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ebaylee422 · 2 years ago

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Decking the Halls

Steve Harrington X Girlfriend!reader

Author’s Note: Angst to cute sex, I’m not sorry. This is post Season 3, pre Season 4. I just love being angsty. I also really needed to clear my drafts soooo X-mas in March everyone!

Summary: Stockings aren’t the only things being stuffed this Christmas season. Steve has never decorated for Christmas, he’s embarrassed and doesn’t want to ruin your sprit by avoiding you. Don’t worry though, he shows you just how appreciative he is after.

Characters: Steve Harrington, Girlfriend reader, mentions of shitty parents and the rest of the ST nuggets. Best Friend Robin Buckley!!

Warnings/Tags: Smut (Minors DNI!!!) abandonment issues? as an intro, p in v sex, marking kink, praise kink, fem oral (receiving). breeding?

Word Count: 3k

Part One/?

You had tried everything to get Steve into the Christmas spirit: buying decorations for your apartment, getting matching pj’s, going to watch the lights in Indianapolis, watching Christmas movies, the Ice-Skating was most regrettable because you fell forward and knocked your teeth hard enough to bleed. Even planning a white elephant with him and his friends, sharing hot cocoa and warmth of your space heater. What you didn’t know is as soon as he left your place he was greeted by his parents' empty house. Decorated from some stupid trendy catalog his mother only glanced at before swiping a credit card. His father, not even home long enough to realize the tinsel monstrosity within the living room. The presents underneath were fake, they stopped being real when his father told him to grow up. That Santa wasn’t real, saying he needed to start giving instead of hoping for some joy from a fat man each holiday season. So that’s exactly what he did, the first Christmas he’d enjoyed in a long time was on Christmas of 83’, when he was with Nancy. They’d gotten each other meaningful gifts, it was the happiest Christmas he thought he’d ever had. Even if he went home unable to look at his pool outside for too long knowing his friend had died. Even if there were disgusting monsters trying to eat his friends when they had the chance. How horrible humans were in comparison, like the Russians nearly beating him to death at Starcourt. Instead of celebrating what he was thankful for, he felt immense guilt every holiday. He’d confided in you once about his survivor's guilt, as you had called it a couple months ago during an intense flashback. You’d comfort him, make sure he wasn’t alone. He didn’t want to be anyone’s burden, Steve knew you were worried about him it would show whenever he ‘had’ to leave for work or Robin’s, or get clothes from his place.

It all came to a standstill when you’d asked him if he would come pick a Christmas Tree with you. Wanting to have it up before the kids came over, finish decking-the-halls you’d told him. Only Steve didn’t know what picking out a Christmas Tree was, sure it’s self explanatory but what if he made a fool of himself. With his pretty rich boy ‘I’ve never had to pick one out’, it seemed too intimate. Sure you’d bared your body-mind-and-soul to him, but wanting to do something so domestic together like picking out a Christmas Tree. For your first Christmas together as a couple, it was scary for him. So instead of being a Scrooge so he could work on his feelings, he faked an illness even going as far as calling out sick today. Keith hadn’t been too happy but chopped it up to Steve sucking too much face on the job and gave him the day anyway. And he was back to square one, an empty ugly house with none of your warmth. People would think his middle name was self-sabotage, especially when that door-bell rang. He got up from his cocoon from the coach with a groan, an aching shooting up to his spine when his socked feet hit the freezing hardwood. Shined and renewed for the inevitable party his parents would throw this Christmas Eve for work friends, where they forgot they even had a son. He stopped dead in his tracks shaking the sleep from his eyes when they were met with yours, holding a tote bag while shaking the light dusty of snow off your figure. It melted into your skin leaving you shiny with the dew, nose and ears kissed pink while your chin and neck were tucked tightly with the collar of your coat and scarf. You smiled at him as he studied your form, like an angel sent just for him. He was bundled up in simple joggers, thick wool socks and heavy blanket around his shoulders worn like a cape tucked around his body, but shirtless still despite it being nearly as cold inside as it is outside. Shaking your body of the remaining snow, laying the tote bag of groceries and sick necessities you’d brought over on the stairs so you could slide out of your heavy snow covered boots.

“Hi baby, how r’ you feeling?” you asked him with a voice full of sticky sweetness and adoration. His face changed in that moment from shock to guilty, you felt the change floating in the air like oil through water.

“What are you doing here?” He asked louder than either of you had expected, causing you to turn his way fully as you began to undo the ties of your coat.

“I came to check on you, bring you some-”

“Why?” He scoffed, tucking the blanket to cover himself from the breezing air flow of the open hall. You were wearing a red corduroy skirt, with black stocking underneath and a cream sweater that didn’t even compare to how soft your hair was laid across your shoulders. You looked at him like he hung up the stars, even though you were the brightest thing about his life.

“Robin called me worried about you saying you called out because you were sick. So I canceled the tree plans to come check on you because you didn’t call me. I even whipped up some Chicken and Rice soup and scrunched up a couple medicines.”

“You shouldn’t have done that, I’m fine Y/N. You should go get your tree and I’ll see you on Friday like you planned.” he brushed off your kindness,

“Well I wanted to take care of you.” you told him shyly, "You haven't been around as often."

“Okay thanks.” he shook his head, body and tone still uncomfortable and unmatched of your own tenderness.

“Do you not want me here or something?” You scoffed with affection grabbing the bag from the stairs, stepping in front of him giddy with untamable affection.

“No.” He answered quickly and when your face dropped, his own heart went with it when you backed away from him. “No, I mean yes but not right now. I’m just-”

“It’s fine, Steve." You cut him off, turning away and grabbing your stuff. "I get it, I’m sorry I could’ve called.” he stopped you putting out his hand as an olive branch. You took it without hesitation, sniffling away the tears that built up for weeks of you arguing and avoiding each other.

“Don’t you dare apologize, especially to me.” He took your reddened cheeks in his hands as he pressed a kiss to your temple, “I’m just being an idiot, I’m sorry but I’m not even sick so you doing all this nice shit over-”

“I know you’re not sick, Steve. You’re a terrible faker.” You said factually, with a teasing tone. Still not looking at him but rather at your wiggling toes against the shiny floor.

“Oh really now? Robin didn’t tell you anything.”

“Well the strange, ‘Steve wanted my shift the same day he always has off’ the one day I could go tree picking with you. Then calling out and claiming illness, and not calling me is pretty obvious.” You let the bag fall again, his shoulders relaxed as you tugged on the length of his blanket. “Are you breaking up with me?” you asked with furrowed brows and a whimper to your voice.

“No!” Steve yelled, “No never no, I-I love you so much. You are my favorite everything Y/N.” He wrapped you both in the blanket tugging you flush against him. “I just have a hard time with the holidays, I don’t really know what to do with myself. I didn’t want to be embarrassed, it was a lot of pressure.” You both held each other silently letting the fear wash over both of you, until you giggled into his neck.

“I love you, Steve. Honestly, just talking to me would’ve saved us both a headache.” He sighed heavy as he wrapped his arms tighter around you, head resting on your chin.

“Jeez, what are we gonna do with me?” he whispered into your scalp, the fluffy hair on his chest tickling your cheek as you were held by his heart.

“I can think of one.” You pursed your lips, closing your eyes with your chin held high awaiting a kiss. He obliged you immediately, cupping your cheeks in his hands to accurately press his lips to yours. His hands were freezing, sending a shiver and gasp involuntarily out of you. Steve took the opportunity to lick into your mouth, tasting-ly. Pulling back before you could reciprocate, you whined gripping his biceps accidentally pushing off his blanket.

"I'm sorry." He whispered, nose brushing against yours.

"I didn't mean to pressure you, you just seem so sad."

"You make me happy."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah, you could meet me in an ice cream shop above a secret Russian base. While enjoying strawberry more than chocolate ice cream and you'll still make me happy."

"Well, if our circumstances of meeting are the worst part of the relationship, I think that's a pretty good incentive to making better more normal memories, yeah?"

"Maybe." He kissed the tip of your still pink nose.

"Maybe, we could go back to my place? It's always freezing here." You added with a shiver making the hairs on your arms stand up.

"Not when you're here. Just stay here a second longer." His lips moved with their own incentive. It didn't take much convincing on either of your parts before you were upstairs in his room. A path of clothes thrown haphazardly off of each other through broken giggles and soft kisses, until your just in under clothes. He holds you to him as he opens the door to his room, and your feet barely touch the floor as he twirls the two of you around. Bringing you down with him as he falls backward on the bed with a thud. Kissing you with fondness, sweet like the honey color of his eyes. You loved him so much it hurt like the side pains after laughing so hard you teared up. Like when you realize that magic might not be real but people were and kindness. Kindness and compassion were the real magic. People found a reason to be with each other, even if it was once a year. Steve never had that. Everything in his life was transactional, Christmas, school, his parents, most other relationships. Those few closet to him probably haven't ever seen this side either. The checkered boy room with little to no traces of living aside from Steve's nightstand with Polaroids of everyone scattered about. A bin in his closet kept hidden away where he'd kept his Scoops Ahoy name tag, a letter from a pen-pal in sixth grade, ticket stubs of every drive in movie. Some more Polaroids for his eyes only you'd given him after you first started dating, and he'd left his shirt in your room. Even as you lay on top of him now, kisses sucked into your neck, his strong hands massaging your sides in worship. You couldn't help what words came out next.

"Come with me." You begged him breathlessly opening your eyes to see his lips swollen and slick, hair haloed and shaggy around his face and sheets. Like melting caramel against the ugly grey and navy bedding.

"Already babe, I haven't even touched you." He mumbled rocking his pelvis into yours, forcing your legs to accommodate him more with a thigh on either side of his hips. You sat up taller straddling him, a pout etched into your face.

"No, I mean. Come home with me, lets live together. I'll get rid of things you can bring whatever you want, I can dip into my tuition nest egg and buy whatever we need for the apartment. Make it yours too, or we can find another one that you like better. I just want you all to myself." He sat up holding onto your waist so you didn't fall, making you squeak with the shift in position. Your heart sank as his eyes were so wide they could've jumped out of his skull.

“What?” he asked as his breath caught in his throat, a pure swell of undoubtable happiness warming him from the tip of his nose down to his sock covered feet.

“It’s just, I wasn’t lying Stevie. I wanna take care of you, you give so much to every-” He kissed you, desperately. Teeth clashing and tongues forming together making you dizzy enough to loose balance upright on your knees. Pulling back to gasp for air, a string of spit connecting you to him. He wiped it away, tucking his head into your chest.

“You’re perfect. I’ll do anything to make you happy.”

“Even picking out a Christmas Tree with me?”

“I will grow you a damn Christmas Tree, even better I’ll get the kids to help me chop down one in my backyard!”

“Stevie! That’s dangerous.”

“Well, sweets.

Danger.

Is.

My middle name.” He trailed four kisses down your body, stopping just shy of your covered mound. Hooking his fingers under the band of your underwear, biting your hip making you buck up long enough for him to shimmy them off your legs.

“I thought your middle name was Alexander?”

“You won’t your own name once I’m done with you.” He said sultry, kneeling at the foot of the bed. Yanking your ankles to bring you closer to his mouth, spreading your legs wide and over his shoulders. You were beautiful, regardless what you were doing but letting him take care of you. Make you feel good and be vulnerable, made his head spin. Your lips were sticky with arousal, he could smell your sweet nectar begging for him to taste you. Marks still slightly visible from last time, he started there sucking and biting the mailable flesh.

“Stevie, please-” You cried out, hands trying to find purchase with his. He stopped sucking a bruise, eyes blown wide when he found yours. Locking your hands to your sides,

“Your so sweet, baby. Asking so nicely.” He chastely kissed on your hood, tongue licking underneath to wet and flick at your clit. You groaned and threw you head back, “So sweet, baby. Keep your legs open for me. I have a lot of apologizing to do down here.”

“Stevie, no I want you. Please.” You writhed on the bed trying to keep your legs spread for him, he blew cool air at your entrance causing you to clench around nothing. You body craved to be filled, senses overwhelmed of one thing: Steve, Steve, Steve!

“Just wanna warm you up, we have all the time in the world sweets. Wanna wreck this bed before leaving.” He was antagonizing you, teasing with his pretty words and slightly movements you couldn’t even respond him. He licked a line from your entrance to your clit, groaning at your taste. Hips colliding with the end of his bed to relieve pressure as he sucked your clit into his mouth. Rolling the bud with his tongue, your nail dug into his knuckles as you shook with ecstasy.

“ ‘S so good, Stevie. Don’t stop-” You were so pent up from earlier all it took was a few more rolls of his tongue against you and for you to fall apart. Concentrating on keeping your legs open for him, as he licked you clean. Nudging his nose against your sensitive clit, he let go of one of your hands tangling it in his hair.

“Hold it out of my face, baby. I want one more before I cum inside you.” He coated his fingers with your release, slowly sliding in one as his tongue still fucked into you. You couldn’t help rocking your hips against his face when he added another finger inside you. Scissoring, stretching you and rubbing against your spongy spot. You tugged at his locks when he came back up to suck at your clit again, you didn’t even notice the heat break in your belly until you gushed and clenched around his fingers. You pushed at his forehead from sensitivity, barely able to catch your breath when you pulled him up to kiss you. lips and chins dripping of you. Trailing your nails down his soft tummy following the happy trail underneath his boxers, you met him halfway stroking his thick cock with your slick. Still coating his hand, pre-cum dripping from his tip making the sounds completely pornographic.

“ ‘m not gonna last baby, want you so bad.” He whispered against your lips, breathing heavy with a sheen of sweat layering you both in the smell of sex.

“Need you too, wanted you ages ago.” You sassed, making him laugh against your cheek as he stood. You wrapped your legs around his waist, his cock twitched when it brushed against the inside of your thigh.

“You gotta big mouth on you, sweet girl.”

“You better do something about it, Harrington.” With a roguish grin he ran his length over your clit once before pushing ever so slightly inside. Taking your breaths away, you were the girl and only girl who could take Steve’s fat cock completely. He just has to ease you into it, inch by inch until his hip bone grazed the back of your thighs. Steve stood tall and far enough away you couldn’t kiss him from where you were sprawled out under him. You pulled and squeezed at your breasts still contained by your bra. His cock glistening with your slick as he pulled his hips back, then pushing deeper inside his sack pressed tight against your ass. Steve nearly loss his balance when you clenched around him, putting his hands under your knees. Folding you in half made it feel like he was in your throat, he leaned over you the pressure of his body as he set a ruthless pace set flames in your abdomen. Pounding his cock into you over and over again moaning out praises as he bullied all the way to your cervix. Punching breaths out of you watching as your tits bounced, you had enough pulling him fully on top you. Hands indenting his shoulders as your hips met his, clit pulsing and with need.

“You feel so good. Shit, shit- I’m cumming, cumming inside.” Steve’s core tighten as he ran two finger over your clit, heat erupted across your body. You milked Steve dry, his warm seed and your three orgasms dripping from each others groin. You pulled him on top of you, comforted by his weight on you as his cock softened inside you.

“Do you really want too?” You asked in the post orgasm bliss, running a hair through his now tangled locks. “I don’t want to trap you with amazing sex and joy but it’s definitely a perk.” Steve rose onto his elbows, still seated inside you. Brushing the hair out of your face, with softness.

“I’m sure we can wreck this bed a lot more than just cum stains.” Pushing at his chest, he pulled out of you gently. Scurrying to his bathroom where you listened as he turned on the faucet in the shower. Sitting up, he came back with all his glory. Hand raised for you to take, the same olive branch you’d given him at Starcourt. All this time. “I can’t wait to spend Christmas in our home, together.”

You’d never been so excited to spend the holidays with anyone else.

Masterlist

#steve harrington x reader #steve harrington smut #steve harrington #stranger things #stranger things season 3 #oneshot #no minors allowed #reader insert #tis the season #holiday themed

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sunflowersandsapphires · 11 months ago

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Tis the Damn Season

pairing: Matt Murdock x fem!reader

summary: Based on a request from the lovely @dorothleah, Matt and his childhood best friend have a realization at Christmastime.

warnings: smut adjacent times (it’s just spicy towards the end, nothing graphic), descriptions of family holidays (they’re positive), Christmas specific, swearing

A/n: ahhhhh this one was so difficult to write—I really hope I did the prompt justice. (Also, this is set early on in S1 but let’s just pretend that all the bombing stuff didn’t happen bc that would definitely overshadow Matt’s holidays. Plus Mrs. Cardenas was an Angel so she is still alive and living her best life somewhere outside of this piece because I said so.)

w/c: ~4k

Breathing deeply, you couldn’t help but smile as the bitter cold wind swirled around you. Despite the extreme temperatures, winter in New York was beautiful. Layers of silver clouds drifted through the city, muting the constant stream of artificial light into something less aggressive, more ethereal. The thin layer of snow covering every exposed surface created a gorgeous blank slate of sorts, like an untouched page in a child’s coloring book. Monotone and full of possibilities. It was a sight you missed dearly, so much so that your heart flipped every year when you stepped out of the airport and back into the city you were raised in.

California was beautiful too, of course–not that you’d gotten to see much of it between your 8 years of post-secondary school and 2.5 years of residency so far. Even summer breaks had been spent studying or interning, rather than visiting the gorgeous beaches or tourist attractions across the state. When you found yourself swamped with work and longing for a break, you never dreamed of California, though. Only of New York.

Which is why the winter holidays were so important to you now. This was the only opportunity you had to visit family, to visit Matt. Most years, you spent about a week with your family for Christmas and spent a few wonderful evenings with your beloved childhood-best-friend-turned-charitable-defense-attorney, but this year was unique.

After encouraging your parents to take a much needed vacation, you’d mentioned to Matt that you were struggling to find a hotel to house you for the holidays. Charming and protective man that he was, he was appalled that you hadn’t asked to stay with him instead–arguing passionately with you until you agreed to stay at his loft for a couple days rather than spend the holidays alone.

Which led you on the snow-laced journey from the baggage claim to Matt’s front door, which you studied apprehensively, hand frozen in a fist that hadn’t yet knocked. The fluttering in your stomach was inevitable, your nerves always acted up when you saw Matt, but it was especially intense when your mind was occupied with the knowledge that you’d be surrounded by him and his things for a weekend.

Blowing out a breath, you let your eyes fall shut as you knocked rapidly on the door, the percussive sound echoing the pulsing in your ears. Footsteps padded down the hallway towards you, halting at the door as it slowly creaked open.

“Hi Matty,” Your voice was quiet, your cheeks blooming with warmth as he grinned at you. His beautiful smile hadn’t changed at all, still revealing the wit and mischief of the 14 year old you’d met all those years ago at St. George College Prep.

His signature red glasses twinkled with the reflection of the flickering hallway lights. “Long time, no see, sweetheart.”

As the familiar joke vaporized your anxiety, you dove into his open arms with a squeal. He was as warm and muscular as ever, his arms tightening around you as if waiting for you to dissolve. You weren’t sure how long you stood there, basking in the comfort of his embrace and letting it melt a year of stress away.

While you were enjoying the first hug you’d received in too long, Matt remained almost rigid beneath your touch–his brain counting every second and wondering where the line would need to be drawn. He could have stayed in your grasp all day, but that wasn’t what “friends” did, right? Inhaling deeply, he pulled away from you.

“C’mon, sweet girl, let’s get you inside and warmed up.” Taking your hand, Matt guided you down the hallway and into his apartment, the sight of which made you gasp.

Strings of multicolored lights were strung around the perimeter, wrapped around every available surface in a festive tangle. A small, but otherwise impressive, fir tree stood against the massive paneled windows, smattered with glittering ornaments and candy canes.

The air suddenly felt forced out of your lungs, your breath staggering like a newborn foal as you surveyed every inch of the apartment. When your parents had booked their holiday cruise, you’d been slightly devastated–which wasn’t fair of you, since you’d encouraged them to get away for the month, but that didn’t stop your heart from aching at the thought of the traditions you’d miss. Christmas was your parents’ favorite holiday, and they went all out each year–decorating the house with gorgeous poinsettias and tinsel, buying the largest tree they could find at the local farm, stringing lights around the entire house. The festive beauty of your family home was one of your favorite sights, and you weren’t ready for the absence of decor.

But the absence never came, because you had Matt, the most amazing best friend a girl could ask for. The man who knew you inside out, and had anticipated your reaction to skipping a family Christmas, taking it upon himself to make up for their departure.

Biting your lips as tears threatened to fall, you let Matt enfold you in another hug, a drop of moisture rolling down your cheek when his lips pressed against your forehead.

“Merry Christmas, sweetheart.”

“You did all this for me? Matt, I–” Withdrawing from the shelter of his arms, you strode around the apartment, running your fingers along the wires Matt had painstakingly decked his apartment with.

“Before you get too grateful, you should know that Foggy helped.” Matt laughed, rocking from foot to foot as he waited for you to take it all in.

Giggling at his glowing blush, you nodded, “Well, you both did an amazing job. Ugh, I could kiss you right now!”

The words slipped out of your mouth without a thought, but they froze Matt in place.

Your relationship with him was unlike any of the other friendships he held. There was a flicker of something deeper–a tense heat simmering underneath every touch, a magnetism that simultaneously drew you together and forced you apart.

After knowing you for 15 years, Matt could read you as if you were composed of braille. Every inhale, every pulse of your heart, every flutter of arousal from you crafted a story of love that he was terrified of losing. Neither of you could handle the stress of a long distance relationship. So, he held you close while keeping you at arm’s length.

Or, at least, he had. The urge to abandon all logic and act on his wildest desires was growing stronger by the minute. Treading over to where you stood, admiring the Christmas tree, Matt encircled your waist with his arms, tilting his nose against your temple.

“I missed you.” He murmured against your cheek.

“I missed you too, handsome. So much.” You leaned backwards into Matt’s firm chest, tangling your fingers with his.

Swaying slightly as he held you, Matt stayed silent, allowing you to soak up every ounce of joy from each tiny detail of the holiday ambiance he had painstakingly put together. Sure, it had been a chore, but it was absolutely worth it for the skip of your heart beat, the stutter of your breath as you held back happy tears. He’d do anything to give you the Christmas you deserved, and that included enlisting Foggy as his eyes for a week of decorating.

Because he was human, and his patience could only be strained so much, he eventually pressed a kiss to your head and spun you to face him. “Ok, I think it’s about time for me to pull my responsible host card and remind you that you need to eat.”

Laughing at his smirk, you nodded eagerly. “You’re right, I’m starving.”

“Really? I had no idea.” Matt gasped in feigned surprise, sparking another round of giggles from you.

“Shut up, asshole. I was admiring your hard work! Isn’t that what you wanted me to do?” You shoved at Matt’s chest fondly.

“You’re right, I apologize,” Matt chuckled with you, rocking backwards after your playful push. “Have a taste for anything in particular?”

“Anywhere you want to take me, Matty.” You grinned.

_____________________________________________________________________

Nearly tripping over a crack in the sidewalk as you laughed brightly, you were launched into another set of giggles as Matt caught you by the elbow. Comfortably full after dining at Matt’s new favorite Thai place, the two of you ambled around the city catching up on the last year.

“Christ, you’re going to break something.” Matt sighed, but he was beaming at you. “That would honestly serve you right, though, after laughing at my pain.”

“I’m sorry Matty, but the idea of you wearing one of those bikini body shirts is amazing. Foggy is a pranking genius!” You crooned, jealous that you hadn’t been there to witness the practical joke.

“This from the woman who tricked me ruthlessly every April Fool’s Day.” Matt shook his head, biting back a grin as his mind flooded with memories from your shared childhood.

“Oh please, toothpaste oreos and salted coffee is child’s play, Murdock.” You jested, letting your joined arms grow taut as you leaned towards an enticing display in the window of a store you were passing.

“Hmm, well I’ll continue waiting for an apology then.” Matt turned his nose into the air teasingly.

“Should I buy you another Christmas gift to make up for the torture I put you through?” Without waiting for a response, you entered the doorway of the quiet little shop you’d been admiring, drawing Matt up the steps after you.

Carefully studying the rows of vibrantly colored trinkets, you felt an overwhelming sense of peace as you wandered the store. You let your mind wander as you ran your fingers along the rack of knit sweaters you were ogling. Somewhere in the rush to look through the myriad of options, you’d dropped Matt’s hand. Swiveling your head over your shoulder, your heart jumped when you didn’t see Matt behind you.

Before you had a chance to panic, a calloused hand tangled with yours, tucking you back into your friend’s warm side.

“God, Matty, I thought I lost you!”

“Don’t fret, sweetheart, I’ll always find you.” Matt murmured, his voice steady with truth as he kissed your temple.

Leaning into his touch, your heart twirled at the sentiment, emotions welling up in your throat. Squeezing Matt’s hand, you coughed around the lump in your esophagus, eyes once again roaming the row of sweaters. “Did you want to get out of here? You said we were meeting your friends tonight, right?”

“Yes,” Matt answered, a bit hastily given that he was still trying to decipher your reaction to his words. “Uh, yah, we aren’t too far from Josie’s.”

“Oh my god, you didn’t tell me we’re meeting at Josie’s! Fuck, I’m glad the place hasn’t been condemned after all these years.”

“Foggy and I have done our due diligence. The health department must have our pictures taped over dart boards by now.”

“My two favorite menaces to society,” You laughed. “I’m embarrassed to admit that you may have to lead me there. My navigation of the city is a bit rusty this year.”

“You’ve been away too long.” Matt tutted in disapproval. “Far too long.”

You grew silent beside him, your fingers twitching in his hold. “I know, Matty.”

“Sorry I didn’t mean—“ He started but you interrupted.

“Oh, I know you didn’t. And I miss you too.” Matt withheld from turning to you in surprise before you corrected your statement. “I mean, I miss you and my family and the city, you know? I love California, it’s just not the same.”

Cursing yourself for fumbling over your words instead of just admitting to Matt how much you wanted to stay here with him, you tugged at your lower lip with your teeth to keep from rambling any further. Twin blooms of heat pricked across your cheeks, your eyes falling shut with regret and longing.

Matt bumped your hip with his. “Hey, don’t go quiet on me. We still have more catching up to do.”

The corner of your mouth twitched into a small smile. “Oh yah?”

“Of course! I haven’t even told you about the kitchen fire that Foggy set at Landman and Zach in the spring.”

Snorting in disbelief, you shook your head. “How on earth did you two not get fired?”

“He blamed it on a partner.” Matt grinned, making you chuckle.

The walk to Josie’s was short and filled with pleasant conversation, despite the brief hiccup. When you finally reached the familiar dive bar, you inhaled deeply, smiling at the sour odor of stale beer and tobacco.

Inside, the sticky floors and dim lighting immediately transported you back to the first time Matt brought you here, begging you to come with him to the “Jewel of Hell’s Kitchen”. Sure, it was more cubic zirconia than a diamond in the rough, but you understood why Matt loved it. The atmosphere was unmistakably familiar. No bells and whistles, just cheap beer and good company.

“This way,” Matt lead you further into the establishment, waving at Foggy and a gorgeous blonde woman who were seated near the windows.

Foggy leapt up to tackle you in a hug as soon as you were within hugging distance, crushing your lungs before you could laugh. “God, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes.”

“Way to rub it in, bud.” Matt scoffed, smirking when his business partner gave an exaggerated eye roll.

“You’ve seriously got to teach me how to keep him in line.” Foggy sighed, scowling at the dark-haired man.

“You think I know how to do that?” You chuckled incredulously. “I’m not sure that’s possible without divine intervention.”

“C’mon, you’re practically the Matt-tamer.” Foggy cajoled, spinning around to face the table. “Karen, Matt-tamer. Matt-tamer, meet our lovely receptionist, Karen Page.”

Laughing as Foggy gestures towards the seated woman, you gave her your real name.

Karen smiled brightly, reaching her hand out for you to shake.

“You know, I could’ve introduced her myself. She is my friend, after all.” Matt pouted and you grinned, placing a hand on his arm.

“We all know you would have done a great job introducing me, Matty.” You snorted, rolling your eyes to Foggy.

“Um, are we not going to comment on the fact that I’m apparently not allowed to be friends with you?” Foggy asked, taking his seat beside Karen again.

“I didn’t say that!” Matt argued, sliding into the other side of the booth.

As Matt and Foggy bickered, you and Karen exchanged a knowing smile before you headed to the bar.

Waving as you spotted Josie’s stony face, you couldn’t help but smile when she rounded the bar to give you a one-armed hug. “Hey, kid. We’ve missed ya around here.”

“So I’ve heard,” You chuckled. “Can I get a couple of beers?”

“Your boyfriend letting you pay for the drinks?” Josie shook her head in distaste.

Almost dropping the two beers she’d passed you, your mouth dropped open in surprise. “Oh, uh…”

“C’mon, don’t tell me he hasn’t made a move yet. Poor kid acts like ya hung the moon.”

Chuckling awkwardly, you shrugged. “We’re just friends, Josie.”

“Yah, yah. Heard that one before.” Josie sighed, shooing you back to the table.

Trying to refocus after her comment, you plastered a smile back on your face and took your seat next to Matt, handing him his beer.

“Thanks, sweetheart,” He leaned against you and your skin burned. You could practically hear Josie raising her eyebrows from across the bar.

“You ok?” Matt asked, tilting his head towards you. “Did Josie snap at you or something?”

“You have to cut her some slack, she’s working hard to keep this place afloat.” Foggy frowned in sympathy.

“Oh no, nothing like that, she just caught me off guard is all.” You reassured, willing your body to relax into Matt’s hold.

“How so?” Karen asked with genuine curiosity.

“Oh, er, she asked me if…” Looking at Matt hesitantly, you let the words tumble out before you could fib. “She was wondering if Matt and I were dating.”

“What did you say?” Matt murmured.

“I told her the truth. Though, I wonder if I should’ve said we were, that was always easier.” You sighed, shifting in your seat uncomfortably.

“Always?” Karen asked, eyebrows shooting skyward.

“When we were kids, people always assumed we were dating. Eventually, it was easier to say yes than explain anything.” Matt explained with a shrug.

Foggy smiled, “Ah, so this has nothing to do with the fact that you both act like you’re dating for a weekend every year?”

You and Matt immediately grew defensive, spitting out two remarks at the same time.

“We do not—“

“Are you kidding me—“

But the realization of how close you were sitting to Matt made you pause. The man in question seemed to have the same epiphany because you both jumped apart with a huff.

Foggy and Karen exchanged a glance before nodding. Clapping his hands together, Foggy changed the subject.

“So…how’s California treating our favorite medical student?”

————————————-

Sitting on the worn leather couch in Matt’s living room, you blinked sleepily, the bright LED string lights coming back into focus as you reopened your eyes. You’d hoped that the beautifully decorated tree would draw you out of your thought spiral, but it was only fueling your rapid fire thoughts. Fidgeting with the fabric of the cushion you were sitting on, you couldn’t help but think of Foggy and Josie’s parallel accusations.

You and Matt were close, that was true, but you didn’t “act like you were dating”…did you? Sure, you were pretty much constantly touching each other, and you had nicknames for each other, but that was all platonic.

Or was that just what you’d told yourself? To let yourself sign off on the emotional turmoil you experienced every year when you had to leave the man that you loved.

Fuck. You loved Matt.

“What are you thinking about?” Matt’s voice startled you, your body jumping a few inches off the couch. Handing you the mug of hot chocolate he’d prepared for you, Matt took a seat next to you, his brow folding in concern.

“Oh, uh, nothing, Matty.” You lied unconvincingly.

With a snort, Matt shuffled closer, placing a hand on your knee. “You’re a terrible liar, sweetheart. What’s on your mind?”

“Did it…bother you? What Foggy said, about us?” You asked timidly, biting your lip when his hand stilled on your leg.

“Did it bother you?” He parrots, his voice uncharacteristically small.

Laughing despite the thick tension clouding around you, you shoved your shoulder against his. “I asked you first, Murdock.”

“Fair enough.” Matt chuckled nervously, exhaling quickly before answering, “No. It didn’t bother me.”

“Permission to ask you a follow up question?” It was risky to ask for further clarification before answering yourself, but you needed to know.

“That seems like cheating, but I’ll allow it.” Matt jested, his worry poorly concealed behind his teasing tone.

“Why didn’t it bother you?”

For an intense moment, your soft question was met with icy silence. Then, he responded with a warmth you’d never heard from him. “Because I’ve known exactly what I’ve wanted with you since we met all those years ago. And, consciously or not, I decided to enjoy my time with you in that way.”

Mouth falling agape, you pondered the answer for a moment. Had you been seeking that with him too? Is that why you were more than ok with the state of your relationship every year?

Interpreting your failure to speak as unease, Matt apologized. “I’m sorry. If I’d known that you were uncomfortable about it, I wouldn’t have–”

“I never said I wasn’t ok with it, Matty.” Your voice was deep with want, your eyes focused on every twitch of his facial muscles as he processed your response. “I’ve wanted more with you for years, I just thought I was better at hiding it than I apparently was.”

Matt chuckled, resting his forehead against yours. “We’re idiots, aren’t we?”

Matt’s breath heated your face, his lips felt too far away despite them hovering over your nose. Leaning into him, you crossed the invisible boundary you’d been dancing around for over a decade. “That depends on what we do next.”

Matt’s sharp inhale sparked a shiver down your spine. Settling one hand on your waist, the other cupped your chin gently. “Do I have permission to kiss you?”

“You fucking better, Murdock.” You murmured, hands wrapping around his nape as he closed the distance between your mouths.

As his plush lips met yours, the air was forced from your lungs. The evening ambiance of the city was drowned out by the blood rushing in your ears. A jolt of adrenaline, that was heavily threaded with pure need shocked your system, drawing a soft loan from your vocal chords as his tongue prodded your bottom lip.

“Matty, please,” You whimpered as he withdrew his mouth from yours.

“What do you want, sweetheart? Use your words for me.” Matt’s smug tone prompted another moan from you.

“Want you. Please.”

“Anything for you, love.” Hiking you into his arms, Matt wove his lips between yours again as he carried you to the bedroom.

————————————

Scrunching your nose against the chill that overtook you as your foot slipped out from underneath the blankets, you retracted your leg, settling back into the cocoon of sheets and muscular arms with a sigh. Unfortunately, the abrupt temperature change had shocked your consciousness out of slumber, and now you had to face the consequences of whatever had happened last night.

Your bare back was pressed against Matt’s warm chest, each inhale of his lungs jostling you with a comforting rhythmic motion. His hands were joined atop your stomach, his thumbs rubbing circles into your skin. Whining softly, you pressed backwards into his hold, his arms tightening instinctively as you did so.

“Morning.” He murmured, pressing a kiss to your temple.” The feeling of his lips dancing across the thin skin on your head was pleasant, until your brain reminded you just how fleeting this moment would be.

“Morning.” You responded, your tone revealing your nerves.

“Hey, I can hear you working yourself up. Talk to me. Are you ok?” Matt’s brow furrowed, his blank eyes darting around you as he sat up to study you closely.

“I’m ok, Matty. Just…thinking about us, is all.” You shrugged, eyes falling closed as he placed kisses down your neck.

Hesitating before planting a kiss on your collar bone, his voice quieted. “Do you regret it?”

“Absolutely not.” Using two fingers to turn his face to you, you drew him in for a deep kiss. “God, you make me so happy, Matt. But I still have a few months left in my residency.”

“I know, sweetheart.” The clear disappointment in Matt’s voice almost shattered your composure.

“I wish things were different.” You sighed, resting your foreheads together.

“Don’t say that. You are getting a fantastic education so you can become the best pediatrician the world has ever seen. We can enjoy our time together now, that’s enough for me.” Matt’s smile didn’t quite reach his eyes, but his optimism was contagious.

“And in April?” Matt’s hand came to cup your cheek.

“I’ll be here, waiting for you, as long as you want me.”

“I’ll always want you, Matt Murdock.” You promised, threading your fingers into his hair as he kissed you with a smile.

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atinystraynstay · 11 months ago

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For You, I'd Do Anything - Yang Jeongin

Synopsis: The holidays can be a tough time for anyone. Growing up, it was your favorite time of year. As an adult though, it was what you dreaded the most. Jeongin couldn't stand by to see his partner upset over the holidays, so he decided to take matters into his own hands, to show you that the holidays with him could be fun.

Pairing: Idol! Yang Jeongin x reader

Genre: fluff, established relationship

Word Count: 2.3k

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Growing up, you used to love the winter holidays. You were the type of person that loved decorating for Christmas the day after Halloween. You looked forward to all the Christmas specials and movies that would be broadcasted on TV. Every time you were driving in your car from November 1st until December 26th, you had Christmas music playing. It was just the time of year that wrapped you up with warmth and joy.

Now, being in yours 20s, things have shifted. You no longer looked forward to decorating, always feeling the need to do it out of an obligation rather than a joy. You didn't really care for what was showing on TV, maybe watching one movie for the whole season if there was nothing else on. And don't even get started on the music. You couldn't take listening to the old songs sung by Bing Crosby or Dean Martin.

As friends move away and family spreads out, you find yourself getting lonelier each year. This year was the worst of it all. You couldn't afford a plan home to visit your family, so you had to stick it out at home. Your family wasn't in a position where they could fly out to you either, seeing as both of your parents worked and your siblings were only in college.

Part of you was hoping this year might be a bit different. You and Jeongin had gotten together in February of this year, shortly after your birthday. You were childhood friends with Seungmin who actually set you two up. Since then, you've been joined at the hip.

You were two lonely souls around Valentine’s Day. Seungmin couldn’t stand the sight of his younger brother feeling unwanted. To him, Jeongin was his partner in crime. He deserved the best the world had to offer. He was tired of you complaining about bad first dates and venting to him about your love life. Seungmin thought it would be a pretty good match. It would at least keep you quiet for a little bit while helping Jeongin out.

Jeongin was the perfect guy for you. He was a good listener and someone you felt safe around. You didn’t feel the need to put up a false persona to win him over. He never judged you either for your likes and interests, unlike your other exes. If something made you happy, he was all in support of it.

And Jeongin was in love with you. This was not a two-sided love. You were witty, intelligent, compassionate - a golden person. It loved that you got along well with his members. You were able to have deep insightful conversations with Chris and Han. You could be just as loud as Lee Know and Changbin. You appreciated the arts which made talking to Hyunjin easy. Felix and you often baked together. And then there was you and Seungmin who acted like brother and sister, being able to support one another but then be at each other’s neck the next minute. He was convinced bickering was Seungmin’s love language.

When you were with Jeongin, you knew how to make him smile and let him be silly. You were also there to comfort him if he had a bad day at the recording studio or dance practice. You offered a safe haven where he didn’t have to be the well-rounded maknae. Jeongin had a tendency to put too much pressure on himself to be perfect, to land every dance movement or not. You helped remind him that he was good enough, to push through the bad moments to keep chasing his dream. He wasn't just an idol to you. In your mind, he was like any regular 20-something-year-old who was trying their best. He was able to just be Yang Jeongin.

He wanted to give you the world. You deserved that. You radiated so much positive energy that it affected everyone around you. He owed Seungmin his life for introducing you two.

However, Jeongin noticed a shift in you. He remembers one of the first things Seungmin told, or more so warned, is that you were the type of person who had to start decorating for the holidays right after Halloween. Jeongin still didn't know why Seungmin felt the need to warn him about that fact, as if that was meant to scare him off. If anything, your enthusiasm around the holidays also got him excited for seasons changing.

It was easy to get lost in what's going on when you're following back-to-back schedules. It just felt like the holidays always crept up on him. The only thing that seemed to remind him what time of year it was is when they have a Christmas inspired stage.

Yet, when Jeongin suggested making hot chocolate and watching Christmas movies, you immediately said no. He figured maybe you were too tired from work. Jeongin settled for your answer, at least figuring you’ll watch them later in the season.

When you rejected going to the winter carnival in the city, he was a bit concerned. It was last Saturday when he asked. He figured now was a great time as any to get into the holiday season. You both had the day off from work, so he saw it as not only a way to enjoy each other's company and make new memories but also to relax from work. You preferred to stay inside though.

Jeongin even thought you could try setting up a Christmas tree in the dorms as a way to get you and the members into the holiday season. While he wasn't sure where to get a Christmas tree in South Korea, he knew how much you enjoyed spending time with the members. He always thought you were part of the family that has been created since they were training together at JYP. Yet, you still said no.

The boys were currently at dance practice. While Lee Know stood up from with Hyunjin, Changbin, and Han to work through the choreography for 'MEGAVERSE,' Jeongin was sitting on the couch with his hands holding up his chin.

He was trying his best to think of what could be troubling you, what could be on your mind. He was under the assumption that the two of you shared everything, from material items to personal secrets. To an extent, Jeongin was still trying to get to know you, sure. But he liked to believe as your boyfriend, he could pick up when things were off with you. What weren't you telling him?

Seungmin seemed to notice how distant his young friend was looking. Since it wasn't his time to dance, he made his way across the room to Jeongin. The maknae didn't flinch much once Seungmin plopped himself onto the couch, which was all an effort to snap Jeongin out of his daze. When that didn't work, Seungmin knew he had his work cut out for him. "Okay, spill. What's going on?"

Jeongin sighed before looking at his older friend. "It's y/n."

"What? What are you talking about? You're not going to break up with them, are you?"

Wow, for someone who pokes fun at y/n, Seungmin was very protective of you. It just further emphasized you and Seungmin's relationship - best friends who acted more like siblings.

To calm Seungmin down, he shook his head before looking over at him. "No, not at all. They are my everything," Jeongin sighed. "I just feel like I'm not giving them enough."

Seungmin looked at his friends to continue, confused as well. Whenever Seungmin talked to you about your relationship with Jeongin, you were on cloud nine. You could talk for hours about how wonderful of a partner Jeongin his, your favorite qualities of him. It made Seungmin pleased to see you so happy.

"They have just been acting so distant lately. Like, I feel like I have pushed them away. I don't get it." "I'm glad you said something," Seungmin sighed.

Jeongin immediately picked his head up, looking over at his friend. His eyes were wide, like a deer caught in headlights.

"What do you mean? Do you know something? Did I do something?" "Jeongin, if you did something, y/n will make it known. I mean, I would know first given that I'm the best friend and you're only the boyfriend," Seungmin teased. "But you haven't done anything wrong. I just feel like there is something wrong with y/n. Has she mentioned when’s flying home?”

It was then both of the men realized what was wrong. Usually, you were the type to have your holiday plans situated a month in advance. You also would plan a small holiday party with all your friends before everyone leaves for home. Your family and friends meant the world to you. However, this year, it was radio silent.

Jeongin then got a bright idea. He turned towards Seungmin who playfully backed up, a bit taken back from the eagerness of the maknae but also pleased that your boyfriend was ready to set up and make things right."

"So here's the plan."

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

"Where are we going, Jeongin?" You laughed. He had blindfolded your eyes when you got in the car. He was walking backwards with Han holding open the door for him. Jeongin squeezed both of your hands reassuringly, walking backwards to guide you into a room.

"Now if I told you, it would ruin the surprise." "I hate surprises, but you're lucky you're cute," you muttered.

It took everything in Seungmin and Changbin, especially, to not let out a laugh. They couldn't give away the surprise. Not when they saw how excited Jeongin was to surprise you and make you feel better. Even before you and their beloved maknae started dating, they knew how much you meant to Seungmin. They all looked at you like a little sister. Their love for you has honestly intensified since the love between you and Jeongin grew.

"And I'm lucky because I have you," Jeongin responded.

This time Seungmin wanted to gag.

Jeongin glanced behind him to see all the boys in their places. Each of the boys gave them a thumbs up from their positions in the space, with Lee Know by the lights switch.

When he was satisfied, he slowly stepped behind you. He leaned around to kiss your cheek gently as his hands reached back to undo the knot that held the blindfold close to your eyes. You truly were one that hated surprises. If the blindfold was even the slightest bit loose, you would be trying to peek.

"Look, I know if you hate this, but I just want to see my girl smile again," Jeongin stated.

The blindfold was loosened from around your eyes, revealing that you were in the infamous red-painted JYP dance practice room. . It didn't look like the practice room.

There were Christmas lights strung around the mirrors. The lights were emphasized once Lee Know turned off the practice room's lights. A large projection screen was set up, thanks to Chan's assistance, opposite of the black couches. It was connected to a laptop with every major streaming service available. There were two extra beanbag chairs for those that preferred to sit on the floor. In the corner of the room, there was a large Christmas tree that was decorated. You could tell that was Hyunjin's assigned task. If you turned slightly too, you noticed there was a table full of baked goods that made the whole room smell like cinnamon and sugar. Definitely Felix's doing. You noticed there were 9 cups with candy canes sticking out of it. Maybe they got Changbin to do that one?

Regardless of who was assigned to each task, you knew there was only one person responsible - Jeongin. You turned towards him with tears in your eyes, but not the sad ones. The smile on your face gave away your joy.

"You did all of this for me?" "Anything for you," he affirmed.

You turned fully towards Jeongin before you wrapped you arms around him. You buried your face into his shoulder, both as a place to soak in your tears and your favorite spot to nuzzle up to him. He matched the strength of your hold, holding you close to him. He kissed the top of your hand, hand caressing your back affectionately. The rest of the members watched with fondness at the love between the two of you. Seungmin being the happiest of them all.

"You're apart of our family, y/n. I know it isn't the same as being with your family, but you can always depend on us," Jeongin whispered. "I love you so much."

You pulled your head gently back to look up at Jeongin. He smiled gently seeing your face. Keeping one arm around you, he used his free hand to wipe away your tears. "I'm in love with you too, baby," you whispered. You then looked at the guys surrounding the two of you. You could have sworn that they were crying too, but they wouldn't confess with the lights being dim. "And I love you guys too."

Shortly after, the nine of you gathered on the couches with Seungmin and Lee Know opting for the beanbag chairs. Changbin was getting hot chocolate together for the group while you cuddled up to your boyfriend. Most of them were paying attention to Elf playing on the projector. Jeongin held you close, as if he was trying to squeeze out any remaining sadness that might still be in your body.

But truth be told, you weren't sad anymore. If anything, you were over the moon that not only you have the best partner anyone could ask for, but that he opened his world to you.

To be with your family for Christmas was all you asked for, and it was the best present you could have received.

#atinystraynstay #yang jeongin #yang jeongin x reader #i.n x reader #yang jeongin x y/n #skz #skz x reader #i.n stray kids #i.n #skz imagines #skz fluff #stray kids #i.n skz #jeongin #skz stay #skz rockstar #skzflix #skz scenarios #stray kids imagine

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7grandmel · 1 year ago

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Todays rip: 21/09/2023

Earth, Wind & Bombs

Season 1 Featured on: GilvaSunner's Highest Quality Video Game Rips: Volume 7

Ripped by Nape Mango

youtube

Do you have ANY idea how hard it was to pick just *one rip* for today?

You all likely expected ahead of time what type of rip was to be featured for today - September 21st has practically become its own holiday, the day to celebrate Earth, Wind & Fire's September, due to the specific date mentioned in that song. Once a year, we all pay respects to one of the most legendary pieces of music out there, and of course SiIva is no different.

For seven seasons and eight years, SiIva has never missed a beat on celebrating Earth, Wind & Fire annually. Its not quite a mainstay meme on the channel, but its an inevitability we all love and cherish - an event as expected as Halloween, Christmas and Wood Man's birthday. There's even some in-jokes on the channel pertaining specifically to September: the composer for Dragon Ball: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 infamously plagiarized the song in the theme Capsule Obtain, and thus all SiIvaGunner rips from said game are actually just rips of September. Even outside of today's date, September continues to get attention in rips completely unrelated to the inofficial holiday, and they're almost all bangers in their own right.

In the end, I felt it was best to stay simple. The final few months of Season 1 of SiIva were magical in a lot of ways, such as what I wrote about on File Select Fusion Collab and Planet Wisp Mashup Medley. The most obvious reason for this magic is also the simplest to explain - the rippers had simply gotten REALLY good at their craft. While Season 1 as a whole is oft defined as the era lacking in proper quality control, the final quarter of the season had everyone firing on all cylinders, and Earth, Wind & Bombs demonstrates that perfectly. Like some of Nape Mango's other most popular rips, its a pitch-perfect Super Mario 64 arrangement of September - it exudes the joy of two deeply nostalgic pieces of art all at once. Super Mario 64 is even more beloved on SiIva than September is, yet with the two combined the feeling of warmth and comfort just gets amplified a thousand fold. Really, its an arrangement that speaks for itself - an absolute jam that shows how Nape Mango is, now and forever, the greatest of all time.

#todays siivagunner #season 1 #siivagunner #siiva #Nape Mango #september #earth wind and fire #september 21 #21st night of september #super mario 64 #mario 64 #super mario #super mario bros #nintendo 64 #Youtube #Bandcamp

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thefrogdalorian · 11 months ago

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Dincember Day 20: Celebration

Word Count: 2789 Rating: General Summary: To show Din how much he means to you, you decide to make a special gesture in celebration of him by cooking him a traditional Mandalorian feast. Despite having your heart set on a perfect evening, a certain green child has other ideas... Content Warnings: None! Author's Note: I was so excited to write this one! I love me some emotional hurt/comfort almost as much as I love writing Grogu as a little chaos gremlin. Cooking important meals can be stressful at any time of year but especially around the holiday season, shoutout to anyone who has cooking duties this year!

Link to read on AO3 | My Dincember Masterlist

The level of care that Din showed towards you never failed to make you feel like the luckiest person in the entire galaxy, that you were the person he had chosen to spend his life with. You were very fortunate that his formidable array of skills meant that he had accumulated enough credits to spoil you in so many different ways; from vacations in cabins to the most beautiful snowy spots to celebrate Life Day, to the small gifts and food he sometimes he brought home for you and even the fire pit that he had constructed outside of your cabin… you never wanted for anything.

While it was nice to want for nothing and know that Din would always be able to take care of you in that sense, it was far from the main reason that you loved him and were so grateful to be his life partner. Your gratitude ran deeper than simply materialism. You loved Din because he was so attentive to your every need, as well as Grogu's. You almost couldn’t believe his generosity and kindness, that the warmth of the man underneath the armour was such a stark contrast to the hard, Beskar-clad warrior that he was known to so much of the galaxy as.

You did your best to make sure that he never doubted your gratitude by thanking him over and over, to which he would always respond that it was no less than what should be done for a loved one and by reminding you constantly how much he loved you. You knew that Din did not conduct himself in such a caring way because he sought praise or thanks because for him it was just the right thing to do. Din Djarin was a man who cared passionately about the well-being of his loved ones; you knew he would go to the ends of the galaxy, if needed, to ensure your happiness.

In your mind, that was all the more reason to do something special for Din, to let him know how grateful you were and how much you loved him. There were so many options to celebrate your favourite Mandalorian, but finding something you knew he would enjoy required careful thought. You could obviously buy him something, but he really was not a materialistic person. His most precious items were his armour and weapons, you did not know enough about them to shop for something that would be to his taste. While your knowledge of beskar’gam and weapons remained limited, you had done your own research into Mandalorian culture and had your own understanding of things that were important to them. That research, combined with tidbits Din told you about Mandalorian culture, meant that you knew how important food was in their way of life. Food was a pivotal part of Mandalorian culture because it fuelled the warriors and gave them strength in battle.

With that in mind, you eventually settled on the idea of cooking Din a meal to show him how appreciative you were of everything he did for your little Clan. A plan formed in your head, involving the High Magistrate of Nevarro, Greef Karga, to distract Din for a few hours while you prepared the feast. You had thoroughly researched the dishes you would serve: a spicy Mandalorian casserole called Tiingilar followed by something sweet afterwards, you would bake a batch of Uj’alayi. Both dishes were staples of Mandalorian cuisine; you had no doubt that Din would be thrilled with your efforts to treat him to something special.

You knew that for much of his life, Din had not had the privilege of sharing a meal with his loved ones, given his upbringing and the Creed he had sworn. There were many lonely mealtimes where his tribe would scatter and eat their food in private, secluded from each other to uphold their vow to never reveal their face in front of another living being. Since he had met you, though, and begun taking his helmet off in your presence, Din had come to know the simple pleasure of sharing a meal with his family, with the people he loved. He had also learned to savour food, rather than merely inhaling it before he moved onto the next job.

A meal would be the perfect way to not only celebrate how much Din meant to you but also how far he had come as a person since you had met him. You were sure it would be an incredible evening, full of laughter and good food.

“Grogu!” You barked at the child who was levitating a knife, “Put that down!”

You had been running around the kitchen like a headless tip-yip for the entire day to prepare the celebratory feast for Din. But unfortunately, there was a little green child who was determined to thwart your plans. Every time your back was turned momentarily, Grogu was wreaking havoc in the kitchen. Whether it was levitating utensils with the Force to get your attention because he was bored that you were neglecting him or stealing ingredients that rested on the counters, the child was behaving like an absolute menace.

Usually you loved Grogu’s personality; his cheekiness and abilities with the Force always brightened your day. But not today. You were stressed out, fearing that you had taken on too much. Hiding your plan for the surprise meal and the ingredients you had purchased the previous day from Din had been incredibly difficult. You hated lying to him; you believed you were terrible at it, as though he knew you so well that he would undoubtedly sense your dishonesty.

But Din had left for the appointment that Greef Karga had scheduled with him. Unbeknownst to Din, the appointment was made at your request as part of a wider plot. Ostensibly, Greef wanted to update Din on the latest news on Nevarro but in actuality, it was a ruse to get Din away from the cabin so you could prepare the feast. You thought that keeping Grogu here would give Din some time away from looking after his son and the chance to catch up with the man who was probably his closest friend on this planet. Grogu could be quite demanding, as you were discovering for yourself. Perhaps deciding to have him around while you attempted to prepare this feast had been overly optimistic on your part, you had underestimated just how little Grogu could be trusted around food.

Things had started off well, the Uj cakes had been baked and left in the conservator to cool. You had allowed Grogu to clean the bowls and spoons you had used and the child had wasted no time licking every last remnant of the sweet, sticky mixture. That had kept him satisfied for a while. Until you had come to prepare the main dish: a spicy casserole called Tiingilar that you were sure Din would love. You had just finished chopping the vegetables when Grogu had decided that levitating a knife was a sharp idea. You were growing increasingly exasperated with him but trying not to show it. After all, you suspected that he just missed his father. The two never liked to be parted for any prolonged period, their bond was so strong. After everything they had been through together, you completely understood the anxiety that came whenever they were parted.

Grogu seemed to listen after you admonished him about the knife though; he was surprisingly well-behaved while you finished preparing the Tiingilar. You gave a deep sigh of relief as you completed the final step, pouring the mixture of meat and vegetables into the dish, ready for baking.

“Almost there, buddy,” You said aloud to yourself as much as to Grogu once the Tiingilar was finally cooking.

With the Tiingilar finally in the nano-wave cooker, your next step was to change out of the clothes you had been wearing, now sweaty and stained thanks to the exertion of cooking. You knew that Din would be back soon. you wanted to look presentable for him, despite the frazzled mess that you currently felt like.

You picked out one of your favourite outfits that Din had complimented you on before and appreciated your appearance in the mirror. Now slightly more presentable, you turned your attention to setting the table for you and Din, complete with flowers and candles to really make it feel like a special evening.

You were just putting the finishing touches to the table, when you heard the unmistakable sound of Din’s speedbike approaching the cabin. At almost the exact same moment, the nano-cooker chimed to indicate that the Tiingilar was finished and you practically skipped to the kitchen to retrieve it, feeling incredibly proud that you had timed everything to perfection. Din was going to walk through the door to a steaming hot portion of one of his favourite foods from childhood.

You removed the Tiingilar from the nano-cooker, placing it on the side as you rushed back to greet Din.

“Cyare?” Din called, after entering the cabin. “What’s all this?” He questioned, gesturing towards the table laid specially for your feast. His helmet was tucked under his arm and his eyebrows were raised, clearly stunned at the scene before him.

“It’s for you, Din. I wanted to do something to celebrate you and show you how thankful I am for all you do for me and Grogu,” You smiled, loving how genuinely surprised he seemed at the sight. “I made you a couple of dishes that I think you’ll like. You can change into something more comfortable while I dish them up, if you’d like,” You offered with a smile.

“That’s…that’s so kind of you,” Din smiled, appearing genuinely moved at the effort you had gone to for him. Din closed the distance between you, bringing his arms around your waist as he leaned in to kiss your forehead softly. “Thank you, cyare,” He whispered.

Then Din disappeared off to your room to change from his beskar’gam into something less appropriate for battle to enjoy the meal in, while you walked back into the kitchen to dish the Tiingilar up. Or, at least, that’s what you intended to do. It seemed that a little green menace had other ideas, though.

“GROGU!” You bellowed at the mischievous child, sitting on the counter next to what had been, just moments before, a delicious portion of Tiingilar. “THAT WASN’T ALL FOR YOU!”

“Muh?” Grogu replied questioningly, his ears drooping downwards. He looked up at you with innocent brown eyes, his face and hands completely covered in the meal you had spent all day preparing.

“What’s wrong?” Din asked softly from the doorway. You turned to him in slow motion, waiting to gauge his reaction once he realised the extent of his son’s treachery. It did not take him long to piece together the situation, though.

You expected Din to bellow and perhaps wag a finger at the little green menace in the distinctively fatherlike manner that you had witnessed so many times. But instead of that, you watched as Din’s face crumpled up and he began to laugh. With his eyes shut and hand flying up to his stomach to attempt to contain his belly laughs, it was a heartwarming sight to see him so joyful.

“Din, I’m so sorry,” You offered, despite his apparently positive reaction to this development, you still felt terrible.

“Sorry? It’s not your fault!” Din smirked, “Grogu is the one who ate it, not you.”

“I should’ve been watching him…” You sighed frustratedly.

“Look, don’t beat yourself up. It isn’t the first time something like this has happened,” Din reminded you and your mind instantly went back to the hot chocolate fiasco a few days prior.

“I guess,” You nodded in agreement. “I’m just so frustrated because I spent all day making this kriffing Tiingilar!” You exclaimed.

“Wait… Tiingilar?” Din asked, a peculiar look suddenly sweeping across his features.

“Yes, Din,” You affirmed. “I researched Mandalorian culture and tried to pick something you’d like,” You added quickly, panicking that you had somehow offended him.

But his response indicated that you had done nothing as the sort, as he dissolved into fits of laughter once again.

“What is it?” You asked, fearing that you had missed some sort of joke along the way.

“Well, if you prepared it according to traditional recipes, I think Grogu eating our evening meal is the least of our worries,” Din said breathlessly. “It’s famously an incredibly spicy dish. It causes something we call hetikles in Mando’a, which means noseburn, to you.”

You frowned slightly, but then as you began to piece together the misery that the dish was surely about to bring to Grogu’s little body, your eyes widened in horror at first. But then, you started to smile too. “That’ll teach him,” You smirked.

As if on cue, a little sneeze sounded behind you. You twisted your head around and noticed the way Grogu's eyes seemed to have widened in horror. You gathered that he understood the extent of his predicament.

“There we go,” Din nodded, rushing over to scoop Grogu up, before the full extent of the Tiingilar’s power could make itself known.

“How is he?” You asked as Din returned from Grogu’s room where the errant child had eventually been taken to rest after several flagons of ice cold water and blue milk to aid his digestion of the spicy meal.

“He’s alright now,” Din smiled. “The worst of it is over.”

“I’m sorry, Din. I really wanted this to be a nice, relaxing evening to celebrate how incredible you are. I didn’t expect it to turn into you having to help Grogu through that,” You sighed.

“Would you please stop apologising?” Din asked as he came to sit next to you on the couch. “Look, with a kid like Grogu, it happens. I appreciate the gesture and how much thought you put into preparing food that is culturally significant for me. Grogu eating the meal doesn’t diminish all the effort you put into it. I really appreciate it.”

“You deserve it, Din,” You smiled, as Din wrapped his arm around your shoulders tightly. “You deserve everything.”

“Thank you, cyare,” Din hummed, bringing you to him and kissing your temple softly.

But your mind was still turning over events, upset at how this evening had turned out. You felt awful about the whole thing. “At least he didn’t find the Uj’alayi,” You sighed, still utterly despondent despite Din’s words that this perfect evening you had planned had descended into such a catastrophe.

“Cyare, it’s fine. I’ll hop on the speedbike and head back into town, pick something up from that stall we both like in the town centre,” Din offered. “Really, I’m not mad at all. And I’m looking forward to the Uj cakes! We can make Tiingilar together, another time. Plus I don’t think Grogu will ever want to eat another portion of it…” Din added, raising an eyebrow.

“Are you sure?” You asked, “I mean, you don’t mind going to town and you really aren’t disappointed?”

“You could never disappoint me,” Din said earnestly, with so much conviction in those brown eyes that it took your breath away. “I really don’t mind, I’m sure it will cheer both of us up. I don’t want all the effort you put into laying this table and making Uj’alayi to go to waste.”

“Okay, thank you Din,” You said appreciatively. “I’ll make you Tiingilar another time, I promise.”

“I can’t wait,” Din beamed at you. “Plus, if it’s any consolation, it smelled amazing,” Din shrugged and then winked at you.

As Din headed out of the door, dressed once again in his beskar’gam, to return to town and pick up a meal for the two of you to share, you were once again struck by an almost-overwhelming feeling of gratitude. Instead of turning the disappointment Din surely felt at not being able to enjoy a treasured dish into anger at you, he had made you laugh and feel better about the entire situation. It was just another reason that exemplified why you loved him so much and proved how much he deserved to be celebrated.

Although the reality had not gone entirely to plan and the lingering guilt that he deserved a perfect evening, you were thrilled that Din was still appreciative of the effort you had put into the evening, into honouring his culture. And really, the imperfections were pretty characteristic of the two of you and the way you spent your lives together. It may have been a clumsy way to celebrate your favourite Mandalorian, but nonetheless, it was still a celebration.

#dincember 2023 #din djarin #din djarin fluff #din djarin x reader #din djarin x you #the mandalorian x reader #pedro pascal characters #my fics #loved writing this so much !!

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starsnsparkl3s · 2 years ago

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a hug to warm me through <3

warming you up for the holidays <3

{TW!!: tooth rotting fluff}

characters: the DICKZ squad

DILUC is always touching you during the winter. whether it be holding your hand walking the streets of mondstadt or cuddling you under the plush and exorbitant sheets of your shared bed. his vision is extremely pleasant to have during the chilly season. spending the winter season with the redhead feels like a rom-com, with you two being the main characters. sharing soft kisses while the moon emits a white glow on both of your features to cuddling on the couch after work was finished for the day, he loves it all. he loves you so fucking much and will always be there to fight off the festering cold.

ITTO is honestly one of the best people to come to when you're cold. because of his contentious outwear, he gets cold often. meaning, he owns many blankets and heatpads to keep himself warm at home. you two probably would make a fort with all your blankets, running under it like children at a sleepover. when you're under the covers, talking about a new book the yae publishing house leaked, he can't help but have the widest smile on his face. how could he not? he feels all warm and he's sure it can't be because of the 6 blankets atop the both of you.

CHILDE is from the coldest nation in teyvat. he has a plethora of clothes fit for the winter and he is always willing to share his warmth with you. going back to snezhnaya along with him always prompted the chance to offer to share his large coat. taking you in his arms, you slide into his coat with ease. you sit under a building while you're on his lap, the both of you sharing the coat to take all the warmth it can give. he presses warm kisses to your forehead and brings you closer in his arms. despite the biting snezhnayan cold, the eleventh harbinger will always have open arms to warm you.

KAEYA isn't the best to be with in the cold. although you're freezing your fucking balls off, he's accustomed to the cold. he always teases you about it but still makes you hot chocolate. he always flicks the cool water on your bare arms to mess with you but still gets you blankets from diluc so that they're warm. however,he will forever make sure you're comfortable and suited for the cold. after all, he can't have his love being all cold while he's just fine. when out in public, he'll make sure you have anything you need to be warm. despite the relentless teasing, he loves you oh so much and wants you to be all warm.

ZHONGLI has been alive longer than everyone from mondstadt combined. he knows exactly what to do to help you from the liyue cold. although, childe did help him quite a bit with his snezhnayan knowledge. he makes the both of you cups of hot peppermint tea while looking out on liyue harbor. the comforting silence surrounds the both of you as you watch the people of liyue with your tea in your hands. it might be even warmer instead but the balcony seemed so much better. few words are exchanged but he wouldn't have it any other way.

like and comment if you enjoyed 🍬

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gunilslaugh · 1 year ago

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Hey hey, I've been lurking around lowkey stalking your content bc it's so cute and addictive 💕Your writing style is just chef's kiss

If it isn't too much trouble, would it be alright to ask about a fluffy winter dynamic with xdz? Winter is always portrayed as a sad season, but I've always seen it to be comforting, peaceful, and fun. Especially now that it's summertime where I live, I get in my feels sometimes yk?

Anyway this is getting too long now hehe. You don't have to write it if you don't want to or if you're too busy though! Take care and best wishes 💕

You are so sweet! 💜 Writing this made me want winter to hurry up and come, specially because where I live is stupidly hot. You take care too.

All members (• ^ •)

Summary: Fluffy winter dynamic with Xdinary Heroes

WC:~1k

Warning:grammar

photo not mine credits to owner.

Gunil

•Walks with your hand in his jacket pocket. Most days your hand is encased with the warmth of his own hand. On extra cold days there’s the added warmth of a heat pack squished into his pocket as well. It becomes second nature to him. His hand just automatically takes yours and brings it into his pocket when you guys go out into the cold. You don’t even always notice it yourself, only realizing your hand is in his pocket when you need it to do something.

•Doing up each other's coats. If you're not wearing a hoodie or sweater Gunil always makes sure to either zip or button up your jacket before leaving the house and you do the same to him. When you meet up with him and sees that your jacket is undone he’ll shake his head. Mumbling about how you could get sick as he does up your jacket. Although sometimes he’s no better and you say the same thing as you do up his jacket.

Jungsu

•Drinking hot chocolate. On those especially frigid days Jungsu loves nothing more than snuggling up with you while drinking hot chocolate. You guys either watch something together, listen to music, or just simply talk. It doesn’t matter to him as long as he gets to spend time with you. Basking in the warmth of one another and the hot chocolate, temporarily forgetting about the cold surrounding the outside world.

•Writing your initials on fogged up windows. The first time he did it the two of you were on the bus. He wrote his first initial with a plus sign followed by yours then drew a heart around it. He then eagerly tapped you on the shoulder to show you his artwork. You took out your phone, snapping a picture of it to save the memory. Ever since then it has become one of your guys' things. He would write his initial then one part of the plus sign. You would complete the plus sign then write your own initial and you both would draw half of the heart.

Gaon/Jiseok

•Playing in the snow. From building snowmen, making snow angels, to having snowball fights, the two of you did it all. His favorite was building a little snow family with you. Both of you would go to check on your snow family everyday after making them. Feeling sad when they melted away, or some prick destroyed them. He’d be lying if he said he didn't enjoy cuddling with you under a blanket after spending time playing in the snow, just as much.

•Getting matching sweaters. It didn’t matter if it was a holiday sweater or just a normal sweater he just wanted to match. Would take photos of you guys in your matching sweaters and pick one to put as his wallpaper. Coincidentally wearing them on the same day would make Jiseok so happy. Would talk about how you two were on the same wavelength that day. It would quickly become one of his favorite sweaters and he would never let anyone borrow it.

O.de/Seungmin

•Trying out seasonal drinks together. Made it a mission to find the best seasonal drink. The pair of you would go around to different cafes trying out the limited time drinks. Although both of you became leery of peppermint drinks after having one that tasted like toothpaste. Playing rock, paper, scissor to see would be the sacrificial lamb whenever you came across a peppermint flavored drink. A gingerbread hot chocolate ended up a hidden jem.

•Late night walks to admire the lights. Seungmin would keep one arm wrapped around you for warmth. The two of you would just stroll around the streets admiring how pretty the hung up lights made everything. Stopping to take a few photos together when you found a location to be extra beautiful. These late night walks turned out to be very therapeutic despite the cold nipping at your faces. Just enjoying each other's presence and appreciating the multi-colored lights, brightening up the dark.

Junhan/Hyeongjun

•Baking cookies together. Hyeongjun loved baking cookies with you. It was a time filled with laughter and joy. Always somehow managing to make some misshapen cookies or accidentally decapitate poor gingerbread men. You guys worked your way through a list of different types of cookies, to see which ones you liked the best. Sharing the cookies with others was nice too. It seemed like there were always cookies lying around somewhere filling your place with a delicious scent.

•Having movie nights. Watching movies with a nice warm drink and snacks was a great indoor, out of the cold activity that both you and Hyeongjun enjoyed. The cozy atmosphere created with the blankets draped over you guys and a scented candle burning. Watching Christmas movies to help build the spirit was fun, but you didn’t only watch them. Movies of all genres worked just as well. Occasionally the movie would only be background noise to your conversations or filling the silence as you both snoozed away on the couch.

Jooyeon

•Unexpected snowball fights. It was a game the two of you played. Seeing if you could catch the other off guard and what better way to do that than throwing a handful of snow at them? It always leads to an impromptu snowball fight since you can’t let them get away with it. Maybe it was a bit childish, but neither of you cared. It always elated you both. The fight would end with whipping the snow from each other’s clothes and warm hugs. Then going back on your merry way.

•Sledding. The pair of you deemed it one of the best winter activities. Complaining about the hike up the steep hill was inevitable, but the ride down made it well worth it. The two of you would race each other down the hill and as punishment the loser would have to carry the sled back up the hill. As fun as it was, it was also a very tiring activity. After arriving home and changing your clothes you guys would just slumped down onto the couch and take a nap together.

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milky-fixx · 2 years ago

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kotatsu

things you should/should not do with your volleyball boo throughout the seasons (1/?)

[ WINTER ] ➳ cuddle under the kotatsu

koushi sugawara x reader // haikyuu! // scenario // 1.k words

warnings: 18+ only, minors dni. grinding, thigh-fucking, fluffy, sappy smut

The best part of winter is not, in fact, Suga’s vacation from his teaching obligations, or even your own time off from work—though those are both lovely consequences of the holiday season. But no. You would argue that the best part is definitely the fact that you can whip out the kotatsu. There’s nothing more idyllic than resting under the blanketed tabletop with your lover, its compact heat warming your bodies from the chill seeping through your apartment.

Suga sits at your side, thumbing through a book on teaching strategies and its applications. He’s ever-dedicated to bettering himself in every aspect of his life, even on his break; it’s a quality you admire about him. You have your own book nestled between your hands, but the warmth of the kotatsu admittedly has your eyes slipping shut, the words you read dissipating from your memory before they can stick. Glancing at Suga, you see he’s intently focused on his own studies, his tongue sticking out slightly in his concentration. Your sock-covered foot nudges his under the table, and he looks up, sending you a dazzling smile.

“Hey there.” He nudges your foot back playfully.

“Hi.”

When he turns back to his reading, the smile is still curving his lips.

Your gaze lingers on it. It’s near impossible now to focus on your book. Not when you have a much more... delightful distraction inches away from you. You sigh, shaking your head of those thoughts. Suga’s trying to concentrate.

You put your book down, before slumping forwards, debating what to do with a frown on your face. Eventually you decide, falling backwards onto your cushion. Suga catches sight of you splayed out on the ground and laughs.

“Tired?”

“It’s too relaxing here,” you groan out. He grins, reaching out to ruffle your hair.

“You should take a nap,” he suggests.

Your nose wrinkles. “Koushi… you know they make it hard for me to sleep later.”

He hums thoughtfully. “You’re right. But if you’re tired, you should sleep.”

You yawn, rubbing your eyes. His fingers thread through your hair, stroking in gentle, comforting patterns. You turn to face him, admiring his peaceful visage as he reads.

Sugawara really is handsome. He doesn’t seem to think so himself, shaking off your compliments and bashfully admitting that he’s “alright.” He’s an understated kind of handsome, you think, not the kind that has people awestruck at the sight of him, but instead... the kind that you can truly appreciate in these moments, when his fingers are massaging your head, lulling you to sleep. When his lips quirk upwards after finally untangling a challenging section of words, as if he’s relishing in the small victory.

You find everything about him to be ridiculously attractive. Is it possible to fall in love with someone all over again, every day, in the small moments?

Suga makes you believe so.

He notices you staring after a moment. “What? Is there something on my face?”

“Yeah. Hotness,” you say bluntly.

You have the distinct pleasure of seeing red creep to his cheeks. He ducks his head, coughing slightly into his palm. Still when it’s over, you can see the wide, sheepish smile on his face as he murmurs a “thanks.” He clears his throat, his voice gaining volume with his confidence. “But I think between both of us, you’re the one bringing the heat every day.”

“Don’t you mean between the three of us?” you say, patting the tabletop meaningfully.

He laughs, a joyous sound that seems to expel some of his shyness. “You’re right. How could I forget? The kotatsu is doing a good job, too.”

Your gaze, however, narrows in on the way Suga tugs at the collar of his sweater, at the way his face is flushed with heat that surely must be more than just embarrassment. “Hey Suga?”

“Yeah?”

“Do you wanna bring more heat to the living room?” you ask, lifting your section of the blanket and patting the space next to you.

He tilts his head to the side, as if trying to decipher the intention behind your words. But like all things you request of him, he readily obliges with a smile, even if he is puzzled. He settles into the spot next to you, pressing into your side, before winding an arm around your waist. With his other hand, he holds up his book.

Little does he know he won’t be needing it.

The first time you brush your ass against his front, Suga figures it might be a mistake. The space is cramped with the two of you in the same spot, after all, and you seem to be adjusting your body to better fit in his grasp. But then when you persist in rubbing against him, he finds his own concentration waning.

“Hey… when you asked me to come over here, you had something in mind, didn’t you?” His tone isn’t accusatory, because he already knows the answer.

“Maybe~”

Now you’re grinding against his burgeoning arousal, and Suga is finding it even harder to read the words before him. He bites down on his lip, before his lowering his book onto the table.

“Okay,” he says, his voice several shades richer—with intention. “You got my attention. I’m finding it pretty hard to stay focused.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah,” he says, his arms wrapping around your chest. His erection presses firmly into your backside, a sign of your relentless effect on him. “In fact, I can think of something else I’d rather be doing... or rather... someone else,” he says coyly, burying his face into the crook of your neck as he slowly rocks his hips against you.

The friction isn’t enough for either of you, though.

Reaching behind, you tug at the hem of his sweatpants. He aids you, shoving them to his knees before hooking his fingers into your own and dragging them down. It’s a bit tight with the limited space the kotatsu provides, but with a bit of maneuvering the two of you make do. Soon the two of you are grinding against each other without any coverings, just skin on skin. You can’t help but sigh every time you feel the hot, rigid length of him slide against you, and he can’t help but moan when he feels your slick collect on his cock. As the two of you continue lazily rutting, Suga’s hand creeps towards the dip between your thighs. Your hand follows shortly, clasping over his as he fondles you.

It’s the lazy kind of sex. The kind where neither of your clothes are even fully off, instead trapped against your knees, your undergarments only haphazardly pulled down your legs, just enough for the friction to be pleasurable. But it’s enough. Suga’s grinding turns into short, quick ruts against your thighs, which soon turn into thrusts. He buries his cock between your thighs, thrusts deep enough that it pokes through the other side, nudging his hand pressing against your slit. When it brushes your dripping entrance, you gasp loudly.

“Can I—?” he breathes out, and you squeeze his hand in response. He prods your entrance, and the first slide of him into you borders painful after the build-up. You cry out his name, and Suga curses at the way your walls grip his arousal tautly. He sets up a leisurely pace, his cock pumping between your cheeks with every thrust, the sounds of your lovemaking producing a light slapping sound. Your hips angle away from him at some point—the feel of his hardness filling you up, the insistent stroking of his fingers too much—but his palm applies pressure on your mound, forcing your hips back down to his. Suga groans your name quietly into your ear.

You’re sure the heat generated between your bodies must be warmer than the electric heater surrounding you. You nudge your leg between Suga’s, and he grips your hips, arching his back to thrust harder into you.

“Ah... god.” He wants to bury his head between your shoulder blades, feel the way your whole body trembles against him, but he also wants to lean back and admire you like this. Trembling because of his actions, because of how good he’s making you feel.

It’s a struggle to decide which is a better view, but he settles for resting his chin on your shoulder as his hips slap against yours, his pace growing erratic.

“Ah… you know...” He grunts. “This is gonna make a big mess.”

“I-It’s too late for that, isn’t it?” you gasp out.

“T-True—” he grits out.

It takes several urgent thrusts into you until Suga’s burying himself as deep inside you as he can. He lets out a strangled groan, his release spilling warmly inside you, trailing down between your thighs. His fingers persist in the patterns they draw against your nub, even as he’s shaking from exertion, until you’re also spiraling with him. The way you clench around him in his oversensitive state has him weakly groaning out your name. The two of you remain in that position, your breaths the only sound in the room, mingling in the lull of the your post-sex highs.

“Love you,” Suga says tiredly after the moment pauses, pressing a kiss to your shoulder. “That was great.”

"Yeah... it was... something.”

You squirm. The heat of the kotatsu is quickly the fluids on your legs, making everything uncomfortably crusty.

You clear your throat, making a displeased face. “Maybe we should clean up.”

“I’ll get a washcloth,” Suga offers immediately. He slips out of you, pausing for a moment at the squelching sound the movement produces. He coughs to mask his embarrassment, tugging up his pants swiftly. At your sleepy protests, he places a kiss to the top of your head. “Can’t have you getting cold now.”

You’re thankful for it, because your drowsiness comes back full force, induced by the rigorous activity you just indulged in. You sigh, your eyes slipping shut. Blearily, you register Suga returning, wiping your thighs clean with a mumbled apology when you grumble at being moved. Then he’s pulling your pants up, before sliding next to you and drawing you into his arms.

Yeah, Suga’s beautiful. Not just in his appearance, but in the things he does for you.

Verdict: Cuddling under the kotatsu? Should do! Just make sure not to leave a mess.

#suga x reader #koushi sugawara x reader #haikyuu x reader #sugawara x reader #haikyuu imagine #tati writes #not sfw

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fleur-magistrale · 11 months ago

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End of the year appreciation letter.

For; Maia Shaw, Kanaira Maisie, Lucia Belle, Flanna Merceia, Lavinia Grace, Larissa Fay —As we close out another year, I wanted to take a moment to send you a heartfelt thank you for being an incredible friend. Seriously, you’re the best! Throughout this year, you’ve been there for me through thick and thin. Your unwavering support, laughter, and shoulder to lean on have meant the world to me. I can always count on you to brighten my day and lift my spirits. I want you to know that your friendship is a constant source of joy and strength in my life. Whether we’re embarking on crazy adventures or just chilling and chatting, every moment with you is a treasure. You have this amazing ability to make even the ordinary moments extraordinary. You know how to turn any situation into an unforgettable memory, thank you for always being real with me, for accepting me for who I am, quirks and all. Your honesty and authenticity are rare and precious qualities that I cherish.As we step into a new year, I can’t wait to see what adventures, laughter, and mischief we’ll get into together. I know it’s going to be epic because, with you by my side, anything is possible. Wishing you a joyful holiday season filled with love, laughter, and all the good things life has to offer. Here’s to another year of amazing friendship!

For; Malenke Irgihas, Brawijaya Karno, Sekar Nin Merah, Veronica Moreau, Raine Kath, Emarea Tatjana, Milan Soir, Farissa Hartley, Kaje Ann, and those that I can’t mention one by one — As we bid farewell to another year, I wanted to take a moment to express my appreciation for our budding friendship. Even though we haven’t known each other for very long, I can already tell that you’re someone special. Throughout the past year, we’ve shared some great moments and conversations. From the first time we met, I felt a genuine connection and a sense of ease in your company. I truly value the time we’ve spent together and the memories we’ve created. I want to thank you for being open and welcoming. You’ve made me feel comfortable and accepted, even though we’re still getting to know each other. Your warmth and kindness have made a positive impact on me. I’m excited about the potential our friendship holds. I hope that in the coming year, we’ll have more opportunities to deepen our bond, share more experiences, and create lasting memories. I believe that our friendship has the potential to grow and become something truly special. Wishing you an amazing year ahead. May our friendship continue to flourish and bring us even closer. Here’s to many more great times together!

Big hugs and much love,

Livvy Anasha Shaw.

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thebluedragoncave · 2 years ago

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Valentine’s Day

I don’t like this holiday, for so many reasons, but it’s hitting different this year after the worst breakup of my life. So I’ve decided to reframe it as an opportunity to highlight and uplift some of my favorite fics and writers in this post and show them some love on this stupid day about love.

From @unbecomingsposting there are so many to choose from, so many that I love, but I’ve narrowed it down to a few, Tis’ the Damn Season reminded me so much of the emotions associated with my own hometown and dumb high school mistakes, Good Things Fall Apart hurt me in just the right way, Talk is Cheap is one of my favorite portrayals of Rose and Sonnett’s dynamic, Reckless Driving has amazing emotional nuances in one of my favorite liminal spaces (stuck in a car together) It Flickers is in here of course, enough said (it’s also the first time I ever saw a Lindsey/Rose ship and I fell in love with it and ran to read All the Love You Ever Get) And OF COURSE, All We Are (Is Time That’s Counting Down) is my current obsession and I jump for joy every time it’s updated.

From @serviir Tired and Wired was the first Ronnett fic I ever read and fell in love with immediately, I still go back to it all the time, Born to Beg features some of the hottest smut I’ve ever read, along with an incredibly vulnerable Sonny and Kelley, and in my best clothes, trying to think of you has some of my favorite Rose and Sonnett dialouge and kiss descriptions.

From @xofantasycloud I re-read Second Chances probably once a month because I’m in love with it, Dancing With the Soccer Star has me finally excited for Mondays again, and Soaring is the first rpf I ever read and loved so dearly, as a trans person my relationship with Harry Potter is so complicated but this fic made me feel that same warmth for it that I felt as a child. ALSO a special thank you to @xofantasycloud on this day for chatting with me on here, our conversations always make my day better :)

From @bagelbongos I’m totally enthralled with Mind Over Matter and will soon be writing a line by line review for it when I get a moment because it’s some of the best writing I’ve ever read, Heart Shaped Box for angsty Rose and all to willing to go along with it Sonnett, Burning Red for being some of the best kink fic I’ve ever read, handled in such a delicate and beautiful way that shows just how much Sonny cares about Rose.

From @emalemaleigh Head Over Heels (for Something That Ain’t Real) is some of the best and most vulnerable Kelley I’ve ever read, where she goes (i’ve got to be) is such sweet Soran, and I’ve got the Instagram exchange at the end on a sticky note on my wall because it always makes me laugh, La Vie en Rose is another comfort fic for me, which I re-read often and a heart like that, you deserve the world because I’m a sucker for fluff and for the detail about where Sonny was when Kelley called her.

From @homoeroticsubplot the fic that completely shifted my perspective on Sonnett and broke my heart and mirrored my own trauma and anxieties, the one and only infamous I Wake in the Night, I Pace Like a Ghost (Room is on Fire, Invisible Smoke) and it’s accompanying sequel Candle Wax and Polaroids on the Hardwood Floor (You and Me, Forevermore) for which I do not have the words to describe how much these fics mean to me, I will forever be in love with every fic you write.

There are so many others I love that I’m sure I forgot, but these are the ones I’ve chosen for today.

If you’ve made it this far, congrats! I hope your Valentine’s Day can be uplifted by some of these suggestions, or maybe you can spend it like how I’m spending mine, with Tumblr posts, a bowl of Lucky Charms, a Lavender Candle, a beer, and Noah Kahan’s Stick Season.

#valentine's day #fanfic #ao3

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cts-ryu-writing-desk · 2 years ago

Text

A Gift From Santa

Sending out another little christmas-y story. Kind of a bit of a fever dream. even if you don’t celebrate, I hope you can enjoy this one!

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A festive winter landscape, showing off the beauty of the season. The holiday decorations were out. You could easily feel the tension from the holidays; the stress of those last-minute gifts, the dread of those family Christmas dinners, the warmth of the love in the season, and for some the cold loneliness the season brings. Though the holiday season means something else to different people, this year means so much more to Liliane.

She’s a quiet young woman who often just keeps to herself. Liliane didn’t have many friends or family. The closest person to her was her mom Liliane always kept a small framed picture of the two of them. She would look at it during the times she needed it most but this year was no reprieve. She stayed in never going out if it wasn’t for work. Her life at this point had fallen into a dull mundane routine, Work, home, try not to be sad, and sleep. Day after day.

It was December twenty-third. She had just left work. Lucky to leave her small retail position before the afternoon crowds swarmed in. She had walked out into the mall. Everything was being drowned out by the constant chatter of the massive crowds around her. She was making her way past the small Santa’s village. She smiled a little to herself thinking of a special time in her childhood. It was Christmas and her mom would always see the Mall Santa for a Christmas Photo. She started to leave.

It was like a faint whisper over the oceanic crowd. She heard that mall Santa bellow out his loudest “Ho! Ho! Ho!”

She stopped in her tracks. Finally turning back. The line wasn’t all that big. “Maybe it wouldn’t hurt.”

She got in line. Only two other people were ahead of her. An overly cheerful man dressed up as a Christmas Elf came right up to her and asked “How many are in your party?”

She looked away sheepishly, holding up just a lone single finger. He smiled brightly at her and confirmed. Liliane tried her best not to look at him. Starting to second-guess herself. “Maybe I should just leave?” she began to think to herself. She started to fidget, biting at her nails. “This is just a bad idea…” started to ring out in her head.

She was next.

“I should just walk out, it’s not like anybody is gonna notice. Yeah, I’ll just leave this is dumb.” She was about to leave. The feeling of something jabbing at her side. It was coming from inside her bag. She looked into her bag. Seeing the framed picture of her mom. She started to tear up

“Miss?” the Christmas elf said, finally getting to her

She had a moment of sudden shock. “Sorry…” she let out sheepishly

Walking right over to the mall Santa. As she got closer there was something special about him. He felt somehow different, even with just this minor distance he felt warm and comforting. He encouraged her to sit on his lap. “Right Here little lady,” He said with a deep voice

She sat right in his lap. Even given her age, she managed to sit there gently and comfortably.

“Anything special I can get you for Christmas?” he asked

“Ummm, I know I’m too old to ask for stuff,” She paused, “But… could you maybe. Bring back, my mom?”

“Oh? Where did she go?”

Santa's curious tone didn’t make Liliane shut down. She was overwhelmed with the feeling of warmth and comfort something she always felt with her mom.

“She… She passed away.” Liliane started to cry, doing her best to hold it all back. “A few months ago. She’s all I had left”

“Oh my, I’m so very sorry my dear.” She felt him place a gentle hand on her back “You just want your family?”

She nodded, whipping away her tears.

“Young Miss Liliane. I may not be able to bring her back. I’m sorry. But I think I know just the thing to get you, Something that’ll bring back a smile to your lovely face. It may not be your mom but I promise it will mend your aching heart.”

He used a finger to lift her head to look at him. He started at a lower position over the left side of her chest. Going from the left up diagonally, straight across to then from that upper right spot made a downward diagonal slash. Drawing an ‘X’ over his chest. Saying to her, “I Promise, it will make you feel much much better.”

Liliane whipped away a tear. Throwing herself into a hug, with him. In his embrace, she felt it overflowing through her - a warmth like being nestled next to a fire in the cold. Though the hug was short, it seemed to ward off her tears. The rest of the experience happened as it should have. A photo that she ended up purchasing. They were closing down little Santa’s village. He walked over to Liliane.

“Hope you have a good day, Liliane”

She smiled, then the realization. It sank in. She never told him her name. She was handed the photo. She saw herself and the rosy-cheeked Santa smiling brightly. Her name tag was exposed. She let out a sigh of relief. Leaving Santa's village set up as they put up a small sign - Santa’s on Break. She ventured home with a warm, comforting feeling.

She got home, taking off the layers of covering to shield her from the winter chill. She pulled out the frame of her mom. Setting it on her countertop. It was a fairly old picture - her mom was looking rather youthful, with a small toddler on her lap. Smiling in front of a Christmas Tree.

“I made, it another day, mom,” she said softly “I miss you,”

She started at a lower position over the left side of her chest. Going from the left up diagonally, straight across to then from that upper right spot made a downward diagonal slash. Gesturing an ‘X’ “Promise”

Later that day Liliane received a knock on the door. “Special Delivery” she heard muffled behind the door.

She went to investigate seeing a fairly well-dressed man behind the door holding an envelope in his hand up to his chest. She opened the door slightly. “Hello, I’m here to deliver a special letter for you.”

“Umm you could’ve left it in the mail..” she said in a low tone

“Of course but I was told this letter had to be delivered right away and in person.” the deliverer said with a cheerful smile

He held out the letter to her. It was a bright red envelope with a wax seal on it. She reached out to grab it. “Ummm, thank you”

“You’re very welcome and have yourself a very Merry Christmas,” they said before walking off

Liliane thought it was weird. The writing on it was very nice cursive, and it had her name and address on it. No return address. But the wax seal on the back was a Christmas tree. While holding it she felt a sense of comfort again. Though she didn’t know the sender she felt like she had just received a letter from a lifelong friend. She broke the seal seeing a letter and a single card. She put out the card. Had thick red trim with a single green band and elaborate filigree with small snowdrops. A stamp in the middle of two candy canes tied with a bow with a Santa hat above them. And In a nice bold Cursive font, ‘You’re invited to a Very Special Party’

The letter read:

Miss Liliane, we would like to wish you a very merry Christmas. And would like to invite you to a very special Christmas eve celebration. We hope that you will be in attendance. Our host Mr. Kringle has personally invited you to his home. We hope you will be there. We will have a shuttle arriving at the Damask Hotel (3151 Rose Ave) to pick up you and other guests within your area. Please inform the front desk by showing them the enclosed card and they will bring you to the waiting area. Pick up will be at 6:00p.m Christmas Eve.

“Huh?

Liliane looked over the card again, then the letter one more time. “Kringle?”

She didn’t know anyone by that name. She tossed it onto the counter, next to her mother’s framed photo. She didn’t put a second thought to it - she wasn’t going to go. Later on, while she was cooking dinner. During a moment of serendipitous timing, she saw a line from the Christmas movie she was watching “Don’t let anything hold you back, go to that party. It will be the thing that changes your life.”

She looked at the invitation. Then to her mom’s photo. She thought to herself that it was just odd timing. Yet the more she watched the more she would continue to see similar lines. “Come to the party, Go out, go to the ball.”

She looked over at her mom’s photo one more time. Her eyes glanced over the invitation again. “Are you telling me I should go?”

She was mulling it over in her head. “Okay mom. I’ll go. But I’m taking the taser.”

December twenty-fourth - Christmas Eve. She worked an early shift again. It was insane. The large number of shoppers running around the mall was ridiculous. Large swarms of shoppers trying to squeeze through aisles, into overcapacity shops, and carrying around numerous bags. It was a sight Liliane wasn’t a fan of. Lucky enough for her. She wasn’t working the register, months of begging made sure of that. It was late afternoon before she was able to leave. She had to leave out the back.

She went straight home and started to get ready for the party. She didn’t know what to wear. The invite didn’t say anything about a dress code. If it was just a Christmas party or was it going to end up being something more formal. Ultimately decided to just put on a pair of jeans and a Christmas sweater. It was nearly four in the afternoon. It was going to take her nearly an hour to get to the hotel. She grabbed her bag and her mom’s photo before heading down.

Liliane went down the street and up a flight of stairs to the tram station. A moment of luck: she and the tram arrived at the same time. She hurried to get on. It was packed. She expected that much on Christmas Eve. She just tried to keep to herself. Trying to squish her body into herself so she didn’t end up touching anybody that ended up touching anybody. A forty-minute ride later she got off at Rose Station. She pulled out her phone, mouthing to herself as she made her way to the street 3-1-5-1.

It was quite the walk. There weren’t many people on this side of town. The snow was practically still fresh. She could hear the sound of it crunching under her feet. She looked around, seeing small shops, and homes all around her. A stark difference from where she typically lived. Then she saw it, the Damask Hotel. It was a beautiful sight, it was almost like looking at a Christmas tree. The entryway was lit up.

The Doorman greeted her with, “Welcome to the Demark Hotel Miss.”

She nodded, giving him a shy wave of her hand. Once she was inside the Damask it didn’t feel warm. Instead, it gave off a feeling she hadn’t felt since she was a kid. The feeling of a cozy warmth after coming in from the snow. Like being at her childhood home.

She looked around and despite the warm feeling the interior of the hotel was nothing to write home about. It looked nice yes, but felt dated, she wondered if it was from before the ’50s. There also wasn’t a single guest in the hotel lobby. She was wondering if this place was even busy. She saw at the front desk a clerk who was quietly reading. She walked up to them.

“Oh,” they set down their book “Afternoon Miss, Did you have an existing reservation with us?”

“Um, no. I, ugh… I actually.” she was nervous and stammering

Digging through her bag pulling out the invitation. “I was” Liliane continued

“Oh, I see. You’re waiting for the Shuttle to Mr. Kringle’s Christmas Eve party. I’ll get one of the bellhops to take you to the waiting room.”

Oh, okay,” Liliane responded

The front desk clerk radioed for a bellhop. Liliane ultimately waited for a few minutes. A brief game of ‘follow the leader’ ensued. Down winding halls to one of the ballrooms. There was a small group of about forty people. She stayed against the wall crossing her arms trying to ignore everyone.

There were so many different kinds of people. Tall, short, fat, skinny. Some wore skirts, some white pants, some dresses casual, and some barely dressed at all. Liliane was beginning to wonder if it was even worth it. The crowd in front of her seemed so different, confident, and even attractive - when she compared herself to them. Liliane thought of herself as plain, less interesting. She was just a small fish in a tank full of sharks. “I don’t think I can do this…”

“Excuse me miss?” She heard

Liliane looked around seeing a shorter woman. She has short hazel hair, fair skin, and bright brown eyes. With a big smile and a clipboard in hand. “Can I get your name? We’re doing an early check,”

“Umm yeah, it’s uh Liliane Harper,” she told her.

The short woman looked through her clipboard, “Ah, found it. Alright Ms, Harper. You’re checked in since everyone is nearly accounted for, we'll be boarding early today,” she said with a big smile before excusing herself.

“Is it close to six already?” she thought

The young woman called for everyone’s attention. “We’ll be heading out to the shuttle where we’ll do our final check-in. We please ask that you grasp seats from the back to the front so we can make sure to fill all available space.”

She called for everyone to follow her, Liliane briefly thought about walking out. Second-guessing herself to the very end. Someone started to lead her out of the room, “come along dear you don’t want to be left behind,”

Lillian couldn’t object practically being dragged along. She tried to speak out in protest and yet a part of her wanted to go. Even if that part of her was the faintest sliver. Around a corner and through several double doors and suddenly everyone was outside in the loading zone. It looked like a typical greyhound bus that was painted with festive Christmas decorations. There were already people swarming to get on the bus. Liliane started close to the back.

By the time she was able to get on the bus, she was the last person who was standing there. Sliding into a seat all by herself. She couldn’t hear much over the roar of the people behind her. The driver took his seat. The woman with hazel eyes walked on with her clipboard singing her finger around like a wheel. A cheer roared and the party-goers were on their way. They were off.

Liliane stayed curled up close to the window. Nobody was sitting next to her, yet she just wanted to keep to herself. Yet she did the hard part. She went. It was already getting dark. She tried to watch as the buildings passed her by. Yet the tinted windows of the bus made that difficult to do. They drove for almost twenty minutes to get out of town. Through the tinted windows, it looked like the bus was coming into a tunnel.

For ten minutes they drove in this tunnel like it was never-ending. The woman with hazel hair stood up in her seat. “Alright everyone, we'll be arriving shortly.” She said so proudly with a smile.

Lilianae couldn’t help but wonder where exactly they were. Every so often seeing a flurry of lights passing past her tinted window. The bus slowed down, and turned, before coasting up the road and finally stopping. The girl with hazel hair stood up again, “Alright everyone we are here. Make sure you grab your wristbands as you leave. They will be your access and refreshments.”

A cheer from the crowd behind Liliane. The door to the bus opened playing a pounding synth bassline in the distance. Liliane stayed in her seat, everyone else crowded pushing and shoving their way to get out of and over to the party. It was a bit of a wait but Liliane wasn’t in a huge rush. There were only a few more stragglers behind her by the time she got off the bus.

“Oh! Miss Harper?!”

She looked around seeing a nicely bronzed short man with bright blonde hair smiling and waving her down. He seemed shorter than the woman she had met just a little while earlier. She looked around. Hoping it was for another person. Someone else with her last name.

“Liliane Harper?” he said again with a cheerful voice

She turned and faced him.

“If you would please come with me. Mr. Kringle would like to speak with you personally before he joins the festivities.”

“With… me?” she questioned softly

The short blonde man nodded “Yes Ma’am. He even asked me to bring you to his office. He told me'' He started to get into a low tone “Diggery make sure when the guests arrive that you ask Miss Liliane Harper to come to my office.”

Liliane was nervous.

“It’s alright.” he tried to reassure her.

The two eventually made their way over to a manor. It was away from the compound she had seen the people heading to. The manor looked nice. Old fashioned but very well-kept. It was warm and cozy. The sheer size of it made it feel like he had a large happy family. In her mind, she could see this wealthy man coming with who presumably was his wife, and several children playing. The aroma of gingerbread and other sweets seemed to permeate the house. She would take long inhales. Each breath put her at ease little by little as she got closer to Mr. Kringle’s office.

“He’s right inside,” the blonde man told her cheerfully

She hesitated while reaching for the door.

“Go on, He’s waiting for you”

She opened the door.

Liliane looked around quickly, taking in the entirety of the room. The office was about as big as her apartment, with a series of books, and a pair of wooden doors on the right-hand wall. The bookshelves were as high as she could see. A wooden desk with paperwork, books, and glasses; all stacked up high. Seeing just the very brim of a chair. The sound of humming started to reach her. She didn’t even hear the door close behind her.

“Oh come on over,” his voice was warm

The voice sounded familiar. Yet those deep and jolly tones felt like a cozy warmth enveloping her. She could see his white tunic, under a pair of black suspenders and bright red pants. He was on the heavier side. His face was round, only accentuated by his white hair and well-kept white beard. His body was all in proportion to him, but he had a big round jug-like belly on him. His cheeks were rosy, a pair of half-lens reading glasses resting perfectly on the bridge of his nose. He set aside a page he had in his hand. Looked right at Liliane with a bright smile.

That’s when she realized she knew him. It was the mall Santa she had met yesterday. She didn’t get a word out before he told her,

“I know, fancy seeing me again. I do try to step in from time to time to see how people are doing.”

“You’re... Mr. Kringle?” Liliane said to him

“Yes. I’ve also been known by Nicholas, Kris, or Father Christmas. You used to know me just as Santa” He smiled

“S...Santa?”

“That’s right,” he said, getting out of his chair. “I wanted to bring you to my home.”

“Am I dreaming? Was I kidnapped? Did… Did I die?” Liliane couldn’t believe this situation

“Ho Ho, No. You are very much alive my dear. You’re at the North Pole.”

“But” she was shaking her head, “The Party, the letter”

“Yes, I send out those invitations every year. I bring one special person here to the North Pole. To give them their very own special Christmas Gift. And I have yours just missing the final piece.”

“This can’t be real” Liliane

“But it is. I used to get all kinds of letters for you, you’d always ask me so nicely for a very special thing. You’d ask me for a doll with bright red hair. Or that year you asked me for Rudolph so the other reindeer didn’t be mean to him. You’d always leave the sweetest things too. You left me some homemade butterscotch one year, a very delicious recipe by the way. Then a bottle of water with a little ‘To Refresh Santa’ written on it - a very nice thing to do. That year you left me a snow globe of a little snowman on a beach. I still have that it’s my favorite.”

Liliane felt she should be afraid. Yet the aura he gave off was that of kindness. She didn’t whimper or cower in fear. She never raised her voice. And she never tried to run away. She felt a tear racing down from her right eye. Santa came over to her and gently wiped the tear away.

“It’s good to see you again, Liliane,” he told her warmly

“S...Santa?”

He just smiled at her, with his arms opened wide. She went in. He wrapped his arms around her holding her closely in an embrace. It was the first time in so long she felt the love and warmth of another person. She felt there was no ulterior motive, she could only feel his kindness. Santa released her from his hug, he smiled and asked her to follow him.

The two walked over to the double doors against the wall.

“This is my favorite part of my office” he pushed open the doors

Liliane let out a gasp. It was a room full of snow globes. All kinds of sizes were all over the walls. A rounded room filled with so many snow globes. More than she could count. In the center of the room was a much larger crystal ball-like structure that looked like it had a blizzard raging within it.

“This is my Observatory,” he said proudly, “That one in the middle. That one lets me check up on every child all over the world. These smaller ones I guess could call them special memories. When someone believes in me so much a snow globe is made and each snowflake in it is a special memory. To help them when they’re older I will send them out as dreams to remind people of the happy times in their life.”

Santa turned to face Liliane. “I am sorry I didn’t send yours out sooner.”

At first, it felt cryptic, until she realized she hadn’t had good dreams about her and her mom since, since her passing. She tucked her lips, and looked down at the ground before finally looking at him and answering “It’s okay.”

Santa walked over to a shelf. Reaching for a small snow globe with a ribbon on it. Inside was a Snowman on a beach. Liliane even pointed out that he was holding the same snow globe he gave her.

“Yes, it is” and I want you to have it.” Santa stretched out his arm to her

“You’re giving it back” she sounded sad

Santa smiled and told her, “Hold it in your hand and give it a shake. And you’ll know why I wanted you to see it.”

She took it gently from his hand. She remembered that it was so much bigger when she was younger. She shook it seeing the white bits floating around. She gazed into it, feeling an intense urge to blink. Once she did she was no longer in the globe room with Santa she was in a place that seemed familiar to her. Familiar sights, sounds, and smells. “Mommy,” a young girl's voice called out

She knew that voice. It was her voice. She saw her younger self running over to her mom as she walked in from the front door. Liliane started to cry. She was watching a memory. Before long she was stranded by many of her memories. Seeing younger versions of herself with her mom. Throughout her life. Until suddenly she saw her mom, in the hospital bed. She was hooked up to so many machines. She could see herself asleep, hunched over on the hospital bed. Liliana nearly looked away, her mom saw her and started to speak, “Liliane?” She said in a weak voice

“I don’t… know… if… you can… hear me,” she watched as her mom placed her hand on Liliane’s sleeping head “but… I wa… want you… to… know… I… I’m sorry. I won’t be here… much… longer…”

Liliana covered her mouth.

“I want… want you to know… I love you… very… very much… and even though… I… I’ll be gone… I’ll always be there for you” she started coughing, Liliane saw her sleeping self move a little “Don’t linger on the sadness. Don’t just… hide… in your shell. Find someone… be happy. Please.”

Lilliane’s mom grabbed onto her daughter's sleeping hand. The memory started to fade. Liliane wiped away her tears. She was back in the observatory room. A great big smile on her face. She went over to Santa, throwing her arms around him. “Thank you,” she said into his shoulder.

He just patted her on the back. When she broke out of the hug, she saw Santa’s bright and warm smile.

“That’s what I wanted to show you, Liliane.” Santa told her “I hope that helps. Your mother was a wonderful woman, and she wouldn’t want to see you being a wallflower forever.”

Liliane nodded.

Santa walked over to her, putting his hand on her head. She could see hints of a smile behind his white beard. He started to walk her out of his office. “I am happy that this was able to help you Lilliane.”

“Is it… Is it possible”

“No my dear. The magic won’t work outside of the north pole.”

“Ah… Oh…”

“I am sorry my dear”

“Is it? Is it possible to stay?” Liliane asked sheepishly

Santa stopped, looking at her. He let out a small sigh. “There is only one way. And it is something I can not ask of such a kind and loving soul.”

She started to blush, “and what is it?”

“I’d have to ask the wife”

Liliane seemed confused slightly. She had forgotten all about him being married. “Mrs. Claus?” she seemed to murmur

“Of course, a good husband doesn’t do anything like moving a pretty young girl in without his wife knowing.”

He called over an elf who was passing by giving him the order to get Mrs. Claus. Gave a salute before the elf headed off. It was a few minutes later before the elf returned. A mature woman walked in following the elf. She was just as tall as Santa. Pure white hair but not as old. “Nicolas dear, you wanted to see me?”

“Yes my dear,” he gestured for Liliane to come close to him, “This little lady would like to ask your permission to stay here at the north pole”

Liliane looked down at the ground nervously. She could feel Mrs. Claus approaching her. Mrs. Claus took a few fingers, put them at Liliane’s chin, and had her lift her head. “No need to be nervous my dear,” she said with a smile

Mrs. Calus told Santa to peek in on their party guests and make sure everything was going well. She asked Liliane to follow her into the kitchen. Liliane felt like she should say something. Being surrounded by the scent of cinnamon and baked goodies. Inside the kitchen was a series of ovens and broilers, a large cutting board filled with food waiting to be cooked. The kitchen itself was alive. Moving and whirling getting everything prepared for them. Mrs. Claus took a seat at a table along the back wall that had a cutting board, with diced potatoes on it. Mrs. Claus cheerfully tried to make a joke, “The kitchen may run itself but if I didn’t do something I’d be very bored being here” she let out a chuckle

Liliane was nervous.

“Nicolas told me he was bringing you here. He wanted to heal your heart - he told me. I can tell you saw it. His beautiful snowglobes. Their magic is a treat. So I will have to presume you want to stay here?”

“Yy... yes” Liliane stammered

Mrs. Claus nodded. “Can I ask you one thing? Even if you stayed here would you be happy just reliving those old memories day after day?”

“I… I dunno” Liliane responded “I dunno. Everything at home reminds me of my mom. And”

Mrs. Claus grabbed onto Liliane’s hands. “I know, I have to ask because you can’t just stay here. Everyone here has a purpose, I am Santa’s wife it is my job to oversee the elves, and feed Santa. Santa makes the toys, delivers them, and checks on the children of the world. The Elves make the toys, some even act as personal assistants.”

Liliane started to sulk. She didn’t know what to say. She wasn’t sure if she could be useful. Mrs. Claus let out a sigh, before getting up and clapping her hands. Bringing the entire kitchen to a standstill. Asking Liliane to come with her Mrs. Claus began to leave their home. Informing the elves the two of them were off to the party. They walked past a giant facility that was dark. Mrs. Claus told Liliane that it was the toy factory. “They were able to finish a day early this year so we are letting them celebrate”

They came up to a smaller building that was lit up. It was smaller than the factory, yet it seemed as big as a suburban house. Mrs. Claus said that this was where the party was taking place. The two walked in. As soon as the door was opened the two were met with a wafting scent, of sweat, and lewd sounds. Liliane immediately noticed someone near the doorway, it was one of the girls from the bus she rode in on. She was naked, legs spread wide open, a pantsless elf using her as a sex toy. Liliane covered her eyes in embarrassment.

An elf came up to them both, “Hello Ms. Harper, Mrs. Claus”

“Evening Chicita, I see you’re glowing so beautifully.”

Liliane peeked through her fingers seeing the elf was naked sporting a small pregnant belly on her. Unconsciously Liliane let out a sudden “Oh god” in surprise

Mrs. Clause smiled “It’s alright Liliane, They worked so hard for us this year so this is their reward. And we always need helpers. And our elves can only breed with each other so much before it gets to, well familial breeding. So this was the solution we came up with. We bring in a few people. Some from the nice list some from the naughty list and let them pop out some babies for us. We have to use some special magics of course”

Liliane could hear and see the elf in front of them was finishing. Reaching his climax. Pulling out and leaving her exposed there for a moment. Liliane could see that the poor girl’s belly was starting to grow round and fast. She winced, a rush of clear fluid spurting out of her. Before she suddenly screamed a little. A little head was being pushed out of her pussy. Liliane blushed, and her eyes widened, she had just witnessed someone undergo breeding, pregnancy, and childbirth within a matter of minutes. Concluding this was the magic Mrs. Claus must have mentioned.

Once the baby was delivered and taken away another elf wasted no time getting into her and continuing the cycle over again. Santa came up from one hallway. He saw Mrs. Claus and gave a thumbs up, assuring her everything was going very well. Mrs. Claus looked at Liliane, she was embarrassed about the situation. Yet she did not say a word. “Nicolas if you don’t mind?” Mrs. Claus said

Santa winked and flicked a finger across his nose. Suddenly their surroundings changed like flicking a light switch on and off. The three of them were back in the mansion. They were in a drawing room. Mr. and Mrs. Claus took a seat. Liliane looked around quickly before she took sat down. Mrs. Claus talked with Liliane again, “If you want to stay here my dear we would have to find something for you to do”

“Okay…” Liliane said in defeat “I get it… I’m not”

The Claus couple looked at each other. Their eyes were loving, and yet a touch of sadness that they never once touched upon. “Liliane my dear,” Santa said warmly, “We might have a Proposition for you”

“Mrs. Claus,”

“I am Santa’s wife, but there is one thing I have never been able to do.” She took a moment to fight back her emotions, “I am not a mother.”

Liliane didn’t know how to respond.

“You may stay, um if. If you agree. Umm. Well.”

“If you be our surrogate. I’ve always wanted children. Ever since I was a little girl.” Her eyes started to water, “If you promise to bear our children. You can stay.”

The Claus’ started to explain, that it was a lot to ask for. And neither of them believed that Liliane would agree to it. Liliane on the other hand was lost in her thoughts. She wasn’t weighing the consequences. She wasn’t mulling over their offer. She was thinking of her mother. She was thinking of what had happened earlier. She was no longer timid. She looked at the Claus couple and proudly admitted “I’ll do it, I’ll do anything if it means I can stay”

The Claus couple was shocked at first. Before elation overtook them both. A chime could be overheard echoing like it was right next to them. “It’s that time. Time to go”

“Take Liliane with you dear,” she gestured for him to come back, “treat her nicely”

He held out his hand for Liliane. She didn’t hesitate. She accompanied Santa on his delivery trip that night. She sat next to Santa in the sleigh, Santa encouraging her to cuddle up and stay warm. While traveling through the sky, she felt she was different somehow. Bolder. Rubbing Santa’s crotch from under the blanket. Her rubbing got him hard rather quickly. Steering the sleigh with one hand, groping Liliane. Feeling the passion between the pair. It was like Liliane was a different person. He was finished with this yearly gift delivery things got a bit more - passionate. By the time they returned to the North pole, Liliane was locking lips with Santa in a feverish passion. Their kissing soon led to more, physical connections. Making love right there in the sleigh.

As the months passed and August rolled in. The elves were busy building up the stock of toys Santa would deliver around the world that year. Santa was going through doing standard overseer duties. Liliane walked in, wearing a loose-fitting gown, the hint of a baby bump that had grown rather large. Santa took notice and hurried over to her. “My dear you shouldn’t be in here in your condition”

“I’m fine, “I’m just pregnant” she turned to see what one of the elves was building.

Accidentally bumped them in the back of the head. Everyone involved was embarrassed and apologetic. Santa assured her that she didn’t need to come in here. “I’m only curious,” she said with a cutesy tone.

She felt his thick white beard. And smiled. “Besides Santa.” she bit her bottom lip leaning in to whisper in his ear, “This mommy wants to tell you what she wants for Christmas”

Santa blushed. Leading her away to his office there in the workshop. The pair wasted no time getting into the throws of passion with one another. At first, they were silent, being drowned out by the sound of machines, and tools building away. But the Stations closest to that office door heard otherwise. Before long they could hear Liliane’s loud moans and the sound of flesh slapping into one another. The two hadn’t taken any notice of the fog glass window that showed their silhouettes fucking away with each other. Despite a few elves taking notice and even watching - the others seemed to treat this even like it was normal. Liliane even screamed as he got more aggressive with his forceful mating “Put another baby in me”

Ultimately leaving that small office and escorted back to the manor. Smelling of sweat and semen. Santa was usually drained and so didn’t go back out for some time after. Months continued to pass on Liliane eventually went on to deliver her first child between her and Santa near the end of October. A little boy, Liliane picked the name, Nicolas. Saying it was the name of the sweetest most caring man in the world. Once she had healed up, it wasn’t long before Santa’s sex time was being filled up and fast. Mrs. Claus wanted her sexual attention, and actively encourages him to breed Liliane. “The sound of one child won’t be enough for this house,” She would tell him

Two years since she had first arrived. Another bus was arriving at the North Pole, Liliane was dressed in a wonderful red gown, the clear hint of a baby belly hiding under her gown. She looked to easily be within five to six months of her pregnancy. Mrs. Clause came up not having aged a day, in her arms was a toddler dressed in warm red clothes. The two of them watched as the guests disembarked. Liliane smiled rubbing her baby belly. “You better warn Nicolas”

“About what?”

“I don’t think two would be enough,” Liliane explained

Mrs. Claus put her hand on Liliane’s pregnant belly. “I’m sure he knows already.”

Liliane smiled. Once again thanking Mrs. Claus, who replied with a joyful that she was the thankful one. Their family was able to grow through Liliane’s generous and fertile womb.

#pregnant #pregnancy #christmas #santa #pregnant at christmas #pregnant story

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foolishfalls · 2 years ago

Text

Old Friends

Happy Holidays, @suuilee!! I was your secret santa for @fmasecretsanta!

First off, apologies for my delay in posting this! I've been struggling so much with editing lately and that took me a lot longer than I thought it would. Still, I hope this brings you some belated warmth this holiday season.

I tried to consider all of your prompts, and I've been dying to write about Ed and Riza's relationship and their character parallels, and of course there's a heaping side of Royai. Hope you enjoy it!

Rated T | 3538 Words | Canon Compliant (mostly i think!?), Found Family, Love Confessions, Ed-centric, Implied Royai, Lil bit of angst, Mostly Ed being Silly and wanting the best for his loved ones

Read on AO3

Ed was wandering through Central City that afternoon when he arrived upon a thought–it wasn’t often that he visited Captain Hawkeye at home.

He had just left Gracia’s apartment after visiting with Elycia. The young girl had spent moments between mouthfuls of stew rambling to Ed about the elementary alchemy she’d been learning in school, interrupted by the occasional scolding from Gracia for chewing with her mouth open. He allowed her to ramble on, prompting her to talk more about her studies, the vast expanse of a world that felt so new to such a young kid.

He couldn’t help but think that she reminded him of himself when he was that age. It brought a new kind of warmth to his chest.

Ed spent much of his time since the Promised Day holed up at his home in Resembool, one that he was fortunate enough to return to.

Nowadays, it was rare that he let himself leave his little hometown and its quiet, unassuming safety unless he was pursuing research with his brother or helping an old friend. Wandering the city streets reminded him of a time when the country was in danger, when he was still down one arm and his brother’s whole body.

Ed didn’t care to revisit such a feeling when he had the comforts of home to return to, a home he once thought he’d lost forever, a home he wouldn’t have felt worthy of returning to before he accomplished his goal.

For some reason, those thoughts lead him straight to Hawkeye.

He often thought of stopping by the Captain’s apartment–it would be nice to see Hayate, to sit and have tea with her as they had once in the past. That way, at least he wouldn’t have to see the Commander’s ugly mug for once. And then, there was also the matter of what he’d said to Winry before heading out on his travels.

I mean, after all, you love her, don’t you?

Echoes of Riza’s years-old words rushed up from below the surface of his memory, thrumming inside his eardrums. The Hawk’s Eye was famous for her perception–you couldn’t get a thing past her, but Ed hadn’t realized that sentiment applied to his silly little childhood crush, as well.

He dug his nails rhythmically into the heel of his palm, hammering out his thoughts. He felt like he needed to repay her for something, but he was unsure what, exactly–for the gun that she lent him to protect his loved ones back then, for the stories that she shared so he might avoid the mistakes she made. They were gestures that Ed had come to appreciate more as the years passed, as he grew further into adulthood.

With a decisive scrape of his thumb against his palm, he turned on his heels toward the east sector of the city, bound toward the Lieutenant’s apartment complex.

When he made it to her floor, Ed found the same non-descript doormat he remembered in the hallway. He braced himself and knocked.

It was just before sunset, so there was no guarantee that she would be home for the evening. She was known to work late, he remembered. He considered turning away, but then the doorknob rolled over with a click.

“Edward?” Riza appeared, her shoulders wrapped in a familiar cardigan, Hayate trailing behind at her feet, more docile than Ed remembered him. Her voice pitched up as she spoke, her shaky nerves evident in her tone. “Hi! This is unexpected.”

“Hi, Captain. Long time no see. I… I hope this isn’t a bother right now.” He silently chided himself as he stammered, his throat catching around the cumbersome feeling that filled the air between them

“Not at all, please, come in.”

The tea that she brewed tasted the same as it did years ago when their lives hung in a much more precarious balance.

He savored the taste with that in mind–where they came from, where they were headed, and what constants they had to rely on–feeling the warmth as it radiated into both of his hands.

“What brings you to Central?”

“I’m waiting to catch the morning train heading east. I’ll be meeting with Al and May in Xing to help with their research.”

“That’s wonderful! I hope it all goes well.”

“Thank you.” Ed set down the cup on its saucer. “How are things down at the Central Command? I hope the Colonel-ah, Commander isn’t working you too hard.”

He couldn’t help but trip over Roy’s newer title. For some reason, every time he went up a rank it left a bad taste in his mouth, like he could taste the compounded interest he was sure Roy would hold him accountable for once he collected his debt from their years-old deal.

“I appreciate your concern.” Riza’s hands were out of view, but Ed could tell she was twiddling her fingers in her lap by the slight sway of her elbows. “I’m trying to relax whenever I can. If anything, no one looks out for me more than he does.”

“I’m glad to hear that the old bastard still has your best interest at heart.” Still, softness permeated her gaze at the mention of him.

“So, what brings you here? I mean, not to Central, but…” She gestured broadly to her living area. It did look the same as he remembered it, save for the unpacked boxes that littered the floor last time, not a hair out of place.

“I came by because I feel like I never properly got to thank you for that time when you helped me out a few years ago.”

Riza looked at Ed, unsure at first, but the way he looked down at his teacup called the memory to mind–his sullen eyes, his lament about how useless he felt that day. It touched her heart, to know something so simple still meant something to him.

“Oh, Ed. It was the least I could do. I’m glad I was able to be there for you.”

“You’re humble, Captain. You went out of your way to help me even though you hardly knew me, and I’ve always been curious why.”

Riza felt like she was being put on the spot. Why, he’d asked–why would she help the little boy with the sullen face, with no way to carry on after losing his home, his family?

When she’d handed him the gun and when they spoke after he returned it, all she could think of was what she recognized in his eyes on that day in Resembool, the first day she met the Elric brothers. She’d seen those same eyes in the mirror before, she could have sworn–back home in her own empty country house, as she trudged forward through her own grief, as she forced herself to live on in the face of loss that felt endless, insurmountable.

“I guess I saw some part of myself in you, Ed.” She felt anxious, remembering how she once cleaned her gun in front of Edward that time, wishing she had something to busy her hands with besides a cup of tea. “I could tell you were desperate to protect the people you loved, the people you had left.”

Ed’s eyes remained fixed on the teacup, she could have sworn she saw drops trailing along his eyelids, but she didn’t dare call attention to it. She wracked her brain for a more accurate answer.

“I knew how you felt, and I wanted you to understand that you still had a way forward.”

When the words left her lips, a strange sort of openness hung heavy in the air around them. It occurred to Riza that this was something else she seemed to have in common with Ed–they were both awful when it came to moments like this–being candid with their emotions.

She’d never considered it until now, but it was selfish of her, really, the way she treated Edward back then. It was what she’d wanted most when her world seemed empty and hopeless.

She was grateful to have had someone like Roy to lean on back then, despite how things turned out in the end. She supposed Winry was someone like that to Ed, too.

She remembered how he’d sputtered and blushed back then when she brought up his obvious feelings for Winry–Winry, she thought. Finally, the perfect topic to shift their conversation away from the subject that was plaguing Ed’s eyes with tears. Small talk is safer, Riza reminded herself.

“How’s Winry? How are things with you two?”

Ed’s face turned red hot, a blush even more aggressive than the tone that painted his cheeks when he was young.

“Well, I told her how I felt… sort of.”

“That’s great! How did it go?”

Ed cringed inwardly at himself, searching for the right answer to her question, shifting his gaze downward, back to his tea. Even if he flubbed the confession’s delivery, all things considered, It could have gone worse.

“It went alright… She told me how she felt, too.” Riza smiled, clearly unaware of how much suffering Ed was enduring at the moment, but he smiled to himself despite it. He took some comfort in reminding himself that Riza, and anyone else, would never have to know how silly he sounded. That was between him, Winry, and the train platform.

Lucky for him, he had the perfect counter, the best way to reverse the tension. He’d already gotten the answer that his sentimentality sent him in search of.

Now that he’d been reminded again of the embarrassment he felt in front of Hawkeye years ago, now that he was out from under Mustang’s command, it hit his brain like the perfect storm–an opportunity for a kind of mischief he had yet to grow too old for.

“Anyway, speaking of that,” Ed cleared his throat and leaned in, a posture meant to convey a careful approach, a clandestine discussion. He had to ham it up a bit to get his point across, after all. “How are things with you and Mustang?”

“What?” Blood rushed to Riza’s cheeks, and Ed noticed the way her arms clung to her sides as her hands remained in her lap–movement implying clenched fists, and her nerves bubbling to the surface. Bingo.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she followed, regaining her composure. It was an obvious attempt to save face, but still somewhat successful at that. It was Hawkeye he was dealing with, after all. She wouldn’t slip so easily.

“Relax! It’s not like I’m gonna snitch on you two. I’m not a dog of the military anymore, remember?”

She was silent, still, in stubborn defiance. Perhaps this would be tougher than he thought, but Ed was patient. He had nowhere to be that evening, and plenty of time to kill. He’d been driven by the inkling he felt to repay Riza for the good deed she did for him back then, but he realized he also craved a little payback for his humiliation, a childish urge he wanted to sate, even at the expense of an old confidant like her.

“Look, it’s just that I can tell you two care about each other, that’s all. Anyone around you can see that. You should tell him how you feel.”

Ice cold. Nothing. She calmly looked toward her hands in her lap, then toward Hayate, who sat on the ground next to her. She glanced up at the clock on the wall, and then shifted her stoic gaze back toward him, still unbroken.

“I mean, I did see the way he looked at you on the Promised Day. Scar did too. Can you blame me for asking? I just hope it’s not too soon to bring it up.”

She still kept her lips sealed. Stonefaced, she checked the clock again. Ed recognized a hint of a grimace in her expression despite her attempts to cover it up. He considered his options for ammunition. What might cause Hawkeye to break? What dirt did he have on her and Mustang?

He needed to tread lightly, but he wasn’t giving up this game of chicken he’d started–or, from his perspective, that Riza initiated years ago when she teased him about Winry.

“I’ve always been curious about all that drama between you two in the tunnel too, remember? About your ‘secrets?’” He laughed, hopeful it might diffuse some of the tension, invite her to join in on the fun, anything, but when he glanced up at her again, her eyes shot daggers at him. “You spoke to each other like old friends.”

He just wanted her to say something, anything, in response to his teasing, to leave with some measly can of beans to spill. It would be hilarious, after all, to show up in Xing, triumphantly, with some gossip to share with Al and May. No one would appreciate it quite like those two.

She was still silent, though, amid the din of the ticking clock, the loudest thing in the room. He’d underestimated her ability to keep her lips sealed, as though he’d forgotten about her decorated military tenure, her status as the model soldier.

Screw it, he thought. It was time to return to lower blows, after all, that was his specialty.

“There’s not a chance that he’s giving you some kind of special treatment, is there?”

“Stop it, Ed.” Finally, a bite. He didn’t know quite what he was looking for, but he knew that any reaction out of her would be hard-won. He leaned in again, his tone obviously playful, but threatening nonetheless. She had to know he was only joking, right?

“Perhaps the Commander’s real motive for rising through the ranks is so that he can change the anti-fraternization law–”

“Edward Elric.” The Captain raised her voice, remaining stern. His name came from her lips like a threat on his life, the knockback of her voice surging through his ears, “If you know what’s good for you, you won’t dare utter another word against the Commander.”

She glared at him, and his life flashed before his eyes. He realized now that he had a more thorough understanding of her reputation than he’d ever had before, even after her stories about Ishval–so this was what it truly felt like to be caught in the Hawk’s sights.

He’d only ever seen one other person on the receiving end of such intensity from her. Perhaps belittling their professional aspirations was taking it too far, even if it was just to get a rise out of her.

“It’s getting late.” She stood up, turning around to look at the clock again. “I have to be up early tomorrow.”

“Ahh, you’re right. I have a train to catch, too, don’t I?” he said, punctuated by another laugh, fraught with tender nerves.

He felt a pang in his chest, weighed down by some kind of heaviness. He felt bad for pushing the conversation so far, and especially for bringing up what he’d witnessed between on the Promised Day.

Ed only seemed to know how to say what he meant through some grand metaphor connected to something he actually understood, like on the train platform with Winry, or through teasing and poking fun at the people he cared for. When he tried to talk about love, he was like a shaky compass needle, nervously wobbling its way toward its chosen direction.

He thought all he’d wanted was to get some playful revenge against Riza, to give her a taste of her own medicine, but it hit him then and there how little he knew of her life, despite the feeling that something like mutual understanding was present between them, like roots from separate plants that had become twisted up in each other beneath the soil.

Most of all, he just wanted to return the favor of the reminder that Riza had given him back then about Winry–a reminder to love what you have left while you still can.

Because Ed knew that she was right when she said she understood how he felt. Because he understood how she felt, too.

He just didn’t know how to say it without, well, tarnishing the Commander’s reputation and making himself the target of Riza’s pent-up rage, or making presumptive comments about the nature of their relationship. He was never good at being subtle, but he could try if it meant getting his point across.

“One more question before I go, Captain.” She looked at him as if she was quietly pleading with him to go easy on her, to not pelt her with any more career-ending accusations.

“What is it, Ed?”

“How did you know I loved Winry back then? Did you see some of yourself in me then, too?”

Riza smiled. Her expression was soft, like Ed had finally managed to say the right thing, with just enough of the implication he’d sought to make, neatly obscured beneath the surface.

Then, it came, rattling out like the contents of some pandora’s box that only Ed would be stupid enough to open: a knock at the door, and the brash, melodious voice of Ed’s least favorite person in Amestris.

“Captain?” the familiar voice sang from behind the door, hushed enough that a neighbor wouldn’t hear, but not so much that Ed could miss it from where he stood against the door, “Sorry to keep you waiting.”

Riza’s face turned red hot, and Ed was sure that her blushy glow was more vibrant than the color that painted his cheeks earlier. Now, he’d truly won.

Her eyebrow twitched, and Ed felt his blood boil in anticipation of her rage, but she held back again.

“Good evening, Edward. Safe travels.” Victory against Hawkeye was bound to come with its drawbacks, but Ed knew he wouldn’t be the one to experience the aftermath. Riza opened the door with a swift pull and grabbed him by the shoulders, expertly shoving him out and into the hall. The door slammed behind him.

“Fullmetal?” Roy said, looking at Ed like was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

“Mustang.” Ed was on the floor, and he was sure his ass hadn’t made it through the ordeal unbruised. He supposed he’d earned it, for how far he was able to push Hawkeye.

“What brings you here?” Roy looked puzzled, but Ed could tell he was less suspicious of him than he was worried for himself, or worried about the questions Ed might ask him.

What brought him there, after all? There he was–just outside of Hawkeye’s apartment, at such a late hour, in such a casual manner. He held a paper bag that was the perfect size for carrying a bottle of wine.

“I was just repaying the Captain for something she did for me a long time ago, that’s all. I have to be going. See you!”

Roy looked at him like the answer wasn’t satisfying enough for him, but Ed had to be getting the hell out of dodge and leaving Mustang to deal with the fallout of his goading.

“See you, Fullmetal,” Roy said, but Ed was almost out of earshot.

He faintly heard another knock, and as he was making his way down the stairs at the end of the hall, he could have sworn he heard the door slam closed again.

When he made it down to the street, he looked up at the window on the second floor and saw the curtains drawn in careful communion, refusing to betray whatever might be going on behind closed doors.

Which, he was sure from his encounter moments ago only included a very clueless Commander Mustang getting reamed out by a very embarrassed Captain Hawkeye.

But maybe it wasn’t so bad. Afterward, they might have a glass of wine, and Riza might finally tell Roy how she feels, thinking that if Ed could do it, maybe she could do it too.

He wondered if the pair of them were growing a bit more careless as they grew older, what with Hawkeye allowing Ed to linger a little too late, only to see Mustang arrive at such a scandalous hour.

They must have been getting soft. Or rather, he hoped that they were. Some little part of him thought they’d earned that much–some softness for themselves, even if it has to be kept under wraps.

He made his way, slow and meandering, back to the hotel he stayed in when he was down an arm, down a brother’s body, and still yet to fully arrive where he would become rooted.

As he strolled down the main drag of the bustling city, he considered it–how the people passing by were just like him, how the paths they shared in passing might bring an opportunity for understanding.

Though his roots were, more often than not, still in Resembool, he took comfort in knowing that he had people in each corner of Amestris who understood him, who’d been touched by him. He took comfort in the little gifts that his journey gave him before he’d even arrived at his destination.

#fmasecretsanta #fma secret santa #royai #edward elric #roy mustang #riza hawkeye #fma #fmab #fullmetal alchemist

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