#ficmas 2017

[gunnerfc]

❄️ WOSO FICMAS: Dec. 21 - Lucy Bronze ❄️

Lucy Bronze x Reader (USWNT & Barça) | WC: 1304

Dec. 21 prompt - spending christmas together with your crush because you couldn't go home for the holidays

-> woso ficmas masterlist can be found here!

With the last game of the year being four days before Christmas, it was hard to get a flight back to the States. You wanted to be able to spend the holidays with your family but it was looking like you were going to be spending it alone in Barcelona.

Lucy had an extra ticket back to England that she was debating on offering you so you wouldn’t have to spend Christmas alone. The two of you were close, having been teammates briefly at Manchester City in 2017 before Lucy moved to Lyon. Your closeness was often the topic of teasing from some of your teammates, thinking the two of you were dating.

You always rolled your eyes and ignored their teasing but a part of you wished they were right. You had a crush on Lucy but were always too nervous to tell her for fear of messing up the friendship you’ve built over the years. Little did you know that Lucy felt the same way about you but didn’t think you felt the same.

The Englishwoman had bit the bullet after the game, offering you the ticket to England and a chance to spend Christmas with her family as opposed to spending it alone. You were hesitant to say yes, not wanting to feel like you were intruding on their family gatherings but Lucy was quick to tell you that her family didn’t mind.

So here you were, sitting next to Lucy on a short flight to England, ready to spend the next few days with her and her family. The flight went by quickly, arriving at the airport a couple of hours later. Lucy had ordered a rental car for the two of you to use during your stay, even though you told her you could take care of it.

The drive to Lucy’s parents' place was filled with back-and-forth banter and loud singing of Christmas music mainly from you. The defender’s mother was the first to greet the two of you when you arrived. It was when her mother gave you a small tour of the house that you realized you’d be sharing a bed with Lucy while you were here. The thought alone caused your face to flush.

You were left to get your things situated in the room when Lucy joined you after staying to speak with her dad.

“Sorry ‘bout the one bed, I can take the couch if you want?” the defender spoke, leaning against the door frame and catching you off guard.

You jumped slightly at her voice before turning to her with a confused look. “Don’t worry about it, it's your house anyways I couldn't make you sleep on the couch,” you replied, with a bit of nervousness coating your words.

“Just don't want you to be uncomfortable y’know,” Lucy shrugged as she walked into the room to set her things down.

“You could never make me uncomfortable,” you said as you sat on the end of the bed.

Lucy didn’t say anything back but sent you a small smile as her response. The room was silent as Lucy moved around the room, putting things in her dresser while you watched. When she was done, she turned to face you, finding you already looking at her.

“You hungry?” the defender asked, nodding her head towards the door. You nodded and stood up to follow her to the kitchen to get something to eat.

The rest of the night was spent getting to know Lucy’s parents and hearing numerous stories of Lucy from her childhood as well. You’d be meeting her siblings and their families tomorrow when they arrived.

As you lay in bed beside Lucy, you couldn’t sleep. Your mind was racing with multiple thoughts, most having to deal with the defender lying next to you in the dark room. You laid on your back staring up at the ceiling while Lucy was lying on her side with her back to you.

You had to resist looking at her, feeling like you would blurt out your feelings for her if you did. You were deep in thought when Lucy rolled over and propped her head up on her hand. You turned your head slightly to look at her when you felt her movement.

“You okay,” the defender whispered, not wanting to speak too loudly.

“Yeah, just missin' home,” you whispered back moving to lay on your side as well so you were face to face.

You sat in silence once again, your eyes darting over Lucy’s face taking in her features. You wanted to tell her your feelings so badly but didn’t want to ruin anything, especially during the holidays.

“y/n.. Can I tell you something? I've been meaning to tell you for a while now but now seems like my best chance,” Lucy spoke, her voice still whispering.

You nodded your head, not trusting your voice to not break if you spoke. Lucy had a small smile on her face before speaking.

“I like you, y/n/n. Like way, more than a friend should and I think I've felt this way since you joined the team. I wasn't sure how to tell you because I didnt want to risk anything and I valued our friendship too much to just let it go if you didnt feel the same. When I found out you weren't goin’ home for the break I was glad I had an extra ticket and I was so nervous to ask you to come with me. But now that you're here, I wanted to tell you exactly how I felt.” the defender spoke softly but meant every word that left her mouth.

You sat up in the bed, and the small amount of light from the moon peeking in through the window hit your face. Lucy could see the determined expression on your face and stayed silent as she also sat up.

“I feel the same way, Luce. I think I felt something when we ran into each other on my first day when I was on the tour. I was scared to tell you because I didn’t think you felt the same way and I didn’t want to make things tense between us. I'm glad you had that extra ticket and offered it to me, if I couldn’t go home for break I'm glad I was able to spend it with you.” you rushed out before you could change your mind.

The room was silent again, the two of you locking eyes. Lucy moved closer to you from her side of the bed and her hands moved to cup your face.

“Can I kiss you?” Lucy asked, wanting to give you time to say no if you wanted.

You nodded your head and her lips met yours in a deep kiss. Your mouth moved against hers passionately, moving your body to straddle her hips. Lucy’s hands dropped to your waist and yours moved to wrap around her neck. You both pulled away panting when you needed air, eyes never leaving the other.

“If I knew that was gonna happen I would have told you sooner,” the defender joked, a smirk gracing her face.

You shook your head at her comment before moving off her lap. You both laid back down, this time with your back pressed against Lucy’s front and her arm thrown over your waist. She placed a quick kiss on your cheek before settling back down behind you.

You couldn't be more happy about not being home for the holidays, happy to spend them with Lucy. the two of you could figure out the next step in your relationship in the morning, right now you were content to have her arm around you as you drifted off to sleep with a smile on your face.

[bysaber]

Singing in a choral ft. Suguru Geto

Day 08 of 31 Days of Ficmas!

summary — In a world filled with curses and tragedies, Suguru Geto hears the most beautiful voice of his damned life when he least expected to.

word count — 629

content — angst, guilt, no comfort, i’m sorry

notes — ok, i think geto’s guilt pos-hidden inventory arc was never explored and it’s NOT POSSIBLE he didn’t feel guilt, man. he killed his PARENTS and it’s NOT ADDRESSED FURTHER OMG. anyway so that’s my own character’s psychology interpretation!

Suguru Geto didn’t like to walk among humans.

Not only because they disgusted him, but because it would remind him of the times they didn’t.

And that… that was the worst part.

Blending in, seeing all the people he would eventually murder – even though they weren’t monsters.

But he’d rather know, he’d rather know whose life he was taking.

Humans, humans.

Monkeys.

He had a purpose, he’d do everything to achieve it.

He killed his own parents, he gave up on everything to try to save the life of his fellow Jujutsu Sorcerers. His friends, his family.

Even though it was an impossible dream, he tried. He was trying. Day after day after day.

He shouldn’t let guilt take place in his heart.

And yet…

He walked in those streets, hearing conversations and laughter coming from humans that weren’t so bad, after all. He walked and saw that not only hate existed, but happiness and love.

He was a hypocrite. But what could he do? He had to make a choice, and he did.

But nobody seemed to understand how hard of a choice it was.

Suguru Geto was about to leave, sorrow having filled him completely when he heard something that made him suddenly stop.

“May your days be merry and bright, and may all your Christmases be bright…”

A voice.

So beautiful and melodic that he felt the need to turn his head to catch a glimpse of its owner.

“I’m dreaming of a white Christmas, just like the ones I used to know…”

You’re dressed in white, so different from his all-black outfit, and the words you sang were like a punch in his gut.

He suddenly remembered it was December 23rd, and that he would never have Christmases like the ones he used to know from when he was a teenager.

In the middle of the crowd, he succumbed to his guilt.

He felt the tears falling and all the things he would never be able to say stuck in his throat, and still, he still hated all those monkeys for making him go through that.

While hating himself for thinking that while admiring you – it was so paradoxical.

The rest of the coral disappeared behind you, the main voice, and he watched as you sang – and wished for a white Christmas.

His would be red.

When the choral ended and the crowd dissipated, Suguru stood there. He was aware he looked like a lunatic, but still…

“Hey, are you ok?”

It almost scared him.

He looked up to see you, looking at him with a concerned expression, “Sorry… I noticed you seemed upset about something while we were singing. I just wanted to check,” you opened a soft smile and it pained him more.

“Oh, don’t worry about me. The song just made me emotional,” Geto smiled back – the smile he had mastered.

“Oh, ok. Good to know,” still didn’t seem like you believed him. “In any case, I just want to wish you a good night. And a good life. You seem like you deserve it.”

Suguru just looked at you. He couldn’t say anything – even if he tried.

What could he say? Thank you?

“Well… good night, then. Maybe we will also see each other tomorrow!”, you said at last, waving goodbye while distancing yourself.

“Hey!”

He yelled before he could even think about it. You looked back at him, confused.

“Don’t come here tomorrow. Stay out of Shinjuku and Kyoto,” Suguru Geto asked you. “Please.”

You couldn’t muster the reason why, but you just nodded to him before parting ways.

He watched as you left knowing that was the last good thing he would ever do.

Because the next day, December 24th, 2017, was the Night Parade of a Hundred Demons.

[blueboxesandtrafficcones]

31 Days of Ficmas 2022 Masterlist

2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021

Blustery -

Hope - 10xRose. On the worst day of Rose Tyler's life, she discovers that once you've hit rock bottom, the only place you can go is up. You just need a little hope, and helping hand. AO3

Mince Pies -

Peace -

Cards -

Holiday -

Ice -

Merry -

Celebrate -

Ring -

Joy - 10xRose. Sequel to "The Gift of Hope". Five years on, Rose and James are ready to begin the next chapter of their lives - a diploma in one hand, a diamond in the other, and plenty of room for their love to grow. AO3

Decorate -

Snow -

Mistletoe -

Naughty and/or Nice -

Rosy Cheeks -

Evergreen -

Candles -

Paper hats -

Present -

Nutcracker - 12xRose. Caught between the past and the present, Malcolm Tucker struggles between creating new memories with his youngest daughter, and reopening old wounds with his oldest. A Nuptial Necessity 'verse fic AO3

Fire -

Turkey/Goose -

Chimney -

Oranges -

Light -

Cosy -

Reunion -

Sledding -

Snow globe -

Resolution -

[nerddface]

Lockbox

Characters: Jacob Frye, Reader, Evie & Henry make an appearance

Warnings: Nothing :)

Word count: 2019

Notes: Ficmas Day 23 | What is Ficmas?

blarg i never want to see the word lock ever again

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Jacob yawned and sunk deeper into his loveseat. There were a dozen things he would rather be doing than listening to Henry prattle on about intel and paperwork. This was Evie’s forte, not his. He was the enforcer. He beat people up and raced carriages, not puzzled over... puzzles.

“The only obstacle,” Henry continued as Jacob watched leafy shadows dance on the car’s floor, “is they are both in locked boxes, behind locked doors, behind a guard rotation.”

“Guards aren’t a problem,” Jacob put in.

“I don’t expect them to be,” Henry assured. “My concern is for the locks. Can either of you pick them?” Jacob polished a spot of dried blood off his gauntlet.

“Can’t we just steal a key?”

“No one on site carries one. The only key is held by the owner of the buildings, who is currently in New York.”

Evie hummed. “Do you know someone who could teach us?”

“I can teach you, partially. It is probably better to learn from someone else, however...” Henry shuffled for a paper on his desk and handed it to Evie. “This is Y/N L/N. She owns a small produce store a few blocks from here. Don’t let her propriety fool you-- I’ve never met anyone better at finessing a lock than this woman. I can call in a favor for her instruction.”

Jacob stood and peered over his sister’s shoulder at the sketch. “A grocer? Is that a cover job?”

Henry chuckled. “Oh, no, she hasn't the stomach for our work. She nearly fainted once after watching a rat get caught underhoof. I don't know where she learned her skills, but she is the best I have to offer, and I daresay the best in the city. She should be open now, if you’re ready.”

~

Miss Y/N’s shop was heavy with the perfume of flowers, and Jacob had to duck under a clothesline of dried bundles as he came in her door. There were more strung up along her counter, and a couple little dancing animal figurines decorating the top of her cashbox.

“Good morning!” a voice chirped from between the tall aisles. A woman appeared, dressed simply, with a towel slung over one shoulder. She paused when she saw them, but her smile faltered only for a second before it returned. “Oh, hello there! What can I do you for?”

“Henry Green said you might be able to help us,” Evie clasped her hands at her middle, trying to present them peacefully. Jacob peered down at the shopkeeper as she assessed them, pretty eyes flickering behind wispy butterfly lashes. She didn’t linger on him long, but he recognized her full once-over of him.

“You must be the Frye twins, then,” she concluded. “What did Henry say your names were, again? Eva and John?”

“Jacob,” Jacob corrected firmly, and Evie shifted her weight, just happening to trod upon his toes as she did so.

“And Evie, Miss L/N.”

“Oh, that’s right!” the woman exclaimed. “Sorry, terribly forgetful.” She tapped a finger on her temple. “Got it from my mother. Poor mum could get lost in a paper bag. Evie and Jacob. Got it. What can I help you with, Evie and Jacob?”

“There’s some paperwork we need to get at, but it’s in lockboxes too hard for us to break. Mr. Green said you’re the best chance to get into them.”

A flush brightened her cheeks, and she chuckled somewhat nervously, clasping her hands at her middle. Jacob narrowed his eyes. “I wouldn’t say the best, but I can certainly see what I can do! Where are these boxes of yours?”

“There are two, across the city, in Blighter warehouses. One is relatively close by,” Evie explained, slapping Jacob with the back of her hand as Y/N shifted uncomfortably under his intense scrutiny. “Your earliest convenience would be appreciated.”

“Oh, no, Miss Evie, I’m afraid I can’t do any of your fancy fighting.” Her eyes met Jacob’s for a heartbeat, but then flickered to his sister again, and she wrung her hands. “Bring the boxes to me and I’ll bust them open for you! I can patch up the locks afterwards, as well, if you’d like to keep your things a little more secure, plus they’re good to learn with. Do you think you can manage that?”

“I believe so, Miss.”

“Wonderful! Now, unless you’d like some apples, there isn’t much I can do for you until I get those boxes.”

“We’ll see you soon, then, Miss.” Evie dipped her head in farewell. Jacob fixed the grocer with a long look as he tipped his hat, and followed his sister out of the shop.

~

Once around the corner on the way back to the train, Evie smacked Jacob’s chest with some force.

“Ow!” he exclaimed. “What was that for?”

“You’re going to frighten her off with that look you’re giving her. Mr. Green is already helping us at his expense.”

“Oh, I’m sure he doesn’t mind. I’m surprised he didn’t get her for you personally! Hire London’s foremost locksmith, perhaps!”

“Jacob.” The sharp edge to Evie’s voice left little room for argument, and he clacked his jaw shut. It wasn’t worth fighting with her, now. All she would do was quote Father at him again, and ruin his day. Before she could launch into one of her tirades, he separated from her and scaled the nearest building, determined to upstage his sister and get his lockbox to their new friend first.

~

It was beyond easy to find Y/N. If her bright pink, lace-frilled apron didn’t point her out among the dark fashions of the market street she explored, the large flowers decorating her cap did. A cheerful sunflower called to him all the way up on the London skyline, beckoning him down to greet it. Entirely without his permission, his heart leapt towards her, and he paused for a moment, slightly startled and more than a little concerned. He pulled it back off the edge of the high-rise and settled it back in his chest with a deep breath. He didn’t have time for feelings.

He skipped down the building, keeping to the shady alleyway, and paused again atop a thick clothesline, taking a moment to watch her peruse a ribbon stand. He hardly even noticed when he jumped to the ground, and only came entirely back into his senses when the brisk wharf air blew a decidedly warm scent to him -- of lavender, cloves, and the perfume of those bright flowers on her hat. It hooked at his chest, drawing him towards her headfirst.

He snuck up on her through the crowd, and came to stand beside her as she tucked her recent fabric purchase into the basket on her arm. Before she could turn away and continue shopping, he inclined his head to speak closer to her ear.

“Hello, Y/N.”

Y/N jumped about a foot in the air and away from him, her hands flying to her chest. The yelp that escaped from her curled his lip. “Oh! Goodness, Mister Frye, you frightened me!” She tittered and sighed audibly, readjusting her scarf around her neck. “What can I do for you?”

High on mischief, Jacob grinned at her from beneath his top hat. “You can be outside your shop at 4 o’clock today.” He left her with a wink, and melted back into the London traffic.

~

For some reason, the prospect of seeing Y/N again spurred Jacob through his day, and he had his lockbox in hand by noon.

“Boy, that’s a vault, that is!” she exclaimed when he arrived with the thing. “There’s no way that will fit through my front door. Bring it around the back, here, i’ll grab a lamp and we can work on it.”

She disappeared back into her shop and then reappeared out the back door as his Rooks were parking the cart. There was still plenty of light to work without it, so she left it atop a nearby barrel and hoisted herself (somewhat awkwardly thanks to her skirts) into the back of the cart. She managed not to topple over, and Jacob followed, perching on the side panel to watch her bust the safe open. He tilted his head at his driver, and the Rooks took their respective posts, in case any Blighters attempted to reclaim what he had rightfully stolen.

Y/N sat, cross-legged, before the lockbox and retrieved a small cloth roll from her pocket. She set it beside her and retrieved a few small, silver tools, and for a few minutes worked in silence.

“Alright!” she said, suddenly. “Home stretch. Get a good pressure point, right... one more... and then we just -- jimmy -- this here -- and there we go!” The lock clicked and the door popped open. She stood and stepped back. “Have at her.”

Papers. Of course he had been sent to retrieve more frigging information. Nothing in it for him, as always. He scowled, but shuffled through the miscellaneous paperwork until he found a small leatherbound notebook with the assassin insignia stamped on the front.

“Brilliant,” he muttered, tucking the book away. Now that that was over, he was eager to move on. The potential places knowing how to unlock this could get him into was motivation enough to want to learn, not to mention this was a perfect opportunity get under Y/N’s skin. Her delicacy was endlessly entertaining. “Now, how does this work?”

Y/N adjusted her skirts to kneel down again, shut the safe door, reengaged the lock, and took a seat. “Tension is everything,” she began. “You need talented fingers to pick locks.” Her eyes lingered on him for a moment as he sat beside her, but he was probably just reading too deep into her words.

Her first instructions were simple enough, but he was much more invested in getting a reaction out of her. Purposefully, he dropped the tension in his wrench. She didn’t even hardly respond, just tilted her head at the sound of the pins dropping.

“Whoops!” she chirped. “Try again. Tension is your key.” She seemed quite proud of this little joke, but he remained stoic, even as her sparkling eyes begged him to laugh, and she cleared her throat. “You need to keep the pins up.”

Half a dozen more times, he made simple mistakes, trying to figure out how to exhaust her patience, but she remained as level-headed as always. Jacob watched her hands as she instructed him again, but his mind wandered. He wondered how she kept so cool. Perhaps she didn’t know he was toying with her. Was she really that impercipient?

In the distance, Big Ben bonged loudly, alerting them to the time. Y/N stood, peering up above the high-rises at the depleting daylight. Sighing, she reached for her matchbox and her lamp and illuminated the darkening space.

“I think it’s about time to wrap up for the evening,” she said as she shook her hand to extinguish the match. The candlelight danced on her cheekbones and chased the dying sun across her hair, beckoning his heart to follow, and it made an involuntary flutter in his chest. “Next time we’ll start on a simpler mechanism. I hope you have more finesse than your sister alluded to.”

Jacob resented that. He took up one of her hands and held her gaze squarely, mustering the look that colored every woman’s cheeks. “Well, miss, I hope you can’t break more than locks.”

She shot him a wink, but he was pleased to see a blush bloom up her ears. “You don’t keep any locks on you, darling. You’re open as a book.” She dropped the little leather notebook into his hands, one that had previously been stowed safely away, and he looked between it and her, startled. It looked as though her nimble fingers were capable than more than just lockpicking.

“Careful around here, Mister Frye,” she said, fixing him with one last sunbeam grin before she left, one brow quirked. “Never know what the grocers might be up to.”

[timelordthirteen]

Baby It’s Cold Outside - Chapter 7

Mr. Gold/Belle, Explicit

Chapter Summary: At last, the long awaited moment. For the 31 Days of Ficmas prompt #30 - "cozy."

Notes: Uh...they have teh sex. ;) I feel like this is utter garbage, but yeah. There will be a short epilogue to follow. I’m a little mad at myself that I didn’t post this yesterday, but I did finish writing it yesterday so I guess it still counts as me not missing a day on the Ficmas list.

[AO3]

There had been a few times in Callum Gold’s life where he’d been asked a question so completely and obviously ridiculous that he could barely formulate a proper response.

Being asked if he wanted Belle French, by Belle French herself, was definitely one of those times. He licked his lips, and closed his eyes, biting back a groan as she shifted her hips again, pressing back into his throbbing erection. The words stumbled around his brain and all he managed was a shaky breath that fluttered her hair.

Belle froze. His lack of response made her fear the worst, that his body’s reaction wasn’t at all about her and that she was perhaps taking advantage. The thought made her sick.

“I’m - I’m sorry, I -” she stammered as she started to move away. Her plan was to escape to the library and pretend the entire thing had never happened, but then his arm tightened around her, holding her in place.

“Oh, Belle,” he sighed, pushing his nose in her curls. He lifted his head to speak softly in her ear. “If you can’t tell -”

“I thought -” She interrupted him and laid her arm over his, rubbing his skin. “I mean I didn’t want to presume.”

Gold exhaled, feeling at least a modicum of relief that his attentions weren’t entirely one sided. “Presume,” he said, smiling. “Assume. Suppose. Infer. Surmise.”

Belle giggled and bit her lip. “Sounds like someone is ready for another round of Scrabble.”

He snorted lightly and shook his head, shifting his hips and delighting in the way she gasped and clawed at his forearm. “More than ready for something.”

She shifted then, and turned over, the brevity of the moment fading to something more significant and serious. Her hand came up to his shoulder, drawing him close until their foreheads were touching, her warm breath ghosting over his lips.

For a long moment, there was a cosy, comfortable silence between them. The he felt her move closer, trying to press her body to his, her arms going around his neck as she held him. He allowed himself to close his eyes, dipping his head and burying his face in the puddle of hair at her shoulder as he returned her embrace, his hand pressed against the small of her back.

He had longed for her touch in the months since she had come to work for him, taking small delight in the briefest brushes of her fingers over his arm or his hand. The warmth of her body was comforting and welcome, and he tried not to think about how long it had been since he had touched another person this way.

“I want you,” she said quietly. Her nose stroked along his, and then down to the dip above his upper lip.

“Me too,” he managed, fighting against the lump in his throat that wanted to keep him mute.

She pulled back to look at him, the firelight dancing in her eyes, and then drew him in again, slowly, almost painstakingly so. Her intent was clear, but she wanted to give him time to pull away should he wish to. His mind raced as he felt her lean closer, and his tongue flicked over his lips in anticipation. He had never wanted anything as much as he wanted to kiss her right now, and he only hoped that he wouldn’t disappoint her, or -

She interrupted his dangerous train of thought with her lips, pressing them softly to his. His body felt paralysed at first, but then she sighed and felt himself give in as her hands move from his neck to his hair. He brought his to her waist, tentatively, bunching the silk in his fingers, fitting his palm against her curves. She was so warm, so alive, and he couldn’t believe she wanted him.

Belle gasped against his mouth and her hand tugged lightly on his hair as she returned his kiss hungrily. His tongue slipped into her mouth, gently stroking and probing until he found the places that made her whimper and scrape her nails against his scalp. She lifted her leg and hooked it over his, trying to pull him closer, and a moan rumbled through him.

“Belle,” he breathed, breaking the kiss. “Are you sure this is -?”

She grabbed a handful of his t-shirt and pulled him to her, kissing him hard. “Yes,” she answered firmly, pushing on his chest until he rolled onto his back. She followed after him, pulling the blanket with her, and moving to straddle his hips. She found his mouth again, and he let his fingers slip up under the hem of the pajama shirt to touch the skin above her waistband.

She grinned and adjusted herself so she was over the hard ridge of his cock. “Oh,” she gasped, shifting and rubbing her silk covered sex against him. His fingers tightened on her waist, pulling at the material.

Gold pushed himself up to a sitting position, and then moved until he was propped up by the headboard. Belle followed, scooting up until she was in his lap. He kissed her cheek, her jaw, and down the side of her neck, pulling at the sensitive skin with his lips and nipping at it with his teeth as she gasped and arched into him. Her hand plunged into his hair again, gripping it tightly and directing him where she wanted him to go, down down until he was stopped by the neckline of her top. Before he could ponder pulling it off her, she pulled him back up to her mouth, kissing him with wet lips and an urgent tongue.

They were both panting when they finally stopped, and he gazed up at her in awe. The fire illuminated her perfectly, glowing around the edges of her like a holy light. Her hair fell soft over her shoulders in long curls, messy from his hands, and he could not remember ever seeing anything as beautiful.

He must have said it out loud, because the smile she gave him was bright but shy.

“You are too,” she said softly, her hands coming up to cradle his face, her thumbs sweeping over his cheeks slowly.

She’d always thought he was handsome, but now, rumpled and debauched beneath her, his hair wild from her hands and his mouth wet from her kisses, he was beautiful. He looked up at her like he couldn’t believe she existed, like she was a goddess blessing him with her presence. She’d never felt so powerful or desired, and it made her shiver.

His eyes fluttered closed as she bent to press a long, tender kiss to his forehead. He angled his head up to kiss her again, but she pulled away, just enough to be able to look him in the eyes. Her fingertips traced the edge of his jaw and then down his neck to the sliver of bare skin just above his shirt.

“I want you,” he whispered. “So much, Belle.”

The tension left his body as she smiled down at him, her teeth pressed teasingly against her bottom lip. His hands started to roam, sliding down to grip her thighs, then up again until his fingertips were just at the hem of her shirt. He looked up at her, meeting her dark gaze as he inched his fingers higher. Her legs shifted, parting just a bit more in silent invitation to keep going.

Her nipples tightened again as she let the sheet and blanket fall back, exposing them to the cooler air of the room. The taut buds pushed against the silk top, visible even in the low light. He reached up and brushed his right thumb across her nipple, back and forth, feeling it harden further under his touch. He kept the pressure of his finger gentle, and she squirmed above him, seeking friction for the ache between her legs.

His other hand moved to her back, holding her still as he brought his mouth to her breast, sucking at her through the silk, leaving it damp from his tongue and sticking to her skin. She arched and moaned, the sensation making her squeeze him with her thighs.

Gold pulled back and she immediately lifted her arms, helping him to lift the shirt over her head. The gasp he let out at the sight of her bare chest sent a frisson of pleasure through her. She'd always been a bit insecure about her breasts, but he seemed more than happy with what he saw. Her previous lovers hadn't spent much effort on that part of her, or on foreplay for that matter, but Gold was lingering and teasing, using his teeth and lips to drive her mad. Holding her nipple between his lips, he put his hand between her legs, and used his fingers to gently stroke her through the damp fabric.

“So wet,” he mumbled, lips brushing her nipple as he spoke. “All for me?”

Belle keened. “Yes, god, yes.”

She shuddered as he ran a finger back and forth through her slit several times, slowly spreading her juices, the silk getting so wet it clung to her folds. He bit down on her nipple, not hard but enough to make her squeak in surprise, the slight pain rippling through her straight to her core. Then he massaged the tender bud with his tongue, drawing out another gasping moan. His mouth moved back to her other breast, and he nibbled that one too, and she made a low whining noise behind her closed lips, breathing hard and shutting her eyes. She pushed her hips forward, grinding against his palm, trying to get more stimulation.

Gold moaned against her skin, kissing his way up the side of her neck. He could feel how swollen she was, her pussy hot and ready to be filled, and he ached to be inside her. He pushed his fingers into the wet silk, feeling the outline of her slit, dragging them over and up the front of her mound. She cried out when he found her clit, and he stroked the little nub lightly, watching her body move, rhythmically thrusting into his hand. Warmth spread through him like fire as he rubbed her through the cloth, his other hand coming up to squeeze her breast. It was getting damp between his legs as well, his cock twitching with every movement she made and leaking into his pajamas.

He tried to remove her pants, but she was intent on staying right where she was until she came. The glide of the fabric over her sensitive skin was too good and his fingers were doing all the right things. One of her hands moved from his shoulder to tangle in his hair, the other clawed at his shirt to steady herself. He moved his thumb in a slow, circular motion, and she rolled her hips, the wet silk giving her even more friction. Her legs ached, her cunt throbbed, but the only thing she cared about was the white hot pleasure building in her core. She was so close, but she needed more, something inside her to fill the burning need, and she swore.

“What do you need?” he asked, licking at her breast with the flat of his tongue. “Tell me, sweetheart.”

She bit her lip and let her head fall back. “Oh - fuck - more, please - inside me!”

Pushing her pajamas down as far as he could, his thumb returning to her clit as a finger pushed slowly inside her. Her eyes closed again, and she fell forward, her forehead against his. He wanted to close his eyes too, to lose himself in the moment and revel in her warmth, in the way she felt in his hands. But he needed to see her face when he made her come in case he was never this lucky again.

Belle was gasping, almost uncontrollably, and riding his hand with abandon. He pushed a second finger inside her and she nearly screamed. Her body was warm all over, flushed and blushing, her pussy clenching around his fingers as he slid them in and out. He was whispering nonsense to her, telling her how good she felt, how amazing she was, and for once she believed it, felt it in her heart as her orgasm shook her body.

Gold groaned as she came around his fingers, and he pressed an open-mouthed kiss to her throat as her body gave up and gushed over his hand. She grabbed at his shirt, bunching the fabric, and brought her head down to look at him, her hair falling like a veil around her face as the feverish blue of her eyes met his gaze.

Gold was mesmerized by the way she looked, her eyes glazed, mouth hanging open, panting and whimpering as she worked herself against his hand, drawing out her pleasure. It was a sight he hoped to remember for the rest of his days, and he knew then that he was completely in love with her and utterly lost.

“Beautiful,” he whispered.

She laughed breathlessly before throwing her head back with a shudder. He removed his hand and let her watch as he licked her essence from his fingers, groaning at the sweet taste. His other hand came up to her hair, pulling her down for a kiss. She moaned into his mouth tasting herself on his tongue as her hands moved down his chest, pausing at the waistband of his pajamas, and then lower, cupping him through the silk. He broke the kiss and sucked in a breath, his eyes not leaving hers as she reached in to stroke him lightly.

Her fingers on his heated flesh were almost enough to undo him right then and there, making him feel like a fumbling teenager. He swallowed and shook his head, clearing the fog of lust long enough to remember that they needed to be practical and safe. “I - I don’t have any, um, I mean -’

She stopped him with a kiss and shook her head, smiling. “Protection?” He nodded, looking away and avoiding her eyes. “It’s alright,” she said, drawing her hand up his length. Her fingers tugged and pulled, sliding over the soft, velvety skin until his eyes found hers again. “I, um, I’m on the pill.”

He could only manage a nod, and watched as she lifted herself off his lap. She sat back on the bed, and worked her pajamas down her legs, baring herself fully to his gaze. He licked his lips, imagining what it might be like to taste her, to put his mouth on her pussy and work her into another frenzy. He wanted to make her scream like that and pull his hair, to have his face covered in her, smelling and tasting her everywhere.

“Do you need help?” she asked, shifting to straddle him again. She smirked at him and tugged his shirt over his head, his arms lifting and lowering automatically. Then pulled she at his pajamas, stopping and giving him a look until he shook himself and finally lifted his hips, helping her push them down.

He braced for some kind of reaction to his nakedness, a wince or a frown when her eyes found his twisted ankle and scarred knee. It was something he’d seen before from his ex wife, Milah, and a later an almost bigger mistake named Cora. But none of that came. His gaze drifted up her body as she knelt beside him, until he met her eyes. They were soft and dark, her lips parted as she breathed deep and steady. She licked her lips, and he swallowed as her eyelids lowered, looking very much like she wanted to devour him.

He was certain he’d let her.

Belle reached for him, her hands running up his legs from knees to hips as she straddled him again. Then she took his cock in hand, wrapping her delicate fingers around the shaft and guiding him between her folds. She pressed him against her entrance, letting the head rest there for a moment before she eased herself down, slowly. The burning ache that made her scream to be filled only increased as she stretched to accommodate him, and she let out a sharp gasp as he finally slipped inside.

They were both breathing hard, and he gripped her thighs tightly, squeezing his eyes shut. She was so soft and wet and warm, her pussy fluttering around him, pulling at him like her body couldn’t get enough. It took every bit of his self-control left to not come right then. He looked up when he heard her exhale sharply, her hips shifting as she dropped down a little more, taking all of him. There was a hint of discomfort on her face, and his hand immediately reached up to her cheek, meeting her eyes, but she smiled and covered it with hers.

She let her eyes close and then open again, her body adjusting and the brief pain subsiding to a hot throbbing need. “Been a while,” she said, wiggling her hips.

Gold managed a quiet chuckle, not wanting to think about how it had probably been twice as long for him as her. “Yeah,” he nodded. “Me too.”

His hands moved to her hips as she kissed him as she started to move, her hands braced on his shoulders. Slowly, almost agonizingly so, she rolled her hips, letting his cock slip almost all the way out before it went back in. It wrenched a loud groan from him, and she spread her knees to take him deeper, biting her lip when he bottomed out inside her.

“Callum,” she gasped. “Oh, fuck that’s -”

He couldn’t remember how long it had been since he’d heard his name that way, or if he ever had, and he felt his control slipping. His hips bucked, and she cried out, and he feared he might have hurt her. She shook her head and took one of his hands in hers, raising it to her mouth to kiss his palm.

“I won’t break,” she said, grinning down at him as brought his hand to her breast. He tweaked her nipple, sending a jolt of pleasure through her that made her arch her back, her body begging for more.

“Fuck me,” she pleaded. Her steady thrusting faltered for a moment as his fingers pulled and pinched.

Her words broke any semblance of will he had left. He moved against her, lifting his hips as she rocked forward, meeting her thrust for thrust, harder and harder as he lost himself in her. His eyes didn’t leave hers as their rhythm sped up, their voices melting together in a symphony of moans and gasps and unintelligible curses.

She cried out as her eyes closed, pressing her hand to his chest, while the other laced with his, gripping him tight. “Cal - um - oh fuck!”

Gold had never heard such words from her before, but he reveled in it now, loving that he could push her to the edge like this. He pulled her down to his chest and planted his feet on the bed to give him more leverage.

Belle cried out again as he thrust hard, bouncing her against him, his lower abdomen rubbing against her still sensitive clit. He buried his face in the crook of her neck, squeezing his eyes shut, and she felt her pussy tighten again. Everything was sharper this time, her breath coming in gasps as her second orgasm approached faster and more intense than the first.

A tight ball of heat built up in his belly, ready to burst any moment. “Belle, I’m – I can’t –” he pants, vaguely aware of her voice answering him.

“Yes!” she gasped, snapping her hips faster. “Gonna - oh!”

She clamped down hard on his cock, a strangled scream escaping from her throat as her orgasm hit like a wave slamming down on the shore. A second later, he grunted and then let out a long, low moan as he came apart inside her, pumping into her as he felt the hot gush of their fluids dripping out of her.

She kissed his forehead, his temple, his brow, and he rolled his hips, sending a few hard jolts through her and dragging out her pleasure until she was quivering in his arms. She flopped against him, panting and sweating.

For a time, the crack of the fire and their heavy breathing were the only sounds, and he was content to leave it as it was and hope that maybe in the morning she wouldn’t have any regrets.

“That was -” she started, then paused to swallow. She desperately needed a drink of water.

“Yeah,” he breathed, sighing as she stretched and rolled to the side.

His cock slipped out of her and he hissed as the cooler room air hit his hypersensitive skin. He bent and reached for the edge of the blanket, pulling it up over them. She laid her head on his chest, her arm wrapped around him and her leg over his, trying to be as close as possible. Her lips pressed together, trying to hold in the emotions that were too close to the surface. She told herself it was too soon. Just because she had fallen in love with him, didn’t mean he felt the same. This was just sex and -

“I love you,” Gold blurted. His body tensed and he closed his eyes, cursing himself as he waited for the inevitable disappointment. She’d probably run now, happily venture out into the storm to get away from his unreciprocated feelings. But there was no stopping now as the words tumbled out.

Belle’s breath caught and her eyes went wide. She lifted her head to see his face as he spoke, but his eyes stayed fixed on the ceiling.

“I miss you when you’re not here,” he continued. “Everyday I think about asking you to stay for dinner, or to out go to dinner. I wake up in the morning thinking of you, wishing you were here.” He paused again, closing his eyes so he wouldn’t see the horror on her face. “I - I know you don’t -”

“I love you too.”

He blinked and turned to look at her. “Wh-wha -? You - you do?”

She nodded and bit her lip, her hand coming up to trace the side of his face and down along his jaw with her fingertips. “I - I think I have for a long time. So long that I don’t even know when it happened.”

Her words made him feel light, made everything that had happened this evening seem even more like a dream. Except she was here, she was in his bed and his arms, and she loved him. He grinned and reached up, sliding his fingers in her hair and pulling her down for a kiss.

“Guess it’s a good thing it snowed,” she said, later after they’d taken some time to clean up and find fresh pajamas.

Gold tossed another log on the fire and then climbed into bed, snuggling up behind her. His arm wrapped around her and his nose breathed in the scent of her hair. “Indeed.” Then he smiled. “I could have done without getting my arse kicked at Scrabble though.”

Belle snorted and swatted at his arm. “Twice.”

He grumbled and kissed her shoulder. “And at gin rummy.”

She laughed softly and wiggled down under the covers. The motion had her rubbing her backside against his groin again, and she bit her lip when she felt him stirring. She wasn’t sure her body was ready for more, but there was plenty of other things they could do.

“Admit it,” she teased, “it was all part of your plan to get me to stay.”

“Well, you couldn’t go home,” he said, smirking and pressing his hips forward. “It’s cold outside.”

[queerofcups]

iiiiits ficmas!

seen your video 1.2k M [link to ao3]

[josefkavalier]

25 DAYS OF FIC

day six: cider for reid & jac

It’s probably the rain that suddenly makes her change her mind in regards to hot cider. Sparkling cider, she can do. It’s close enough to champagne and far enough from apple juice. But hot cider is nothing like the former, and essentially the latter but worse. She’s open enough to being “festive,” or whatever Reid’s approximation is, but this is where she was always drawn the line.

Her fiancé loves hot cider, and while they (quite clearly) have many differences and opposing interests, for some reason he is very determined to change her mind about this one, seemingly insignificant matter.

“It tastes like Christmas.”

“Isn’t that eggnog? Or peppermint. Or hot chocolate. Even--”

“You don’t get it.”

“Yes, I’ve made that very clear, intentionally.”

He sighs loudly and walks away, and she can’t help but smile. She looks down, her eye catching on her ring as it always does, without fail. Their relationship was not always easy, in fact it had started off almost as disastrously as possible, but the ease of their togetherness now is sometimes still hard for her to believe. She has always been so unrelenting, unwilling to bend for anyone at all, preferring to fight than compromise. But when it comes to this man, the only person she has ever completely been in love with, their little arguments are often more like prolonged banter than usually ends with a kiss.

But, Merlin, does he have to get so worked up over a silly beverage?

She’s still looking at the ring when he walks back in, holding two mugs. He must have noticed her noticing it, but he resolutely doesn’t mention it, because that would completely derail their great cider debate. If he so much as uttered the word “ring,” they would once again resume daydreaming about the smallest details, and he would never win this argument. Which was par for the course, since he hardly ever won these things.

“Close your eyes,” he says, so strangely determined considering the circumstances.

“Darling, I’ve had it before--”

“Trust me.”

His tone is jarringly sincerely, but it convinces her. Hesitantly, she closes her eyes.

He raises the mug to his lips and the first sensation she feels is whipped cream, which is both a new development and completely unexpected. Then she tastes what must be vanilla and some other less distinct spices. And unmistakably at the end is bourbon.

Before he says she’s allowed, she opens her eyes and narrows them at the mug’s contents. “What is that?”

“It’s apple cider.”

She takes the mug, only a little aggressively, and takes another delicate sip. “Only technically.”

He smiles as she wraps both hangs around the beverage. “Sooo...you like it, then?”

“Where’d you learn how to make this?”

“I asked a friend to teach me some cider recipes.”

It’s a little ridiculous that he would go to such measures, but it’s also not entirely surprising. It’s not uncharacteristic. “Well, then, yes, I do like it.”

“Yes!” He exclaims, nearly spilling his own cider. He sets it down on the nearest surface for now, just in case.

Jac laughs. “Why did you bother?”

“I really wanted to win.”

She laughs again, but it’s muffled by his lips on hers.

[crookswithbooks]

Let’s Play A Game

Day Nine - Eddie has a cold and Richie assures him that he’s not going to die in typical Tozier fashion.                

Eddie was going to die of hypothermia.

He was certain of it. He had checked his pulse and his temperature only about a million times that day and he had spent the last half hour researching symptoms. He had a runny nose, a fever, and he couldn’t stop shaking. When he called up Richie to say his goodbyes, he found not sympathy but instead amusement.

“You’re not going to die,” Richie assured him. A couple of minutes ago he had been lounging on his bed in preparation for reading some dirty magazines he had garnered from the convenience store, but this was much more interesting. “You probably just have a cold or something.”

“A cold is only the first step to hypothermia,” Eddie warned him gravely. He paced up and down his bedroom, wrapped in about a million layers. In the background, hot water was running for a bath. “First it’s a cold then you start to feel a slight tingle in your body and then your limbs have all fallen off. It’s a slippery slope, Richie! A slippery slope!”

“Fine, fine,” Richie said, rolling his eyes on the other end. “I’ll tell you what. I’ll come over there and together we’ll figure this out. This, which will probably be nothing. Because you’re not dying and you don’t have hypothermia.”

“Actually, denying hypothermia is a very common symptom of hypo—”

Richie hung up the line before he had to listen to another rant on the subject. He kicked the dirty magazines off his bed, going over to grab his shoes and coat. “Maybe another time, Jennifer’s boobs. Maybe another time.”

He slid off the bed and went to go assure his boyfriend that he was not going to die at the humble age of fifteen.

Richie’s hands were warm and Eddie reluctantly fell back into the embrace. There had been a solid five minutes in the beginning where he wouldn’t even let Richie get near him, but after the other boy had assured him that hypothermia was not contagious he suspiciously relented. Eddie let out a gentle sigh as Richie cuddled into the back of his neck, his arms clamped tightly around his middle.

“Okay,” he said, smiling softly. “I will admit, this is helping.”

“I told you.” Richie grinned triumphantly. “Tozier hugs make everything better.”

Eddie didn’t respond, his eyebrows furrowed in a way that said something was bothering him. Richie sighed, waiting for the inevitable. “I’m still pretty sure I have hypothermia though.”

“For the last time, if you had hypothermia, you would be dead right now,” Richie grumbled. “Though I could speed the process up if you don’t shut about it.” He playfully bit the other boy’s earlobe and Eddie shrieked, reaching back a hand to smack him.

“Not funny.”

“Eds, do you actually believe you have hypothermia?”

Eddie was silent for a moment. “No, I guess not. That doesn’t mean I can’t worry about it though.”

Richie pulled away, much to the disappointment of Eddie, and kneeled on the bed so that he was facing him. “Alright, I’ll prove it to you. Sit up.”

Eddie slowly uncurled from his roly-poly position and sat opposite him. “What are you going to do?”

Richie reached into his pocket and pulled out a handful of coins. “Give me your hand.”

Eddie raised a skeptical eyebrow. “Um, how about no? What are you going to do?”

“Do you trust me.”

“Absolutely not.”

“Eddie. Edward. Eds. C’mon.”

Eddie rolled his eyes back to the ceiling, but eventually held out his hand. Richie grabbed it, turning it so that just his index finger was pointing out. He took a penny and carefully balanced it on top. Then he sat back and waited.

Eddie let a couple seconds go by before he asked, “Okay, so? I can balance a penny on my finger. What does this prove?”

“You’re not shivering,” Richie pointed out. Eddie paused as he realized this was true. “ It’s the first symptom of hypothermia. If you were shivering, the penny would have fallen.”

“So I’m not shivering,” Eddie scoffed. “That doesn’t prove anything. Maybe I’m in stage three.”

“I wasn’t finished. I’m going to ask you a couple of questions and I need you to answer me rapid fire, okay? How long have we been dating?”

“What are you talking about—”

“Rapid fire, remember?”

Eddie fixed him with a look. “Approximately one year now.”

“Specifically?”

“I don’t know…” Eddie racked his brain. “I guess nine months? Like, nine and a half maybe?”

“Good. What was the first nickname I was assigned when we started school?”

“Bucky Beaver? Because of your—”

“Big front teeth, whatever,” Richie cut him off, flushing. “Bad Question, okay. What is two times seven.”

“Fourteen.”

“What is the capitol of Argentina?”

“What—I don’t know!”

“Fair point,” Richie agreed. “I don’t know that either. That was a test though, and you passed!”

Eddie crossed his arms. Often he found himself annoyed with Richie’s antics but it was even worse now that he didn’t know what was going on. “What was the test? How fast can you piss off Eddie Kaspbrak?”

“You love me,” Richie said cheekily, booping his nose. Eddie smacked his hand away, flushing violently. “And no, that was not in fact the purpose of the test. You just evaded two more symptoms, confusion and memory loss.”

“Oh.” Despite himself, Eddie found that Richie’s game was working. He was calmer now, and though he still felt like crap he was starting to agree that the symptoms were far different from hypothermia. “What’s the next test?”

Richie beamed, happy that Eddie was on board now. He never minded helping his boyfriend out of a funk, but if he was going to do so he liked to do it in typical Trashmouth style. “It’s simple. I want you to say, ‘I love Richie Tozier.’”

Eddie snorted, rolling his eyes. “Right. How exactly is that relevant? I thought we already covered memory loss.”

“Just do it,” Richie demanded, waving a hand expectantly.

Eddie took a deep breath, leaning his head back. “I love Richie Tozier. There.” He was trying to glare at him, but there was a small smile tugging at his lips despite himself. It was impossible sometimes to resist Richie’s ridiculousness. “Are you happy?”

Richie was. No matter how many times Eddie said it, he never got tired of hearing those words. “Yes. Almost.”

Richie clambered off the bed and grabbed a notebook and pen off the dresser. He threw them at Eddie, pushing up his glasses. “Now write it.”

“God Richie, how much self-validation do you need?”

Richie blushed, but kept his tone cocky as he said, “More than you could possibly know. Just write it, will you?”

Eddie sighed and made a show of dramatically flourishing the pen and setting them to paper, each stroke deliberate and elaborate. And Eddie said he was extra. When he was finished, he showed the paper to Richie, where in neat legible letters it read, I love Richie Tozier. “Does this do it for you? Do you want me to put a little kiss next to it as well?”

“Shut it. You’re just lashing out because you know it’s true.” Richie took the paper, shoving it in his pocket for later. Okay yeah, so maybe Richie was going to stare at the words for hours that evening, but could you really blame him? “The next two symptoms were slurred speech and fumbling hands. You just disproved both. Now there’s just one more test.”

“Just one?”

“Just the one. I need you to close your eyes for it, though.”

Instantly nerves flooded Eddie’s body and he crossed his arms protectively. “No way. How do I know you won’t do something weird?”

Richie held up one of his hands in mock salute. “I won’t do anything, I promise—Scout’s honor.”

Eddie bit his lip, thinking it over. Finally he relented, squeezing his eyes shut. For a couple minutes nothing happened and Eddie was almost worried that Richie had left him alone and this whole thing was some kind of stupid prank. “Are you going to do anything or—”

His next sentence broke off as hands slid under his shirt suddenly, sliding up the stretched skin of his back. He tensed, a deer frozen in headlights. He could feel the heat of Richie’s body as he slowly wrapped him in a hug, the form very familiar to him by now. Richie softly peppered kisses up his neck and paused inches away from his ear. A pleasant shudder ran down Eddie’s spine when Richie spoke, his breath sending miniature vibrations over his skin.

“How do you feel?”

Eddie was frozen. “Huh?”

“Wide awake? Like you’re never gonna sleep again?”

He did. In fact, Eddie had never felt more awake in his life. “Y-Yeah? I suppose. Why?”

“Then you just beat the last symptom—drowsiness.” Richie leaned down suddenly, blowing a raspberry against his neck and causing Eddie to shriek, shoving him off of him.

“Oh you asshole,” he growled, grabbing a pillow and beating the taller boy with it. Richie ducked, holding up a hand weakly to protect himself. “That was unfair and you know it. What happened to Scout’s honor?”

“I forgot to mention,” Richie said, seizing the pillow and launching his own attack. “I was never a Scout.”

“You dick—”

Richie only laughed and the night slowly devolved into pillow fights and madness.

Not that Eddie minded.

[wonderful-writer]

Ficmas Writing Challenge

It’s the 2nd of November, people, and we all know what that means. Christmas is finally here. I missed out on doing a Halloween themed writing challenge bc I was way too scared to do one, but since Christmas is my favourite time of year, I decided to do one. (if this doesn’t pick up the way I want it to then let’s just pretend it never happened)

Just a quick disclaimer, some of these prompts aren’t mine, and some were inspired by others

RULES:

A reblog/follow would be appreciated to get this out there, but isn’t necessary

Three prompts per person, and two people per prompt (I will cross out prompts that are full, so please do not request those)

Feel free to mix and match prompts (i.e., #14 from festive and #23 from fluff)

You are allowed as many tropes as you want, since they’re always amazing to read

I will be taking fics from fandoms I write/read for, which can be found here

Please tag me in your fic (@wonderful-writer) and use the hashtag #hailey’s ficmas wc so I can find it when you post

The close date for requests will be around the 25th of December to allow more people to join in

Prompts:

Festive Prompts:

1. “Do you need help hanging up the Christmas lights?”

2. “It’s snowing!”

3. “I made you some hot chocolate.”

      Draco Malfoy x Reader - @minty-malfoy

4. “Will you make a gingerbread house with me?”

    Sirius Black x Reader - @the-moon-and-the-book​

5. “You look even more beautiful covered in snow.”

     I’ve Always Loved You (George Weasley x Reader) - @idont-knowrn

6. “You didn’t have to get me anything.”

7. “Go on, open it.”

     I’ve Always Loved You (George Weasley x Reader) - @idont-knowrn

8. “I can’t believe I missed my flight.”

9. “Do you want to put the star on top of the tree?”

    Unknown x Reader - @weasleydream

10. “There are worse ways Christmas could’ve ended.”

11. “Are you making snow angels? At 2am?”

12. “Please tell me you got the gifts.”

13. “If you throw another snow ball at me, I’ll kill you.”

14. “My house, my rules. The Christmas music stays on.”

15. “What are you doing to that poor wrapping paper?”

16. “You didn’t think I’d let you spend christmas alone, did you?”

17. “I thought we weren’t doing gifts!”

18. “Exactly how many people did you invite over for Christmas dinner?”

George Weasley x Reader - @fandomscombine

19. “I just wanted one normal Christmas.”

20. “You really can’t cook, can you?”

21. “I don’t trust you enough to carve the turkey.”

22. “Your hands are freezing!”

     Draco Malfory x Reader - @minty-malfoy

23. “Did you eat all of my Christmas chocolates?”

    Remus Lupin x Reader - @shaynawrites23

24. “Nope. This isn’t happening. It’s Christmas.”

25. “You’re already under the mistletoe, so will the two of you stop stalling and kiss already?”

     Sirius Black x Reader - @the-moon-and-the-book

     Remus Lupin x Reader - @shaynawrites23

Fluff:

1. “I don’t think I’ve ever felt as happy with anyone else as I have been when I’m with you.”

2. “It’s been a long day and I just want you to hug me.”

3. “The stars have nothing on your beauty.”

    Remus Lupin x Reader - @the-moon-and-the-book

4. “Is that my shirt?” “You mean our shirt.”

5. “Can I braid your hair?”

6. “It’s you. It’s always been you, and it always will be you.”

7. “I would do anything for you.”

8. “Hold me please?”

     Draco Malfoy x Reader - @minty-malfoy​

9. “Your hair is so soft.”

10. “Can you stay with me tonight?”

11. “I’ve loved you since we were kids.”

12. “I can’t stop thinking about you.”

13. “There will never be a day where I won’t wake up and not be love with you.”

14. “You’re like my own personal heater and pillow.”

15. “I’m pretty sure (you’re/she’s/he’s/they’re) my soulmate.” “It’s about time you noticed.”

Angst:

1. “I don’t want to feel this way anymore.”

2. “All I wanted was a happy ending.”

3. “You make me sick.”

4. “I don’t want material items! I want my heart back!”

5. “How could you?”

6. “I don’t want your forgiveness. I want an explanation.”

7. “You’ve changed.”

8. “I can’t believe I was foolish enough to believe that you ever loved me.”

9. “Don’t walk away from this, from us.”

10. “They were right, you haven’t changed.”

11. “You love (him/her/them), don’t you?”

12. “You’re not the same person you were anymore.”

13. “I would’ve done anything for you.” “Then why did you hurt me?”

14. “Sorry doesn’t fix anything.”

15. “I miss the person you were before all of this, before they ruined your happiness.”

Tropes:

1. Fake Dating AU

2. Modern AU

3. Enemies to Lovers

4. Friends to Lovers

      I’ve Always Loved You (George Weasley x Reader) - @idont-knowrn

5. Siblings Best Friend

6. There’s only one bed

     George Weasley x Reader - @fandomscombine

7. Omg they were roommates

8. Snowed in

     George Weasley x Reader - @fandomscombine

Some no pressure tags: @idont-knowrn @hyperion-moonbabe-art3mis @im-a-writer-right @with1love1anu (i know i don’t technically interact with any of you but i thought it was worth a shot)

[alittledizzy]

daily fic advent 2017: dec 23

Pairing: Dan/Phil Rating: Explicit Word Count: 2185 Prompt: bottom Phil (and this was generic and I’m cheesy af so I set it during Christmas 2017)

December 23: and hearts will be glowing

[chocolatequeennk]

Thirty-one Days of Ficmas

Hello, Friends! This is my master post of everything I’ll be posting in December as part of my holiday project. If you remember, last December I asked for holiday and winter prompts so I could do an advent calendar project this year. Well, I’ve been working at it, and I’m ready to get started. 

I’ll be updating this post a few times a week with the latest entries. For now, you can take a look at the titles and look forward to what’s coming. If a pairing isn’t stated, assume Ten/Rose

12/1: Always Her Doctor 1/4--Dimension hopping Rose lands in Farringham, 1913. Fobbed holiday reunion.

12/2: Twined Together With Love--Part of How Does She Know? Bonding fic. Pregnancy fic.

12/3: The Look of Love--Coffee shop AU

12/4: Christmas Joy 1/4--First kiss

12/5: Lesson Learned--Set in True Things, after Jackie Tyler Saves the Universe

12/6: Rude and No Ginger--What do you mean, your mother puts ginger in her eggnog?

12/7: Forever With You--AU proposal fic

12/8: Always Her Doctor 2/4

12/9: A Lot Like Christmas 1/2 Christmas fic in As Time Goes By. Tree decorating in this chapter

12/10: Christmas Joy 2/4--The Doctor and Rose go skating and their relationship continues to develop

12/11: Only the Beginning--A mistletoe kiss is just the start for Rose and Nine

12/12: Forever and Never Apart, ch 32 Rose and the Doctor run into... the Doctor. Twelve x Rose

12/14: Mocha Mixup--outtake from chapter 32 of FANA, where Ten and Rose go back to the coffee shop she visited with Twelve, confusing the barista.

12/17: We’re Happy Tonight--Holiday fluff, prequel to Where the Love Light Gleams

12/18: Christmas Joy 3/4--tree decorating fluff

12/21: A Lot Like Christmas 2/2--Christmas fic in As Time Goes By. This chapter inspired by the BBC Christmas advert from 2009

12/23: Always Her Doctor 3

12/24: A Midnight Clear--Eight and Rose go in search of a Christmas tree and find so much more. Sequel to Where You Least Expect It

Still coming:

The current goal is to hopefully get all the stories that are explicitly Christmas done before the end of December, and then work on the rest of the wintry fics in January. I wanted to have them done by next week, but honestly I think I’d be better off if I gave myself the whole month.

Christmas Joy 4/4--proposal fic. Maybe? I don’t know what’s going on with this fic and I don’t know how to wrap it up. I waver between being okay with it and hating it moment by moment.

A Visit from St Nicholas--Christmas reunion. Tony tells Rose his Christmas wish is to meet the Doctor, and this year, his wish comes true.  

Always Her Doctor 4 and 5

Time for Family--Sequel to Redefining Forever, kid fic

A Push From the Past: The newly-engaged Tenth Doctor and Rose run into the Eighth Doctor, who encourages his future self to tell Rose about bonding. Sequel to Forever and a Day

I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm--The Doctor and Rose are trapped away from the TARDIS. Cuddling for warmth + Bad Wolf reveal, set in The Doctor’s Wife. Maybe? I’m not sure about the plot for this, because it’s awfully similar to The Gift That Keeps on Giving. But I wanted to do a story in this series and I don’t know what else to do, and I really did want to do a cuddling for warmth story. 

Who knows?

Do You Want to Help the Snowmen?--Part of The Course of True Love. Pregnancy/baby fic

Winter Wonderland--Winter themed fluff, in a world that is the inspiration for snow globes. 

[blueboxesandtrafficcones]

31 Days of Ficmas 2021 Masterlist

2017 |  2018  |  2019 | 2020

Holiday Music - 12xRose. If music be the food of love, play on. All Ian wanted was a quiet cafe where he could practice Christmas tunes for a holiday party gig - what he got was so much more. AO3

Workshop

Holiday Market

Stockings

Wrapping paper

Tree

Family

Joy

Cookies/biscuits

Wish

Bells

Candy Cane

Gift

Cheer

Holly

Jingle

Reindeer

Toys

Yule

Garland

Peace

Bows

Tinsel

Miracle

Santa and/or Elves

Fireplace

Eggnog

Love

Mistletoe

Fireworks

Midnight

[perfectlyrose]

Happy Holidays Y’all! :D This is the masterlist of the fics I’ve written for 31 Days of Ficmas 2017.

Links are to the tumblr post. Everything can also be found at this tag and in this AO3 series

a story of hope -  The Doctor meets a stranger fighting her own battles in the middle of a crowded market. They find a bit of hope in each other. [Eight x Rose, Doctor Who, 798 words, all ages] [prompt: hope]

magical & cold -  Clara takes Bill ice skating. [Clara Oswald x Bill Potts, Doctor Who, 214 words, all ages] [prompt: skating]

keeping warm -  Rose wants hot chocolate on a chilly day at an alien market but there are other ways to keep warm as well. [Nine x Rose x Jack, Doctor Who, 260 words, teen] [prompt: hot chocolate]

later on, we’ll conspire -  Rose and the Doctor are at a party for their anniversary and enjoy the ginger-spiked drinks available. [Fem!Ten x Rose, Doctor Who, 347 words, teen] [prompt: ginger]

on the (mis)use of a candy cane -  Hannah decides that Hardy needs to take a break. [Hannah Baxter x Alec Hardy, SDoaCG/Broadchurch crossover, 262 words, teen] [prompt: candy cane]

moments in the sun -  Even a pair of master assassins need lazy, sunlit mornings in bed sometimes. [Clint Barton x Natasha Romanoff, Marvel, 336 words, all ages] [prompt: bells]

wrong number, right person -  Complete accident brings Rose and John into each other’s lives by way of a misdialed phone number but as they form a friendship that could bloom into love, it almost seems more like fate. [Ten x Rose, Doctor Who, AU, 4264 words, all ages] [prompt: ring]

sweet as sugar -  Rose does some holiday baking in preparation for a party at Clara’s. [Eleven x Rose, Doctor Who, 192 words, all ages] [prompt: snowflake]

merry and bright -  Rose and Clara start decorating their Christmas tree. [Clara x Rose, Doctor Who, AU, 159 words, all ages] [prompt: lights]

bringing peace -  Rose and the Doctor cuddle up together after a long few days. [Fem!Nine x Rose, Doctor Who, 262 words, all ages] [prompt: peace]

mistletoe kisses -  Bill gets a push from a friend and a pinch of fate at a Christmas party to finally take the next step with Heather. [Bill x Heather, Doctor Who, 345 words, all ages] [prompt: mistletoe]

dinner for two -  A few days into their stay on Darillium, the Doctor provides a candlelit dinner on the terrace. [Twelve x River, Doctor Who, 291 words, all ages] [prompt: candles]

to the victor go the spoils -  Danny is ambushed but this is a fight he really doesn’t mind losing. [Danny x Clara, Doctor Who, 200 words, all ages] [prompt: snowball fight]

pillow talk -  The Doctor and Rose have a sleepy morning conversation. [Tentoo x Rose, Doctor Who, 224 words, all ages] [prompt: family]

Mrs. & Mrs. Claus -  Amy pulls out an old costume and pops the question a little earlier than she planned. [Amy x Rose, Doctor Who, 280 words, all ages] [prompt: Santa and/or elves]

a sleigh ride together with you -  Giac and Fanny get ready for a sleigh ride. [Casanova x Fanny, Casanova/Mansfield Park crossover, 348 words, all ages] [prompt: mittens]

the waiting is the hardest part -  Overlapping separate missions keep Jyn and Cassian apart for longer than they would prefer and Jyn hates waiting. [Cassian x Jyn, Rogue One, 720 words, all ages] [prompt: joyous]

fashionably late -  John and Clara promised Rose they’d be at the opening of the latest gallery show she was managing but they are running late.Or, so they think. [Ten x Rose x Clara, Doctor Who, 505 words, all ages] [prompt: tree]

edible gingerbread and other variations -  Parker’s excitement for Christmas is less than contagious but she drags the boys along for the ride anyways. [Eliot x Parker x Hardison, Leverage, 269 words, all ages] [prompt: holiday baking]

all in the timing -  Another day in the life of Clara and Jenny: Space Girlfriends, featuring a bit of trouble, a lot of running, and also some well timed kissing. [Clara x Jenny, Doctor Who, 253 words, all ages] [prompt: rosy cheeks]

here we come a-caroling -  The Doctor has put his sign about carolers on the TARDIS door. Clara decides to test it out. [Twelve x Clara, Doctor Who, 303 words, all ages] [prompt: holiday music]

a kiss away from reality -  They’ve reached the natural end of their date but neither Nomi nor Amanita are ready to say goodnight - at least not without a kiss. [Nomi x Amanita, Sense8, 204 words, all ages] [prompt: shiver]

feast -  The Doctor pulls Rose away from a celebratory banquet for a more private feast. [Twelve x Rose, Doctor Who, 239 words, mature/NSFW] [prompt: feast]

your love to keep me warm -  Rose and the Doctor enjoy a warm, lazy morning in bed. [Fem!Eight x Rose, Doctor Who, 239 words, all ages] [prompt: love]

gifts from the heart -  The Doctor has a gift for Rose but he is a bit nervous to give it to her. [Six x Rose, Doctor Who, 622 words, all ages] [prompt: presents]

playing with fire -  He could imagine the picture they made, her pale thighs framing his arse and her hands decorating his tanned back and it made him groan. [Nine x Rose, Doctor Who, 411 words, Explicit/NSFW] [prompt: fire]

everlasting cold -  The first snowfall of the winter never bodes well for Diana’s sleep. [WonderTrev, Wonder Woman, 536 words, all ages] [prompt: ice]

winter wonderland -  Charley decides that it is time for a bit of winter fun and the Doctor agrees. [Eight x Charley, Doctor Who, 536 words, all ages] [prompt: sledding]

home is in your arms -  Jean-François is coming home after a few weeks away from work and Betty meets him at the train station wearing a familiar scarf. [Mercier x Betty, Spies of Warsaw/A Passionate Woman crossover, 226 words, all ages] [prompt: scarf]

could be worse (could be here without you) -  Phryne and Jack are locked in and waiting for their rescue. [Phryne x Jack, Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, 288 words, all ages] [prompt: cozy]

familiar & new -  Rose and the Doctor talk over the Doctor’s latest regeneration and get a bit sidetracked in the process. [Thirteen x Rose, Doctor Who, 712 words, all ages] [prompt: new beginnings]

[nerddface]

Home Skies

Characters: Loki Laufeyson, Reader

Warnings: Nothing :)

Word count: 963

Notes: Ficmas Day 22 | What is Ficmas?

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“Loki.”

He was awake in an instant at the sound of her voice, but he knew exactly why she was waking him. His back was to her, so he could easily pull off being asleep a while longer. Despite not really understanding it, he could tolerate Y/N’s endless fascination with the stars, but waking him up in the wee hours of the morning for them was where he drew a line. If she wanted to watch a meteor shower, that was fine, but he wasn’t going to be involved.

“Loki.” Her finger dug into his side, right between his ribs, where she knew it annoyed the everliving hell of out him. He ignored her.

“Babe. I know you’re awake. You said you’d watch the meteor shower with me.”

“I did no such thing,” he rumbled, his voice thick with sleep.

He turned onto his back to peer over his shoulder at her. “Did you ask me while I was reading?”

“Yeah, but you said yes!”

He raised a brow at her. “Did I?”

Y/N looked at him a moment longer before her poker face crumbled. She wouldn’t admit fault, but her mouth turned into a frown. “Please?”

Loki considered her for a moment, scrutinizing her (purposefully) trembling frown and pleading eyes. She would get progressively more pitiful until she got what she wanted, and while sometimes it was nice to have her fawning over him to gain his favor, he didn’t have the patience for it tonight.

“Fine,” he ceded. “Twenty minutes.”

Y//N’s face lit up and she sprang out of bed, shoving her feet in a pair of thick socks and wrapping a blanket around her shoulders. Loki pulled a light shirt over his head and followed her to the elevator that would lift them to the Tower’s private roof, frowning at the blinking security camera in one corner. He hated knowing someone was keeping an eye on him. He wished he had been granted leave to move into Y/N’s private residence, instead of relocating her to the Avengers Tower to live with him. Unfortunately, he had no one to blame but himself for the situation he was in -- and she and the other residents had already been more lenient than he deserved. He really didn’t want to press it further and make his living space more hostile that it already was.

Cool air rushed over Loki’s shoulders as they emerged, and Y/N led them immediately to the bench that had been set by Tony, for Pepper a few summers past. One could see the sun setting perfectly between the buildings of New York, and at night the sky opened, huge and dark, above them. Light pollution meant they couldn’t see much of the cosmos, but this meteor shower Y/N had been talking about was supposed to be bright enough to witness even in the thick of the city.

Y/N sat him down decisively and huddled into his side, wrapping the blanket she had brought with her tightly around her shoulders, anchoring it in place by draping Loki’s arm over them as well. She heaved a sigh, placing her head on his shoulder, and he quietly surrendered, resting his cheek on the crown of her head.

“Do you see the same stars in Asgard?” she asked, after a moment’s pause.

“Of course not. We’re much too far from your stars to see them.”

Y/N hummed and wriggled a little closer. “I wish we could travel, to see the stars, really.”

Loki wasn’t going to say anything, but instead mope to himself about his current state, but then had a better idea. A glamour was a simple spell, at its core, and if he could master convincing lookalikes, then throwing the memories of Asgard’s stars into this sky would be a breeze.

“How important is this event to you, love?”

Y/N looked up at him, initially rather irritated. “I’ve been looking forward to this for weeks, Loki, it’s really...” she trailed off when she noticed the look in his eye. “What?”

“I have something better. Trust me.”

She thought about it momentarily, justifiably unsure whether or not whatever this new plan was was in her best interest, but thankfully decided to go with it. Loki grinned, his heart picking up pace, as he raised his free hand, closed his eyes, and searched his memory for the strongest image he had.

A gasp from his lover told him he had something, and when he opened his eyes, the twinkling lights of his past had been splashed across the inky black sky of the city.

“My stars,” he told her, watching her slack-jawed wonderment.

“Yeah, screw the meteor shower,” Y/N agreed, breathless. “This is definitely better.” She patted his thigh, excited. “Tell me about them.”

Loki drew a deep breath, a smile unwittingly stealing his lips as he dove in, comforted by the familiar knowledge, dragged back into the days his mother would hold him close to her and tell him the stories of the World Tree, of the Eagle, and Nidhogg the serpent who coiled at its roots, and the squirrel Ratatosk that ran as messenger between them.

“To us, Midgard is little more than a leaf in Yggdrasil.”

The sounds of the city filled the space his voice left, and stayed there for some time as both of them studied the projected sky above them.

“I’m pretty sure your twenty minutes is up,” she murmured, dancing delicately around their tender moment.

“Let it be,” Loki replied, quietly. Twenty thousand years wouldn’t be enough of the state of peace, and calm, and love that they floated in. For this brief moment, his past vanished, and he was alone, with her, under his home skies.

[timelordthirteen]

Baby It’s Cold Outside - Chapter 1

Mr. Gold/Belle, Explicit (overall)

Summary: Belle is Gold's housekeeper. One night there's a blizzard, and it's unsafe for her to go home. For the 31 Days of Ficmas prompt #12 - candles.

Notes: You know exactly where this is going. ;) From a prompt given to me by the amazing @rufeepeach almost exactly one year ago (I am the worst okay). I'm filling this through prompts in the 31 Days of Ficmas list. It will be multi-chapter and there will definitely be smut by the end. YOU KNOW WHAT I'M ABOUT.

[AO3]

All Belle could see through the window was white.

Two weeks until Christmas and Storybrooke already had sixteen inches of snow. More had started falling in the afternoon, light wispy flakes that were easily battered about by the breeze. They didn’t seem like much of a threat at the time, but what was falling outside now seemed like something else entirely. The flakes were large and hit the windows with a heavy, wet sound, like splashes of raindrops in a storm. The wind had picked up, whipping them at a odd angles, across the garden. She could hear it howling through the back patio and shivered.

She’d been working for Mr. Gold since March, when she’d taken over for his former housekeeper, Ms. Potts, whose arthritis was such that she just couldn’t keep up her duties anymore. At first Mr. Gold was hard to read, a bit gruff and even grumpy at times, with a sharp and a dry, sarcastic sort of humor. There were times she was almost afraid of him, and assumed she’d be fired within the first month.

One Tuesday afternoon, he was in the kitchen making tea and grousing about one of his tenants. He muttered a rather snide quip, and Belle couldn’t help herself. She snickered and he gave her the strangest look right before his face broke out in a wide smile. Her heart fluttered and she knew she was blushing, but then the water for the pasta boiled over on the stove and it was a mad dash to turn the flame down and grab a rag. She felt like a fool, but he insisted on helping to clean it up, and that it was his fault for distracting her at the wrong time.

After that seemingly small moment it was like a switch had been flipped. He was less rude, more friendly, and slowly, they warmed to each other. He was frequently in the kitchen when Belle arrived in the morning, ready with a fresh cup of coffee. After a few days she didn’t even need to add her own cream and sugar, it was already done perfectly. Occasionally, he would bring his papers into the kitchen while she prepared supper, and they would chat about the goings on of their small town, where they’d like to travel, or what books they were reading.

That was how Gold found out she’d originally been a librarian. Unfortunately there were very few such opportunities in this area. Sure, she could have gone to a bigger city, but she’d lived in Boston for a bit before moving to Storybrooke, and barely gotten by on a public library salary even with two roommates. Besides, her father lived here, and she thought it would be nice to be close to him since he was getting on in years, and a few months ago was confided to the care home run by the Sisters of Mercy.

Belle found him quite interesting and funny, his sharp humor meshing well with her brand of eye rolling sarcasm. As the months went on, she found the weekends held no real interest for her beyond a few hours of reading while she was waiting for her laundry to finish. By the end of the summer she could say with great certainty, and to odd stares from her friends, that she loved working for Mr. Gold.

And secretly, maybe she was a bit in love with him too.

Belle walked down the hall to the study, and stopped in the doorway. She watched for a moment as Gold scribbled a note in the margin of some papers, his lips pursing as he did so. It was something he did when he was intent on whatever he was reading or writing. Sometimes his lips would move a little as well, like they were almost saying the words he was thinking in his head. She bit her lip to hold back a smile, and then rapped her knuckles on the molding.

“Mr. Gold?” she called out as she stepped into the room.

“Miss French.” Gold looked up and then frowned. “I thought you’d gone home?”

She smiled. “I wanted to make sure you didn’t need anything else before I left.”

He waved and hand, and pushed to his feet, using his cane to brace himself, and came around the side of the desk. “I’m sure I’ll be fine, thank you.”

“Alright then,” she replied, her fingers bunching the pleats of her skirt.

Gold smiled softly. Belle was the bright light in his otherwise dull existence. He’d been so uncertain when he hired her, but she had proven herself capable very quickly. Their slightly rocky start aside, which was entirely his fault for being grumpy, miserly old man too set in his ways, she slotted right into his household and his life like she was always meant to be there.

That was what terrified him.

Some time ago he’d determined that the odd feeling he got when she brushed past him, and the way his chest felt lighter when she smiled was because he was completely in love with her. It was just his luck that he would fall for someone so out of his reach, so young and smart and beautiful that there was no way she’d ever feel the same for him. He couldn’t possibly deserve her, not with the things he’d done.

“Dinner is in the oven,” she started, “the timer has about ten minutes left on it, and the mail is in the box on the side table.”

He shook his head, standing with both of his hands on the handle of his cane. “Thank you, Miss French. I’m sure -”

Suddenly, the room went dark and they both froze. Belle held her breath until a second later the backup generator kicked in, powering one of the lamps in the room.

“What the hell?” Gold made a face and crossed to the window behind his desk.

“The neighbors are out too,” she said, peeking through the curtains. “Maybe a power line iced up or someone hit a telephone pole?”

The snow seemed to be falling faster now, the flakes shrinking in size which allowed the wind to whip them about even more. After a long moment staring out the windows, Belle closed the curtains and turned around.

“I should get going,” she said. “The roads will be awful soon, and -”

Gold stepped back and tsked. “The roads were awful an hour ago, now their bloody treacherous.”

She bit her lip. “Oh, I’m sure they’re not -

“If you say they’re not that bad,” he interrupted, “I’ll have you committed.” She frowned, and he gave her a crooked smile. “I’m not making you go out in a blizzard, Miss French.”

Belle crossed her arms and shifted from one foot to the other. “You...want me to stay here then?”

His eyes went wide and he pressed his lips together. He’d been concerned for her safety that he hadn’t quite thought through the consequences, which was that he’d be spending possibly the entire evening snowed in with Belle French.

He swallowed. “If, uh, if - that’s alright? There’s plenty of food, and the generator will hold for a couple of hours. I’m sure the power won’t be out too long. Perhaps by then the snow will have let up.”

She smiled and nodded. “Alright then. Thank you, Mr. Gold.”

“It’s no matter,” he said, averting his eyes. If he gazed at her too long he might make a complete idiot of himself.

Secretly, Belle was glad he was so concerned for her safety, and she was more than happy to stay a little bit longer. The power company would probably have crews out shortly and it would be back on in an hour at most.

Gold tapped his cane on the rug. “I guess - uh, I’ll start a fire.”

“And I’ll go find some candles,” Belle said, pulling her phone out of her pocket.

She used the light from the screen to guide her down the dark hallway, returning a few minutes later with the two large candelabras from the dining room. One was set on his desk, the other on the table at the end of the leather sofa. Combined with the large candles on the mantle and the burgeoning fire, the room was soon lit with a warm, golden glow.

“The back of the house is freezing,” Belle said, rubbing her hands together.

“The generator will keep the heat going,” he said, proding the fire to urge the flames higher. “But I’m afraid this house is a drafty old thing, and I have the vents closed in some of the rooms.”

She frowned. “Why?”

“No reason to use them, I guess.” He shrugged. “You don’t need so much space when it’s just one person.”

“Oh,” she said absently, wandering over to the window to peer out at the snow. She knew he had a son from a couple of pictures on his desk, but he never talked about him and the pictures were clearly from a decade ago or more. She assumed something had happened between them that left them estranged. At least she hoped that’s what it was.

Gold glanced over his shoulder. “Not how you imagined spending your evening?”

Belle tilted her head and moved closer to the fire. “No, but aside from the lack of electricity and some modern conveniences, I can’t say I mind too much.”

He smiled at that and pushed to his feet. “I hope dinner isn’t ruined.”

She shook her head. “Not at all. It was practically done anyway and the oven’s still hot. I’m sure it’s fine.”

“The generator only runs the stove at the refrigerator, I’m afraid. We’ll need to take some candles with us.”

“A candlelit dinner?” she asked, feigning a heavy sigh and pressing the back of her hand to her forehead.

The corner of his mouth curved slightly. The prospect of an evening with Belle, even with minimal power and a blizzard outside, was enticing. He hoped the power would stay off as long as possible. “What a terrible fate.”

Belle laughed lightly, her heart skipping a beat at the thought of an intimate dinner with Mr. Gold. “Truly awful indeed.”

No, it might not be how she thought her evening would be, but if the weather forced her to spend more time with Mr. Gold, then let it snow.