#holiday baking season my beloved!!

[hotcinnamonsunset]

chai oatmeal cookies🍪☕️🫖

[natsukishinomiyaswife]

⋆ 𝓘𝓭𝓲𝓪 𝓢𝓱𝓻𝓸𝓾𝓭: 𝓒𝓪𝓴𝓮, 𝓚𝓲𝓼𝓼𝓮𝓼, 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓑𝓲𝓻𝓽𝓱𝓭𝓪𝔂 𝓦𝓲𝓼𝓱𝓮𝓼 ⋆

Please note: This is a repost from my old blog, @sugarcookiesheep!

Idia has graduated from NRC in this, and he and Ortho live in an apartment together!

⋆ December, a time well known for the holiday season, was also the month your beloved boyfriend Idia was born. You had been together for a few years now, the two of you bonding over a shared interest in video games and animated shows. It had been slow going at first, having been friends for a while as your feelings grew for each other. You and Idia didn’t want to risk ruining your friendship by confessing, worried that the other didn’t feel the same way. It was thanks to Ortho stepping in that you two began to date, giving you the push you needed to confess to each other. You were grateful for it, the years you’ve spent together being some of the happiest you could remember. You couldn’t imagine life without him, without the love you share, and without Ortho, who considers you family. 

⋆ You could feel the excitement radiating from Ortho as December 18th approached, both of you wanting to make Idia’s birthday special. You had been planning in secret, not wanting Idia to find out the surprises you and Ortho had in store for him. First was the cake, you and Ortho deciding to make it from scratch this year. It was a fun time filled with laughs as you baked, both of you having flour and frosting on yourselves once finished. The cake was in a flavor Ortho chose decorated with Idia’s favorite candies, Happy Birthday Idia! written in frosting on top. Once the cake was done, you had Ortho distract Idia (making sure he didn’t leave his room) so that you could decorate, hanging up streamers and balloons in his favorite colors. You even got a cardboard cutout of one of his favorite characters, taping a happy birthday sign to their hand to make it look like they’re holding it. You placed the gifts you and Ortho got him in the living room, a few video games and box sets of shows he wanted, along with some merch of his favorite characters. You used the coffee table he has to set up his cake and birthday dinner, having gotten take out courtesy of Azul and the Mostro Lounge. Once everything was set and his apartment decorated you sat on the living room couch, sending Ortho a text. Your heart pounded in anticipation, getting into position as you heard the door to his bedroom open.

⋆ Idia’s day has been great so far, waking up to the smell of Ortho cooking breakfast. At least that’s what he assumed before entering the kitchen, finding you in an apron as you cooked on the stove. You looked up as you noticed him enter, giving him a bright smile as you wished him a good morning. The ends of his hair turned pink, becoming flustered at the domestic sight before him. He couldn’t help but think you were much too radiant for how early in the morning it was, coming up behind you and wrapping his arms around your waist, hiding his face in your hair as you continued to cook. You laughed lightly, knowing how shy Idia still got even after all this time. You enjoyed his embrace as you continued to cook in amicable silence, having him sit at the table when you were finished. You wished him a happy birthday as you sat down his plate, giving him a gentle kiss before making a plate for yourself. Idia couldn’t help but stare in between bites of food, his mind a mess as he thought of what it’d be like to experience this every morning. You had already been spending more time at his apartment, sleeping over often and leaving some of your things here for when you visited. You even had your own key, Idia giving it to you for your anniversary (an idea he got from Ortho).

⋆ As he sat there thinking of what it’d be like if you lived together he was startled out of his thoughts by you trying to get attention, having been talking to him this whole time with no response. He shook his head as he assured you he was alright, nervously explaining he was just thinking of all the games he had to log into today for the birthday login bonuses and gifts. You looked at him, unconvinced, before dropping the subject. Once breakfast was done you told Idia you had errands to do today, assuring him you’d see him later on tonight. You gave him a kiss goodbye before heading out, leaving him alone with his thoughts. After some time he shook his head, going to his room in the hopes of getting his mind off the subject. A few hours later Ortho joined him, Idia silently wondering where he had been all day. As they talked and played games together Ortho suddenly got up, urging him to leave his room excitedly. What he saw once he opened his door was the last thing he had expected.

⋆ You jumped up from the couch and shouted surprise, Ortho shouting as well from behind him, causing Idia to jump. He stood there in shock, looking from the decorations to the presents to the food before looking back towards you, his heart starting to race as he realized all of this was for him. He couldn’t stop the smile from growing on his face as you both told him happy birthday, leading him to the coffee table where his food and cake sat. You all sat around the table, eating and talking. When it came time for his cake Ortho added some candles, lighting them before setting it in front of Idia. You both sang happy birthday to him, Idia blowing out his candles as you clapped and cheered. You ate the cake in between presents, each of you taking turns giving Idia a gift to open.

⋆ With each gift Idia’s excitement grew, and by the time he opened the last one he was itching to start playing some of the new games he got. He gave Ortho a hug, thanking him before giving you one, holding on to you longer as the tips of his hair turned pink. As he held you close he mumbled out his thanks, more of his hair going pink as he told you he loved you. You said you loved him as well, looking up at him affectionately. He looked down at you, unable to meet your gaze as he leaned in to give you a gentle kiss. Ortho made a comment about how cute you two were, making Idia jump and pull away in embarrassment, having forgotten his little brother was there. You and Ortho laughed as Idia hid his face in his hands, Ortho apologizing as he couldn’t resist teasing him.

⋆ You helped Ortho clean up while Idia headed to his room, grabbing his game console to set up in the living room. You sat on the couch as Idia played one of his new games, Idia sitting in the middle while you and Ortho sat on each side of him. You watched him play, cheering and making comments as he progressed. You could tell Idia wanted to show off, making the hardest difficulty in the game look like nothing. You loved seeing Idia like this, confident and in his element. You cuddled up closer to him, resting your head on his shoulder as you focused on him. He was fully immersed in the game until he felt eyes staring at him, looking over to find you staring up at him affectionately from where your head rested on his shoulder. He quickly turned back to his game, stumbling as he grew flustered thinking of how cute you were. He continued to play the game late into the night, not wanting to rest until he beat it. Once he was done he stretched, laughing to himself triumphantly as he looked next to him.

⋆ You had fallen asleep sometime during his gaming, curled up on your side of the couch as you slept soundly. Ortho had already gone back to his room some time ago, leaving just the two of you in the living room. Idia stared at the peaceful look on your face as you slept, debating whether or not he should wake you. He thought about going to his room and leaving you asleep on the couch, not wanting to disturb you. His heart ached at the thought of going to bed without you beside him, his bed feeling empty whenever you’re not there. After some time he decided to wake you, gently shaking you awake. Once you were up you sleepily followed him to his room, changing into one of his shirts before getting in bed. Idia joined you shortly, having changed into pajamas. You both cuddled close to each other, Idia wrapping his arms around you as he buried his face in your neck. You wished him happy birthday one last time before falling asleep, tired from the day and how late it was.

⋆ Idia laid there holding you, listening to you breathe as you slept soundly. The day had been perfect, one of the best birthdays he’s had. But it also left him feeling conflicted, his mind and heart a mess as he realizes that he wants more. He wants to wake up every morning with you there, next to him in bed or in the kitchen having breakfast. He wants you to be the first thing he sees every day, to hear your voice, to feel your touch. He wants to spend time with you, talk with you, eat with you, go to bed with you. He just wants you, in his life, always. These thoughts overwhelm him, leaving him anxious and afraid. He never thought he would feel this way, thinking back to when he was taken by that ghost to be her groom back at NRC. He shuts his eyes, holding you tighter as he tries to calm down, mind racing. He falls asleep that night thinking of you, his heart pounding as he longs for more ♡

Originally posted: December 16th, 2023

𝓣𝓱𝓪𝓷𝓴 𝔂𝓸𝓾! ♡

[disneyprincemuke]

tis the season for mistletoasters

alternatively: this year she is unhinged with the decorations

in which they invite a select few of their friends over for the holidays and a particular holiday decoration catches them off guard

(series masterlist)

the door flies open, revealing the smaller girl with her friends standing in the hallway with boxes in their hands and confusion riddling their faces.

"couldn't you have just opened the door like a normal person? don't you have pets in your home?" george frowns, slowly following her inside the small apartment.

"what else do we expect from her?" max follows up.

"wait!" she screeches, arms held out to avoid them walking in any further than the entryway. she points down at their feet. "shoes off!"

"yes," sebastian mutters, already slipping off his shoes right by the door with a hand on the wall to balance himself. "on it."

"wow, very particular," lando teases, though he also slips off his shoes and kicks in towards the wall to keep it neat. he shoves the box into her hands and then pushes past her as he navigates into her apartment. "where is your child? i want to see kidnapper."

"oi, no way!" max screams, pushing past her to chase after lando. "i'm kidnapper's uncle! i suggested she adopt the cat!"

"no, this is the one cat that actually likes me! you've got cats of your own," lando scolds, shoving max to the side as they enter the living room. "i called dibs."

"doesn't matter what you guys say - i'm kidnapper's favourite." alex also pushes past her, chasing after his friends to try and race for the cat's attention. "he will ditch you no matter what."

"two of them are predicted to be future world champions. one of them's won three," she smiles, locking her jaw as she turns around. "thank you for coming over, by the way! happy holidays."

"well, i guess i'm interested if logan can really cook," george shrugs, finally stepping forward to pull her in for a quick hug. he presses his cheeks against hers. "when are you flying off to melbourne?"

she shrugs, frowning. "i haven't booked us a flight yet."

"you're travelling there by foot then?" sebastian raises an eyebrow to tease her with her last-minute planning. "tickets will be expensive if you don't get them now."

"max is lending them his private jet," mick speaks up, finally closing the door behind him. "don't be naughty in there - he won't ever let you use it again if you are!"

"i'm a very tame individual, thank you," she scoffs, leading them into the apartment. "logan's still making dinner, but the cookies finished baking right before you guys decided to all arrive together earlier than expected. i'll be right back out with the cookies."

"you baked cookies?" mick grins, following behind her excitedly. "chocolate chip cookies?"

"yeah, and butterscotch."

"butterscotch?" lando screams from his spot in the living room next to the couch. he's hunched over slightly, eyes darting all over the floor to find her beloved cat. "are those for me?"

"yes! i'll be right back out with them!" she steps into the kitchen, beaming when she finds logan chopping some meat on the counter. "hey, you. they're all here."

"i heard," logan grins, turning to look at her. "how come they didn't ring the intercom? i could have buzzed them up."

she hums, waltzing over to stand behind him and wrapping her arms around his waist. "i caught them at the lobby arguing because they forgot to assign somebody to buy alcohol."

"aw, what? no alcohol?" logan frowns, turning slightly to look at her. "did you get the soy sauce from the store?"

"i did! it's all over there," she beams, pointing to the clutter on the other end of the counter. "also, we still have that stash of soju in my room - that should do while i order some drinks to arrive, right?"

"you and soju?" logan raises an eyebrow. "good luck."

"it's meant to be drank like juice if it tastes like juice!" she argues, taking a step away from him. "do you need help preparing dinner?"

"no, i think-"

"sorry to interrupt. hi, logan." their heads turn to the entrance of the kitchen, lando innocently popping his head past the wall to give them a sheepish smile. "where is kidnapper? we've looked everywhere for him in the living room."

"my room, i think," logan grins.

"cool! which one is your room?"

"no!" she screeches, chasing after lando at the door. "he is in the room because you guys always stress him out! leave my baby alone, please."

"no, we came for him!" max shouts from the living room. "which door is your room, logan? tell me or i'll crash into you in bahrain next year and you can't race!"

"i'll literally snap you in half if you do that!" she screeches, disappearing from logan's sight to run into the living room.

"you're like barely 165cm tall!"

"i will find a way!"

"where's the fucking cat, (y/n)?" lando screeches. "which is logan's room where the beautiful cat sits in?"

"he's not even in logan's room," george scoffs, rolling his eyes. he walks past the bickering trio and walks towards the other end of the apartment. "he's in the balcony right there."

"oh," alex grins, walking calmly past them to slide the door open. "hello!"

"wait," mick says. logan walks out of the kitchen, wiping his wet hands on his pants as he comes in to greet everyone. mick slowly lifts his head at the object - objects - hanging from the ceiling in the corner above their decorated christmas tree. "what is that?"

"that's nothing," she answers immediately, trying to brush off the question.

"no, what is that?" sebastian voices out, following mick's stare at the corner of the room with furrowed eyebrows. "is that a..."

alex walks in, kidnapper nuzzled into his chest as he follows their gaze. "are those toasters plugged into your ceiling?"

logan puts his hands on his hips, looking up at the questionable decoration that she decided to put up for a change. growing up, she used to decorate the house for christmas with appropriate decorations and bright colours that would get people into the mood.

however, she vowed this year to be a bit more lax with the decorations since they're not spending it in the uk. there's a mysterious pair of plugs on their ceiling, and she was scrolling on twitter when the idea hit her in the middle of the night about a week ago.

and logan knows better than to try and tell her off.

"and you let this happen?" sebastian says, slightly disappointed as he turns to the williams driver. "why would you let this happen?"

"hey, this is technically her apartment," logan shrugs, yet his face is flushed from the memory of him helping her plug it in at 3 in the morning just to see her smile and giggle. "she still makes the rules."

"i think they've got a word for people like you," lando whispers, dropping his gaze to ponder if he should insult the younger man. "in america, i think they refer to people like you as 'down bad'."

a pillow heads straight for the back of lando's head, the force that it hits him causes him to stumble a couple steps forward. "leave logan alone! no way you're coming into my apartment and openly hate on my boyfriend!"

"there's just no way he thought plugging toasters off the ceiling is a good idea," lando cries, arms flying up to bring attention to the absurdity of the situation. "explain yourself; why you thought this was a good decoration for the holidays."

"mistletoasters," she scowls, hands on her hips as her lips carve into a scowl. "i couldn't find mistletoe in the store, and i was scrolling on twitter the other night and saw that. it's funny!"

"it's a hazard," sebastian points out. "what if it falls on either of you?"

"that's a stupid way to go out," mick mutters, an eyebrow still raised as his stare lingers on the pair of toasters. "maybe you should take it down before it causes an accident."

she sighs. "i can't reach it."

"wait," max speaks out, stepping forward with his hands up. he has his phone in his hand. "let me take a picture."

kidy/n

liked by sabrinacarpenter, landonorris and 60,726 others

kidy/n mistle touch under the tree or something like that idk

view all 12,489 comments…

user1 that caption for a photo featuring logan is kinda

user2 that wasnt very just friends of u y/n

user3 any bets when they will realise theyre both hopelessly in love with one another?

user4 any bets when they will tell us they’ve been dating for YEARS?

user5 i’d hate to be either of their partners if they’re like this

user6 very gbf situation 💀

oscarpiastri you guys r so right, theyre so red flag coded

lilyzneimer oscar pls apologise

sabrinacarpenter ❤️

kidy/n NO SHOT do u WANNA GET MARRIED TO ME

logansargeant 👁️

landonorris the mistletoaster is so ???

charles_leclerc the what?

sebastianvettel worst holiday decoration i’ve ever seen

kidy/n no hating pls, im just trying to bring about the xmas spirit

maxverstappen1 took the fun out of christmas and for what

williamsracing did logan choose that decoration?

kidy/n yeah :/

logansargeant NO I DIDNT?

andrettiracing kiss me under the mistletoe 👉🏼👈🏼

logansargeant me? 🤪

andrettiracing sure!

taglist: @myxticmoon

[kingofbodyrolls]

Christmas at Lissa’s 🎁

🎄✨ I’m back, my wonderful friends! And what better way to celebrate the season of giving than to share an early gift with you—or rather, a shimmering glimpse of your Christmas surprise, lovingly wrapped from me to you. 🎁✨

The air is crisp with holiday magic, and you know how much I cherish spreading joy, warmth, and cheer. So, as the twinkle of inspiration found its way back into my heart, I knew I had to craft something special—something that whispers the enchantment of the Christmas stories I’ve cherished for years. This year, I’m delighted to present my own little Christmas event, a celebration of tales both familiar and new.

Within this holiday collection, you’ll find a mix of cozy extras from beloved stories and fresh adventures that glitter with festive wonder. And for even more holiday delight, I’m also hosting a Christmas Rec Event (Lissa’s 25 Days of Christmas) + (Bangtan Christmas), brimming with treasures to share.

So come along, dear friends, and let’s make this holiday season unforgettable. Together, we’ll unwrap the magic of stories, sharing laughter, love, and joy with every page. 💜✨ 

Let’s read, dream, and sprinkle the world with holiday cheer!

Since today is my birthday, I wanted to give you this little present, even though I still need to finish writing the last story (but it’s like ¼ done 🤭).

🎄Doughn’t Go Baking My Heart // Seokjin // enemies to lovers + romance // 16.4k 🎁 This Christmas season, you’re back in the kitchen, whisk in hand and determination in your heart, entering the annual holiday baking competition once again. The goal? Finally beat your long-time rival, the infuriatingly talented Kim Seokjin. But as the ovens warm and the ingredients come together, you realize it might not be just the doughs rising this year… Will the holiday spirit bring you closer, or will the heat of competition drive you further apart? 😜 🎁 Peek at the gift [teaser] 🎁 Peek at the spoiler [JINtastic subreddit] 🎁 Release date: 4th of December 2024 [link coming soon]

🎄 Perfect Strangers // Hoseok // fake dating + romance // 19.6k 🎁 When a man as warm as a crackling hearth steps into your cozy bookstore seeking the perfect gift for his friend’s Christmas party, you can’t help but offer him your brightest smile. But when he returns days later, with a spark in his eye and a bold request—to be his pretend girlfriend for this very party—you think, Why not? After all, Christmas is a time for a little magic, a little whimsy. Yet as you step deeper into his world, you discover a heart weighed down by scars from the past, a man more complex than the merry mask he wears. Still, what’s Christmas without a little hope, a touch of wonder, and a heart ready to spread the joy it knows so well? 🎁 Peek at the gift [teaser] 🎁 Peek at the spoiler [text messages between Namjoon and MC] 🎁 Release date: 9th of December 2024 [link coming soon]

🎄Coming Home to You // Jimin // thriller + comfort // 11.7k 🎁 It’s been five years since Hyun was arrested, and you’ve done a lot of healing to get where you are in life; married, finally opening your very own yoga studio. But when the shadows come crawling back, and old memories resurface, will Christmas be ruined? 🎁 Peek at the gift [teaser] 🎁 Peek at the spoiler [MC’s text messages to Jimin] 🎁 Release date: 13th of December 2024 [link coming soon]

🎄Sprouting Love // Namjoon // fluffy + romance // 13.7k 🎁 As snowflakes dance in the crisp winter air, you and Namjoon find yourselves wrapped in the warmth of each other’s company. The holiday season brings the aroma of freshly baked cookies, the magic of twinkling lights strung through the house, and laughter echoing in your greenhouse where you tend to flourishing plants, lovingly nurtured together. Amid the glow of Christmas cheer and shared moments filled with wonder, perhaps this season will sprinkle a touch of courage and clarity to finally define the blossoming connection between you. Will the magic of Christmas help turn what’s unspoken into something beautifully real? 🎁 Peek at the gift [teaser] 🎁 Peek at the spoiler [text between Jungkook and MC] 🎁 Release date: 17th of December 2024 [link coming soon]

🎄Stuck in a Cave // Jimin // enemies to lovers + romance // 8.8k 🎁 Trapped in a snowbound cave over the Christmas holidays with your long-time rival, Park Jimin, you're forced to face the simmering feelings you've both been burying beneath layers of denial. As the cold closes in, unspoken desires begin to thaw, setting your hearts ablaze in a season meant for warmth and wonder. 🎁 Peek at the gift [teaser] 🎁 Peek at the spoiler [group chat texts] 🎁 Release date: 24th of December 2024 [link coming soon]

If you wish to be tagged for one (or more) of these stories, please just leave me a comment here, or on the specific story’s teaser and let me know. Then I’ll add you! 💝

[matenrou-fan]

May I request Diavolo and Lucifer in a poly relationship with a female baker reader?

Diavolo x fem! baker! s/o x Lucifer

femreader, fluff, just wholesome stuff;;

-Ooh, poor Barbatos.. He has a competition now right here..

-Well, but can I really call it 'competition' if we all already know the winner? Of course it would be you. Because both your boyfriends are waiting for your baking more than for holidays.

-"Mm.. This pie that you made today, s/o.. It's absolutely fantastic!" - Diavolo laughs, with his casual loud tone. - "I haven't eaten something so sweet for centuries! And the dough is so soft it's like it's melting in my mouth.."

"Oh, Dia, stop it.." - You can't help but chuckle too, as it's really hard to stay calm and serious when the young Lord is smiling like that. - "You literally had a little tea party with Lucifer yesterday, aren't you? I'm sure Barbatos treated you two with no less yummy things.."

"Great considerable skill, even if it was developed and gone deeper through a hundred years, will never withstand a pure savour of real love.." - low chuckle escapes Lucifer's lips as he looks at you. - "It more feels not like the softness of the dough, but more like the softness of your caring heart, s/o.."

"What a great way to compliment, Lucifer!" - Diavolo gets surprised along with you, then titters shyly. - "Ahh, now I want to amuse s/o with my grateful words too.. Or maybe a kiss would be better to show my appreciation..?"

-It doesn't matter if baking is your job or just a hobby, your boyfriends would spoil you with presents to help you improve your skill and learn something new.

-And they both will choose everything themselves. For example, Lucifer can just ask (order?) Satan checks the library or bookstore for new recipe books for you, because his little brother knows these places inside out. Yet he prefers to go all alone, slowly exploring store shelves, flipping through different books. He will try to find something with only new interesting recipes, or with the things you say you wanted to bake..

-And Diavolo can just rely on his loyal servant's taste, as Barbatos is really good at finding high-quality spices and seasonings for his own cooking.. But your lover would go with his underling, to choose something himself, that he thinks would please your soul. Hm, aren't you talking about these expensive sprinkles a few days ago?

-Uh.. But there's so many magic items in Devildom, who knows what ended up in your arms this time?

-"Hm.. These strudels you made this time, darling. They're so much sugar.." - Diavolo mumbled, quickly draining his cup of tea. - "Even for me.. It's so sweet.."

"Was something in your mind when you baked it, s/o..?" - Lucifer also seems so unpleasant after a few bites, cause he had less sweet tooth than your other lover.

"I'm sorry.. Apparently, the baking soda I added this time had some magic effect.." - with blush on your cheeks, your gaze was fixed on a small package, too ashamed to look at your beloved demons.

"Mm? There's a small footnote.. If someone will use it for cooking for their lover, the level of sugar in the final product will increase depending on the strength of their love.." - Lucifer gets behind you and leans closer, reading over your shoulder.

For a moment you all froze.. How can you not notice this small note?! Yet then a prideful demon smirked, watching as your face got even more red:

"Oh.. how sweet of you, s/o.."

"I.. I have no choice but to savor every last bit of your love in that case, s/o.." - Diavolo nods as his cheeks also get redder, and he places another piece of strudel in his mouth with a more pleasant face.

"I also suddenly have an appetite for more.."

-I also totally can see Diavolo willing to learn something himself to understand what you're talking about, just because he gets kinda jealous when see you chatting with Barb about some new topping you find.

-"Oh! Yes, I do understand..!" - sparkles of joy flash in his pale yellow eyes, making it shine almost like gold. - "You're talking about bicarbonate of soda, aren't you..?"

"Hehe, no, dear.. It's cream of tartar, actually" - a small smirk appears on your lips. You were showing them both the new ingredients you bought for your next dessert, and it looks like Diavolo gets really interested. - "Well, but your guess was kinda close.."

"Since when did you start to understand something in baking? Or at least try to understand, Diavolo?" - your other lover smirks too, looking at different bags in your arms.

"W-well.. I just thought if I would know more I would be able to support s/o more in her interest.." - a small blush appears on Diavolo's cheeks as he looks away, shooting his eyes with furrowed brows in embarrassment.

"Oh! Then maybe we should ask our little darling to teach us?" - Lucifer's amused gaze meets yours. - "What do you think about it, chef?"

-Kitchen in House of Lamentation survived enough things already, so it turns for Demon Lord's Castle's Kitchen now. Cause it's gonna be an interesting experience..

-Lucifer would try to do everything accurately and carefully. He's an avatar of Pride, after all, he wants to surprise you with his cooking skill and receive some praise and compliments from you. When Diavolo would be more goofy, using this quality time not only to learn something but just to fool around with you.

-And everything ended up with Lucifer also playing along with your antics, forgetting about his role as strict partner, and actually enjoying some silly time. Yes, he will also love corny things like smearing each other's noses in cream or getting the whole kitchen in flour..

-"Huh.. I always scold my brother for this mess they always make in our place when it's their time to make dishes.. But it turns out I'm no better than them.." - Lucifer mumbled with furrowed brows and crossed arms after you three calmed down, and was just standing, catching your breath, all in dough, cream and glaze.

"Hahaha! But it was absolutely delightful, wasn't it?" - the loud laugh of Diavolo thundered through the whole kitchen, as he was even more excited and playful than usual now. - "I'm sure it would be the most delicious thing we all ever taste..!"

"Well, we will know after half an hour.." - you giggle, looking at the working oven. - "I think this time would be enough for us to clean at least part of this mess.."

"You're right.. Just please, never tell my brothers about this thing.." - Lucifer's voice gets quieter as he looks at you with a soft gaze. - "I don't want them to know about this side of me.. It's our little secret, okay?"

"Then maybe we should keep the whole situation confidential?" - Diavolo chuckles, his fingers on his lips. - "Despite the fact that I do want to brag a little about our ultimate cake, I also wish that this tea party would be enjoyed by just the three of us.."

[roseofdarknessblog]

Christmas baby | Levi Ackerman

You’ve always loved Christmas and everything that came with the holiday season. But for the last couple of years, Christmas has been special thanks to your partner. Since Levi was a Christmas baby, as you loved to call him, the holidays became even more remarkable to you.

Making everything perfect for Levi and his special day was your priority every single year. He didn’t like big noisy celebrations or people making a fuss out of his birthday. So every year, you made sure to spend the 25th of December in a calm and loving atmosphere. Sometimes at home and sometimes away on a little vacation somewhere nice.

„Good morning, sleepy head,“ you said with a huge smile when Levi walked into the kitchen. It was bright and early, the sun was only coming up, making the thick layer of snow outside sparkle in the sunlight. Your whole house was full of warm yellow glow, making everything seem extra cozy. „Breakfast is almost ready.“

Levi shook his head with a sleepy smirk, coming up to you and hugging you around the waist from behind. His lips pressed a warm kiss behind your ear, while you were finishing up with the special breakfast for your most beloved.

„Happy Birthday and also Merry Christmas,“ you said joyfully, looking over your shoulder to meet his lips in another tender kiss. His grip around your waist tightened a little, keeping you close.

„Thank you, love. Merry Christmas to you too.“ He rested his head against yours, watching you finish his favorite French toast with pieces of fried bacon. It was a lovely combination, mainly with Levi’s special winter-flavored caramel tea. „Do we have any plans for today?“

„No, not really. Maybe we could go for a walk if the weather stays nice. I love how quiet and peaceful the world outside is during the holiday season.“

„Yeah, that sounds nice. Maybe we can visit my mom, too.“

„I talked to her yesterday, she’s coming over for lunch tomorrow. And she’s expecting us for dinner today.“ You and Kuchel had an amazing relationship. She truly was a saint, who always had so much love for both you and her son. Even her brother Kenny liked catching up with you when he came for a quick visit or if you met at Kuchel’s house.

As you kept talking, both of you sat down at the dining table and enjoyed breakfast together. While you served the food, Levi made tea. Since there was nowhere to hurry, you could truly enjoy each and every moment, cherishing the time spent together on this very special day.

The house was nice and quiet, and all you could hear were the sounds of nature from outside. When you looked out the window, you saw tiny snowflakes drifting around and making the outside scenery even more lovely. It was such a huge contrast to everything you saw around you in the house – the Christmas tree, all the decorations and the fire peacefully burning in the fireplace, making the house warm and cozy.

The day of Levi’s birthday nor Christmas were ever about giving one another a huge amount of gifts. The best thing about the entire holidays were actually the days leading up to them. When you found time to decorate and bake together. Dance around the house to gentle Christmas music and fool around the kitchen, making a huge mess in the process and then cleaning it all up while tasting your sweet creations.

Yes, the actual holidays were beautiful and filled with love and gratitude, but those very last days before them had some unique kind of magic you looked forward to every single year. And Levi too. He adored helping you get everything ready. Despite all the tasks, he found it relaxing and assuring in a way. All the hustle before the holidays made him feel grateful that he had a special someone to share all of this with.

„What?“ Levi asked, when he caught you looking at him with a smile on your lips, while he was still finishing his breakfast. You shook your head and looked into your already empty plate. „No, tell me. What’s the matter?“

„Nothing, I just... I love you.“ He smirked at your shy expression as you said that. Almost as if you were saying it for the very first time. „And I’m so grateful that we can celebrate another holiday together,“ you added, reaching out your hand and stroking his cheek lovingly.

Levi slightly turned his head and pressed a kiss into your palm, leaning into your touch a bit more. The calm and content expression on his beautiful face made you feel all the joy in the entire universe.

„How about showing me just how much you love me?“ he teased and before you knew it, he pulled you over to sit on his lap, his arms wrapping around your waist tightly.

„Don’t you want to unwrap your presents first?“ you asked, playfully running your thumb over his lower lip. With a smirk, Levi’s hands slipped under your shirt and onto your lower back, his touch warm and gentle.

„Hmm, there’s one very special gift I can’t wait to unwrap,“ he mumbled in a low voice, his lips gently brushing against your mouth. One of his hands traveled up your back underneath your shirt, holding you close. His eyes locked with yours, full of love and hunger for your body. „Maybe we could get to it now, so later we can go for that walk you mentioned earlier,“ he continued teasing you, while his other hand slipped out from underneath your shirt and into your hair.

„It’s your special day. So you’re the one to say that we’ll be doing.“

„Trust me, I’ll enjoy this fact very much,“ he whispered into your lips and stood up, lifting you off his lap. With your legs wrapped around his waist, he made his way back to the bedroom, your lips staying pressed together in a passionate kiss for the entire time.

It was his birthday, after all. So it was only fair to grant him every little pleasure his heart desired.

[cilil]

Headcanons: The Day of Love

I felt spontaneously inspired to write down my headcanons (yes, I've thought of this before a few times) for Valentine's Day in Valinor, or, as it's known there, the Day of Love, featuring both Ainur and Elves. Enjoy!

♡ The establishment of a dedicated holiday to celebrate couples and other forms of love and companionship was, as certain people (*cough* Melkor) would snidely remark in later ages, most likely inevitable due to Manwë being a hopeless romantic and Irmo's penchant for playing matchmaker (and subsequently winning bets he made with his wife and siblings).

♡ After Tulkas and Nessa were wed - within the circles of Arda, unlike the other Valar who espoused their partners earlier - Manwë was inspired to take action and create this holiday, as everyone had greatly enjoyed the festivities and many wished to have the opportunity to express their affection for their loved ones in a similar manner, without the pomp of a wedding.

♡ It was decided that the Day of Love would be in spring, as per Vána's suggestion. To this day, there's still some debate among the inhabitants of Valinor whether she simply thought the season was appropriate or whether she was making a thinly veiled mating season joke; the Ever-young, however, has declined to comment on this. It takes place in the month of Súlimë (March), much to the delight of Manwë, usually within the third week since this is (roughly) the beginning of the season, as determined by Yavanna and Vána.

♡ Over the ages, various traditions evolved. Among the first and most notable to this day is Manwë's poetry soirée, where everyone is invited to share their romantic poems and other writings - a special iteration of his regular writing group get-togethers that strives to be as inclusive and affirming as possible. Ever since the first Day of Love was celebrated, Manwë has written a new poem for his beloved queen every single year, and Varda shows her appreciation with breath-taking meteor showers. The event has naturally become important to the Vanyar in particular, especially those who are regulars among Manwë's fellow poetry enjoyers.

♡ Irmo and Estë take great pleasure in hosting a "casual tea time feast" (as described by the Lord of Lórien himself) that welcomes not only couples or friend groups, but also explicitly those who feel lonely on such a day and would like some easy company. While Estë and her Maiar serve herbal teas for health and good spirits and bake lots of delicious cakes and other treats, Irmo prepares his (in)famous punch which so far has never failed to get a party going and distributes special "love candy" that has also come under scrutiny a few times, but is still consumed with great delight by those who dare.

♡ Aside from (more or less) innocent tea party shenanigans, Irmo is wide awake on the Day of Love for different reasons as well, mutating into the kind of entity we know as Cupid. The use of arrows has been forbidden, but that does little to stop the Lord of Dreams and Desire from making his OTPs come true by providing a little bit of "assistance". He gleefully plants courage and inspiration into the hearts and minds of Ainur and Elves alike, so that they may finally confess those feelings they have been carrying around for too long. It has been alleged that he has attempted to play bingo with his brother in regards to these things coming to pass, yet nothing could be proven and Námo, as usual, was silent.

♡ Oromë, being in good spirits as hunting season is drawing near, likes to host a special hunting events where couples (and throuples and so on, naturally) can either compete against each other or team up to hunt and see if their love is strong enough to catch even the greatest prey. While it's all in good fun and the competitive side isn't taken seriously, Oromë and his people do hold the belief that the ability to work together and cooperate, as well as engaging in friendly, playful competitions without hostility or ill will, are important parts of a relationship of any kind and thus can be a good test for couples looking to get married in particular. It is also worth noting that the hunting duels of Aredhel and Celegorm have become particularly infamous and are to this day lauded as a great example.

♡ Tulkas, as always, is looking for a fun little fight and a good laugh, and those sharing his passion are welcome in his mansion for a special kind of celebration. Many Elves and Ainur alike seek to prove themselves in battle against their peers to win the affection and admiration of whoever they wish to court, as well as engage in friendly duels with their friends and loved ones. Making sure that everything is as fair as it can be, Tulkas presides over these fights with glowing pride and invites all participants to attend a great feast after.

♡ Said feast is usually coupled with a special performance by Nessa and her Maiar, as well as others who wish to join them, and afterwards everyone is invited to dance with their partners. It is not unusual for non-martially-inclined couples to spend their day elsewhere but attend Nessa's dance party in the evening, and oftentimes the lord and lady can also be seen on the dance floor together.

♡ For Yavanna and Vána, the Day of Love is yet another instance of their boundless generosity. The two Valier share their gifts and boons freely, providing flowers, fruits and materials for the crafting of presents; sometimes even advice to those who seek it. Year after year, their husbands show their gratitude - as well as vicariously for the rest of Valinor - by crafting and hunting special gifts for them, and it is said that the trees and flowers bloom even more beautifully on that day to celebrate their ladies' joy.

♡ Among the Elves, traditions are varied as well. Particularly famous is the pearl-diving of the Teleri, a test of both courage and skill where young and old lovers alike venture out into the sea and seek to find the most beautiful pearls to bring home to their partners. Ulmo gives his blessings freely to all who attempt such a feat and, together with his Maiar, makes sure that everyone returns home safely; over the years, many a daring Elf had to be fished out of more perilous waters. These pearls - and other treasures that were found - are particularly precious to the Teleri and objects crafted from or with them may even become family heirlooms.

♡ The Noldor, together with Aulë, Vairë and their Maiar, spend a lot of time before the Day of Love crafting wonderful gifts for their loved ones. These creations are a matter of great pride and may hold a lot of different, intricate meanings, often being a key component in courtship. Aside from all sorts of trinkets, couples are often seen exchanging promise jewelry. A particularly noteworthy occurrence over the years was the unveiling of a great Fëanor statue, made by none other than Nerdanel during their courtship, and to this day spectators claim that they have never seen Fëanor this speechless before or after.

♡ The Vanyar, aside from attending the festivities in Ilmarin, are also fond of music and love to sing or otherwise perform for their loved ones. Such performances are often done with special costumes and instruments, and the gifting of instruments is regarded as something especially intimate and meaningful. Those among the Maiar of Manwë and Varda who are not too fond of poetry like to join the Vanyar instead, offering their own songs and arts as entertainment. Eönwë and other avian Ainur are regularly asked for their feathers and even grow special plumage to accommodate these requests.

Thanks for reading! Feel free to take inspiration from these (though as always a little shout-out is appreciated if you create your own stuff based on this post ♡).

[beyourownanchor6]

i was tagged by my beloveds @hippolotamus @buddierights to share my winter/holiday fics to get in the spirit now that it's december 🎄

buddie:

the holiday calendar—buck ends up with an advent calendar during the start of the holiday season. he thinks it's possessed and out to ruin his life, the toys inside continually leading him to some doe-eyed beauty and his adorable son.

the holiday calendar: strikes again—maddie asks eddie to hold onto the infamous holiday calendar for the season, eddie getting to find out just how ‘magical’ it really is

christmas kisses—five times buck gives eddie cheesy gifts, and the one time eddie gets exactly what he's been wanting

santa buck—buck wears a santa hat...that's it, that's the summary

you make everyday feel like it’s christmas—buck and chris want everything to be perfect for christmas; eddie thinks they already are

snow on the beach—the surfing au, christmas edition

in the reflection, all i see are glimpses of you and me—five times eddie sees glimpses of something more in a snow globe, and the one time buck sees it too

teen wolf:

christmas at the loft—the pack needs derek to participate in a very non-derek activity. it's his and stiles first christmas together as a couple; what could go wrong?

animal kingdom:

broken cookies—adrian helps deran with chritmas baking

on chrtistmas day— 5 times adrian gets deran to celebrate the holiday's and the one time deran makes a tradition for them all on his own

tagging: @loserdiaz @redlightsandicedtea @honestlydarkprincess @monsterrae1 @onward--upward @spotsandsocks @eddiebabygirldiaz @barbiediaz @justsmilestuffhappens @elvensorceress @wh0re-behavi0r @jacksadventuresinwriting @spaceprincessem @giddyupbuck @disasterbuckdiaz @wikiangela @daffi-990 @thewolvesof1998 @wildlife4life

[manymanydolls]

Since I recently redid my meet photos for all my girls, I thought it’d be fun to do a post with some fast facts about my original characters. Look under the cut to learn more about them!

Jennifer:

Favorite season is autumn

Plays with her mother’s Miss America Barbie doll

Loses track of time easily and will stay up very late working on her knitting projects or watching TV

Katherine:

Has sensory processing disorder and is especially sensitive to loud sounds

Favorite holiday is Halloween

Puts glitter stickers on everything she owns

Evelin:

Favorite musician is Rufus Wainwright

Sets up a hummingbird feeder outside her bedroom window every summer

Got into making amateur radios as a fun way of communicating with her friends during the Covid pandemic

Nancy:

Favorite holiday is Valentine’s Day

Listens to at least three Talking Heads albums a week

Wants Amanda to play drums so that they can be like Van Halen

Amanda:

Favorite book is The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate

Broke her wrist skateboarding when she was 11

Watched a TV program about volcanoes once and now is a little afraid of them but also fascinated by them

Rosemary:

Never sleeps with a blanket because it feels too constricting

Favorite food is a grilled cheese sandwich with a fried egg on top

Bakes lemon bars with her Mama at least once a month

Daisy:

Is afraid of ghosts

Loves foxes and has a beloved fox Squishmallow

Pours soy sauce directly on rice to make her grandparents mad (manners in Japan dictate that you dip a bite in sauce instead of pouring it over your food) (and Daisy knows it)

Ruby:

Has a scar on her ankle from a Razor scooter with a vengeance

Most treasured possession is a sunflower-print fleece blanket from her grandmother Marie

Favorite food is 4th of July hot dogs

Marguerite:

Wants to live in an old Victorian house

Has a huge collection of interesting rocks and crystals and wants to have an entire rock display wall

Once had a really intense cottagecore phase and refused to eat bread that she didn’t bake herself

[delopsia]

del 💐 what about grocery shopping adventures with the floytts?!

i wish they weren’t so regionally different because the idea is so domestically dreamy 😔 but let’s try anyway...

*whispers* actually, let me first say that reader is technically a blank slate existing around these two hot dogs, so any additions you’d like to make regarding them and the ideas i have yet to present is up to you 💫

rhett-ington 🌻

does he actually not mind holding onto the cart? does he ever learn to not silently walk off when robby and reader’s backs are turned? or maybe it’s second nature because he really doesn’t mean to wander off and get himself lost (often times in plain sight because sometimes he’s just very quiet and still) while reader and robby speedwalk around like a scooby-doo montage...

is he holding a hand when all they need is a basket? does he ever absentmindedly try to pull whoever’s hand he has laced with his along to see something on a shelf that catches his eye—maybe not to buy necessarily, but just because it looks wacky or interesting?

i feel like rhett is the resident *points to item on top shelf* “hey cowboy, can you get that for me please?” even if it’s robby, who is only an inch or two shorter than him, asking? and rhett just 😌 “of course, baby.” because he loves being needed...

do you headcanon him adding anything else to the grocery lists besides his usual snacks? i feel like rhett is a creature of habit when it comes to the meals he does like, especially since reader and robby have since introduced him to different and more flavorful meals, again, unless it’s on a plate that doesn’t belong to him per saaay, but to someone who knows him and then he’s like “that looks tasty...” but to me, rhett seems more like he just mindlessly goes with the flow on grocery trips...

he will, however, in my humble opinion, absolutely annihilate a farmers market. i think the cowboy is a mental math, recipe remembering, time efficient lunatic when faced with booths of fresh produce, flowers, and baked goods. he’s even better with a list, of course, and definitely won’t miss out on a chance to drown in reader and robby’s kisses and hugs when he comes home with seasonal pastries or slices of cake or pie and a fistful of sunflowers...

rob-ington 🌷

is robby the opposite? a time efficient, recipe remembering, mental math machine in a fluorescent-lit grocery store rather than a farmer’s market? i think out in that busy outdoor market he’s the one who dilly-dallies and lallygags and sometimes walks off, because he’s checking out nearly every booth that is selling ready made food 🤭

but i think robby keeps a grocery list as organized as reader keeps their pantry and kitchen? (which! i felt that so hard because SAME) but maybe it’s reusable, in a way? like they always cover all basis for their cooking lifestyle, robby has his own special homecooked recipes he got from his mama that he loves making his beloved partners, so they just check inventory and keep buying what they’re low on or out of? he does strike me as someone who bypasses the boxed / pre-made baking aisle no matter how much rhett whines that he “jus’ wants to see!” because again, his mama raised him up with a couple recipes for batches of big chewy cookies and a chocolate cake so decadent that it even knocks him on his ass for a nap after a slice and a glass of milk...

but maybe he folds around holiday times when reader and rhett plead so sweetly for those ridiculous (his words) seasonal cookies 😂

The way in which I was standing in a grocery store, checked my phone, and saw this 😭

Currently renaming the Hawthorn AU to the Hot Dog AU 💃

Rhett never learns; the problem is that he only means to step away for a second. He's standing by the cart and realizes that, "Oh! We need sugar; that's just around the corner. I'll go grab that." But then he comes back, the cart is gone, and he can't find them again. He only intends to help, but he's never fully in sync with the plan that the other two have.

Sometimes, he'll look up and see them darting past, having no clue he's standing right there, and he'll just let it go on until they finally spot him. He gets a kick out of standing there, sugar in hand, watching them struggle to find him.

If they only need a basket, then he'll sometimes curl his finger into Bob's belt loop and just follow along that way. It doubles as an excellent way of not losing each other in crowds, so long as you don't mind the soft tugging. But he does just forget he's got someone's hand in his.

"Don't you see it?"

"You're pointing our hands at about four different things, Rhett."

Bobby can fully reach that bag of chips on the top shelf and they all know it, and that just makes Rhett's content grin grow larger. Bonus points if they both struggle to get it and the Reader finds the little step ladder the employees use.

Rhett's definitely a big creature of habit when it comes to food; if it weren't for Reader and Robby, he would eat the same ten meals all the time. Sometimes, he makes a big deal out of it; if Bob says no to hot dogs, then he'll annoyingly burst into a "What, are you too good for hot dogs now? Will the cheese start a revolt? Ham can't handle another type of meat in its presence? I can't believe how you've changed🙄"

But he will just...find these odd foods that pop up from time to time. Once, he disappeared and came back with Dorito-flavored beef jerky. Another, he wound up with canned jackfruit, didn't know what it was, but it intrigued him. Nobody could find where he got them. Then there were the Froot Loops Cereal Straws, when he doesn't even eat cereal that often, and the countless odd, frozen meals that were too intriguing not to try. He doesn't like most of the things he finds, but it always makes dinner a little more interesting.

He only finds these things if he's with Bob and Reader, though. Otherwise, he's in and out within ten minutes. He isn't one for browsing unless he's glued to the cart, free to look at everything, while the other two fuss over which brand to buy.

Rhett and farmers markets! He can always spot the good stuff; he used to follow his momma to the market every Saturday as a kid and picked a lot up from just watching. How to spot the good, avoid the bad, what a scam looks like; the only time he slows down is when he winds up in the baked goods section. It's the only thing he's not familiar with; just because it looks like it has apple in it doesn't mean it's not another fruit in disguise. He learned that the hard way when he accidentally brought home apricot turnovers.

That's how he learned that he hates apricot.

Always picks out things he knows Reader and Bob like, even if he doesn't enjoy it himself because he loves the excited smiles and thankful kisses he gets wrapped up in. Of course, he will always overpay for his favorite lemon bars, even if Bobby does roll his eyes and promise he can make them at home, too.

Robby is the kind of guy who has a whole damn game plan for shopping. It's a little bit funny. Start with the non-food items, the things that won't get warm while browsing, and then straight to the back of the grocery section, slowly working back toward the front. He organizes the items on the list to come in chronological order so he never has to hunt to cross something off. The Reader falls into the habit pretty easily, but Rhett's brain just doesn't work like that, which is why he gets lost so often.

The way that Bob can look at a package and figure out the price per ounce, all in his head, deeply frightens Rhett.

The only problem with Bob in grocery stores is the overstimulation. Those bright fucking lights and the music and the people and the squealing tires and wondering where the hell Rhett got lost; it all gives him a killer migraine by the end. Farmer's markets confuse him because the layout is rarely the same; just because Mrs. Betty was here last week doesn't mean she is this one. And for once, he's quiet, letting Rhett lead the way and trying not to get lost.

There's someone who always sells fresh chicken at a hell of a deal, but they also bring live chickens with them, and something about it just makes Bob pass up on it. How can he buy meat when that chicken's best friend is looking back at him?

Nobody can convince me that Robby doesn't have a damn pantry inventory spreadsheet. While the Reader has free reign of where everything goes, Bob has an elaborate tracking of what they have, how much, and how much has been used. That being said...there's a pattern. The list looks the same, aside from a few items, always needing to get cornmeal mix for the cornbread, red beans, and long-grain rice for the...red beans and rice (who could have guessed?). Same seasonings, always needing two dozen eggs, always this, always that. It's how Rhett knows they need sugar without seeing the list.

The only reason Bobby starts allowing those damned "Easy to make" boxes into the house is because Rhett genuinely gets a little upset. He wants to help bake so bad, but he messes up the recipe every time :( The only thing he can make is in the pre-made box mixes. The breaking point is when he realizes he misunderstood Bob's instruction and put too much flour, thus forcing them to remake the entire thing. He sat in the corner of the couch, face hidden in his knees, misty-eyed as he kept apologizing for always messing it up.

"The only thing I can make is in them boxes," he chokes, squeezing his knees in a little tighter, "but you don't like those."

But Bobby does like those; he just didn't see the point in buying them when he could make a better version from scratch. So now it's a mix of both. Bobby's got his homemade recipes that have trickled down his family for generations, and Rhett gets to make those boxcakes and treats so that he doesn't feel so left out.

He still draws the line at those damn store-bought icings. He'll help Rhett make those from scratch every time because he cannot stand those damn things. It's an easy compromise; Rhett always gets food coloring on him and spends the rest of his day elaborately colored.

He absolutely does fold for those seasonal cookies; it's the one recipe he can't fully nail; for every attempt, there is a box and a cowboy on standby, snacking on the chocolate chips that he was supposed to stay out of. The assistance tax, he calls it 🍪

[catindabag]

TBOSAS on Crack short take (32)

Lepidus: Hello, Panem! Welcome back to our show, The Table Talk. I’m your host, Lepidus Malmsey for Capitol News-

Casca: Start the show already!

Lepidus: Fine! For this season’s ✨Stars of The Week✨, we have invited our beloved Mentors from The Academy to sit down and chat with us!

Mentors: Hello, everyone.😔

Festus: *Quickly stands up* Can I switch seats with Pup? Arachne is giving me a lot of “evil vibes” today.😬

Arachne: *Is still wearing a neck brace after the Sandwich Zoo Incident* Oh, don’t act so f*ckin’ innocent, Creed. You tried to kill me in front of my Tribute 2 days ago!

Festus: Kill you?! I literally saved you from being stabbed and choked to death by your Tribute, you ungrateful spider!

Arachne: Oh, yeah! You freaking shoved me first, garbage boy!

Festus: You punched my beautiful face and gave me a black eye, you spoiled witch!

Arachne: Pay my hospital bills first, you trash loser!

Festus: Pay mine, you monster!

Casca: At least smile and look happy while arguing!

Festus: I’m doing my best!

Lepidus: Can we go back to-

Casca: Dammit it, Creed! Sit the f*ck down!

Festus: Fine!

Arachne: Suck a di-

Felix: Alright! That’s enough! Let’s go back to you, Mr. Malmsey.

Lepidus: Finally! My first question is for anyone and everyone.

Felix: Ok. Let’s hear it.

Lepidus: So what were your first thoughts and reactions when you first found out that you got selected for the Mentorship Program?

Livia: Unsurprised as always.

Juno: As expected for a Phipps.

Florus: My parents almost smiled at me. Almost.

Felix: My granduncle created another useless national holiday to celebrate my success.

Coryo: My cousin baked me a cake made out of cabbages.

Sejanus: My father threw money at me like confetti.

Festus: To be honest, I wasn’t even aware of the program. I just got in, and here we are.

Androcles: Just like we planned!

Lepidus: What do you mean by that?

Pup: What do you mean by what?

Lepidus: Weren’t you all selected because you guys are simply the best and the brightest of your year?

Hilarius: Fairly selected?!

Livia: I’m so sorry but I never heard of her before.

Domitia: The Best and the brightest?! Who told you that lie?

Persephone: You’re joking right?! I mean, just look at us!

Festus: Me?! The Academy’s village idiot?!🤣

Florus: Half of my grades are sh*t!

Pup: Sleeping and skipping classes are my best subjects!

Palmyra: Who told you I was smart?

Apollo: I’m not even the best at finger painting class.

Dennis: Do people honestly believe that BS?

Androcles: Now that’s funny!

Lysistrata: I have at least 15 demerits to my name, you know.

Coryo: Physical Education hates me! And delusional Dean Highbottom hates me!

Sejanus: Dr. Gaul personally banned me from attending her class. And my grades are also sh*t.

Gaius: Don’t look at me. I’m just the class clown, bro.

Diana: And honestly, Clemensia’s the only student who deserves to be here fair and square. But as for the rest, let’s just say, we used other means.😈

Lepidus: What other means?!

Felix: Mr. Malmsey, not to be rude, but I have to know, who told these lies to you?

Lepidus: Your Dean told me-

Casca: I swear it wasn’t me!

Lepidus: Right. So just for the record, you’re all confessing, just now, on LIVE TV, and in front of me, that not one of you is a top performing student at The Academy?!

Felix: Unfortunately, yes.

Festus: Never was and never will be.

Lepidus: So you all have demerits?

Festus: My demerit count is 92 and counting!😀

Lysistrata: Shut it, Creed! You’re not suppose to say that on TV.

Felix: Yeah! What will the rest of Panem think of us now?!

Festus: Panem is thinking about us?

Coryo: Since when?

Lepidus: But seriously, how the heck did all of you become our official mentors then?

Felix: Ravinstill Nepotism!

Androcles: My mama blackmailed my way into that list, sweetheart!

Coryo: Easy. I just pretended to be Dean Highbottom’s dead boyfriend and persuaded him to add me on that list while he was drunk.

Casca: Crassus, my love, why did you betray me again?! I was super drunk!😭

Sejanus: Just ask my father. His money don’t jiggle jiggle. It folds.

Lysistrata: I just gave our Dean a free but fake morphling prescription.

Casca: That was fake?!

Livia: My mama threatened Highbottom with a fake tax evasion allegation.

Juno: I’m literally ✨Old Money Capitol Royalty✨.

Palmyra: Food poisoning.

Lepidus: Can you elaborate on that?

Palmyra: No.

Florus: Simple. The Ring twins and I just asked Urban and Io to hack the Dean’s personal computer and change the final list of Mentors before the day of the announcement.

Io: It was dangerous.

Diana: But it was worth it.

Urban: True. And to be fair, I was already on that list.

Apollo: Whatever you say, Math Freak.

Pup: My father just used his military connections while I was busy sleeping.

Persephone: My papa threatened to eat the Dean.

Dennis: I just convinced one of my professors to let me in.

Lepidus: How?!

Dennis: Do you want to receive a horse head before going to bed?

Lepidus: No.

Gaius: I just told another “your mama” jokes to one of the School Board Officials.

Lepidus: That’s it?

Gaius: Yeah. What more can you ask?

Domitia: My papa gave Dr. Gaul 200 chickens and 20 dairy cows.

Arachne: My mama promised the Dean and the whole faculty members a free vacation getaway this summer.

Iphigenia: I kid you not, my crazy papa threatened to destroy the food industry if I didn’t get in.

Vipsania: Clearly, I just got in because my aunt (Professor Sickle) threatened to throw the Dean out of a window if I wasn’t on the list.

Festus: Honestly, I just strolled into Heavensbee Hall, crashed the ceremony uninvited, sat down on one of those fancy “Mentors only” seats, and everybody just accepted it.

Lepidus: So you just illegally got in through sheer dumb luck?

Festus: Well, the odds are always in my favor, Leppy.

Clemensia: *sighs* So it’s true. I’m the only student who got in by literally doing my best.

Coryo: Yup. That’s right, Clemmie!

Clemensia: Why am I even here? Just to suffer?!😩

Sejanus: How about you, Heavensbee?

Hilarius: I just blackmailed my creepy father to let me in, or else I’ll stop giving him some of my cute and candid photos of Coryo and Felix.

Coryo: What the f*ck, Hilari!

Felix: How the heck did you take my photos without me knowing?!

Coryo: And why give them to your creepy old man?!

Hilarius: None of your business.

Coryo: Hilari, I swear I will literally file a restraining order against your whole family if you keep giving away my cute photos like candy.

Felix: My granduncle will hear about this!😡🔪

Hilarius: Why are you being mean to me?! It’s not my fault you two were born gorgeous!😭

Sejanus: Can I see those cute photos of Coryo?🥺

Lysistrata: Can I sell those photos?

Casca: Can I have one?

Lepidus: What is wrong with all of you?!

[ossified-hypothesis]

Current Things

Tagged by @evenaturtleduck (thanks! ☺️)

3 ships: idk I’m not really much of a shipper! We were just talking about ships in the October Daye discord though - my favourites to come out of that convo were August x Nolan, Oberon x Sylvester (aka the Disappointing Dad Duo™️), and Toby x Literally every knowe she meets 😆

[Edit: sorry I lied a bit I forgot I’m shipping Outlaw Ty and Texas Michael after the latest WOE.BEGONE episode 😅]

Last song: decadence by woe.begone (the fact I was listening to a track from the cowboy album is pure coincidence, my music was on shuffle lol)

Currently reading: ok so I was reading The Truth by Terry Pratchett when a bunch of my library holds became available. So now I’m also reading System Collapse by Martha Wells (Murderbot my beloved 💕), Yellowface by R.F. Kuang, Where the Drowned Girls Go by Seanan McGuire, and A Day of Fallen Night by Samantha Shannon 😅

Last movie: I think it might have been Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed (lmao) - I remember a distinct lack of decent telly on over the holidays so I’d decided to watch this mostly out of nostalgia

If you mean in a movie theatre then I don’t think I’ve been back to the cinema since Barbie in the summer - I want to go see the boy and the heron but need to find the time lol

Currently watching: Delicious in Dungeon! And also the new series of The Great Pottery Throw Down (think bake off but for pottery). I need to watch season 4 of what we do in the shadows when I get the chance as well

Currently craving: Sleep! And maybe a cup of tea

Currently consuming: food or media?

Food I consumed this evening was leftover quorn korma with fruit and nuts, followed by a bunch of chocolate I got for Christmas

In terms of media the podcast brainrot is still going strong lol. Namely WOE.BEGONE and Hello from the Hallowoods but The Grotto and Jar of Rebuke deserve honourable mentions!

Tagging @flamefirenut, @boopblep, @felixcosm, @forbidden-fungi, @mocha-moth, @discursivetacenda and anyone else who wants to take part! (no pressure though!)

[brisownworld]

Merry [almost] Christmas!! This is my absolute favorite time of year, despite now living in Los Angeles and not getting the experience the best part of the season (aka chunky sweaters and snow), so of course I have been reading plenty of holiday romances to try and make up for that. It may be sunny outside my window, but in my heart and on the page, it’s a winter wonderland, baybee! Read the full reviews in the link above!

In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren. The supernatural element? A time loop. The setting? A cabin where heroine Maelyn Jones, her family, and their close-knit group of family friends gather every year for Christmas. The situation? After hooking up with the wrong family friend (Theo) despite her long-standing crush on Andrew (his brother) and discovering that the beloved Christmas cabin is being sold after this season, she’s given a surprise second chance when, upon driving away after the holiday, time resets, and she’s back at the beginning of the trip.

Rating: 5/5

How hot? 🔥🔥🔥

Loving the Mountain Man by Adriana Anders. After a near-death experience followed by a daring rescue, our lovebirds Christa (a city girl marketing professional) and Micah (a disabled vet living off the grid) are stuck in Micah’s tiny mountain cabin until a massive Christmas storm clears enough for Christa to make it back into town. There’s immediate attraction, because she’s adorable and he’s a ripped survivalist, but both are hesitant to act on it.

Rating: 4.5/5

How hot? 🔥🔥🔥🔥

Mangos and Mistletoe by Adriana Herrera. When two queer Dominican bakers with very different relationships to kitchen skills and their culture end up paired off during a holiday televised baking competition in Edinburgh, they must learn to find common ground in spite of seemingly insurmountable odds. It doesn’t help that there’s an instant attraction neither of them is ready for or hopeful about the future of.

Rating: 4/5

How hot? 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[kentopedia]

rylie my beloved angel , i am stopping by bearing gifts baked just for you - 🍩 🍪 🍰 🧁 🥧 .ᐟ.ᐟ i hope this weekend has been treating you so so gently ໒꒰ྀི´ ˘ ` ꒱ྀིა

your new url is so so cute . . . cannot tell you how much it suits you and your blog , i have literal heart eyes <3 pretty url for a pretty lady .ᐟ.ᐟ

i saw your holiday event and it looked like so much fun, i need to get my stuff together so i can come up with ideas to participate snif snif ૮꒰っ˕‹̥̥̥ ꒱ა currently picking my brain apart like kenny trying to think of something .ᐟ.ᐟ

neways, i wanted to ask if you and kento have any special holiday plans? i know he'll probably treat you like a princess the whole holiday season, just like you deserve , , ,

love you sweetness, i am sending you so many smooches ˚₊‧꒰໒꒰ ´ ˘ ` ꒱ა꒱ ‧₊˚

ange!! thank you for the treats they were so yummy 😚😚 my week hasn’t been too bad ! daylight savings is really hitting me though the sun going down at 5pm makes me so sleepy </3

eee thank you, you’re the sweetest!! im so happy you like it hehe. & i’m so excited for the holidays, this is truly the best time of the year !! ※\(^o^)/※

ooh we have so many plans for the holidays! kento and i will be watching so many christmas and winter movies & getting cozy by the fire! and i love going around and seeing all the christmas lights, so we will definitely spend a night doing that !! and i think we are going to try and get out of town for a bit and go on a mini vacation one day hehe <3 oooh also gojo is trying to rope us into his gingerbread house competition!!! (۶•̀ᴗ•́)۶ kento is very good at decorating them so i know we can win teheheh

[that-tall-queer-bassist]

Easiest Cookie Recipe ever

(Use to buy good grades, better social standing, and social interaction) (quick for holiday party potlucks)

My mom stole this off pintrest years ago, and its since been our family favorite!

So since it's holiday season, and i made them this morning, I'm sharing it with y'all :) It has 4 ingredients, takes 7-8 minutes of baking time per sheet, and each batch makes a little over two dozen cookies that are beloved by everyone we can get to try them.

Warning before the actual instructions/recipe, this is written very nuerodivergently and in common terms. It's step by step instructions after the ingredients, with sassy comments galore. I highly suggest reading all the way through before making.

Ingredients:

Box of chocolate cake mix (supposedly pillsbury devil's food works best. Or maybe just any devil's food. Idk she said blue box i can't read minds)

two eggs

1/3 cup of oil

about 2 dozen, or 2 and a half dozen rolo's candies. (aka 24-30)

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees farenheit

Wash your hands

Line cookie sheets (1-3 for one batch) with parchment paper (VERY IMPORTANT)

Mix the eggs and oil into the cake mix. (a medium sized bowl is preferred for one batch.)

It will take much longer than you expect to mix thoroughly.

Mix with a spatula until the entire thing is evenly mixed. Looks gross and sticky and dark brown and should almost be like oily play dough.

It will take much longer than you expect to mix thoroughly. Keep mixing. I promise it will work (spatula is for scraping the sides and bottom of the bowl, this ones sticky.)

Wash your hands

Unwrap all of the rolo candies. Helpful to do it before you need to.

Take a spoon, and get a small spoonful of the dough.

Use your hands*, and mush the dough around one rolo until it has a core of caramel goodness that will later melt.

Should be around the size of a ping pong ball, and no larger than a golfball unless you want unevenly cooked cookies.

Space them evenly on the parchment paper (Staggering works well. doesn't matter if they touch during baking when they spread, but try your best.)

Wash your hands. (your hands will be gross at this point)

Bake for 7-8 minutes Exactly.

They never look done until they're over cooked. Take them out at 8 minutes max. If you're not sure, break one open at 5 minutes and see if the dough is uncooked. It never is. idek how.

Wash your hands

Let cool for about 5 minutes, to give the caramel time to solidify enough, then lift the parchment paper up to unstick the cookies from the pan.

Let cool for another 10 minutes.

If you ignored the parchment paper rule, lets hope you like doing dishes and used lots of cooking spray on the cookie sheets :) (you will be spending an hour scraping caramel and burnt sugar off the pans. I told you it was important.) (Oh, and all of your cookies left their bottom half on the pan. Also happens if you don't move them after 5 minutes of cooling.)

Optional - Sprinkle powdered sugar on them for extra holiday flair. (It makes them look pretty instead of brown lumps)

Yay! Cookies are done! It's chocolate, with a caramel inside that will surprise anyone who didn't make them!

Can theoretically be made without gluten,and/or milk. It has not been tested. Fuck around and find out? (and lemme know if you do!)

*FOR ANY OF MY FELLOW NUERODIVERSE PEOPLE

If the stickiness of the dough on your skin bothers you (or is just too sticky to work with) you can use margarine on your hands like a lotion to keep it from sticking. It feels worse to me personally, but I figured I'd say it anyways just in case. Dawn dish soap makes the margarine and cookie dough come off the fastest by breaking through the oils.

[rerairude567]

Prompt 1: Gift exchange, peaceful, decorate

Cast: Reno, Rude, Raine(Turks OC), Elena, and a small cameo of Tseng at the end, mention of Alexander(the summon of Light)

Setting: Midgar, Turks HQ, Turks Lounge, Sector 3(in this AU that includes my OC, S3 exists as the place where most of the Turks have homes, excluding Tseng who lives in the Shinra Building).

Time: Unnamed day in Winter, close to Life Day(or our Christmas/whatever winter holiday you celebrate)

@shinraholidayparty

tags:

- rated: Teen

- tw none

perfect imperfections:

Once more, winter had crept upon the city of Migdar with its chilly winds and frosty snow. However, the festive spirit was in full swing, and the city was bustling with life and joy. The streets were adorned with colorful lights and decorations, while the air was filled with the sweet aroma of hot cocoa and freshly baked cookies.

Children of all ages ran around in the snow, building snowmen, having snowball fights, and delighting in the magic of the season. Adults worked tirelessly, hoping to earn a day or two off to spend with their loved ones, while couples brimming with affection for each other eagerly awaited the perfect moment to steal a kiss or a tender gesture. Everywhere one would look, there was an atmosphere of warmth, love, and happiness, making the city of Migdar truly magical during this special time of year.

Amidst the towering facade of Shinra HQ, where every inch of the building is polished to a gleaming shine, lies a cozy haven known as the Turks Lounge. The sound of merriment fills my ears, and my eyes are immediately drawn to the festive decorations that adorn every nook and cranny of the space. The walls are bedecked with ribbons of crimson and emerald, and the air is filled with the sweet scent of evergreens.

The holiday season was on the horizon, and with it came a wave of festive decorations that transform homes and businesses alike into a winter wonderland. Among these decorations are the beloved holiday moogles - little white creatures that resemble flying cats - of all shapes and sizes. The adorable creatures can be found perched on shelves and windowsills, their cheery expressions bringing smiles to the faces of all who enter.

And then there are the Life Day trees - tall, majestic, and spruced up in an array of twinkling bulbs that cast a warm and inviting glow over the entire room. The trees are adorned with ornaments of all kinds, from classic glass baubles to handmade crafts. The scent of pine fills the air, and the sound of carols can be heard in the background, lending to the overall festive atmosphere.

The scene was truly a sight to behold, a testament to the joy and camaraderie that the Turks share in this special time of year. The holiday season brings people together, and the decorations serve as a visual reminder of the love and connection we share during this magical time.

The group of Turks were decorating and having a conversation.

Raine, a breathtaking young woman with sparkling emerald eyes and a fit physique, exclaimed with excitement, "This is perfect for the season! The weather, the atmosphere, everything is just flawless! We couldn't have asked for anything better!"

Elena, a young woman with long blonde hair cascading down her back and deep brown eyes that sparkled with amusement, let out a joyous giggle and nodded her head in agreement. "I couldn't agree more," she said. "It's nice to have a break from the constant chaos and turmoil that we're all too used to dealing with throughout the rest of the year."

Reno, a fiery redhead with blue eyes, sat atop Rude, a bald man wearing a suit and sunglasses with hazel eyes.

Reno declared, "I wish every day could be Life Day so I could give you guys gifts all the time!" He winked at Raine as he said this.

Raine and Elena laughed, and Rude joined in with a snicker.

Raine shook her head in amusement and replied, "Reno, you don't have to wait for Life Day to give us gifts. You can give them to us anytime you want."

“I know that, I just find it super special to do it around the holidays! It is the season of giving after all!” He waved around a hot glue gun, risking burning poor Rude’s bald head while conveying his point.

Elena chuckled heartily in response to something that was said, "Well, he does have a point." Suddenly, she noticed something alarming and quickly pointed in Rude's direction, "But, uh, Reno you may wanna watch out," she cautioned. Elena's eyes were locked on a glob of hot glue that was perilously close to touching Rude's bare head.

Reno looked down at where she was pointing and did the total opposite of what he should've done. Not only did Rude immediately get singed but Reno grabbed it and burned himself as well, causing Rude to send them both to the ground.

Rude winced and brought his hand to his head, letting out a pained cry. "Ow, Reno!" he exclaimed, his brows furrowed in discomfort.

Reno winced in sympathy, his gaze flickering over to the angry red burn on Rude's head. "I'm so sorry, buddy," he murmured, his voice laced with concern.

As soon as they heard the commotion, Raine and Elena swiftly abandoned their ongoing decorating and rushed to assist the boys without any delay.

As soon as the commotion died down, Raine was quick to act. She knelt between Reno and Rude, checking on their injuries. "Are you guys okay?!" she asked with concern, her voice filled with worry.

Reno seemed to have hurt his hand, but Rude's wound was more severe. Raine immediately directed Elena to tend to Reno while she took charge of Rude's care. She assessed his head injury carefully, making sure to apply the proper amount of healing magic.

Reno complained, grimacing in pain, "It stings a bit, but we're fine."

Elena laughed and playfully hit him on the arm, "Oh no, Reno, you're not getting away with this one. You just got burned! Let me take care of that."

She pulled out her trusty first aid kit and began to tend to his burn, making sure to clean and treat it properly to prevent infection. Despite Reno's protests, Elena was determined to make sure he was okay and wouldn't suffer any long-term damage from the burn.

Rude's expression contorted into a frown as he uttered, "It hurts far more than I had anticipated."

Raine gazed at Rude's head wound with a look of concern, “Well, you were burned by a lot of hot glue but nothing I can't heal.”

She knew it was a serious burn caused by the hot glue, but she was determined to heal it. With a wave of her hand, she summoned her healing magic and began to mend the wound. After a few moments, she applied some burn ointment to the affected area and gently wrapped a bandage around it.

Raine's smile was a sign of relief as she saw the wound slowly start to heal. “There we go, all better," she said softly. “Just keep the bandage on for a couple of days and you should be okay again soon. Plus with the holidays about, you'll have plenty of time to relax.”

Rude flashed a smile at Raine, as he reached for another pair of sunglasses from his suit jacket. The array of identical shades gleamed in the light, neatly arranged and waiting to be chosen.

With a practiced hand, he swapped out the cracked lenses of the old pair that had failed him during his last tumble. "Thank you, Raine. Appreciate it," he murmured, his voice low and smooth.

After thanking Rude for his assistance, she turned towards Elena, who finished treating the burns on Reno's skin. With a friendly smile, "How are you feeling?" Raine's eyes were filled with compassion as she looked at Reno.

Reno's complexion contorted into a slight grimace as he shrugged his shoulders, but he managed to flash a reassuring smile. "It stings a little," he admitted, "But I've dealt with worse before. I can handle it.”

“Alright, if you're sure…," Raine spoke, “Elena and I can take care of these remaining tasks, and once we're done, we can all hang out together. It'll be a fun time with all four of us.”

Elena's face lit up with excitement as she eagerly nodded in agreement, "That's a fantastic idea, Raine! We shouldn't waste any more time, let's finish up right away!"

The boys stood nearby, giving nods of approval before moving to sit next to each other and chat for a bit. Meanwhile, the girls were busy finishing up the decorating task they had taken on. Raine, in particular, was meticulously putting the finishing touches on the last Life Day tree, which was adorned with white tinsel and green bows along the pine branches. With care, she placed a star on top of the tree to complete the festive look.

As Elena decorated the room, she carefully hung different ornaments and trinkets on the walls and ceiling. Among them was a small sprig of mistletoe, which she strategically placed under the doorway. While doing so, she couldn't help but think that this would be the ideal chance for Raine and Reno to share a romantic moment.

Elena had just finished adorning the room with various decorative items. She hopped down from the ladder and faced her three friends with a bright smile on her face. "I have an excellent suggestion," she exclaimed. "What if we organize a Secret Santa among ourselves?"

She proceeded to pick up a plastic hat from a nearby container and gestured towards some white paper sheets placed on the table.

Elena received nods from Raine, Reno, and Rude, who all smiled at each other before acknowledging her.

Raine's eyes lit up with excitement as she exclaimed, "Sounds like a lot of fun!" She paused for a moment, lost in thought, before tapping her finger against her chin. "I can't help but wonder just how much we all truly know each other on a personal level..."

Rude made a teasing comment, "Well, we won't know until we try," and then gestured towards Elena, who had already taken out four pieces of paper and carefully written down everyone's names on them.

Elena took great care in shuffling the folded paper slips thoroughly in the black plastic hat before she delicately reached in and plucked out a single slip of paper. With a sense of anticipation, she moved on to Raine who eagerly took her turn and drew another slip of paper from the hat. Rude and Reno followed suit, each selecting their slips of paper from the hat, their expressions betraying their curiosity and excitement.

"Okay, make sure you don't peek at your paper slips until after work hours when everyone has gone home. We have the whole day today and tomorrow to prepare our gifts before the winter party tomorrow evening," Elena clarified to the group.

The other three nodded their heads.

After finishing up their work, Elena, Raine, Reno, and Rude carefully gathered all the leftover decorations from the table, making sure to leave the place spotless. Once they were done, they calmly and methodically packed their belongings and headed home, satisfied with a productive day's work.

Each member opened the paper slips on the way home, revealing who they'd give a gift to. Raine got Rude, Rude got Elena, Elena got Reno, and Reno got Raine.

The name forced a lump to Reno's throat. He got Raine. He had already spent three years with his Raine. And what was the issue? As for what to give her for the Secret Santa, he had no clue. For a girl who is so flawless and so considerate of everyone around her, what do you get? He was merely a young boy hopelessly in love with her, and she was everything.

On his way home, Reno fidgeted with his rod and repeatedly read the name on the paper slip. He considered bouquets, candies, and various jewelry or trinkets that Raine could find appealing, but that was the issue. Reno's mind was filled with only one person: Raine.

Raine's beauty, sensitivity, and sense of style were unmatched. The beams of the sun in the sky kissed her soul so tenderly that Reno caught a glimpse of the lifestream itself if her lips were to touch his.

Regaining consciousness after his trance, Reno dialed Elena, the only person who knew Raine quite as well as he did. Heading into Sector 3 for the night, he got on the underground train. He waited for Elena to pick up whilst seated.

He became increasingly nervous as his phone rang, hoping she would answer it quickly. "Please, please, please, hurry up!"

At last, Elena responded, "Hey Reno! What's wrong? Did you burn yourself again?”

"No, no, I'm alright. He grumbled, "I was calling because I don't know what to get for my Secret Santa." Reno answered.

"I figured you'd say that," Elena said, nodding. “Look, I'm not supposed to—”

"Elena, just do this for me, please! If it was simple to solve, I wouldn't be calling! Reno essentially begged through the phone.

"All right, let me guess," groaned Elena. “You seem nervous, so I assume you got Raine?”

"How did you know?" Reno pretended to cough in an attempt to wave it off.

"Just get her something thoughtful," Elena said, laughing and shaking her head. “Well, there must be something she enjoys. Perhaps a necklace made of flowers or something sentimental. Anything that I know Raine appreciates would likely be something that was made exclusively for her.”

Reno mentally jotted down what Elena said, and he found her advice to be quite beneficial, "You know, you're right! I'm sure I can come up with something to suggest to Raine using this idea. Thanks a bunch, Elena.”

"Not a problem! I expect to see you tomorrow, good luck!” Elena smiled.

"Bye! See you tomorrow!” After hanging up, Reno left the train and headed up the steps towards the walkway home in Sector 3, thinking of what he should prepare Raine for his Secret Santa present.

His judgment was obscured by the frigid air that entered his nostrils as he strolled through Sector 3's bleak streets.

Then it hit him, "Oh! I'll make her a bracelet! I have some thread and beads at home that I think she'll like.”

Reno's mind kept running through plans of creating the perfect bracelet for Raine, his Secret Santa recipient, as he drew nearer to his little home in Sector 3. As he entered his house, his red hair glinted in the city lights.

"Okay, Raine, get ready for some handmade charm," Reno murmured, laughing to himself. He imagined the bracelet—a fusion of vivid beads and subdued jewels—that would go well with Raine's fashion sense. After opening his door and entering, he shut it behind him and went straight to his closet's craft bin.

Reno dug through his belongings and found a variety of gemstones and beads he had accumulated over the years. With a look of uneasiness mixed with determination, he sat on the edge of his cluttered desk. He pondered as he looked over the selection, "Let's see... I'll start with these blue beads,"

For Reno, the procedure was a journey of trial and error. Occasionally murmuring to himself, he wound the rope through beads, asking, "Is this too much? Nope, Raine like a little audacity." His fingers exhibited an unexpected dexterity as they wove a pattern that gained shape over time. Reno was a little frustrated at first since he had to start over and reassemble the beads due to carelessness.

Observing the time, Reno made an effort to work quickly without jeopardizing the level of quality.

Reno was unable to resist thinking back on Raine's peculiarities and advantages among the Turks while he labored. He intertwined the beads carefully, saying, "She's got that tough exterior, but there's a softer side too." Mirroring the layers of complexity he observed in Raine, the stones gave a touch of grace.

Reno's commitment to the endeavor persisted for hours on end. He thought of Raine's face, her emerald-green eyes glimmering with gratitude. "This better be worth it," he smiled to himself.

Reno finished the bracelet and held it up to look at it with a mixture of pride and amusement. He said, "Well, not bad for a Turk, huh?" as he considered the impending gift exchange. A sincere smile spread across Reno's face as he imagined Raine opening the bracelet and realized that sometimes the most unexpected actions might mean the most.

It was a serene night as Reno wound the bracelet, the colorful stones and beads tucked between the paper's creases. He smiled to himself, picturing Raine's shocked face as she opened the homemade present. He muttered to himself, "I hope she appreciates the effort," and set the wrapped bracelet down on his bedside table.

Reno yawned after a basic dinner of takeout noodles, understanding that even Turks needed beauty sleep. After brushing his teeth, he glanced in the bathroom mirror at himself. He joked, "Gotta look sharp for the gift exchange," and subsequently fell asleep, not even remembering when his head hit the pillow.

Reno woke up to his alarm going off early the next morning. His eyes were drawn to the wrapped bracelet as he groaned and staggered out of bed. His face twisted into a smile as he thought about the coming day.

Drinking a strong cup of coffee, Reno thought about the Secret Santa exchange that was coming soon. He retrieved his suit and ironed it carefully, trying not to wrinkle it. He laughed to himself, "Turks gotta look their best." He decided to add a pop of brilliant red to his hair color to keep his signature look after seeing that his crimson locks were starting to fade a little.

Using his kit and dye brush, Reno spent the next hour dying his hair. He wrapped foil around the colored sections to let them set.

Pulling out his phone, Reno called Rude while waiting for the dye to set. "Hey, Rude! "What did ya get Elena?" With his TV on in the background, he asked.

Over the phone, Rude's deep voice could be heard, "I got her a set of old photography books. You know, she likes that artistic stuff."

Nice choice, dude. classy." Reno smiled and kept dabbing at the color. "You know what I got for Raine?"

"Some jewelry?" Rude asked Reno, his eyebrows furrowing as he considered.

"Close...a bracelet handcrafted by hand! Made it myself," Reno praised his achievement.

On the other end, Rude's deep voice laughed, "Handmade? You? That caught me off guard. Still, I'm sure she'll enjoy it."

Reno smirked, "Yeah, well, don't underestimate the Turk touch."

Their conversation flowed seamlessly, shifting from gift exchanges to work schedules. "We got that mission tomorrow, right?" Reno asked, adjusting the phone between his shoulder and ear.

"Yep. Gonna be a busy week," Rude replied.

"Tell me about it," Reno quipped, finishing up his hair. "Alright, catch you later, partner."

As the call ended, Reno admired his refreshed hair in the mirror, a sly grin playing on his lips.

Ready for the day, he slipped on his outfit. Reno departed from his house, the wrapped bracelet safely tucked into his pocket, looking forward to the camaraderie of the upcoming Secret Santa exchange.

Reno strolled briskly from his residence in Sector 3, the city sounds blending with the rhythmic tapping of his boots against the pavement. The morning sun cast a warm glow on Midgar as he approached the underground railway. Boarding the train, he navigated the familiar route to the Shinra Building.

Reno flashed his Turk ID as he checked in at the security gates with ease. He was called upon by the stoic Turk leader Tseng to help with a variety of duties. Reno spent the afternoon handling paperwork, planning future operations, and communicating with other departments to make sure the Turks ran smoothly.

Tseng gave a rare nod in acknowledgment of Reno's effectiveness. "Well done, Reno. The Turks benefit from your talent for handling these details."

Reno grinned, "Just doing my thing, boss. You know how I roll."

Following the completion of his tasks, Reno went around giving Tseng, Rufus, and even President Shinra housewarming presents. Though they were small, such behaviors provided the work environment a sense of companionship. The Turk occupied a special place in Shinra due to his ability to strike a balance between his irreverent attitude and his professional responsibilities.

Reno arrived at the main Turks area, where he was welcomed by the typical hum of activity, after finishing his responsibilities. Rude and Elena were already at their stations when he arrived. “Morning, pals," he said with a nonchalant wave.

Elena gave Reno a fleeting smile, but Rude nodded, lost in a report. “Reno, you seem pleased with yourself! All set for tonight?"

Reno, with a playful twinkle in his eye, leaned on a desk. "I think so! I've got the bracelet right here! I'm hoping Raine will love it.”

The companionship in the air increased as they joked around with each other. The three of them waited for Raine to show up for the Secret Santa trade. Shinra's business tone was punctuated by the Turks' normal banter and friendship, which created the perfect environment for a memorable and amusing discussion.

Raine entered the Turks headquarters with a self-assured posture, seeing the faces of Reno, Rude, and Elena that she knew well, "Hey, everyone!"

"Raine, you made it!" Reno said with a teasing grin. “Are you ready for some holiday fun, Turk-style?”

She chuckled, "Absolutely. What's the plan?"

"First, we got some business to take care of," Reno said, gesturing to their workstations. “Though the fun is just around the corner.”

There was a distinct hum of business and cooperation in the Turks Headquarters as they settled into their daily tasks. With his attention on an article, Rude nodded modestly to Raine's entrance.

Elena beamed, "By the way, nice dress! I adore the shade on you!"

Raine, intrigued, leaned against a desk. "Thanks Elena! What did you end up getting Reno for secret Santa?"

Elena put her pointer finger up to her mouth, “You’ll have to wait and see..”

The room filled with bits and pieces of animated conversation as the job went on. Raine and Elena laughed at a clever remark, and Rude's sardonic humor made the job at hand seem a little less serious. With his characteristic irreverence, Reno maintained the banter and made the ordinary seem less so.

The anticipation for the forthcoming present exchange lingered in the air among the tasks. Raine couldn't help but admire the Turks' unique friendship - a blend of professionalism and genuine connection. Though not overt, the festive atmosphere pervaded their interactions, making the Turks HQ feel more like a close-knit family than a job.

Reno signaled to the group that tasks were almost finished by clapping his hands. "Now, Turks, let's change course. Awaiting you is your secret Santa!"

The Turks exchanged a glance, preparing for the Christmas exchange that promised surprises, laughing, and possibly a few unexpected moments in the midst of their hectic working life.

The Turks' Lounge Room was decked out in subtle holiday decorations, ready to accommodate the Secret Santa exchange.

Rude offered Elena a beautifully wrapped surprise with a gentle manner.

Elena's eyes glowed as she unwrapped the present. "These are incredible, Rude!" You are aware of my passion for photography. "Thank you," she shouted, grateful for the kind gift.

Elena turned to Reno, a cheeky smile on her face, and handed him a wrapped parcel. "Your turn, Reno," she jokingly said.

Reno grinned as he eagerly unwrapped the present. He was ecstatic to discover a sleek new electric rod and a set of fashionable goggles. "You nailed it, Elena!" These will be useful on our next mission. "Thank you!" he said, enjoying the equipment.

The Turks took a little pause after exchanging gifts. The wrapping paper crinkled underfoot as they tossed it aside, and the room was filled with laughing and conversation. Elena advised a quick refreshment run with a joyful twinkle in her eye.

"Who's up for snacks and drinks?" She called out, already on her way to the break room.

Reno, getting into the spirit, said, "Count me in." I need to refuel before the next round of gifts."

Elena produced a batch of hot cocoa for the gathering, and the aroma floated across the air.

Reno, who was sitting close, couldn't help but remark, "Elena, you're a magician with those goggles and now hot cocoa. What's next, a holiday cookbook for Turks?"

Elena chuckled as she handed him a steamy mug. "Perhaps next year, Reno. For now, just enjoy the hot chocolate and munchies."

Elena passed out the rest of the mugs and snacked on a cracker before clearing her throat, “Raine, Reno, you guys are up next!”

"Alright! "Wait a second!" Raine retrieved a massive wrapped present from a neighboring broom closet, causing the others to laugh.

Raine approached Rude and handed him a neatly packed suitcase. "For the Turk who always keeps it sharp," she chuckled.

Rude lifted an inquisitive brow as he opened the suitcase. An assortment of identical sunglasses and elegant suits were carefully organized inside. "Raine, this is... impressive," he exclaimed, amazed. "You have style, girl. Thanks."

As Raine and Rude exchanged grateful glances, all eyes were drawn to Reno, who excitedly reached for the next gift. He handed Raine a little, beautifully wrapped present with a chuckle. "It's your turn, Raine. I hope you enjoy it."

Raine's interest piqued as she unwrapped the gift, displaying the handcrafted bracelet Reno had fashioned for her. Her eyes expanded, and a genuine smile appeared on her face. "Reno, this is stunning. "Did you make it yourself?" she said, her voice full of awe.

Reno nodded his head, faking indifference. "Yeah, I thought I'd try my hand at arts and crafts. You know, for the holidays."

Raine's thankfulness overflowed, and she smiled up at Reno. "I adore it, Reno. "It's perfect," she said, planting a delicate kiss on his cheek.

Rude nodded in approval as the other Turks teased him. "Looks like the Secret Santa game is bringing out the soft side in our favorite Turk."

With the gift exchange concluded, the Turks decided to wind down the evening with hot chocolate and a festive movie. They gathered in the Lounge Room, where a makeshift mistletoe hung from the ceiling. Before catching up to the others…

“Hey, I really do love the bracelet! It's so beautiful!” Raine cheered.

Reno smirked, “Almost as beautiful as you.” He winked at her, causing her to blush. “Hey look, mistletoe, my dear.”

Raine looked up, blushing more at the sight of the festive plant and her eyes landed on the handsome redhead in front of her. Reno stood beneath it, inching closer to her. He let his hand caress her right temple, suddenly grabbing her by the waist and spun, dipping Raine down, never letting go over her.

Raine gasped, regaining her senses to note how close their lips were to one another.

“I love you, Raine.” Reno purred, his eyes dialated and full of love.

Raine smiled smittenly, looking up at his eyes and face, “I love you, Reno.”

Within a moment, their lips collided against each other’s, savoring the moment for what seemed like eternity. Their love was eternal since the moment they met years ago, never fading and only getting stronger with distance and time. Pulling away, the lovers shared a warm embrace before heading over to rejoin Rude and Elena.

Amidst laughter and shared glances, the Turks settled in for a cozy movie night. Elena, with her usual enthusiasm, called out, "Hot chocolate, anyone?" They indulged in steaming mugs and shared banter while watching a made-up Christmas movie that only the Turks could appreciate.

The room echoed with the warmth of friendship, the joy of thoughtful gifts, and the promise of holiday cheer among the tight-knit group.

The End.