#eileen evergreen

[hyzenthlayroseart]

I love the aesthetics of towns during Christmastime so of course I wanted to draw Eileen's hometown on a snowy night in December. She and her family just got out of seeing It's A Wonderful Life re-released in the movie theater.

This took like three days, I'm so relieved it's done lmao

[sneverussape]

Rarepair Tag Game

@snapesnailtape tagged me for this and imma give it a go. thank you, snail! :)

no pressure tags go out to @wellpresseddaisy, @greens-your-color, @momo-t-daye, @mmad-lover and @owlzerness, but anyone who wants to do this, pls feel free.

answers and fic recs under the cut!

--

i don't have a lot of time or bandwidth to read to read fics outside of my main fandom at the moment (my evergreen trash man, sev) so i'll focus on that. if i think up any other rarepairs from other fandoms, i'll include them, but the fact of the matter is a lot of the other fandoms i'm in don't have quite as diverse a set of characters as this universe, so it's not as easy.

also general disclaimer that i read any and all pairings as long as the plot interests me, so i've probably seen this man shipped with everything at this point :)))

without further ado and in no particular order --

snilch. trust me, i wasn't sure about this pair either but, as with many others, the fic Father to the Man by Delphi absolutely floored me and convinced me of its potential. i think i read The Lad is Gone shortly after and it was just...i was sold. sold, i tell you. adjacent readings that i can recommend is one where filch is the main character but sev shows up a lot in it too: ozma's Squib series on ff net is fantastic. (also features filch accidentally almost killing sev with his newfound powers and rolling in guilt for it)

snetunia. this is just a delightful and guilty little pairing that i absolutely love. they're more alike than they are different, given their personalities and their view of the world. petunia is cynical, hateful and spiteful, and is an excellent mirror to snape and his own flaws. A Part of Yesterday is one of my fave fics for them and so is Abide in Me (Love is Not Enough). A Fish Without a Bicycle satisfied a sense of fluff and Always is a poignant little fic wherein they're all miraculously friends, which was a refreshing change.

snagrid. just rediscovered this quite recently actually because i remember there used to be a site dedicated to this pairing. Thief in the Night rekindled my love for it. there's just something about a gentle giant and an acerbic potions master with their massive size differences and the fact that hagrid really doesn't care for sev's frilled-lizard act that makes for fun reading. they also make for good friendship fics, like in It Was the Tea!

stonks. it was @chiwi-la-capybara's story, The Itch, that really hooked me into this pairing. i loooove the dynamic and potential they have, with tonks being a clumsy and fun-loving cop while sev is just...the way he is. :)) Escape is a good action-filled fic too and has them both playing the roles they're assigned to play.

toby/eileen!!! you know i had to put this in. i count them a rarepair because i'm of the what-if-toby-and-eileen-actually-did-get-along line of thinking. one of the most recent ones i've read is Over the Edge which i think captures their relationship(s) perfectly.

i've lost so many good fics over the years due to forums shutting down and links being thrown to the wind but if y'all have other recommendations for these pairings pls share! :)

[rainypixarcinemahorse]

Regular show AU (Anime style)

Mordecai- Gray fullbuster

Rigby- Natsu Dragneel

Benson- Makarov

Pops- Monkey D. Luffy

Skips- Gajeel redfox

Muscle man- Elfman strauss

Hi five ghost- King ( TSDS)

Eileen Roberts- Lucy heartfilia

Margaret- Nico Robin

CJ- Ochako Uraraka ( BNHA)

Thomas/Nikolai- Sting Eucliffe

Mr. Maellard- Edward newgate

Starla- Evergreen

Stef- Juvia

Tecmo- Izuku Midoriya ( BNHA)

[dissmal]

Year in Review

Highlights of 2022

Totoro became an important part of my life and a part of my daily routine.

Getting promoted to senior, massive bonus and salary jump

I learned how to ski! Went 5x at the beginning of the year

Got my first patent!

Traveled to 5 different countries: Italy, France, Germany, UK, and Norway

Ran my first race of 4 miles!

I learned how to play tennis!

Drove by myself multiple times like for skiing or to Storm King Finally fixed the floor and ceiling, and installed lights

PISTE Benefit in October, designing the entire event and immediately seeing my work in public

Released a new version of the Soulo Nail Trimmer with new features and earned 1k in revenue

Travel and Relax. I went to 5 different countries. I learned to appreciate wine and became a part of the relaxed culture of Italy and France. And whenever I traveled, I had time to read and let time pass more slowly. I truly enjoyed and appreciated traveling and now have a desire to do more of it. 

Ambition and Sport. This year was all about being inspired by these accomplished athletes. Starting from watching Eileen Gu win the winter olympics, to getting closer with Nzingha, watching the US Open and tennis matches online, to the World Cup-- I realized that I wanted to feel moments of victory and loss and to work hard towards something that pushed my body to its limits. 

Valuing routine. With athleticism and sport, comes routine. I established a routine for once, and understood the value of it. My routine included taking care of Totoro, mandating myself to play piano, run, answer Evergreen Noom and other apps everyday. Fasting really helped with establishing routine and helped me regulate my eating schedule. Returning from travel made me realize that I only like temporary disruptions but ultimately still like to stick to a schedule.

Stronger friendships.  I feel like I have a solid friend group and people that I hang out with regularly. There were so many moments this past year when I felt so loved by my friends and I’m so grateful to have them in my life. 

Independence, freedom, and comfort in self. Part of the reason I was able to form stronger friendships was because I could go anywhere any time. I’m able to spontaneously pick myself up and get out the door. I found hobbies that were independent of my friends too, like running. And having Totoro at home made me more comfortable being at home/being alone now and doing what makes me happy and running on my own schedule. 

Relationship with my parents. Having my own space and being independent contributed to a better relationship with my parents. I think I’m able to communicate with them better, and we maintain Friday night dinners. 

Hard lessons in relationships. I learned how to navigate my relationships better. I was nervous about going into long distance this year and I’m glad Jon and I came out of 2022 stronger. I now know the pitfalls of ldr relationships and the key to maintaining them. It’s given me a lot more insight into other people’s relationships as well and I know what to do more proactively in the future to build stronger relationships.

2023 Goals

Fitness: I want to lose weight 115 lb (attempt 2x) and have a better relationship with food. This also means establishing a daily routine and sleep at a set time.

Career-wise: Get a job as a PM or get into Ycombinator, and decide what to do with Soulo - full time or license the IP?

Run a half marathon and continue to improve at tennis and badminton

Get better at jazz piano and perform at a recital

Try an art class (pick between painting, water color, sketching)

Execute 1 personal project

Continue to improve my apartment, make it more “designer” and less cluttered

Cook more intentionally and try new recipes

Read 1 book

In 2023, I would like to have a better relationship with food and be more disciplined. I want to have better eating habits. I want to stop mindlessly eating while watching TV or my phone. I want to stop using food as a way to compensate for my lack of sleep. I want to gauge when I feel close to full and stop eating to a point of discomfort. I want to stop following eating scripts like dessert after dinner, even though I’m already full. I want to stop feeling “food fomo” and getting food that I don’t really need just because I’m in the area. Food is becoming less enjoyable because of these bad habits and makes me feel gross which is really unfortunate. In 2023, I would like to be more in touch with my artistic side. I want to absorb more of the world, and take in the things around me. I want to take some art classes and explore new mediums and get creative with a personal project. And lastly, in 2023, I would like to be less anxious and to be more self aware of my anxiety and to control it. I don’t want to live anxiously, I want to live care free. 

I’m really looking forward to living with Jonathan again and sharing a space together. I’m excited to be able share more of my life with him and make memories together. I feel a little bit anxious about how we’ll adjust together, if he’ll like this apartment, and whether he’ll want to hang out with my friends, but overall, I’m just looking forward to feeling relaxed and content with him at home. I also can’t wait to see what this year holds for travel. Going to China and seeing my extended family for the first time in 3 years will be exciting to see my cousins grow since high school and going to Japan and even potentially other parts of Asia will be so fun. I would also like to have a stronger relationship with my grandma and take her outside and do more activities together and hear her stories. 

[ao3feed-destiel-02]

Loose Ends

read it on AO3 at https://ift.tt/tLfzI9W by MittenWraith Life in a post-Chuck universe might never be dull, but sometimes they're reminded just how much that guy had fucked with their lives over the years. When helping another hunter deal with some rogue fairies brings up some past trauma for Dean, they somehow fall down a rabbit hole of fanfiction that leads them to an even stranger case. At least this time, there's the promise of bringing everyone involved a bit of closure. Words: 20763, Chapters: 5/5, Language: English Series: Part 3 of Evergreen Fandoms: Supernatural (TV 2005) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Categories: F/M, M/M Characters: Castiel (Supernatural), Dean Winchester, Sam Winchester, Eileen Leahy, Charlie Bradbury, Mackey (Supernatural), Sera Siege Relationships: Castiel/Dean Winchester, Eileen Leahy/Sam Winchester Additional Tags: Case Fic, The Winchester Gospels (Supernatural), Established Castiel/Dean Winchester, Fae & Fairies, Human Castiel (Supernatural) read it on AO3 at https://ift.tt/tLfzI9W

[eileen-rein-poetry]

Black is the Devil's colour: Curiosity Killed the... By: Eileen Rein

Two girls stood upon red sandstone, admiring the intriguing, blackened colour of the cliffside, where water flowed into endless darkness. Curious, They decided to abandon reason and scale the cliff, venturing toward the sky. Each grabbed jagged rocks, feeling sharp edges cut into the soft palms of their delicate hands while forcing their weight upwards. Aided by the downward slope of the cliff, they reached the top and followed a continuous small stream of blackened water, only passing a single evergreen into a large field of overgrown wilting plants. The further they ventured, the fewer plants and vibrant colours. Distracted by the water, they neglected to gaze upwards until a rancid scent stung their noses, the epitome of decay, the smell of rotting meat, putrid. Momentarily ripping their fixation from the blacked water, they looked towards the source of such filth, only to glimpse an abandoned shack a few meters away. Even from afar, the abandonment was noticeable. No one could live in such shambles, even some desperate soul. As they neared the dilapidated shack, the smell became unbearable. However, their curiosity got the best of them. The youngest reached for a wooden door, its wood splintered undoubtedly from having been knocked in once. In a moment of rationality, the eldest softly whispers, “Wait! Maybe we should…” It was too late. Before she could finish her protest, the youngest opened the door to an unforgettable horror. Their eyes beheld a coyote standing before them, gazing back with a chunk of bloody meat in its mouth. It ripped the offending object from the pile of corpses beneath its paws. There must have been at least five bodies. All of them were missing their eyes, the result of another scavenger or the maggots crawling throughout them now, if not post-mortem, then by something before. Blackened blood spilled from the deceased onto the wooden floor and through the floorboards, forever staining it. The girls snapped out of their terror-filled trance once they noticed the coyote stalking toward them. In an instant, they fled from the decaying shack, leaving the coyote to his meal, through the field, and back to the cliffside. They hurriedly descended, slipping a few times, hearing only their rapid heartbeats and the rubble from their missed steps crumble to the ground. Reaching the rocky red sandstone beach, they felt they had safely escaped. Knowing they will never truly escape the gruesome memories of that dilapidated shack. Taking a moment to stare back at the blackened colour of that sandstone cliff where the water rushes down still. However, this time, they no longer admire it, nor are they intrigued by the grim blackness of such a mysterious colour. Now they know. Curiosity fed, but at what cost?

[cleanwaterchronicles]

Michigan Green Schools program grows by over 100 schools in 2023

Source: EGLE NewsRoom

Environmental stewardship and education were front and center at over 300 Michigan schools recently recognized as Michigan Green Schools.

This year marks the second year that the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) was responsible for operating the Michigan Green Schools program, which was previously run by a non-profit organization.

In EGLE’s first year of program administration, 196 schools received recognition, and in 2023 that number grew by over 100 schools to a total of 306. EGLE also introduced a new, online application process that utilizes an ArcGIS Hub site to streamline the application and review process.

While the statewide program is facilitated by EGLE, a network of 30+ volunteer County Coordinators assist with supporting schools and reviewing applications each year.

“The Michigan Green Schools County Coordinators are essential to the success of the Green Schools program,” said Eileen Boekestein, EGLE’s Environmental Education Coordinator. “We wouldn’t have seen the growth in the program that we did this year without the hard work they put in to support schools through the new application process.”

The new Green Schools Portal allows those 30+ County Coordinators to receive and review online applications, a significant improvement from the days of paper and scanned application forms. EGLE’s innovative integration of the new online application with geospatial tools recently won recognition through Esri’s Special Achievement in GIS award.   The Michigan Green Schools program was originally established through the work of student advocates in 2006. In 2010, the program was expanded to allow for multiple levels of recognition. The overall goal is to promote stewardship-themed activities and information to support environmental education in grades pre-K through 12.

“EGLE believes in the importance of environmental education as a pathway to increasing environmental stewardship, and we see the Green Schools program as an important way to promote that education and action in Michigan,” said Eileen Boekestein.

For the 2022-2023 school year, 306 schools were designated as Michigan Green Schools, as follows:

Green: 98

Emerald: 72

Evergreen: 136

Under the Michigan Green Schools program, schools may qualify for various levels of stewardship by earning points for activities:

Green School -- 10 total activities

Emerald School -- 15 total activities

Evergreen School -- 20 total activities

The four categories of activities for official Green School qualification are:

Reduce/Reuse/Recycle

Energy

Environmental Protection

Miscellaneous

A school is eligible to receive a Green School, Emerald School, or Evergreen School Environmental Stewardship Designation if the school or students perform the required number of activities, with a minimum of two activities from each of the four categories.

Educators who would like to participate in the program during the 2023-2024 academic year can learn more on the Michigan Green Schools Portal. Applications open January 1st of each year.

Individuals who are interested in volunteering to become a Michigan Green Schools County Coordinator can also check the MI Green Schools Portal to see if their county has a vacancy.

Questions about the program can be directed to Eileen Boekestein at BoekesteinE@Michigan.gov.

Source: https://www.michigan.gov/egle/newsroom/mi-environment/2023/04/19/michigan-green-schools-program-grows-by-over-100-schools-in-2023

[hakenhaai]

#vinyllove #nowspinning #vinyladdiction #vinylcollection #thorens #thorensturntable #thorenstd160 #thorenstd160mk2 #nowspinning #nowspinningvinyl #nowspinningonvinyl #vinyl33rpm #vinylgram #vinyllovers #vinylrecord #seventies #lprecord #vivelafrance Vive La France (1977) Alternatieve titel: Alle Grote Franse Successen Label: Circle Aan de tafeltjes jongere en oudere Fransen, waarvan zeker 1 opa met baret, 2 maal plateauzolen, 2 maal soulpijpen en 1 maal hemdkraag over de jaskraag. Verder zien we de prijslijst van het cafe en allemaal postertjes van artiesten die op deze plaat staan en die er in gephotoshopt zijn Zeker 4 mensen drinken Vin du Pays prijs 3F50 Op de achterkant van de hoes prijst Willem Duys met een mooi verhaaltje de Franse chansons aan en steekt de loftrompet over deze LP, die volgens hem ook in wijnhandels en kaaszaken verkocht zou moeten worden. De binnenhoes bevat korte verhaaltjes over alle artiesten die erop staan. Kijk, daar heb je nou nog eens wat aan. Er staan schitterende nummers op deze dubbel-LP: Van Julien Clerc (nummer 1 in juni 1976), van Jacques Dutronc, van Joe Dassin, van Nicolas Peyrac, van Mort Shuman (nummer 1 in april 1973), van Charles Aznavour, van Claude Michel Schönberg, van Jeane Manson (een ex-Playmate 😋 ) , van Danyel Gérard (nummer 2 in maart 1971) en Pierre Rapsat. En gewoon leuke nummers: Van Michel Delpech (wie kent het niet, nummer 3 in september 1971), Catherine Ferry (nummer 2 Eurovisie Songfestival 1976), de Nederlander Dave met een Franse versie van Moonlight Serenade, (nummer 1 in november 1975), Alain Barriere (liedje ook bekend als If You Go van Barry & Eileen, die er een nummer 1 in mee hadden in juni 1975), C. Jérome en Stone et Eric Charden. En een evergreen natuurlijk: La Ballade des Gens Heureux 🙇 Vicky Leandros won met Apres Toi het Eurovisie Songfestival (voor Luxemburg) en haalde in Nederland de nummer 1 in mei 1972. C'est Ma Vie van Adamo en het prachtige La Montagne van Jean Ferret is al net zo onsterfelijk gemaakt door Wim Sonneveld als Het Dorp. (bij Oss) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpqIm_jsovEmy11r9qmp-HsX_17N0EweDGxmaA0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[disneysooner]

“Nice Work If You Can Get It” AU starring the characters of Inuyasha…

So this play is one of my absolute favorites, and I just started listening to the music again. I immediately thought of the two main characters as MirSan, and the rest just started to fall into place for me.

In case you’ve never heard of this play, here is the plot summary from broadway.com

“Set in the 1920s, Nice Work If You Can Get It is the story of charming and wealthy playboy Jimmy Winter, who meets rough female bootlegger Billie Bendix the weekend of his wedding. Jimmy, who has been married three (or is it four?) times before, is preparing to marry Eileen Evergreen, a self-obsessed modern dancer. Thinking Jimmy and Eileen will be out of town, Billie and her gang hide cases of alcohol the basement of Jimmy’s Long Island mansion. But when Jimmy, his wife-to-be and her prohibitionist family show up at the mansion for the wedding, Billie and her cohorts pose as servants, causing hijinks galore.”

I highly encourage you go and listen to the music! Hearing it helps me visualize characters in that setting.

Here’s who would play who in my book:

Miroku - Jimmy Winters

Sango - Billie Bendix

Shima - Eileen Evergreen

Kagome H. and Inuyasha - Estonia Dulworth and Cookie McGee

Ayame and Kouga - Jeannie Muldoon and Duke Mahoney

Grandpa Higurashi - Senator Max Evergreen

Kaede - Millicent Winter

Akitoki Hojo - Chief Berry

[hyzenthlayroseart]

I wanted to draw a Christmasy picture involving Eileen's hometown Brookbank so I drew her and her family going to see the tree at the town square.

[punkrockmads]

Found Family

Abby Anderson x F! Reader Mini Series

FINAL CHAPTER

Song Used: Dear One, Mary Lambert

Chapter Fourteen; Dear One

*TWO YEARS OLD*

"I look ridiculous." I groan, adjusting the pale blue dress Kayla had helped me fix up a few weeks ago.

"You look beautiful." Kayla assures, running her hands down the lacy sides to smooth them out. I look at myself in the mirror. I have to admit, the dress is very beautiful. A beautiful ruffled skirt and rose patterned lace sides and metal buttons along the back, all a soft periwinkle color. I even let Kayla put a small braid in my hair on the right side, tucking it as well as the rest of my hair behind my ear. Kayla stands beside me, pulling me into a hug. "This dress really suits you." She says.

"I never thought I'd be getting married." I say with a nervous laugh. "I didn't think weddings were still a thing after the outbreak."

"Yet here you are." Kayla smiles. "You're about to marry the love of your life." I smile, feeling my hands shake.

"I'm nervous. Why am I nervous?!" I laugh. "I shouldn't be nervous!"

"Awww!" Kayla chuckles. "You're just excited! It's adorable!" She fixes her hair, loose strands of red falling out of her ponytail. The pink sundress she wears is the same style as the small white one she found for Evangeline.

"I can't wait to see Abby." I sigh, hugging Kayla. "Thank you for everything. You've planned an amazing wedding, Kayla."

"I'm your best friend!" Kayla smiles. "It's my job!" A knock at the office door pulls our attention toward it. Lev stands there wearing the same suit he wore when Evangeline was born. Kayla fixed it up so it would fit him better, seeing as it was too long in the first place.

"Y/N!" Lev smiles, running up and hugging me. "I'm here to walk you down the aisle!"

"Oh God it's already time?!" I feel my heart race in my chest, reaching into my pocket for the yellow paper I had written my vows on months ago. "Okay okay. Let me just go over these one more time."

"Nope!" Lev links his left arm with my right. "We're going now!" I turn around to look at Kayla. She gives me a warm smile, grabbing a bouquet Evangeline had helped her make.

"I'll see you out there!" Kayla whispers, hugging me tightly before walking out the door and around the corner.

"Lev." I mumble, staring straight ahead as I slowly walk with him out the door. "I'm terrified."

"Don't be." Lev says, squeezing my hand. "Remember, it's about you and Abby. Everyone who's here is here because they love you guys. They support you. You and Abby are the only people that matter right now, so just pretend it's only the two of you in this church."

"You're right." I nod, taking a deep breath. The music gets louder as we walk closer to the doors of the main room. She Keeps Me Warm by Mary Lambert. A song Abby and I have slow danced to a million times. "Thank you, Lev."

"You're welcome." Lev says as we stop right before the doors. "Ready?" I nod again, pushing the doors open and walking in with Lev. The flower petals Evangeline had thrown earlier litter the dark wooden floor. All of our friends and neighbors turn to watch. I can feel their stares, but the only stare that matters to me in this moment is Abby's. Her eyes are locked on mine, a huge smile on her face. I feel myself tear up, seeing how beautiful she looks. She decided to wear a suit that matches Lev's. It fits her perfectly, making her look like as incredible as a marble statue. A tear falls down my cheek as Lev lets go of my arm, standing me right in front of Abby. I take her hands in mine.

"You look beautiful." Abby whispers, tears sparkling in her eyes.

"You should see yourself." I whisper back, laughing quietly.

"Mommy!" A familiar squeaky voice calls from the front row. Evangeline wriggles her way out of the arms of Kayla's little sister, running towards me as the crowd laughs. I bend down and open my arms for her as she runs into them. I lift her up, holding her close as Abby and I pepper her face with kisses. "Can I stay?" Evangeline asks, wanting to stay close by her moms.

"Yes you can." I nod, smiling as I set her down by my feet. She sits cross legged beside me, watching as Abby and I listen to Kayla's mother, Eileen, speak a bit about the two of us. I can't tear my eyes away from Abby's, feeling so safe and at home here with her. The whole world seems to disappear when I look at her. I don't even notice Eileen say it's time for vows until Abby lets go of my hands, pulling a piece of notebook paper out of her pocket.

"Okay." Abby sighs, her hands shaking. "Y/N..." She looks at me with so much love and joy. "When we first met, you were floating down a river trying to figure out how the hell you were going to survive. And when I saved you, you threatened me. Even though you had no weapons and you looked like a half-dead drowned rat." Abby and I laugh at the memory. "That's when I realized 'Oh fuck, I'm falling in love!' Then you trusted me, you came home with me and let me give you safety and food and comfort. It kinda felt like bring a wild animal into my home for the first time."

Abby's chuckle is cut off by a sniffle. "When you woke up screaming one night after a nightmare and asked me to stay with you, I knew I wanted to protect you and do anything I possibly could to make you happy and give you the life you deserve just like you've done for me. You've been through so much and you're still the strongest woman I've ever known. You gave me your heart. You've shown me a love I never thought I deserved until I met you. Fuck, you even gave me my own family! I wanna spend the rest of my life loving you and treasuring every single moment I have with you and our family. I love you so much." Abby wipes her tears away as I reach into my pocket for my vows.

I wipe my own tears away as I look at my writing. "Well." I pause, chuckling a bit. "I mean how the hell am I gonna top that?" The guests and Abby laugh at me as I take a deep breath. "I'm not great with words or romance... or people, really. But, when I met you, I felt this comfort and love I had never felt before and it made me want to try to love people again. When I told you about my past, you didn't judge me. You supported me every step of the way and stepped in to raise Evangeline as our baby. You are my angel. You are my savior. I..." I sniffle, wiping away more tears. "I should probably get to the vows before I start sobbing." I laugh. "Abby and I fell in love with Mary Lambert's music after I forced her to listen to it with me and... one of her songs has always stuck with me and made me think of her. So... Abby, I'm gonna use it as my vows to you, if that's okay." Abby laughs quietly, nodding and urging me to continue.

I take a deep breath. "Where did you come from, bright star? What heaven did you leap from, dear love? How can I say your name without the sound of Autumn underneath my tongue? Without acknowledging the lovers who bent me in half? Bless them for bringing me to you. How can I say your name without also breathing the words 'My God, I found you!'" I pause, taking a deep breath as I feel tears pour down my cheeks. "How can I ever speak again with this mouth when it has found where it belongs? When you touch me, I am a bed of calla lillies. I will make a house for you and fill it with evergreens. I will paint sunsets on every wall so you can only see beautiful things." Abby watches me, sobbing quietly as her smile grows even bigger.

"How can I say 'love' without wanting to fold myself into you like a thousand paper cranes. Dear one, I was halved the moment I was born. The other piece of me is inside of your mouth. And I was found whole the moment you spoke." Every single eye in the room is teary, Abby full on sobbing as I pull her in for a tight hug. She hugs back, whispering 'I love you' over and over into my hair as she holds me in her arms.

"That was absolutely beautiful." Eileen says to us, wiping a few of her own tears away. "Now. If there are no objections, let's continue. Abigail, do you take Y/N to be your wife, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?"

Abby pulls away, locking eyes with me as she squeezes my hands. "I do." She nods, smiling at me. Her eyes shimmer, full of pure love.

"And Y/N..." Eileen pauses. "Do you take Abigail to be your wife, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?"

"Damn right, I do!" I grin, squeezing Abby's hands as I nod at her.

"By the power vested in me. I now pronounce you, Mrs. And Mrs. Anderson. You may kiss." I waste no time grabbing Abby by her shirt collar and pulling her in for a long, passionate kiss. She immediately kisses back, her arms wrapping around me as the guests cheer. We pull away once our lungs are screaming for air, pressing our foreheads together.

"Holy shit." I whisper, chuckling with Abby as I look into her beautiful hazel eyes.

"Holy shit." Abby repeats, laughing harder. "I love you so fucking much."

"I love you too." I reply, kissing her once more. We pull away in surprise when Lev yells.

"Party time!!" Lev cheers, waving his hands in the air. He runs towards us, wrapping his arms around both of us as I pick up a giggling Evangeline. Kayla follows close behind.

"Group hug!!" Kayla yells, squeezing us. I wrap an arm around Abby, resting my forehead against hers once more.

"I love you guys so much." I smile, finding comfort in the arms of my loved ones. Abby gently puts a hand on the back of my neck, gently guiding me up for one more kiss. I let my eyes fall shut.

"We finally made that last name official." Abby smiles against my lips once we pull away.

"Yeah." I hum. "We finally did."

END

[magicofsimplestories]

Supernatural 2.0: #31 The Flower of the Moon

[Back to Foreword and #1 Meet Kira or #30 Surrender]

It was a real pleasure to be somewhere in the nature finally. No, it’s not that Sam didn’t like the Bunker. On the contrary, he adored it for its safety, comfortable beds, wide range of supernatural artefacts, but primarily - for the rich, centuries old library, of course. 

Still, sometimes Sam felt like he needed a break from the reddish underground light of the hallways and monotonous buzzing of ventilation machines.

Oh, and, yes, those two also needed some days of privacy. Finally. 

So, Sam treated his hunt for a rare (if not inexistent - no guarantees there) and crucial for the “anti-Eve potion” Moonpetal Flower in the freshness of Moonwood Mill woods as a great opportunity to restore his level of admiration towards the Bunker. Luckily, his hunt was not a solo one. 

With Eileen Leahy, a hunter from overseas, Sam became acquainted a year and a half ago, when he and Dean were investigating a series of mysterious murders on the border of Evergreen Harbour and Komorebi. It appeared, that the murders were committed by an ancient dark-forced mountain fairy, who originated from Eileen’s motherland and who murdered Eileen’s parents. 

The fairy was hunted down successfully and quickly, and Eileen went back to her tiny hut in Moonwood Mill, leaving Sam zero chances to get to know a pretty outlander closer. It goes without saying, that an urgent trip to the town of woods was taken by Sam with increased excitement exactly because Eileen agreed to help him find the mysterious Flower of the Moon. 

Upon arrival, Sam briefed Eileen on the Eve case (after raining a dozen of compliments on Eileen, of course), and they decided to start their search from the local library, famous for its vast collection of ancient books on werewolves.

Eileen introduced Sam to Wolfgang Wider, the librarian and a member of the ruling werewolf pack in Moodwood Mill (as Eileen has explained to Sam on their way to the library, the Moonwood Collective pack was devotedly enforcing the Order of the Sages, making sure that every single wolf of the town behaved). Wolfgang admitted, that he had once read about the Moonpetal Flower and directed Sam and Eileen to the herbal section of his book kingdom. 

They spent the rest of the day digging up for evidence. Luckily, both appeared to be passionate bookworms and enjoyed the rustle of old paper and the spiciness of book dust at its most. 

Their efforts were paid off: from one of the ancient manuscripts on werewolf cure Sam found out, that the Moonpetal Flower “is usually found in highlands” and “blossoms at full moon only”. 

“Well, then we have only one option,” concluded Eileen. 

They found the Flower on the top of the local Rocky Mountain next to the Lunar Lake. The full moon was two days close, so the flower buds were already clearly seen. 

“I believe, we have nothing else than wait for the full moon,” said Sam, examining the flower. 

“Should we have a drink then?” responded Eileen with a wide smile. “The local bar serves excellent beer.”

Well, who could say no to a glass of excellent beer… 

And to a pretty girl. 

The spark, that has certainly emerged in between the two of them back in the mountains of Evergreen, seemed to flame up with new, increased, intensity. 

Or did the mysterious wild beauty of the local woods and waters contributed to speeding the passion flare up? 

The two days seemed like two weeks. During their energetic joggings and long walks in the woods, they learnt everything about each other: their past and present, their interests and fears, their dreams and regrets. 

They were very much alike: passionate for sports, wellness and books, fearing loneliness and losses, and dreaming of a simple family home. The most important thing that they’ve learnt, however, was the never fading intention to spend every single second with each other. 

Their hunt for the magic flower started exactly at the full moon midnight. The woods were surprisingly calm and peaceful, when Sam and Eileen headed to the Rocky Mountain. Sam had to admit, that even a werewolf town could be nice if it is ruled by a well-behaving pack. 

When they completed their hike up the Mountain, the big white bells of the Moonpetal Flower were already waiting for them. They took three flowers (just in case) and returned to Eileen’s hut. 

It was time for Sam to head back to Brindleton Bay, no matter how much he wished he could extend his unexpectedly beautiful trip. Packing his bag after a short sleep and a light tasty breakfast prepared by Eileen, he was desperately thinking of a nearest future chance to visit Eileen again. Sadly he had to admit, that with the Eve’s case uncertainty this chance could arrive not soon (if at all). 

It was Eileen, who pushed him to a solution.

“You know, I would be happy to visit you in Brindleton some time soon,” she said watching him finish his packing. “I miss the sea, I grew up next to it. And they say the Bay is very pretty in Brindleton. But I will visit only if you are fine with that.”

You’re such an idiot, Winchester.

“Why don’t you come with me right now? You can stay as long as you want. There’s surely enough space for four people in the Bunker.”

She froze and gave him a cute look of shy puzzlement.

“Are you sure about it?”

“Hundred percent sure. So, are you coming?”

She hesitated but then the puzzlement on her face faded away and in its place a bright happy smile appeared.

“Yes!” 

“Fantastic!” exclaimed Sam. “Just, please, keep in mind, that my brother is a master of stupid jokes. Kira is handling him nicely, but she happens to join his mischiefs from time to time.”

Luckily, both Dean and Kira behaved that day. Dean recalled only one embarrassing moment from “Samy’s childhood”, so Sam had to blush once only. Kira tried to interest Eileen with a new album of a famous band and a cooking show. Eileen was a fan of neither, so she had to simply smile and nod at Kira’s inspired monologue. 

In all, the introduction of Eileen to the Bunker folks went well, considering the untamed characters of the elder Winchester and his ginger baby…

[Read next: #32 The Circumstance]

{Behind the Scenes (Sam & Eileen)}

[nimedhel09]

Fairy Tail headcanons noone asked for - Part 5

I cannot stop myself.

- You remember the thing with Natsu fleeing the guild from part 3? Well, as the sweetheart that he is, he forgave everyone. But he never forgot. - Gray thinks of Natsu and Erza as his siblings. But his best friends? Loke and Cana. They are the chaotic trio. When they're together? Shenanigans ensue. It's different from the destruction that always happens with Erza and Natsu. With Loke, Gray and Cana, you never know what you'll get.

- Laxus is touch-starved. So even if he's not very comfortable with it, he allows the Raijinshuu to touch and hug him whenever they want, even in public. The team knows that, so they try to limit the physical affection to more private settings.

- It does not help that the Raijinshuu are also touch-starved themselves. Bickslow does not remember a time when he had any kind of physical affection from anyone, since he was born with his magic eyes. Freed never really got it because of his stuck-up father that only saw him as a disappointment and his emotionally distant mother. Evergreen has affection as a small child from her parents, but when her magic manifested and she could not control it, her parents decided to just abandon her at an orphanage where she was bullied because of her eyes, until she decided to run away and join a guild.

- ... I feel like everyone in the guild is touch-starved before joining, honestly. I mean... They all have trauma and tragic backstories in one way or another.

- Obligatory linguistic headcanon (I don't think I really covered this on its own, so there we go hehe): Each country of Ishgar has its own language and dialects, sometimes some countries even have two or more languages due to migrations, evolution and all that. But the continent has a Lingua Franca (= vehicular language everyone knows) nowadays called Ishgari. It's the evolution of the language of a fallen kingdom that thrived before the whole dragon war stuff, although scholars have little to no knowledge about the kingdom, its culture and the original language since it was completely wiped from existence. (That kingdom was actually Dragonof, but since Eileen kind of destroyed it in her rage/pain/sorrow when she transformed... yeah, very little traces left)

For once, I'll just end it here, because I forgot a lot of things I wanted to add and I'm sleep deprived and PMSing (and no I don't care if people find this TMI, natural thing happening to a bit more than 50% of the population, all that), so there, lol!

[stareyeddistinguishment]

Heyyy, this is for the prompt thing you're running. I know one of your mini's has the 3 brothers hanging out butttt any chance we can see something where Michael gets to be present? Something where maybe Cas doesn't understand and Michael with all his "worldly" knowledge is the one who explains it? Much to the amusement of the brothers, ofc? Lol Like a common colloquialism that Cas doesn't understand... I kinda just like when you write "Michael intoned", haha. I feel like it would sound monotonous as shit, lol. Michael's like, hey, I got this one. But they both still look at a little puzzled at the human ingenuity of it all.

Thank you for the prompt! I just woke up with the response to it this morning and really went off on it!

This one is 5k, so a short story. It stars Adam and Michael, and features Dean, Sam, Cas, Eileen, and Jack.

Hope you enjoy!

Prompt link

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Background: This scene occurs far into the future (some years after Atoning for Archangels). Michael and Adam own a house in Wisconsin (see this and this posts for previous one-shots detailing their house). This one-shot also references Adam and Michael’s first Christmas post-Cage.

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Castiel would make a terrible Poker, Five Card Draw opponent. The Aspects of Michael's mind were each in agreement with this assessment. Although Castiel was a decent tactician — albeit far below the level of Michael — the Seraph would be soundly trounced when engaging the emotional intuition component of the gameplay. Because, in his Angelic Form, Castiel had an egregious poker tell: the grace outlines of Castiel's four wings. However, always did Dean assert that Castiel 'had the best poker face. Ever.' This assertion constituted an instance of irony. (Irony: a situation that is strange because events occur in a manner that seems the opposite of expected). Assuredly, Dean would not make his bold claim if the human interpreted the readily apparent emotion displayed by Castiel's four flight appendages. Always did the Seraph make his intentions visible. After all, never had the angelic soldiers comprising the armies of Heaven employed subterfuge, and once, Castiel had ranked among Michael's best commanders. (Michael had Adam's steady tutelage over centuries in the Cage to thank for Michael's ability to properly shade his reactions, to avoid a poker tell with Michael's wings. Castiel, however, was unlearned in this skill). Castiel's wing set comprised an "open book" for Michael to read. Always did the Archangel know the Seraph's intentions.

It was December 24th, Christmas Eve. This year, Adam had determined to host a "big family Christmas," the first such event that ever he had hosted. When Adam had approached Michael with the suggestion, Adam had once again affected his careless indifference — indicative of just how much Adam had desired this. The human had offhandedly stated that 'they had the space for a family Christmas — the house was more than big enough — and it would be something to do. But it was totally fine if they didn't. Totally fine, and actually maybe it was just a bad idea.' Immediately, Michael had rebutted Adam's dismissal. They were to have a big family Christmas, and Michael would be instrumental in its execution. It would be perfect. Therefore, invitation had been extended to Dean, Castiel, and Jack. As well, invitation was extended to Sam and Eileen. Adam's extended family had arrived the day prior and were to stay until the New Year.

Michael had instituted each of the appropriate holiday customs and traditions necessary for properly administering a perfect Christmas. He procured a large evergreen tree from a "Christmas tree lot." (Apparently evergreen trees in the public park were not to be procured by the public, a misapplication of the terminology 'public' if ever the Aspect of Michael's mind devoted to scouting and reconnaissance had identified one). After placing the evergreen tree within their living room, Adam had then aided Michael in decorating the botanical object. As well, Michael had filled their home with holiday baubles, and he had installed twinkle lights on the outside of the house. Finally, Michael had decked all the hallways within the home with bowls of holly. This year, Adam and Michael descended upon the grocery store together to purchase appropriate holiday treats. As well, they purchased foodstuffs to sustain company.

"Eat up, kid," Dean advised as he passed Jack a plate overbrimming with food objects.

"That's a lot of food!" Jack gaped, voice awestruck as he received the plate.

"Dean, that might be too much for him," Castiel remarked admonishingly.

"It's okay, Dad. It's not too much," Jack assured, valiantly taking his fork to the plate and "digging in."

They were all seated around the square kitchen table: Adam beside Michael, Castiel beside Jack, Dean, and Sam next to Eileen. The table before them was laden with food objects. There was a large roast turkey with cranberry stuffing, mashed potatoes, buttered carrots, biscuits, and creamed corn. As well, there was apple pie for dessert. Although originally Adam had planned to cook Christmas Eve dinner, after sampling Adam's cooking the night before, Dean had insisted on preparing the Christmas Eve feast. After Dean's offer and three subsequent offers, finally, Adam had relented and vacated the kitchen. (As Adam had spent the majority of his existence unable to consume food — even now, still possessed by an Archangel, Adam ate for enjoyment and not for necessity — Adam's cooking skill was ... underdeveloped. Most days, Adam consumed raw fruits and vegetables from Michael's garden and an occasional serving of protein. Rarely did he prepare hot foods). And, even Michael would grudgingly acknowledge that Dean was quite gifted in the kitchen — albeit not aloud. After all, there was the hazard of Dean hearing such a compliment.

"Dean, this turkey is fantastic," Sam moaned appreciatively.

"Yeah, Dean. It's very tasty," Eileen echoed.

"Of course, it is," Dean responded with smug satisfaction. "I made it."

Mashed potatoes were the only fare Adam had contributed to the holiday feast. This was after Adam had explained to Dean that the mashed potato recipe had been bequeathed by Adam's Grandma Milligan and constituted one of Adam's favorite foods from his childhood. It needed to be present at Christmas Eve dinner. Agreeably, Dean had allowed Adam to prepare the mashed potatoes.

"Adam, I appreciate these mashed potatoes," Michael interjected into the conversation. "Very much."

[I know what you're trying to do here,] Adam thought bemusedly across his bond to Michael. Only the Archangel could hear the human when they communicated this way.

Always did Michael praise his human before Adam's extended family. But, as well, the mashed potatoes were well-crafted.

[Adam, these mashed potatoes are well-crafted.] Michael insisted back.

Michael turned to his left, seeking Adam's gaze. Once making eye contact, Michael made a suitable showing of appreciating the mashed potatoes. Adam smiled fondly in return. In response, Michael smiled fondly back.

[Well, thank you. I'm glad you appreciate them.]

[You are welcomed. As well, I love you.]

[I love you, too.]

[As well, I love you-]

"Yeah, Mike, we know," Dean snarked from across the table, interrupting the affectionate exchange between Michael and his human. "You're disgustingly in love with Adam. Now stop with the google eyes. The rest of us are eating here."

Michael cocked his head irritably at Dean. Although his friendship with Dean had come a long way — even deeming their interactions a friendship had been a milestone — still, often, Dean "pushed Michael's buttons."

[But he still is one of your good friends,] Adam reminded.

[Yes,] Michael agreed.

Turning back to Adam and placing Dean out of Michael's line of sight, the Archangel pressed a soft kiss to his human's nose. Adam smiled before ducking his head with embarrassment.

"Oh, come on, not at the dinner table!" Dean moaned. "And with the two of you looking the way you do, I feel like I'm a voyeur of some seriously messed-up porn that even I wouldn't have watched back in the day."

"And Dean watched a lot of messed-up porn back in the day," Castiel dutifully asserted on Dean's behalf.

Eileen snickered.

[Okay, maybe I was over-generous with the 'good' qualifier.]

"Cas, stop helping."

Michael sighed, but he pulled away from Adam. The Archangel appeared as a public apparition, visible to all at the table. Often, Adam had cautioned Michael about the consequences of appearing as the likeness of Adam Milligan — not that Adam would ever ask Michael to cease. This was, after all, Michael's most cherished form after his True Form. However, Adam had explained the concept of "twincest," and the potentiality of their romantic interactions causing discomfort from others bearing witness to it. For propriety's sake — propriety's sake on behalf of Dean Winchester, of all humans — Michael relented. Not, however, before the Archangel issued an irritated glare in Dean's direction.

Solicitously, Dean stuffed a heaping spoonful of mashed potatoes into his mouth. "You're right, Mike. These mashed potatoes are good," Dean agreed. "Good job, bro," he lauded praise on Adam.

"Yeah, thanks Dean," Adam returned flatly.

Although the compliment was well-expressed, however, the administration of the compliment was lacking.

"Do not speak with your mouth full," Michael reprimanded primly. "You are setting a poor example for my nephew."

"What? Eating's eating," Dean ribbed obnoxiously.

"One should maintain decorum."

"Decorum? Did you just seriously say decorum should be maintained?"

"A synonym, in this case, would be good manners."

"I have manners."

"You have mannerisms. These approximate a beast of the field."

"Beast of the field!"

Seated adjacent to both Michael and Dean, Sam watched the interaction between the two with straight-faced amusement. Michael and Dean maintained an in-law rivalry. Watching the two bicker was a form of entertainment — much preferred from when actual antipathy had existed between them. Feeling the weight of eyes upon him — those hunter instincts were never going to die — Sam's gaze darted to the owner, Adam. Sam shared an amused smile with his younger-older brother. Adam found the in-law rivalry between Dean and Michael just as absurd as Sam did.

"So, Jack, are you ready for Santa?" Eileen deliberately proposed a topic for discourse, interrupting the spat between Michael and Dean. (For now).

"Santa Claus is coming here?" Jack verified, his eyes wide with childlike innocence.

"Of course, Santa's coming here, bud," Dean was quick to reassure.

This was when Michael noticed the inward bunching of Castiel's wings. The Seraph had no comprehension of the conversation. However, he was taking "his cue" from Dean. Castiel nodded a quick affirmation at his son. Between Dean's ... well, Dean-ness, and Castiel's incomprehension, it was likely Michael's nephew was poorly informed on the matter.

This would not do.

"Always does Santa Claus visit homes that properly administer to him," Michael asserted, catching Jack's round-eyed gaze. "He has attended to our home each year that we have engaged him."

Sam coughed on his cranberry stuffing. Dean turned to Michael with a disbelieving stare. Even Eileen frowned. It was Castiel, however, who voiced a question.

"Michael, are you saying that Santa Claus visits you?" the Seraph verified, blank-faced.

"Of course."

The grace outlines of Castiel's twitched. The feathers ruffled thoughtfully. Best poker face. Never. Castiel was non-vocally imploring Michael to elaborate. Michael elaborated.

"Santa Claus attends to each house that appropriately invokes him," Michael intoned. He stared fixedly at Castiel and Jack. "There are three necessary actions for proper invocation. First, one must believe in Santa Claus. Second, stockings must be placed before the fireplace of the residence."

Castiel's wings fluffed.

Michael correctly interpreted the question. After all, once, Michael had made the same misconception. (Thankfully, Adam had provided Michael guidance).

"Only one stocking should be allocated per being, not the full reserve of a being's stockings. As well, these are not mundane, everyday stockings. This is a 'Christmas stocking' that is specially reserved just for this purpose."

Castiel nodded shortly. "Yes. That makes sense," he spoke, gruff voice incongruous to the gratitude displayed within his wings. The Seraph appreciated Michael's extension of explanation.

"Dad!" Jack's voice was sharp and worry-filled. His face was wide with alarm. "I don't have a Christmas stocking! Santa Claus isn't going to come for me."

Castiel frowned ponderously. From across the table, Dean scowled darkly at Michael.

"Don't worry, Jack," Adam was quick to reassure. "We have extra Christmas stockings around. Enough for everyone, I'm sure."

"Really?"

"Adam knits," Michael asserted proudly. This was yet another instance to praise his human before Adam's extended family.

"You knit?" Sam asked, coughing on his food yet again. Sam seemed to have issue consuming his food objects this evening.

"Yeah, um ... you know," Adam hinged, not meeting his half-brother's gaze. Either gaze. Sam stared at Adam disbelievingly, while Dean displayed his patent "shit-eating grin," as Adam called it. "It's something to do on days," Adam added lamely.

Obviously, Michael's human was being modest. Michael had no such compulsions.

"Adam knits daily," Michael asserted. "He is very skilled."

"Oh, yeah, bro?" Dean wondered aloud.

"It's nothing, Dean."

"It is not nothing, Adam. You are very skilled. He even supplies sweaters to residents of the local nursing homes."

"Mike says you're good, bro. And sweaters for old people is pretty sweet."

"Dean, knock it off."

"What? Sammy, I'm just getting to know the other brother better-"

"So, WHAT WAS THE THIRD THING?" Eileen interjected, pitching her voice loudly.

The noise in the kitchen dropped as the group turned to regard Sam's wife. Strangely, Adam mouthed a 'thank you.' Eileen smiled brightly in response.

"So, what was the third thing you need to do for Santa Claus?" Eileen repeated. She directed the question at Michael.

Instinctively, Castiel leaned forward, highly attentive. As well, Jack regarded his Uncle with bright, excited eyes.

"The third thing is to be asleep," Michael responded sagely.

"So, believe in Santa Claus. Hang a Christmas stocking by the fireplace. And, go to sleep," Jack detailed excitedly.

"Yes," Michael affirmed. "And then he will visit you."

When Castiel frowned, Michael added. "He has visited me each year since I have properly invoked him."

"Santa leaves you presents?" (Dean, again).

"Yes."

Both Dean and Sam were staring at Adam. Studiously, Adam did not look back.

"Uncle Michael, I don't sleep." Jack's voice was small.

"Neither do I," Michael reassured his nephew. "Therefore, you must approximate sleep." Here, Michael included Castiel in this directive. "You must close off your angelic senses. You must stay in your bed. Santa is watching. He will know."

"Oh, I'm sure he is," Dean drawled, staring pointedly at Adam, who pointedly did not look back.

"Yes." Michael agreed. "He is watching us all. As well, each of us will receive presents in the morning."

Adam started choking on his biscuit. Michael regarded his human in alarm. First Sam, now Adam. Was something troubling with their food this evening? (Dean had prepared the bulk of it — for all of his dismissal of Adam's cooking, no one had choked on Adam's dinner the evening previous).

"Santa is coming to visit everyone?" Adam asked Michael. Now Michael's human displayed a poker face. (Adam's poker face was much better than Castiel's. If Michael could not feel Adam across their bond, the human would be completely inscrutable to the Archangel. Currently, the bond attested that Adam was highly confused).

"Yes, Adam," Michael replied firmly. Castiel and Jack attended to the Archangel's every word. "After all, Santa Claus would be invoked for everyone in this residence."

Adam pinched the bridge of his nose, and sudden anxiety flooded across their bond until Adam firmly snapped the bond shut. He offered Michael a thin smile.

"He's right," Adam announced cheerily to the room. "Of course, he's right." Adam sought Jack's excited gaze and Castiel's awestricken one. Then, almost apologetically, he eyed Sam and Eileen.

"Oh, tonight is going to be a blast, isn't it?" Dean commented inanely.

"Of course, Dean," Michael confirmed. "After all, this night is Christmas Eve."

.

.

Before bed that evening, Adam retrieved five stockings from his backstock of knitted creations. These he placed beside the fireplace. Then, Michael hung his Christmas stocking. As well, Michael hung Adam's Christmas stocking. Then, Michael and his human retired for the night.

"Good night, Adam," Michael spoke as he settled into their bed. "I will be closing off all of my archangelic senses this night to approximate sleeping so that Santa Claus can be properly invoked to attend to our residence. Adam, if you have need for me, you must call for me through our bond. Otherwise, I will not know what occurs within this household," Michael reminded.

(Castiel and Jack were more accessible in this regard. Each maintained their own personal body. When they closed off their angelic senses, still they could maintain tactile input. Then a simple touch to the shoulder would "wake" them from their "sleep." Dean was charged with waking Castiel and Jack).

"Rest assured that still, you will be well protected," Michael added. "Still are you possessed by an Archangel."

"I know. Good night, Michael," Adam returned, laying in the bed beside Michael's apparition. "I love you."

"I love you, too."

.

.

At exactly 5:00:00 AM, Adam's standard rising time, Michael felt a call from the bond. It was time for the Archangel to "awaken" from his "sleep."

He opened the eyes of his apparition to see Adam smiling softly at him.

"Good morning and Merry Christmas," Adam issued their now standard Christmas greeting and solicitation.

"Good morning and Merry Christmas," Michael returned. As well, he turned his head to bestow a soft, loving kiss on his human's mouth.

Adam sighed happily.

"UNCLE ADAM! UNCLE MICHAEL!" Jack's voice carried across the house. "UNCLE SAM! UNCLE SAM, CAN YOU GET AUNT EILEEN?" The child's excitement was readily apparent. "SANTA CLAUS CAME! YOU GUYS HAVE TO GET DOWN HERE!"

Down Michael and Adam came.

As occurred in the years previous, Santa Claus had indeed come — just as Michael knew he would. After all, Santa Claus had been properly invoked. The seven Christmas stockings hung above the fireplace were filled to bursting. There was an assortment of wrapped presents beneath the evergreen tree. There was Jack looking wide-eyed and delighted, his frenetic energy barely contained. Assembled in his green dragon pajamas (a birthday present from Adam and Michael that he had received the previous year), Jack bounded about the room. As well, there was Castiel, gazing upon the stockings and the assortment of presents beneath the evergreen tree in subdued amazement — subdued only when viewed from his blank-faced expression. The grace outlines of Castiel's four wings were twitching with excitement. As Adam and Michael entered the room, the Seraph smiled, his blue eyes gleaming.

On the couch slumped Dean, looking rumpled and exhausted. Wrapped in his navy dressing gown, he hunched miserably into the couch.

"Oh, please tell me you have coffee in this house somewhere?" Dean pleaded. "It's early on Christmas morning. I'm pretty sure the gas station where I grabbed coffee-to-go yesterday morning is closed."

"Relax, Dean," Adam assured, smirking at Dean's bedraggled state. "Michael made sure to stock up on coffee for you. He even bought you a coffee maker."

"Thanks, Mike," Dean responded heartily.

"You are welcomed, Dean," Michael returned. "However, I would suggest that you make the coffee. Adam does not consume caffeinated beverages, and I-"

"Yeah, I remember what happened when you guys were over for Thanksgiving," Dean interjected, grimacing in recollection.

"I will show you where the coffee maker and coffee are," Michael asserted. "I purchased your favorite roast, and as well, a chocolate hazelnut creamer."

"You should thank him again, Dean," Adam snorted. "I'd never buy that flavored creamer stuff for you. It's full of trans fat."

"Thank you, Dr. Milligan, for your health assessment," Dean retorted dryly. Then Dean smiled genuinely at Michael, his brother-in-law. "And thank you, Mike, for getting me the good stuff."

"You are welcomed."

Michael showed Dean to the kitchen and retrieved the ground coffee and new coffee maker. Then, Dean prepared a large pot of coffee. (Fortunately, the coffee maker came with a small pack of coffee filters. Michael did not realize these were to be purchased). After the coffee completed brewing, Dean made a cup for himself, Castiel, and Eileen. (Adam's aversion to caffeinated beverages had finally found a convert in Sam. No longer did Sam consume coffee in the morning, just herbal tea as Adam did. Eileen had informed Adam he could 'pry her hot cup of coffee from her cold dead fingers' when he had proselytized the health benefits of avoiding caffeine to her).

When Michael returned to the living room, aiding Dean in carrying the coffee, he found Sam and Eileen in the room as well.

"How are you so awake right now?" Eileen was asking Adam, disgusted horror evident across her face. She yawned hugely.

Although Eileen’s question was issued rhetorically, Michael determined to answer it. (This was yet another instance of praising Adam before his extended family. Always would Michael capitalize upon each opportunity presented).

"Regularly does Adam rise at 5:00:00 AM," Michael interjected proudly. He made to hand Eileen her coffee mug, verifying that the human had noticed his gesture before handing her the steaming mug.

Eileen grasped the coffee mug appreciatively. "Oh, and now it's a Merry Christmas!" she asserted, taking a large sip of the caffeinated beverage.

"Dad! Daaaaaad! Everyone's here now. Can we open our presents?" Jack wheedled. Michael's nephew was still making his high-powered laps about the living room, too excited to discontinue moving. "Please! You said when everyone was present that then we could start."

"Yes, Jack," Castiel decided. "You can start. Thank you, Dean," he added as Dean handed Castiel a mug of hot coffee.

Castiel's wings were twitching in his own excitement. After all, this was Castiel's first invocation of Santa Claus, as well.

Sam determined to distribute the presents. They were opened in rounds. Jack was gifted an assortment of presents, each subsequent gift inciting even greater enthusiasm. There were presents for everyone — Santa Claus had been invoked for all present.

"Oh wow, a can of shaving cream," Dean displayed as he pulled objects from his stocking. "Also, toothbrush and toothpaste. It's almost like Santa Claus made a frantic stop at the 24-hour Wal-greens last night," he asserted staring pointedly at Adam.

Michael's human scowled in return.

"Oral hygiene is nothing to kid about, Dean," Michael intoned severely. "As a human, you should know this."

"Uh, Santa Claus and his elves were busy last night," Eileen interjected exhaustedly. "There are more presents under the tree for everyone from Santa Claus."

"What do the elves do?" Castiel directed his question at Michael for an expert assessment.

However, it was Adam who responded. "They do a lot," Adam spoke firmly. He stared fixedly, first at Eileen and then at Sam. "They do a lot," he repeated with conviction. "And Santa Claus is really grateful for them."

Sam nodded. Eileen smiled sweetly.

"Can we open some of the tree presents?" Jack was now hopping up and down in his excitement. "Please? Uncle Sam!"

They moved on to the presents beneath the tree.

"Dad! Dean! Look what Santa Claus got me! It's a wheatgrass growing kit, just like Uncle Sam has!"

"That is a fine wheatgrass growing kit, Jack," Castiel returned pleasantly. 

Dean stared at Sam accusingly.

"Seriously, Santa?" Dean griped.

"Uhm, here Dean! Open this one!" Sam shoved a package into Dean's lap, narrowly missing spilling Dean's third cup of coffee.

The package was squat and lumpy, wrapped in Santa Claus's signature red paper with green bow. Immediately Michael redirected the full focus of his being upon Dean. The Archangel knew what this present was (not that Michael used his archangelic senses to "peek." After all, peeking was improper). However, this present, Santa Claus had gifted Michael each year since Adam had explained to Michael how to properly invoke Santa Claus. Now Dean received the same gift. Spying the presents remaining under the tree, Michael counted six other such packages. Obviously, all inhabitants of the home had received this present as well. Michael perked happily.

Slowly, Dean unwrapped his present as if he were afraid the contents would attack him. When he pulled the gift from the tattered remains of its red wrapping, he held the object before him warily.

"You can't be serious?" Dean deadpanned. His eyes drilled into Adam, who smiled placidly beside Michael.

"What did Santa Claus get you there, Dean?" Adam asked loudly. Then, Adam displayed a grin that was all teeth.

The present in question, Dean made to stow behind him. However, Sam was quicker. He grabbed the object from Dean's lap and displayed it for all to see. Sam's eyes were bright with amusement.

"Wow, Dean, Santa Claus knitted you a purple sweater!" Sam mocked gleefully. "With a cute whiddle pony and silver bells and pink bows and a beaded collar, and oh, is that an assortment of woodworking tools?"

"Knock it off, Samantha."

"Put it on, Dean!"

"Knock it off!"

Sam was positively glowing. Michael determined to make Sam's spirits even brighter.

"Always does Santa Claus gift hand-knitted ugly sweaters for Christmas," Michael informed Sam peaceably. "Your ugly sweater should be wrapped beneath the tree, as well."

"Wait-" Sam turned to Adam in utter betrayal.

"After all, it is a Christmas tradition to 'don we now our gay apparel,'" Michael elaborated.

Dean sputtered indignantly.

Michael continued, "In Hell, always did Adam and I celebrate December 25th with an Ugly Sweater party. We have maintained this tradition upon leaving the Cage."

"And you can't break a 1200 plus year tradition," Adam stated firmly.

"No, Adam, we cannot," Michael agreed. His tone was unequivocal. "Jack, please hand me that present." Michael gestured to his own ugly sweater beneath the evergreen tree. The present was wrapped in the Santa Claus red paper with green bow affixed. "As well, distribute the ones beside it," Michael directed.

Sam was staring between Michael and Adam with mounting horror.

"Thank you, Jack," Michael received his present. "Always is Santa Claus generous," the Archangel commented offhandedly as he unwrapped his ugly sweater, a purple and blue striped monstrosity. Immediately he donned the gay apparel.

Adam beamed.

Soon, Castiel was arrayed in his own ugly sweater. It was green with a heaping of flowers and bees. The Seraph smiled brightly with his eyes. The feathers of his wings fluffed in pleasure. 

"Santa Claus is generous," Castiel spoke happily. "Thank you, Michael, for teaching Jack and I how to properly invoke him."

"You are welcomed, Castiel."

"Oh! Dean! Look how cool mine is!" Jack modeled his own ugly sweater. It was blue with two white elephants on the chest. Each sleeve comprised one white elephant's trunk. "Put yours on! Dean! Uncle Sam!"

“Yeah, Dean and Uncle Sam!” Adam agreed merrily. “I mean, you don’t want to disappoint Jack, do you?”

Both of Michael's brothers-in-law marked Adam with their "bitch faces" — as Dean referenced the expressions — as they acquiesced to the child's request.

“Wow, those are so cool!” Jack enthused after Sam and Dean had garbed themselves. “I like yours too, Uncle Adam!”

“Thanks Jack!” Adam returned brightly.

Adam was assembled in a simple red and green striped sweater with sea lions across the chest. It maintained much less decoration than Dean’s or Sam’s gifted sweaters from Santa Claus.

"Gee, aren't hand-knitted sweaters sweet?" Adam remarked thoughtfully. "Just like you were telling me at dinner last night, Dean?"

Dean turned to Sam hunching miserably beside him. "Geez, and I used to wonder how mild-mannered little Adam bagged himself an Archangel," Dean muttered darkly. Dean eyed the misfortune stretched across Sam's torso before grimacing at the pink bows dangling across his own purple sweater arms. "Mike's not the scary one. Adam is."

"Can't agree with you more, Dean."

"Hey, we need to get a group picture of all of us," Adam exclaimed cheerfully. "You know, to commemorate our first Christmas together and stuff!"

"YAY!" Jack cheered. "Pictures!"

"Dean..."

"I know, Sammy. I know."

"Castiel, you look awesome!" Adam complimented. "Come stand by Dean and Sam for the picture. Jack, get Eileen. Michael, come over here."

"Aren't you getting in the picture, Uncle Adam?"

"No, Jack. I'm taking the picture."

"Oh, okay."

Adam took pictures of the group. It was not until after the picture-taking had been completed, and Jack was examining the images on Adam's phone that Sam and Dean realized the full extent of Adam's deviousness.

"Uncle Michael, why aren't you in the picture?" Jack asked confusedly.

"Never do I take allow pictures taken of my apparition unless Adam is in that picture as well," Michael explained. "Only Adam takes individual pictures. Therefore there is no confusion about who the subject of the picture is by a viewer that is not Adam or myself. This is a courtesy to others."

"See Jack, the picture is just of you, Dean, Sam, Castiel, and Eileen," Adam detailed, smiling kindly. He stood beside Jack as the child swiped through Adam's phone. Maintaining his kind smile, Adam stared at Dean. "And I have the originals," Adam added pointedly.

Dean shuddered.

Adam smiled even wider.

"Sammy, I think he just collected blackmail on us," Dean mumbled to his giant of a brother.

"On you, Dean," Sam corrected, amused. "I didn't piss him off yesterday teasing him about his knitting hobby. You did.” Sam paused to consider his ugly sweater critically. “You know, mine's just a novelty sweater, a really ugly one, but still a novelty sweater. But yours? Your sweater constitutes a hate crime. Which is my legal opinion, by the way.” Sam smirked at Dean. “And now, Adam has photographic evidence of you wearing it.”

Dean stared at Adam bemusedly. “He really did orchestrate this pretty well, didn’t he? Between Santa Claus and the not appearing in the picture trick,” Dean marveled. “He even used the kid to guilt me into putting this thing on.”

“Yup, he did. I think Adam fits right into this family," Sam concluded with a wry smile.

“Yeah, me too, Sammy. Me too.”

.

.

Michael considered the scene before him, pleased. The presents had all been unwrapped and the Christmas stockings had been emptied. Adam and Dean were in the kitchen, preparing Christmas dinner. Sam and Eileen napped on the couch. Jack sat on the ground surrounded by the accouterments of his wheatgrass growing kit. He chattered excitedly to Castiel who was seated on the ground nearby. All were arrayed in their ugly sweaters gifted by Santa Claus.

Successfully had Michael administered yet another perfect Christmas. This year, gifting Adam with 'togetherness and happiness and all ... well, all this.' Always had Adam desired a family Christmas since entering the Cage. Michael was pleased for his human to finally receive one.

Although there were three requirements to properly invoke Santa Claus, only one of the requirements was tantamount. Belief. And Michael would believe in Santa Claus for as long as Adam desired the Archangel to. After all, Michael believed in his human with the entirety of the Archangel's being.

[expectingtofly]

Dancing in the Square

pure fluff, xmas tree lighting, dean and cas in love, post 15x20

also on ao3

Day 12 of @bend-me-shape-me‘s SPN Advent Calendar 2020 prompts

“Hot apple cider! Two dollars a cup!” rang across the crowded town square as Dean pulled up the zipper of his coat, shoving his hands into his pockets. A large evergreen towered above everyone’s heads in the middle of the square, and Dean smiled seeing Jack stand on his tiptoes to see the tree. 

“Oh, good,” Jack said with a sigh of relief. “The lights haven't been turned on yet.”

“We still have an hour,” Sam said, checking his watch. They had driven to a nearby town for a tree lighting event, and Jack had insisted they leave early to ensure they arrived on time to see the tree being lit.

Castiel hooked an arm in Dean’s, pressing up against his side. “We could fit a tree that size in the bunker.”

Dean snorted. “There’s no way we’d fit it through the door.” 

“Dean, can we get cider?” Dean looked down at Jack tugging on his other arm. “I wanna try it.”

Looking across the street to spot the vendor announcing the sale of cider, Dean shrugged. “Yeah, sure, alright.” Untangling himself from Castiel, he followed Jack across the street, turning back to ask the others, “Any of you want any?”

Castiel nodded. “Yes, please.”

Sam shook his head and Eileen said, “I’m good,” holding up her styrofoam cup of hot chocolate.

Jack waited eagerly at the table where small plastic cups filled with cider were lined up, wisps of steam whisking away in the cold air, and Dean pulled out his wallet, glancing around the square. 

Along the main street stood shops open to the passerby, warm light pouring from the windows. Vendors sold food, warm drinks, and Christmas decorations along the sidewalks. A band played Christmas carols next to the star of the show: a large tree in the middle of the street, ornaments and decorations hanging from its branches, the string lights not yet lit. The whole place could’ve been a Hallmark holiday movie set. The only thing missing to complete the picture was snow, but it was cold enough that Dean didn’t doubt snowflakes would start falling soon.

Paying for two drinks, Dean handed one cup to Jack, who eagerly drank from it. “That’s really good,” he said, nearly draining the cup in one go. Then his eyes widened and he pointed to another table down the sidewalk. “They’re selling gingerbread cookies!”

“You need to get a job,” Dean said. “You’re gonna spend up all our money.”

“I do have a job, Dean, I run the universe.” Jack smiled at him over his cup.

Dean swatted the pom pom on Jack’s beanie. “Don’t get cocky.”

“Cas, Dean wouldn’t buy me a gingerbread cookie,” Jack called, grinning at Dean as they crossed the street back to the group. Castiel raised an eyebrow as Dean handed him the cup of cider.

“Don’t look at me like that,“ Dean said. “If the kid wants one, he can buy his own.”

“It’s Christmas time,” Castiel said. “Don’t be a...” He scrunched up his face as he thought. “Snitch?”  

“Grinch,” Dean said.

“Scrooge would be a better term,” Sam spoke up and Dean gave him a light shove.

“We’ll buy you one later,” Castiel told Jack. “Right, Dean?” He fixed Dean with a look that was incredibly contradictory to his fuzzy blue beanie and mittens wrapped around his cup of cider.

Dean rolled his eyes but wrapped his arms around Castiel’s neck, pulling him back against his chest. “You guys are impossible.” Castiel laughed and Dean kissed his cheek.

The night grew later and colder, the street more crowded. Santa Claus arrived on a firetruck with fanfare. “That’s not very accurate to the lore,” Jack commented, watching Santa Claus wave from his perch on top of the truck. 

“I guess all the reindeer were busy this year,” Dean said and Castiel elbowed him in the side. 

Sam and Eileen went off to look at vendors selling Christmas ornaments. Sitting on the curb, Jack cheerfully ate his gingerbread cookie, and Castiel held onto Dean’s hand, pulling him along the sidewalk to look at the lighted storefronts. “I think we could do this in the bunker’s library,” he said, stopping in front of a window that showcased an elaborate miniature town, complete with a main square, a tiny tree of its own, dancing animatronic elves, and a train that cruised around the ensemble.

Dean stared at the display. “That’s, uh, yeah. Um. We could try.”

“Maybe next year.” They started walking back to where Jack sat, and the band struck up a rendition of “White Christmas,” the carol echoing from speakers set up along the sidewalk. Dean watched Santa Claus make his way down the street, waving to children.

Castiel suddenly halted, pulling Dean to a stop. “Dance with me.”

“What?” Dean looked around at the crowds milling in the square, more people gathering every minute as the time for the lighting drew closer.

“Come on,” Castiel insisted, tugging on Dean’s hand. “No one’s watching.”

“There’s plenty of people watching. And nobody else is dancing.”

Rolling his eyes, Castiel asked, “You defeated God, you’ve fought monsters, and you’re afraid of what other people will think?” 

“I ain’t afraid of what other people think,” Dean protested.

“Then prove it.” Castiel pulled him off the sidewalk onto the open street. 

“I hate you,” Dean said, but he wrapped his arms around Castiel’s waist and let Castiel sway them back and forth. 

It was dark out, he reasoned, glancing at the people around them. They were attracting a few smiles, but no one could really see their faces and no one would remember. He hoped so anyway. He didn’t want to gain a reputation as the weird dancing couple. Maybe Jack could erase everyone’s memories.

“Don’t be so stiff,” Castiel said, pulling Dean’s attention back to him. His nose was red from the cold, his eyes bright in the warm light from the lampposts along the sidewalks. “Get in the holiday spirit, Dean.”

“I am in the holiday spirit!” And, to prove it, he pulled Castiel as close as they could get in their winter coats and kissed him, Castiel's nose cold against his.

Sam and Eileen returned, a grin on Sam’s face, and Dean glared at them over Castiel’s shoulder. “Shut it.”

“You guys are adorable,” Eileen teased, and Sam pulled out his phone to take a photo.

Dean flipped him off behind Castiel’s back. “Eileen,” he said. “How can I sign to Sam, ‘I’ll strangle you with that scarf you’re wearing?’”

Eileen laughed. “We need photo evidence!”

Dean rolled his eyes, but, letting go of Castiel, he spun him around. "If you're gonna get a photo, get a good one," he said. Castiel laughed and pressed up close to him again.

The crowd started counting down from ten, and Dean and Castiel paused in dancing to look at the tree. At one, the tree burst into light, a star at the top twinkling, colored lights flashing around the tree’s branches.

“Wow,” Jack said in awe, craning his neck back to look at the entire tree. Then he glanced at them with a smile on his face and snapped his fingers. Instantly, snow flurries began falling to the ground all around them.

“Did you do that?” Dean asked, as the crowds oohed and aahed.

Jack nodded and put a finger to his lips. “Shh.”

“Thank you, Jack,” Castiel said, wrapping his arms around Dean.

Dean gazed up at the dizzying swirl of snowflakes falling from the sky. “A Holly Jolly Christmas,” echoed around the square. Lowering his gaze back to Castiel, Dean grinned and wiped a snowflake from Castiel’s face with his gloved hand.

“Merry Christmas, he said.

“Merry Christmas, Dean,” Castiel replied with a smile and kissed him in the glow of the Christmas tree.

Tag List

@becky-srs @xojo @marvelnaturalock @aelysianmuse @prayedtoyou @letsjustdieeveryone @good-things-do-happen-dean @misha-moose-dean-burger-lover @theninthdutchessofhell @madronasky @famouspsychicpizzabandit @multifandomdisorder @dean-you-assbutt-cas-loves-you @arcticfox007 @gmos-winter-wonderland @celestialcastiel @improvedpeanut @castiel-is-a-cat

Let me know (message, ask, comment) if you’d like to be tagged in my other destiel fics or removed from the list :)

[ao3feed-destiel-02]

Loose Ends

Loose Ends https://ift.tt/AlOeRdu by MittenWraith Life in a post-Chuck universe might never be dull, but sometimes they're reminded just how much that guy had fucked with their lives over the years. When helping another hunter deal with some rogue fairies brings up some past trauma for Dean, they somehow fall down a rabbit hole of fanfiction that leads them to an even stranger case. At least this time, there's the promise of bringing everyone involved a bit of closure. Words: 20763, Chapters: 5/5, Language: English Series: Part 3 of Evergreen Fandoms: Supernatural (TV 2005) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Categories: F/M, M/M Characters: Castiel (Supernatural), Dean Winchester, Sam Winchester, Eileen Leahy, Charlie Bradbury, Mackey (Supernatural), Sera Siege Relationships: Castiel/Dean Winchester, Eileen Leahy/Sam Winchester Additional Tags: Case Fic, The Winchester Gospels (Supernatural), Established Castiel/Dean Winchester, Fae & Fairies, Human Castiel (Supernatural) via AO3 works tagged 'Castiel/Dean Winchester' https://ift.tt/GQDr5HN August 18, 2024 at 08:59PM