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darkficsyouneveraskedfor · 5 years ago

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tapestry 👑 XVIII

Warnings: eventual dark elements (tags to be added as fic continues)

This is dark!(king)Steve and explicit. 18+ only.

Summary: King Steven had a wandering eye but you never thought it would fall upon you.

This Chapter: The reader struggles.

Note: Bienvenue power bottoms. So hopefully I can post another chapter on xmas eve then have my day off from everything while I slave over a turkey dinner :) I work straight through the week with the exception of xmas itself and I’m hoping y’all are enjoying it. Also sorry about tags. I can’t really keep up bc I have no other time and these are usually queued to go up when I work and I don’t tag in original posts because they don’t work.

<3 Let me know what you think with a like or reblog or reply! Love ya!

masterlist

The trial stretched beyond a fortnight. The council called a dozen more witnesses to the stand as they examined both the queen’s behaviour and her alleged role in the poisoning.

Several stablehands testified to her role in your injury, another half dozen kitchen servants were called to answer for the preparation of the king’s tainted breakfast, and Eleanor’s own personal servants were questioned on her marriage. They all reaffirmed the story being laid out so perfectly against her.

With each day, you found yourself more on edge. As you listened to the witnesses, as you thought of the last night you’d spoken to the queen, of her earnest pleas, you found yourself watching her. You prayed, against all that faced her, that she would not meet that most final and cruel fate. For if she did, you could not help but feel your hand in it.

That day was no different. Your chest felt tight and you found it hard to breathe as you entered the courtroom. You were exhausted of being there. The room must have been as grim as the cell they kept Eleanor in. The light that glowed through the stained glass was blinding and near torturous. The seat was hard and unforgiving beneath your skirts. The air was suffocating. You didn’t know how much longer you could stand it.

The room went silent as the cardinal stood and announced the commencement of proceedings. Ellis stood and lingered by the bench for a moment. He bent to hear whatever slithering words your father whispered in his ear. Your shoulders slumped as they called for Eleanor and the door opened; the usual whine of hinges that mourned her each day.

She stood at the podium and her blonde hair shone in the morning light. She wore another white gown as she resumed her vigil. Ellis approached his own perch and unwrapped his paper from his leather folder. He took his time as if to rile the queen; as if to draw the audience to impatience.

“Your holy cardinals, your highnesses, your grace,” He addressed each figurehead with a nod. “Today we would call a most important witness to stand and hope that this case is even closer to its conclusion. We have tarried here for long and I know we do grow weary but we must not leave a stone unturned.”

All in the room seemed to squirm at Ellis’ words. All were tired of his airy words and prolonging tangents. They were eager to reach the end of it; if not to be free of the courtroom but to see how it would all come together. Though it was not difficult to surmise how it would end.

“So today, we call a witness who did find herself at the mercy of the queen’s wrath and one of only a few witnesses to the attempted murder of King Steven.” Ellis spoke flatly but his voice built; almost excited. “The court shall call upon the youngest daughter of Malford.”

Slowly, the audience turned and craned on the benches to look at you. You blinked, stunned. You were certain you’d imagined the announcement. How could they call you without warning? How could they call you to testify on a queen who had outrightly declared herself your enemy? How could they expect you to do anything more than you already had?

“Lady,” Marion nudged you and you looked to her dumbly. “They call on you.”

You just stared at her and shook your head. She took your elbow and stood. She pulled you to your feet as you latched onto her wrist.

“Please,” You whispered. “Please, I can’t.”

She looked at you startled. Sad, even. “You must.” She peeled your fingers from around her wrist and squeezed your hand. “I can’t go with you.”

You trembled and raised your head. You glanced around at the benches and then to the cardinals and royals. All watched you intently; with untethered expectation. You grabbed your skirts and held your breath as you walked along the row to the aisle.

You descended to the floor where the queen stood across from Ellis and the judges loomed in their box opposite the other. You passed behind the queen as you went to the witness stand and stepped up to the podium. You let out a long exhale and released your skirts.

“My lady, do you swear to the truth entirely and without censor before these cardinals and before our lord in this court of the See?” Ellis asked.

You glanced over at the queen. Her face was set in a cool mask as she refused to acknowledge you. Your eyes floated up to the box where the king sat. He sat with his shoulders set and stared you down. You lowered your chin and cleared your throat. Finally, you found the strength to lift your head again.

“I do.” You said as firmly as you could. “Though I do not promise I can offer any truth you shall find convenient.”

“Very well, my lady, you need only be honest with the court,” Ellis replied and flipped the paper before him before turning it back. “What is your relationship with King Steven?”

You were shocked by the question. Your head pulsed as the words returned to you; ‘Do not let yourself fall into the same trap.’ You gulped and focused on Ellis. Don’t look at the kings or the cardinals, just stand and tell the truth.

“I did serve his wife, Queen Eleanor, for two years past,” You said. “But our relationship has been strictly as any king’s would be with any unwed lady.”

“And your relationship with Eleanor? What is, or was, that like?”

“I sat among her ladies and found her to be a most generous queen. She was ever kind to me…” You pressed your hands flat to your skirts as they began to sweat.

“Generous? Kind? How was it then that she came to rig your saddle upon a hunt and nearly maim you as a result?” Ellis intoned. “That does not seem to fit your description of her demeanour.”

“She was those things until a point,” You admitted. “But I never did see her as entirely cruel, only… hurt.”

“Hurt? And why should she be hurt by the daughter of an earl who for two years has gone unnoticed and unaffected?” Ellis asked sharply. “Did it perhaps relate to the king’s favour for you?”

“It might have. Surely, it did for she did say it,” You said. “But I could not blame her.”

“You would not blame her? Is that because your relationship with the king was more than just a lady and king’s acquaintance should be?”

“No, no,” You shook your head. “It was never more than propriety should permit but…” You looked at the queen.

“But…?” Ellis led and you shrugged as you looked forward again. “How was it you came to favour with the king?”

“I suppose he enjoyed my company,” You answered plainly. “But I did warn him of the circumstance. I did remind him that I was a lady who did seek a proper and true marriage.”

“And so there never came to be anything untoward between you and the king?” Ellis prompted.

“If you ask if I was his mistress, I can attest the answer is no. If you ask if I did seek to distract him from his wife, the answer is no.” You stated bluntly. “I never wanted any of this. I never wanted to be stood here opposite this woman in such a circumstance. I never wanted her to guide her husband towards me or to have such attentions grow so dubious.

“If you ask if I believe the queen to be malicious, I do not. If you ask if I believe her to have attempted to intimidate me thereafter, I do, but I do not believe her to have done so with the intent of true harm.” You frowned at Ellis as he tapped his fingers on his podium. “If you ask if I think she should face such dire consequences and be cast out, I do not. I do not wish this upon any.”

There was a stir from the benches and flurry of whispers. You didn’t move. You didn’t look behind you or beside you.

“And when you say she guided her husband towards you, what do you mean?” Ellis pondered.

“I…” You began.

“Did Eleanor intend to lead Steven to adultery?” He asked.

“I don’t… I don’t know what she intended.” You rasped.

“But you say she guided him? How do you know she did? Or is this a supposition?”

You blanched and peeked at the queen. Her brow wrinkled as her eyes bored into the stained glass.

“Did she ever tell you of such intents?” Ellis prodded.

You looked back to him and let your shoulders slump. “Yes,” You breathed. “She did suggest to me that she was unhappy with the king’s former mistress and she wished him to be more modest in his affairs.”

“His affairs? And what proof did she have of these affairs?”

“I don’t know.” You swallowed. “The court spoke of them.”

“Rumours? The same which would paint you in the same light though you uphold your virtue?”

“I… Yes, I suppose they would be rumours.”

“And so it would not be ridiculous to assume that Eleanor intended to defame Steven? That she, perhaps, sought to deflect the guilt from herself?”

“I don’t know.”

“Is it true, my lady, that Eleanor did banish you from court?” Ellis continued, unfazed.

“She did.” You affirmed.

“And why did she do this?”

“I do not know. Because she did not like the king’s attentions towards me.”

“But you did not indulge her ploy?”

“I did not. I never attended the king without a witness and I never did seek him out,” You said.

“And so she was unhappy that you did not take the role she assigned you in her attempts to disparage Steven?”

“She might have been but I cannot say with certainty.”

“So would you still call Eleanor kind and generous?”

“I… I… don’t know.” You grasped your skirts tightly.

“My lady, you are distressed? Why?” Ellis dropped the paper in his hand.

“Because I was unaware that I should stand here today. Because I never thought to answer these questions as such.” You hung your head and exhaled. “Because I never wanted to cause anyone else so much grief.”

“But if this should be the truth, then you should not have been the cause of all this grief.” Ellis argued. “And you needn’t feel so bad for saying it. It is the truth, isn’t it?”

“I can’t lie,” You raised your head. “I could not and I fear that has been the cause of all this.”

“And do you think then, that should Eleanor’s attempt to poison Steven and yourself had been successful, it would’ve been earned because you did evade her will?”

“N-no,” You winced. “No, I only think she felt as any woman would have.”

“And would you, in a similar situation, have turned to such a final resolution?”

“No, b-but I do not… I don’t…” You blinked as your eyes burned. “I do not wish to see Eleanor harmed. I stand here and I do not wish her ill, as I do not think she wished it on me. Not in so much as this court would infer. I only think she was angry and her pride wounded. I cannot forsake her when I never believe she did the same to me.”

“So, if you do not believe it was Eleanor who poisoned you, who would have motive to do so?” Ellis continued.

You opened your mouth than closed it. “I… the king has a taster for the very purpose that poison is a danger. I suppose there would be many unseen enemies.”

“But should those enemies also wish to affect you? Who else could seek to act against both the king and yourself?”

“I… I…” You sputtered and shook your head. You looked at Eleanor, her eyes were downcast. Her veneer had softened. She looked vulnerable as a rainbow glinted off her pale skin and ivory dress. “I don’t know.”

“And you have heard the testimony of this trial? Of the servants who swore to the queen’s orders and her own hand in the act of treason? Do you think that your belief in the queen should disprove their accounts of the events?”

You peered around desperately. The cardinals watched you with vacant interest and the three figures in the kings’ box leaned forward eagerly to hear you. Steven’s eyes were crinkled with blatant intrigue. His lips threatened to curve.

“I suppose… No.” You said softly.

“My lady, do not blame yourself. You are young and naive, but you have behaved most admirably in your circumstance. Your innocence has led you to misjudge the queen and we cannot hold that against you.” Ellis pontificated as a priest would at confession. “How can we condemn a young lady such as yourself who did hold herself to the upright standards of morality when she was surrounded by such misconduct?”

You were silent. You reached to the podium to brace yourself as you felt like to crumple.

“My lady, we thank you for your honesty this day. We commend your comportment in these matters and we do hope that we can seek for you and all those who have been affected justice and truth.” Ellis ran his fingers along the sides of his papers until they were straight. “You may step down.”

You stood stunned. You didn’t move until you sensed a figure beside you. A guard in mail beckoned you down from the stand and helped you down from the shallow platform. The audience was rapt as they watched you retreat from the stage and as you approached the benches, they all stood. As you walked along the aisle, they bowed their heads.

You walked carefully along the bench and resumed your seat beside Marion. The people sat and Marion touched the back of your hand. Your fingers were curled around the fabric of your skirts. You sat stiffly as you tried to see through the blur which rose in your vision.

“My lady,” Marion whispered, “You did well.”

👑

That night was the most restless you had ever known. Even those days before your debut at court, you had never been so unsettled. Eleanor's face stained your mind and kept you awake. The king's too.

When at last you gave up and rose, you dressed in the dark. An old plain gown without a corset beneath. You pulled a cloak over your shoulder and slipped your feet into a pair of slippers. You hid your hair beneath the loose hood of the cloak. You lit a lamp and held it aloft.

You tiptoed to the doors and pulled one open. You were greeted by the mailed guard who stood outside as he turned to look at you. He didn't say a word, only held out his arm to block your way.

"I only wish to go for a walk," You said. "I cannot sleep."

He stared at you and squinted. You saw him weigh his thoughts. He slowly lowered his arm and nodded.

"I will follow." He stated. "As my duty would have me."

"Very well," You allowed. "Though I don't know that my enemies lurk in the night but rather stand proudly in the light."

He did not reply. He merely waited until you stepped out and pulled shut the door behind you. You set off along the corridor and he kept a pace back. The light of the lantern formed a small halo around you. Your slippers padded on the stone as the guards boots echoed loudly behind you.

You’d never walked the corridors so late. You wondered if perhaps it was wise to. Your doubt quickly passed as your mind returned to the day’s events; your turn at the stand; the way your heart plummeted when you thought of the queen’s expression. As if she had realized something but was too afraid to truly face it.

You walked without heed to direction. You were certain you made more than one circle before straying in your reverie. You stopped before the dark corridor. Bleak and vacant. You raised your lantern as you crept along the offshoot and turned to look up at the tapestry that hung from a peg high on the wall.

The rosettes were colourful in the lamplight, even as shadows drowned in their creases. You shuddered as you felt a draft around your neck. You leaned and reached to pinch a rosette between your fingers. The very one you’d sewn that day months ago. You tugged at it until the thread snapped and it unraveled in your hand. The red silk looked like blood as it rippled over your palm.

Your guard snapped to attention and his blade whispered against its sheath. You stood straight and looked along the corridor from behind him. The footsteps came clearer and he drew his steel entirely. A shadow appeared at the mouth of the hallway. It held a glowing orb.

“Who goes there?” The guard readied his sword. The shadow approached as the light distorted its features.

“It is only me,” Lord Barnes angled his candle away from his face. He stopped short as he spotted you behind the guard. “You would allow the lady to wander at night?”

“I have been told to keep watch over her,” The guard replied plainly. “And I have done that. She is safe with me.”

“We have many visitors in the castle. Many unknown faces.” Barnes said. “Harder to recognize in the dark.”

“And should I worry of those who do lurk in the dark?” You stepped up beside the guard.

“Some,” Barnes replied. “Though not all.”

“Not all?” You countered.

“Yes, surely none should fear you.” He chided.

“I only wander, my lord, to soothe my wandering mind,” You assured him. “I do not seek out trouble.”

“You need not seek it out to find it.” He grinned and the candle caught his sapphire like eyes. “I was only upon my way from a late night meeting. The trial does extend one day into the next.”

“So it does.” You agreed and rubbed the red silk with your thumb. His eyes flicked to the subtle movement. He squinted then nodded in recognition. He leaned over to glance behind you through the black.

“We can wish away the past but we can not unravel the threads of time,” He mused. “Do you wander or do you find yourself trapped and seek to find the way out?”

You hung your head and brought the fabric closer to examine it. The wrinkles of its former twists marred the smooth silk. The lines could not be steamed or ironed out. They would remain after so long restrained.

“How the time does seem to pass so slowly and yet so quickly.” You said and tucked away the fabric. “And this night does wane in kind.”

“My lady,” He stepped closer, but not too close, and your guard clinked his sword against the stone. “You cannot undo what is done. You would only torture yourself by dwelling on it.”

“This court is all so eager to forget. To sweep aside what was and for what?”

“You think too much.”

“Or not enough. Perhaps if I had thought more, I’d not be in this position.”

“Or perhaps you’d be in worse.” He breathed. “You cannot save her, but you can save yourself.”

“And what do you care?” You challenged.

He shrugged. “I’ve seen women come and go. Now I should see the one I never thought to see gone on her way out. And I see you and I foresee the same. But I also see another end. A better one which you might attain should you learn from those who came before. Should you use that which the other women never had to your favour.”

“Which would be?”

“His love. You might not believe it to be such but it is as close as he’ll ever know,” He said. “Foster it. Nurture it. For if you appease his heart, you do assure your fate.”

You shook your head and the lamplight wavered and cast shadows over him. “Why do you say this to me?”

“Because I do not relish the thought of seeing you in Eleanor’s place,” He said as he stood straight. “In fact, I think I might fear that as much as you.”

You stared at him in the firelight. He wasn’t the sardonic lord or staunch advisor, he was just him. He was genuine. And he was the first you’d know at court to be thus. Your lips parted but your thoughts never reached them.

“I shall bid you good night, my lady,” He said. “I should hope you find yourself safely back to your chambers.”

“And you, my lord,” You returned. He bowed and hesitated before he finally turned away. You watched him go and let the lamp hang at your side.

“If I may, my lady,” Your guard remarked. “I think he might be right.”

“Do you think that?” You looked to him in the dull glow of the lamp.

“Why surely,” He said, “It would be a pity to end up as the queen has.”

#tapestry #Steve Rogers #steve rogers x reader #dark steve rogers #dark!steve rogers #dark steve rogers x reader #dark!steve rogers x reader #medieval au #au #series #fic #dark!fic #dark fic #mcu #marvel #captain america #bucky barnes x reader #Bucky Barnes

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samuelsongs · 4 years ago

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𝐓𝐀𝐒𝐊 𝟏𝟑: 𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊

sam.mp3: close-up of me on our family xmas card. why do I look like that.

Sam is, as always, excited to go home! He does honestly love it at Gallagher, but he loves his parents even more, and it’s always great to be back home again. It’s different this year, at least he didn’t have to wait to see Ingrid again, but he’s sure his parents are happy to have both of their kids home again. He’s at the helm of the road trip car as always, and it’s just what he needed after that first semester to feel way more at peace with Ingrid and Rei in the car, music blasting as he drives the admittedly short distance back to their city.

Before he left, handed his gifts to their respective recipients, making sure to catch them before anyone leaves campus. His roommates are of course first, giving Julian ( @julixneaton), Anya ( @ofanya ), and Aileen ( @aileenmacnee ) each a box of homemade brownies and a Christmas card attached (yes, it’s his family’s Christmas card but he thinks it works). He wasn’t sure whether to get Ting ( @tingzhao ) a gift but he saw this plush from We Bare Bears and had to get it because it reminded him of the pin she always wears. He also stops by the labs and hands Kiki ( @jjamppong ) her gift, which are some magnifying glasses (just pretend they’re her favorite color: red) that he imagines will come in handy with all her projects! He brings the last presents home with him to be opened on Christmas Day. For Rei ( @reignregine ), he found this cool jean jacket and packages it along with a bunch of patches to get it started (she doesn’t have to add them all, but he insists on this cactus one because he says that’s him). And for Ingrid ( @ingridsong ), he got that cute new BMO dock for her Switch and some more brush pens for her artwork! Finally he tells her a new gaming chair is being delivered to Gallagher so she can start to have at least somewhat as cool a set-up at school as she does at home.

Being back at home for a good minute, even if just for a handful of days, gives him time to breathe. Sam is confident he can take on boot camp pretty well this year, so he does his best not to think about school at all. Instead, he focuses on his hobbies, picking up his camera and his guitar again, and he hangs out with Ingrid and Rei as much as they’ll let him. His parents talk to him of course about how he’s doing at Gallagher, and they always leave the conversation open to him to ever admit he doesn’t want to do it anymore, but Sam is still as determined as ever to stick with it, and he still loves what he does despite how hard it can be.

Christmas is great as it always is with the Songs, though he and Ingrid had planned to head back for the New Year’s Eve party. He’ll miss Rei while she stays in Great Falls, but he thinks it’s important to participate in the school’s activities, and he thinks Ingrid should get to experience them too! Although, he is watching like a hawk in case anything happens because he would absolutely lose his mind if she were ever in harm’s way. But anyway, party time!

@gallaghertasks

#i would like to know why im so slow at googling picture skjsnvfks #anyway finally!#gallagher:task #abt #vis #ingrid #rei #julian #anya #aileen #ting #kiki #i want that panda plushie now tbh #I DID IT #he thinks his insta handle is funny and so do i :)

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mythicalsecretsanta · 5 years ago

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Christmas Together (G)

This gift is for: Rachel (AKA @bloody-fucking-cigarettes) Merry Christmas! I loved all your Nicesties but I couldn’t get past the phrase “Tooth rotting Christmas fluff”. I snuck a couple of others in there too! I hope you like it :D From your Secret Santa, Ross (AKA @mythical-ross)

Link to AO3, or read below:

Even though they’d spent almost their whole lives together, Rhett and Link had never really spent Christmas together. They’d been a couple for the past few Christmasses, but they’d been living separately and stayed at their parents’ houses on Christmas Eve. This was the first year they were staying in LA for the whole Christmas season, living together in their own house.

“You can’t force Christmas spirit,” Rhett had said when Link started fretting that it ‘wouldn’t feel right’ to stay in LA, “in a few years this’ll all feel normal.”

Link had snorted at the sentiment, but he appreciated Rhett’s attempt to cheer him up. “Christmas Spirit,” he laughed. “What is this, a Hallmark movie?”

On December 1st, Link insisted it was time to decorate the house. They had several boxes each labelled ‘Xmas’ that had been unceremoniously dumped in what would eventually become the guest bedroom. Link was eager to start consolidating all their decorations but the more he talked about it, the more Rhett seemed to be trying to avoid it.

“Can’t we just watch a Christmas movie and curl up under a blanket?” Rhett suggested hopefully.

“I’m doing it today and you better help or I’ll just throw all your stuff away,” Link told Rhett. He had no intention of doing it without Rhett, but Link wasn’t above an empty threat to encourage him.

It was just starting to get dark when Link carried one of the boxes into the living room. Rhett gave a long moan when he saw Link coming. “Now?” He whined.

“Yes,” Link said cheerfully. “Come on, it’ll be fun!”

Despite his protests, Rhett helped Link carry the boxes downstairs. They sat facing each other on the rug as Link looked around the room thoughtfully. “How big is your tree?” Link asked. “We’ll only have room for one big one… maybe some little ones.”

“What?” Rhett practically whispered.

“Your tree,” Link prompted.

“I always get a real tree.”

They stared at each other, mouths ajar, like they had just discovered a horrible secret about each other. Link was the first to speak.

“I’m not having a real tree in my house!”

“But you’d have a fake tree? Those things are horrible!”

“They’re a lot more appealing when you don’t have to worry about it catching fire and burning down the whole house!”

Rhett scoffed at the suggestion. “That won’t happen.”

“You don’t know that!”

“Yes I do,” Rhett said, trying to sound reassuring. “Plus a real tree looks and smells better. It smells like Christmas to me. Why do you think I like wood so much?”

Link hesitated. He knew Rhett was trying to emotionally blackmail him and it was working… almost. “Rhett, come on,” he said calmly. “We already have a nice tree. We don’t need to go out and buy another one.” He placed a hand on Rhett’s knee and squeezed gently. “Just for this year and we can talk about it again next year.”

Rhett sighed. He, of all people wasn’t immune to Link’s charm. “Ugh, fine. But just this year. I love my real tree dang-it.”

Link smiled, both relieved and satisfied to get his way. He opened a couple of his boxes until he found the tree in pieces. “The one downside,” he said, grinning as he pulled out a bundle of branches and set them on the couch, “is that you have to attach each branch individually.”

“Are you kidding me,” Rhett muttered under his breath, but got up to help.

With the ‘trunk’ connected to the base, Rhett kneeled on the floor and slotted in the branches as Link passed them to him one at a time. He put out his hand to receive the next branch, looking up at Link when it didn’t come.

Link gazed down at him blissfully. “I can’t believe I’m doing this with you.”

Rhett huffed out a laugh, “why d’you say that?”

Link shrugged. “We always spent Christmas with our parents and I figured some day we’d start spending it with our own, separate, families.”

Rhett gave a small smile, unsure what to say to such a touching comment. “I’m glad,” he said, the words catching in his throat.

Link cleared his throat, physically shaking himself, and handed Rhett the next branch. They were soon standing side by side inspecting the bare tree.

“It looks so sad,” Rhett said.

“Once it’s decorated it’ll look great.”

“Why don’t we put some lights on it?” Rhett suggested. “I’ve got a bunch of them.”

Link watched him go back to the boxes and select a string of little white LED lights. “I have colored ones,” he said.

Rhett stopped what he was doing and looked at Link. “Aren’t those a little old-fashioned?”

“I like them,” Link shrugged. “They remind me of the tree in my mom’s house.”

“Oh yeah…” Rhett said, tilting his head slightly. When they were kids he was always so jealous of Link’s Christmas tree. The tree in his house was all red and gold (‘tasteful’ his mom called it) but he always thought Link’s tree looked more like Christmas. “Okay,” he said after a pause, “colored it is.”

Rhett held one end of the string of lights at the top as Link circled the tree with the rest, adjusting as he went. He couldn’t resist running his fingers across Rhett’s stomach each time he passed, earning a giggle from Rhett.

With the lights on the tree, Rhett went looking for ornaments. He opened the next of Link’s boxes and peered inside. Sitting right on top was a little tree, about two feet tall, made entirely of green tinsel. He’d bought it years ago when Link said he wanted something to brighten up his desk. Rhett had found the tackiest, cheapest decoration he could and proudly set it down beside a bemused Link. “Why do you still have this?” he said, unable to hold in a laugh.

When Link realized what Rhett was talking about, he snatched the tree out of the box and held it away from Rhett. “Because I love it,” he said, placing it defiantly on the table at the end of the couch. “Remember when you bought this for me?”

“Yeah…”

“I was having such a bad day,” he said, “and you just appeared beside me with this ridiculous tree and a huge smile on your face, so pleased with yourself. It turned my whole week around.” Link smiled to himself at the memory and looked up to find Rhett smiling back at him.

“In that case, I love it too,” Rhett said. He went back to the box of Link’s decorations. There were no tree ornaments, but the box was full of little snow-covered buildings. “What are these?”

Link looked into the box and lifted out two of the houses. “My Christmas village!” he grinned. He moved an unopened box off the coffee table and set down the houses. “I got this one first because it looked like my house and then I bought that one because it looked like your house.”

Rhett watched as Link arranged the buildings on the coffee table. He had a space for each one and looked up at Rhett triumphantly as he placed the last one. “It’s Buies Creek,” Rhett realized.

“Yeah!” Link said, and stood up beside Rhett to survey the town. He wrapped an arm around Rhett’s waist and leaned his head against Rhett’s chest. “I know it takes up a lot of space. I’m sure we can find somewhere else for it.”

“I like it there,” Rhett said. “We can work around it.” Since they weren’t going back to North Carolina, it was a nice way of keeping their family and old friends close.

Link retrieved a candle out of one of Rhett’s boxes and set it down beside the village. “Can I light this candle?” He said, hoping to improve the ambiance.

“Not that one,” Rhett said quickly before Link could find the candle lighter.

“What? Why not?” Link asked. It was just a plain white church candle with a Christmas tree stuck on the side. It looked like he got it at a gas station.

“It’s just a reminder,” Rhett said, looking a little uncomfortable. “Before we were a couple I was really good at hiding my feelings… most of the time.”

Link sat down on the couch and gave Rhett an encouraging nod. Truth be told he was still good at hiding his feelings. When he opened up, Link liked to encourage him as best he could.

“Once I was in Walmart, minding my own business, and you text me all excited about some guy who’d just asked you out and it killed me man.” Rhett cleared his throat and sat down beside Link on the couch. “I just started crying right there in the aisle.”

Link placed a hand on Rhett’s knee and squeezed gently. “Yeah, I was a dumbass.”

“We both were,” Rhett said. “This nice lady came and asked what was wrong and I just blurted it all out. She told me if it’s meant to be, it’s never too late and she would light a candle for us.” He lifted the candle and smiled. “I picked this up in the next aisle over to remind myself that God would be working on it.”

“That’s really sweet,” Link said. He placed a hand on Rhett’s cheek and gave him a gentle kiss. “I guess it must have worked.”

“Guess so,” Rhett grinned.

Link scanned the rest of the boxes and pointed at a small one by the couch. “That one says ‘Rhett’s Xmas tree ornaments’. You think that has Christmas tree ornaments in it?”

Rhett narrowed his eyes. He didn’t remember labelling his boxes so extensively. “Alright alright,” he said, amusement in his voice. “You just concentrate on finding your own so we can figure out what to keep and what to throw away.”

Link found his box of ornaments and sat down beside Rhett on the couch. “My own decorations take up the whole tree so we definitely need to get rid of some stuff,” he said, searching through the decorations.

“I don’t want to get rid of any of mine,” Rhett muttered.

“Well, neither do I,” Link said and looked into Rhett’s box. “There’s bound to be something you don’t need in there,” he said. He pulled out a plain blue star and turned it around in his hand. “Like this. It’s nice, but it’s not very distinctive.”

Rhett took the star from Link’s hand and held it up beside his face. “It’s the same color as your eyes,” he said sheepishly. “I couldn’t resist it… it was just something subtle that reminded me of you.”

Link took the star back and looked down at it in a new light. Before they got together, Link would keep little items all the time that reminded him of Rhett but he didn’t realize Rhett would be sentimental enough to do the same. Without speaking, he went and placed it on the tree and sat back down on the couch.

“Thanks,” Rhett grinned. He peered into Link’s box and picked out a little plastic Santa carrying a christmas tree. “Do you want to keep this? It’s a little cheap looking.”

Link’s face flushed. He gave Rhett a guilty look.

“Seriously?” Rhett said, understanding right away. He held the ornament up to eye level so he could get a closer look.

“What?” Link said. “A bearded man with wood made me think of you.”

Rhett couldn’t help laughing. “Okay, fair enough,” he said. “That one can stay.”

Link leaned over and gave him a kiss. “Don’t worry, you’re still my favourite bearded man with wood.”

Rhett rolled his eyes, but laughed anyway. “Okay, well what about this?” he said, lifting a gold bell out of the box. “It isn’t even a Christmas decoration.” Rhett had taken a trip to Philadelphia years ago with his brother’s family, and brought a Liberty Bell back for Link as a souvenir.

Link smiled fondly at the memory. “I was so pissed at you for going on that trip,” he said. “We were crazy busy with work and you just left me for a week to deal with it on my own.”

“That doesn’t sound like a great memory,” Rhett pointed out.

“But you came back,” Link went on. “We spent so many Christmases apart, I moved the bell to my tree to remind myself you’d be back. You always come back.”

Rhett couldn’t think of a response. It was just like Link to turn a bad memory into something positive.

Before Rhett had a chance to speak, Link leaned over and took a plain silver ball out of Rhett’s box. “What about this? It couldn’t possibly have any sentimental value.”

“Um…”

“You’re kidding.”

“I’ve had that one longer than any other decoration,” Rhett said, grinning at the confusion on Link’s face. “One Christmas I was at your house, and I was telling your mom how much I loved your tree and how it didn’t feel like Christmas until I saw it.”

��That’s really cute,” Link said.

Rhett shrugged. “Well your mom must have thought so too, because she took that ball off the tree and gave it to me to keep.”

“I never knew that,” Link said. “I always wondered why you had that one silver ornament on your mom’s beautiful red and gold tree.”

Before long, there wasn’t a bare branch on the whole tree. Every ornament seemed to have some sentimental value and neither was willing to let any of them go.

“What kind of topper do you have?” Rhett asked, setting the remainder of the ornaments on the floor.

“A star,” Link said. “What kind of topper to you have?”

“A Link!” Rhett said, holding up the weirdest looking angel Link had ever seen.

“What the hell is that,” Link asked slowly.

Rhett smiled at the angel in front of him. “I got it because I liked the look of it,” he said, “then one day I saw it out of the corner of my eye and realized it looks exactly like you.”

“It does not!” Link protested, narrowing his eyes at the doll’s heavy brow and square jaw.

“Let’s see your star,” Rhett said, trying to change the subject.

Link pulled the star out of his box and held it up to show Rhett. It was made of wood and painted with red, yellow and blue paint.

“Uh…” Rhett said, not wanting to criticise it in case it was particularly meaningful to Link.

“Don’t give me that look,” Link snapped. “Remember the time I took my mom to Europe for Christmas? I picked it up in a Christmas Market in Berlin and the woman selling it told me to make a wish and put it on my Christmas tree.”

“Good sales technique,” Rhett grinned.

“Well it worked,” Link shrugged.

“What did you wish for?” Rhett said, a smile teasing at the corner of his lips.

Link couldn’t help smiling. “It doesn’t matter, it already came true,” he said, and leaned forward to press a kiss to Rhett’s lips.

“Oh,” Rhett grinned, “well in that case, can’t Angel Link go on the tree?”

Link picked up the little gold angel and looked at her face. Apart from the long hair, it actually did look a lot like him. Distinctive for a woman, to put it nicely. “I guess,” he said, turning his nose up.

“I think it’s beautiful,” Rhett said, looking at Link instead of the angel.

“Shut up,” Link said while trying not to smile. “Okay fine, put the angel on the tree. But I’m not getting rid of the star.”

“Put it on that little tree,” Rhett said, pointing at the 2 foot tall tinsel tree.

Link shrugged. They didn’t match and the star was half the size of the tree, but he crossed the room and placed it on top anyway.

“Perfect,” Rhett said.

Perfect wasn’t the word Link would have used but it looked whimsical if nothing else. “Better than putting the angel on here,” he admitted. “That would just look like me with a tree up my ass”

Once again, they stood back and inspected the tree. It looked considerably better with the decorations.

“Do you feel more Christmassy now?” Rhett asked, prodding Link in the side gently.

“Yeah,” Link said, grinning up at him. “Don’t you?”

“A little.”

“We still have a box of ornaments we don’t want to throw away,” Link said, pointing at the box on the floor. “What are we going to do with them?”

“Save them for next year?” Rhett suggested.

“But I want them out now!”

“Well then we’ll have to take something else off.”

Link looked up at Rhett pleadingly, like Rhett was going to be able to magically fix it. “Well,” Rhett said, after thinking it over for a moment. “There is one easy solution.”

“What?”

“We could get a bigger tree.”

“Oh!” Link said, initially pleased with the suggestion. He narrowed his eyes at Rhett when he realized what he was really suggesting. “Wait a second. You’re just saying that so we’ll go and look at real trees.”

“Aw come on Link,” Rhett said. He placed his hands on Link’s shoulders and turned him towards the tree. “We tried yours and it’s not big enough.”

“I’ve never had any complaints before,” Link grinned, unable to help himself.

“Please?” Rhett said, trying not to giggle at Link’s joke.

“Fiiiine,” Link said. “We can go tomorrow.”

“Thank you,” Rhett said, leaning down and giving Link a kiss on the cheek.

“I must really love you,” Link mused. “I guess if you’re happy, I can cope with the fear of the house burning down.”

#mythical secret santa 2019 #type: fic #rating: G #gift swap #rhink #submission

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estrelafics · 6 years ago

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Warm Embrace

Fandom: Ducktales (2017) / The three Caballeros

Ship: Josepan (José x Panchito)

Words: 3,154

Summary: José and Panchito are invited to spend the holidays over in Duckburg. However, Panchito worries about José’s homesickness.

Notes:

The part by the fireplace was my favourite part to write from all the xmas fics I wrote. I wanted to give a sense of a peaceful Christmas night, surrounded by people we love. I hope I succeeded ♥

This one was so long, and it was a pain to edit too lol With the lack of time and the xmas rush, I didn’t have the time to polish it as much as I wanted, but I hope it’s still enjoyable to read.

Merry Christmas everyone ♥

Decorating the entire McDuck manor was a big challenge, but it was a challenge Panchito adored.

It was Christmas Eve and Panchito thought that the McDuck manor absolutely needed some more Christmas spirit.

Decorating had always been one of his favourite holiday activities, therefore he didn’t mind doing this while waiting for the dinner.

With his everlasting energy, along with excitement to spend his first Christmas in Duckburg with his two best friends, he decided to decorate every single room of the manor.

Making his way down to the first floor, placing glittering garlands on the staircase railing, he noticed at the corner of his eye his good old friend José.

The parrot gazed outside the large window with a nostalgic expression in his eyes. Panchito immediately thought that José looked sorrowful…which worried him. He knew José very well, and knew that he was one to always be eager for the holidays.

Curiosity tainted Panchito’s worry and he walked over to the parrot, albeit, carefully so that he wouldn’t startle the other.

“Do you want to decorate with me?” Panchito asked, showing him a string of lights that José could help put on the window. “I know, you like to decorate as well.”

José smiled, he took his part of the string and helped.

“You are on your own? I thought os pathinhos were helping you.” José asked.

“Well they did at first…We decorated the foyer and the living room together,” The rooster replied with a chuckle. “But then Louie realised that the more rooms we decorate, the more work it would be for us to take it down after…and now I am on my own.”

José laughed.

“They have a good point, you know.”

Panchito carelessly shrugged.

“This isn’t going to stop me. I will only stop when every room in this manor has been decorated…” He then glanced at the box of decoration that he had been carrying. “Or at least, until there are no more decorations left...” He added sheepishly since the box was almost empty.

He admittedly was surprised that Scrooge had so many decoration, since the old miser apparently really disliked this holiday.

“It will be gorgeous once everything is decorated.”

When he finished setting the last part of the lights, Panchito stepped back, plugged the lights and admired their work.

“Well, you are right. It really is beautiful.” José agreed.

Panchito beamed, a feeling of proud washing over him. Then there was a quiet moment between them; one that made Panchito notice once more that José was gazing outside the window instead of at the decorations.

“So are you excited for the holidays, Zé?” Panchito suddenly asked.

This question prompted a look of surprise from José.

“I am. Why the question?”

Panchito didn’t respond, he slightly raised a brow and gave him a knowing look...It was enough for José to confess.

The parrot sighed, he didn’t know why he thought he could lie to Panchito.

“Don’t get me wrong, I am very excited and happy to be here with everyone…it’s just that it’s the first time in years that I spend Christmas away from Brazil,” He chuckled as if he was saying something silly.

José sat on one of the stairs. “I suppose I am starting to be a little homesick...”

Already…? Panchito though. They only arrived 2 days ago!

Panchito was shocked of course, but did not judge his friend for feeling that way. He knew that José got homesick pretty quickly.

José had always been attached to his home and Brazil, and therefore it was normal for him to feel melancholic whenever he was away. Usually when they were exploring or adventuring, it was easy for the parrot to be busy or distracted. But here, days have been rather quiet so far and uneventful, Panchito realised it must been hard.

“I can sympathise,” Panchito said kindly, sitting next to his friend. He placed a hand on his shoulder for comfort. “It is also the first time I spend Christmas away from Mexico in a long time too. It is different here. But I am really excited about it.”

José smiled at him. Something about Panchito’s eagerness and warm smile always reassured him.

“I always wanted to spend the holidays with you and Donald,” Panchito continued. “And the fact that so many others are here too is wonderful. It makes for a lively holiday and somehow reminds me of home. It is always nice to meet new people and to make new memories with them.”

José nodded, but didn’t say a word. His eyes were glazed, mostly on the fake poinsettias decorations left in the box.

To get his friend’s attention back, Panchito gently held his hand. The parrot looked at him with curiosity as Panchito offered a smile.

“I promise it will be fun for you too! You won’t regret it José!” Without realising he softly brushed José’s fingers. “And next year, maybe we can even celebrate Christmas in Brazil together!”

“Thank you, but you really don’t need to do anything like this,” José shock his hands rapidly. “I am sure it would be very fun and I appreciate the gesture. But I assure you, my friend. I am happy, no matter where I am.”

Although, José loved the idea of spending Christmas in Brazil, it would be bothersome to everyone, especially to poor Donald who had to bring three kids along. It would add one more weight on Donald’s shoulders, and that was the last thing he wanted.

José stood up to leave before the conversation could digress further. But Panchito was still not convinced and followed him.

“It would have been a bother in the past. But now they have a pilot and can go anywhere!”

“You don’t know that. Many things can change in a year…”

“But—“

“Panchie, please don’t think too much about it!” José interrupted. “My homesickness will go away eventually. There is nothing to worry about.” He shrugged.

And before Panchito could even reply, José quickly reached for the remaining decorations left in the box.

“Now, come on! Let’s at least finish putting on these before the dinner starts! It’s getting late, you know.”

Panchito finally dropped the subject, only now realising the time.

“You can take care of the garlands and the wreath, while I will put on the last lights.” José suggested.

Panchito followed the instructions, but his conversation with José was still stirring on his mind…

He simply hoped the parrot wouldn’t leave without at least letting Donald or him know.

***

The Christmas Eve evening passed pretty quickly.

Panchito was sitting close to the warm fireplace, and so were many of the other McDuck manor residents. He stopped drumming soft Christmas melodies on his guitar, when he noticed that many were sound asleep in the living room.

After the dinner, came the caroling. And after singing together, Panchito had the idea to read some Christmas stories to the children.

It has been a family tradition from his childhood that he still holds dearly in his heart. When he was younger, he remember his tío reading Christmas stories to him, his siblings and many primos.

Tonight, he decided that it was a nice opportunity continue the tradition by reading to the four ducklings. He was even happier when he realised that the book Webby found in the library contained his favourite story from Mexico about Las Posadas.

Afterwards, Launchpad proposed that everyone should try to stay up until midnight to unwrap the gifts. And even if all agreed, almost everyone fell asleep way before then, tired from their day.

Panchito stretched his arms in the air, starting to feel drowsy as well.

Beakley had turned off the lights a few minutes earlier, only leaving the soft light of the fireplace to illuminate the big room. And along with Donald, she covered the kids (and Launchpad) with warm cozy blankets.

When the clock struck midnight, only three people were still awake in the living room.

Panchito glanced over at Scrooge, as the old duck was leaving the room.

“Merry Christmas,” He wished quietly.

“Bah humbug,” Scrooge replied, before leaving the room, though a serene smile was on his face.

Panchito smiled and looked over at Donald who was calmly asleep next to him. When the duck tucked Huey and Webby earlier, the two ducklings decided to use him as a pillow.

Donald’s irritation over that decision disappeared as quickly as it appeared. Not willing to fight, Donald let it be, snuggling them closer and slowly joined them in peaceful slumber.

“Feliz Navidad, Donald.” Panchito whispered, as he made sure to cover his friend with a blanket.

Then Panchito looked over at the last person awake in the room.

José was still reading the Christmas book from earlier by the dim light of the fireplace.

The rooster scooted closer to him to whisper.

“Feliz Natal, José.”

José stopped reading once he heard his voice and offered a warm smile. He had been so absorbed in his reading that he lost track of the time.

“Feliz Navidad to you too.” Panchito admired the gratitude in José’s eyes before the parrot started rubbing them.

“Are you getting tired?” Panchito chuckled.

“Sim, very tired.” José replied, covering himself with the cozy blanket Donald had gave him earlier. “But I don’t want to leave the living room...the ambiance is really...soothing.”

Panchito agreed. The fireplace was really warm and cozy, and as much as he always preferred colourful environments full of life, he was grateful for this peaceful moment. He felt so comfortable being here as well.

“Well you don’t need to leave. You can stay here, many people stayed here as well and I think will stay too.” He softly put his hand on top of José’s. “I hope you are feeling better and are having a good Christmas.”

José’s eyes remained a few minutes on their hands, but he didn’t comment on it nor moved his away.

“Yes, I am…” He then snuggled closer to Panchito and rested his head on his shoulder. “Muito obrigado, Panchie…”

Panchito was a little shocked, but didn’t say anything, there was nothing to say after all.

Instead, he nuzzled José and rested his head on top of the other’s.

***

Panchito slowly fluttered his eyes open.

The sunlight of the early morning was shining right into his eyes and he regretted not closing the curtains in his guest room last night.

After finally managing to open his eyes, he realised that he wasn’t in the guest room actually, but in the McDuck living room, in front of the now died out fireplace.

Looking around the room, he saw Donald and the kids still asleep. Even Launchpad was still slumbering on the couch…but something was missing…he realised that José wasn’t anywhere in the room!

As soon as the information hit his still tired brain, Panchito completely awoke almost in a panic.

“José?!” He asked.

He immediately turned to Donald, he didn’t want to accidentally wake up the kids or start a state of panic among everyone.

“Donald! Donald! José isn’t here! Do you know where he went? Did he tell you something?” He tried to remain calm, but he couldn't hide the wavering worry in his voice.

“He…forgot…to…”The duck mumbled, before turning around to sleep on his other side. Panchito frowned.

“What?! Donald, he forgot what?!” He was completely confused.

“Your friend left.”

Panchito froze when he heard these words. Words he begged were not true. He slowly turned to face the voice and saw Beakley not so far from the fireplace. She was carrying in wood to light up the fireplace again.

“What?” Panchito asked again, wanting to know more.

“I saw him leave a couple of minutes ago with his coat on.”

This alerted Panchito even more, sadness rapidly appeared in his eyes. It was then that she understood this was not an information he expected or wanted to hear.

“I’m sorry,” She genuinely added.

The rooster quickly got up. In a frantic, he put on his coat and left his scarf loosely around his neck. Before leaving he reached for his bag and immediately rushed outside not wanting to lose another second, while thoughts were rushing through his mind.

José couldn’t leave before saying goodbye to Donald and him, right? That wouldn’t be something he could do! But what if José got really homesick this morning? So homesick that he planned to leave and go back home suddenly?

Panchito didn’t even know if there was a plane in Duckburg leaving for Brazil this morning, but he didn’t want to risk it. He started to dial up a taxi.

Too caught up in his thoughts, once he stepped outside, he didn’t notice the condition of the ground and slipped on the ice, almost landing face on the snow.

“Panchito?!”

Panchito looked up and couldn’t believe his eyes for a second when he saw José…and the parrot had caught him right before he fell on the ice.

“José?!”

The parrot was looking at him with big eyes. Obviously surprised to see the rooster in such a panic state, he was barely wearing a coat and his loose scarf around his neck was almost on the ground.

“Panchie, did something happen?” José asked worried.

There was a sort moment of silence between them, enough for Panchito to think about the reality, what was happening and what he should say.

“¿Dónde estabas, José? ¡Te estaba buscando, y estaba muy preocupado!” He ran a hand over his head, trying to clearly express what was coming through his mind. “I-I thought you go really homesick and that you decided to leave in the end…”

José looked at him, still confusion in his eyes.

“Why would you think I would leave? I couldn’t…not after someone very caring and wonderful wanted me to stay.” He said with a soft smile.

Panchito smiled for a second, as he heard these comforting words his body was finally relaxing. José knew…he was staying...and Panchito was glad…

“Well, more than one person cared about you staying, actually.” He replied modestly, albeit he really appreciated the compliment and couldn’t help but to blush. “But why did you get up early? I thought you hated mornings, Zé.”

The parrot chuckled. “I do. I do. But there are stuff more important than sleeping in the morning.” He shifted on his feet. “I know we said not gifts between us…but you know me.”

“You always give us something Zé…” Panchito shock his head, trying to comprehend what José was getting at.

They always promise not to get stuff for each other, but never succeed in keeping this promise. Donald would always bake something for them, José would always draw an art piece for them and Panchito would make melodies dedicated to them. “I don’t understand why it would be different this year.”

“Yes. I do have the art piece for you and Donald…but I also wanted to get you something else. Just a little thank you for caring so much about me…” He showed him a gift that he had been hiding behind his back until now. “I left it in one of my bags in Scrooge’s airplane and didn’t had much time to wrap it correctly. But I hope you like it.”

“José…” Panchito was touched. Nevertheless, he took the box and looked at it speechless.

José imagined that ever-so-energetic Panchito would rapidly open the present as soon as he would receive it. However, that wasn’t the case. Panchito did not open the gift right away.

Instead, he gestured José to wait, before rummaging in his own bag and getting another box. “Here, I also got you something special…”

José didn’t said anything, but his eyes were showing gratefulness.

And as José imagined, Panchito then looked at his own gift so cheerfully. José didn’t wrap the box, but it still had a cute bow on it. A bow Panchito was certain José spent a delicate amount of time on making it perfectly to compensate for the lack of wrapping paper. He untied the bow and opened the box to find a lovely bouquet of poinsettias. A smile crossed his face as he picked them put to admire them, but then noticed that something else was in the box.

It was a notebook. He picked the notebook and opened it to see that there was so much of José in it.

On the first page was written “Sempre pensando em você” and had beautiful music notes design and scales through the pages, illustrated by José himself. He definitely could recognise his art style anywhere. Every page seemed to have a musical doodle or a special note on it.

Panchito beamed, loving his gift so much.

“It’s for when you need to write your lovely music. It is small enough that you can carry everywhere, but big enough so that you can easily doodle and write. I can assure you.” José said with a smile.

“ZÉ! GRACIAS!” Panchito expressed. He was about to hug him, but then stopped.

“You need to open yours, now, mi amigo.” He mentioned playfully.

José nodded. He delicately unwrapped his gift, wondering what Panchito could have got for him. He couldn’t believe his eyes when he found a little heart-shaped pendant with a small star symbol on it.

“Panchito…This is beautiful,” He said almost speechless. “You didn’t have to…”

“Did you see how pretty it is?! I definitely had too!” He expressed with so much energy and cheerfulness. “When I saw it, I immediately thought of you! And look! It’s a locked pendant!” He grabbed hold of the object and opened it. “You can put a picture in it! Now you can carry your home in your heart wherever you go!”

José eyes glimmered at the thoughtful meaning of the gift. As much as he loved Brazil, he knew he would put the picture of someone instead.

“I know it’s not the same, but maybe you will feel less homesick?” Panchito added sheepishly. “I was so afraid that you would leave without—“

Panchito wanted to tell him more, but was grasping for words the instant José suddenly embraced him tenderly.

Panchito returned the embrace with as much love and care.

“I am so happy that you didn’t leave,” The rooster ended up saying softly, feeling his heart racing.

“I am happy that I didn’t either.” José chuckled.

And when Panchito thought things couldn’t get better, José gave him a soft kiss.

“It’s kind of cold, isn’t it?” José said, holding Panchito’s cold hands and bringing them closer to his beak for soft kisses. “We should go back inside before you catch a cold, caro.”

Panchito didn’t feel the cold, but he also didn’t object.

“It’s a good idea.” He said as he placed a small kiss on José’s beak.

#ducktales 2017 #The Three Caballeros #josepan #panchito x josé #Christmas drabble #Estrela's fics #one-shot

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alpacalypseartb · 3 years ago

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🎅 again!

I’m getting so excited to share your gift with you! Though I haven’t read any Bughead comics (yet- you may have inspired me) I do enjoy some DC ones!

What will you be doing for the holidays? Any special family traditions? I’m not sure your current status- student or working- so are you done school or college classes if school? Or do you have some time off of work if work?

Please give the hunger a read at least!! It's so so so good!

I'm not doing anything special I'm working today (Xmas Eve) and then I'm off for Xmas and boxing day so I'm probably gonna draw all weekend! And eat pavlova!!! I'm really excited for some pav rn...

I haven't been in school for years, I dropped out of highschool like 3 years ago? And I don't ever intend to go back to a school of any kind! Some places just don't work for certain people and I think the school system would kill me 😅 art schools seem to be a scam most of the time anyway too I can learn online and spread my work that way! Already making a decent amount with it there's nothing some dude with only a Facebook account can tell me about networking at this point😂 and I don't really intend to go into any art fields anyway so I don't need it to work for Disney or something

that being said! if Archie Comics ever needs a variant cover hmu guys I will even draw Archie if needed!😉😉😉😉😉😉

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the-madame21 · 7 years ago

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A Christmas Tradition: Byron x MC

So this fandom is really welcoming?? And you guys even leave comments in the tags?? Like wow ty for the appreciation lol I figured I’d do a little fluff for xmas ^^ Enjoy!

She had wanted to carry out some traditions that she had done in Wysteria. But seeing as Christmas day, the castle would host a ball, they decided to carry them out on Christmas eve instead, since they would have most of the day to themselves.

Well, she was carrying them out. He was more than happy to just watch. Especially in the way her face lit up, as if bit by bit everything she did was awakening old memories, adding new ones to the mix. He wondered if it was fine for him to simply watch. He wasn’t sure why there was this certain ache in his chest, the kind that hurt but also didn’t, that held a sense of longing but also not, watching her go through the motions with a large smile on her face, listening as he told her stories of Christmases past.

He didn’t really have anything like that.

They’d done everything from building a lopsided snowman, to taking up part of the kitchens to make gingerbread cookies (of which he’d been a proud taste-tester) to making their own ornaments. He hadn’t thought such things would take most of the day. But she carried out these traditions the way she did everything else: with the utmost love and care.

If anything, he found it admirable.

But they’d done everything she’d wanted to do, luckily managing to fit it all within a single day.

They were sitting in front of the tree now, shoulders touching, large fireplace roaring behind them in the large dancing hall that was entirely empty for now, the two of them sipping on some hot chocolate she had made, admiring the decorations.

It was hard to believe this entire hall would be filled to the brim with people, come tomorrow.

“Thank you, King Byron,” she said suddenly, not quite looking at him, rubbing her thumb against the handle of the mug, “For indulging me today in my caprices.”

He glanced at her, finding the tone of her voice rather strange. “Not at all,” he said, “They’re your traditions.”

She nodded, tucking some hair behind her ear, “I just meant, thank you, for putting up with it all. I know you didn’t have very much fun, but you let me have my way regardless.”

He couldn’t help but find that curious. He wouldn’t describe himself as having had fun either, but he had most certainly enjoyed himself. It was perhaps the first time he’d ever done this much for Christmas.

“Seeing you enjoy yourself,” he admitted, the words tasting somewhat foreign in his mouth, Byron completely unsure of how to continue, “Allows me to enjoy myself. It was my pleasure to do.”

Her eyes lit up in the way only hers could, face brightening in a soft expression with a warm smile he’d only ever really seen from her, and Byron could feel his own features softening as a result, her warmth spreading over to him.

“Ah, um,” her cheeks colored, eyes suddenly downcast as she scooted away from him, setting her mug down on the floor, “There is one more tradition.”

She crawled underneath the tree, and for a moment Byron thought her crazy, but also somehow endearing, nearly disappearing under the branches of so large a tree, in so fine a dress. Without meaning to, he found himself smiling, the princess reappearing from under the tree with a small gift in her hands.

It was neatly wrapped, with a simple bow, which told him that she had done this herself, and was not in fact the work of his servants.

“Well, my family would always hide at least one gift between the branches,” she brushed herself off, face entirely red, “So that way when it seemed like you’d gone through all the gifts at the bottom of the tree there was always a sort of surprise waiting for you at the very end…” she cleared her throat, as if to stop herself, before holding the little box out to him, “Well, in any case. Merry Christmas, King Byron.”

He took it in his hands, before looking into her hopeful eyes. Something tugged at his chest.

“I’m afraid I have nothing for you.”

Her eyes widened, “Oh,” she waved her hands, “That’s—please don’t worry about that! This isn’t even that good of a gift—“ she cleared her throat awkwardly, cheeks reddening even further, “I just did this because I wanted to,” she managed.

With a firm nod, he thanked her, slowly unwrapping his gift with all the care in the world. Inside was a small branch with green leaves, tied together neatly with a red bow. He held it between two fingers, holding it up to better look at it.

And then, suddenly, there was the trembling warmth of her lips on his cheek, gone just as quickly as it’d appeared.

“It’s,” she blushed again, eyes hiding behind her lashes, “It’s mistletoe.”

He blinked, looking from the short branch to her flushed face, before he held it up over her head, leaning in silently and pressing his lips to hers. He reveled in the small sound of surprise she made when their lips met for so chaste a kiss, his own chest squeezing with the same sort of irrational excitement.

They pulled away with stupid shyness, Byron still holding the mistletoe above their heads.

“Thank you,” he said sincerely, “For the gift.”

She nodded, “You’re very welcome.”

He leaned in again, because tradition required it, their lips meeting again and again in easy motion, habit washing away any kind of embarrassment either of them had previously held.

“Princess,” he breathed, finally pulling himself away.

She looked at him, her eyes holding a curious expression. He smiled, finally setting the mistletoe down, and placing it carefully back in the box.

“I will place it over the door we share.”

Her face reddened in an entirely new way, her hands shaking at him, “Oh, no—something like that—“

“So,” he continued, not paying her hesitance any mind, “Won’t you come visit me tonight?”

#midnight cinderella #midnight cinderella fanfiction #midcin fanfic #byron wagner #byron wagner x mc #midcin

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peanutcoin-blog · 5 years ago

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How To Manage Christmas

What does Christmas mean for you? A time to celebrate the birth of Christ? A time to think about your fellow human beings and a wish to share and care? A time to enjoy yourself? A time for spending time with loved ones?

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Or, is it a time of hassle and pressure? All the commercial drivers to spend, causing worry about money and even more credit card debt? The time commitment to get around (or host) family and friends? Rather than a period of rest and relaxation, it all appears to be busy and intense with no personal time? (Made worse for many in retail or other professions where you are working!)

Research consistently shows that for many people, the Christmas holiday is a stressful time. Incidences of violence in the home increase, domestic and relationship problems are amplified, families fall out - all in this period of "Goodwill to all men"!!

To help you handle this season in a way which can reduce the impact of the pressure consider which of the following ideas might work for you.

Before Christmas :

Develop a plan for what you need to do. This can help you to organise things in a manageable way. Start as soon as possible.

Make sure you are allowing time for you and your family in the holiday schedule . Avoid committing all the time to seeing others, even if you have a large family! Plan some "down days" or entertainment for yourselves, whether cinema, pantomime, or just a walk.

Feel free to say "no" to invitations which are going to add to your time pressures.

Do plan to see, or spend time with, people you want to be around.

Consider doing a budget for what you want to spend over the whole period. (Include food, drink, entertainment as well as presents.) Stick with this! It is easy to get carried away over the Festive Season - and then struggle to pay off the bills afterwards.

Unless is suits your own personality to rush everything, aim to have things bought, sorted out, meals planned etc with time to spare!

Decide what to eat over the days you will be at home. Aim to balance your meals and avoid overloading on rich and heavy food. Consider cooking or making some different food over the holiday. If entertaining, do some "simple" foods to make your life easier - stews, casseroles etc. People are visiting for your company and social reasons, not a gastronomic test!

Rather than stock up with too much bought in or convenience foods, aim to use as much healthy or home made food as you can. (Taking time to prepare and make some of your own dishes can be relaxing - and is a lot less costly!)

Make things ahead and freeze them. (Mince pies, sausage rolls, stews, pasta sauces, pies, cheesecakes to name a few!)

Remember, the supermarkets and food outlets are only closed for 2-3 days!! You do not have to buy 3 weeks of supplies at one go!

Enlist help from others in the household, young and old! Involve children in the things you don't normally do so it feels like a special time.

Decorating the house, the tree and whatever else you choose can be done over time! Think about just what you want everything to look like. Ask whether you really need to get new decorations? Can you be innovative with what you have, what you can make?

Pre-plan what you will do with the rubbish which Christmas generates? Have plenty of bin bags to hand. Keep some boxes to store used bottles. Clear out what you can before visitors arrive.

Make some time for leisure and pleasure in the run up to the holiday. Maybe get a massage or some other personal "indulgence".

Aim to get a few earlier nights in this phase. It will help you to feel more energised and able to cope with the demands to come.

Although we have some of our shortest days - get some fresh air, go for a walk. Allow yourself to slow down for a while.

Take care of your health! For many people, the break from routine signals to the body that it can now take things easy and so various bugs which have been held at bay suddenly get through your resistance. Consider upping your intake of fruit (there is a lot of natural vitamin C available!) and possibly taking some supplements.

During:

Recognise that the immediate time over Christmas can be stressful for some, and we each respond to different factors. Make allowances for others', whether in your home or you in theirs!

Agree with any visitors, that there are going to be times for them to do what they want, and times when you will do what you want. It is your holiday too!

Tell visitors where things are, so that they can help themselves and you are not always up and down looking after everyone.

Remember to get your rest - sleep is key! Late nights and early mornings can be major contributors to stress build up! You do not have to stay up with any night owls!

Start the day with a decent breakfast, including some healthy options such as fruit, fruit juice, (make smoothies?), sugar free cereal, eggs, fish.

Resist the temptation to start on alcohol too early!

Have plenty of water and soft drinks available, plus tea and coffee - not just for the drivers or children. Aim to alternate water or a soft drink with an alcoholic one. (Minimise the fizzy drinks for young ones too.)

With meals, have water and soft drinks as well as wine on the table.

Prepare what you can for meals, in advance, especially on Christmas Eve. Vegetables can be done and stored in bags in the fridge. Make lots of ice, slice lemons, put beer somewhere cool (or in the fridge if you have space.)

On Christmas Day, follow whatever routines or rituals suit your family regarding present giving and opening. Do plan some "clear" time in the day, rather than organise every minute.

Too much rich food, added to alcohol, people feeling tired, and all close together is a problem waiting to happen. Encourage everyone to get some space - whether going to other rooms, out for a walk, visiting a local event or even going to the pub. This can be a great pressure valve!

Clear up things as you go along. Wrapping paper, bottles, cardboard all need to go out as soon as possible. Get everyone involved in making sure that empty glasses, cups, plates etc are moved to the appropriate place as soon as is reasonable.

Create a relaxing atmosphere as far as you can - especially in your own room. Scented candles or burning oils can help this.

If travelling to visit, allow time for your trip. Although many roadworks are suspended, there can still be hold-ups on the road - and public transport may not be running!

Provide youngsters with things to do in the car - they will be very excited and excitable and coupled with frayed nerves for the adults this is a volatile mix.

Plan when you will leave so that you can look forward to getting home to have "own" or "family" time in your own home.

If you are starting to feel yourself getting wound up, take time out if possible. Should this be tricky - take some deep breaths, hold them and count to 10. Remember, the holiday is not long, the situation will change and your time will be yours again soon. Do you want to spend it feeling annoyed or uptight? It's your choice!

If you have already convinced yourself that it will be an awful time with the "wicked witch of the west," or other relatives, spend time reframing your thoughts & agreeing how it will be a fun, interesting, amusing, useful...time

After Christmas:

Take time to do nothing!

Clear the clutter as soon as you can. Take excess rubbish to the dump (and chill out about the queues, there is no rush!)

Make time to do things together with family or partners. This is your time for you.

Recharge batteries - go to bed at sensible times and allow yourself a lie in or two for as long as your body wan.

Reflect on the things you enjoyed over the holiday and enjoy the gifts you received.

Avoid rushing to the post Xmas sales.

Have a few days (or meals) where you eat simple food. Have plenty of non-alcoholic drinks - water is good for you, especially in our centrally heated lives!

Pampering is in order - leisurely bath times, massage, sitting with a favourite book, music you like. You've earned it!!

Start to think about the New Year ahead. Think about what you want it to be for you. It can be helpful to identify some key goals you want to achieve and write these down.

#christmas 2019 #christmas management #christmas celebration #christmas stress

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jackandkatetravel · 8 years ago

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Ko Jum / Koh Phi Phi / Krabi Town, Thailand

As recommended by the owners of New Coconut in Koh Lanta, we decided to head to a quiet little island off the coast of Krabi, Ko Jum. We were told this would be fairly quiet and low key with beautiful beaches that were yet to be taken over by tourists and easy to reach via a short ferry ride.

Bar a very late pick up by the ferry service, the journey was easy and comfortable. The ferry (destined for Koh Phi Phi) stopped just off shore from Ko Jum and we hopped onto a long boat which took us in to the beach.

We’d had a cluster of beach huts in mind that we were hoping to stay at, however, on seeing the huts in person they were a little more basic and run down than expected. We had also become aware that we could get a much nicer bungalow for the same price at the resort next door. With it being the festive season, we decided to treat ourselves to the extra comfort of the bungalow. This felt like a wise decision as the resort had a great team of staff and catering facilities, meaning we could completely relax.

The island as described, was very quiet, consisting of only a few beachside resorts, some quite luxe. The tourists mostly seemed to be a little older or family groups, many we spoke to seemed to be regular visitors to the little island.

The weather was a little cloudy and rainy on our first day there so we took it easy. Once settled we headed for lunch in the resorts dining area, tucking into club sandwiches before walking the entire length of the beach, exploring some of the neighbouring resorts, bars and restaurants.

In the evening, we wandered to what appeared to be the only shop in the area and stocked up on some beer and snacks to take back to our room. After an hour or so of drinking, playing silly card games and listening to music, we drunkenly headed out to find dinner on the beach. We ended up settling on the Golden Pearl beach resort restaurant. After eating we headed to the resorts FU Bar for a few more drinks. This little bar was quite busy and we got chatting to some fellow brits and the local Thai boys working there. After a few more beers and funny conversations, we stumbled home along the beach in the pitch black, dodging crabs as best we could!

The next day was Christmas Eve. This seemed bizarre to us as we hadn’t really embraced or witnessed much Christmas spirit whilst island hoping, sunny weather and sandy beaches don’t give off a very festive vibe..! Eager to celebrate, we bought a ticket to the Christmas Buffet and evening of entertainment our resort would be hosting that night.

We spent the day darting round the island on a rented scooter. This was definitely the best way to see the island and all it had to offer. First we headed to what was known as the Old Town - more so a small cluster of shops and restaurants that seemed more so used by locals than many tourists. Whilst having a drink here, we met two elderly gentlemen (An Irish man named Noel and an Englishman named Paddy) who were regulars to Koh Jum and had been visiting for many years.They shared their experiences of traveling Asia and many visits to Koh Jum, suggesting we head to the north of the island.

Following their advice, we shot off up to the north. Driving across the island was really lovely, the roads were quiet and bordered by palm and rubber trees, with small bamboo huts dotted along the way. We reached the north of the island late afternoon and wandered onto the beach. We quickly discovered a few great bars and small resorts along the front. We were instantly drawn into a small bar with a raised bamboo seating area, which had a small and very cute Christmas tree in the centre. We spent a couple of hours here, sipping on iced coffees, adding paper decorations to the tree and later playing volleyball with the staff and guests staying nearby.

Suddenly realising the time and that we needed to get back for the resorts Christmas bash, we dashed off and biked back as the sun came down.

We made it back just in time to freshen up before heading down to the beach front. The Christmas soirée turned out to be a funny and charming night. Each bungalow had been assigned a table, couples and individuals given tables together to encourage socialising - it was similar to a old school events. Unfortunately the other guests on our table were a no show, so we had the table to ourselves. However, the dinning area was full with many other guests who chose to take part. We sipped on beer and G&Ts until the buffet was announced open and raced over to greedily pile our plates full. Once seated the entertainment began with a local band playing acoustic tunes. Later the entertainment got a little more daring with the resort staff doing a few funny dance numbers, including a Michael Jackson tribute followed by some kind of Thai show girls in skimpy feathered costumes. We eventually joined the band and other guests on stage to dance the rest of the night away. The cheesy group activity definitely helped raise our Christmas spirits!

On Christmas morning we made a snap decision to make a change of scene. So, following a quick breakfast we caught a long boat over to Koh Phi Phi - a much busier island known for its party culture. The quietness of Koh Jum during the holidays made us yearn for a bit more atmosphere. Once on Phi Phi we headed for a little bakery/cafe we had called into previously, flung our bags down and ordered a much needed iced coffee. Before the drinks could even arrive, Jack darted off to hunt around for somewhere to stay whilst I guarded the luggage. When he didn’t arrive back after half an hour, I had no choice but to drink he now melted and diluted iced coffee - this caused much disappointment upon his sweaty and exhausted return. We settled on a bamboo bungalow that was a little pricier than some of the other accommodation, but much nicer and cleaner and run by a very friendly family.

Phi Phi was brimming with tourists, mostly teens and twenty somethings all there to party. The streets were full with shops, bars and restaurants, as well as a few unpleasant smells from the dodgy island sewage system. We headed straight to the beach where we rented a kayak and paddled out round the coast to a spot known as Monkey Bay. Here we did a spot of snorkelling and were amazed by how much you could see - sea urchins scattered the sea bed, angel fish, parrot fish, surgeon fish dodged in and out of rocks whilst schools of smaller fish followed us around.

The evening was spent pottering the streets of PhiPhi wearing Santa hats and with beers in hand, watching the drunken antics of excited fellow island dwellers. We sipped on festive red coloured daiquiris and watched the sun set from a rooftop bar overlooking Loh Lana Bay before heading to the beach to watch young boys put on an impressive display of fire juggling to the beat of pounding club music. By this point, most of the revellers had already been partying for many hours, mostly at the beach front pool party which started early afternoon. We spent the remainder of the evening drinking and dancing in a spot called Banana Bar. Once suitably tipsy we headed off for a giant slice of pizza and back to the bungalow to attempt to call home and wish family and friends a merry Christmas. An unconventional but enjoyable Christmas day!

Unsurprisingly we awoke rather hungover the next day and rushed out to line our stomachs with with a carby breakfast. We then remembered that today was not only Boxing Day but also the anniversary of the terrible tsunami and floods that hit the island and many others in southern Thailand in 2004. Every year the locals held a Memorial Day in which they pay respect to those lost in the tragedy. Along the dock front, tents and tributes were set up where many gathered to pray. Local families and businesses also set up stalls where they offered free food and drink to those paying respect. Our hosts were taking part also and on seeing them preparing food within the dinning area we offered to help. They we amused and pleased by the offer and happy for us to chip in. So we set to work preparing and packaging small cartons of chicken and rice and noodles, bagging them up and dishing them out to local stalls to distribute to others. We had a good laugh with the family, taking photos and being offered copious amounts of fried chicken to snack on!

After a morning of helping our hosts and observing the memorial we made our way to Long Beach for the afternoon. Wandering the streets of Phi Phi the next day was not pleasant. Following the heavy partying from Xmas Eve and day everything felt a little tainted and reflected our hangovers. Everywhere seemed that little bit dirtier, other hungover travellers wandered the streets with bandaged ankles, knees, arms and heads. Some were still “on it” and acting rowdy, much to the disdain of those with the heaviest of hangovers. The contrast of the hungover and ongoing party scene within the valley and the peaceful Memorial Day happening on the docks left us with mixed feelings about our tourist presence and a pang of guilt stuck with us throughout the day…

Long Beach was a nice escape from the busy main strip of Phi Phi. A half an hour walk out of the centre, we made our way along the docks, through leafy paths, tip toeing over the winding roots of old trees and clambering over the odd rock. The sandy shore was still quite busy, but peaceful and calm. We played in the sea and napped on the beach until the sun started to come down.

Our last day on Phi Phi was spent soaking up the last of the sun on the beach before packing up our things and catching the ferry back to Krabi. We spent a night in Krabi town prior to catching a flight back to Bangkok the following morning.

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keywestlou · 6 years ago

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RANDOM OBSERVATIONS LEFT BY THE WAYSIDE BECAUSE OF CHRISTMAS BLOGS

My two Christmas blogs took precedence over normal blog activity. I have a number of notes that would have been mentioned were it not for the Christmas blogs.

Waste not, want not. I want to set forth briefly the items not mentioned. No particular order involved.

— Christmas eve and Christmas day at Lisa’s. Best Christmas eve meal Lisa has ever prepared. Only one fish however. My daughter has been become Americanized.

Desserts especially good.

Robert and Ally are young adults. I enjoy talking with them. I sat at the children’s table with them for dinner.

Ally enjoys painting. Gets in and out of it since a very early age. Back into it. Gave me a beautiful hand painted picture of mail boxes. I have already hung it in the living room.

Robert gave me a book involving thoughtful matters. Like is there a God? He was more excited with the card that accompanied it. He is taking some sort of video course in high school. He made the card. Three steps involved, if I understood correctly. He explained how he made it. I was as excited as he. And impressed!

— LeBron James spoke out against the NFL owners. “A bunch of old white men” with “slave mentality” toward players. Describes their attitude as “the old plantation mentality.” Believes they are more concerned about money and fear Trump.

— Went to Hot Dog Church sunday evening. Got there late. Only a few ladies remaining. Laurie bartending.

I will be doing Laurie’s radio show on 107.5 FM thursday from 4-5. Appears I will guest weekly at that time.

— Hot Dog Church followed by the Chart Room. Great evening!

Two couples. Tourists. Never met till that night. Each couple have been visiting Key West for 30 years. Great history!

One of the husbands retired. He has a part time job. Times marathons. Does it periodically. Travels everywhere.

A solo guy was at the end of he bar. A gem of historical fact. He was in he Marines stationed in Key West in 1965. Now a full time resident owning a home here.

— The World Happiness Report 2018 recently came out. It lists the most happy and most miserable countries.

Top 3 most happy are Finland, Norway and Denmark in that order. The U.S. ranked 18. Burundi the least happy ranked at 156. Two countries the U.S. presently has an interest in ranked. Afghanistan 145, Syria 150.

— When will the U.S. learn that Middle Easterners hang in there. As the Vietnamese did against the U.S. in that war.

The Soviets sent tanks and 8,500 men into Afghanistan in December 24, 1975. Afghan fighters declared a jihad. Guerrilla war ensued. The Soviets left 10 years later defeated. And broke! The war had destroyed the Russian economy.

The U.S. learned nothing from that history. We have been in Afghanistan 17 years now. Crazy! Trump recently announced he was pulling half of our military contingency out. Seven thousand five hundred service personnel.

The U.S should never have gone in, especially without an exit strategy. The U.S. should not now be pulling out without a specific plan. A double screw up.

— My love Terri White sings this week. Four consecutive nights at the Little Room Jazz Club. 12/27-12/30. A Fringe Theater presentation. Show time 8. I will be there New Year’s Eve. Broadway tunes.

— Key West and bicycles continue to be in the news. Apparently the City ordered a study 2 years ago. The Key West Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan is now ready for release. The City Commission will discuss it at its January 15 meeting.

This I’ve got to see!

Total cost to implement the Master Plan $28.6 million. Payment in 2 phases: $9.6 million and $19 million.

— A resident complained publicly in one of Key West’s news papers. Key west is becoming like San Francisco. We have a poop problem. Only in season, only in Old Town. The inference tourists don’t give a shit

— Trump is now on the Fed’s ass. Claims the market is down because the Fed raised interest rates. Suggesting he is going to fire the Chairman who he appointed this past year.

Trump claims…..”The only problem our economy has is the Fed.” I say…..”The only problem our economy has is Trump.”

— The shutdown has causes not anticipated. It also evidences people not hurt who should suffer with those being hurt.

White House Xmas tree lights went out.

Congress has a gym and spa. Must be a beauty. Still operating during the shut down. Speaker Ryan used it the past few days.

The Congressional gym and spa is considered “essential” under the law.

— Stock market keeps going down. Down this year 20 percent. The worse drop since the Great Depression.

Market this morning before opening sitting around 2,700. If it breaks 2,000 there will be a recession. A world wide one.

Who do we thank? Donald Trump! He has destabilized everything.

— How many more children have to die?

An 8 year old Guatemalan refugee boy sitting on the border took ill. Authorities got him to a hospital. He died. Autopsy results awaited.

Two weeks ago, a 7 year old Guatemalan girl died.

Mr. President, have you no conscience?

–The wall. Now a fence or whatever.

Trump claims he signed a contract for the construction of 150 miles of the wall in Texas to begin construction next week. Who is he kidding? He has no authority to do something like that outright. The House is part of the approval process and cannot be ignored.

Going to be interesting how he explains his way out of this one. I am willing to bet there is no signed contract. This is just another of Trump’s falsehoods thinking he can bullshit the American people. Those days are over!

— Trump time continues. Once again, he failed to visit American troops stationed in foreign lands on Christmas. Just as he failed to visit the American military cemetery in France.

Called no respect.

He did telephone soldiers on Christmas morning.

— Studies reveal more and more Americans are living into their 90s. The University of California did a study on the whys and wherefores. Sixteen hundred people involved. Study began 2003.

Results interesting.

Alcohol and coffee consumption on a daily basis will help people to live past 90. Abstinence will not. Alcohol should be consumed in moderation, however.

Another test finding is that people overweight in their 70s live longer than those underweight.

Glad I did not begin my diet till I was 82.

— Harry Truman. As always, Truman loved Key West and Key West loves Harry Truman.

Truman made 11 visits to Key West. Described as working vacations. Spent a total of 175 days.

Truman died this day in 1972.

–I am caught up!

Enjoy your day!

RANDOM OBSERVATIONS LEFT BY THE WAYSIDE BECAUSE OF CHRISTMAS BLOGS was originally published on Key West Lou

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abiteofnat · 7 years ago

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RUN RUN REINDEER TO DOWNTOWN CHICAGO...

Because we got holiday spirit out the wazooooo in 90% of the restaurants, cafes, bars, and every street along the way. There’s really no way to escape the Christmas trees (or non-denominational holiday foliage?) when you’re walking to and from anywhere between Division Stand Jackson Ave, and forget about avoiding any kind of light strand strewn over/on/through EVERY SURFACE. I personally adore it and let each tiny lightbulb light up my soul, only enhanced by the smile upon my face as the bus displaying “Seasons Greetings” with little terribly animated reindeer pulls up to take me to my Christmas shopping. The bitter cold has arrived, but the holiday cheer is keeping us all toasty. (See what December does to me? I’m unbaked sugar cookie dough, all pale and mushy with comfort and love).

The best thing besides Chicago’s outdoor city spirit is the effort to decorate the inside of most dining establishments to make everything a little bit warmer and festive. There’s nothing like sitting under a lot of sparkly lights and surrounded by bows, fake snow, and seeing a boozed-up hot chocolate on every menu, but let’s be real- WE GO FOR THE PHOTOS. If you’re an Insta-hoe or a simple mom looking for that xmas card-worthy photo, you want that big ole pimp of a tree sparkling behind your DSLR/iPhone 8. I would consider myself a bit obsessive about this and harbor zero shame- if you’re happy as a clam and feeling that new turtleneck, you use those limited edition backgrounds to your ADVANTAGE and you better WORK. So, where can you find these spots? Good food AND good content? Oh honey. Let me tell you.

FOR BREAKFAST...

1. Pierrot Gourmet at The Peninsula

Ok before you see “Peninsula” and decide this is way too fancy for your typical brekkie, take my word for it- they are all for you rolling up in your leggings and a beanie and ordering their fine ass breakfast at a reasonable price. Pierrot Gourmet is thee more casual-cafe dining option that the hotel houses right on the corner of Rush St and E Superior, which makes it ideal for enjoying a beautiful pastry or omelette and then hopping over to Michigan Ave for some shopping! If you have your family members with you or want to go on a cute breakfast/lunch date on a blustery day, this couldn’t be more perfect. They have lots of *tasteful* holiday decor, cute little windows to sit in and get that sipping-a-cappuccino-and-pondering-life photo, and a cheese + egg flatbread which is DELISH. Oh, and a whole bakery case full of gorgeous cakes & tarts if you’re just looking for a pick-me-up. Super accessibly chic, super delicious.

FOR LUNCH...

2. Bub City

This place offers it all: a refreshing drink or draaank depending how you feel by 1 p.m., lots of lights, and delicious BBQ meals served super casual but NEVER lacking in flavor. Choose from an array of sides like mac & cheese and buffalo tots or charred brussels sprouts and corn off the cob, and then get a big sampler platter for the table! It’s right in River North and takes us to our next location... P.S.- they also have fried pickles!!!

FOR A GIFT OR A TREAT...

3. L.A. Burdick Handmade Chocolates

Looking for a truffle to give you a sugar spike or a gift box so pretty it’s worth shedding a tear? Go to this chocolate boutique and find out just why Starbucks hot chocolate doesn’t cut it when DRINKING CHOCOLATE IS AVAILABLE. Drinking chocolate is super melty, super creamy chocolate served in a petite cup for enjoying leisurely and on-the-spot, and don’t worry- they also serve coffee. Just to chase down all the chocolate because yes, it is RICH. Build a box of unique, indulgent chocolates for a friend or family member out of their wide selection- from raspberry creme to mice made of white chocolate (!!!) you can’t say no to their little ribbon tails. Fancy chocolate on State St.? Sounds like something out of a damn movie.

FOR COFFEE...

4. 3 Arts Cafe

I know I KNOW this has appeared on here before, but if you know a more exquisite place to grab a cup of coffee then please let me know. While it’s beautiful any time of year due to being exceptionally built and decorated from corner to corner, during the holidays they pack the lights, fake oak branches, dried fruits, and glittering ornaments in from the lobby all the way to the coffee counter. Even just to take a peek at the glass roof and smell the truffle grilled cheese wafting out of the dining area it’s worth it to grab a shockingly delicious cold brew or hot coffee, and who knows- you may just find that perfect couch and buy yourself the perfect Christmas present. As in the cup of coffee, which you can sip while staring at the perfect couch that costs more than 10 years of rent put together.

Other honorable mentions: The Ghirardelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop on Chestnut St., Leonida’s Chocolate Cafe on Chicago Ave, and the Sunny Side Up coffee shop below the cafe. All have warm specialty drinks as well as a good hot cup o’ joe!

AND FOR THE FINALE...

HIGH TEA! There is nothing more festive, fun, and spirited than holiday tea at a hotel tea room downtown. Get on your nicest threads, make 3 p.m. reservations for a lengthy tea/dinner/champagne extravaganza, and just freaking RELAX. Kick back and enjoy Christmastime like it’s the 1920′s. Since my family is all about having a night out on the town and making memories through fun experiences, we’ve had a lot of Christmas Eves at a lot of teas and it’s one of my absolute favorite parts of the year. Each tea room offers an entirely different vibe, variations of tasty tidbits, and a taste of the high life in the shape of a champagne flute, so let me walk you through them!

1. The Drake Hotel: This hotel is old money all the way, and greets you with a gigantic Christmas tree upon walking in, burgundy, velvet ribbons lacing through all the stairs and handrails, and then the sparkling, silver tea room that is full of real-time carolers and ALWAYS tons of people. This is the classic, Chicago “I AM FANCY” tea that never gets old, so make your reservations!

2. The Langham: This tea offers a view over the river and of all the tall as heck buildings around it, which makes it feel a little more intimate and “modern.” The treats are also modernized but super yummy, and with white comfy couches and chic, metallic trees in the lobby it’s as enchanting as the first winter snow. I really love this location, and for a sexy & sweet afternoon tea with your love? You gotta go!

3. The Four Seasons: This is the ideal mix of the first two places. The Four Seasons offers a classic yet updated tea room (with my favorite bar tacked on- dark velvet chairs, my top wine on the menu, little wasabi nuts in crystal bowls... WHO AM I?) and the best tea menu out of them all. They will bring you as many of anything as you want, are incredibly friendly, and it never gets too busy OR too quiet in there. Family tea or dinner before a big show? This is your place. AND THE DECORATIONS ARE GORG.

Where am I going this year for pre-church high tea you may ask??? That... will be revealed later on! It’s a new location for me as well, which makes it EVEN MORE EXCITING!

I hope this guide guides you through downtown on a snowy shopping day and keeps your belly warm and your sugar levels high. I really can’t get enough of Chicago during the holidays and I’ll be damned if I don’t document every tree I see. Have a happy, safe holidays and I’ll try to get anotha post out before the real madness begins.

Until next time, Happy Eating!

-Natalie

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