#i just know your family owns a local christmas tree farm i know it

[tiger-balm]

You ever see a guy so obviously canadian then you look it up and he's canadian its like

[perseephoneee]

christmas tree farm (elijah mikaelson x f!reader)

꒰ ࿁ ˙ ˖ ໑ happy day 2 of ficmas!

prompt: you like drawing one of the workers at the local Christmas tree farm

a/n: this took so long and i'm so sorry but also this is my dream. like, yes, let me find elijah at a Christmas tree farm. i love him your honor.

↳ masterlist  ↳ ship exchange ↳ join my taglist ↳ ficmas 2023

There’s never a great reason to go to a Christmas tree farm every day, yet you did it without reason.

Well, one reason.

The Mikaelson Tree Farm was only four blocks from your apartment, and initially you went to help your friend, Bonnie, pick out a tree. It was the day after Thanksgiving, but she was excited since it was her first time getting a tree alone. She convinced you with a promised cup of hot cocoa, and you found yourself at the expansive farm. What made it better than others was that an arborist owned it, so they understood the novelty of trees better than anyone.

You had brought your sketchbook along as well. As the quarter was close to ending, you were working hard on your animation final. Not that you were an art major by any means, but you liked to draw as a hobby, and when an opportunity arose to take an art class, you did so happily. Now, though, you had to do a short animation for your final, which meant lots and lots of panels. 

“Do you think this one is too dense?” Bonnie asked, taking careful steps around a Douglas Fir. You peered at it, continuing to shade out its leaves in your journal. 

“Depends on how many ornaments you want to shove in there,” you mumbled, adding a few people to the background of your illustration. 

“I’ve got a good amount that I inherited from Grams,” Bonnie sighed. 

“Then you might want some more space.”

“You’re probably right,” Bonnie looked around, hands on her hips and breath fogging before her. “Plus, this would shed a lot.”

“You’d probably want a Nordmann then,” a smooth voice said from behind you. Both you and Bonnie turned to the source of the voice, and you felt yourself freeze up as you took in the handsome man behind you. He wore a red flannel with a cargo jacket, and you wondered how he wasn’t cold. “Sorry for bothering you. My family owns the farm; I couldn’t help but overhear.”

“So, you know things about trees,” you said, holding your notebook close to your chest. 

“Yes…I know about trees,” he smiled.

“Like the Lorax,” you blurted out, feeling your eyes widen. You could almost hear the look of disappointment on Bonnie’s face. The man chuckled, though, albeit with little confusion. 

“I’m Elijah,” he said, shaking Bonnie’s hand and yours. 

“Nordmann, why would I want that?” Bonnie inquired, pivoting to your previous conversation. 

“Nordmanns don’t shed,” Elijah explained. “They have a blue tone underneath their leaves and are also pretty.”

“Very nice,” Bonnie nudged you, and you sent her a look of approval. “Show me a Nordmann.”

Bonnie ended up choosing a six-foot-tall Nordmann that she affectionately named “Norman the Nordmann.” Elijah and one of his brothers cut the tree down for her and carried it back to her car. Frankly, the level of attraction you felt watching a man carrying a tree over his shoulder was embarrassing, but you didn’t care. You just said thank you in a meek voice and left with Bonnie to decorate her tree. Still, you couldn’t get Elijah out of your mind. 

Plus, as you spent time working on your animation final, you realized that one of your characters started to look more and more like Elijah. 

Which is how you kept ending up at the Christmas tree farm. 

You couldn’t just show up and sit around waiting to see Elijah walk by. That would be incredibly humiliating for you. So, instead, after your third time going to the farm and lurking in the trees like a creeper, you decided to buy a wreath. The farm had a tiny little hut selling wreaths, ornaments, hot cocoa, and more. They even had a photo album full of pictures of their customers from over the years. One of the sisters always sat in the hut, reading a new book each day, and finally pointed out that you always came in but never bought anything, which is how you ended up with a beautiful wreath you hung up in your apartment. Feeling guilty, you came back the next day and bought another wreath. You always bought a wreath and free hot cocoa after you finished sketching the farm (and Elijah). You realized at some point you should probably buy a tree and move on from your infatuation, but that would involve confronting your wiles, which would simply be unacceptable. 

Today was week three, thirteen wreaths later. You curled up in the corner of the farm with your journal, burrowing into your scarf to fight off the chill. You already had several panels drawn of the day in and day out of the farm, but now you were debating tearing yourself away and drawing Freya (your hot cocoa provider and sister who reads inside the wreath hut) through the acts of reading. Something blocked your light though, as you were drawing, and you looked up to see Elijah hovering over you. Your eyes widened. 

“You have come in every day, you realize that?” he asked, hands in his pockets and a slight smirk on his lips. You likely looked like a deer in the headlights. 

“I like trees,” you answered, immediately looking down at your hands as your brain screamed WHAT ARE YOU DOING? 

“Like the Lorax?” Elijah smirked, and you felt your jaw drop as he recalled your first day. 

“I can go,” you said, starting to get up, but Elijah put a hand on your shoulder, stopping you. The heat from his hand spread throughout your arm like fire to a forest. 

“You don’t have to leave,” he dropped his hand, fiddling with the cuffs of his flannel. “I just noticed that you have never gotten a tree.”

“I haven’t.”

“Do you want one?” He gestured towards the plethora of Christmas trees around you, and you started feeling like a mouse cornered by a cat. A very attractive cat. 

“I could…get a tree,” you crossed your arms, hugging yourself. Putting your journal back in your bag, you gave Elijah your name and followed him deeper into the tree line. He showed you several different variants, explaining their pros and cons, but you stopped at a four-foot Noble that was more sparse on one side and slightly crooked. “I like him.”

Elijah looked at the tree you were pointing at and raised an eyebrow as if to ask seriously? You had a small smile as you circled your crooked, kind of terrible, tree. It was imperfect, and it’s why you liked it. Elijah sighed but agreed to give you the tree. He cut it down himself (it was small enough), and you checked out with Freya, who laughed at you finally buying a tree. 

“Where’s your car?” Elijah asked, tree propped up against him. 

“Oh, uh, I don’t have one,” you stammered. You realize you can’t get a tree home without a car. “I walked.”

“You walked,” Elijah said plainly. You were thinking that he probably thought you were an idiot. 

“I live four blocks away.”

“Alright… let's go,” Elijah sighed, hoisting the tree over his shoulder. 

“Uh, excuse me?” You held out your hands to stop him. 

“To take your tree home.”

“I can take my own tree home, thank you very much.” Elijah stared at you with a blank expression. He would’ve made an excellent diplomat if he wasn’t busy cutting down trees. You stared right back, trying your best to assert dominance. His eyes stared into yours deeply, and finally you relented. “Fine, you can take my tree home,” you mumbled, feeling frustrated as a smile broke across his face. 

“Lead the way,” he gestured. You stalk a guy for weeks, and now he’s coming to your apartment with a tree you didn’t intend to buy. You thought that Bonnie would’ve gotten a kick out of this. He follows you out of the lot and onto the street, keeping quiet as he carries the tree with no complaints. You wonder how much he could bench press if he lifted the tree like it was nothing. You got to your building, a little four-story brick apartment, and let him in. Immediately, his eyes were drawn to the plethora of wreaths lining the doors in the hall. “Are these all…?”

“Yes,” you answered quickly. “I’m the building manager, so I gave everyone a wreath.” Elijah still looked surprised but didn’t say anything else as he followed you to your apartment door tucked into the corner of the first floor. You wiggled your lock before slamming your shoulder into the door to open it. “It gets stuck sometimes,” you explained, opening the door further for Elijah to enter. 

With Elijah peering around your place, you suddenly felt very self-conscious. It was a small place. The layout was straightforward. Your front door opened into your small kitchen, with the bathroom to the right. Your living room was just a couch, a TV you got from your aunt, and a coffee table. You didn’t have a dining room, just a tiny breakfast nook you haggled off Facebook Marketplace. Your bedroom was off the living room, just a bed and a desk. The thing that sold you on the apartment, though was the beautiful circular window behind the couch and the fact you got cheap rent in a city as long as you acted as building manager. 

“Where would you like to put your tree?” Elijah inquired. 

“I guess over here is fine,” you walked over to the space between the wall and your couch, currently inhabited by your basket of yarn that you use for knit projects. 

“Do you have a tree stand?” He put the tree down against the wall. You kept your mouth shut as you watched realization flash across his face. “You bought a tree without a tree stand?”

“I didn’t intend to buy a tree,” you defend yourself. Elijah lets out a small sigh of exasperation, fidgeting with the tree so it can lean on its own. 

“I’ll be right back,” Elijah exits before you can say anything. You glare at the tree, internally blaming it for your current predicament. Keeping busy, you started a pot of coffee in your kitchen while you hunted around for something to decorate the tree with. You came back with a basket of crochet stars and some twine. Maybe you could make a garland and then harass Bonnie for some twinkle lights. You know she had them; she covered her entire place in them like it was Tinkerbell’s house. As you were stringing stars onto your twine, you heard a knock on your door before Elijah entered, box in hand. “Alright, I got you a tree stand, and Freya sent me with ornaments.”

“She’s a good egg,” you smiled, helping him with the box as he started fitting the tree into the stand. 

“That she is,” he laughed, sending you a grin that made your stomach perform cartwheels. You laid out the ornaments Freya sent on your counter, smiling at the cute little animals. She even sent along a glitter-covered mushroom. Your coffee machine dinged, and you moved to pour yourself a cup. 

“Do you want coffee? I got vanilla syrup,” you offered, holding up a reindeer mug. 

“That would be lovely, thank you,” Elijah smiled. You made him a small latte, as you enjoyed any chance to perfect your latte art. You went to a Korean cafe once and watched them craft a bear, and since then have forced yourself to learn how to do the same. You added a little heart, and handed the latte to Elijah who looked at it fondly. “You’re very creative.” He looked at the star garland you had discarded from earlier. “Did you make this?”

“Yeah…it’s the only decor I have,” you shrugged, taking a sip of your coffee and enjoying the warmth seeping into your bones. Elijah picked up the garland and started wrapping it around the tree, making sure each branch was evenly spaced and that the stars were visible. 

“Do all customers get you decorating their tree?” you asked, the corner of your mouth lifting up in a smile. 

“Just the ones I like,” Elijah responded, his back still towards you. You felt your cheeks flush at his comment. He was likely just flattering you. He stepped away from the tree when he was done, and your eyes lit up as you took in his careful work. 

“Well, thank you,” you coughed, putting your coffee down on the counter and shuffling on your feet. You expected Elijah to make a move to leave, but he stayed there, staring at you with thoughtful eyes. He really had very kind eyes, the type you felt at ease under. 

“Can I ask you a question?” Elijah’s brows furrowed, his fingers dancing over the buttons of his cuffs as he looked at you inquisitively. You nodded to let him continue. “Why did you come to the farm everyday?”

“Honestly?” you laughed, glancing away. “I liked to draw you.”

“Draw me?”

“Yeah…it’s silly, isn’t it?” you rubbed the back of your neck, your arms wrapping around to curl more into yourself. 

“May I see?”

“See what?”

“The drawings,” Elijah dared a step closer to you. He smelled like the trees he cultivated, rich and earthy. You felt that if someone were to be personified as a rainy forest, he would be that person. You walked over to your bag, nervously pulling out your sketchbook and handing it to him. His fingers brushed yours, but you quickly pulled away. You hated people looking at your work, so you kept yourself busy by cleaning up the kitchen. You could hear the flipping of the pages, and with each turn the coil in your stomach grew tighter. You were so nervous, you felt like you could break at any moment. What if he hated the drawings? You could never recover. When you heard the thud of the book closing, you dared turning towards Elijah and felt your heart clench as you met his gaze. 

“My brother would hate you,” Elijah said, putting your sketchbook carefully on the kitchen counter. “You’re a much better artist than him.”

“Oh,” you responded, some pressure alleviating in your chest. 

“You captured me very kindly,” Elijah smiled, stepping around the kitchen island to get closer to you. You instinctively took a step back. 

“I see you very kindly,” you whispered, your voice soft on his ears. “It was for a class animation, I…hope I didn’t offend you.”

“You couldn’t offend me,” Elijah reassured. “You make me feel appreciated.”

“Are you not?” 

“A family as large as mine,” Elijah sighed, running a hand through his hair. “It’s easy to lose sight of things.”

“Well, I see you…if that matters,” you said. Your heart was running a race with how fast it was beating. Elijah grabbed your hand, his thumb running over your knuckles like you were a precious artifact. 

“Y/N,” Elijah started, biting his lip in thought. “I’m glad that you kept coming back.” You noticed that his fingers were calloused and rough, likely from all the work of the farm. “I would like to take you out, if that’s alright.”

“Yes,” you answered quickly, earning a smile from the man in front of you. “I would like that a lot.” Elijah tucked a strand of hair behind your ear before glancing back at your sketchbook. 

“May I see the animation, when its done?”

“Of course.”

“Can I give you something?” Elijah questioned, turning back to look at you. You nodded slowly, unsure of what he was thinking. Elijah leaned down, pressing a soft kiss against your lips. His hands came up to cup your head, his fingers brushing through the strands of your hair. He was gentle, but firm, and you found yourself tugging him closer by the front of his shirt. Kissing him felt like first snowfall, or when you learned you had a day off from school. He pulled away, pressing a kiss to the corner of your mouth and the top of your head. 

“That was a good gift,” you whispered, enjoying the deep chuckle that emanated from Elijah. “Does this mean I can stop buying Christmas wreaths?” That earned an even bigger laugh. 

“You really are an enigma,” Elijah smiled, kissing you again on your lips. 

Oh yes, you guess there is a very good reason to go to a Christmas Tree Farm every day

[beautifultypewriter]

The Third Day of Christmas ~ Jake ‘Hangman’ Seresin

Prompt: Visiting a tree farm to pick the perfect tree

Pairing: Jake Seresin x reader

Warnings: None

Word Count: 862

A/N: This went in a direction that I had not expected, but I really like how it turned out.

The sound of your car door slamming echoed in your ears as Jake stepped over to you, slinging his arm around your shoulder. He pulled you in close as the two of you walked over to the entrance of the local tree farm. There was a big sign next to the table where you paid to get in. Jake squeezed your shoulder, “Look at that, sweetheart. You can cut your own tree.” He smirked over at you, and you snorted a laugh.

“You’re gonna cut down a tree yourself?”

Jake looked offended as he shook his head, “You think I can’t?”

You smiled sweetly at him, “I never said that. I just figured you wouldn’t want to mess yourself up, pretty boy.” You gestured to his hair and clothes, and he scoffed loudly. He opened his mouth to retaliate, but you pulled away from him quickly and skipped over to the table, handing over some money to the teenager sitting behind the table. She gave you a white and green ticket in return and told you to enjoy your day. Jake had caught up to you and pulled you into his side once again, following your lead down the rows of trees. They seemed to go on for miles and you had a good feeling, just knowing that you’d find exactly what you were looking for here.

The two of you had been searching for over an hour and that good feeling was fading fast. You were starting to feel a little discouraged and a little bit worried that you weren’t going to find a tree at all. Jake had continued to point out beautiful trees, but none of them were perfect. You wanted this year’s tree to be perfect. You needed it to be perfect. “What about this one?” You were broken from your thoughts by Jake, who was standing next to a nice seven-foot tree. Stepping over to him, you circled the tree, analyzing every needle and gently prodding every branch. Jake waited quietly while you examined the tree, hoping that it would be the one. You shook your head and his shoulders sagged just slightly.

Pointing to a section near the top of the tree, you looked to your partner, “There’s a hole.” Jake followed your finger, but he couldn’t see what you were talking about. It looked fine to him, just as the ten other trees before this one looked fine.

He sighed, “Sweetheart… these trees have all been fine.” As you turned to him, he placed his hands on his hips, looking up to the sky as he tried to gather his thoughts. And you couldn’t blame him because he was right; the trees had been fine. But…

Shaking your head again, you turned away from him, “Fine is not good enough. Our tree needs to be perfect.” You turned to him again, a small frown on your face and your eyebrows furrowed.

Jake stepped closer to you, his hands resting gently on your shoulders, “Why?”

You refused to meet his eyes as you swallowed, “This is our first Christmas together.” You didn’t say anything else, and you still looked at the ground. Jake’s eyebrows shot up and he resisted the urge to scratch his head.

He tried and failed to catch your eye, “What do you mean? We’ve been together or two years.” You finally looked up at him, stopping him from saying anything else. He stared at you as you shook your head once again.

“Yes, but we each went to our own families places that first year and last year you were overseas.” His gaze softened as you rubbed your arm, “This is the first Christmas we will be spending together in the same place, and I want every part of it to be perfect.” Your gaze drifted to the ground again, your feet shuffling in the dirt. Then Jake’s lips were on yours and your hands were moving to rest on his cheeks. Stepping closer, he deepened the kiss, his own hands moving to rest on your neck.

He pulled away, pressing his forehead against yours, “It’s already perfect.” Your lips split into a smile, and you closed your eyes for a brief moment. Warmth radiated between the two of you and you moved closer, savoring the feeling of him being so near. The chatter of other families picking out their trees drifted over to you, and you opened your eyes again. Jake was still staring directly at you, his grin getting bigger by the second, “Okay?”

You nodded, your fingertips running gently over his cheeks, “Okay. Let’s get this one.” You nodded to the tree next to you and Jake’s grin got bigger if that was even possible. He pulled away from you quickly, shocking you slightly as the cold air hit your face again.

Jake clapped his hands together, “Let’s get chopping.” He turned side to side, searching for an axe probably. You barked out a laugh as you shook your head, watching him find what he needed and make his way over to the tree. That warmth was back, and you couldn’t wait to get your perfect Christmas tree home.

[lumosinlove]

Day Five:

On the fifth day of Winterfic, Hazel gave to you, a local farm/Christmas Tree Co. Lelo AU.

Heartcliff Farm was a creature of the summer mostly. It made its ends meet with strawberry and blueberry picking and cut-your-own flowers in the fields. The farm shop housed great, plump tomatoes in June and July. Fresh butter and milk. Buttery, sweet corn in August. Leo and his mother’s own baked goods—using our own eggs and fresh milk from just a few hops and skips away! The lake was near by, after all, and all the second-homers came up for the summer, or at least the Forth of July and a few vacation weeks later on. Leo’s family lived in town. He had never actually been to the lake—it was all houses, no public beaches—but he’d been working at Heartcliff his entire life, and he’d mastered talking to the Lakers as if he, too, was their kind of “regular.” That’s what they asked each other. Are you a regular? And, for Leo and his fellow employees, Are you a local? Local verses Regular—who could say which was better.

But everyone was friendly, and Leo liked to see how his smile worked wonders on them. Most of them knew him by name, and he, them. You wouldn’t believe the tomatoes this year, Mrs. Walker. Oh, Leo, is that some of your banana bread? I don’t know where you find the time to do all that baking for us!

It was a well-worn routine. And there was hardly ever anyone new, but Leo didn’t mind. He missed home terribly when he was away at Gryffindor University, which seemed to be nothing but new people, and no one who cared about this place. No one who cared that he loved it, that he loved baking, that he loved anything. Either he talked too much or was too shy. He hadn’t yet been able to find the sweet-spot, the one all the people at Heartcliff responded to. The one that felt easy, here. It felt like the most difficult thing in the world, there.

But, like any summer, winter always came—but Leo found the good parts. The parts so perfect that they warmed him through and through. Skiing, the Gingerbread house competition at the local library (him or Mrs. Hollyway nearly always won). The fires that his father built in their great fireplace. Baking cookies, and more cookies.

And, of course, the transformation of Heartcliff farm. The summer tomatoes, the sweetcorn and fresh bread, the flower and strawberry picking…all of that was scurried away and swapped out as if Christmas elves had come in the night. Evergreen garlands were strung along the farm shop’s doorways and roof. The wood burning stove was an ever-present smolder in the corner. The library’s sewing and knitting club made ornaments to be sold, some of the profits going to the local charities. Red-faced skiers coming in freezing and hoping for some of their (well, Leo thought it was famous) hot chocolate and home-made marshmallows.

Best of all…

Well. Leo’s throat closed up a little, cheeks flushing as bright as the skiers (only not from the cold) when he thought of the best part of all. To anyone else, he’d say the best part was the Christmas tree farm they put out front of the shop, stringing lights up above to glisten down on the falling snow. The best part was how cozy it looked, how happy the children were when they found that there was hot chocolate and candy canes to be had while they hunted for the perfect tree. The best part was the amount of snow that fell, and how perfect it all looked. The best part was strolling around with his parents to pick out their own tree, too. Those were the best parts. They really were.

But secretly, quietly, only to himself…For Leo, the best part of winter, was Logan.

Logan, who was like a myth that came down from the mountains each year.

“I know that look.”

Leo looked up at his mother over the sound of the electric mixer. She was at the counter, opening a fresh pile of delivered Christmas cards.

“Hm?” Leo asked.

Eloise smiled. “And that smell.”

Leo tried to will the redness out of his cheeks that had sprung up like it was eager or something. “Hm?”

Eloise laughed. “Hm?” She parroted. “Hmm, I just wonder who you’re making ginger cakes for.”

“Mama…”

His father came in from a fresh shoveling of their front walk. Wyatt banged his boots clean outside before shutting out the cold air again. “What’s with that mama? What’d I miss?”

“Well,” Eloise said, watching her husband take off his coat and hang up his hat. “Who could possibly be coming today that Leo would be making ginger cakes for?”

“Well, there’s only one lucky chap I can think of.”

Leo turned the mixer off and laughed. “Dad. Guys, no.”

“Could be it be a certain mountain man?”

“Oh my God, he’s not a mountain man,” Leo said, sprinkling flower into the buttered up, small bunt cake molds. “He’s—he’s just—Well, he doesn’t have a beard, first of all—Second—I’m not making them for him, these are for the shop. It’s a big ski weekend, and everyone’s getting their trees right now, with Thanksgiving over with. I’m—You know, you know what, I didn’t even remember they were coming down with fresh trees today.”

Eloise rolled her eyes. “Oh, yeah, totally forgot?”

“So, you’re making the ginger cakes for me, then?” Wyatt smiled. “And I could take a few over to book club later?”

“Sure.” Leo said, and rolled his eyes at his dad’s laugh. They really weren’t all for Logan.  It was only that Leo wanted something that might make Logan give him one of those gentle, almost shy smiles of his. Now, if only they would bake properly. Logan and the others wouldn’t be here for an hour, so he did have time. And the cakes would be hot for Logan that way—well, for anyone, but—but Logan liked them the most. Logan had a sweet tooth. Oh, Leo hoped they had enough hot chocolate, because then maybe Logan would keep coming inside for breaks and—and if no one else was in the shop maybe they could just talk a little more. A little more than usual.

“Okay.” Leo turned away to slide the cakes into the waiting oven. “I am ignoring these questions and I’m going to read until these are done.” If he could focus. “And then I am going over to the farm to start the wood burning stove. I have my timer on. Don’t open that oven door.”

Eloise winked at him over her mug of tea. “Yes, sir. Oh, and while you’re starting to stove, make sure you’re definitely not waiting for a glimpse of a certain truck or anything.”

It was still snowing lightly when Leo closed the front door behind him, covered plate of ginger cakes in hand. The weather channel had promised it would get heavier throughout the day. It’d be a full on white Christmas for sure, and the skiers would all be out today. He smiled when he saw the farm, so warm looking in the building snow on the ground and roof. The lot waiting for more Christmas trees looked like it would be its own forest, right there on the outskirts of town. He fumbled with his gloves getting the key in the door. The heat was on, making him shiver as the warmth hit him, but the stove was what completed the scene. Leo hung up his coat and hat in the back room before kneeling in front of the stove and opening the small glass door. He piled the wood in, crinkled up the kindling, and struck a match. The warmth flooded out, and Leo filled the iron basin on top with water to evaporate into the air.

He almost loved opening the shop more than running it. He loved starting up the hot chocolate, thick and not too sweet, setting out the bowls of crushed candy canes and marshmallows. At the beginning of the season, he loved stringing up the lights, the red bows above the displays, and the secret sprouts of mistletoe over the doorways. The jingle bells that replaced the usual cowbell above the entrance, alerting them to someone entering the shop. He loved watching people’s faces light up.

Leo was carefully setting his ginger cakes out on the snowman display pedestal when the door opened again, revealing his dad with three big coils of twine over his shoulders.

“I’m really not allowed to eat one of those?” he asked.

“Nope.” Leo put the glass dome over them. “Not until Logan has his pick.”

Wyatt laughed. “You ever gonna talk to this kid when it’s not Christmas?”

Leo didn’t look up from fitting some small lights around the display’s base. “If I was ever going to work up the courage to ask, I would no longer recognize myself.”

“Aw, Le. Come on, I’m sure you could. Even if its just as a friend, at first. Logan seems like a good kid. Better than that boy you said you were ‘maybe’ seeing at school. What’s his name?”

Leo just raised a shoulder and turned to check on the hot chocolate. He didn’t really want to talk about Jack right now. Jack who had refused to come home with Leo for Christmas to his middle-of-no where-town. Babe, why would I when you could just come to the city?

“Logan probably has more than enough friends,” Leo said.

His dad came around to the back of the counter, making Leo look up at him. “That’s not really how friends works, hun.”

“Well.” Leo sighed, gave his head a shake. “Dad, I don’t know.”

“All right, all right.” Wyatt held up his hands. “But at least we’ll have enough Christmas tree twine, right?”

That made Leo crack a smile. “Right. Did Pascal say who he was bringing on the phone?”

“Logan, Noelle, Sergei.”

“Oh, I love Sergei. He always has the best stories.”

His dad laughed. “True. That man has lived five lives, I swear to God. Best way to be, though.”

“I don’t know, I’m pretty happy with my life.”

“Oh—” Wyatt gave him a playful scuff on the head. “You know what I meant.”

Leo’s reply was lost to him as soon as he heard a tell-tale rumbling from the road. He couldn’t help the way his head snapped towards the window, only to find a sight that looked a great deal like an old-time Christmas card. The red truck bumbling towards them with its bright green trees strapped to the back, the whole scene covered in fresh white snow. Leo watched them pull up, could hear some sort of French rap song coming from the cab. The truck stuttered to a stop, tires crunching over the snow, and the song cut off.

“Allez,” he heard—Pascal Dumais’ voice, owner of the farm. He said something faster that Leo didn’t catch—and he had been trying his best to learn from the French courses he was taking (no, it wasn’t for Logan, you had to take a language credit…it wasn’t just for Logan)—but all he caught now was Logan’s name. It was followed directly by Logan himself jumping down from the truck, wearing a dark green puffer jacket and a black beanie, also those thick, worn work boots that Leo sometimes imagined sitting, unlaced, by the front door of his shared house at college. They were tan, and scuffed, and made Logan’s strong legs look even stronger. If Leo ever found out what he looked like without those bulky jackets, he didn’t know what he’d do.

He was watching Logan and Noelle shove each other as they got some supplies from the truck, when his father cleared his throat. “You gonna go say hello?”

“Um.” Leo realized his voice was pitched up. “They always come inside when they first arrive.”

But when Leo heard the bells above the door jingle, and Pascal heartily greeting his father, Leo clammed up. He turned to the side, pretending to mess with the cash register, just for something to do with his hands. But he saw Logan out of the corner of his eye. He saw the way he stopped messing with Noelle, who had pointed out the mistletoe almost instantly and given Logan a smacking kiss on the cheek as they walked in, wiped those boots off politely, and—was he looking at Leo? Or the shop. The shop. Because they had done a wonderful job, it was cozy, and warm, and festive—

“Salut, Leo.” Logan said softly.

Leo took a breath and finally looked up. Green eyes. Green eyes he dreamed about. Logan offered him one of his quiet smiles as he set his gloves on the counter.

“Hi,” he said again, as if Leo hadn’t gotten the French.

“Hi,” Leo breathed, then cleared his throat. “Hi. How are you?”

Logan shrugged. “Good. Same. Did you just get home from college? I saw a bunch of others who look like they’re on break.”

Leo nodded. “Yeah, about a week and a half ago.”

Noelle raised her eyes towards the room. “Doesn’t look like you’re taking much of a rest.”

Leo laughed, smiling at her. “Yeah. I’m not very good at those.”

“I am,” Logan mimed a shiver. “I’d stay in here all day rather than get up at four because someone forgot to do her farm chores.” He sent a pointed look at Noelle.

“Hey!” Noelle didn’t look up from where she was making herself a hot chocolate. “They were yours.”

“Non.”

“Oh-kay,” Pascal laughed. “We’re all nice and warm now, let’s unload.” He sent Leo a smile. “Nice to see you, Leo.” He pushed through the door again, followed by Wyatt and Noelle.

“Same, Pascal.” He looked back at Logan. “Well.” He looked down at the ginger cakes, then motioned to the chocolate. “This’ll be here if you want to get warm again.”

“Will you?” Logan asked.

Leo flushed. He hoped he could blame it on the wood-burning stove heating up the place. “Mhm. Sure will.”

“Good.” Logan began to step back. “D’accord—oop—” He’d bumped not one of the smaller trees they displayed ornaments on. This one was full of jingle bells and there was an almost comical chorus of rings and Logan reached out to steady it. “Ha, okay, I obviously belong outside.”

Leo couldn’t help but laugh, lowering his hand from where he’d covered his mouth. “I guess. Wait, here, you forgot your gloves.”

“Oh,” Logan nearly tripped over his feet coming forward again to grab them. “Merde, okay. Merci.”

And with that he was out the door, leaving Logan staring after him.

It took a couple hours to unload everything, get the new trees in the ground or stands, restring the lights, and then it was time for the customers to come—leaving Logan and Leo both busy and, frustratingly, apart. Between ringing up tree tickets, Leo snuck glances outside at Logan—hauling trees through the netter, hoisting them onto car roofs, and—someone have mercy, please—yanking the chain saw to a start to saw off uneven trunk bottoms. Even from afar, it was good entertainment—especially when Logan got hot and shucked off his jacket in favor of a thermal undershirt in the hour the snow let up a bit. Leo huffed. If he had to watch two more girls from the local high school giggle over Logan, he was going to knock them into the jingle bell tree.

Finally, Logan said something to Noelle that Leo didn’t quite catch, but made a motion towards the shop like he was going inside. It practically made Leo jump, checking the hot chocolate, the ginger cakes, trying to look busy and available at once. He’d barely moved, though, when the bells were jingling above the store door and Logan was stepping through, nose and cheeks flushed.

“Hi,” Logan breathed, sniffing a bit from the cold. “Oh, so warm in here. Lucky.”

“Ha, yeah. Stay as long as you like.” He nodded outside. “We’re doing good though, huh? The trees are beautiful.”

“Ouais,” Logan said. “More beautiful here, though.” Logan set his gloves down on the counter again, and then took off his hat. His chestnut hair was a mess, wild, and maybe a little sweaty at the temples. “Prettier with lights around them.”

Leo’s eyes darted to the lights around the store that seemed to halo Logan. “Uh-huh.”

Logan looked at him for another moment, fingers tapping on the counter, before he noticed the sweets. “Oh. Oh, I know these. You have made these every year, yes?”

“Mhm,” Leo smiled. “Yeah, I—they’re some of my favorite to make.” I make them for you. “You want one?”

“Ouais, please, please.” Logan said, then looked at the hot chocolate. “I can take some of that, too?”

“Of course.”

“Kind of a tradition?” Logan asked as Leo put a cake on a plate for him. “The making?”

“Yeah.” Leo took a breath, stealing himself. “Yeah, kind of like—like seeing you is.”

Logan’s eyes went back to his, and he looked surprised for a terrifying second, before he nodded. “Seeing you makes it feel like Christmas.”

Leo looked back at him sharply from where he was pouring the thick chocolate into one of the staff mugs—much better than a paper cup. He expected Logan to have just—said it. Maybe he would be looking at something else, eating the cake. But Logan was looking right at him.

“You too,” Leo said. “Really, I—yeah.” He pushed the hot chocolate forward. “You too, Logan.”

“Good,” Logan said simply, and without ceremony, proceeded to dump what Leo thought was probably just a little too much candy cane crumble into his cup. Leo couldn’t help but laugh.

“You kind of have a sweet tooth, don’t you?”

“Mmm,” was Logan’s only reply, eyes closing as he sipped the chocolate, then took a bite of the ginger cake. “Ouais, I love these so much. I dream about these, I think.”

Leo shook his head, snorting. “No way.”

Logan just nodded as he chewed.

Leo glanced out the window again and saw that Pascal was bringing the truck back around. “Oh.”

Logan looked up questioningly, just as Noelle opened the door, huffing.

“Lo, we’re packing up.”

Logan looked back at her. “Quoi? Wh…now?”

“Yep.” Noelle raised her eyebrows. “You helping, or…”

“Ouais, just—hold on, merde.” Logan waved her off, annoyed. “Be right there.”

Noelle rolled her eyes at Logan, smiled at Leo, and shut the door again. Logan looked back at Leo, lips parted as if trying to decide what to say. He leaned forward, then back, fingers drumming on the counter again. The shops Christmas music played softly between them, and Leo bit his tongue until he couldn’t stand the silence anymore.

Leo sighed. “Well…” Do you want to exchange numbers? I’d love to keep in touch. Every version of the phrase either felt too flirty or too formal. “Hardly said hello before goodbye.” Hardly anything. How many days had he been waiting for this? Telling himself that maybe this year he’d—what? He felt stupid now. This was how it always went. Logan didn’t live that far away, but it was still a drive. And all Leo really knew was that he was kind, sweet, had pretty eyes, liked ice hockey as much as he did, wanted to run the farm rather than go to college. He loved his life, who was Leo to mess with that?

“Maybe—Leo…” Logan began to say, and God, did Leo love hearing his name in his voice, his accent. Logan laughed and rocked on his heels again. And then he was taking out his phone and holding it tentatively across the counter. “Maybe we don’t…wait a year to see each other again?”

There. Yes. Of course, Logan had said it perfectly. Leo was nodding before he realized it, before he could form proper words. “I—yeah.”

“Mhm?” Logan was nodding too. “Really? Good.”

“I’d really love that.” Leo said, and then realized he hadn’t taken the phone yet. “Oh—ha, here.”

He might have hated the way his hands shook a bit as he typed in his number, but at least Logan was still looking softly at him when he gave him back the phone.

“Okay,” Logan said, and they both heard Noelle shout his name again. Lo-gan. Logan took a few steps towards the door. “Okay, well—maybe some time this break, I’ll drive down myself or…or you can come see the farm, too, if you want. The goats are cute, they have little Christmas collars—well, anyway.”

“Yes. Either. Both. Absolutely.”

Logan grinned. “Okay. Good. Good.”

He’d only just made it out the door when Leo spied his gloves, left on the counter again. “Logan, wait!”

Logan all but threw himself back through the door, coming close to knocking over another display, his green eyes bright. “Yes. I mean, yes?”

Leo laughed. “Your gloves.”

Logan looked at them on the counter, then smiled. “Keep them. You can return them when we meet up.”

Leo bit at the inside of his cheek against his smile. “Okay.” He felt sheepish, and shy, and like something fiery and good was burning him up inside.

“Bye,” Logan said softly. “I’ll text.”

Leo could only nod. “Bye.”

As he watched the truck drive away, French music started up again, he couldn’t help himself. He went to walk through the remaining trees. He put on his coat and hat, shoved his own mittens into his coat pockets, and slipped on Logan’s gloves.

~

A Few Months Later

The weather was warming, and so Leo had his apartment’s windows thrown open, letting in the fresh Spring air. He hummed softly to himself as he packed up his school things—computer, charger, pens…oh, the book they were reading. He smiled when he heard the shower cut off from the bathroom off of his room, the slight humming louder without the pounding water surrounding it.

Things had never been this good. Almost graduating—just a few months away, really—another perfect summer at the shop waiting for him. Not to mention getting to spend half of his time at the Dumais’ farm because—

The bathroom door opened, releasing steam. Logan emerged, towel wrapped around his hips, another being scrubbed at his hair.

Logan. Logan, driving down some weekends to stay. Logan, kissing him stupid at night, and curling into his side to watch movies. Logan, and his clothes filling up a drawer in Leo’s dresser. Logan’s boots by the door.

“Headed to the library?” Logan asked when he saw Leo’s bag, and reached out to cup Leo’s cheek, pressing a kiss to his mouth.

“Yeah, got to meet my partner for this presentation—English Lit class. Might have him over some time. He’s funny, you’d like him.”

“Oh?” Logan asked. “What’s his name?”

Leo shouldered his bag, kissed Logan again, and opened the door. “Finn. See you for dinner, love you!”

[fluffyllamas-23]

🎮🩹🐈🍃🍝 for Jason and Ryan?

Thank you for this! As a refresher, Jason is an elementary school principal, and Ryan is an attorney. I’m also including Paul and Aiden like you suggested the other day. Paul is a writer who recently published his first novel and has had some short stories published in magazines. Aiden owns a christmas tree farm with his family (okay that’s kind of a random occupation, I know, but last year I decided I needed some OCs modeled after hallmark movie characters so here they are lmfao). Some slight TW for mentions of ab//use

🎮 What are three of your oc's favorite hobbies?

Jason: Pretty much all of his hobbies are outdoors or involve being active. He loves to hike. It helps him clear his mind and get his thoughts in order if his ADHD meds aren’t doing their job. He likes to go with Ryan, too. He’s into rock climbing as well. He never does it outside, but he’ll go to the gym that has a really nice rock climbing wall and can spend hours there. He also plays soccer in a rec league. He played soccer for years, all through high school and in college, and now he has the rec league to get his soccer fix.

Ryan: Ryan loves to read, and his favorite genre is high fantasy. He has a few authors whose work he loves to relax to, and he will frequently re-read books. If he’s had a really long and stressful day, he’ll come home and pick up his VERY well loved copy of LOTR and will read that for a bit to decompress. He loves to hike, too. It’s something he and Jason like to do together. Sometimes they bring their kids on kid-friendly ones, other times they find someone to watch them so they can do more strenuous ones. He loves to play the piano, too. He’s been playing off and on for a number of years, and really enjoys finding his favorite movie scores and trying to teach them to himself. 

Paul: Paul is a big art history buff. He loves going on museum dates with Aiden (they’re his FAVORITE dates), and going to the museum when there are new exhibits. He also has a few pieces from his favorite artists hanging up in his office and their house. He’s a big reader, too. Kind of cliche for a writer, but he truly believes that the best way to write well is to consume as much literature as possible, so he does. When he was married to his ex, he loved reading because it was an escape from his really toxic relationship and something he could dissociate with. Now, though, he reads more for enjoyment and relaxation. He’s really into film as well. He has favorites from all decades and will spend hours listening to podcasts on his favorite ones and consuming as much media about them as possible. 

Aiden: Aiden is clinically insa-I mean loves to run! He was on the cross-country team all throughout middle and high school, and kept it up after. It’s something that’s really grounding and soothing for him, and he’ll often go on a second run if he’s feeling extra stressed for whatever reason that day. He likes pottery, too, and will often go to the local pottery shop where he can take classes. One day he’d like to have a studio setup in their house, but until then he just goes to the shop. He’s a really great cook, too and loves it a lot. He loves challenging himself to make really complicated recipes and can usually pull them off beautifully. Paul also enjoys this hobby of his because he always benefits from it lmao. 

🩹 Does your oc have any physical and/or mental disabilities?

Jason: Jason has no physical disabilities, but he is neurodivergent. He has ADHD and is medicated for it. He takes meds everyday which usually help beautifully - it quiets his brain and allows him to be much more organized in his day to day life. He’s an elementary school principal and he NEEDS to be able to be quick and with it enough when managing his employees, the kids, and their parents. It’s a lot and he would feel incapable of doing it well if he weren’t medicated. On days where his normal dose doesn’t work for whatever reason, he’s been prescribed another low dose, quick release med he can take to give him the boost he needs. He’s also dyslexic. He had the loveliest tutor when he was in school who had a lot of experience working with students who have learning disabilities and it helped him make it through. As an adult, he still won’t read for fun because he finds it stressful. It’s difficult to keep his place, and the words get all jumbled up and he gets really frustrated. He can do it for work when he has to but he has to really slow down and take his time. One of his office managers, Alaina, will often read whatever it is to him and help him transcribe emails as long as it’s not any sensitive student information he has to read. She’s pretty much family at this point (he was her student in his first year of teaching, so he’s known her for a lot of her life) and she never makes him feel judged or embarrassed by needing help.  

Ryan: Ryan doesn’t have any physical or mental disabilities. 

Paul: Paul has no physical disabilities, but he has anxiety and depression and is medicated for both. The antidepressants are an everyday, he MUST take them, kind of thing, but the anxiety meds are more for if all of his coping mechanisms aren’t working and he needs them on a rescue-basis. 

Aiden: Aiden has no physical or mental disabilities.

🐈 Does your oc prefer a wide circle of friends or a few close friends?

Jason: Jason has a wide circle of friends that he likes to hang out with sometimes. They’ll all go out to the movies, or for dinner and drinks, stuff like that. Most of them also have kids, so they’ll often have gatherings where the kids can go hang out while the adults do as well. Even though he loves that bigger group of friends, he has a pretty small circle of a handful of friends he’d consider his best friends.

Ryan: Ryan prefers a smaller circle of friends. He’s not a huge fan of large social gatherings, though he’ll sometimes come to dinner and drinks with Jason’s larger group of friends. Sometimes he’ll go out for happy hour with his coworkers at his firm, too, but overall he definitely prefers to keep a really small close group of friends. 

Paul: Paul is really introverted. It takes a while for him to trust people enough to let them in because he just doesn’t trust people easily. His ex-husband was abusive and really isolated him, so he lost a lot of friends during that relationship. He’s slowly building his social circle back, but it’s just going to take awhile. 

Aiden: Aiden has a larger social circle than Paul, but he’s not looking to expand it, really. He still doesn’t have a ton of friends in his social circle, as he really prefers quality over quantity. 

🍃 What is/was your oc's favorite subject in school?

Jason: Jason was a big fan of hands-on subjects.  His favorite academic subject was any science class he took that had a heavy hands-on component, and his favorite non-academic subjects were ceramics and woodshop. He’s really good at working with his hands and I think if he hadn’t gone into teaching, he’d have skipped college and gone to some sort of trade school.

Ryan: Ryan’s favorite subjects in school were pretty much any history class, and his speech and debate classes. That may be kind of cliche bc lawyer, but he really thrived in those classes.

Paul: His favorite classes were always his English classes. He’s always loved all sorts of literature and writing, and had always had his teachers tell him he should seriously consider becoming a writer. He also loved history, specifically the art history courses he took in college. He would frequently take those as his elective even if they weren’t technically considered electives. 

Aiden: Aiden was NOT an academic person. He didn’t like school, and there were no subjects he was passionate about. He hated being stuck inside, he hated the fluorescent lights, and he hated having to sit for long stretches of time. He’s smart and did well by just skating by but he resented having to sit and learn everything lmao. He did really like gym class and ended up being in cross country in middle and high school. He just has a lot of energy and it wasn’t conducive to having to sit for long periods of time. 

🍝 What is/are your oc's favorite food(s)?

Jason: Jason is your classic ADHD “hyperfixation meal” kinda guy. He’ll only want to eat something for weeks and then all of a sudden is so tired of it and doesn’t want it anymore, and then he’ll move onto the next thing. He’s not really a fan of complicated, fancy food. He’d much rather have pizza and wings, or mac n cheese, or a burger than going to grab sushi.

Ryan: Ryan, in contrast to his husband, is a big fan of really interesting food, complex food. He really likes any kind of Asian food, especially sushi and will frequently go get it with the other partners and attorneys at his firm. 

Paul: Paul really loves diner food. Grilled cheese, mac n cheese, burgers, that kind of thing. He also likes steak, which is good because Aiden loves that. He’s pretty picky and likes what he likes. His ex always made him feel guilty for his food preferences and would often make comments about how he can’t have what he likes because Paul is soooooo picky and it would make him feel bad. Aiden will tell him not to feel bad about what he wants to eat and he’s happy to go wherever Paul wants to go.

Aiden: Aiden is a big steak and potatoes person. He loves loaded baked potatoes and loaded baked potato soup, and if he could subsist solely on steak and potatoes, he WOULD. He and Paul will frequently go out on dates to the museum and then finish the night off with a fancy steakhouse. 

[writerfae]

I am here to fully encourage the Christmas movie au

The third act breakup happens. Tis the damn season by Taylor Swift starts playing

Also it needs a lot of cheese hollydays cliches like snow angles and hot chocho or something

Just so you know, I am now more obsessed with this au than ever and it’s entirely your and @deadlycupid ‘s fault (saying that very affectionately but also how dare you)

Anyways.

First off, I’m really here for the Taylor Swift song playing. Actually, another song of hers, Christmas Tree Farm, would be perfect for this au and you’ll see why.

(I’m still working on plot details and making everything make sense, but the basic storyline is set.)

So Talon is our typical business man from a big city, working for his father’s company. Also, his family is literally rich.

And Talon for some business reasons gets send to one of those small towns that are very much obsessed with Christmas. And he’s not happy about it.

It’s cold, it’s in the middle of nowhere and he’s not really the Christmas type of guy anymore, since he and his dad are always busy with the business.

So at first he’s not really thrilled and he keeps complaining to Halea (who here is his best friend) over the phone all the time. And then he (quite literally) runs into Aiden.

Aiden is a true small town boy and works at - you guessed it - the local Christmas tree farm, which is the pride of the city. (He most likely even owns this place, idk yet.) He’s very helpful and pretty beloved by the people.

Him and Talon do not have a good start though, their meeting ends with them bickering and Talon being as annoyed as ever.

The next day Talon seeks out a Café. Coincidentally, Aiden is also there. He helps out at the Café that belongs to his best friend (Maya) whenever things get busy around Christmas.

Nice guy that he is he apologizes to Talon about the day before by giving him a free drink and the two settle on starting anew.

That’s when the whole plot line of getting to know each other starts. Aiden shows him around town and Talon visits the farm and the two get closer.

Aiden is set on showing Talon how wonderful Christmas can be and Talon starts to grow pretty fond of it - and pretty fond of Aiden too.

Which already leads to obstacle number one: Talon (with a little help of Halea) realizes he has a crush on Aiden, but he is convinced that Aiden is dating Maya (even though he’s obviously not).

This misunderstanding gets solved after a while though and the two kiss. And things go great from there on. Until we reach obstacle number two.

Now this is not completely worked out yet, but I had the following idea (that just needs to be molded a bit):

So I was thinking that maybe Aiden’s family (or his boss if they wouldn’t own the farm) is at risk of losing their farm land, be it cause of a lack of money/some debt or just someone wanting to bully them off of the land.

And Talon’s family company is involved in that. Actually, Talon was send there specifically to get Aiden’s family to sell the property, one way or another.

And one day shortly before Christmas Aiden finds out about it and thinks Talon only used him, so that’s when the third act breakup you mentioned happens.

Aiden doesn’t want to see him anymore and so Talon (almost?) leaves. But something holds him back and he decided to chase after Aiden, convincing him that he wasn’t using him.

They make up but there’s still the problem with Aiden losing the farm. So Talon steps in, helping him out. In the end he ends up buying the farm himself, so that Aiden can stay. Aiden wants to pay him back eventually and Talon agrees to that to not hurt his pride (it ends up not being a problem anymore though cause years after he story they get married anyway)

And then they can celebrate Christmas on the farm and everyone is happy! And Talon of course has to come visit from time to time to be with his boyfriend “check if Aiden is looking after the farm correctly”

THE END (not the end of this ask tho cause I have more ideas to share)

Cute and cheesy Christmas movie/romance movie ideas for the story (in no particular order):

Aiden playing in the snow with children from the town

him and Talon getting dragged into/having a snowball fight

little Christmas market in the town and at the Christmas tree farm

drinking hot cider/hot chocolate like all the time

baking cookies escalating into a flour battle

feeding each other chocolate

talking about how they used to celebrate Christmas with their family and getting sad about things but being like they used to

Talon running into Aiden and Maya being overly affectionate or comforting one another and thinking “oh they definitely date”

Talon seeing Aiden chop wood and running straight into a Christmas tree

Aiden helping a little kid finding their ideal tree for Christmas being all sweet to them

Aiden showing Talon around town

it’s starting to snow in a very romantic coded moment

Talon getting talked into singing for some people from the village after they find out he’s got musical talent

of course decorating the Christmas tree

also at least one mistletoe scene I bet

“fairy lights make you look even more pretty”

One of them slipping on snow or something and the other catching him

ice skating maybe?

Christmas dinner. Also Aiden cooking for Talon cause he’s a godly cook

Feel free to add on if you want xD

But yeah that’s it do far. Already pretty cliche and cheesy but that’s how I intend it to be. Absolutely in love with this.

[influenzalake]

The Kents and petite E.D. Yin

Featuring my OC Yin ( see my Wattpad for introduction to Yin )

MAJOR TW 

: Eating Disorder

: Touching

Don't Like Don't Read

Inspired by the Justice League series Christmas Episode when Clark comes back home for the holidays and Martha goes, "Have you been eating? You look thin!" 

Inspired by seeing someone for the first time in months / years and the first thing they say about you / to you is "you're so skinny!" 

- - - 

Yin was invited to the Kent family farm for the holidays. She was very excited to see the farm, animals, and of course Mrs. and Mr. Kent. Yin had not seen them in years! 

Yin excitedly exited Clark's old truck and ran towards the door. Her long shawl flowing behind her. Martha Kent met her halfway and Jonathan Sr stood at the door. As he looked out to the group, Krypto and Jonathan Jr followed Yin's example and his parents joined him for a group hug. All together they entered the home to catch up and enjoy the winter weekend. 

Martha was always so happy to have her babies back home. Any time is a good time when spent with family, she always says. Her babies of all shapes and sizes, all starts and stories.

They chat, laugh, eat, and drink.

Well, most of them. 

Martha feels a kind of Mom Radar going off and notices Yin has barely touched her plate!

Her plate piled high with all the fixins, Martha begins to worry Yin has lost her tastebuds! Was there something wrong with her cooking? This thought seems impossible, Yin used to have such a vivacious appetite and her cooking has never been dismissed before by anyone! 

"Yin, dear, are you enjoying your food?"

Her question breaks the chorus of chewing and chomping from the table. 

The Kents don't know. 

"Yes Mrs. Kent! I just ate before I got here, and I'm still a little full." Yin gives her go-to excuse and finishes with a friendly giggle. 

Jon sees right through her response and gives Yin a sympathetic look. He isn't sure how his grandparents are going to react to the news though. 

Lois saves Yin's soul with a lavish compliment about the gravy. With the tension broken, Clark, Jon Sr., Jon Jr., and even Krypto resume inhaling their dinner. 

Yin gives a performative sip of water and bite of her food to even the mood. Martha slowly returns to her own dish, but still isn't satisfied. Why would Yin eat before she came to visit? How could she still be hungry after the drive? Well... maybe they stopped on the way... or had snacks. Martha is still a bit confused about the whole ordeal, but she guesses it's alright. There are always leftovers in this household. 

Yin ends up needing to wrap up her food while the boys are finishing their seconds and thirds. Lois finishes her initial serving and helps Yin with packing her food. Again, saving her skin. Lois shuffles Yin out of the kitchen as by now the sun has gone down and so has the temperature. The ladies excuse themselves to change into something more warm and Yin thanks her lucky stars for having such great people in her life. She reminds herself she needs to be more careful, and maybe it won't hurt to fake just a little harder? Martha clocked on to her behavior so quickly, but truly she's not surprised. 

When the table and kitchen are cleared, everyone settles into the living room. Lois and Yin descend from the stairs and into the gathering. The festivities have already started with the Christmas tree in its rightful spot, multiple boxes of ornaments, and the TV playing on a local station. The classics always show on the local channels! They smile and go to help. 

Everything is going smoothly, until Yin goes to put an ornament high on the tree. Too high, as she will soon find out. 

"YONG LIN! Your BONES!", Jonathan Sr.'s booming voice catches everyone's attention. 

In an instant they're all looking at Yin. Her shoulders slump in defeat as this uncomfortable yet familiar situation unfolds. 

Yin is caught in the middle of putting an ornament up and unfortunately her sweater was too short for the extension. Her hip bones are on full display for the entire room. Jutting out into the open air. Into their line of vision.

The grand Kents release a gasp of surprise. 

Even after raising alien beings, some things are still odd. Martha and Jonathan Kent are from a different era in time. When models were a size 16 and scales were not as much of an issue and being from the Midwest, the Kents were raised on a strong culture of hospitality. This culture frequently included food. Sharing a meal around the table was how you bonded, how you showed your love. It is essential! Important! How could someone get so... skinny? Food is what fueled a person! They were always surrounded by bigger people. What is their "normal" is just not everybody's "normal". Seeing a person's bone is usually a call for alarm, yet Yin is standing? Moving and speaking? It's strange...

Jonathan steps forward with his eyes fixed on her hip bones. Yin draws back and shoves her sweater down, but Mr. Kent's hands stop her. She meets his eyes and sees a depressing shocked expression. Martha moves into her view and also places a hand on the scrunch of sweater. 

"Sweetheart, do you mind taking off your sweater?" 

It is a peculiar request. 

But Yin knows this is not malicious demand. What the Kents are feeling is just a morbid curiosity. From the look of their faces, concern too. She assumes they "just want to know she's okay". 

Yin slowly brings her bulky sweater up and over her head, wearing a thin u-neck long sleeve under. With the sweater now off, her collarbones are also unveiled. 

Martha's warm hand reaches up to poke it. A distorted expression flashes across her face, but she changes it quickly so as to not be rude. 

Jonathan takes a small step back, one hand reaching up to cover his face and another arm across his body. 

Clark and Lois try to steady their breaths, they have known about Yin's issues for a while. They have tried to intervene, but Yin is the only one who can let herself get better. Jon has actually known longer than his parents. He learned about Yin's eating disorder in a similar fashion. It was a restaurant run gone wrong. Jon was reminded of her condition every time they went out. In warmer weather, Yin's clothes always made her stick out. Just like her bones. 

The Kents look toward Clark and Lois holding each other from the sofa. Their son hangs his head in a quiet shame and Lois purses her lips. Jon can see the stress starting to get to Yin. He reaches out to her hand and leads her up the stairs without a word. 

Yin has actually been doing so well. She doesn't care what people say about her anymore. She can go outside and wear whatever. She can stand in the mirror for an acceptable amount of time. She has found she loves her body, even if it makes people react like this. 

Yin would usually not be bothered by something like this. It just hits a little harder when it's someone you know. 

She can hear the commotion going on downstairs. Jonathan holds her closer and they just sit there in silence. 

Yin tries to ignore it, but she will eventually have to face the Kents and everything they have to say. People always have something to say to people that look like her. 

Yin has had a lot of awkward moments due to her eating habits and appearance. She'll just have to explain and move on. She can't change the feelings of others. She only hopes they will understand. 

[rphelperblog]

Nine Liars Book Quote Rp Meme

“Group friendships are products of the right time—the chemistry of season, activity, emotion, and random occurrence. They coalesced over a series of long nights at the pub, in rehearsal spaces, cafés, and bedrooms.”

“This was one of those moments where she felt like she had failed at some primary task of life, to know the basics of an Indian takeout meal.”

“Isn’t it possible that she was just high? That she was saying things that had no bearing on reality?”

“Could you burn logs after a murder?”

“We’re good at lying,We’ve been doing it for years.”

“It looks like the moisture farm that Luke Skywalker lives on.”

“That’s what they call the pub. Your pub is your local, and we have a local. And you have to go. It’s the law.”

“Silence. Naturally, people try to fill it.  It’s human nature, and it’s what sinks a lot of murderers. This was something I knew from my compulsive viewing of interrogations on YouTube.”

“Once threw a mug of tea at a policeman”

“I’d never be able to keep this place if it didn’t pay for itself,” 

“You know, the best fanfic I ever read was an erotic story about Thor and Tony Stark living together on a Christmas tree sex farm.”

“I’ve got a murder mansion, a house full of suspects, a pile of evidence, and nothing.”

“but English nachos are very bad. Do not eat English nachos. I swear to God I’ve seen them put baked beans on them. Fish and chips, however, are very good. That’s not a stereotype. That’s fact. And that’s what we are getting.”

 “the confidence of ten mediocre men.”

“a secret I’ve been holding all these years being out in the open at last. What you did last night was impressive. It’s . . . so strange. I feel like something’s missing. Of course, something—someone—is missing.”

“As they told it, all these people were involved with each other. There was a lot of hooking up and jealousy and breaking up and making up. Anyone could have been mad about what happened.”

“They are english.That keep calm and carry on thing is real. You know. Don’t talk about stuff that’s bad. Talk about tennis! That’s how they are.”

“They all seemed to have a deep, penetrating knowledge of everything going on in the world—politics, art, books, music. They all sounded so self-assured. That wasn’t surprising, considering that they were older and successful.”

Its story was the stuff of legend, its reputation gold-plated, its illustrious graduates legion. Its story was long but can best be summarized thusly:”

“It’s absurd for one person or family to own something like this, but here we are. Now it earns its keep by hosting weddings and events, film shoots, things like that. Spring and summer, Christmas and New Year’s . . . those are the busiest times.”

“This was England. There was always rain in the future.”

“He was usually her companion in avoiding things, but tonight he was letting her down. His fingers hadn’t stopped moving all night.”

“There is an insatiable appetite for things about the wives of Henry the Eighth. Everyone loves them. Sex and murder.”

“It was a deathtrap, a meandering thread of madness. It suggested that there was something about English people that she may never understand.”

“He was so sick of being with these people all the time. He loved them, sure, but he was finished with it all. The drama. The competition. The never-ending need to impress, to entertain”

“Above it hung a painting of a man with a shotgun and a dog, which felt like more of a warning than a greeting.”

[oldsalempost-blog]

The Old Salem Post

 Our  Local Tamassee-Salem SC Area News each Monday except holidays                                          Contact: theoldsalempost@gmail.com                              Distributed to local businesses, town hall, library.                                                   Volume 7 Issue 4                                                                                                  Week of December 12,  2022                https://www.tumblr.com/settings/blog/oldsalempost-blog                                                         Lynne Martin Publishing

EDITOR: Salem United Methodist will participate in Wreaths across America by placing wreaths on the graves of our veterans after Sunday Worship service, Dec 18.  Tour the gravesites to remember and honor our veterans for their service to our country, where we enjoy freedoms that others only dream of. It only takes a few moments. First Thank God! Then thank a veteran!  Our unique-God-loving hometown is filled with  His Sweet Spirit.  That is why people love it here so much! LRMartin                                                                                  

TOWN OF SALEM:  *Downtown Market every Sat. 8am-12pm.  Place a memory ornament for your loved ones  on the Town tree all month long.  Next Town Council meeting Jan 17, 2023.                                              

.                                            ASHTON RECALLS        By Ashton Hester            

SALEM MAN HAD SAME MULE FOR 40 YEARS. . .(Last week I posted a poem that Doris Rogers-Ripoll wrote in 1992 about her childhood years at Tamassee DAR School. For a number of years in the 1970s, Doris (then Doris Rogers) wrote feature stories for the Keowee Courier, including the following one that was in the January 5, 1977 Courier):. . .Slow-moving but fast-thinking Mr. Erby Bennett of the Fall Creek community above Salem, just buried the only "child" he ever had. . .Rhodie was her name and she never gave Mr. Bennett any trouble. She worked well, whatever and whenever he asked her. She loved Mr. Bennett, too. . .Sadly, Rhodie died of old age last Saturday; she was forty years old and died in the rain. . .Mr. Bennett paid Horace Hinkle $25 to bury Rhodie with a back-hoe digger. Erby's heart was breaking as they lowered his long-time friend, Rhodie the mule, into the ground near his home. . .Mr. Bennett bought his mule from Clarence Dills shortly after she was born, planning to use her for gardening and farming. He was 28 years old. Rhodie turned out to be gentle enough for children to ride. She also hauled water, dragged logs, pulled wagons, and was never stubborn or grouchy. . .Mr. Bennett and his wife, the former Carrie Dills, will both miss old Rhodie. Mrs. Bennett said, "They were two of a kind. As they got older they just pulled each other across the garden". . .Erby remarked, "It was hard, like parting with a member of the family. Giving her up really hurt."                                                    

JOCASSEE VALLEY BREWING COMPANY,(JVBC)& COFFEE SHOP13412 N Hwy 11 Open WED-Preregister for Winter Landscape Art Class with Sylvia Garza, 6pm-8pm $25 for instruction and supplies.–THURS: A Conservation Christmas with friends, Christmas Vinyl and Lasagna 6pm-9pm.  Fri– Rachel Van Slyke 6:30pm  Food: BYO.  Sat: Music: According to Taste 6:30pm  Food: Lobster Dogs. Sun. 2pm-7pm Goers&Allen  Old Time Christmas Sing  4pm. Soup Fundraiser.             Call 864-873-0048  

ADVENT SEASON:  The anticipation and excitement of the Coming of Christ is represented by lighting  candles on an Advent Wreath in church and in your own home as a tradition each of the 4 Sundays before Christmas Day. There are 4 candles, 3 purple and 1 pink that surround the center white candle of Christ. The 1st purple candle represents Hope of a Savior, a promised King to save us from evil in this world. The 2nd purple candle represents unconditional Love to all people. The 3rd pink candle represents the Joy in Mary’s heart knowing she would give birth to this promised King.  The 4th candle will be lit next Sunday representing the Peace that Christ brings to our lives in a hurting world, knowing that his presence is with us always. The Christ candle will be lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. The gift of Christmas-Hope-Love-Joy-Peace– from Christ!  

WEDDINGS AT TAMASSEE:  BRIDE-TO-BE TEA PARTY.  TOUR OUR VENUE OPTIONS.  VISIT WITH WEDDING VENDORS.  REFRESHMENTS PROVIDED.  SUNDAY, JANUARY 8, 2023 3PM-5PM, SOUTH CAROLINA COTTAGE.  COST $10 BRIDE AND 1 GUEST.  REGISTER BY CALLING 864-944-1390                                            

ARE YOU IN NEED OF A COAT OR SOCKS?   Call Missy at  864-944-8732                                                        

              JOTTINGS FROM JEANNIE:  English Can Be Confusing!                                                                                                                                                              Words with the same spelling can have different meanings!                                            *Polish the Polish furniture.      *The invalid had invalid insurance.         *The buck does funny antics when does are present.         *I was too close to the door to close it.              *When she heard the shot, the dove dove into the bush.       *After a number of injections, my jaw got number.      OH! You Queens of Isaqueena, You Kings of Keowee!!!  If you grew up in an English speaking home, THANK YOUR            PARENTS!!!    Holiday Cheer to one and all!!!                                 I love YOU!!! Miz Jeannie Love, Miz Jeannie  

                                EAGLES NEST ART CENTER , 501c3, 4 Eagle Lane, Salem                                                                                                                                              Christmas Gift Idea:  Name a Seat in the Eagles Nest Auditorium is now open to the general public and community.  Single person, $200, Family or couples, $250.  Contact eaglesnestartcenter@gmail.com or Darlene 864-710-8758.  Let ENAC hang a Memory Ornament for you on the Tree Downtown Salem for $10.    Or, give a donation to honor or in memory of a loved one.                                    STRING LESSONS?: $10 each group class. Classes will be on Saturday mornings. 9am-10am at the Eagles Nest Art Center.   eaglesnestartcenter@gmail.com or 864-280-1258.   Give a  Gift of Music!            ENAC Special meeting Monday, December 12  at 5pm.                                        UPCOMING PERFORMANCES IN 2023:                                                              MOUNTAIN FAITH BAND:  ENAC welcomes this family Bluegrass/Gospel band from Sylvia, N.C.  On JAN.14 at 7PM TICKETS $20   Available at the Town of Salem or call 864-280-1258.                                                                            OCONEE MOUNTAIN OPRY JAN. 21 TICKETS $10.                                            WOMEN ENCOURAGING WOMEN: FEB. 21 1PM-4PM  A Love Offering will be taken.  * This is a wonderful event for our local churches to help sponsor. *

Boones Creek Baptist Church Children's Program:  261 Boone Creek, Salem SC, presents  "Back to Bethlehem"  on Sunday night December 18th  at 6 P.M.  Everyone is invited to come.                                                                         

Salem United Methodist Church Christmas Cantata:   520 Church Street, Salem SC at the 10:30pm Worship Service.  

SAMARITAN’s PURSE:  After washing the feet of his disciples, Jesus told his disciples to “ Go and do likewise.”  Interested in going to Charlotte in January to be a volunteer to help send Christmas Boxes to children all over the world?   Call 864-280-1258                                                                                                  GOLDEN CORNER FOOD PANTRY:  Tamassee-Salem mobile food pantry.  Pick up at Salem First Baptist Church second Saturday each month.  10am-12pm .  Anyone on EBT ( food stamps) will automatically apply.  Call for more information 864-882-3610.                                                                                      

Health Tip: A reader asked what is a Nettie Pot? It is a small pot shaped device that holds a solution to irrigate your nasal passages to loosen congestion.  Boil water on the stove top and allow to cool down before using then stir in a packet of saline crystals or  buy your solution.    

[blu-joons]

CHRISTMAS A⇴Z HEADCANON ⇴ Kevin Moon

A ⇴ ACTIVITIES

He loves exploring with you at Christmas, even if the two of you end up walking around and doing nothing else, it’s the time with you that Kevin values the most when walking around the city in the cold and dark.

B ⇴ BAKING

There’s always trouble whenever Kevin gets involved with the baking at Christmas, no matter how many times you tell him to take it seriously, he can’t. He’s forever messing around with the ingredients, hiding them from you or teasing you by going over a little over when weighing them, or pranking you by putting the wrong flavouring into the biscuits that you make so that you end up having to make them again.

C ⇴ CHRISTMAS EVE

He always gets very excited on Christmas Eve, knowing that Christmas is right around the corner. Quite often it feels as if you have a kid beside you as he starts talking about the presents and the food that he’ll get to experience the following day, making several guesses about what the meal will include and what his presents will be.

D ⇴ DECORATING

It’s nothing short of chaotic when the two of you decorate your home for Christmas, neither of you are particularly meticulous when it comes to decorating and so your tree usually ends up looking pretty wild. You tend to have a habit of just filling a gap with a decoration, and whilst it gets the job done nice and quickly, the two of you can’t help but laugh at how much of a mess everything looks once you’re done.

E ⇴ EVENTS

The two of you have your favourite spots that you go to every year for Christmas whenever you have the time to do so, whether it’s the local Christmas market or the local tree farm too, there’s certain spots that you have to attend at Christmas. If you don’t go to all of your favourite spots then the two of you refuse to accept that it really is Christmas, with most of the events being the making of the festive spirit between you both.

F ⇴ FOOD

You have to be very careful about where you put the food that you save for Christmas as Kevin has a bad of habit of trying to get his hands on it before he was supposed to. You try and sneak into the house whenever you come home with shopping in the hope that Kevin won’t notice you, giving you the chance to hide the food for Christmas Day without him knowing where it is so that he can’t get a hold of it.

G ⇴ GIFT GIVING

Kevin definitely prefers giving at Christmas, he loves to buy joke presents that make people smile, and so the reactions that come from the pranks that he plays are one of the things that he loves the most about Christmas.

H ⇴ HOLIDAY HOME

The two of you usually end up spending Christmas as just the two of you at home as you’re unable to find the time to get home to be with your families. Christmas is a very intimate and cosy affair for the two of you when you’re alone, finding the time to video call with your families when you can during the day.

I ⇴ ICE

It seems to always end up in disaster whenever you and Kevin go ice skating, as his confidence builds it usually ends in tears as he goes crashing down on the ice. The following morning you definitely know about how bruised his body is too as a result of his falls, playing up on it and soaking up all of your sympathy.

J ⇴ JOY

Although he misses being with his family at Christmas, Kevin never lets it get him down too much. He makes the most of being with you at Christmas and being thankful for the life that he lives too, knowing that Christmas without his family is a small sacrifice to make for the huge success that he has with his career.

K ⇴ KIDS

You don’t need to think about kids at Christmas as most of the time you have your own kid with Kevin beside you. He’s chaotic at the best of times, but the buzz that comes with Christmas only heightens that feeling for him, leaving you struggling to control him most of the time as he bounces around the place.

L ⇴ LOVE

Kevin loves the cosiness of Christmas between the two of you and how close the two of you are in being so comfortable in each other’s company at Christmas. The two of you both make the most of the situation that you find yourself in, and Kevin loves that you never let yourself get too down about being away from home either.

M ⇴ MOVIES

When Christmas comes around, Kevin’s Disney passion switches quickly so that the two of you watch as many of their Christmas themed films as possible when the two of you are lazing around the house with very little to do, his suggestion is to always watch something both Disney and Christmas related together.

N ⇴ NAUGHTY OR NICE

He spends most of the year on your naughty list as he’s constantly teasing you and winding you up, you don’t know why he deserves presents most of the time with the number of pranks that he plays on you throughout the year.

O ⇴ OBSESSION

Kevin was obsessed with being in Seoul at Christmas, he loved how busy the city was during the festive period, how there was always something going on for the two of you to enjoy and distract yourselves when you were homesick too.

P ⇴ PRESENTS

He put a lot of effort into buying you plenty of presents as you didn’t receive too many other presents being away from home. The other members all made sure that they bought you both presents too at Christmas so you wouldn’t feel as if you had only a handful of presents to open on Christmas morning.

Q ⇴ QUESTIONS

If there was one thing the two of you did enjoy about Christmas just the two of you it was that you could do what you wanted, you only had one person to ask for their permission to do whatever you wanted to do.

R ⇴ RANDOM FACTS

Before giving you your actual presents, Kevin knew that he had to prank you somehow on Christmas morning, and so for your first three presents that you opened, you received an empty cardboard box, some tissue paper, and a box of matches, all of course being the handiwork of Kevin to get under your skin.

S ⇴ SNOW

The snow was one of Kevin’s favourite things, he loved getting out in at as soon as he spotted it. After making sure that you were wrapped up nice and warm, he would pull you outside and immediately initiate a snowball fight between the two of you, running around the streets freely with your neighbours joining you too.

T ⇴ TRADITION

Kevin decided to stick a sprig of mistletoe above your bed and so it was a tradition of yours every night that you would fall asleep having given Kevin a kiss, with him making sure to never let you forget it either.

U ⇴ UNDERNEATH THE MISTLETOE

He loved getting you under the mistletoe, it wasn’t just over your bed, but also various places in your house that you used often would have mistletoe over them so that he could receive plenty of kisses from you.

V ⇴ VACATION

One day the two of you hoped to vacation for Christmas and head home and see your families, but at the same time you were both very content with it just being the two of you and making the most of being together too.

W ⇴ WRAPPING

He was hopeless when it came to wrapping presents, you thought to begin with it was a joke, but Kevin really just had no idea where to start.

X ⇴ XXXX

Being with each other meant the two of you were very affectionate with each other, making up for the love that you missed out on from the other members of your families by kissing each other whenever you could.

Y ⇴ YOU

You were his rock, without you there Kevin dreaded to think how Christmas would be.

Z ⇴ ZZZ

The night before Christmas the two of you barely slept, you had the control to do whatever you wanted and so most of your evening was spent watching movies until the two of you collapsed on the sofa together.

---

Masterlist

[tinyhistory]

Hi. It's been a while.. I hope you're doing well. I've been wanting to read new authors and novels recently and wanted to ask you about your favorite ones. Any genre or any author... or any of your favorite works. Maybe works that aren't as famous but you like. Anything. Could you please share? That's all. Have a nice day. 😊❤️

Hello, it has been a while. Thank you for your ask — most of my favourites are well-known classics but I tried to give you some variety. Here they are:

Animal Farm by George Orwell. I struggle with a lot of the great literary classics so I tried this one in graphic novel form and I loved it.

History nerd stuff. I have a lot of books about Australian modern history and this is probably my favourite. @the-starryknight, you’d like this one too!

I devoured Eva Ibbotson’s books as a young child and I feel like she deserves more recognition. She captures that childlike wonder at the world; the natural curiosity and longing to explore. Of all her works, Journey to the River Sea is my favourite. It follows the story of a young girl who, upon suddenly becoming an orphan, is sent to live with her unkind relatives in a distant country. She meets and befriends a local boy, but her disapproving relatives refuse to let him in the house. So he often stands outside the girl’s window and whistles “Blow the Wind Southerly” so she won’t feel so lonely.

Two families are thrown into poverty by separate tragedies, and are forced to move into a shambling old house together in order to afford rent. It follows their lives across 20 years. It’s a generous slice of everyday life and doesn’t hesitate to explore all the joys, sorrows, beauty, and the ugly parts of their lives. The prose is absolutely compelling and I love Winton’s dreamy style. He’s very focused on his settings, and describes the physical environment as the “main character.” This story takes place in 1950s coastal Australia and the descriptions are just so vivid.

This one doesn’t need any introduction! I bought this book about ten years ago when I was visiting a family friend in rural Michigan in the middle of winter. I slept in the attic of an old barn and would wake up to thick blankets of snow every morning. I bought this copy at a local flea market and devoured the whole thing during a snowstorm, when I was safely tucked up in my attic. When I came home to Australia months later, I discovered my copy of the book was quite different to the British copy and contained lots of extra footnotes to explain things to American readers. It’s my favourite copy of any book I own.

Speaking of Terry Pratchett. I love all his Discworld books, but Reaper Man has a special place in my heart. Essentially, Death goes on holiday and everything falls apart. You don’t know to be familiar with Discworld to read and enjoy this book. It stands alone perfectly fine.

I think about this book often. Just certain lines or sentences: “My grandmother died in the blue arms of a jacaranda tree. She could read thunder.” The prose is so beautiful and the memories disjointed, the stories ambling, the poems drifting away on the pages. These are the scraps of Ondaatje’s life, and the lives of his rather eclectic relatives. This is truly one of my absolute favourites.

Look how well-loved this copy is! My father bought it as a gift for me when I was 11 and we were about to embark on our first ever family holiday. We never got gifts outside of Christmas or birthdays so I felt very loved. I read the entire book over two weeks as my father drove and drove, following the long and endless coastal highways of south-east Australia.

The memoirs of one of the UK’s leading forensic anthropologists. It’s such a lovely, quiet book — all these little details of lives and deaths, but never told in a sensationalist or lurid manner. I just love the way it explores death and decay so gently and calmly. I read it alongside Elizabeth Kubler-Ross’s “Death: The Final Stage of Growth” and it’s really helped me understand why and how we process death.

[berrynarrybanana]

Holiday Wishes, Mistletoe Kisses

A/N: This was meant to be a blurb, but I got carried away. I honestly don’t know how I feel about it, but I wanted to post some Christmassy stuff in between now and Deck the Halls, so here’s a little something. It’s basically over a thousand words of Harry pining for some girl he just met. That seems to be my favorite trope, yeah? Anyways, I hope you enjoy and I hope that you all remember that Christmas isn’t about what you have or what you’re able to give, it’s about spending time with the people you love the most. I’m always here for you all if you need me and I love you loads. Thank you! 

Word Count: 5.1K+

Warnings: A little smut, pining, flash forward, ofc

Prompt: “You’re wearing the Santa hat, whether you like it or not” | Taken from this post here! 

It wasn’t that Harry hated Christmas. 

He loved spending time with his family, drinking mulled wine and talking shit with his Mum and Sister on the couch until the morning light. He loved the Christmas cookies that everyone seemed to bake just for him. Every single one of his friends would wrap them up in cute, candy cane striped cellophane bags with a little bow as if they were worried he’d been deprived of sweets. He loved the warmth that enveloped him when he stepped into any building, dodging the cold winter winds and brutal snowflakes that hit his skin. He loved most things about the season, but he truthfully hated the actual holiday itself.

He hated the music, each song covered by about twenty different artists, (yet, they always sounded the same, somehow), playing on a loop on every single Christmas station. He hated how rude people were in the shops and on the road, as if their time was more important than anyone else's. He hated the stigma around giving expensive gifts, stressing over the perfect thing to get each of his friends. If he could, he’d give them all something homemade, but he was shit at doing anything crafty. 

His boots crunched against the snow as he walked towards his mother’s front door. 

He let himself in, kicking his shoes off before he removed his scarf and his winter coat. He could hear laughter from the kitchen, Gemma and his Mum giggling far too loud. They must have cracked into the mulled cider a little early, and truthfully, he was jealous. He’d spent the last four hours stuck in traffic listening to white Christmas over and over and over again. He shut the front door as Evie wrapped herself around his legs, her soft purring catching his attention as he glanced down at the black and white kitten. 

“Hiya, darling girl.” He crouched down, scooping her into his arms before he delivered a series of kisses over her head. “Daddy’s missed you, eh. Have you been good for your nan?”

She meowed in response, causing Harry to coo at her before he scratched under her chin. 

“That’s my girl.” He pressed another kiss to the top of her head before setting her back to the ground. 

He knew they would indulge in several cuddle sessions over the next few days, so he wasn’t worried about missing his one and only pet this holiday season. He walked through the house, finding his way into the kitchen where Gemma was tipping back a glass of dark red liquid, and his Mum was rolling out cookie dough with a bright smile on her face. What Harry wasn’t expecting, was the curly haired girl with a cookie cutter in her hand next to his Mum.

“Hello!” He called out, offering a smile as he walked over to the kitchen island. “I see we’ve started having fun already.”

“It took you forever to get here!” Gemma said defensively, picking up a chocolate kiss before tossing it at Harry. “Do you want a drink?”

“Something hot, it’s like the bloody tundra outside.” He shivered at the thought of the harsh wind, his eyes trailing back towards the new girl. 

“Stella makes the best peppermint hot chocolate you’ve ever had in your life.” Gemma groaned out, her eyes rolling back in her head. “She puts peppermint vodka in there.”

“I can make you one if you’d like?” Stella’s voice was soft and painfully american. “We’ve got a slow cooker full of hot chocolate.”

“If you don’t mind.” Harry gave her a smile as he pulled out a stool, sitting next to Gemma. “Nice to meet you, Stella. I’m Harry, by the way.”

“She knows who you are.” Gemma reached over, pinching Harry’s side. “Stella is a new transfer at work. She’s new to England, and we thought we’d show her a proper English Christmas.”

“Stella, love, you should probably find another family to spend Christmas with if you want a proper English Christmas.” Harry snorted. “Ours is half arsed at best.”

“We have a lovely Christmas, thank you.” Anne piped up, flicking flour in Harry’s direction as Stella laughed softly. “Don’t scare the poor thing off, we’ve just made her feel at home.” 

Stella turned her back, walking towards the stove.

“I suppose we do have a good time.” Harry hummed out. “I can’t wait to watch How the Grinch Stole Christmas for the millionth time.” 

“They’ve got an animated one now!” Gemma exclaimed. “We’re going to do a double feature.”

“Lovely.” Harry rolled his eyes. 

Moments later, a steaming mug of hot chocolate laced was placed in front of Harry. 

He looked down at the grinch mug before looking back up at Stella. 

“Thanks.” He offered her a smile, but she merely nodded back at him before taking her place next to Anne again. 

He watched her, sipping at his drink as Gemma and Anne chatted about some Hallmark movie that was meant to premiere at some point during the week. She wasn’t normally the type of girl that he dated, but he had to admit that she was beautiful. Her cheeks were round, a soft blush smeared over them that he assumed came from a makeup product. Her lashes were thick, and long, shadowing her hazel colored eyes. She had thick brows that seemed a little unruly, and plump lips stained with a plum colored lipstick that matched her smoky, purple eyeshadow. He wasn’t a huge fan of the plum color, but he had to admit that it brought out a lot of the warmer tones in her eyes and in her beautiful, brown skin. He also thought that it complimented the lighter strands in her curly brown hair that bounced about everytime she turned her head. 

He tried not to be too obvious with his curious gaze, but he couldn’t help it. He was almost mesmerized by her beauty, but he was more so confused by his attraction to her. She was far too quiet for his taste, her eyes cast down on the cookies she’d been cutting out for the last few minutes while everyone else chatted. 

He watched her place them on the tray carefully, obsessing over how they landed before she reached for the colored icing. He watched her pipe onto the little shapes, her tongue nestling in the corner of her mouth as her unsteady hands worked diligently on the cookies. 

This was a Styles family Christmas, and the Styles were a rowdy and messy bunch. He’d never seen his Mum or Gemma put that much work into sugar cookies before, and it was almost painful to watch her perfect each and every one before she slipped the tray in the oven. He watched her reach for the cheeky little chicken shaped oven timer that Gemma bought when his Mum fist moved into this house. In all of those years, he’d never seen anyone actually use it. 

“Did you hear me, my little turtle dove?” Anne brushed her hand over Harry’s back as he sipped at his cocoa. “They’re calling for a huge storm this weekend, are you packed for that?”

“I left some stuff here the last time I was around.” He turned his head, smiling back at her. “I think I should be fine if I get stuck with you lot.” 

“Good.” She nodded, leaning in to kiss his cheek. “I’ve missed you.” 

“Missed you too, Mumma.” He wrapped an arm around her back, pulling her into a hug. 

The warm scent of vanilla and musk greeted his senses, flooding him with comfort and nostalgic memories of cuddling with Mum on the couch. He missed having her around him. He missed having his best friend around to comfort him when he needed it the most. When he let go of her, his heart sank a little in his chest. She pressed a kiss to the top of his head before moving back to work on more cookie dough. 

“Why are you making so many cookies?” He asked, brows furrowing as he brushed his fingers over the sickly green mug with the cartoon characters face on it. “Do you plan on feeding an army?”

“No, but Stella suggested that we take some down to the local homeless shelter on Christmas Eve.” Anne smiled over at the girl. “That’s her family's Christmas tradition, and since she’s not with them this year, we thought we’d make it happen for her here.”

“Thank you again, for agreeing to this.” Stella smiled at Anne. “It really means the world to me, and I can’t thank you enough.”

“You’re a part of the family now, dear.” Anne teased. “Even if you’re not spending Christmas with us, this little tradition of yours has been officially integrated into our own Christmas tradition. We’ll always have a little bit of Stella with us during the Holiday’s now, eh.”

Stella laughed at that, reaching her arms out to wrap Anne in a hug. 

Harry almost felt a little jealous at how seamlessly she fit in here. 

“If you keep staring at her, she’s gonna want to run back to America.” Gemma nudged her elbow into his side. “We get it, she’s hotter than you.”

“Oh, shut up.” Harry rolled his eyes at Gemma as she smirked. “I wasn’t staring.”

“Okay, Casanova.” She snorted. “Whatever you say. 

**

Harry wasn’t sure why he was hard. 

He just wanted to close his eyes and go the fuck to sleep. 

After a long day of travel, and an even longer evening filled with Harry pulling down Christmas decorations from the attic, he just wanted to sleep. He wasn’t looking forward to taking the annual trip to the Christmas Tree Farm tomorrow. Since Robin passed, Harry was the only man in the family, which meant that he often had to do the heavy lifting. He found that most of his strength lay in his core, despite the amount of lifting he’d done to buff up his arms, and he wasn’t looking forward to tossing a tree on top of his car while everyone watched. 

Truthfully, that was the worry that should have been plaguing his mind as he lay in bed. Instead, his mind was lost in hazel colored waves that crashed on dark plum shores. He couldn’t stop thinking about Stella’s eyes or her perfectly shaped lips. He spent most of his night watching her drink from a wine glass, her cheeks turning a shade darker with each joke that she shared with his family. If there was one thing that he was shocked about, it was the dry humor that tumbled from her perfect plum colored lips. She was a funny girl, despite being quiet, and he laughed at every single joke she told without shame. 

As he shifted his about, trying to avoid any further thoughts about her lips, the tip of his cock brushed against the warm flannel of his pajama pants. He let out a throaty groan, reaching down to push his palm into the crotch of his pants to soothe the pressure building in his lower belly. He couldn’t jack off to the thought of Gemma’s new friend, it would be awful, and it would surely land him on the naughty list. He squeezed his eyes shut, trying his best not to picture her lipstick staining his lower belly, his upper thighs, and eventually...the shaft of his cock. But after a few minutes of trying not to think about it, that was the only thing he could see behind closed eyes. 

With an annoyed grumble, he dipped his hand into his pajama pants, tugging his cock out while his free hand pushed the band of the pants down his hips. He licked over his dry lips, making a mental note to buy some chapstick tomorrow as he gave himself one, swift stroke. He bit the inside of his cheek, trying not to moan as he brushed the pad of his thumb over the weeping slit of his cock. He was pathetic, dripping down his cock over a girl that he barely knew. He couldn’t believe that he was being that guy right now, tugging at his cock desperately to the thought of a beautiful girl on her knees for him. He wanted so badly to have her there, whispering filthy words in that gentle tone she had, encouraging him to cum on her tongue. 

When he did cum, her name spilled from his lips. 

His chest was heaving as he came down, the tinkling of Stella’s laughter filling his ears. 

Seconds later, he heard her bid goodnight to Gemma before the door next to his own shut. 

He was totally fucked for this girl. 

**

The next morning, he didn’t expect to see Stella sitting at the breakfast bar when he came downstairs. 

He stopped in the doorway, his cheeks growing warm as he looked over her sweater covered back. Thoughts of her name tumbling from his lips last night flooded back as he looked at her. She was wearing a lavender colored, cable knit sweater, and her curls were tied up in a messy ponytail on top of her head. Most of the curls had fallen out, covering up some of her neck alongside her fingers. Her cheek was propped on her palm, her gaze focused on her laptop as she lifted a mug of steaming liquid up to her mouth with her other hand. 

Harry cleared his throat, walking toward the stove so he could put the kettle on. No one else in the house would be up for hours, but Harry couldn’t turn off his internal alarm clock no matter how he tried. He also hoped that he might find a moment of peace from the very girl sitting in his Mother’s kitchen. She haunted his dreams, her face playing on the silver screen in his mind all night long. He hated how infatuated he was with this woman that he barely even knew. 

“Morning.” She spoke up first, her voice scratchy and tired. “Did you sleep well?”

“Splendid, yeah.” He nodded, filling the kettle with water. “You?” 

“I’ve slept better, but that’s to be expected.” She said softly. “I spent a little bit of time on a skype call with my brother’s, so I was up longer than expected.” 

“But you’re up fairly early this morning, aren’t you?” He put the kettle on the stovetop before turning around, his eyes landing on hers. “Why’s that?”

“I wake up this early anyways.” She smiled at him. “I usually like to go for a walk in the morning to wake myself up.”

“That’s nice.” He lifted his hand, scratching at the stubble on his jaw. “I usually like to go for a swim or a run in the morning, too.”

“Where do you swim?” She asked. 

“There’s a men’s swimming club not too far from my home in London.” He said. “It’s freezing cold, but you get used to it after a while.”

“Jeeze, you swim outside in this weather?” She lifted her head from her palm, her eyes growing wide. “I could never.” 

“It’s an acquired taste.” He chuckled softly. “What are you working on?”

“A new piece for my blog.” She said. “I started out using it as a diary of sorts, but people apparently love reading about the disaster that is my life.”

“I’m sure it’s not all horrible.” He hoped that he sounded encouraging and not rude. “You seem like a lovely, and positive person.”

“I try to be.” She shrugged, reaching for her mug. “I could say the same about you.”

“I try to be.” He smiled at her. “Would you like some breakfast?” 

“Oh, I was actually thinking of popping down to this little bakery Gemma told me about-” 

“Mandeville’s.” His heart picked up, a smile stretching across his lips. “Had my first job there.”

“Yeah, that’s the one.” She laughed, wrapping both hands around her mug as she leaned back in the barstool. “I figured I’d go grab some pastries for everyone. I know it’s kind of a busy day with the Christmas Tree Farm, so I thought it would be best if your Mum didn’t feel the need to cook.”

“She would love that.” Harry said. “Maybe I could go with you? We could both get our walks in, and I can see Mary before she hunts me down and drags me to the bakery.”

“I would love the company.” She smiled. “But enjoy your tea first, I’ll just be working on this until we’re ready to go.”

“Cheers.” He nodded, watching her eyes drop to her computer screen. 

She wasn’t wearing a stitch of makeup this morning, and Harry almost wished that she was. 

He wished that she had covered up her beautiful, freckle covered skin so that he didn’t fall harder for her beautiful face. He wished that she was hiding away those little blemishes that made him swoon, because she was actually a human after all, not some angel sent down from heaven to torture him. He wished that she covered those beautiful lips in that plum lipstick again so that he could imagine kissing it off of her. He hated the feeling stirring inside of his belly, the butterflies a tell tale sign of his feelings. 

He had a crush on Stella. 

And there was nothing he could do to stop himself from falling for her. 

**

Stella’s gloves were precious.

They were a bright red, little snowflakes and reindeer stitched into them. 

She offered to let Harry borrow a pair of her gloves, claiming that she’d brought plenty of pairs for the winter, but he politely declined before shoving his hands in his pockets. She looked so cozy, wrapped up in her winter coat with a beanie on top of her head and a matching scarf tied around her neck. Harry wanted nothing more than to pull her into his arms and cuddle her so that they could both stay nice and toasty on their walk. He wanted to kiss her bare cheeks, paying special attention to each freckle on her skin as the winter sun cast over them. 

He was so infatuated with her that it was almost embarrassing. 

“I can’t even imagine what it was like, growing up in a place like this.” Stella turned her head towards Harry, the tip of her nose a little red. “It’s so picturesque.”

“It’s alright.” He gave her a small smile. “I always wanted to get out when I was a kid.”

“Of course you did, we all do.” She chuckled. “I think everyone should run away for a little while, it really gives you all of the tools you need to really appreciate your hometown when you go back. I don’t know that I’ll ever move back to my hometown, but when I visit it, I feel a little bit more appreciative of the pivotal role it had in raising me.”

“I feel the same way about Cheshire.” Harry nodded. “It’s a big part of who I was, and that helped make me who I am. I wouldn’t be the same without this place.”

“Exactly.” She said. 

“So where exactly are you from?” He asked. “I mean, obviously America-”

“Is it that obvious?” She asked, narrowing her eyes playfully, her lips pursed. “I don’t think it is.”

“It’s a neon, flashing sign above your head kind of obvious, love.” He snorted. “But I can’t place what your accent is.”

“It’s not really an accent.” Stella shrugged, turning her attention back to the sidewalk. “I grew up on the road for most of my life, but my family settled in Georgia when I was about twelve.”

“Interesting.” He said. “How did you like Georgia?” 

“I didn’t, at first.” She laughed. “I hated it so much. I loved being on the road with my family, traveling places like Hawaii and Los Angeles. When we moved to the south, I despised everything about it. It was so plain and boring compared to places we’d lived before. But like I said, moving away has made me learn to love it more when I go back.”

“How long have you been gone?” He asked. 

“About three years.” She said. “I lived in Amsterdam for a year, and then Paris, and now I’m here.”

“Which place is your favorite?” He asked. “Be honest with me, now. You don’t have to say London just because you’re trying to get on my good side.” 

Stella tossed her head back, laughing loudly. 

“I think it’s truthfully London, Harry.” 

His name sounded like honey falling from her lips. 

“Why is that?” He asked. 

“Because I’ve found my chosen family.” She turned back, giving him a smile that thawed out the chill creeping up from his toes. “Starting with Gemma, of course. She was the first person to take me under her wings, and I’m so happy that I have her in my life. Then I started to find other people, and we all became this really close knit group of friends that felt more like family than my actual family does. I don’t know how I’ll ever leave this place.” 

“Maybe you shouldn’t.” He said softly. “Maybe this is home.”

Please don’t go, Stella. 

Stay here with me forever. 

Love me. 

“My contract is up at the end of the year, but we’ll just have to see how things go.” She said. “I might be convinced to stay.”

“Well, I guess I have a lot of work to do.” He chuckled.

“Why are you so keen on me staying?” She asked him, her brows raising as she gave him a knowing smirk. “Do you have a crush on me, Styles?”

His cheeks grew hot against the cold wind. 

“Alright now, don’t let that go to your head.” He grumbled, tucking his neck into his scarf as Stella’s smile grew wider. “It’s all your bloody fault, you know?”

“What have I done?” She laughed louder. “I’m just me.”

“That’s exactly it.” He let out a breathy chuckle. “You’re you, Stella.”

**

The Christmas Tree Farm was going well. 

That was up until Gemma decided that they absolutely needed to take a family picture in front of the big Christmas tree, Stella included. They had picked up a few little trinkets and such while walking around the market included in the farm. Anne picked up a reindeer headband with bells stitched in, plopping it on her head the second she found it. Gemma found an elf’s hat with little ears attached to the side, putting it on her hair before fussing with her hair. Stella found a crown made of poinsettias that she plopped on top of her curls, the red and gold working perfectly with her red lipstick and gold eyeshadow. Harry, however, wasn’t exactly in the spirit. 

“You’re wearing the bloody santa hat, whether you like it or not!” Gemma shoved it towards him with a frown. “If you stand next to Stella, you’ll like Mr. and Mrs. Claus!” 

“Shut up, Gemma.” Harry sneered, snatching the hat from her hands. “I didn’t tell you about that so you could throw it in my face!” 

“Well, I’m doing it for the greater good of our family photo!” She glared at him. “Put that hat on before I shove it on your head myself.”

“Fine.”

“Are you two alright?” Stella smirked, adjusting her crown on her head as she walked up to Harry and Gemma. “Santa is still putting people on the naughty list you know?” 

“If anyone’s going to be on the naughty list, it’s Harry.” Gemma tossed her arm around Stella’s shoulder with a proud smirk. “He’s being a pain in the arse.”

“Is the hat really necessary to the photo?” He groaned, dropping his head back. 

“Yes.” Stella and Gemma said at the same time. 

“Alright, alright.” He groaned, tugging the hat over his curls. “Are you both happy now?”

“Ecstatic.” Stella smiled brightly at Harry. “I think you look handsome.”

“I’m going to just point out…” Gemma pulled her arm from around Stella, tucking her hands behind her back. “That there’s mistletoe hanging from that piece of wood above your heads.” 

“Gemma-” Harry’s eyes grew wide. 

“And I’m promptly going to walk away.” She smiled at Stella. “Meet us at the tree in ten minutes.” 

“Gemma-” Stella held her hand out as Gemma walked away, her eyes growing just as wide as Harry’s were. “What a sneaky little elf.” 

“Tell me about it.” Harry shifted, adjusting the hat on his head. “Devious little-”

“Well, I guess we can’t break tradition.” Stella looked up at Harry, shuffling forward slowly with a little smirk on her lips. “I mean, what would Santa say if we didn’t kiss under the mistletoe?”

Harry licked over his bottom lip, his fingers twitching. 

“You really want to kiss me?”

“I might.” Stella’s toes were almost touching Harry’s now. “But the question is, do you want to kiss me?”

“I do, yeah.” He nodded. “I’ve been thinking about it ever since I laid eyes on you, Stella.”

“Well, what are you waiting for?” She raised her brows. “Now is your chance, Mr. Grinch, lay one on me.”

Harry lifted his hands, pressing them to Stella’s face hesitantly before he lowered his lips to hers in a soft kiss. It was a gentle peck, one that anyone would share underneath the mistletoe, but Harry wanted more from Stella. It seemed that she wanted more as well, her arms sliding around his neck as she pressed up on her toes. He let his hands fall to her waist as the kiss grew more intense, his hands holding onto her tightly as she brushed her tongue over his lower lip. He tried his best not to smile into the kiss, letting her have what she wanted by parting his lips. When her tongue slipped over his, he let out a tiny moan, gripping her hips tighter. 

“Get a room, you two!” Harry groaned, pressing his forehead to Stella’s. 

“Gemma, I swear to god-” Harry turned his head, whipping his santa hat off before he threw it in her direction. “Go bother someone else!” 

Stella laughed, ducking her forehead down to Harry’s chest as he rubbed his thumbs over her side gently. He felt her body shaking underneath his hands, his heart hammering in his chest when he realized just how close they actually were. He turned his head back, lifting a hand up to guide Stella’s chin up. He pressed his lips to hers once, twice, three more times before she pressed her palms to Harry’s chest. 

“We’ll never stop if we don’t move away from the mistletoe.” Stella whispered. “And I think Gemma might physically pull us apart if we miss that Christmas picture.”

“Let it be known that I’m only partaking in this picture because I want to stand next to you for as long as I can.” Harry smiled. “I think I have a little more than a crush on you, Stella.” 

“I think I have more than a crush on you, too.”

**

“Madeline, stop right there.” Stella let out a frustrated sigh as she looped her arm under the baby carrier, her eyes falling down to the sleeping infant. “Milo, promise Mumma that you’ll listen when you get to that age?”

“Give him here.” Harry brushed a kiss over Stella’s temple, his hand massaging her lower back gently. “You go catch up with speed racer, okay? I’ll be right behind you with the baby and the diaper bag.”

“Thank you.” Stella turned her head, puckering her lips out. “I love you.” 

“I love you.” He hummed out. “And our beautiful babies, even if one of them has a death wish and two left feet.” 

Stella snorted out a laugh, pulling her arm from the carrier before she stuffed her hands in her pockets. “I better go help her up the stairs.”

“Please, we don’t need a repeat of last year.” Harry smiled. 

“Yeah, I would like to avoid a trip to A&E this year.” Stella snorted. 

He watched Stella walk over to an antsy Madeline, her pigtails bouncing about as she jumped from foot to foot in excitement. Harry chuckled softly at his daughter, amused by her excitement. He was happy that she found so much joy in Christmas, just like her Mother did. He watched Stella hold a hand out, waiting for Madeline to take it before they both conquered the brick steps outside of his Mum’s house. When they got to the top, Stella lifted Madeline up, kissing over her cheeks as their daughter giggled. Harry lifted Milo’s car seat from the base, his eyes falling down to the six month old with hazel eyes and soft cheeks just like his Mother’s. 

“We’ve got our hands full with those two, mate.” Harry pulled the soft, wintery blue blanket up to Milo’s chin, tucking it around his shoulders so that he would stay warm. “Gonna keep us both on our toes, I know it.” 

Milo cooed up at him, causing Harry to smile wider before he ducked his head down to kiss his son's soft cheeks. 

“Let’s get you into Nan’s before you turn into a popsicle, my love.” Harry said. “Mumma won’t be happy if we have to spend Christmas thawing you out.”

As Harry made his way up the stairs, he couldn’t help but remember five Christmases ago. 

He was walking up the exact same steps on his own, unaware of the magic that was waiting inside for him. He was unaware that the girl Gemma brought home for Christmas would one day be his wife, and the mother of his two beautiful children. He had no idea that they would spend long nights together, planning their future and holding each other tight. He opened the front door to his Mum’s house, smiling at the sound of Madeline telling his Mother a story with animated gestures, her curly pigtails bouncing around as Stella tried to wrangle her jacket off. 

“And then Daddy told me we could get a puppy next year if I was good enough!” Madeline squealed out as Harry shut the door. 

He dodged the steely gaze he got from Stella after she heard the word puppy.

“Sorry.” He mouthed over at her, causing her to shake her head as she tried to fight off a smile. 

“You’re a menace.” She mouthed back. “But I love you.” 

“I love you, too.” He said it outloud, his heart soaring in his chest. 

Stella gave him a heart warming smile, Madeline’s coat still in her hands. 

Seconds later, Milo let out a tiny cry causing Harry to snap back into dad mode. 

He rested the carseat on the ground, carefully pulling his son out before pressing a kiss to his chubby little cheeks. As if Gemma could sense his presence, she barreled into the living room with her eyes set on Milo. 

“There’s my little man.” She held her hands out, wiggling them as Harry rolled his eyes. “You get to see him every day, Harry. Pass him over to his auntie.” 

“Fine.” He rolled his eyes. “Please be careful with him, I kind of like this one.”

“Piss off.” Gemma snorted out, sliding Milo onto her hip before pressing a bright red kiss mark into his forehead. “Has Daddy told you that without auntie Gem, you wouldn’t exist?” 

“Gemma-” 

“Can you believe that?” She looked up at Harry, a hint of something nostalgic and genuine sparkling in her green eyes. “If I’d never brought Stella to family Christmas, we wouldn’t have two beautiful babies to dote over every year.”

“I can’t even begin to imagine what life would be like without them.” He whispered. “Thank you, Gemma.”

“Harry, I really didn’t-”

“Gemma.” He said her name sternly, pressing his palm to her bicep. “Thank you so much, from the bottom of my heart. I love you.”

“I love you, too.” She said softly, her eyes watering. “Now, if you could do me a favor and bring a hot friend around, I’d really appreciate it.”

“I’ll see what I can manage.” He let out a wet chuckle, his own eyes watering. 

“What are we managing?” Stella wrapped her arms around Harry. 

“We owe Gem a favor.” He sniffled, turning head to press a kiss to Stella’s forehead. 

“Why are you crying, baby?” Stella frowned. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing at all.” He pressed his lips to hers, softly brushing his nose against the tip of hers as his. “Just so incredibly grateful to have you in my life, that’s all.”

“You’re so sappy around the holiday’s.” Stella brushed her palm over his belly. “I love you, Mr. Styles.” 

“I love you, too, Mrs. Styles.” He said. “Merry Christmas, Darling.”

“Merry Christmas.” 

[let-me-luve-you]

12 Days. 13 Gifts.

Jensen Ackles x Reader

Summary: Jensen has a surprise for you on Christmas day and he hides it through the 12 Days of Christmas.

Warnings: mentions of smut, making out, pure fluff, talks of religion because of the songs meaning, umm I think that’s it but if there is more and I missed it please let me know since I wrote this over a week.

Word Count: 6527

A/N: I know that the 12 Days of Christmas technically start on Christmas day and go on until the new year, but I did it before Christmas and have it end on Christmas. This kind of got a mind of its own once I started writing it. I didn’t plan for it to be this long but once I started writing, the words just flowed. I looked up the meanings on my own. I tried to keep most of the religion out of it so people would be comfortable reading it so I briefly mention the meaning and then make it what Jensen thinks of the reader. I didn’t proof read this so if there are mistakes, I’m sorry. This took me days to write with a 4 day break in-between due to working 14 hour days. I hope you guys enjoy.

@spnchristmasbingo​

MASTERLIST

SPN Christmas Bingo 2020

Jensen was away filming Supernatural. They decided to do an extra episode before winter break so they wouldn’t have to come back until February. You missed him like crazy, but you were just grateful you were to get a little bit more time with him in the new year.

You worked for Gen so you were able to spend a lot of time with someone that understood missing their significant other. You also loved spending time with the little ones and helping Gen with her and Jared’s three children.

You were sitting at home doing some housework when you heard the doorbell. You made your way down the stairs to the front door of yours and Jensen’s shared home. You looked through the peephole and saw a delivery truck leaving the driveway. You opened the door and saw a small box.

Taking the box to the kitchen, you opened it and saw a tree shaped box full of plastic pears and one partridge in the middle. You pulled the box out and set it on the table. You looked back into the bigger box and found a note. You started reading,

On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me... a partridge in a pear tree.

I’m sorry I’m not there to join in the Christmas decorations and Christmas activities. I can’t wait to come home and see how beautiful your decorating is. Save some decorating and activities for me. I love you and can’t wait to see you.

J<3

You smiled as you looked pack over to the present your boyfriend gave you. You walked over to the table you weren’t going to decorate because you were going to use it for the buffet on Christmas day when all yours and Jensen’s families come. You set up the box to lean against the wall so people can see it when they come over. You laid the note in front of it, preparing to save it for the rest of your life.

The next day, you had gone out with Gen and the boys to a local farm. Gen was doing a piece on a healthier lifestyle and where it starts. You had your camera with you getting pictures of Tom, Shep, and Odette interacting with each other while they did the activity the tour guide set up. Soon Gen joined them and you grabbed pictures of that too. After getting the pictures you needed, you put your camera up. Gen took that opportunity to ask you about the package Jensen left for you.

“Did he really send you a gift based on the 12 days of Christmas?” Gen asked.

“Yeah. I was so surprised. I had talked to him that morning and he didn’t let anything on that he was sending something.” You replied. Smiling to yourself as you thought about the thoughtful gift from Jensen.

“Do you think you’ll get the other eleven days?” She asked genuinely.

“I’m not sure.” You said. The kids looked tired and came over asking if it was time to go home. “I guess I’ll find out when I get home.” You laughed as you put Tom on your back and then picked up Odette as Gen picked up Tom. All three kids drained of any energy.

After helping Gen take the kids in, you said your goodbye and headed back to the house. When you pulled in the garage you noticed a package on the front porch. You eagerly walked from the garage to the front door to get the package. Walking back to the kitchen, you cut open the box and saw two turtle doves with their heads touching. You picked them up to admire the beauty of the glass piece. You gently set it down on the counter and looked in the box for the second note.

On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me... two turtle doves.

Did you know turtle doves symbolize friendship and love and you are supposed to give it to a special person? And as long as both of us keep our turtle doves, we will be friends forever? You’re my best friend so I give the other one to you. Mine is attached to yours so we can keep them safe. I plan on staying best friends for life so don’t lose yours. I love you baby. See you soon.

J<3

You happily picked up the two turtle doves and the note and smiled as you set them next to the pear tree. You grabbed your phone and texted him “safe and sound. Love you.” Jensen quickly replied back with the heart eyes emoji.

You loved your gifts so far. You loved that the note explained what it symbolizes. You didn’t know that, you just knew the song. You hoped you would get more incite on the other days as well. That is, if you get more packages.

The next day, you were editing Gen’s photos when the doorbell rang. You weren’t expecting anyone so you assumed it was a package. You quickly hopped up from the computer and ran to the front door. You were already wearing a giant smile. As you opened the door you saw three giant boxes. You gently brought them into the foyer of the house. Too big and too heavy to move throughout the house. You opened the box that was labeled “box one.” You saw a giant iron french hen in the box as well as a note on top.

You grabbed the note and set it on the table by the door. You decided to pull out the french hen to see what it looked like. You looked it over and noticed Faith was engraved in the side.

On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me... three french hens.

Faith. Hope. Love. These are what the three french hens represent. I have faith in us. I hope you’ll love me for the rest of your life. And I love you more than words can describe.

Also sorry these are so big. I couldn’t find smaller ones. I figured these would look good in the yard.

J<3

You laughed at his little p.s. note. You went to put the note on the table with the rest. You grabbed the first hen and took it outside. You decided that putting them next to the walkway would be the best place until you get out the spring yard decorations.

Another day at home called for deep cleaning the guest rooms and the guest bathrooms. Only your parents and Jensen’s were staying at the house. Both of your siblings and their families were going to be staying at a hotel.

You had been cleaning for hours. You wanted a break and it seemed like fate wanted me to have a break too. Just as you were walking to the kitchen, the doorbell rang. Walking to the front door to get day four of gifts, you opened it and grabbed the package. You finished your walk to the kitchen and set the box on the counter. You walked to the fridge to grab some water before returning to the package. Today, you were tired, so you were a little slower on opening the package.

Once you had the box open, you saw a statue of four black birds. There was a button located on the side. You pressed it, kind of scared of what sounds it was going to make. You laughed as you heard a variety of bird sounds. You looked for the note and pulled it out of the box.

On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me... four calling birds.

I did my research for this one and not much is on it. There are a lot of representations. Anyways, here are some blackbirds to join the collection that I hope you’re keeping. I love you. See you a lot sooner than you know.

J<3

You laughed at his note, just picturing him struggling to find the significance of the calling birds. You did as you had done before and set the statue and the note down next to the previous gifts. You smiled at your little collection you had built. You just knew this was going to be something you set up every year at Christmas. Notes and all.

The following day at the Padalecki house, you were helping decorate the tree with the boys and Odette while Gen went to get last minute Christmas gifts. You let the kids decorate it while you took photos. You were trying not to laugh as you noticed only the bottom half of the tree decorated. You prayed that Gen and Jared would leave it like that.

You heard the garage door and assumed it was Gen coming home. You laughed as Tom and Shep argued over where the reindeer ornament went. Odette walked towards the box of ornaments but stopped short and looked at something behind you.

“DADDY!” She yelled as you turned around to see Jared standing there with a smile on his face. He dropped his bag and bent down to pick up his daughter.

“Hey baby girl. Having fun decorating the tree?” He asked. She nodded her head and smiled at Jared. “Are you guys being good for Y/N?” All three answered yes in unison. You laughed.

“Have a good trip?” You asked him as he set Odette down. She ran off to join her brothers again.

“I did. Jay’s at home. I know you haven’t seen him in a while.” He said as he walked over to give you a hug and a kiss on the head. “Why don’t you go home? I can take over from here. I may be needed for the branches they can’t reach.” You both laughed as you looked at the naked top of the tree.

“Thanks Jare. Has Gen talked to you about coming to dinner tomorrow night?” You asked as you packed up your camera.

“She did. We figured we could come a little early to help out with whatever.”

“You can come early but you aren’t allowed to help.” You laughed as he frowned. “I have most of the decorations up. The rest are left for Jensen to do tonight. I just want some good ole family time. I haven’t seen you in forever and I know the kids want to see their Uncle Jensen.”

“We love Uncle Jensen!” Shep yelled.

“Is he here?” Tom asked.

You shook your head no. “No T, he’s not. But you will see him tomorrow. If you’re good for your parents tonight and tomorrow, I’ll have some cookies for you guys to decorate after dinner.” All three yelled in celebration.

“We’ll be good. Promise.” Shep said as he ran over to give you a hug. “Bye aunt Y/N. Love you.”

“Love you to Sheppy. I’ll see all of you tomorrow.” You said as you smiled at Jared and made your way to your car.

The drive to your house was short seeing as Jensen and Jared wanted to live close to each other. When you drove up, you didn’t see a package on the porch. You did smile though when you saw Jensen’s car in his spot in the garage. You walked into the house to see five small boxes on the coffee table with Jensen sitting on the couch next to them.

You ran over and hugged Jensen’s neck hard. “I missed you so much. Did you have a good flight?”

Jensen dug his head into your neck. You heard a mhmm as a response before you felt a kiss on your neck. He pulled back and gave you a soft kiss on your lips. “I missed you baby.” He kissed you again. “Can’t wait to spend the break with you and only you.”

“You do realize in a week's time we will have a full house of people.” You laughed. He shrugged before smirking at you. He turned to look at the gifts laying on the coffee table. You hopped off his lap and sat next to him, reaching for the boxes.

You picked them up and realized they were ring boxes. You opened it up to see a gold ring with a goldfinch bird on it. You pulled it out to observe it. Jensen was observing you. You had a huge smile on your face. You quickly opened all of the boxes and saw each ring was similar but the bird was positioned differently on each.

“These are beautiful Jense. Now where’s my note?” You asked eagerly. Jensen laughed as he handed it to you before he wrapped an arm around you and pulled you close.

On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me... five golden rings.

The golden rings represent the yellow rings around a pheasant’s neck or a pretty little bird known as a goldfinch. A goldfinch symbolizes the importance of positivity, the value of happiness, and the simplicity in life. You are the most positive, happiest, and simplest person I have ever met. I am lucky to know you. You are my goldfinch. I love you.

J<3

You smiled at Jensen before you grabbed the rings and walked to the table that was holding all of the other gifts. You laid the note in front of it. You smiled as you looked over the four days worth of gifts that were in front of you. Jensen wrapped his arms around your waist and pulled you into his chest.

“I love how you have it set up. I love where you put the hens.” He kissed your temple and squeezed you tighter.

“This is such a great idea. I love the thought you’ve put into it.” You turned in his arms. You placed one hand on his chest and the other on his cheek pulling him towards your lips. You placed a loving kiss on his lips before looking into his eyes. “Thank you for this. I love it.” Jensen smiled at you before he pulled you back into a kiss.

The next morning you woke to the smell of food. Jensen was sitting next to you with a tray full of breakfast food.

“What's all this?” You asked as you sat up.

“You’ve been doing so much around the house, plus working for Gen and helping her with the kids, I thought it's just a small thing I could do for you. And your cooking dinner tonight, so you deserved to spend the morning being pampered.” Jensen said softly. “I also have your sixth gift.”

He handed you a box. You opened it up and saw a glass goose. After picking it up you saw a glass nest with glass eggs in them. You gently put the goose back in the box and pulled out the note.

On the sixth day of Christmas my true love gave to me... six geese a laying.

It may not be six geese, but this is a cool one. The laying of eggs represents life and creation. Together we have created a life. A life that I love and never want to leave. The only way it changes is for the better. I love you.

J<3

You smiled at the note before putting it back in the box. You set the box on the ground before turning to Jensen. “I love the life we’ve built and I love you.” You said as you leaned over and kissed him.

It was day seven already. Jensen had spent most of the day in the garage with Jared, building furniture and toys for the kids Christmas. You had spent most of the day cleaning and prepping for the families to arrive in two days. While cleaning in the living room, you heard both boys come in and go into the kitchen. Jensen came out of the kitchen drinking water and came over to give you a hug.

“Want to open the seventh day?” Jensen asked.

“Is Dean the best Winchester?” You asked back.

“Hey now!” You heard Jared scoff. You looked up to see him leaning against the wall. You laughed when you saw his annoyed face. “What are you doing?”

“Jensen is giving me the 12 Days of Christmas?” You said with a big smile on your face. You walked over to the table and waved Jared over. Jared walked over to see all the gifts. “Jackles, you did this on your own?” He said, shocked.

“Yeah, I did. Don’t sound so surprised. I’m a romantic.” Jensen said while hugging you from behind. He pulled back and went to grab the box from the garage. He set it town on the dining room table. You quickly opened it and saw a big gold swan with six slightly smaller ones around it. You gently set it down and looked for the note.

On the seventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me... seven swans a-swimming.

Purity. Beauty. Grace. Love. Elegance. You might think I’m talking about you, but really I’m talking about what a swan represents. You are the swan of my life. You are so pure, beautiful, graceful, full of love and elegance. In the world we live in, we need more of you, but I’m glad I have you. Never change my love. I love you.

J<3

You looked up from the note to see Jensen setting the swans on the table next to the other. You walked over and set the note next to the swan. You grabbed Jensen by his cheeks and turned his face towards you. You squeezed his cheeks and gently laid a kiss on his lips.

“You’re the real swan of this relationship. I love you.” You whispered. Jared watching his two best friends with warm eyes.

“Did you just call me a bird?” Jensen joked before kissing you again. You laughed and pulled away. You heard Jared laugh as well. You turned to the big moose.

“I didn’t think I would get all of these since he started this before he came home.” You said to Jared. You turned to Jensen, “This is literally the best gift I’ve ever gotten.”

“It’s only getting better.” Jensen said. You smiled. I’m going to start dinner. Jared you’re welcome to stay and Gen and the kids are welcome to join if you’d like?”

“I would love too, but Gen is actually making stew for dinner. Thanks for the invite though.” He smiled at you as he sat on the couch.

“Well you’re welcome anytime.” You said as you hugged him from behind and kissed his cheek. He grabbed your arm and gave it a squeeze and a pat before you let go. You walked out of the room and to the kitchen.

Jensen sat next to his brother and sat there for a second before he spoke.

“Is everything ready to go for Friday night?” Jensen asked.

“Yup. I’ll let the photographer in the back gate at 6:30. He said to give him 15 minutes to get stuff set up. I told him where you were going to be standing so make sure you stand there. Families know what’s happening and promise to keep it a secret. Gen picked up the ring the other day and I will give it to you when I get here Friday afternoon.” Jared said.

“Perfect. I really appreciate the help with all of this. You and Gen both. I don’t think I could pull off the proposal and the 12 Days of Christmas without you.” Jensen said sincerely.

Jared slapped Jensen on the back before standing up, “I’ll always do anything for you. Plus I’m happy you’re finally proposing. The two of you deserve each other and deserve to be happy.” He started walking towards the door. “I’ll see you tomorrow man. I’m going to go have a lazy night with my wife and kids.”

Jensen smiled at his friends and followed him to the door. Once he saw that Jared was in his truck, he shut and locked the door. He walked into the kitchen to talk with you while you cooked dinner.

Monday morning came too fast. Thankfully Gen gave you the week off. She said if she needed pictures taken, Jared could do it. You woke expecting to spend time with your husband, but he was gone. You walked to the kitchen and saw a note on the counter

Jared called for a morning run. Be back for lunch. Love you.

You smiled and decided you would make a full lunch and you could order out for dinner. You pulled out the ingredients for your favorite meal. You prepped the food within ten minutes before throwing it in the oven for three hours. You would make the rolls and salad when it was closer to lunch.

You decided today would be a lazy day of watching movies and casually wrapping Christmas presents for yours and Jensen’s family. When Jensen said he would be coming home from filming later than normal, you used your free time to wrap his presents so he couldn’t snoop. His presents were already under the tree.

You pushed the coffee table towards the love seat to create room for wrapping. You then went to the closet and got all the presents out and the wrapping paper. After setting everything down, you went down to the office to get the scissors and tape. Finally you were able to sit down and relax and wrap. You decided to watch all of the classic Christmas movies while you were wrapping since you hadn’t really seen any this year.

When Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer ended, you decided to put Frosty the Snowman on next. Jensen walked in right when it started and he was holding a box. He smiled at you before he set it down in front of you before sitting next to you.

You ripped open the box to see eight maids milking a cow. You noticed the tail was curled like you could hold it and then you realized that it had a small hole on top.

“This is so cute that it might get used all year round.” You said looking at the piece that was made to hold milk or cream for coffee or tea. Jensen smiled at you and then handed you the note. “Oh my favorite part.” You beamed.

On the eighth day of Christmas my true love gave to me... eight maids a milking.

In the 15th and 16th century in England, “lets go-a-milking” meant “let’s get married.” One day I want to go-a-milking. I want to see you walk down that aisle to our forever. I love you so much.

J<3

You looked up at Jensen with tears in your eyes. He gently put his hand on your cheek and you leaned into his touch.

“This isn’t a proposal, but one day I will. I will give you forever.” He said before leaning in to give you a kiss with so much love.

“And when that day comes, I will say yes to our forever.” You smiled at him.

He smiled at you before he turned to see what you were doing before, “Put me to work so we can have a lazy movie day after lunch.” You laughed and told him to start wrapping.

Tuesday you woke up early. Going straight to the kitchen to start the coffee. You looked at the clock and noticed that it was only six in the morning. You groaned knowing it was going to be a long day, but you had to get things done before family arrived. You pulled out a notepad and pen and started a list for groceries you would need for the time everyone is here. You then made another list for the Christmas food you would need for Christmas Eve night and Christmas lunch and dinner.

You sighed before taking a drink of your coffee. You set it down and laid your head on the counter trying to get motivated to start the day's work. You felt arms wrap around you from behind. You sat up and leaned against your boyfriend.

“Why are you up so early?” He whispered, giving you a gentle kiss on the neck.

“Too much to do. I’m about to go to the grocery store, but I needed a list and coffee first.” You replied.

“Since when is the grocery store open this early?” He asked as he pulled away and got some coffee.

“Since it’s the holidays. I want to go when it opens so it’s not so busy. Not very many show up at 7 am.” You replied. “I just need to go get dressed.”

“Let me finish my coffee and I’ll go with you.” You were about to tell him he didn’t have to when he interrupted you. “No. Don’t say I don’t have to. I want to help. You are putting in so much work so we can host our families for Christmas. Just tell me what to do.” You smiled at him and thanked him before moving back upstairs to change clothes.

Later that afternoon, you started working on prepping food so all you had to do for two dinners and a lunch was to put them in the oven to cook them. Jensen walked into the kitchen before you could truly get started and he dragged you to the table holding the 12 Days of Christmas gifts.

You saw a medium size box and Jensen nodded for you to open it. You pulled out a jewelry box. When you opened it you saw a ballerina and it turned as the music played.

On the ninth day of Christmas my true love gave to me... nine ladies dancing

Today’s part of the song stands for the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit. They stand for love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. You are the love of my life and you give me so much love. You give me joy. You bring me peace. You are so patient with me. You give me so much kindness, even when I don’t deserve it. You bring so much good to the world and to me. You have faith in me when I don’t even have faith in myself. You’re gentle with me when I need it. And you have self control to not let your emotions overcome you to where you say or do something you would regret. (I don’t know how you have self control when I’m around though *wink wink*).

I love watching you dance around the kitchen when you cook, the bathroom when you are getting ready, and the living room when you are cleaning. You have danced your way into my heart and I hope you never dance out. I love you baby.

J<3

You walked up and hugged him. “You say all these kind things about me, when these almost match what I think about you.” You said into his chest.

“I can’t even compare to you baby.” He kissed the top of your head. “Okay. Let me help prep food so we can have a calm night. Mom told me they will be here by 10 tomorrow morning. And your dad said they’d be here around lunch. So let’s finish so we can enjoy our little alone time.”

The next morning, you were doing some last minute cleaning before Jensen’s parents arrived. You were cleaning the leftover breakfast dishes when you heard the doorbell. You were about to stop what you were doing when you heard Jensen get it.

“Hey guys.” You heard your boyfriend say to his parents.

“Hi baby. Where’s Y/N?” You heard his mom ask.

“I think she was doing something in the kitchen.” He responded. You heard someone walking towards you and decided to dry your hands and give a proper welcome to his parents.

“Y/N! How have you been?” Donna said as she stepped into the room.

“I’m good Donna. How was the trip?” You asked.

She nodded, “It was good. Is there anything I can help you with dear?”

“I think I’m good for now. Jensen has been a doll and has been helping me with everything. I think now we can go into the living room and talk. My parents should be here shortly.” You said guiding her to the living room.

After an hour of talking, your parents arrived. Your mom and Donna instantly started catching up when your mom turned and saw the table of gifts. She got up and walked over to it which drew Donna’s attention as well.

“What’s all this?” Your mom asked.

“Jensen has been doing the 12 Days of Christmas for me.” You said as Jensen came and wrapped his arms around you and gave you a kiss on the head.

“Well isn’t that sweet and romantic.” Your mom cooed. “Y/N, your dad never did anything like this for me, I know you’ve been dating for a few years, but if I haven’t said it before, he’s a keeper.”

You laughed as Donna agreed. You all decided to go grab lunch. Both sets of parents were catching you up on everything that was happening in their lives and your siblings lives. When you returned from lunch, your parents both went to their rooms to unpack and get comfortable. Jensen took you into the dining room where you saw another box.

When you opened it up, you saw ten leaping men as a tin decoration. You smiled and set it on the other table with the other gifts. You went back to the box and found the note.

On the tenth day of Christmas my true love gave to me... ten lords a leaping

These ten lords a leaping represent the ten commandments. But I have to be honest. I instantly thought about how you leaped your way into my heart. I also thought about how I would leap over mountains and oceans for you. Anything to make sure you are happy and feel loved. I still love you.

J<3

You smiled at Jensen and gave him a kiss on the cheek. He pulled you into him and gave you a heart stopping kiss. One kiss led to another and the next thing you know he has you sitting on the table with him between your legs making out. You had no care in the world. Just enjoying this small moment with your boyfriend. Jensen pulled away and your head jerked to the left when you heard a throat being cleared. Your face burned red when you saw your dad and Alan standing there.

It was finally Christmas Eve. Jensen decided since the house would be full of your siblings and nieces and nephews, he was going to give you your present this morning. He quietly got up and turned off your alarm. He walked down to the garage where he was hiding the presents and got the one labeled day eleven.

He walked back upstairs passing his mom. He stopped and gave her a kiss on the cheek and told her to make herself at home. He walked back towards your shared bedroom. He saw you sleeping so peacefully and he felt bad for waking you, but he wanted you to have this moment. He loved being able to share these few minutes with you. Seeing your eyes light up when you saw the present. He didn’t think it was possible for them to light up anymore than they already were until he saw you read the note. He knew you loved the gifts, but he loved that you loved the hand written notes and thought into what these gifts mean.

Jensen leaned over and kissed your face gently while rubbing your arm. “Come on baby. Open your eyes for me.” He said softly as he watched you try to wake up. You opened your eyes and blinked a few times before looking up at Jensen. “There she is.”

“Hi.” You whispered.

“Hi.” Jensen whispered back before giving you a soft kiss. “I wanted to give you your present before everyone got here. I like having the privacy for it.” You nodded and moved to sit up and lean against the headboard.

Jensen handed you the box. You tiredly smiled at him as you took it. You opened it up and found a medium wooden box. You opened it up and saw eleven wind instruments made out of wood. You smiled admiring the beauty of them. You moved onto the note that was laying in the bigger box.

On the eleventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me... eleven pipers piping

I learned today that eleven is considered an unlucky number because it’s one less than a dozen and one more than the number ten, which apparently is a fan favorite. These pipers stand for the faithful disciples. I hope you take this meaning as knowing I am faithful to you. I would never intentionally do anything to hurt you or to break your heart. I love you.

J<3

You smiled at the note before setting it and the boxes on the bedside table. You pulled Jensen to you and you gave him a lazy kiss while trying to fix his bed head.

“How about you show me how faithful you are before everyone wakes up and the others arrive.” You smirked at him. He lunged at you as you giggled. “It would be my pleasure.”

It was Christmas evening and you had noticed Jensen getting a little bit restless. He had been like that all day. You just thought it was because of all the people in the house, but when Jared showed up he got even more antsy. A little after six, you decided to pull him aside.

“Jense, come here.” You said waving him towards the stairs. You led him to the bedroom and sat him on the bed. “Is everything okay?”

“Yeah. Why wouldn’t it be?”

“You’ve just been restless all day. You almost look nervous.” You said rubbing your finger over the frown lines on his foreheads.

“I’m fine. Just feel weird having all these people here.” He said leaning up to give you a kiss. He turned to look at the clock on the beside and saw that it was 6:30. He knew Jared was now letting the photographer in the backyard. “Do you want day twelve?” You smiled and nodded.

When Jensen handed you the last box, you ripped it open and found twelve miniature drums stacked on one another. You pulled it out and admired its beauty of different colors. Jensen then picked up the note out of the box and then reached for your hands.

“Come on. I got a surprise for you outside.” You linked your fingers with his and smiled. When you walked through the living room to the backdoor, everyone watched on.

Jensen led you to the middle of the yard under the lights he hung last weekend. You heard music start playing through the outdoor speakers and you looked up to see Jared standing on the porch.

“You kids have fun out here. Just not too much fun.” He said while wiggling his eyebrows. You laughed and turned back to Jensen.

“May I have this dance?” He asked, holding his hand out. You nodded. “You know Y/N/N, you are the one thing in my life that can make me truly happy. There have been plenty of days that have been complete crap and I see you or call you and I instantly feel like I had the best day of my life. You listen to me and give me words of advice and encouragement. You love me when I don’t think I deserve to be loved.”

“You’ll always deserve love, Jense and I will spend the rest of our days reminding you of that.” You said. He smiled. He stopped dancing with you to hand you the last note. He turned you around and wrapped his arms around you. When you started to read it, he let go.

On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to me... twelve drummers drumming

The meaning of this one comes from the Apostles' Creed. I’ll let you look that one up while I tell you what drumming means to me when it comes to you.

You walk to the beat of your own drum. You are the beat of my heart. Your love is a drum and I never want to miss a beat. Now it’s time for your heart to skip a beat in a good way.

I really love you.

J<3

Now turn around baby.

You turned around and gasped when you saw Jensen on one knee holding up a box with a beautiful ring inside.

“Y/N/N baby. I did the 12 Days of Christmas to show you how I see you. To show you what you mean to me. I want to love you for the rest of my life and beyond. I want to be your shoulder to cry on. I want to comfort you when you need it. I want to be part of the reason for that beautiful smile. Will you let me love and care for you for the rest of our lives? Will you marry me Y/N/N?”

You felt tears rush down your face as you smiled.

“Yes. A million times yes Jense.” He smiled and put the ring on your left ring finger. He stood up and wrapped his arms around your waist and picked you up spinning you in circles. You put your hands on his face and leaned down to kiss him. “I love you.” You whispered to him as you stared into his eyes.

You heard cheering from the porch. With Jensen still holding you, you both looked up and smiled at your family.

“It’s about time.” You heard Jared yell as he walked down to hug the two of you. “I’ve had to keep this secret for so long.” “You knew?!” You asked, shocked.

“Jensen planned it all, just needed some assistance so you wouldn’t find out. He knows you don’t like surprises and you don’t like waiting for presents.” Jared said while laughing. You shrugged knowing he was right.

You turned back to Jensen and he wrapped his arms around you. “Thank you for making me the happiest man in the world. I can’t wait to call you Mrs. Ackles.”

You smiled at your fiance before giving him one last kiss. You turned towards the rest of the family that followed Jared. You gave everyone a hug and thanked them as they congratulated the both of you. You saw Jensen talking with your brother and Jared and you smiled at him. Even though you were now making it official, both of you were already a part of each other's families.

This was a Christmas you would never forget.

[afroherbalism]

"Emma Dupree (1897-1992) was an influential black herbalist from Falkland and Fountain, in Pitt County in North Carolina. She was known locally as “granny woman.”

Because she prays, she brews herbs. Because she brews herbs, she heals. Because she heals, she is the undisputed sage of Pitt County. They say her home remedies can quiet a colicky baby, cure a mean cold and scare lice off a hog.

"All that we see, everything that is growin' in the earth," Emma says, "is healin' to the nation of any kind of disease."

She was the daughter of freed slaves and grew up on the Tar River. She was known for her work with native herbs: Sassafras, white mint, double tansy, rabbit tobacco, maypop, mullein, catnip, horseradish, and silkweed.

Here is an excerpt from an article published shortly after her death:

"From the time she could walk, Emma felt drawn to the land. She would roam the woods, plucking, sniffing, tasting weeds. She grew up that way, collecting the leaves, stems, roots and bark of sweet gum, white mint, mullen, sassafras in her coattail or a tin bucket. She'd tote them back to the farm, rinse them in well water and tie them in bunches to dry. In the backyard, she'd raise a fire under a kettle and boil her herbs to a bubbly froth, then pour it up in brown-necked stone jugs: A white-mint potion for poor circulation; catnip tea for babies with colic; tansy tea - hot or cold - for low blood sugar; mullein tea for a stomach ache. Mixed with molasses or peppermint candy to knock out the bitterness. Her kind of folk medicine dates back centuries. In the 1600s, African slaves brought root-doctor remedies to America. Indians and immigrants had cure-alls, too. In some rural areas, scattered herbalists still practice."

She was born on July 4, 1897, the seventh among 18 siblings, Emma Williams Dupree grew up on the Tar River and was known in her family as "that little medicine thing" because of her early understanding of herbs.

Her parents, Pennia and Noah Williams, were freed slaves farming in Falkland, NC.

She told an interviewer in 1979 that her mother remembered being "on the porch of the old Wooten's farm home when freedom came. She was 16 when Mr. and Mrs. Wooten walked out on that porch and told her she was 'as free as they were, but they loved her just the same.'"

She was married for one year to Ethan Cherry, a farmer. She divorced him and remarried another farmer, Austin Dupree, Jr., who was born in 1892. Emma and Austin moved to Fountain, NC in 1936 and had five children, whose ages in the 1930 U.S. Census are indicated in parentheses: Lucy (12), Herbert (9), John (5), Doris (3), and Mary (1).

They remained married until his death at age 90. She died at home, at 3313 N. Jefferson St, Fountain, on March 12, 1996. She is buried at Saint John's Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery, in Falkland,NC.

Emma Dupree's "garden-grown pharamacy" included sassafras, white mint, double tansy, rabbit tobacco, maypop, mullein, catnip, horseradish, silkweed and other plants from which she made tonics, teas, salves and dried preparations. These were cultivated in her yard and gathered from the banks of the Tar River. She told Karen Baldwin that she grew a special tree in her back yard, which she called her "healing berry tree."

She explained, "Now that tree, I don't know of another name for it, but it's in the old-fashioned Bible and the seed for it came from Rome." She also told Baldwin of being an especially alert baby: "They said I was just looking every which way. And I kept acting and moving and doing things a baby didn't do. And I walked early. I was walking at seven months old, just as good and strong. When I got so I got out doors, I went to work. I was pulling up weeds, biting them, smelling in them, and spitting them out. And folks in them days, they just watched me, watched what I was doing.

Awards and Recognition

In 1984, Dupree was awarded the Brown-Hudson Award by the North Carolina Folklore Society, recognizing her as an individual who contributed significantly to the transmission, appreciation and observance of traditional culture and folk life in North Carolina.

In 1992, Dupree received the North Carolina Heritage Award, lifetime achievement recognition for outstanding traditional artists in North Carolina

NOTE:

Here is a link to a video of Mrs Emma Dupree being interviewed by students of the ECU medical research department. This video is Produced by the office of Health Services Research and Development, School of Medicine, East Carolina University.

It is 40 minutes long.

Link: https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/58575?fbclid=IwAR1e22I8_vRfvzI0nZXDBT8XG7Z-4DgiNykjqsbPD8hoD2Aw8haC2uI8vvo#details

Source;https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/ncpi/view/5581

Source:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emma_Dupree

---

Herbalist, 94, Lets Nature Heal

by Paige Williams Feb 20, 1992

Before her came African root doctors and Indian medicine men. People believed their mystical potions could cure body and soul and sometimes they could. Some modern medicines still use herbal derivatives. Few old-time herbalists like Emma are left in North Carolina. Hospitals first forced her kind out of business. Death is finishing the job. Emma Dupree's hanging tough, though, pushing 10 decades. She takes the tonic, see. Drinks it like water. She jumps out of her chair, props fists on her waist and swivels her hips Hula-Hoop style. She holds both hands out flat and squirms her wrinkled fingers all around, crossing and uncrossing, like she's making a million wishes. No arthritis there.

"There's something to that stuff," said her granddaughter, Sandra White.

Joe Exum, town grocer, keeps a Crown Royal bourbon bottle under the front seat of his pickup truck. It holds the slimy remnants of Emma's tonic: oily brown syrup that looks like tobacco spit, stings the nose like paint thinner and tastes like pine tar smells.

"I'd pay $50 for a bottle right now," Exum said. "Two swallers and it'll knock the sore throat right out." He's waiting for Emma to brew another batch. She stewed her last at Christmas. She used to make the tonic right steady, every day almost, the way she learned 80 years ago, when the woods first called her.

Pitt County borders the Pamlico River 80 miles east of Raleigh. Its largest town is Greenville, the county seat, population

44,972. One of its smallest is Fountain, population 445, founded in 1900 on the western rim. Emma Dupree was Emma Williams then, a 3-year-old growing up the daughter of freed slaves on a farm 9 miles east in Falkland, where she was born the Fourth of July, 1897. Emma was the knee baby, second from the youngest of seven girls and four boys, and always hanging on her mama's knee. Early on, Pennia and Noah Williams knew she was nature's child. From the time she could walk, Emma felt drawn to the land.

She would roam the woods, plucking, sniffing, tasting weeds. She grew up that way, collecting the leaves, stems, roots and bark of sweet gum, white mint, mullen, sassafras in her coattail or a tin bucket. She'd tote them back to the farm, rinse them in well water and tie them in bunches to dry. In the backyard, she'd raise a fire under a kettle and boil her herbs to a bubbly froth, then pour it up in brown-necked stone jugs: A white-mint potion for poor circulation; catnip tea for babies with colic; tansy tea - hot or cold - for low blood sugar; mullen tea for a stomach ache. Mixed with molasses or peppermint candy to knock out the bitterness. Her kind of folk medicine dates back centuries. In the 1600s, African slaves brought root-doctor remedies to America. Indians and immigrants had cure-alls, too. In some rural areas, scattered herbalists still practice.

"It's dying out," says Charles Reagan Wilson of the Center for the Study of Southern Culture at the University of Mississippi. "People more and more rely on modern science." Pitt County's got both. Modern medicine and Emma Dupree. Her school was God's school; her classroom, the land. While the other children played, she picked herbs. Sometimes she caught the other children talking about her: "There comes that ol' rovin' gal. Reckon where she goin' now?" Yet they always followed her.

When Emma was about 20, she married Ethan Cherry, a farmer. It lasted about a year. The story goes that Cherry went one wisecrack too far about how many women it takes to satisfy a man. Emma whacked him with a chair. Knocked him out cold. Then she divorced him. "He wasn't no good husband." She married another farmer, Austin Dupree. They moved to Fountain in 1936. Old age killed him in the the early 1970s. He was nearly 90. Of Emma's five children, only Doris, 66, is left. She lives next door to Emma's little white-and-green house on Jefferson Street, a longtime magnet to the afflicted.

Herbs' earthy aroma herbs brewed day and night. Their warm earthy aroma filled the whole house. Emma poured her tonic up in glass vinegar jugs and canning jars and kept it in a pantry off the kitchen. Somebody was always knocking on the front door. Emma would fetch it: "Now you take this with faith because it's not me. I'm just the instrument." She never set a price. People paid what they could, sometimes $5, sometimes $30. "It was a common thing for people to literally be waiting in line," said White, 38, the granddaughter Emma raised. People sought advice, too. They'd bang on the door, pull her aside: "Can I talk to you?" Fountain's own Ann Landers. "You can tell her a problem and she can work it out so it don't seem so bad," White said.

Some, she couldn't help. Once, a young girl dying of leukemia and weary of doctors showed up at Emma's door. Emma suspected it was hopeless. Still, she couldn't say no. She gave her the tonic. "I don't want to make her sound like a saint," White said, "but she tried to help everybody." Emma won't take the credit. "Whatever your talent, whatever you is, you come with it," she said. "When you come into this world, God's done fixed you with what you got to do." To townspeople, she's "Aunt Emma."

In December, they made her grand marshal of the Fountain Christmas parade, all two blocks of it. She waved from the back of the long white limousine borrowed from the local funeral home. Only the best for the sage of Pitt County.

Source:https://www.tulsaworld.com/archives/herbalist-lets-nature-heal/article_3b0e06d1-4af9-5567-93ee-bc4b50d5867f.html

[hopscotchandlemon]

The Christmas Gift

NCIS AU

Tony x Reader

Prompt - AU Pulling you in for a kiss by your scarf 

Requested by @honey-bays and for everyone who wanted a bit of fluffy fiction 

Opening the curtains, you squealed with delight. A thick carpet of snow had covered the village. Despite knowing it was going to make your plans for the day harder, it was always magical to see snow this near to Christmas: even at your age!

Looking at the clock, you surmise that your parents will already be at work. This was your first full day back from college on your winter break. You quickly did a bit of tidying up, prepared a meal for later and got kitted out in your winter gear ready to see the one person you had missed the most: Tony.

He would be at work right now, but it was tradition that you helped him selling Christmas trees from his Dad’s farm. You didn’t do it for money but because it meant you could spend time with your best friend.

Excitedly, you pulled the front door shut and started the trek to Mallard Farm on the outskirts of the village. It was a good 2 miles from your house, but you were so used to walking it now, you barely thought anything of it. It was one mile into your journey when the wind to pick up and creating blizzard conditions. You pulled your scarf up over your mouth and your hat just above your eyes to try and shield your face from the icicle-like snow. Trudging onwards, you heard a car horn sound behind you and when you looked around, you recognised the truck immediately as that of Mr Gibbs, Tony’s father. He gestured for you to get in the passenger seat. It was welcome relief from the artic conditions.

‘Well look who it is! Good to see you Y/N. Need a lift?’

‘Aww thank you Mr Gibbs. It’s so good to be back home,’

A lot of people in your small community thought Mr Gibbs was a bit unfriendly but you had never been able to understand this. He treated you like a daughter and had always made you feel welcome. He’d had a tough life, losing his wife and baby daughter in a car crash. You still remembered that day so well, you’d been sat with Tony at school when he’s been taken out of class by the headteacher and didn’t return. Your parents had told you the news to you when you’d got home and you’d been heartbroken. Tony had been your friend you were toddlers and you felt his grief as if it were your own. Mr Gibbs had been left to bring up his young son and tend to the farm. He didn’t care much for gossip (and there had been a lot of that following the accident) and was upfront about telling people exactly what he thought about them. Many locals didn’t like that it would seem.

You chatted to Mr Gibbs about college where you were training to be a midwife as well as asking about all the animals on the farm. Everyone was a bit surprised when you said you were going to be a midwife as they’d been convinced you would be a veterinary  nurse, you spent hours with the animals on the Gibbs’ farm. But babies and their moms had won out in the end. In 6 months, you’d be qualified – and you couldn’t wait!

There was a queue of cars by the farm, the weather had not put people off from the time-honoured tradition of picking their Christmas trees. Mr Gibbs parked up. You thanked him before skipping off in search of Tony. Mr Gibbs smiled and shook his head as you marched through the uneven snow to find your friend. He’d just finished loading a tree on to a customer’s car when you bounded towards him and leapt into his arms.

‘Y/N! he beamed a joyful smile as he wrapped his arms around you.’

‘Oh Tony, it’s so good to see you again,’ you told him as he released you from his grip.

‘Well, I hope you’ve saved enough energy for hauling trees, we got three people needing them cut and loaded.’

‘Sure am!’ you exclaimed, grabbing the sledge you used for transporting the trees and following your friend into the woods.

By the time Mr Gibbs dropped you back at home that evening, you were unbelievably tired. You’d had so much fun seeing Tony again. He’d changed since you’d started college and you couldn’t quite specify how. When it came to jokes and movie trivia, he was definitely the same Tony you’d always known.

You helped Tony with the trees right up till lunch time on Christmas Eve, after that you went to his house and sat and watched Christmas movies and Mr Gibbs made you both hot chocolate. Tony’s Grandpa always stayed with them for Christmas and he was full of stories you loved to listen to. You exchanged gifts with your second family before Mr Gibbs drove you home.

Christmas morning came and you unwrapped a really lovely scarf that Tony had got you. Holding it up to your face, you breathed in – it smelt of Tony and that was such a comfort to you. He always picked you such thoughtful gifts. You always felt sad when you had to return to college, you missed him so much. He always sent you letters, but it was no substitute for the real thing.

The last day of your holiday came round agonisingly quick. You spent the day with Tony, working on the farm and washing down the stables. Tony offered to walk you home before it got dark. It was all he could do to make sure he spent every last moment with you.

It had felt different between you this year. You had always found leaving for college hard but this time it felt like it pulled on your heart so. While you always missed your parents, it was leaving Tony that was causing you the most anguish this year. You didn’t want to be without him, and your feelings confused you. As you walked along the wintery path back to the village, Tony suggested a detour into the forest to watch the sunset from the top of the hill. Your journey up to the path and watched as the sun slowly made it’s way below the horizon. It was a beautiful sight and one that made you feel homesick before you’d even left.

‘I’m gonna miss you, Tony,’ you announced as you walked back down to the road.

‘Not as much as I’m going to miss you, Y/N’ he countered.

You felt him grab the scarf he had given you and pull you towards him. Suddenly, you were so close to him, you could see the fading light reflect in his bright eyes. You could feel his warm breath against your cheek. It made you blush, not that anyone could see. Up close you could admire his face. For so long he had been your friend but now you were seeing him as something more. You looked into his eyes, eyes that were frantically searching your face. Your lips curved into a smile as you realised what you’d been wanting all along, Tony clearly wanted the same, still holding your scarf, he dipped his head and planted a long, luscious kiss on your lips. As you pulled away you both started laughing and he put his arm around you and walked you back towards your home. Of course you loved him. Always had and always would.

[lady-divine-writes]

Klaine Advent Drabble 2020 - “To Tree or Not to Tree” (Rated NC17)

Summary: When Blaine tells Kurt that they're going out to "get a tree", Kurt never imagined they'd be trekking up a freezing cold mountainside to chop one down. (2820 words)

Notes: A re-vamp for the @klaineadvent Drabble Challenge 2020 prompt 'farm'.

Read on AO3.

“Oh. My. God!” Kurt groans, hopping out of his SUV and sinking up to his ankles in snow. “I thought you were kidding about this!”

“Nope.” Blaine rounds to the hatch of Kurt’s Navigator and pops it. He unzips a duffel he brought with, one Kurt had hoped was filled with fun surprises like a picnic lunch that they could enjoy in the vehicle with the heater blasting before they braved the weather to get their Christmas tree from a quaint but upscale tree farm, the kind that smells strongly of cinnamon pine cones and which offers customers plastic flutes filled with sparkling cider as they pass over the threshold into an idyllic Winter Wonderland lit by twinkling white fairy lights beneath the cover of a gigantic canopy. 

He’d dressed entirely in brands that Vogue recently featured in their center spread and had planned on snapping a few shots for the website - kill two birds with one stone. He’d even lent Blaine a few pieces he’d squirreled from The Vault. He could see the whole layout in his head. Behind his eyelids, the slideshow of images he had planned was fabulous.

But no. 

Disturbingly, Blaine pulls out a wood-handled ax, along with a pair of safety goggles; thick, brown gloves; and some rope. He holds them up for Kurt to see. “Totally not kidding."

“Do we really have to cut down a tree?” Kurt asks, watching Blaine gear up, a one-man wrecking crew, leading Kurt to the conclusion that he should stay at the SUV and let Blaine go on this ridiculous errand alone. 

“Yes, we do.” Rope looped over his arm and dangling across his chest, Blaine hoists his ax over one shoulder and begins the journey, carving a neat path up the slowly rising incline as Kurt follows behind, contemplating his options. He has the keys. He could definitely implement the stay behind and keep the heater company fantasy. But there is the small matter of he loves Blaine. He would be miserable and lonely waiting hours in the SUV without him. Besides, considering how well Blaine fills out those North Face pants and Carhartt jacket, Kurt sees how he can make this work in his favor. The new outdoorsman, who can go from big city to big country in the blink of an eye (courtesy of the right separates).

He’s not married to that headline, but he can hash it out as he goes.

“You do know there’s a Christmas tree farm right there,” Kurt points out, raising his voice to be heard over the howling wind. When Blaine peeks over his shoulder, Kurt throws out an arm in the direction that they came. Past the snow-covered asphalt lot, where Kurt’s SUV is currently one of five cars parked, stretch miles of evergreens, cut down and mounted onto wooden stands, waiting to be plucked, flocked, and paid for.

“Cutting down a tree has been a tradition in my family since before I was born,” Blaine says. 

Kurt looks at him sideways. “I ... didn’t know that.”

“Yup."

"How did I not know that? We've been married for three years!"

Blaine turns a full circle as he walks and gives Kurt a wink. "I guess I'm just full of surprises."

"You're full of something," Kurt mumbles under his breath.

"It's a tradition," Blaine continues, unaware of his husband's grousing. "One I want to hand down to our children someday.”

“Can’t we get them a pony instead?”

“I recommend not stomping up this incline,” Blaine advises, changing the subject, “or you’re going to exhaust yourself. I’m not sure I can carry you and a tree back down this mountain.”

"Hmph. Not with that attitude, you can't."

It’s a crisp December day, almost too cold to bear. The difference in temperature between the city and where they ended up is so drastic, it’s hard to believe they’re still in the same state. A perfect day to sit by the fire while binge-watching Netflix, with a cup of hot cocoa beside a beautifully decorated Christmas tree. Kurt had everything he needed to make that happen, too, except the tree. 

Kurt and Blaine had yet to have a day off together to pick one out. 

So when Blaine came home, tossed Kurt a coat, and said, “Grab your keys! We’re getting a tree!” Kurt had been ecstatic! Until he discovered that Blaine’s idea of “getting a tree” wasn’t a simple matter of driving to a tree farm and picking out a decent six-foot Scotch Pine. 

No. 

Blaine had Kurt drive over an hour away from civilization to a place where there are no Starbucks, spotty WiFi, and no doors on the bathroom stalls.

The snow on the ground at this altitude is deep, becoming deeper as the slope of the mountain rises. And as breathtaking as the world looks from this elevation, Kurt hates everything about this. He hates the snow getting into his boots, soaking his three pairs of socks. He hates the wind that seems to purposefully sweep down the mountain straight into his face. Blaine walking ahead, right in front of him, does nothing to provide a barrier from the wind.

That’s because Blaine is loving this. And as a reward, the wind must be going right through him.

Blaine leads them deeper into woods that climb higher and higher. Even though the man who greeted them at the entrance, dressed in head-to-toe red flannel and brown corduroy, directed them up the mountain, saying this was the place locals preferred to get their trees, Blaine and Kurt don’t see anyone else past the tree line. The air gets thinner. The sunlight off the snow is brighter, blindingly bright, but it doesn’t offer Kurt or his rapidly chapping cheeks any warmth. He folds his arms over his chest and shoves his gloved hands underneath his armpits, but it doesn’t help thaw the tips of his fingers, which he can’t feel anymore.

“There are trees everywhere up here!” Kurt complains.

“Yeah! Isn’t it great!”

“Pick one! What are you doing?” Kurt gripes when they pass a swath of gorgeous trees and yet keep walking.

“I'm searching.”

“For what?”

“I’m looking for the perfect tree.”

“And what constitutes the perfect tree, in your opinion? Because from what I can see, we passed over two dozen perfect trees getting here!”

“When you see the perfect tree, you’ll know the perfect tree.”

Kurt has no idea what the heck that means but decides not to ask for clarification in an effort to get them off this frickin’ mountain and home quicker. Home equals warmth, comfort, and not succumbing to hypothermia. “Well, what about this one?” Kurt asks, pointing to a tree on his right.

“Ooo! That’s a good one!” Blaine says.

“Really?” Kurt asks, surprised that he got it right on the first try. Maybe he has a knack for this, like his knack for fashion. He does have an eye for aesthetics. “So this is the perfect tree?”

“Nope.”

Kurt stumbles. "Oh." He did not expect that answer. Eager to prevail, he points out another one. “This one?”

“No.”

“O-kay, what about this one?”

“Not quite, but good try.”

Kurt would throw his hands up in frustration, but his arms are locked in place, hugging his chest. 

“How did you become the tree authority?”

“Years of practice.”

“If you’re the one with the tree picking knowledge, what am I doing here that I couldn’t do at home where we have eggnog and cable?”

“You get to marvel in awe at my magnificent strength and skill.”

“I can’t help but remind you that I could be marveling at your strength and skill at home while you hold me up against the wall in our bedroom and make love to me.”

“True. But seeing as we did that all of last night and Mr. Mulroney has the night shift tonight, I thought it would be nice if we let the poor man sleep.”

“The walls in our apartment are thin, aren’t they?”

“They really are.”

They pass through a tight cluster of trees and enter a small clearing, coming upon a scene right out of a Hallmark Channel movie. God rays shine through the foliage overhead, lighting a single tree in the center. In the quiet of this enclosed glade, Kurt can’t hear the whistling wind, and he immediately begins to feel warmer. All they need now are cartoon animals bringing them presents and an angelic choir singing carols and they’ll be starring in their own Christmas special. 

It would be ideal, Kurt thinks, considering he’s a motherless child and he’s standing beside an elf. He puts a pin in it, with a plan to write up a treatment as soon as they get back to their apartment.

Provided he doesn’t lose any of his fingers before then.

Blaine tosses the rope aside. He walks reverently up to the center tree and stops in front of it. He opens his arms wide, ax clutched in his right fist. “Here,” he declares. “Here it is.”

Kurt looks at the tree in front of them, then at all the identical trees surrounding it. “Here what is?”

“Our perfect tree.”

“And what makes this tree any different from the sixty or more trees we passed hiking up here?”

“This one’s fuller, more symmetrical, with an almost pyramid top.” When Kurt doesn’t immediately agree, Blaine motions to the tree more vehemently, trying to get his point across. “It’s just more … more tree than those other trees. More Christmas …” Blaine turns to his husband standing off to the side behind him, arms crossed, head tilted. Blaine sighs. “You obviously don’t know your Christmas trees. If you can’t see why this one’s superior, I don’t know how to explain it to you.”

Kurt shakes his head. “Sorry.” 

“You’ll see the difference when it’s up in our apartment.” Blaine grips his ax with both hands and gets into position. “Okay! Stand back!”

“You don’t need to tell me twice. I love you, Blaine, but I have no intention of getting anywhere near you and that instrument of death.” 

Kurt takes a step back, then three more as Blaine hoists the ax behind him. Kurt fishes his iPhone out of his pocket, preparing to document what is either going to be the sexiest thing Blaine has ever done, or evidence for the investigators who might try to pin Blaine's grisly death on him. Either way, watching Blaine attempt to chop down a tree might actually be worth wet socks and a nightmare case of the flu.

Kurt holds up his phone with the camera app accessed, ready to film as Blaine takes his first swing, which, surprisingly, buries the blade a respectable depth into the wood. But it’s the pullback that gets Kurt, the way Blaine locks his feet in the snow, bends at the knees, and dislodges the ax. Kurt can’t see Blaine’s back through his coat, but he imagines the play of his muscles, the rise and fall of his shoulders, the cut of his delts showing through as they strain with effort. Kurt has seen Blaine naked over a hundred times, has watched the man make love to him in videos they’ve made. He envisions everything going on beneath Blaine’s clothes as he swings that ax … and the frigid air around him doesn't feel quite as cold anymore.

“Mmmm …” Kurt hits record and focuses his camera on his husband’s assets. After a minute of chopping, Blaine realizes Kurt has stopped commenting. He lowers his ax and takes a breather, catching the tail end of his husband's complimentary hum.

“Mmmm what?” Blaine turns, curious to see what Kurt has been doing that’s kept him quiet this whole time. He raises an eyebrow when he sees the phone in Kurt’s hands. “Are you ... recording me?”

“Maybe,” Kurt says, biting his lower lip. “You know, now that I get a good look at it, you did find the best tree on the mountain. And watching you cut it down is becoming a massive turn on. You being all lumberjack-ish is kind of hot.”

Blaine grins, leveling the ax over his shoulder. “Only kind of?”

“Well, yeah.” Kurt switches off his camera app and puts his phone back in his pocket, seeing a make-out break forthcoming. “The walk up the mountain took a lot out of me.”

Blaine leans his ax against the trunk of a tree and saunters up to his husband. “Well then … perhaps I can put something in you.”

Kurt snorts. “Okay, that’s cheesy as hell ... but I wish you would."

With a suggestive smile on his frosty lips, Blaine wraps one arm around Kurt’s waist and pulls him closer, his other hand reaching between them to fondle the bulge growing in the front of Kurt’s jeans. He tugs at the buttons of Kurt’s fly, and Kurt knows Blaine has more on his mind than kissing. He shoots an anxious look around their private nook. “What? Here?”

“Why not? We’re alone. There’s no one else around. No one will see us or hear us. You can scream all you want.”

“When you put it like that, it sounds like we're in a horror movie!"

"Is that your only objection?"

"No. I'm objecting because it’s freezing!”

“Come on …” Blaine takes off his gloves and begins unbuttoning Kurt’s wet coat, starting at the middle and working down. “I’m not going to strip us naked or anything. Besides, you’ll warm up in no time. You know what they say about body heat …”

“This reminds me of one of those bad amateur porn videos on the Internet. The ones that try to have a storyline, but the acting is so awful it turns into a comedy?”

“As a professional actor, I think I take offense to that.” Blaine nuzzles past Kurt’s icy jaw and into the warm skin of his neck. “What videos are you watching anyway?”

“I can show you. Maybe we can … you know … watch one or two … when we get home …” Kurt stutters, shivering when Blaine’s cold lips connect with his flesh, then melting beneath the heat of his husband’s tongue. Blaine walks Kurt backward, away from their half-chopped pine to the shelter of a different tree, moving them a safe distance on the off chance the poor thing decides to finish itself off without their help.

“Oh, God! Kurt!” Blaine moans, warming his hands by wedging them between the soft skin of Kurt’s groin and his growing erection.

“Blaine,” Kurt murmurs as his husband sucks a mark into the sensitive skin of his collarbone, “I just … I just want you to know that … if we freeze to death … or get eaten by a bear … I’m blaming you entirely.”

Blaine grabs Kurt’s trembling hands and brings them to the zipper of his pants. “Fair enough.”

***

“Welp. That was less than memorable,” Kurt grumbles, trying to re-button his jeans with numb fingers. “I hope that doesn’t become part of the tradition.”

“For the ninth time, I slipped!” an embarrassed Blaine says, teeth chattering, rushing to help Kurt do up his now useless coat. “I didn’t mean for us to take a nose dive into the snow!”

“Who would have thunk that fucking on ice would be dangerous!?" Kurt says sarcastically. "Christ! I must look like a wet French poodle!"

"That's ... oddly specific."

In an attempt to salvage the look he had going, Kurt tries combing his fingers through his hair but hits resistance. “Ugh! I think I’ve got sap in my hair.” He tugs and tugs, abandoning his attempts with a huff after he manages to get his fingers free … along with a sizeable chunk of hair. 

“Fucking on ice,” Blaine repeats with a chuckle. “That sounds like an X-rated skating show.”

Kurt glares at his husband, unamused. “Yeah. Hilarious. Can we go back to getting our perfect tree now, Grizzly Adams?”

“I don’t know …” Blaine looks at the tree they’d been fucking against before his enthusiastic thrusting caused them to slip and take a header into the snow. “I think I like this one now.” He pats the trunk, shaking loose a minor avalanche from the branches that contains more needles than snow.

Kurt steps back, making a face as he judges the less than spectacular tree. “Why?”

“We had sex on it. That makes it ours.”

“This isn’t a department store, Blaine. I don’t think you break it, you buy it applies here.”

“I think this falls more under the guidelines of I licked it, now it’s mine.”

“I understand the sentiment, but this one’s got a dent in it.” Kurt snickers. “A dent shaped like your ass.”

“That’s a good thing,” Blaine says, walking off to retrieve his ax. “We’ll know which side to face toward the wall.”