You told her that?” 

In response, her mom shrugs. “She asked.” 

“And not that it matters, but Killian and I didn’t have sex.” 

Though it didn’t stop them from trading long, slow kisses that left her dizzy and wanting more, more, and more. Killian must have felt the same because it took little to no convincing to get him to stay the night. Perhaps most remarkably, after extending the invitation, Emma had no desire to retract it or pretend it didn’t mean anything. 

“Your daughter was far too drunk to have sex.” Emma turns her head so fast in Killian’s direction she hears something crack. 

“That, for instance, is one of the things I don't want to know about,” her dad says.  

Killian cheerfully waves at the camera, ignoring both her father’s indignation and her glare. “I’m Killian, by the way. Happy to meet your acquaintance, Mr. Nolan.” 

Emma elbows Killian. The man is a total menace. “I’ll call you guys back when I’ve had coffee,” 

“I want details,” her mom says. 

“And I want no details.” 

“Yeah, yeah, yeah.” Emma hangs up the phone and tosses it in the direction of the foot of the bed. She flips over onto her side and Killian mirrors her, reaching out to trace the freckles on the bridge of her nose. “So that was my dad.” 

“He seems a charming fellow.” 

“Don’t let the responsible tough guy act fool you,” she says, and snuggles closer to Killian. He responds just as she hoped, by wrapping his arms tight around her. “He once spent all his money on a cross country train ride and stole oyster crackers from the dining car for food. And during a California road trip, my mom almost froze to death sleeping in her wet bathing suit on the side of the road.” 

Killian chuckles, the vibrations of his laugh making her feel even warmer. “You’re saying they can deal with a half naked man in their daughter’s hotel room?”  

“Yeah, they can deal.” After a moment’s hesitation, Emma slips her hands up and under Killian’s shirt. It’s the one he wore to work, and she can still smell the faint aromas of beer and fried food that linger. She presses her palms against his back and bunches the shirt up, up, and then over his head. 

“Emma?” 

A girl could get used to the way his voice moves over the syllables of her name. “They might have a problem with a fully naked one, though.” She kisses his bare shoulder.

Killian’s hands move under her shirt to span her waist. Goosebumps breakout across her skin. By the slight twist of his lips, Killian notices. “So you’re saying—?” 

“I’m saying you should quit gabbing and kiss me before they call again.” 

“As you wish.”

And a week later, when she is back in Maine celebrating Christmas with her family and Killian is in Ireland with his, Emma convinces herself she imagined it. She must have. She must have imagined how safe she felt in the presence of another person. Imagined the comfort she felt as he joined her for a quick road trip to Dublin. Imagined that it could feel like your heart was split in two, half residing in the chest of a person you just met. 

But the week of New Year’s Eve, when he arrives in Maine to celebrate with her, she’s startled to find it was all real. 

The morning after Killian arrives, she sits with her mom in her parents’ breakfast nook, the two of them sipping coffee as Killian and her dad make waffles. 

“Not such a dumb souvenir after all, huh?” her mom whispers.

Emma shakes her head, too happy to even react to her mom’s shameless gloating. “No. Not so dumb.” 

[hookedonapirate]

Trick or Treat

A/N: It feels so great to post again. I've been in a writing slump for several weeks now, so I wanted to write something short and sweet to get the writing juices flowing. Thank you @hollyethecurious for your ideas for the premise and @darkcolinodonorgasm for Killian’s costume!

Rated: Teen and up for mature language

“Well, that’s disturbing.” Emma grimaces at the zombie gnome with gnarly teeth, reaching out with dirt and blood covered hands like he's coming out of the ground to get them. Even though it's not real, the graphics are enough to give a kid nightmares.

 “That’s so cool, Mommy!”

 Well, any kid who’s not her seven-year-old son that is. Henry runs down the sidewalk, his oversized hat falling off his head. He’s a ball of energy most days, but tonight, he’s extra energetic, and he hasn’t even had any candy yet.

 “Kid, your hat!” She follows after him, picking up his hat from the winding walkway which is lined with jack-o'-lanterns on each side. But as she passes each one, she’s surprised when she realizes these aren’t just typical jack-o'-lanterns with a mouth, nose and eyes carved into them. No, these are intricately crafted jack-o'-lanterns. One is carved into a haunted house, one is a graveyard full of ghosts, another looks like a skull from afar, but up close, it appears to be carved into long stem mushrooms and grass. Her favorite is the pumpkin carving that mimics a scene from the Nightmare Before Christmas. 

 Like seriously, who has time to carve out all these pumpkins? And why weren’t the Jack-o'-lanterns on display as she had seen at the Night of 1,000 Jack-o'-lanterns at the Chicago Botanic Garden? Whoever carved these has some ridiculous artistic talent. They are also way too into Halloween, because their yard is all decked out. There are games set up on tables in the yard, skeletons and ghosts hanging from the trees and tombstone yard signs all over. 

 As she walks up the steps to the house, fake fog sweeps around her feet, the porch is covered in fake cobwebs with large spiders and the porch railing is lined with decorated jars, “potions”, skulls and other Halloween themed knickknacks. She laughs at the potion bottle labeled, “love potion.” When she reaches the door, which is wide open, a group of kids in cute costumes gathered around waiting for treats, she’s expecting the three looney witches from Hocus Pocus to emerge from the house. 

 When a man in a black top hat, tailcoat and a cane appears through the door with a bowl full of candy, she realizes how wrong she is. 

 Boy, is she wrong.

 Holy shit, he’s gorgeous. His skin looks ghostly white from the makeup on his face and he's wearing a brown curly mustache, but those vivid blue eyes are so very blue, even in the dark and under the hat he’s wearing. She’s afraid those eyes will set her on fire when he looks at her.

 “Trick or treat!” the children chorus. 

 Emma can’t take her eyes off the man as he excitedly hands out candy.

 “I love your costume, lassie,” he compliments a little girl who's wearing an Elsa costume.

 He has an accent? Holy hell.

 The little girl frowns, clearly not understanding what he meant by lassie. “I’m not a dog, I’m Elsa.”

 He chuckles, dropping a candy bar into her pumpkin bucket. “My apologies, Elsa. Please don’t blast me with ice.”

 “Thank you, mister,” she says cheerfully before scurrying down the steps to meet her parents at the end of the walkway. 

 “Trick or treat!”

 The man looks toward the small voice, seeing Henry approaching him. He grins big and wide, which makes him look much creepier than he already looks in his costume. Creepy, but sexy. “Well, hi there. Captain Hook, I presume?”

 Henry nods his head and opens his Halloween sack, using his plastic hook to hold one of the straps.

 “Very nice costume, lad. My favorite one so far.”

 “Thank you. I made it,” Emma boasts with a smile as she steps behind her son, placing the hat on his head. She’s not normally one to brag, but then again bragging doesn’t normally afford her the opportunity to talk to ridiculously handsome strangers.

 The man looks up, and when his eyes finally connect with hers, he completely steals her breath. She was wrong. His smoldering blue eyes don’t set her on fire, but they do make her melt.

 And his heavy stare makes her skin tingle.

 “You made this lovely costume?”

 She waves her hand nonchalantly. “It was easy. Just took a red, long-sleeved shirt, some ribbon and slapped some red felt and white feathers on a straw hat and voila.”

 “Very impressive, lass.” He glances at her shirt briefly before returning his eyes to hers. “Did you also make your costume?” he asks, his eyes dancing with mirth. He must have been referring to her red leather jacket and white t-shirt that reads, “This IS my Halloween costume.”

 Emma laughs. “No, I bought it on Amazon.” 

 “Wow, Mom, check this out! Full-size candy bars!” Henry shouts excitedly when the stranger deposits the candy bar into his sack.

 Emma tears her eyes from this man’s mesmerizing blue ones to see the full-size Snickers bar Henry’s holding out to show her. “Huh, people actually do give out full-size candy bars.” She looks up at the man. “I’m impressed. Let me guess, you also carved those pumpkins, too?” she asks, pointing to the pumpkins in his yard.

 He nods with a small smile. “I did. You’d be amazed by what I can do with these hands,” he says smugly.

 Emma wants to roll her eyes, but she can’t deny she very much wishes to find out exactly what he can do with those hands. Instead, she flashes a sarcastic smirk. “So who are you supposed to be, Jack the Ripper?” 

 He chuckles. “Not quite. I’m a gentleman from the Victorian Era. A devilishly handsome gentleman, may I add.”

 She cocks a brow, laughter bubbling in her throat. “If by a  devilishly handsome gentleman, you mean creepy.”

 He sets down the candy bowl and surprises her when he takes her hand in his and lowers his head, murmuring softly as he looks up at her. “The name’s Killian Jones. And it just so happens, I’m always a gentleman. Not just on Halloween.” His touch sears her skin, then he presses his lips to the back of her hand and it feels like electrical currents are surging through her. Her breath catches, and she’s worried he will notice. Judging by the smirk spreading across her skin, he definitely noticed.

 Emma turns her head, looking for her son, whom she spots in the yard playing games with the other kids, their parents supervising them. “I should get back to my son.”

 This man actually pouts as he releases her hand. And it’s freaking adorable. “I told you my name and yet you haven't told me yours?”

 She bites her bottom lip, contemplating whether she should or not. But then again, what’s the harm? It is a small town, so they’ll probably end up running into each other again at some point. “It’s Emma.”

 He grins, making her heart melt. “Nice to meet you, Emma.”

 “Likewise.” 

 He scratches behind his ear, which makes him look less creepy and even more adorable. “I’ve never seen you before. Are you new in town?”

 “I’m from Chicago.”

 “Well, love, welcome to Storybrooke.”

  Oh. Now he’s calling her love? Can this man get any sexier? Jesus Christ. “Thank you.” She gives him a shy smile and turns to head down the steps.

 “Wait. Before you go, I have a treat for you, too.” 

 She spins around, arching her brow. “Oh, that’s okay. Henry will share some of his candy with me.”

 He chuckles and shakes his head. “This treat is not for kids.”

 Emma gulps. “What kind of treat did you have in mind?” Something salty? Her mind definitely did not go into the gutter there. Okay, it totally did. 

 He heads inside, then returns not a moment later with a caramel apple. 

 “A caramel apple?” She almost sounds disappointed. But she’s definitely not.

 “Aye, but not just any caramel apple. It’s an adult caramel apple. So make sure you don’t share this with your lad.”

 She eyes it suspiciously. “It’s not laced with love potion, is it?”

 He chuckles and leans closer, whispering in her ear. “No. But it is laced with cannabis-infused butter.”

 Emma smirks as she takes the caramel apple. “Wow, you really go all out on Halloween, don’t you?”

 He shrugs. “You should come back around Christmas.”

 “Oh God, you’re not one of those people who goes completely crazy with the Christmas lights and the decorations and Santa and his reindeer on the roof, are you?”

 He shrugs again, donning a smirk. “Guess you’ll have to wait and find out.”

 “Is that an invitation?” Because she's definitely not thinking about inviting him to get high and engage in hot, sweaty sex with her. Not at all.  

 “Perhaps. Do you and your son enjoy hot cocoa and watching Christmas movies in front of a cozy fireplace?”

 She eyes the caramel apple and then glances up at him. “Does Santa enjoy adult cookies with his milk?”

 His grin widens, making her heartbeat skyrocket out of her chest. “Aye, then it’s a date.”

 Emma rolls her eyes, a smile tugging at her lips. “Not a date.” She doesn’t like the idea of waiting until Christmas to see him again, though.

 His face clouds with guilt. Sorry, love, I just didn't see a wedding ring on your finger so I assumed-”

 “I'm not married,” she clarifies, her cheeks flushing because of the fact that he was curious enough to check her hand for a ring. “Nor do I have a boyfriend. I'm single.” Very single. She's never been so glad to be single before.

 He sighs in relief, which gives her the courage to say what's on her mind and to thankfully change the subject.

 “You know, adult cookies aren’t just for Christmas...”

 He cocks his brow, and good Lord, she really needs him to stop doing that, because it’s doing things to her breathing and her heart. “No? What other special occasions are they for?”

 She shrugs. “Like a Saturday night, say next week when my parents are taking Henry for the weekend.”

 His eyes flash with something she can only describe as excitement. Or anticipation, maybe? “But still not a date, right?”

 She shakes her head. “Nope, just two adults enjoying their adult cookies.” 

 He laughs. “Okay, I’ll bring the apple cider.”

 “Sounds like a date,” she says accidentally when she had meant to say Sounds like a plan. But she doesn't even bother correcting herself as her cheeks warm with blush. She backs away and manages to rip her eyes from him to turn around and head down the steps. She finds Henry playing a game with the kids and takes his hand, telling him it’s getting late. He leaves with a groan but doesn't make a fuss. 

 As they leave the yard, Emma turns around, getting one last glimpse of the devilishly handsome Victorian gentleman. He winks and smiles at her, making her heart stutter, and she blushes and walks away as she leaves with her son.

  She had doubts when she moved to this small town to start over, but the warm feeling in her chest is telling her perhaps coming to Storybrooke wasn't a bad idea after all.

Tagging a few people who might be interested in reading:

@kmomof4 @teamhook @ilovemesomekillianjones @onceuponaprincessworld @artistic-writer @nikkiemms @snowbellewells @donteattheappleshook @itsfabianadocarmo​ @searchingwardrobes​ @melly326​

[rayshippouuchiha]

Who in Disney animated movies would you like to sleep with? I kind of wish Scar was human, I find him attractive. The Be Prepared song didn’t help. I also find the Beast, Elsa, Gaston and some other characters attractive. Of course I wouldn’t want a long term relationship with Gaston because I don’t enjoy someone thinking the way he does about gender. Unless he changed. There are lots of attractive Disney cartoon characters. David Tennant voicing Scrouge McDuck is also attractive to me. I also found Scrouge McDuck’s exe boyfriend in Ducktales 2017, Santa the polar bear kind of attractive too.

Eh the short list is probably:

Basically all of us fell in love with Kovu from Lion King 2, movie fucked up an entire generation let’s be real here.

Goliath from Gargoyles aka the birth of an entire generation of monster fuckers.

Uhh Li Shang from Mulan was hot.  Milo from Atlantis.

I’d fuck Maui from Moana in a heartbeat, a split second, on sight and that’s just real talk.

Captain Gantu from Lilo & Stitch got cake and he needs to hold me.  Same thing with Agent Bubbles.

I always felt like Dean from The Iron Giant would probably be one of those “your body is a wonderland” kind of motherfuckers but like there’s also the chance he’d give good pipe so I’d be willing to risk it.

[today-only-happens-once]

In Place

Title: In Place

Word Count: 4274

Summary: A year later, Roman returns to the Sanders’ abode for Christmas. And maybe he’s still trying to figure out where he’s supposed to fit. Companion piece/Sequel to Homeward but can be read separately. Romantic!Parents!Logicality, familial!LAMP

Warnings: Feeling out of place. Fluff. Christmas clichés and tropes. Occasional undercurrents of angst, but it’s mostly holiday found-family fluff, tbh. Patton is Latinx in this but it’s only really mentioned in passing.

A/N: Is this chock full of clichés and tropes? Yes. Am I sorry for that? Nope. Do I have mixed feelings about how this fic actually turned out? Yep. C’est la vie. Happy holidays!

…

December 23. 10:43 AM.

Roman looks over, his mouth quirking into a small, appreciative smile as Logan hands him a mug full of a steaming liquid. Roman’s folded up in the chair by the window, watching the late morning snowfall drift in large, lazy flakes towards the blanket of snow already on the ground. His first snowfall—in the middle of the night outside a broken down car with Virgil—flickers through his mind for not the first time in the past week.

Had that really been a year ago?

“Thanks, Mr. Sanders,” Roman says. A quick glance and deep inhale of the contents of the mug indicate it is coffee. He takes a tentative sip, an odd and unexpected note of affection squeezing his chest as he realizes that they remembered his usual of three spoonfuls of sugar.

Logan inclines his head. “You are welcome.” He has a mug in his own hand—and the faint scent of coffee drifts in the air around them. “How did you sleep?”

“Long,” Roman replies with a sheepish smile. “But it was good.”

The corner of Logan’s mouth twitches in something like amusement. “Still not as long as Virgil.” He glances towards the stairs and shakes his head.

Roman laughs a little. Virgil had yet to emerge from his room today. The college student quickly brushes the bangs falling into his eyes back into his hair. The brief moment of calm is interrupted by the sound of music drifting into the living room from the kitchen: a song that Roman recognizes as soon as the trumpet line kicks in, even before the lyrics.

“Feliz navidad. Feliz navidad. Feliz navidad, prospero año y Felicidad.”

Patton suddenly appears from around the kitchen doorway, dancing and singing along into a whisk. He’s in blue pajama pants and a gray t-shirt with a cartoon cat on the front. Roman can’t help the smile that breaks across his face, and though Logan rolls his eyes as Patton dances his way towards him, the spark of affection is evident. Almost as if it’s routine, Logan sets his mug of black coffee down on the side table right before Patton grabs his hand and pulls him into a dance in the middle of the living room.

Roman sips his own drink and watches them. Patton continues to sing in Spanish, and Logan matches his dancing at every step. Roman thinks it might be salsa. Or merengue. He doesn’t remember much from his dance lesson days. Logan and Patton, though, are actually…. Quite good.

Roman laughs as Virgil emerges from the stairs a moment later, confusion and bewilderment flashing shamelessly across his face as his dads dance to “Feliz Navidad” in the living room. Patton glances over towards the foot of the stairs and grins. Virgil shakes his head, says something about “too early for this”, and turns as if to go back upstairs.

Patton breaks from Logan and grabs Virgil’s hand. “C’mon, kiddo”, Patton chimes brightly at the same time that Logan says something about it being “nearly 11 o’clock”. Virgil trips a little as his dad pulls him to join the two of them dancing. Virgil lets his dad spin him around once and then stumbles his way towards the kitchen with a barely contained smile and a note about making sure breakfast doesn’t burn.

He shrugs his shoulders at Roman from across the room before he disappears through the kitchen doorway.

Patton rolls right into Logan’s anticipating arms as they dance together again until the song ends. Logan presses a small kiss to Patton’s head as the song fades out.

“You guys are really good,” Roman says.

Patton grins. “Thanks, kiddo.”

“I suppose it is mostly Patton’s side of the family to thank for that,” Logan adds as he returns to his coffee cup on the table beside Roman. “Patton has known how to dance like that for as long as I’ve known him. I picked up a few things from his family over the years.”

Patton leans over and kisses Logan’s shoulder. “You also took dance lessons before our wedding to surprise me. I’m sure that helped, too.”

Logan hums noncommittally. “The wedding was nearly exclusively your family, after all. The last thing I wanted was to embarrass myself. Dance lessons seemed like a practical investment, given the situation.”

Virgil’s voice from the kitchen interrupts the conversation. “So what’s the plan for today?”

“Shopping, I believe,” Logan calls back to him. “Patton and I have a few more things to get. You and Roman are welcome to come along.”

Roman glances outside again. From his position in the chair, he can see down the street a ways to the corner. Mr. Picani’s inflatable snowman is in the same position it was from Roman’s exhausted memory last year. Across the street, two small children are having a snowball fight. Roman snorts when he sees a man emerge from the front door—bundled up in a coat, scarf, hat, and gloves—wielding a nerf gun. The two children shriek excitedly and take off running towards the back yard.

It leaves an odd feeling in Roman’s chest.

“I’m down,” Virgil replies. “Roman? You in?”

Roman blinks and looks back at Logan and Patton. Patton tilts his head, his brow furrowing in something like concern. Roman offers what he hopes is a reassuring smile. “Yeah. I’m in.”

…

December 23. 4:10 PM.

Roman grabs a glass ornament from the vendor’s table and turns it over gently in his hand. The cold December air causes the breath of wonder that escapes his lips at the intricately designed object to form a small cloud in front of his face. Roman tucks his nose a little further into his scarf.

“That’s hand-blown,” the vendor—an elderly gentleman with frazzled gray hair and pink cheeks—tells him.

“It’s beautiful,” Roman tells him sincerely. He sets it gingerly down in the box he’d pulled it from. He glances over his shoulder as the bell above the door to the puzzle shop jingles, signaling Patton’s emergence from it. He looks left, then right, then crosses the walkway towards the ornament stand that Roman and Virgil had been perusing. Virgil, at the other corner of the table from Roman, looks up as his dad approaches.

“Is your father nearby?”

Virgil eyes the not-at-all-subtle way that Patton is hiding something beneath his jacket. He shakes his head. “I think he went to the bookstore to get something for Corbin and Sloane. Why?”

Patton pulls a blue plastic bag from beneath his gray coat and opens it. Virgil peers in. “I got your father that hand-carved chess set he’s been eyeing for a few months. I’m gonna go hide it in the car. I’ll be right back.” He gives a bright smile to Roman before rushing off towards the parking lot.

Virgil shoves his hands into the pockets of his black coat and crosses the few steps towards Roman. “Dad is terrible at hiding things. He gets lucky that father doesn’t really go looking.”

Roman’s mouth quirks into an almost-smile. “Didn’t you say something about one of them eating part of that gingerbread kit last year?”

“That was dad.” Roman doesn’t miss the look of warm affection in Virgil’s eyes, even as they both start walking towards a bench to take a seat. They pass by a chestnut stand and the earthy scent is almost enough for Roman to forget just how cold it is outside.

A father wearing a Santa hat with a young girl dressed like Elsa on his shoulders passes by. Roman gives her a deep bow before he takes a seat on the bench, and the girl grins brightly at him, giving him a regal wave in return. He sees Virgil glance at him out of the corner of his eye, but he doesn’t say anything. Neither does Roman. Instead, the two of them sit in companionable silence and watch families, couples, and individuals bustle around for their last-minute Christmas gifts.

People watching had always left Roman feeling vaguely uncomfortable, especially around the holidays. In the back of his mind, he realizes it’s mostly when he notices families and couples holding hands that he gets that odd feeling in his chest again. He doesn’t know what it means. It’s like a part of him is reaching out for something that he cannot find, or that he does not know how to name.

“Don’t think so hard, Princey,” Virgil chimes lightly. “You might blow a fuse.”

Roman huffs an affronted breath. “Excuse you, thinking is my specialty.”

“Is that what you were doing when you sang Mariah Carey at the top of your lungs that one Thursday—”

“As a matter of fact, it was!”

“All the more reason you should do less of it, then.”

“Oh, you’re one to talk, Charlie Frown.” There’s no real bite in Roman’s voice. The familiarity of the banter with Virgil eases some of the discomfort from a moment ago. Virgil pulls his hands out of his pockets to hold them up in mock surrender.

When he really thinks about it, Roman figures it’s a bit of an odd relationship. Just over a year ago, Roman really only knew Virgil as someone from his English 100 class. Now? Well. Roman considers Virgil his best friend. It had been a fast year: a whirlwind of undergraduate classes and exams and papers, a summer internship for Roman in New York with a magazine and one for Virgil at home with a graphic design company. They’d visited each other twice that summer, and though Roman would never admit it, he was certain that was the only thing that kept him sane.

The start of their sophomore year, Roman and Virgil both had abysmal roommates and elected to move in together. More tests, more essays, more stress. Another set of finals. And then suddenly it was Christmas break. And Virgil had acted like the idea that Roman was going with him to Maine was a given—something that was really saving grace for Roman, who wouldn’t have dared to ask.

From his very first time meeting them a year ago, Roman loved Virgil’s dads. They were everything his parents hadn’t been, and a shining example of the kind of love Roman hoped to find with a guy one day himself. But every time Roman was near Virgil and his parents…. It left an odd weight on his shoulders. As if Roman was trying to squeeze into a space he wasn’t actually wanted in.

“What?” Virgil asks suddenly, from beside him.

“What?”

Virgil shrugs, his gaze flickering back to look at the people bustling by when Roman looks over to meet his gaze. “I know that look, Roman.”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

Virgil arcs an eyebrow and looks at him again. “They’re glad you’re here. They’re not just, like… tolerating it, or whatever. You know that, right?”

Roman freezes for a second, then tries to recover. “Who? My adoring fanbase?” He waves at a baby that is staring at him with huge eyes beneath a beanie cap in a stroller as his mother talks with a friend.

But for some reason, Virgil doesn’t seem willing to let it go. “My dads.”

Roman glances quickly at him. “I know.”

“Do you?”

Virgil’s question doesn’t get answered as they both see Logan emerge from the bookshop with a bag in his hands and starts towards them. Roman finds himself grateful for the interruption. But he doesn’t miss the quick glance that Virgil throws his way anyway.

…

December 23. 8:01 PM.

Patton stands in the middle of the living room, the lights from the Christmas tree reflecting in the lens of his glasses, and steeples his fingers in front of his face. He looks thoughtfully at the otherwise bare tree, and Roman can see the wheels of thought turning in his head from his position on the couch.

“I think,” he says slowly, “that it needs more lights—”

“Absolutely not,” Logan interrupts flatly and immediately. “Patton, you put six strands of lights on that tree. I draw the line at seven.”

Virgil snorts from where he’s sitting at the bottom of the steps. He’s got both hands wrapped around a steaming mug of hot chocolate. Roman’s sits on the coffee table. He likes to let his marshmallows soak for a moment before he drinks it. He’s got a red blanket pulled across his lap.

“We do have one more strand,” Virgil says with a mischievous look in his eyes. “Seems like it would be a waste to just not put it on the tree at this point.”

Logan shoots a look at his son as Patton gasps. “Exactly! We can’t have one lonely strand left, Logan.”

Logan releases a long, suffering sigh, but even he can’t contain the faint glimmer of amusement in his eyes as he looks otherwise stoically at his husband. “Very well. Why you insist on personifying inanimate objects but refuse to do so when it resembles a human form, I may never understand—”

“Is this still about me eating the gingerbread man last year?”

A beat of silence. “Perhaps.”

“He’s made of gingerbread, Logan.” Patton grabs the strand left untangled on the floor and hands one end to his husband. “He wants to be eaten. It makes him feel fulfilled.”

“I see.”

Patton and Logan work together to wrap and connect the final strand of lights around the base of the tree. Patton beams, satisfied at their work, as Logan steps around and snakes an arm around his husband’s waist, pulling him in and kissing the top of his head. He then turns his attention to the green storage container sitting beside the coffee table. He pops the lid off to reveal it’s contents—shrouded in brown and tissue paper. Ornaments. Apparently, sentimental ones.

Virgil pulls himself to his feet as Logan sits on the couch and Patton sits cross-legged on the floor. Roman decides to take his cue from his friend and tosses the blanket off his legs, standing up as well.

“Aw, I remember this one!” Patton exclaims as he unwraps one of the ornaments. “Logan, this was from the first time we spent Christmas together.”

Logan gingerly takes the square ornament from his husband’s hands and dangles it from one of his fingers. Roman can see a picture of Patton and Logan together inside of it. “Yes,” Logan muses. “I remember this. We were sophomores in college. You’d heard about my… situation and asked if I wanted to join you for the holidays.” He casts a quick but gentle look at his husband before turning his attention to the tree and carefully selecting a branch to loop through the string.

“And this was from our vacation two years ago,” Patton explains, carefully finding the hook at the top to hand off to Virgil.

Virgil makes a face as he takes it. “Was this from that one middle-of-nowhere restaurant that gave me food poisoning?”

Logan studies it for a moment from across the room, then pushes the frame of his glasses up his nose a bit. “No,” he says. “That one is from the Christmas Tree farm in Vermont that your dad wanted to stop at in the middle of July.”

“It’s never too early to celebrate Christmas—Oh!” Patton cuts himself off as he unwraps the tissue paper from another one. “Virge, remember this?” Patton brandishes the blue and purple sphere to show his son before he hands it off to Roman.

Roman takes it reverently, arching an eyebrow at Virgil. The corner of Virgil’s mouth quirks in an affectionate smile at the object in Roman’s hands. “Yep,” Virgil says.

“It was the first Christmas gift you ever got me,” Patton says. “Your first year with us.”

Virgil huffs a faint, embarrassed laugh. “Not my best gift.”

“You had only known us for a few months,” Logan replies. “We were all getting to know one another still. You could not have been expected to get a particularly personal gift. And besides, it now holds significant sentimental value.”

Roman glances down at it. It was relatively unassuming—a perfect sphere, swirls of blue and purple colors, and the year it was bought printed in silver calligraphy—but Roman is careful when he hangs it off a branch. He loops the pine through the yarn tied at the top of it and stops a moment to ensure it will hold securely before he turns his attention away from it. Patton is already explaining and reminiscing about another ornament that he’s slowly handing off to Logan.

Roman can tell from the fond if slightly rote responses from Logan and Virgil that Patton’s rehashing of memories through these ornaments was probably a regular event whenever they decorated the tree. Roman hardly minds. He listens to Patton’s stories with more than polite silence—he enjoys them. Last year, Patton and Logan had waited until Virgil was there to decorate the tree as well. But Roman had elected to help Patton with some things in the kitchen so that he could lead the tree decorating. He hadn’t really elected to take part in it.  

He felt like he was witnessing a surprisingly intimate moment with this family and the odd feeling from early returns to his chest. It squeezes a little harder this time, and Roman feels out of place and uncertain. Like he’s intruding.

“I think that’s it,” Patton says nearly an hour later, peering into the empty storage box from his place on the floor.

“Hold on,” Virgil says. “I’ve got one more.” The college student rushes from around the tree and disappears up the stairs. Logan quirks an eyebrow at Roman, who simply shakes his head. He has no idea what Virgil is talking about.

Moments later, Virgil comes back down the steps. Hanging from his forefinger is a gold string loop fastened to a small ornament. A red car. One that looks remarkably like—

“Wait,” Roman says, frowning.

“Look, it’s the closest I could find,” Virgil says with a slight shrug. “It’s supposed to be Maximus.”

Roman stares at Virgil, confused. He, evidently, isn’t the only one. “The horse from Tangled?” Patton asks from behind them, having not moved from his position sitting cross-legged on the floor.

“My car,” Roman replies, but he still doesn’t understand. Why did Virgil get an ornament version of his car?

Virgil carefully threads it onto one of the few unadorned branches towards the top of the tree. “Yeah,” he replies easily. “A reminder of last year. Your first Christmas with us.”

Roman stares at it as Virgil steps back to survey the addition. Roman feels his friend nudge him with his elbow, but he can’t speak past the sudden lump in his throat. He doesn’t think he’d trust himself to speak right now anyway.

“I think it’s great,” Patton chimes in thoughtfully. “I had been looking for some way to add you to our Christmas memories when we were shopping today but nothing seemed to fit.”

Logan gives an affirming nod. “Agreed. I had been doing the same without success. Although sentimental ornaments are, admittedly, not my strong suit. That is a more than satisfactory addition to the family Christmas tree.”

“More than satisfactory?” Virgil quips teasingly. “Well, now you know you’re an approved Sanders.” Logan rolls his eyes in response.  

But Roman still doesn’t know what to say. The red car ornament looks like it fits. It blends into the wide assortment of random objects and shapes that had been turned into ornaments full of meaning and memory. And all Roman can do is look at it and realize that they all wanted to place Roman amidst that smattering of love put on display in their living room.

“I… are you sure?” Roman finds himself asking, in a voice that sounds too small to be his own.

He’s not really asking about the ornament. An ornament is a temporary seasonal decoration but it feels very permanent to Roman. A part of him tries to tell himself that he’s reading too much into it, but he knows. He listened to Patton share memories about every single object on that tree, he saw the warmth in all of their eyes with each one that got added and Roman knows—even if a part of him wants to deny it—that being added to this tree signifies a lot more than just. Decoration.

So he asks. Are you sure?

“Of course we’re sure, kiddo,” Patton says as he pushes himself to his feet. He steps up beside Roman and wraps an arm around his shoulders, pulling him in for a moment.

“Roman,” Logan adds, both serious and uncharacteristically gentle, “you have a place here. With us. For as long as you want it.” Startled, Roman glances at Virgil’s father. There’s something aged and knowing in his eyes and Roman suddenly feels more seen than he has in a very, very long time. He blinks quickly against the heat in his eyes and tries to clear his throat.

“I…” Roman tries.

“And we hope you’ll want it for a long time,” Patton adds with a small squeeze to Roman’s shoulders. “Because like it or not, you’re part of this family now. The tree is just…” Patton trails off, waving a hand at it, seemingly at a loss for how to explain his point.

“It’s a symbol,” Virgil adds in. “Of what’s already been true for a while now.” He’s giving Roman a quiet, knowing look. Almost a placid I told you so.

Roman casts a look towards Virgil and hopes he understands everything he isn’t sure how to say in this moment. “Thank you,” Roman says, despite the gap between the words and what he means behind them. They are the only words that come to mind. He wishes he could think of more.

Patton laughs slightly—warm and reassuring—and gives Roman one more squeeze before he lets go. Roman glances at Logan, seeing him smile faintly and incline his head. There’s a brief pause of silence before Virgil jumps in.

“So. About that gingerbread house?”

…

December 24. 9:40 PM.

“Roman! Get in here!”

Roman rolls his eyes at Virgil’s teasingly aggressive shout from the living room, then laughs at Patton’s immediate admonishment. He finishes pouring the popcorn into the large bowl before tossing the bag into the trash.

“You got it?” Logan asks, standing beside him as he slides the tray of hot chocolates off the counter to balance on his arms. Roman has to stop himself from laughing at the man—Roman wasn’t sure he’d ever quite get used to seeing Virgil’s father in a unicorn onesie. But somehow, Patton had convinced them all to wear them in the name of tradition.

Roman’s had been a slightly-early Christmas present from Patton. His new Beauty and the Beast themed garment was now his favorite thing he owned.

Roman picks up the bowl and nods. “Yeah. I’m good. You good?” He nods to the tray balanced across Logan’s arm.

Logan smiles. “I have enough practice from my barista days. Let’s not keep them waiting any longer.”

The two of them head out from the kitchen and into the living room. Virgil is sitting on the floor in his skeleton onesie with a violet blanket pulled across his lap. Patton sits on the floor beside him—in a cat onesie of his own—and thanks Logan when his husband hands him one of the mugs from the tray. Roman sits on the couch, folding his legs up as he lowers the bowl of popcorn into Virgil’s lap in front of him. There’s an exchange of mugs, snacks, and light teasing as everyone settles in.

“So what are we watching?” Roman asks as Logan loads the DVD.

“Muppets Christmas Carol.” Patton reaches for the remote to adjust the volume up a bit in preparation.

“It’s the best of all worlds,” Virgil adds in.

“Yes,” Logan muses, padding to the light-switch to turn off the lights in the room as the movie starts up. “Virgil’s favorite holiday story is Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Patton’s fond of the Muppets. I appreciate some of the more sophisticated humor. And I have a feeling you will be fond of the music in this movie.”

“Watching this is a tradition,” Patton adds. “We just didn’t get to last year given… circumstances.”

Virgil cranes his neck back to look at Roman on the couch above him as Logan takes a seat beside Roman. “That’s one thing about this family. So. Many. Traditions. So get ready. There’s no going back now.” He says it lightly. Easily. And Roman knows without asking that Virgil is a far cry from complaining about it.  

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” Roman says with a small but sincere smile. “I’m right where I want to be.”

He sees Logan smile a bit from behind his mug as he takes a sip. Patton glances over at him. “Good. You’re a perfect fit.”

…

Tags:

@helloisthisusernametaken, @ren-allen, @quoth-the-sparrow, @princelogical, @random-pianist, @ravenclawicecream, @erlenmeyertrash, @milomeepit, @at-least-seven-pretty-potatoes, @rileyfirstname, @pinkeasteregg, @sassy-in-glasses, @vigilantvirgil, @generalfandomfabulousness, @lacrimosathedark​, @thepoolofthedead, @monikastec, @heir-of-the-founders, @yourworstnightmare999, @artistictaurean, @kanejandkruge, @cdragontogacotar, @damienswifeolicitydallysgirl, @angst-patton, @savingshae, @noneed4thistbh, @awesomelissawho, @unikornavenger, @bopthesnoz, @spiralofsilencetheory, @finger-gunsss, @crownswriter123, @swlotakulady34, @gaylotusthatexists, @analogical-mess, @dolphidragon, @flix-net, @narniasfinestavengingsociopath, @friedlieb-ferdinand-runge, @bibbidy-bobbity-booyah, @procrastinations-my-middle-name, @theburntesttoast, @monroig​, @remussvscohangout

[kristoffxannafanatic]

The Happiest Place on Earth

The Happiest Place on Earth

Happy Kristanna in July @artnerd2003. I am your Secret Santa and I hope you enjoy this little fluffy modern Kristanna AU. This fic was inspired by a Tik Tok video.

A huge shoot out to @michaelakuntzmann for giving this the once over and correcting my boo-boos. And thank you to @lukin08 for previewing it as well.

Anna stood there in complete disbelief…how did this happen? They were always super careful. It just did not make any sense. How was she going to tell him? The knock on the bathroom door startled her back to the present.

“Anna? Are you going to come out and tell me the results?”

Anna unlocked the door to let her sister in. Elsa walked over to the little pink stick sitting on the counter and looked down to read it…. PREGNANT.

“Are you ok?”

“NO! How can I do this now? I am 22, just graduated from college and no job! And Kristoff is only 25 and working for his Dad’s construction company.”

“You aren’t alone in this…you have me and don’t sell Kristoff so short. That man loves you with everything he has and would go to the moon and back for you.”

“Sure, he loves me, but we have never talked about having kids or about the future. Now he is going to be tied to me for the rest of his life because I seemed to have messed something up with the birth control.”

“Now wait a minute…it takes two to make a baby. He is just as responsible for it as you. I really do not think you have anything to worry about regarding Kristoff. I mean it is not going to be easy but if anyone can do it, you and Kristoff can. Are you going to go tell him?”

“No, not yet. I do not want it to ruin our trip to Disney World. It may be our last chance to be happy together.”

“Don’t wait too long. He has the right to know. Why don’t you tell when you are in Disney?”

“Wait, what?”

“I don’t know…I’m sure we can look up some cute ways to tell a dad to be on Pinterest.”

“Do you really think I can do this? Do you think I can be a good mother?”

Elsa walked over to Anna put her arm around her and wrapped her up in a tight hug.

“If anyone can do this, you can. You were born to be a mother.”

The girls spent hours on the internet looking for memorable ways for her to tell Kristoff that he was going to be a dad. Elsa could sense Anna’s frustration at all the ideas they saw.

“I wish it could be like the wedding proposal ones.”

“What do you mean?”

“I would love to do it in that spot with Cinderella’s castle in the background and have someone capture the moment on camera. But it isn’t like I can give him a ring.”

“What if we combine a couple of ides. Like you said in front of the castle but instead of getting on one knee with a ring, hand him a baby onesie that says I Love My Daddy.”

Anna loved the simplicity of the idea and decided this was her best option.

“Let’s go shopping for the onesie but first call your doctor and make an appointment for when you get back from Disney.”

Looking at all the baby things changed her outlook on the situation. Maybe she could do this and just maybe this could be the start of a new adventure.

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

Kristoff wanted to make sure this trip went off without a hitch. They were leaving in 3 days. He made a list of everything he needed to pack. He also knew how Anna was and that she would be packing ten minutes before they had to leave for the airport.

He decided that he should call his feisty girlfriend and see if she had thought about packing for the trip.

“Hi Baby…how are you? I wanted to know if you have thought about packing for the trip ahead of time?”

“Ummm….” Anna fiddled with the tiny onesie in hand and started to panic. “Kind of…I bought a few new things.”

“Oh good…I was afraid you would be packing as I pulled up to pick you up for the airport.”

Anna let out a nervous laugh because he was not 100% wrong.

“Do you want to come over tonight and binge some Netflix?”

Anna knew if she saw him, she would blurt out that she was pregnant and had to think of a reason not to get together for the next three days.

“I would love to, but I should really spend some time with Elsa because she is going to miss me when we are away.”

Kristoff was confused by Anna’s answer but who was he to question sister time.

“Alright but promise me you will take some time to pack. I want you to have an unforgettable time on this trip. I want it to be something talk about for years to come.”

“Oh, I will be.”

“What?”

“Nothing, honey…just saying that I know this will be a trip full of all kinds of surprises!”

Kristoff was worried that Elsa had told Anna about the surprise he had planned for the trip.

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

Kristoff had not seen her in four days. Every time he suggested they hang out; she had a weird reason to stay home. He chalked up her wacky behavior to excitement for their trip. The night before the trip, she was not answering any of his call, so he decided to text her.

‘Hey Baby…just checking in to see if you are all set for tomorrow morning. I will be there at 6:00am for our 8:30 flight. I hope you are as excited as I am to see Mickey Mouse & Co.’

‘Hi Handsome…you would be proud of me…I am all packed AND my bag in by the front door. I just need to pack my last-minute stuff in my carry on.’

‘I am proud of you! Get a lot rest because it is going to be a busy 10 days! I love you!’

‘Good night, Kris! Love you too. xoxo.’

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

Kristoff was surprised to see Anna sitting on her front step with Elsa when he pulled up. He jumped out of his truck and walked up to the sisters.

“Well, well, well. This is certainly a surprise. Did you have to drag her out of bed?”

“No, she dragged me out of bed.”

“I guess only Mickey Mouse can get her up and moving.”

“Yeah, yeah…keep joking you two. I don’t have a chance when the two of you gang up on me.”

Kristoff grabbed her bags and headed for the truck. Anna took this quiet moment to look to Elsa for one last bit of advice.

“Are you sure about this Elsa? I don’t want to lose him.”

Elsa took both of Anna’s hands in hers and kissed them.

“I promise this will all work out. Have faith in Kristoff and yourself.”

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

Once Anna was with Kristoff she settled back into their normal groove. She had made up her mind and was going to tell him today.

Their flight was on time and did not encounter any problems. Anna had never traveled so smoothly. Their bags were among the first to come out on the luggage carousel. She took that as good sign of things to come.

They took the shuttle to the Grand Floridian and arrived a short time later. The moment they entered Disney World, Anna forgot about all her worries and started getting overly excited.

“Settle down Feistypants…we still need to check in and correct me if I am wrong, but I remember someone wanting to go buy us some Mickey Ears.”

“Oh, my goodness…I almost forgot all about that. How am I going to decide which ears to buy?”

“You can pick out any ears you want as long as I can have something plain.”

Anna lunged over to him and hugged him tight. “You are such a good sport! I know it is not your favorite thing to do.”

“Anything for you, my love.”

They got checked in, dropped off their bags, and freshened up. Anna was pulling him all the way to the shop she read about online.

“So, you don’t mind if I but a whole bunch of these headbands because I can’t decide on just one?”

“Whatever you want princess. I will get those simple Mickey Mouse ones and the Captain America shield ones.”

“That’s it?”

“Well in all fairness, I won’t be wearing anywhere but here. You will be able to wear them in your classroom whenever you want.”

“That if I get a teaching job.”

“You will, I just know it.”

He leaned down and kissed her temple and grabbed the classic Mickey ears and the Cap ears. She decided on the sequined Minnie ears to match his Mickey ones.

“Hey Anna, can we go do that couple thing that everyone does?”

“What couple thing?”

“Can we go to that spot where the castle is in the background and t-take a picture.”

A million butterflies erupted in her stomach. He did not usually want to do such cliqued things. He was never one for pictures, selfies or public displays of affection and he seemed nervous. She was beginning to get cold feet but then she put her hand in her small backpack and felt the baby onesie and decided that this was it.

“OK…I guess since I have you wearing Mickey ears we might as well go all in.”

“Milk it for all you can because you know I won’t be wearing a headband all week for you to get these pics.”

They walked hand and hand until they arrived at the spot. They both took a moment to enjoy how beautiful the castle really was in person.

“It is funny how they did that optical illusion thing to make it look taller than it is.”

“I was so shocked when I saw that too. I am so glad you are planner and made us watch all those YouTube videos about it.”

“Ma said it was the best way to find all the tricks and ins and outs and get the most bang for our buck. OK…I think this is the perfect spot. Let me just find someone to take a picture with my phone.”

Kristoff walked over to a Disney World and asked them to pretend to just take a picture of them in front of the castle but hit the record button and not to stop recording until he said so.

They set up next to each other and posed for the photo.

“Alright look right here and smile. Perfect.”

Kristoff pulled away from Anna slightly and got down on one knee and took her left hand in his. Anna turned to him confused.

“What are you?”

“Anna, will you marry me?”

“WHAT ARE YOU DOING? OH MY GOD!”

He pulled out the ring and started to put it on her finger and Anna start to tear up and covered her face with her right hand. She had to take a deep breath and get through this. She looked up at the woman and realized she was recording a video and held up a finger.

“Wait one minute.”

Kristoff finished putting the ring on her hand and Anna started to pull something out of her backpack. Kristoff was confused and just waited. Anna looked over again and said, “wait, keep recording.”

Kristoff was so confused. What could she need in her backpack at this moment?

Anna pulled out some fabric and unrolled it and held in front of her and it said I Love My Daddy on it. After a minute he finally gets it. All he could hear was the crowd cheering all around them. One guy even yelled out, “She hit him with the reverse Uno!”

He looked up at Anna and said. “Really?”

All she could do was shake her head yes. He ran his hands down his face and started to tear up. Once he composed himself, he got up and wrapped his arms around Anna and pulled her in for hug.

It really was the happiest place on Earth, and it would be a story for them to share with future generations of Bjorgmans!

[kristoffsloveisntfragile]

The Christmas Spirit

Rating: T

Word Count: 7,107

Pairing: Kristoff/Anna

Summary: Modern AU; It’s Christmas time and Anna and Kristoff are finally having their first Christmas together, at the Bjorgman house. This is the first time Anna really has met the whole family, in one place. Anxiety and a feeling of overwhelmed come over her, but that doesn’t stop her heart from being in love with his family. And that surely doesn’t stop Kristoff from still being in love with Anna.

Notes: IS CHRISMAS YALL!!! Hope you all enjoy! I’ve actually been working on this for literally 6 ish months, and I feel like it’s pretty perfect for how long I’ve been working on it. Again, hope you enjoy, and a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to yall!

It was the holiday season and Anna and Kristoff had been dating for almost two and a half years now. Anna lived a state away from her family so this year she decided that she would do something independent for the holidays. Maybe a year away from her family wouldn’t be so bad? It didn’t hit her until later that she really had no other plans. She had the Christmas tree set up in her apartment, of course helped by Kristoff. They set it up and that night they put on a Christmas movie and decorated the tree. Their hands full of glitter and eyes burnt out from staring at the lights on the tree for too long. That was fun, but Anna didn’t formally invite anyone to hang out with her for Christmas day, so she assumed she would spend the day alone, maybe Kristoff or Elsa popping in to say hello and maybe give a gift, if they had bought one. Anna couldn’t tell if it was the maturity making her not want gifts this year, or the fact that she was spending it alone was. Either way, she didn’t really mind it, a peaceful Christmas this year is what she needs. At least she thinks.

“So what are you exactly doing for Christmas?” Kristoff asks after he washed down his bagel with his coffee. They get breakfast together at a local coffee shop at least 3-4 times a week before work.

This perked up Anna, usually as they wait for their food they catch each other up and when they finally sit down to eat they plow it down, not really any talk to be had, they just want to fill up their stomach to get through the day so they can hopefully see each other after work.

“Oh, nothing. I think this year I’ll have a peaceful Christmas day to myself. I mean, if you want to come by and stay for a while, I wouldn’t mind.” She sipped her coffee as she finished her statement.

Kristoff was confused as ever, “A...peaceful...Christmas...day? Where is Anna and what have you done with her?” This made Anna smile. Yeah, she knew it wasn’t like her, but it was like this fresh wave of maturity was washing over her. “I’ve never heard you put those kinds of words together. You’re really not going to do anything on Christmas?”

“Well, Christmas doesn’t have to be chaotic. It is named ‘the most peaceful time of year’ for a reason.”

“Well, you’ve never been with my family around Christmas. We like to go all out.” Kristoff leaned back in his chair. Then got that look on his face, Anna knew that look, he was getting an idea.

“Hey, why don’t you come over with me to my parents for Christmas!” Kristoff looked excited.

“Really? Won’t like, all of your family be there? I’ve never really seen all of your siblings in person. Of course, except Roxanne.” Anna said.

Roxanne was the third oldest, behind Kristoff by 8 years, a senior in high school, smart kid, does well in school, but liked to kind of do whatever she wanted. So when Anna would have the occasional dinner with Kristoff’s parents, she would see Roxanne come out of her room with her car keys and say to her family “See ya, I’ll be back at midnight.” And her family wouldn’t really bat an eye, Kristoff would just say the usual, “Don’t do anything I haven’t done!” and continue the dinner conversation.

“Well yeah, so this time you’ll finally get to meet all of them. And probably some of my grandparents too. You’ve made quite the impression to my family.” Kristoff raised an eyebrow.

“You’ve talked about me?” Anna asked.

“Are you kidding? Of course I have. They all love you out of the description I tell them.”

Anna, now curious, leaned forward and said, “What do you say?”

Kristoff leaned forward too and said, “Well, I describe you as the perfect woman in the world. With the most amazing color of hair, paired with the most indescribable color of eyes that just somehow match,” Kristoff had taken her hand, and Anna sighed, loving what she’s hearing. “I think they think you’re smaller than I described but I can’t tell.” She laughs. “And...there’s just so much about you that I’ve described to them. Like all the sweet things we do that make me love you even more...like that thing we tried last month.”

Anna swiped her hand away and swatted at his shoulder, “I’m kidding!” He remarked. “Most of them don’t understand...you know.” Anna knew he was kidding. But still.

They ate most of the rest of their food, and Kristoff looked up and said, “Sooo.. was that a yes?”

“Hm?” Anna hummed with a mouth full of food.

“You know, my offer? You just kind of let the conversation drop after I said that my family loves you. So?” Kristoff crumpled up his bagel wrapper.

Anna had been thinking about it since the moment the words left his mouth. Her mind was already set on staying home and drinking all the hot chocolate she could and watching all the Christmas movies she had. But, it couldn’t hurt to change her plans, especially if it was for her boyfriend.

“You know what? Sure, I’d love to. Nothing I would rather do.” Anna said and wrapped up her garbage as well. They got up and threw their stuff away, stepped outside the coffee shop, pecked each other on the lips and went their separate ways to their work for the day.

~~~

A week later, it was Christmas. Dinner at the Bjorgman family was happening around 7, but since the family liked to spend time together, especially around the holidays, the “party” was happening all day. Kristoff was picking up Anna around 5 though. Anna was getting ready, not too dressy, but not too looking like she didn’t want to be there. A classic casual blouse, leather jacket, jeans, and knee high boots. She looked in the mirror and decided she needed some jewelry. Dainty bracelets and necklaces worked. She then saw her pajamas that were strone across her bed. Part of her wished she could change back into them and just curl up on the couch. But the fact that she was spending Christmas day with her boyfriend, who she loved very much, and is now meeting the rest of his family, she couldn’t be happier.

She waited in her living room for a text or call from Kristoff, and was watching ‘The Santa Clause 2’ with Tim Allen and Elizabeth Mitchell. It was nearing the end of the movie, it was her favorite part. When Santa, or Scott Calvin as his real name, finally gets back to the North Pole but before he makes his round to drop off gifts to every child in the world, he has to marry the one he loves. Although rushed, Anna loves how sincere they still were in their vows, and they weren’t just marrying each other because he needed to be Santa Claus. They had a real deep connection.

Her phone chimed and it got her out of her trance. The text read, “Outside babe.” She turned off her TV, and made sure everything was off and locked and met him outside in his car.

She hopped in the car with a big smile on her face, with a quick ‘hey’ and put her seatbelt on.

“My, my. Aren’t you a giddy one?” Kristoff remarked.

“What? I’m not allowed to be happy to be meeting the rest of my boyfriend’s family?” She leaned towards his face, expecting a kiss anytime soon.

“No, it’s just...I’m happy you’re happy.” He smiled and leaned in to kiss her. And then they drove off to the Bjorgman household.

~~~

They pulled up to the household and Anna saw all of the cars that filled up the driveway and even spilling out to the sidewalk.

‘Lot of people then..’ Anna thought, and bit her lip. She got out of the car and Kristoff was getting a couple things from the back, Anna went around to see if he needed help.

“I think I’m good…” Kristoff said with his hands full of presents. “Oh, wait, can you grab those little boxes? On the floor?” Anna did as she was asked, and then shut the car door. 

“So like, are all of these for the kids?” Anna asked as they were walking towards the house.

“Yep, just a little warning, I think there are more kids than you’ve imagined. Yes I have my younger siblings, but my aunts and uncles also have kids and they’re here too.”

“Wow...seems like the Bjorgman’s are...busy.”

“Ohhhh, yeah” Kristoff stretched out, laughing at the end of it, so did Anna. “Oh, since this was kind of last minute, I did put your name on the “From:” part of the tag on the presents, so people would think that you were, you know, nice enough to think of the kids.”

“Hey, I would’ve gotten stuff if you had said something. It completely slipped my mind to get stuff for them...but thank you for doing that anyway.” Anna giggled.

As they approached the door, Kristoff warned Anna about the second step, as it always seems to get slippery every year. Anna then rang the doorbell, but not long after someone was at the door. Bulda, with a very big smile and 3 kids attached to her.

“Anna! Oh my dear it’s so good to see you!! I’m so glad you came!” She gave Anna a very big and tight hug. Then went to Kristoff and took the huge amount of presents out of his hands and went into the other room. It wasn’t long before his hands were full again with the kids that tagged along with Bulda.

“Hey guys, hey look, look. There’s someone I want you to meet. This is Anna.” He was crouched down to their level, but looking up at Anna. Anna then crouched down too.

“Nice to meet you guys. What’s all your names?” Anna asked.

“I’m Maxine.” Maxine said proudly.

“I’m Jake.” Jake said.

“I-I’m D-D-Daisy-y.” Daisy, the youngest, managed to get out.

“She’s just learning how to talk. But I’m so proud you know how to say your own name!” Kristoff looked at Daisy and hugged her as she giggled.

“You’re really pretty Anna.” Jake said.

“Oh! Why thank you.” Anna was flattered, since she knew that kids told the truth most of the time.

“Okay kids, go play, I think Uncle Mike has a game of musical chairs going for the younglings.” Bulda peaked their interest, and they all ran off towards a different part of the house. Anna and Kristoff got up to see Bulda again, and she was already going in for a hug with her son. “Hello dear so good to see you. Was the drive okay?”

“Ah, it was okay. As long as I had my girl along my side, it was never boring.” Kristoff remarked.

“Yes, while it was a good drive, it did seem long and I drank a whole bottle of water, so if you don’t mind I’m just gonna use the bathroom.” Anna excused herself.

“Oh by all means!” Bulda said as she took off.

Kristoff started walking towards all the people before he was pulled by the sleeve by his mother. 

“Well, is tonight the night?” She asked.

“Look, ma, I don’t know honestly. Yes, I very much want to do it, but I think she’s a little overwhelmed by all the people. We are a big family. If I’m going to do it tonight, I don’t think it’s going to be here.” Kristoff said, in a hushed tone.

“Okay, okay. I’m just so excited!” Bulda started to get worked up.

“Ok, shh, ma, you’re starting to jump, think about your ankle.” Bulda looked at it and brushed it off, and then Kristoff went back to what he was going to do, see the rest of his family.

~~~

A little time has passed, Anna met all the kids (she thinks- there’s just so many of them) and met and talked to a majority of the adults, with the same story of where she works and ‘why the hell do you like this troublemaker of a kid?’-Kristoff. 

She found herself with a small glass of champagne and was standing by the sink talking to Roxanne. She found a little comfort in talking to her. She wasn’t completely new to Anna, but there was still a lot they didn’t know about each other.

“So, anything new at school happening?” Anna asked

“Wow, what a new question everyone hasn’t asked me yet.” Roxanne joked, but there was a hint of truth behind it.

“Oh sorry, I mean no offense but what else is there to ask an 18 year old. It’s your senior year, you should be having fun, making memories. We all wanna hear about your experience, and be there for you during the big moments.”

“Yeah, well nothing is really happening, not until the new year hits anyways, all the interesting sports start in the spring, the musicals, testing, dances, etc.” 

“Yeah, I hear you. So there’s really nothing else going on for you?” 

Roxanne shook her head, “No, nothing much.” But she looked at her feet. Anna knew exactly what that meant, she even does it herself. She was hiding something.

“So there is something new.”

Looking up, Roxanne was kinda shocked, “How did you know?”

“I’m a girl just like you, the subtle hints you just gave, I’ve done them before. What’s up, you can trust me you know.”

Roxanne breathed in, and turned to really face Anna. “Well, it is my senior year, and..I’ve never really had a relationship.”

Anna knew exactly what she was getting into with this conversation. “Oh I see, and, is there someone you’re interested in?”

“Well, the thing is, I’m bi, so I’ve had crushes come and go. I’ll see someone who is interesting or cute, but I’ll get scared because, well if it’s a girl, what if they don’t have the same interests as me, and if it’s a guy, well...you know.”

“Yeah, that sounds like a whole ordeal. The only thing I can say, in your situation, it seems best for you to make a friend first, and then see if they would like to take things further. You shouldn’t have to feel like you’re rushed to find someone. When you know, you know.” Her gaze wandered over to Kristoff who wasn’t far from them.

“Is that how you felt with my brother?” Roxanne smiled.

“Oh yeah. I mean, before we started dating, you heard tale of me right?” Roxanne nodded. “So yeah, we met, became friends, and from there we found something. And look at us now.” Anna smiled. 

Roxanne looked down, still having a smile on her face. “Yeah, you guys do have something special. I feel like you’re the hot topic tonight to be honest.”

“Really? Me?” Anna asked.

“Oh yeah, are you kidding? Kristoff doesn’t stop talking about you when he’s over, the only time that does come to a halt is when you are over too for a dinner or something. But since everyone is here, I don’t know, I feel like you’re just an easy topic for Kristoff and the family to talk about.” Roxanne explained.

Kristoff came over and cut between them, as they were still at the sink. He rinsed a glass he had and set it in the sink, and while he was, he said, “Hey, my two favorite girls.” He stepped back and instinctively put his arm around Anna. “What are y’all talking about?”

“Oh nothing, just, girl stuff.” Anna said, looking up at him with admiration.

“Yep, so no boy can hear it.” Roxanne teased. 

“Ah, I see. Well, no matter, how are you enjoying the night?” Kristoff asked, but mostly to Anna.

“I’m doing fine, your family is really friendly, it’s nice knowing that I don’t have to put up a fake persona for them.” Anna said.

“Of course, our family loves people for who they are. Unless they’re clearly a douche.” He chuckled.

“Well, there is one person who puts on a “fake persona” once a year for the-” Roxanne started to say.

“Shhhhhhh” Kristoff cut her off.

“What? What are you talking about?” Anna was confused and curious.

“It’s nothing.”

“But you’ll find out later.” Roxanne whispered to Anna, all giddy.

Anna was still confused, but she trusted Roxanne’s word that she’ll find out later.

“We should head into the living room soon, the Yankee Swap will start soon and with how many people are here, there won’t be many seats that are on cushion.”

“Good call.” Roxanne said and started heading towards the living room. Anna and Kristoff soon  followed.

A few minutes later, Kristoff’s mom turned down the Christmas music, and got everyone into the room, she got the room to quiet down.

“Okay everyone time to start the swap! Now, I asked everyone to put all of the gifts in the other room, so Derek can you go get them?” Derek nodded and got up to go to the other room.

“Actually before we start I’m gonna go to the bathroom.” Kristoff said and got up.

“Okay, just so you know you might get a bad number for the picking!” Bulda joked.

Shortly after, Derek came back with a big bag full of the swap gifts. He started to take them out of the bag when Bulda started to explain what the rules were.

“So, the rules are simple. We are going to pick a number out of this hat,” She grabs a hat full of numbers. “And just go in order. You can pick any gift, and once you get it you open it. And if you’re in the later numbers and you pick a gift but you want something someone has who went before you, you have to battle them! That’s my twist to the game, to battle them, you must play a quick game of charades!!!” Everyone was either a little more intrigued, or groaned how boring they thought that game was.

“To actually win, if the person you want to battle doesn’t get your word or phrase or whatever it is, you can get their gift. But if the person gets the word right, they don’t give up the gift. Everyone got it?” Bulda finishes.

As she finishes, Derek is finishing up with placing the gifts near the tree. 

“Hmm, Derek are you sure that’s all the gifts?” Bulda puts on a voice. And loud enough for the next three rooms to hear.

“What do you mean? There’s more???” Jake asked with a lot of enthusiasm in his voice.

“Oh yes, I know there is. I wonder where they all went though…”

Just as Bulda says that, Anna hears Roxanne snicker. She’s again confused, but just then, she sees a big red blur come through the threshold. A big resounding “Ho Ho Ho!” followed. Anna knew immediately it was Kristoff, she couldn’t believe what she was seeing. Her boyfriend with a fat suit and probably a 3x large red, furry jacket. She started laughing with Roxanne, and most of the adults who also knew it was Kristoff. The kids on the other hand, lost their minds. As for them, Santa was in the house, the night before Christmas.

So many, “OH MY GOD IT’S SANTA!” and, “I CAN’T BELIEVE MY EYES” and just screaming for joy in general.

“Hello kids, yes it’s me Santa, I wanted to come by before I start my rounds and give you the first presents before any other kid in the world gets theirs.”

“Wow thanks Santa!” One of the kids said. 

Anna couldn’t help but laugh, as she had never heard the voice that Kristoff was putting on. But she held it in as best as she could, so she wouldn’t ruin it for the kids.

“Don’t worry, if you come back every year, you’ll be able to suppress the laugh. But it will still be hilarious, but you’ll be able to put on a fake ‘oh my God, wow’ smile.” Roxanne leaned over to Anna and whispered. 

“How long has he been doing this?” Anna asked.

“Since, he was like 16. He grew drastically like when he was 13 or 14. By 16 he was like 3 inches shorter than he is now. So he could pass for it. Our dad used to do this, but both he and Kristoff knew that at one point he was gonna have to stop at one point, so he took over. He loves doing it though.” Roxanne explained.

“Wow. He never said anything about it. And we know almost everything about each other.” Anna remarked.

“Maybe he wanted to surprise you.” Roxanne said.

They went back to watching Kristoff play Santa to his younger brothers and sisters, and some of his nieces and nephews. He really did look like he was enjoying it, bringing joy to them seemed to instantly put a smile on his face, and his soul. Anna loved seeing him so happy that he was making his family happy. 

“So here’s all the presents for you kids-” ‘Santa’ started to say,

“But, we’ll all have to wait for the Yankee Swap to be over, then you can open them. But for now, Santa has to go, say goodbye kids.” Bulda says.

All of the kids yelled “Goodbyee!!” and as Kristoff was kneeling to pull the gifts out of the bag he brought in, some kids ran over to hug him before he left.

“Okay children, I’ve really got to get back to the sleigh and start delivering the rest of the presents. Merry Christmas to all!”

“AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!” All of the kids screamed back. 

Anna thought to herself, besides Kristoff dressing up as Santa, that was also a tradition they had. She saw as he left, and all the kids were still buzzing about it.

“Okay, okay kids settle, if you wanna open your presents you gotta play this game first.” They all quieted down, but still a little joy left in their eyes.

As Bulda was going around the room letting people pick their numbers, Kristoff came back, and immediately the kids said “Kristoff you missed it! Santa was just here! Look at how many presents he gave us!”

“My Kristoff, you were in the bathroom for a long time that you missed Santa!” Bulda exaggerated. 

“Oh well, maybe next year I’ll catch him.” Kristoff said as he was heading back to his seat next to Anna.

“And who knows, maybe he’ll bring a certain Mrs-”

“Shhh.” Kristoff hissed at his mom. Bulda returned to passing out numbers. Kristoff had looked back to see if Anna had caught that, but he doesn’t think she did, because Anna couldn’t stop smiling at Kristoff, and he raised a brow and asked, “What?”

“Oh nothing, it was just really special seeing Santa here tonight.” Anna said through a smile.

“What are you talking about?” Kristoff smiled, playing along with the joke.

Anna laughed, “Nothing.” Neither one of them really knew what the context of that conversation was, but they were just both so happy with the buzz that they felt between them and the buzz that was in the room. Anna knew right then and there that she didn’t regret coming to the party tonight. Kristoff quickly kissed her cheek and returned to the game that was starting.

~~~

The game and the present opening seemed to happen so fast that it was all blurry to Anna. In a good way though, there was so much laughter from the charade portions, and all the jokes, and the kids, and the fact that she couldn’t get the image of ‘Santa Kris’ out of her head. They could all tell that the party was coming to an end. All the kids were asking where the desserts were, so they were occupied eating those, the adults were getting their kids presents or their own gifts they got, all packed up and ready to go to the car, and all the food was being portioned to be taken home, since there was way too much to keep at Buldas house. 

Anna was nursing another glass of champagne and talking to some of Kristoff’s relatives when Kristoff came over and, again, instinctively wrapped his arm around her.

“You ready to go babe?” 

“Aweeee, do we have to? It feels like we just got here 10 minutes ago!” Anna whined, but deep inside of her she wanted to go home and snuggle up next to Kristoff while watching more Christmas movies.

“Ah, we don’t wanna burden my mom by staying here.” Kristoff glanced over at his mom who was finishing up with giving some food to Kristoff’s cousin as they were leaving. His mom must’ve caught the end of that because she looked over and came over.

“Oh, are you guys leaving soon? I can pack up some stuff for ya if you want!” Bulda said.

“Thanks, but we won’t need a lot like your packing with everyone else-”

“Maybe just the desserts and some of the pasta would be good for us to take.” Anna finished Kristoff’s sentence, then laughed.

“Honestly, if you took as many desserts as you wanted there would still be enough for everyone else to take some home. I may have made a little too much for today.” Bulda exclaimed.

“No, no don’t worry, we’re more than happy to take those desserts off of your hands!” Anna laughed again, intending some kind of joke, but in actuality, she was eyeing the cheesecake she’s already had two big slices of.

“Oh then by all means, I’ll pack some stuff up for you.” Bulda turned around and went to work.

“You know I was trying to get her to not pack as much food for us to take home. She’s a busy woman enough as it is.” Kristoff said to Anna in a hushed voice.

“Well, it’s not like she’s complaining, I mean sure it is busy work, but it’s Christmas, is it really hard work if you enjoy it?” Anna questioned back. Kristoff gave her a look of defeat, but still worry behind his eyes. Anna knew what to do.

“I’ll go help her then, some one-on-one wouldn’t hurt our relationship right?” Anna handed her champagne to him and walked towards Bulda.

“Hey there, do you want some help packing up the food and stuff?” Anna asked.

“Oh, no, I wouldn’t wanna burden you by helping me.” Bulda brushed away Anna, but she wouldn’t back down.

“Oh come on, I insist. Plus, didn’t I hear something about your ankle? You could use a break, or at least some help.”

Bulda gave in, almost like she even forgot about her ankle hurting. “Oh sure, what’s the harm of you helping, right?” She laughed, “Just take some of these buckets, and follow me.” Anna did as she was told.

Anna followed her to the dining room where some of the food was kept, but mostly the desserts. 

“Wow, I honestly forgot how many there were.” Anna remarked.

“Yeah, like I said, I may have made too much. But I guess I say that every year, and everyone goes home happy. That’s what really matters to me.” Bulda said with a smile.

“That’s really sweet.” Anna said, her heart melting a bit at what Bulda just said.

They packed up some sweets while chit-chatting a bit, they eventually got the topic of Kristoff.

“Oh I couldn’t stop laughing when he came out.” Anna said.

“Oh, imagine me, the first time he did it after Pabbie stopped, I couldn’t stop laughing. It was just so funny seeing a 16 year-old do that.”

“Wow, he must’ve been really tall to pull that off.”

“Oh yeah, the summer before 9th grade, poof, grew a foot and became 6 ft. No idea what happened to this day. But it added to his character.”

“Oh yeah it did.” Anna laughed. “Probably one of the first thoughts that came across my mind when I first even glanced at him was ‘Wow look how tall he is.’ Of course, that’s coming from me, 5’2” here.” Anna laughed some more.

“Awe, well you two fit perfectly together. The height difference just makes it look even cuter.”

“Yeah..” Anna got lost in her thoughts for a second. 

“You two are really happy together.” Bulda admired Anna’s look of loss in thought.

“Oh yeah.” Anna blushed a little. After all she was still talking to Kristoff’s mother.

“You know, Kristoff told me…..Oh no, I shouldn’t tell you.” Bulda waved her hand and went back to finishing up all the packed up desserts.

“Oh well you gotta tell me now!” Anna laughed.

“No, no, I’m sure it’s gonna happen...soon?”

“What do you mean?” Anna asked, confused as ever.

Just then Kristoff poked his head in the dining room to say, “Hey, I just went to warm up the car, so whenever you’re ready.” He smiled.

“Oh we just finished dear, just a little catching up.” Bulda said. It wasn’t a lie, but Anna still felt there was something unsaid.

Bulda turned back to Anna and said, “Just, remember how happy you are with Kristoff.”

“Of course I won’t. I never will. But what did you mean-”

“I’ve said too much, if I say anymore Kristoff will kill me. Just, enjoy the rest of your night dear.” Bulda said, putting a hand on Anna’s arm.

Anna and Kristoff took all of the food that she really wanted, Kristoff and Anna said their goodbyes and gave their hugs to everyone who was left. They made it through the dropping temperatures outside into the warmed up car, and started their drive home.

But Anna couldn’t help but question what Bulda meant by “It’s gonna happen soon”. Anna couldn’t think of anything important coming up. With Christmas tomorrow, and New Years in about a week, there was nothing else of importance going on. She looked over to Kristoff and tried to think if there was anything coming up for him. She couldn’t.

Kristoff noticed she was staring. “What’s up babe?” His eyes went back to the road.

“Nothing, nothing, just….is there anything important coming up?”

“...You mean something other than Christmas?” He laughs at his own little joke. “No, why?”

Anna wanted to say because Bulda had said something was gonna happen, but then remembered her saying “If Kristoff found out he would kill me”. Is it something Anna is supposed to know, and he isn’t? Or the other way around?

“Oh, I don’t know, it just seems like there’s something I’m supposed to do. Maybe it’s something for work.” Anna said.

“Well, you got a whole week off, it can’t be that important.” Kristoff reached for Anna’s hand and stroked the back of her hand with his thumb mindlessly.

Anna smiled. Of course she lied about the thing being for work, but she decided maybe it was good to forget about it. Whatever the thing is Bulda talked about, it will happen when it happens.

~~~

After the long drive, they head to Anna’s place, they both take off their boots and sweaters, Anna takes off all the jewelry on her body, and heads to her room to put it all away, Kristoff not far behind her. 

Anna was standing in front of her vanity, sorting everything away when Kristoff slithers his arms around Anna and just hugs her. “Finally, no relatives or younger siblings to interrupt our alone time.”

Anna huffed and smiled. “Hmmm, I’ve been thinking about just coming back here and relaxing all night. Well, maybe not the whole night,” Anna turned around while still in his arms, “Tonight was pretty fun with your family.”

“I get it. Being there is fun, but sitting on the couch watching movies and drinking hot chocolate in the dark. Sounds exhilarating.” Kristoff smiled, then leaned in for a kiss.

Anna liked the idea of that, but she wanted to be comfortable. When they parted, she said “I like that, let me just go wash everything off.” She got out of his arms and headed to the bathroom.

She washed her makeup off, cleansed her face, brushed her teeth, and went back to her bedroom- which she had then found that Kristoff had changed out of his day clothes (she had some clothes that were Kristoff’s left behind here for nights like this), She switched to her pjs and found that Kristoff had everything set up for Anna to just snuggle in with Kristoff. The movie, the drinks, the blankets, the apartment just being lit by the very dim hallway light.

“Wow, how long was I in the bathroom?” Anna asked jokingly.

“You weren’t gone long, I just work very fast.” Kristoff said, inviting Anna onto the couch with his eyes, which she gladly accepted. Kristoff went ahead and put on The Santa Clause 2, the movie Anna was watching before she left. She didn’t say that out loud, she didn’t mind that she was watching this movie again. She was just happy Kristoff was around this time. 

~Near the end of the movie~

Anna’s body was practically glued against Kristoff’s, her ear hearing his heartbeat, and her upper body moving along with his breaths.

They got to the part that Anna was watching before Kristoff picked her up to go to the party. When Santa needs to marry Carol before taking off for the night. She just loved the scene. 

“You know before you came to pick me up I was watching this movie, really just having it in the background, and this is the scene that I saw right before you arrived.” Anna said. They always just said what was on their minds a lot of the time. 

“Hmm.” Kristoff hummed. Anna just thought that he was starting to fade because of the warm drinks, the dim lights. But really, Anna had no idea that he was just choked up on what he wanted to do next.

It was the scene where Mother Nature had pronounced them ‘Man and Wife’, they kissed, and Scott Calvin once again became the one and only Santa Claus.

Anna hummed against Kristoff’s chest, “Man I just love this movie.” Anna tried to snuggle deeper into Kristoff more. 

He laughed, “Yep. I would’ve enjoyed it a little more if I didn’t have to fricken pee in the second half,” Kristoff started to laugh, and Anna joined, but mostly started to get up so he could move. “But it was just too comfortable and relaxing that I could wait. But I’ll be back and we’ll put on the next one.” Kristoff pecked Anna on the lips and went to the bathroom. 

Anna was smiling. She just loved the nights like this. It doesn’t even have to be Christmas for them to have a night where they just watch movies and drink hot chocolate. It was just more special tonight because it was Christmas, and they were spending it together. 

Anna decided to just get the next movie going so that they can start when Kristoff comes back. She went to put their mugs in the kitchen, she didn’t think they were gonna have any more, so she just grabbed some water instead for both of them to have. By the time she gets back into the living room, Kristoff is coming out of the bathroom. 

Anna looks up and sees that he looks a little zoned out. Confused, she asks, “Everything okay? You seem a little...unfocused.”

“Hmm? Oh, yeah, I was just thinking about somethings.” He said and sat down on the couch, not laying where he was before.

“What kinds of things?” Anna trying to lighten the mood, (she thinks that is what needed to be done) she leans closer to Kristoff, putting her hand near his chest.

“It’s just-- nah it’s stupid, forget about it.” Kristoff tries to laugh it off, but Anna won’t let go.

“Well obviously it’s something. C’mon, you can tell me anything.” Anna pleaded in her own cute way.

Kristoff was hesitant, looking back and forth between Anna and his hands. He took a deep breath as he was about to reveal what felt like a lot to him.

“Look, Anna, you know I love you, so very much,” Anna started to get nervous. Why would he be saying that now? “And, I’m not gonna lie, I’ve been thinking about the future.” Oh thank God.

“Really?” Anna couldn’t contain her grin. Just hearing the word “future” come out of his mouth, made her giddy. The fact that when he says it and she’s there with him in his mind's eye, made her happy.

“Yeah, but, lately, I just feel as though...I’m not...not good enough.” He struggled to get through the sentence, because while he did think it, it was hard to admit it out loud.

Anna was taken back from this. Her mind instantly flashed to all the times when Kristoff took care of Anna when she was sick, when she was having an anxiety attack, or when she even needed a hug or a kiss. And then she thought about all the times she saw him take care of her sister, Elsa. Sure, they weren’t super close, but if Elsa needed something and Kristoff could do it, he did it. Her mind flashed to all the memories of when Kristoff was there for his family, heck, some moments from the party flashed across her eyes. Anna was very confused and honestly a little hurt from thinking that Kristoff wasn’t good enough.

“What...the hell are you talking about?” Some seriousness in her voice, but she couldn’t help but have a bit of a smirk at the edge of her lip.

“Huh?” Kristoff was now confused.

“You think you’re not good enough? First of all, very vague, you’re good at your job, you’re good at being a boyfriend, you’re good at being a son, a brother, a cousin, hell even a damn human being. You are a good one- no! You’re a great human being Kristoff.” Anna was talking like a motivational speaker, and Kristoff couldn’t help but smile, from mostly being told that he was a great person. I mean, how would you react?

“Kristoff, I don’t know what thing you have going inside your head to make you think that you’re not good enough. Tonight alone showed how much you’re an amazing human being. If anyone ever tells you otherwise, point them in my direction….and I will gladly punch them in the face.” Kristoff officially laughed at that part.

“Well, okay, I don’t think we need to go that far-”

“No I’m serious!” Anna said, still with a smile on her face. “I will do it if anyone says that to you ever.”

Kristoff looked deep into her eyes. He could tell that she meant it. And forever will. “That’s so good to know.” Kristoff still had a look of nervousness. But he pushed it away with a smile, and lunged toward Anna for a kiss. She gladly accepted it.

She was about to fully be on top of Kristoff (to enjoy the moment even more), but Kristoff started to move away. Anna broke the kiss as she could start to tell what he was moving away.

“Wh-what are you….” Anna was confused as to where he was going, until she saw he wasn’t going far. He was on one knee, and slowly but surely pulled a ring from his pocket. “Woah, woah-” Anna suddenly lost her voice. She didn’t have the words.

“Anna, it’s so glad to hear you say that all about ‘how great a human being’ I am. But honestly, I’m the one who’s with an extraordinary human being.” Anna started to tear up. “I love you with all I am,” He opened up the box, “Will you marry me?”

Anna barely let a breath in between before she jumped onto him screaming, “YES! Yes, yes, yes, yes!” She felt him catch her as she was basically on the floor with him too. “Oh my gosh!” She pulled back, looked at him and couldn’t contain her excitement as she went to kiss him all over his face.

Kristoff couldn’t stop laughing out of happiness, and just let her excitement run wild. When she pulled back once again, he finally got a chance to get her left hand, and slip the ring on it.

“Oh my gosh, Kristoff it’s beautiful!” She said while admiring it. “This must’ve been a lot, how long have you been wanting to do this?” She asked.

“Well, the idea has been poking around for about a year and a couple months,” Anna breathed out a laugh. “But I didn’t officially buy the ring until like a month and a half ago.”

Then she put the pieces together. If he’s been wanting to do this for well over a year, he must’ve been telling his family he’s been wanting to. 

So that’s why earlier Bulda said ‘If I say anymore Kristoff will kill me’ Anna thought.

“...Did you tell your family about that? Because now that I think about it they’ve been dropping hints all night.”

“To be fair they’ve been dropping hints the whole time. Tonight was probably more than ever because I had said something about wanting to do it tonight, maybe even tomorrow.”

“Well, I’m very glad you did it tonight.” Anna wrapped her arms around Kristoff’s neck and went in for a long and heartwarming kiss. Anna felt his hands come up around her waist.

At one point they got back up on the couch, but it was all in the blur of kisses, hugs and snuggles. Putting on the next movie, that they barely paid attention to, tangled in each other's arms.

“Hey, when you said you were thinking about the future,” Anna heard Kristoff hum, “Were you...I don’t know...thinking about another family….one that….we can start?” Anna tried her best to turn her head to see Kristoff’s reaction.

His eyes were wide, but she could see that there was a hint of promise. “Hmmmm…..maybe we’ll talk about that in the New Year.” Kristoff smiled, but the thought definitely didn’t leave his mind for a while.

[asexual-hugger]

The moment Allison reaches her parents’ house, the Christmas display of lights lining the porch railings and the outside catches her eye. Even the small plants on the stoop have strings of lights wound around them, and the Santa sleigh with the reindeer and Allison’s Christmas Olaf from the movie Frozen are set out in the front yard. Her father had once again gone all out.

“Does your family decorate like this every year?” Detective Sinclaire is looking at the decorations with amazement.

“Basically, yes,” Allison answers. “Dominic gave me the Olaf the year after Frozen came out in theaters, and it’s been used as a Christmas tradition here ever since.”

“Oh!” Sinclaire seems to notice the snowman after a moment. “Oh. Wow! I didn’t even see him! He’s adorable!”

“I know, right?” Allison gushes. “He’s my favorite character in the whole movie. Dominic said he saw him at the Disney store and thought of me right away. My mum made the Santa hat and scarf for him.”

“That was so thoughtful of your brother to do that,” Sinclaire remarks. “I never even knew Olaf was your favorite. I was going to guess Elsa, since you seem to be into the songs and the dresses.”

“Wellllll, maaaaaybeeee Elsa is my second favorite.” Allison puts on an innocent expression and shrugs. “It’s kind of hard to choose, to be honest, but if I were to make a choice, my number one would be Olaf. He’s got so much personality and in some ways reminds me of myself.”

She grins at him widely and knocks on the door. Voices can be heard from inside, and then footsteps. The knob turns and a young man with slightly tousled dark hair opens it, staring out at her.

“She’s here!” he cries out.

“Hello, Harry.” Allison greets her second oldest brother with a smile. “Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas to you, little sis.” Harry McQueen smiles widely and wraps his arms tightly around her. “How’ve you been? Where’ve you been? We’ve been waiting for you for what feels like an eternity!”

“Sorry; I got held up in the town square,” Allison tells him as he releases her. “I got distracted by the big tree and all the decorations. It’s my fault. I hope I didn’t keep you guys waiting too long. I texted Mum and Dad to say I didn’t know when I’d be coming over. Am I allowed inside or are you going to stay out here interrogating me on the invisible witness stand?”

“Sorry.” Harry backs up and opens the door all the way. “Come on in. You must be freezing!” He beckons her in almost desperately and then his eyes fall on her guest. “Er...what’s going on? Who’s the dude?”

Stranger Danger. Allison had warned Detective Sinclaire that her brothers would ask questions. This was most likely the start of it.

“Harry, meet my boss, Detective Ernest Sinclaire,” Allison says proudly before things get awkward. “Detective, my second oldest brother, Harry McQueen. Attorney.”

Detective Sinclaire steps forward and grins at the older sibling. “What she said,” he states, digging into his heavy layers and pulling out his lanyard to flash his badge. “Ernest Sinclaire, Private Investigator. You’ve probably heard of me from your sister. We work together at Ledford Park Detective Agency.”

“Private investigator, huh?” Harry narrows his eyes, almost suspiciously. “You look awfully young. In fact, you look almost the same age as Allison. Are you pulling my leg?”

“I assure you, I am not,” Sinclaire answers confidently. “I am indeed your sister’s employer, and believe me, you are not the first one to notice my youthful appearance. I may be young, but I am quite capable of running an entire detective business on my own. Consider me a self-made man. It’s a pleasure to meet you. Allison has told me great things about you and your elder brother Dominic.”

“I would believe she has.” Harry eyes his younger sister protectively. “All I can say is, sir, if you are truly a private detective, then you’d know my brother and I do not take kindly to strangers harassing our only sister.”

“Detective Sinclaire has never touched a hair on my head, Harry,” Allison announces firmly. “I already warned him about your Brother Code. He knows that he has to earn the Older Brother Seal of Approval in order to get out of the Stranger Danger zone. If you have doubts, Mum, Dad and Kade will back him up, since they met him last summer when I came home to help on the farm. Believe me when I tell you this: Detective Sinclaire is the most trustworthy, honest man I’ve ever met, and he would never hurt me on any account. This isn’t the courthouse. This is our family home, so drop the lawyer act and let us inside. Please.”

She looks back at her boss and gives him a firm, confident nod.

“Harry? What is going on out there? Is Allison here yet?” Allison recognizes her mother’s voice from inside. “What’s taking so long?”

“She’s here, Mum,” Harry calls, stepping aside to let his sister in. He continues to give Sinclaire a long, hard look, following his movements closely. “She brought some guy. Says he’s her boss. Did you know anything about this?”

“Oh! Is it that sweet detective???” There is bustling from around the corner, and Lady Eleanor McQueen appears, her long evening gown twirling around her ankles. “Well, hello there, Detective! Now, Harry, I do hope you are being respectful to your sister’s guest! Let them in, for goodness sakes! It is deathly cold outside!”

Allison and Detective Sinclaire wipe their snowy boots on the front mat in the hall and Allison gives her mother a warm hug.

“Merry Christmas, Mum; it’s so good to see you,” she says. 

“Merry Christmas, dear,” Lady Eleanor answers. “I am so glad you could come back for the holidays. And you,” she adds, turning to look at Sinclaire. “I did hope you’d come back as well. You just keep looking better each time I see you. Your cheeks are so flushed!” She places her hands on each side of his face and holds them there for a few seconds. “What have you two been doing out there? Your skin is absolutely frozen, young man!”

“I am feeling very warm, I assure you, Lady McQueen,” Sinclaire explains, looking rather embarrassed at being caught in the grip of Allison’s mother with Allison standing next to him. “I spent a lot of time indoors. It’s your daughter you should be worried about. She looked even colder than I did when I met up with her. We’re both fine; we just needed to get out of the cold. I am very sorry if I made the wrong impression on your son.”

“Nonsense,” Lady Eleanor insists, dismissing him. “Harry is just looking out for his younger sister. He and Dominic have always been that way. It’s in their blood. They carry their father’s courage. Family ties, you know. I’ll have a talk with him and Dom later on about it. You are a guest in this house. As long as Allison feels comfortable with you, I do, too. She could have brought home someone much, much worse. Speaking of which, Dominic should be in the living room with Kade, and I haven’t any idea where my husband went. Come on in and say hello.”

Allison leads the way into the living room, where her oldest brother, Dominic, is entertaining Kade with a model airplane and some flight stories about his latest mission.

“Well, go ahead and tell the story of the famous Air Captain McQueen without bringing your little sister into it,” she remarks good-naturedly.

Dominic McQueen, Air Captain, pauses the story and puts the model plane down on the coffee table the moment he hears her voice.

“Junior Commander!” He gets up off the floor and races over to her, tackling her in a giant bear hug. He squeezes her tightly to his chest, kissing the top of her head.

“Hello to you, too, big bro.” Allison giggles.

“Man; I haven’t seen you in MONTHS!” Dominic remarks, pulling away and gripping her shoulders to study her. “You look great, sis. How’s the jungle treating you?”

“Oh, you know; it’s London,” Allison responds. “Big city life and all that. I’ve been hard at work running errands and helping my boss with case files. Whom, by the way, I brought with me to introduce you. I texted you and Harry to let you know he was coming, although Harry seems like he didn’t have time to read the message. Dom, I’d like you to meet...”

“Pleasure to meet you. Ernest Sinclaire, Private Investigator.” Sinclaire pulls out his badge and exchanges pleasantries before Allison can finish, smiling and extending his hand towards Dominic. “You must be Dominic, the eldest McQueen. Allison’s told me a great deal about you. I hear you’re a pilot?”

“I am indeed.” Dominic gives the newcomer a look almost similar to the one Harry had given him. “And you’re a cop. With a badge.”

“Don’t forget the pistol and handcuffs, too,” Allison adds. “He’s the real deal, Dom. I’ve been working under him for the past three years as his personal assistant. He has his own business in London. Ledford Park Detective Agency. He may be young, but he’s a very savvy businessman.” She sneaks a wink at Sinclaire.

“Thank you, Miss McQueen.” Sinclaire blushes under the praise, although he looks proud at her glowing recommendation. “Yes, it’s everything she said,” he says to Dominic. “I’m a private investigator with my own detective business, and I hired your sister to work for me after I learned she was studying criminal justice. Apparently she wants to be a crime scene investigator.”

“We know that, bud.” Harry appears almost out of nowhere. “Don’t think we don’t know our own sister, and yes, Allison, I did get your text message. I’ve just been so swamped with work that I haven’t had a chance to really read it. Boss or not, Mr. Private Investigator better not be taking advantage of his police skills to investigate YOU, and I mean that in more ways than one.”

“Harry!” Allison cries out. 

“He does have a point,” Dominic states. “Tell me, Detective. You say my little sister is your personal assistant. What exactly do you have her do?”

“It’s simple stuff, really,” Sinclaire explains. “She goes on errands, helps me with case files, organizes my schedules. It’s nothing bad. I’d never, ever put her in harm’s way without my being there to protect her. I know how much you two love her. She’s told me all about it already.”

“So she’s your slave then.” Harry frowns. “Don’t try and argue with me, Detective, but the way you’re describing her job, it’s definitely slave labor to me. Why does she do errands and organize your schedules? Is she your secretary or your assistant?”

“Harry, I really enjoy it,” Allison insists. “It’s not what you think it is at all. I’m not his slave. The reason he has me do certain things is because he doesn’t have the time to do everything himself. He’s the big boss man. It’s kind of to be expected. He’s got enough on his plate dealing with phone calls and emails all day from elite clients hiring his services. He gets paid very well. Did you know he’s the most popular P.I. in his field? People all over the place call in to his office asking for his help on cases. He’s basically the Sherlock Holmes of the 21st century.”

“I thought that was Benedict whatshisface,” Kade calls out from the couch.

“You know what I mean,” Allison replies. “And how’s it going with you, bugger? I haven’t even greeted you yet. How silly of me! You remember Detective Sinclaire, right?”

“Sure I do!” Kade answers enthusiastically. “After you guys left last summer, Mum and Dad couldn’t shut up about you. You remember me, right, Detective?”

“I do,” Sinclaire responds, winking at him. “How are you doing, Kade? You’re looking well. I see you got the cast off your foot. I’m so glad you’re walking again.”

“Yeah, I am, too,” Kade responds gratefully. “It took months, but they finally took it off. I’m pleased to announce that I am all healed up and walking around like a normal person. Mum said that she hopes I can keep it like that, although she knows me. Kade the Klutz. I can never go for one day without tripping over something.”

“I am happy for you,” Sinclaire tells him. “Elated, actually. It must be wonderful to not have that crutch on you. You definitely look healthier than I saw you last.”

“So how much of that money you earn goes to my sister?” Dominic is speaking. “I’m guessing that you pay her a percentage of what your clients pay you, right? What kind of clients hire your services? Private investigators are not common and therefore very expensive. We don’t get very many rich folks around these parts.”

“He’s got plenty of rich clients,” Allison answers, “and it doesn’t matter how much I get paid. I’m not working for the money. I’m working for the experience and the enjoyment. It’s just like you fly in your plane for enjoyment and Harry works cases at the courthouse for enjoyment. It’s always about more than money. Mum and Dad taught us that.”

“Sure they did,” Harry states. “And while I do enjoy being a lawyer, it’s also equally important to make a living. Mum and Dad taught us that, too.”

“So, since you’re a high-and-mighty detective with a badge and gun, and that’s cool and all, it still doesn’t excuse you for any harm you might put our sister in,” Dominic warns. “You got that, buster? I’d better not be hearing that you’re taking advantage of Allison the next time I get an update. London is a big city. Lots of crazies. Being a police officer proves nothing. Cops can hurt people just as much as anyone can. You’d best be using that pistol and handcuffs for protecting my sister and not throwing yourself on her. You don’t know what we McQueens are capable of doing to those that bring harm to our younger ones. I’ve had plenty of physical training in my pilot’s license program, and you can bet Harry can pack a punch on an unsuspecting citizen just like he does in the courtroom on murder trials.”

“I’ve got it loud and clear, Mr. McQueen,” Sinclaire answers, not even flinching. Being a private investigator also means getting used to threats. “As I said, I’m a detective. I’m certified to protect those I care about. Nothing bad will happen to your sister as long as I’m around. I won’t let it. I never leave anywhere without my pistol. I’ve got it holstered right now under my jacket, and I already told Allison that if anyone tries to hurt her on my watch, they’re going to be looking down its barrel in a flash.”

“How much of a flash?” Harry demands. “Can you be fast enough?”

“I’ve got a quick-draw arm,” Sinclaire answers. “Meaning that I’m fast as fast goes. My mates at the academy used to call me The Flash. I can pull out my pistol the second a lightning bolt streaks across the sky.” He stands in front of Allison in a protective stance. “I swear to both of you that I will keep your sister safe. Scout’s honor.”

“Is everyone ready for dinner?” Lady Eleanor’s voice calls from the kitchen. “The turkey is almost out of the oven. I expect all of you to get along at the table. This is Christmas. Detective, I have placed a chair right next to Allison for you to sit. You aren’t vegetarian, are you?”

“I am not,” Sinclaire answers. “I love meat. And thank you for the seating assignment.” He looks into Allison’s eyes and nods towards the dining room. “Are you ready for dinner? I’m getting famished.”

“I’m definitely ready,” Allison answers. “I was just going to ask Mum if you could sit next to me, but it looks like she was one jump ahead. We have a huge feast every year for Christmas. There’s something for everyone, so if you don’t like turkey, there are plenty of other choices.”

“I can already tell it’s going to be wonderful,” Sinclaire comments. “I don’t think I’ll be disappointed with the selection. I’m not a picky eater.”