#merry christmas & happy holidays & happy new year friends! <3< /div>
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ssaemilyhotchner · 17 days ago
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"Haven't cut your hair since Thanksgiving?" "That's what you said at Christmas." ‷ holidays with the bau
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twoandahalfstudios · 14 days ago
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Merry Christmas, Sunshine đŸŒ»
2024 has been the year of Grimmy - we're excited to see what next year will bring!
For now, we wish you all a happy holidays and a restful new year đŸ„°
___
To close out the year, here's a few quick reminders!
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đŸŒ» The Steam Winter Sale is on right now! You can grab a lot of our games for ~60% off
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đŸŒ» You can grab the Grimmy 2.0 Plushie and the Grim/Azrael Pin Set on Makeship for a limited time only!
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đŸŒ» Maybe coolest of all... Beyond the Bet, our brand new A Date with Death DLC, is out right now on Steam!
Use your Christmas money to buy it (or make your friends send you a copy as a gift) <3
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spatialwave · 15 days ago
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The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
pairing: jayvik x gender neutral!reader word count: 1.9k words tags: mdni! modern au, fluff, poly relationship, reader is spoiled. a/n: happy holidays and merry christmas! so grateful for you all <3
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You’d never been one to celebrate holidays, often staying home by yourself and enjoying the day off from the world. Escaping into your mind for a few days until you’d ultimately have to return to your job and regular life—but that changed when you met Jayce and Viktor. Two men who somehow swept you off your feet after swearing that you’d be on your own for a long time, at least enough to forget about the pain that came with love and heartbreak.
They changed the trajectory of your life, bringing meaning and hope back into it. Gone were the days of riding alone on the subway, earbuds blasting music on your transport home—anything to find an escape. Now, you had Jayce rambling away to you on the ride home about his newest creations at work or Viktor holding you against his side as you listened to the hustle and bustle around you, no longer wanting to shy away from it.
It was surprising how little time you adjusted to this new life; within a few months, you’d weaselled your way into their home. Tens of boxes filled their apartment until your belongings blended in, and your body tucked neatly between them in their bed so well that it felt like you’d been there for years.
You hadn’t been one to believe in fate, but they managed to change your opinion.
This was the first time in years that the holiday season felt alive—excited to cuddle on the sofa at night to watch christmas movies as the fireplace roared, your countertop full of too many sweets that you and Jayce baked, and begging your boyfriends to help you build a snowman in the park on your way home. The idea of Christmas day filled your stomach with butterflies; so many years had flown by where the only gifts you purchased were a few treats for yourself and for your closest friends.
Now, you’d filled a good portion of the closet with gifts until you finally found time to wrap them, piling them underneath the tree that they decorated while bickering about colours and placements. 
Your apartment was full of overpriced decorations you purchased, and your wallet was struggling, but it was worth it to know that Christmas morning would roll around and be perfect. You hadn’t wished for perfect in a long time.
You were surprised that you’d fallen asleep so quickly on Christmas Eve, nestled between Jayce and Viktor as they clung to you. You’d expected to toss and turn for hours, unable to rid yourself of your excitement, but soon it was morning, and you were stretched out, the sheets tangled around your limbs.
A quiet groan rumbled from your chest as you stretched your arms above your head, fingers brushing against the wooden headboard, and only realizing then that your boyfriends weren’t there with you. Your eyes fluttered open, slowly sitting up just as the scent of breakfast filled your nose—eggs, turkey bacon and pancakes, Jayce’s specialty. You flickered your gaze toward the frosted window, snow gently falling from the sky and leaving everything a soft blue hue that made you want to curl back up and sleep the day away.
However, your grumbling stomach said otherwise. You slipped out of bed slowly, yawning and digging the heels of your palms against your eyes as your bare feet padded across the floor. Drowsiness had rendered you forgetful, it seemed, because even the growing sound of the TV playing a Christmas movie hadn’t reminded you of what day it was. Too groggy and hungry to worry about anything else.
It wasn’t until you stepped into the living room, eyes landing on the Christmas tree, that you remembered. You instantly brightened, a beaming smile pulling across your lips.
“Merry Christmas!” You exclaimed, hurrying towards the sofa so you could practically throw yourself atop Viktor, who’d been so entranced watching Love Actually that he hadn’t noticed you enter the room.
“Ah,” he gasped as his arms wrapped around you, a small smile playing along his lips as he tilted his head down, looking at you while you peered up at him from your spot on his chest, “Merry Christmas, love,” he hummed, enjoying the chaste kiss you placed on his lips.
“Finally awake?” Jayce stepped out from the kitchen, a toothy smile spreading across his lips as he carried three plates of food that looked like they were going to fall at any moment. “Just at the right time. I thought I was going to have to wake you up.”
“Be careful!” You chuckled, moving to sit on the sofa at Viktor’s legs as your lover made it to the coffee table and carefully set down the food with your help. He excused himself for a quick moment, returning with three mugs of freshly brewed coffee.
Viktor yawned from beside you, now upright, as he took the coffee and indulged in a long drink—having never been much of a morning person. You leaned against his side, reaching out and pulling your plate to your lap so you could dig in.
Jayce settled himself on the floor opposite you and Viktor, looking between you both with a loving smile and bright eyes full of golds and greens. He was so in love. Then, he flickered his gaze to the Christmas tree, humming as he sipped his coffee.
You followed his eyes to the tree, excitement swirling inside as you swallowed down your food and discarded the plate back to the coffee table, “Holy shit,” you spoke, a hand flying to Viktor’s thigh, “Did you put more gifts under the tree?”
Jayce shrugged, trying to act coy with a big smirk, “I don’t know, did I?”
Viktor chuckled behind his coffee, holding the warm mug in his hands as he gestured for you to go over to the tree. “Mhm, he’s spoiling you rotten,” he sighed affectionately.
Jayce moved over to sit next to you as you nestled onto the hardwood, eyes scanning the gifts—some wrapped, some in bags. There were too many to count on both hands. You hadn’t felt this way since you were a child, eyes wide and glowing as you reached in and pushed the gifts aside until the ones you wrapped were visible.
You were excited, but your desire to see them open their gifts far outweighed your own need to see what they both spoiled you with—Viktor was just as guilty.
“I
 also went a little overboard,” you said sheepishly, pulling out precisely eight gifts—four for each.
Jayce shifted away from you to make room for the gifts, his tanned cheeks burning red from excitement that mirrored your own. Meanwhile, Viktor watched you both with small smiles as he set your gifts next to him on the sofa and began to open them up with gentle tears at the wrapping. Jayce wasn’t so gentle, easily ripping away the wrapping paper and tossing it behind him to be picked up later.
You had spun around, watching them as they opened the small trinkets and items that reminded you of them—a beautiful music box for Viktor that played a familiar song from his home country and, for Jayce, a new leatherbound journal and fountain pen for everything from blueprints to midnight ideas. 
You had nestled between Viktor’s legs, your back pressed against the sofa, and he leaned forward to kiss your head gently. “You’re too kind, love. These are incredible, " he murmured into your hair.
Jayce was now lying in front of you, on his back with his head in your lap, and diving into a book you’d purchased for him. Not a pleasurable read in your eyes, but he was keen on reading educational books, so you were sure to get him one that was ‘apparently’ a key book for inventors and engineers alike. That’s what the salesperson said, at least.
“You’re welcome,” you smiled, tilting your head back to look up at Viktor.
“Jayce,” he said, frowning slightly and giving him a slight shove with his foot, “you can read later. Grab the other gifts. Please.”
“Right, sorry—,” Jayce apologized, placing his book aside and reaching over to the tree to begin passing you the gifts that were piled much too high for your comfort, “Come on, don’t be shy now. Open them up.” He urged you, noting the apprehensive look in your eyes as you stared at the mountain of presents for you.
You continued to stare, and maybe you were just too emotional of a person, but tears began to well up in your eyes. Jayce noticed this immediately, reaching forward and wiping a stray tear that had fallen down your cheek. “Hey, hey,” he murmured, and Viktor looked around at you from his spot on the couch, eyes widening at your reaction.
“Are you overwhelmed?” Viktor asked in a hushed voice, both hands moving to your shoulders and giving your muscles a relaxed massage, “It’s okay. You don’t need to cry.”
“God,” you sniffled, a laugh bubbling up through the tears, “I’m sorry, I’m okay. I promise, just—” you wiped at your eyes, looking at Jayce, “I’m just happy. The happiest I’ve been in a really long time.”
A smile spread on Jayce’s lips, and he grabbed at one of the presents. It was smaller and rectangular, “Open this one.”
You stared at him for a moment, wiping the last of your tears away with the back of your hand.
“Trust me,” he chuckled, urging it into your hands.
Your eyes settled on it, and you began to tear at the opening of the wrapping paper. You tugged it apart, and when you saw the present, you couldn’t help but scoff and let out a laugh that Viktor joined in, “You jerk!” You whined, but the smile on your lips proved that you were far from annoyed.
A box of unopened tissues was in your hands, with a note taped to it: ‘Figured you’d need this. -J’
Christmas Day was everything you’d dreamed it to be. After years and years of spending the holiday alone with nothing but takeout and movies, you finally experienced the joy that came with the holiday that you last experienced as a child.
You were rightly spoiled with gifts, surprised at the thoughtfulness of each one, including three rings from Viktor—simple gold bands for each that were meant to show your shared commitment to each other, and that box of tissues was almost used up right after. You ate good food, which Jayce only slightly burned, and filled your stomach with enough sweets you swore you wouldn’t be able to eat for an entire week. A marathon of Christmas movies played on the screen as the three of you spent hours chatting and checking out your new gifts.
Later that night, you were lying against Jayce’s chest as he relaxed back on the couch, snoring softly as the glow of the fireplace illuminated you. Your legs tangled with Viktor’s, who had just fallen asleep, his novel open on his chest and glasses barely hanging onto his nose.
Your eyes focused on the window in your view—the moon was high in the sky and clear after snowing all day. Your hand absently played with the metal band that fits perfectly over your ring finger, turning and twisting it as the day replayed in your head and the possibilities of the new year swelled your heart.
This is what it felt like to be loved—unconditionally and irrevocably.
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steddiealltheway · 1 year ago
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Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays :) This is way longer than I thought it would be, but it's been a while since I've written, so I think I needed it. I hope you all have a wonderful end to your year <3
Steve thought it was fate when he reached into Dustin’s old Santa hat and picked up a crumpled piece of paper with Eddie’s name scribbled on it. He had a gift stored away for Eddie that he bought weeks ago, and he was hoping there would be some way to get it to him without making it a big deal or something. Miraculously, the tiny slip of paper gave him that chance.
Now, two weeks later, Steve feels like his nerves are on fire as everyone gathers around in his living room, waiting to receive their gifts.
He goes off to the guest bedroom where the party had dropped off their gifts under the bed with the promise of not peaking - per Steve's request. Mike complained that the system was a little bit much, and Steve couldn’t argue with him. He just didn’t want to give away that he was Eddie’s secret Santa.
And now that he has pulled all the gifts out from under the bed, his stomach churns and his heart races. He just hopes his gift doesn’t cross a line or bring up unwanted memories, especially since he and Eddie aren’t exactly best friends.
Well, okay, they’re close. Considering the number of times Dustin has insisted they all hang out now that they’ve all been trauma-bonded, Steve has spent a lot of time with Eddie. But he hasn’t gotten a lot of alone time with him.
Sure, there have been a few times when Eddie has stopped by work, but Robin was always close by - not that Steve minded at all, except he got tired of the looks she would give him after Eddie left as if she was expecting Steve to say something. He doesn’t know what exactly he would say, but he will admit that it was always sad watching Eddie go. Maybe he should tell Robin he wishes he could stay a little longer, maybe even after hours.
The thought reminds him of the one moment they spent alone that Steve can't help but recall often. Even his present to Eddie is based around that moment which resulted in him purchasing something definitely higher than the price limit, but none of the kids would know that so it’s fine.
There’s a light knock on the door behind him, and Steve turns around. “Hey,” Eddie says with a small smile. “Everything okay?”
Steve smiles back, willing his heartbeat to slow down a bit. “Yeah, just trying to figure out how to get them all at once.”
“Let me help,” Eddie says, already bending over to grab half the stack that Steve had pushed out from under the bed. “You don’t happen to have a Santa suit do you?”
Steve’s eyebrows furrow. “No?”
“Damn. Next year, okay? And I want to be Santa.”
The corner of Steve’s lip quirks up and Eddie's eyes light up, looking awfully proud of himself. The two hold the gaze for a few moments longer than they should, but it’s not like that's new to them.
“Guys! What’s the holdup?!” Dustin yells.
Steve sighs and offers Eddie a now irritated smile before leading the way to the living room, glancing down at the names on each present before handing them out. He and Eddie finish around the same time, and Steve notices there are two clear spots for them in the small circle on either side of Dustin. He almost makes a snarky comment to Dustin, but he holds his tongue, knowing Max and El will shoot them irritated glares if they start bickering.
"El, why don't you go first?" Steve suggests as he sits down, not giving the rest of the kids a chance to argue about it. After all, no one is going to protest after all that El did for them.
El smiles and carefully opens her gift, but Steve spaces out a bit, lost in thought about his gift and questioning if it will be an appropriate thing to bring up in front of the kids. Eddie had shared the moment only with Steve and even hesitated in doing so, so maybe he doesn't want it to be broadcast to the kids. Shit.
Steve snaps back to reality when El knee-scoots over to Dustin, pulling him into a tight hug and thanking him for her present. Dustin flushes an interesting shade of red that Steve is definitely going to bring up later when he himself isn't panicking. For now, he moves the game along. "Alright, Dustin gets to open his gift now since he was the Secret Santa," Steve announces, nervously glancing at Eddie, hoping the excited look doesn't mean the gift is from him. He's not sure if he's ready for Eddie to open his gift yet.
Luckily, the gift is from Lucas, and Steve breathes a sigh of relief. But as the game continues and more people unwrap their gifts, Steve finds himself getting a bit impatient as he waits for someone to get their gift from Eddie. It's only when Max is last to open her gift that Steve realizes that he and Eddie are the only two remaining which means...
"No way," Eddie says with a big grin. "We're the only two who got each other."
Steve slowly looks down at the gift in his hand, neatly wrapped with a beautifully done bow that seems so unlike Eddie who always seems to be in a rush, doing everything with an almost frantic energy that Steve kind of adores. He wonders what he must've been like sitting still, carefully folding each curve of newspaper and taping it all together before neatly tying the red ribbon around the box into a beautiful bow. "You did this?" Steve can't help but ask, hoping he didn't just stick his foot in his mouth.
"Yeah," Eddie says somewhat bashfully as he pulls his hair in front of his face. "You do the honors." Eddie gestures to Steve's present and nervously rambles, "It isn't much really..."
Steve carefully undoes each fold, seeing the care Eddie took in wrapping a small box that Steve pulls the lid off of. He stares down at a small metal-looking thing and picks it up off the paper it's on top of. He presses it and startles a bit as it buzzes.
"A hand buzzer," Dustin laughs in disbelief.
"Maybe you two need to hang out more," El suggests innocently.
Eddie clears his throat. "There's a note in there, too, but you don't have to read it out loud in front of the kids or anything."
Steve keeps ahold of the little buzzer and picks up the note, staring at a few numbers in confusion before following an arrow that elaborates 24/7 Walkie Channel - especially at night. Steve flushes a bit red at the joke, but as he reads further, he realizes it's not a joke at all. In fact, he knows exactly what this is referring to.
-:-:-:-:-:-
Eddie walks up to the counter of Family Video and raps his knuckles on the counter. "Now tell me, what exactly is behind that restricted section with the red curtains?"
Steve rubs his temples and gives Eddie an unimpressed look. "You know exactly what's behind there."
"Well, maybe I want to hear it from my favorite employee. After all, you're supposed to help me with all my needs."
"Alright," Robin announces loudly, "I'm taking my break."
Steve hears the break room door shut behind him, and he drops his head in his hands with a slight groan.
"That embarrassed, Harrington? I thought you were like the expert here. Especially since Robin isn't allowed back there, but..." Eddie trails off but suddenly his voice gets much closer yet softer. "Hey, sorry. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. Sometimes I push too far without realizing and-"
Steve cuts him off with a short wave of his hand. "It's not that. You're fine really. Just didn't really sleep last night."
"Company or..." Eddie goes for a joke to lighten the second half of what he's implying.
Steve sighs and glances up at him. "It the 'or' option."
Eddie gives him a sympathetic look and glances around at the empty store before leaning on the counter, right into Steve's space, but it's comforting rather than intrusive. Eddie softly says, "I get it, man. The night terrors are... they're intense. I still see Chrissy when she..." He looks away, swallows hard, and takes a deep breath. "I get it."
Steve glances up and sees a matching haunted look in Eddie's eyes that Steve catches in the mirror from time to time. "It's harder late at night. I get this urge to reach out to everyone and make sure they're okay and..." Steve sighs and lowers his voice, "still alive." He shudders slightly and laughs humorlessly, "But it's not like I can just call everyone's house at night and wake up them and their family. I usually just wait for the urge to pass but it's harder for me with some people." Steve swallows hard, knowing what Eddie will ask next.
"Like who?"
Steve glances up at Eddie and says, "Robin of course because she's my best friend. Max is tough too because of how close she was to dying and you just never know if that thing will come back or not."
"He's gone for good this time. You know what Owens said," Eddie presses gently.
"Yeah, but I've heard it before," Steve argues. But he can't deny that things definitely feel more final now. Like maybe they're finally over. Still, he can't just let his guard down on the off chance that his gut isn't right for once.
Eddie shifts and nudges Steve's elbow with his own. "Anyone else though?"
Steve holds Eddie's gaze for a moment, and he sees the exact moment Eddie knows exactly what he's thinking as the memories of Eddie's lifeless body in Steve's arms flood in his head. "You were... gone there for a little while. And sometimes I wake up, and I think that you didn't make it. That the nightmare I keep having is actually reality."
Eddie gives him a pained look and places his hand over Steve's. "You can call me at any time. Day or night. I'll try my best to answer, especially at night."
"Eddie, I don't want to make you lose sleep any more than you already are."
"But I'm probably already awake. And I don't care if I lose sleep for you, okay?"
Steve glances up at him and flushes a bit as his eyes flicker down to Eddie's lips. For a moment, he thinks he might understand what Robin's looks mean, but he glances away before he can truly think about it. "That's not the only problem though," Steve confesses quietly.
Eddie just squeezes his hand, waiting for him to elaborate.
With a deep breath, Steve hooks his thumb on top of Eddie's pinky and squeezes back for some support. "I hate speaking in that empty house. My voice seems to echo, and it makes me feel more alone than I already am. And sometimes it feels impossible to speak about things. Like my voice doesn't work or something. I don't know."
"I get it," Eddie says simply, squeezing his hand again. "But really, if you ever need to call or stop by or anything. I'll be there." Steve holds Eddie's gaze, thinking maybe the upcoming night won't be so bad.
Before Steve can really say anything else, the bell on the front door dings loudly and he and Eddie practically jump apart. The customer doesn't even so much as glance at them, but they both still keep their distance, recognizing that the moment is over.
-:-:-:-:-:-
Steve stares at the little list in the note.
One Buzz: Checking in. I will buzz back so you know I'm okay. Two Buzzes: If you need to hear my voice. I will respond over the walkie and talk for as long as you like. Buzz multiple times, and I'll stop. And trust me, I will talk your ear off, so I won't get offended when you buzz. Three Buzzes: If you need me to call ever. Don't be afraid to use this one. Wayne is still working night shifts, so you're really no bother if you want to call first. But this way, I can be the one calling you so you don't have to worry about waking me up or anything. Really. The buzzes aren't too loud, so they shouldn't wake me up. Let me know if you want to add anything to this list. I have an identical list with my hand buzzer at home that I would be happy to add to at any time. Merry Christmas Love, Your Secret Santa
Steve stares at the note in his hand almost too stunned to speak. He doesn't think he's ever received a more thoughtful gift in his life. He pinches at his nose and tries to shut his emotions down a bit, and Eddie must catch on because he loudly announces, "My turn!"
Steve takes a deep breath, forgetting entirely about the gift he got Eddie. He watches as Eddie tears the wrapping paper off the small box then dramatically and very slowly opens it up with a big smile, knowing he has the kids' impatient attention practically in the palm of his hand. But when he finally sees the gift, his smile and whole act drop as a look of realization crosses over his face.
Steve's heart pounds in his chest.
Eddie slowly removes the little glass bottle filled with brown liquid and silently stares at it.
"What is that? Some type of fancy bourbon?" Max asks with a scoff.
Steve watches Eddie's eyes get slightly glassy, and he's quick to announce, "Something like that. But alright, we have to move on before your families start coming to pick you up. Was a snowball fight next on your cheesy list or something?"
Dustin is quick to defend the list the group came up with, but Steve is quicker in pushing them all toward the front door. "I'll be there in a bit. Eddie and I have to clean up."
The kids all rush to put on their coats and shoes, not wanting to be a part of any type of cleanup. Once they run outside, Steve closes the door and rushes back to the living room where Eddie's still staring at the bottle, a single tear going down his face. "You... you remembered... and you... you got... how?"
"Of course, I remembered," Steve says, thinking of what Eddie told him months ago.
-:-:-:-:-:-
Steve sighs and stuffs more things into a box from Eddie's closet. Dr. Owen's people had finally given the trailer the all-clear, so they were finally able to get the remainder of Eddie's and Wayne's things out of there. Of course, the kids had spent about an hour helping with the living room before taking a very very long break at Max's place. Steve assumes it will be lasting until the rest of the trailer is cleared out.
"They're great help, aren't they?" Eddie jokes as he brings another box into the room.
"Absolutely. Always willing to lend a hand. That is until they decide that the adults can just slave away for them."
"Someone needs to give them a lecture," Eddie sighs, pulling out a pile of clothes from his closet.
Steve scoots the box over and asks, "And why does that person always seem to be me? Especially when they don't listen to me."
"You're just so motherly," Eddie says with a big smile, dimples on full display.
Steve can't help but smile at the sight. And luckily he's staring his way when Eddie picks up another stack of clothes and suddenly hurdles something Steve's way. And even luckier, Steve's reflexes are quick, so he's able to easily catch the smaller glass bottle.
Eddie's eyes widen and he quickly grabs at the bottle, wrapping his hands around Steve's in the process. "Jesus H. Christ." Eddie's grip tightens as he stares at the bottle and breathes a sigh of relief, dropping his head to Steve's shoulder. "Have I ever told you that I'm so glad you're a jock?"
Steve snorts. "No, but whatever in this bottle must be important enough for you to admit it. So, tell me, what's in it? Alcohol? Some type of weird liquid drug?"
Eddie pulls back and looks away, still cradling the bottle and Steve's hands. "It's nothing. Just, hold it gently while I find another shirt to wrap it in."
Steve gently grasps the bottle and brings it closer, inspecting what it could be when he's hit with a bit of deja vu. He tests his suspicions and carefully removes the cap. "Eddie, why do you have an almost empty bottle of perfume in your closet?"
Eddie turns to him and asks, "Please, don't tell me you sprayed it."
"I didn't. The cap just gave it away."
Eddie quickly takes the bottle from his hand and puts the cap back on. "It's nothing. Like I said." He rolls it carefully in a t-shirt and places it in the box.
Steve slowly approaches and looks down at the box, frowning when he sees it start to blend in with the other pile of clothes in there. "I'll be right back," Steve announces before running out to his car. He opens the trunk and sighs, grabbing a shoe box and carefully placing his emergency date shoes in the corner of the trunk before taking the box inside.
When he gets back to the room, he reaches into the bigger box, fishes the shirt-wrapped perfume out, and places it gently into the shoe box before setting it aside. Steve glances up and notices Eddie staring at him. "Is that the emergency date shoe box?"
Steve is going to give the kids or Robin a lecture later about giving away people's personal information. "Yes," he admits.
"So, where are the shoes?"
"In my trunk," Steve says, moving onto Eddie closet to grab the last of the clothes.
Eddie pauses before asking, "You put your emergency date shoes the kids told me to never touch in your trunk to give me a box for my perfume?"
Steve shrugs. "Yeah." He stuffs everything down and closes the box, pushing it toward the door. But he's stopped by Eddie's hand on his arm.
"Why?" Eddie asks.
Steve straightens up and puts his hands on his hips. "It's clearly important to you, and I wasn't going to let you forget about it and accidentally throw it again when I'm not there to catch it."
Eddie holds his gaze for a few moments and Steve almost breaks the eye contact, not used to having Eddie's attention directly solely at him. But he feels like that will change in the future.
Eddie shifts and places a hand on Steve's back, leading him to where he placed the box. He picks it up and opens it, slowly unraveling the perfume and staring at it as if debating if he wants to share the story with Steve.
Steve just waits, not wanting to pressure him. Instead, he lets the moment play out.
Eddie breathes out, "It was my mom's."
It hits Steve all at once the implication of the phrase.
"She would wear it all the time. I remember she would put it on once in the morning, once in the afternoon, and once before going to bed. I told her it was silly to do that before bed, but she told me it was only silly if I let it be." Eddie smiles at the memory before growing distant in his expression. "When she got sick, she started forgetting the time more and more. So, I would remind her. And toward the end, I started putting it on her when she felt too weak to spray it."
Steve shifts and lightly rests his hand on Eddie's back as he continues, "I told my dad that she should be buried with it. That she would want to have it with her and wear it all the time." Eddie's voice cracks a bit and he clears his throat. "He told me that was silly."
Steve shifts closer to Eddie so their sides are pressing together, trying to give him physical support because he's unsure of what to say.
Eddie shakes his head and smiles sadly. "I kept it since then. And I used to spray it all the time, and god, the guys at school would make fun of me for smelling like girl's perfume, but I didn't care. But maybe I should've listened to them because now I only have this much left." He holds up the bottle to emphasize his point, the perfume so low that it seems to barely cover the bottom of the glass.
"One time, I brought it to a perfume store to ask what brand it was. I thought maybe I could save up and buy another one." Eddie shakes his head again. "But the lady accused me of stealing it. She said there was no way I would've been able to afford it in the first place. That there was no reason for me to even have it unless I was looking for a cheap buck to make."
Steve's grip on Eddie's back presses a little firmer as he feels anger and disgust toward the woman overflood his system. "That's fucked up."
"A bit, yeah," Eddie agrees. He glances at Steve, and Steve realizes how close they are, but he doesn't try to move away. "Do you want to smell it?"
Steve's brows furrow. "Eddie, there's barely any left in there, don't waste it on me."
Eddie smiles somewhat bashfully. "No, it's alright. I haven't used it in a long time, and after everything we went through, I need the reminder."
"If you're sure, then yes. I would love that."
Eddie holds out his wrist and lightly sprays the perfume. He uses his other wrist to rub it in before he holds it up to Steve's nose. Steve takes a deep breath and is suddenly taken back to a vague memory from a Christmas years and years ago when Steve was too young to succumb to the disappointment from his parents who were still around. But it's a happy memory nonetheless.
"What do you think?" Eddie asks.
Steve smiles softly. "I think your mom had great taste. And it smells really beautiful. I wish I could've met her."
"Me too," Eddie replies softly, staring at the bottle.
-:-:-:-:-:-
"My mom had the same one. Years ago it was gifted to her. I ended up finding the bottle in one of the drawers in her bathroom. It was still in the box, so it wasn't too difficult to find at the store," Steve admits. He holds out his hand and says, "Here. I have to show you something."
Eddie carefully places the perfume back in the box and takes Steve's hand, following him up the stairs and into his room. Steve regrettably lets go of Eddie's hand to pull out a box from under his own bed. He holds it up to Eddie who gasps, "Steve, this must have cost you a fortune."
Steve glances down at the five boxes of perfume and shrugs. "There was a Christmas sale. Plus, I was able to use my Harrington charm a bit."
Eddie grabs the box and carefully sets it on Steve's bed before quickly wrapping his arms around Steve and pulling him in close. "Thank you. God, this is the best gift I've ever gotten."
Steve squeezes him tight. "Same with yours."
They remain in each other's arms for a few moments, not rushing the embrace or questioning how long they're allowed to linger. Only, when Steve starts pulling away, he starts questioning his next move. Because more than anything he wants to kiss Eddie.
The realization hits him hard. He knows exactly now what Robin's glances mean and what she's been expecting him to say. Of course, deep down he knew, but he just hadn't had to face it head-on yet. But here he is and... "Eddie," Steve says softly, lingering in his space.
"Steve," Eddie replies quietly, eyes flickering down to Steve's lips, already knowing what he means.
Steve takes a deep breath, feeling his heart pound in his chest as he asks, "Can I?"
"Hell yes," Eddie replies.
They both move together at the same time, meeting each other in a gentle kiss which they linger in. Steve moves away to breathe and shifts to cup Eddie's face with his hands and bring him in again. He kisses him with all he has, filled with the awe of the thoughtful gift he received, joy of the gift well received, and the overwhelming feeling that this is right.
Steve breaks the kiss with a smile and whispers, "Merry Christmas, Eddie."
"Merry Christmas, Steve," Eddie says breathlessly before kissing him again.
And it really is a merry Christmas.
2K notes · View notes
bvidzsoo · 14 days ago
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Is Santa the new Cupid?
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Author: bvidzsoo
Pairing: Kim Hongjoong x gender neutral reader
❆ Warning: none, no usage of Y/N ❆ Word count: 5.9k ❆ Rating: sfw ❆ Genre: holiday themed, office romance, mutual pinning, brother's best friend, fluff ❆ Summary: With the holiday's rolling around, everyone is in a festive spirit. You're not a huge fan of Christmas, but your brother is, so, he organises a Secret Santa themed party at work. What you don't expect, however, is for him to scheme to try and bring you together with your work crush.
A/N: ~Ho, ho, ho, @hee0soo your Secret Santa is here! ^^ I hope this story is to your liking and that you will enjoy it! As for everyone else, hello, my lovelies! This is a little event I partook in, and I'd like to thank @cromernet for hosting it, being in this server has been nothing but a pleasure! <3 To those who celebrate it, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas, and to those who don't, a well earned rest and an overall joyful time! I hope everyone will enjoy this little piece, and if I don't write anything in the upcoming days, then I wish you a Happy New Year, and I shall see you in the next year! Thank you for being here and for supporting me, for all the feedback and kindness, you make writing a little more pleasant! I'll let you go on and read now, I hope you enjoy! Your feedback is always appreciated! <33 divider
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            The holidays had always been a mess. No matter where you looked, people were stressing about getting the perfect gifts, the most glamorous outfits, the best seasoning for their food, and the most colourful decorations they could get their hands on. The sight was enough to send you into another spiral of why you thought this whole fussing about a celebration—that not everyone celebrates, by the way—was so unnecessary and only damaging your health, raising your cortisol levels. But alas, this is how the world worked, and you couldn’t go against it. Your flat was minimally decorated, and you were still debating whether you’d get a Christmas tree this year or not. There was no point in throwing out money if you weren’t wholeheartedly in tune with the whole holiday
that is unless your nosy brother decides to take over your flat like last year and turn it into a whole Christmas fest. You swear you were finding glitter even a month later in places like your salt shaker and the medical cabinet in your bathroom. Seonghwa loved everything shiny, so when his lovely sibling refused to abide by his wishes, he put his persuasive skills to use and coerced you into the most blinding corset you could have ever found. Which brings us to the current time, with you hiding out in your brother’s office and furiously scrubbing at the stained red glitter. Nothing was working, your co-worker’s red wine would be forever embedded into your pricey piece of clothing.
You didn’t blame him, it was an unfortunate accident. The waiter was walking by with a tray filled with cheese when your co-worker had thrust his hand backwards, calling for a disaster. Which happened mere seconds later when the beverage sloshed all over your chest and the top of the sweetheart neckline of your corset. You sighed as you gave it one last try, perhaps if you put more passion into it then you might be able to make the stain fade a little bit. The fabric of the corset was a bright red and the dark stain was rather visible despite the glittery studs that covered it. You had told Seonghwa that the outfit was a bit too much for an office Christmas party, but he only told you to suck it up and wear it unless you didn’t want to be on theme. Which you were, thanks to your brother, except that seemingly everyone else had gone for more casual or silly outfits, and here were you
wearing a sexy sparkly—now ruined—corset, and some black wide-legged pants that hid the stilettos which matched the colour of your top. With a frustrated groan, you flopped into the chair placed in front of your brother’s desk and closed your eyes, accepting your fate.
You would’ve further ruined the fabric at this point if you kept on scrubbing the way you were, and that would be a waste of Seonghwa’s money
since he was the one to get you this outfit. He was rather pushy this year, it was suspicious, but you didn’t question it. Your brother had always been a bit weird, particular about the things he liked, and a perfectionist in everything he did
but at least he spoiled you well, so you couldn’t really complain. The cacophony of the ongoing party from beyond the door reminded you that you couldn’t hide out in your brother’s office anymore, so you took a deep breath and told yourself that everyone would understand how the stain got there without ridiculing you. Your co-worker already felt terrible for being so clumsy, and you weren’t even mad at him. The door which you had left ajar was suddenly flung open, and your eyes widened when you saw who had walked inside. Great, just what you needed
your work crush to see you in this state of despair when today was supposed to be filled with jolliness. You quickly stood and dusted off your pants out of habit, trying to keep yourself calm and collected
which was something you often failed to do in Kim Hongjoong’s presence.
He wore something similar, suspiciously, and for a millisecond you wondered if this was Seonghwa’s work, who wasn’t just your brother, but also Hongjoong’s best friend. When you say work crush
you mean the longest crush you’ve had on anyone since you’ve been hopelessly pinning on Hongjoong since like
high school. Embarrassing, but you were a few years younger, and Hongjoong was too cool to notice you or regard you as anyone else than his best friend’s younger sibling. Hongjoong’s cat-like eyes widened as the two of you stared at each other wordlessly, and you realized his blazer looked an awful lot like your corset. It was the same shade and had the same sparkly studs, the shoulders were puffed out, and it was cropped, stopping right above Hongjoong’s waist. He had always been stylish, and he loved going all out at events like this one. His long black pants reached below his ankles, and the huge black bow tied around his waist truly elevated the whole look. His satin white shirt was spotless, unlike your stained corset. You wished you had something to cover it with
you supposed perfectionism ran in the family, after all.
“Hi.” Hongjoong broke your wordless staring contest, and you gulped down your nerves, trying to smile at him. You’ve been working together for two years, for God’s sake, you couldn’t freeze anytime Hongjoong even as much as looked at you.
“Hi.” You greeted back lamely, and you were thankful that your voice wasn’t squeaky at least. Hongjoong’s eyes took a quick sweep of your body, and you fought against yourself to keep at bay the blush blooming over your cheeks.
“Is everything okay?” Hongjoong, the ever-considerate guy he was, asked with a concerned look on his face, “I saw you storm off and
I thought maybe something happened.”
How could you not have a crush on this man when he acted like this?
“Oh, I’m alright, don’t worry.” Except that you weren’t exactly, and you knew he could see it on your face, so, you sighed defeated, “Well, okay, Mingi spilt his wine on me and now my corset is stained
and I hate it because everyone can see it.”
You were pouting as you looked down at the darker spot on your corset, and maybe you became a bit sulkier when Hongjoong just chuckled. He looked adorable with his lips curling upward, fighting the urge to outwardly laugh in your face. That was nice of him, you were glad he was nice enough to not make fun of you
not that Hongjoong would make fun of anyone, he was the first one to shut down even the hint of bullying if he came across it.
“Sounds like it’s the end of the world,” Hongjoong teased you, and you rolled your eyes in exchange, “Did you bring a blazer?”
“No,” You shook your head, flopping back down on the chair, “Only a huge fur coat, and I can’t wear that in here
especially since it’s white and people like Mingi exist.”
That made Hongjoong laugh as he nodded, his eyebrows furrowing in thought, “Well, I also suppose you didn’t bring a backup outfit?”
“No, Hongjoong,” You sighed, “Not everyone is as well prepared as you are.”
He hummed knowingly, his office having a wardrobe dedicated to outfits Hongjoong brought in for emergency meetings or occasions. He was well prepared, and most importantly, always well dressed. He had been like that since high school, wearing the edgiest outfits he could find, painting his nails, and experimenting with his hairstyles. Something he hadn’t stopped doing ever since, hence his two-coloured hair at the moment. His middle part was perfect, the left side of his hair bleached blonde while the right side remained a raven black. It looked good on him, too good, and it brought back memories of when he had tried it out for the first time in his final year of college. Just remembering it made you almost blush again, the image of screaming about it into a pillow after running into Hongjoong was still too vivid in your mind.
“Allow me to help you out then, stay here.” Before you could question Hongjoong, he was already out of the room, leaving you alone with your thoughts and a racing heart. What could he possibly have in mind? You had always seen him as a creative person—I mean, he really was considering the fact he was in charge of the graphic design department—and he had never shied away from a little challenge. Except that, he wasn’t facing a challenge right now, and you wondered what he had in mind since it brought that excited glint in his eyes, it happened whenever he thought of something brilliant. Because honestly, all of Hongjoong’s ideas were brilliant. You couldn’t help but admire him for being always ahead of the deadlines and thinking up new innovative ways that made you the best on the market. He was a great asset to your brother’s company, everyone valued and respected Hongjoong for all the dedication and hard work he put into his craft.
You were startled out of your thoughts as Hongjoong returned, holding a satin shirt on a green hanger. He had a grin on his lips as you stood, watching him approach you, ultimately making your heart hammer in your chest.
“So, you can borrow this for the evening.” Hongjoong said with a smile, taking the shirt off the hanger as he came to stand in front of you, “It’ll cover up the stain, and won’t make you feel too warm either.”
“Oh, I
that’s so kind of you, but I can’t accept it—”
“Nonsense,” Hongjoong chuckled, brushing you off without hesitation, “Do you want me to help you wear it?”
That would’ve been really embarrassing, so you quickly shook your head and took the shirt from his hands, your fingers accidentally brushing. Your cheeks were burning, and you avoided looking Hongjoong in the eyes as you carefully wore his shirt, trying to keep your screaming thoughts at bay. This felt like a daydream taken straight out of your teenage years. The seventeen-year-old you would be fainting right now if they were to know this would happen years later, even if Hongjoong wasn’t your boyfriend. The fabric was soft and didn’t feel suffocating, and you tried to ignore Hongjoong’s expensive cologne that seemed to cling to it. It had a hint of sweetness in it, but it was rather masculine and woody otherwise. And despite your family being gifted by the gods of height, you didn’t inherit that gene, which made you smaller than even Hongjoong, who wasn’t the tallest of people. The sleeves of the shirt covered your fingers, only your sparkly red nails visible—which was another scheme pulled by Seonghwa. You rarely did your nails red, let alone sparkly.
“Thank you, Hongjoong.” You said quietly, trying not to chew on your bottom lip since it would ruin your lipgloss, making your teeth tinted. And then, as if your heart wasn’t about to malfunction already, Hongjoong stepped closer to adjust the collar of his shirt. You froze and peeked up at him through your eyelashes, watching as a soft smile appeared on his lips. A few black strands fell into his eyes, and you could tell he had used a bit of dark eyeshadow to sharpen his eyes more, giving it depth. His skin was perfect and his pretty lips were red from the cherry lip balm he’s been using since forever.
“There, now it’s perfect,” Hongjoong muttered more to himself, still smoothing down the collar as he started helping you button up the shirt since you had forgotten you were supposed to do that in the first place. Your fingers trembled slightly from the adrenaline rush in your system, and you bit your bottom lip when your knuckles brushed against Hongjoong’s as your hands met while doing the buttons. Hongjoong huffed in amusement, then grabbed your arms to look at the sleeves. You watched him as you let him do as he wished, and he rolled up the sleeve twice so that it would fit you nicely. He looked gorgeous from up close, especially when he was in his element, doing what he liked the most. Sometimes you wondered why he hadn’t become a stylist, his vision was so beautiful, and you had seen the sketches he had made recently. You just knew his brand would be successful all around the world, his designs delicate and modest, but elegant and full of glamour. Now that the shirt was all done, all you had to do was put the hem inside your pants so that you didn’t look like you had just gotten out of bed and borrowed your boyfriend’s clothes.
You blushed even harder at the thought of Hongjoong being your boyfriend, and you were alarmed to find him already looking at you when you peeked at him. Hongjoong’s ears were redder than before, and he had a sheepish smile on his face. His cheeks were dusted a light pink too, and you wondered if his heart was racing as much as yours. You cleared your throat to thank him for his help when there was a loud knock on the open door, making you both jump. Hongjoong whirled around and awkwardly put some distance between you and himself as Seonghwa’s otherwise round eyes were now sharp and narrowed, a knowing smirk on his lips.
“Would you look at that! The two who were missing from the party, fraternizing in my office
” Seonghwa’s tone had a hint of teasing in it as he raised an eyebrow, his eyes slipping from you to his best friend. Hongjoong laughed awkwardly and rubbed his nape, throwing you a glance before he looked back at Seonghwa.
“I was just—”
“Is that Hongjoong’s shirt?” Seonghwa didn’t let his best friend speak as he pointed at you, now both eyebrows raised in surprise. You nodded, ready to explain yourself, but Seonghwa clearly didn’t care, “Did I miss something? Either way, it looks lovely on you, dear, even if it’s a bit too
roomy?”
“Seonghwa—”
Clearly, when your brother had set his mind onto something, he just wouldn’t listen to anyone, “I’m all for offering my office up to those in need, but maybe you should use Hongjoong’s the next time you want to cosy up. In fact—I might even give you, dear, an office. You’ve earned it after the year we had.”
You narrowed your eyes at your brother, opening your mouth to speak up, but he raised his hand, “Come on now, I’m about to make my speech and you’ll have to swap your presents.”
Right, the presents
for the person you had randomly picked out of a small vase. And that person was
Hongjoong, as cliché as that sounds. You cleared your throat as Seonghwa turned his back to you and Hongjoong, who gave you a curt nod and followed after his best friend in order to give you privacy so you could fix the shirt. You took a deep breath and stuffed the fabric into your pants, glad that you had worn a belt since it cut the outfit in half nicely.
The company was packed with employees, everyone looking excited as Seonghwa made his way towards the fake podium he had giddily asked Hongjoong to make for him. He had a microphone and everything to make it more enjoyable for him, all placed in front of the massive Christmas tree that had been a hassle to get inside the office, but also to decorate. Your brother’s company wasn’t huge, and that was exactly why it worked so well. Everyone was eager to move forward and make something bigger than them, so the community was tight-knit and hard-working. You were on the sales team, not quite in the leader position yet, but you were getting there. You enjoyed what you did and that was all that mattered, plus, the paycheck was pretty nice. And anytime you didn’t like something, you could always bug the CEO until he finally gave in to you
those were the perks of involving your family with your business, much to Seonghwa’s dismay at times.
You took your place behind your tallest co-workers, who were huddled together and watching something on Yunho’s phone. The waiter walked towards you and handed you a glass of champagne to toast with once your brother was done with his speech, and you couldn’t help but grin when Hongjoong came to stand next to you. He returned your grin, and when you looked away, he continued to stare at you with adoration, thinking to himself how cute you looked wearing his shirt. Hongjoong quickly shook his head to clear his thoughts and focus on his best friend, who was standing on the podium made by him, grinning from ear to ear.
“Thank you, everyone, for attending this little party. I am more than elated to announce that we have come close to another end of year where I can confidently say our company’s been doing better than ever. I am proud and happy to have a team so dedicated as you guys, and I hope the next year holds even greater things for us. Maybe the next party will be held on a private island, at the company’s expense, of course.” People chuckled around you, everyone was well aware you weren’t doing that well yet, but that was the goal. Mingi noticed you stood behind him and gave you a pout, making you pat his shoulder as Yunho glanced between you and Hongjoong, then grinned, “We’ve had our ups and downs this year, perhaps have faced even more challenges than before, but with everyone’s help, we pushed through and made the biggest profit of the company so far. I truly am so proud of each one of you, because, without you, I wouldn’t be standing here, able to live the dreams I’ve had since I was a kid. Before I end my speech, I’d like to especially thank Kim Hongjoong for bringing in our biggest partner, and for having great ideas that pushed our company towards success. When we were teenagers, everything that we have today was just a far-fetched dream, and now
we have it, Hongjoong, we did it, brother. I think it’s time we celebrate as we should.”
Everyone cheered as you watched your brother get teary-eyed, looking at Hongjoong with deep respect and love on his face. Hongjoong raised his glass of champagne and tipped it in Seonghwa’s direction, his composure collected, but you could see he had gotten a bit teary-eyed too. You smiled fondly as you watched your brother run his fingers through his long hair, a habit when he was nervous, and then he raised his glass, prompting the others to do so as well.
“Let us celebrate now, but please don’t mess up the electricity wiring like last year, I still have no idea how that happened
” Everyone looked amused as Seonghwa shook his head, then tipped his champagne back, and you followed as you took an experimental sip. It was a bit bitter and too bubbly, but you took a larger gulp out of respect for Seonghwa, “And now, let us open the presents! I hope nobody forgot whose Secret Santa they were!”
Right, the dreaded moment had come. You handed your glass of champagne to Yunho when you noticed he was already finished with his, and he gave you a wink as he quickly downed your champagne too. Now that the moment everyone had been waiting for came, you all migrated towards the big round table that was littered with gifts inside wrapping paper and small winter-themed bags. Yours was a smaller package with a blue font and white snowflakes on it, placed right in the middle of the table. You waited until you made it closer to the table, then leaned over to grab it with sweaty hands. You were nervous, but you were more scared that Hongjoong would hate his present. You truly hoped he didn’t, but then again, even if he did, you’d never be able to tell
Hongjoong had a great poker face. You turned around and looked for him, only to find him already approaching you. Surely, he wasn’t
wait, you quickly looked towards your brother, who was already watching you with an amused smirk. God, this is why you didn’t like telling Seonghwa anything about your crushes
he had always meddled, even back in high school.
You wanted the earth to eat you up as Hongjoong smiled at you sweetly, looking a bit embarrassed as he came to stand in front of you, “So, uh, we meet again.”
God, he could be so awkward at times, you chuckled embarrassed, “Right, as if we weren’t standing next to each other a second ago.”
But you weren’t better either, Mingi and Yunho, who had also somehow picked each other, snorted as they passed by you and Hongjoong, having overheard your conversation. Gosh, this was so embarrassing, you wanted to flip Seonghwa off and then drag him to his office and lecture him. You were pretty sure this wasn’t done by accident, there was no way on earth both Hongjoong and you had picked each other randomly.
“So, I know you don’t like the whole holiday season that much, but uhm, Merry Christmas.” Hongjoong handed you his gift with both hands, his eyes twinkling with excitement, and suddenly you didn’t hate the thought of gift-giving and receiving that much. You took your gift and handed him his.
“Merry Christmas, Hongjoong, and thank you for the gift too.” It felt awkward standing like that there, facing each other like two strangers, so you took your courage in your hands and stepped forward to hug him. Hongjoong’s eyes widened once he realised your intention, but he opened his arms as you came to hold his torso, making sure you wouldn’t dirty his blazer with your makeup despite it being transfer-proof. You could feel your heart hammer against your chest, and you hoped Hongjoong couldn’t feel it as he embraced you, holding you close as suddenly slow music started playing through the speakers. You knew it was Seonghwa’s doing because you could practically feel his eyes on you, but you ignored your annoying brother and focused on Hongjoong’s warmth instead. But to your surprise, he started slowly swaying the two of you to the rhythm of the song, humming next to your ear. You were both still holding your gifts, and the distance between your bodies made it a little awkward, but you weren’t about to say anything. Hongjoong has never held you like this before, you felt like you were soaring through the sky right now as you tried not to inhale loudly, hoping his scent would never leave your nostrils.
“We might as well dance since we are already embracing
” Hongjoong muttered and you hummed, stepping closer so that you could hold each other better. Your face was beat red and your stomach was doing back flips, but you were smiling so widely your cheeks hurt. You couldn’t be too sure that Hongjoong liked you back, there were small moments when he had tried getting closer or did something that was beyond a friendly gesture, but you didn’t want to face heartbreak in case this was just a one-sided crush
which it most probably was. You didn’t really think he’d finally notice you after all those years you had known each other, you also didn’t think you were much his type. He had always dated people who were like him, creative and basically in love with life, happy to be alive and ready to discover everything. You were more of the quiet type, content with living a comfortable life and never going out of your way to do too much. You liked your space and security, planning ahead and having a vision that would help you stay aligned with your purpose and wishes. Hongjoong wasn’t as organised and he went with the flow, unafraid and unapologetic. And despite the two of you being so different, you couldn’t help but find him the most interesting person you had ever come across.
            After an hour or so of dancing and enjoying your time with your co-workers, you were ready to take a breather. It was too cold outside and you were too overheated to go out, you couldn’t risk catching a cold right around the holidays, so you went back to the round table and took a seat, reaching for a clean cup to pour some peach juice for yourself. You didn’t get the chance to open your gift from Hongjoong yet, so, you grabbed it off the table again and looked through it, your eyes widening when you realised what Hongjoong had gotten for you. You had a bunny at home, a sweet little white thing called Star because it was supposed to be Seonghwa’s initially, but he had discovered he was allergic to her, so he had to give her away. Seonghwa and you had always loved bunnies, so your brother knew she was in safe hands with you. And Hongjoong, the always thoughtful person, had bought various treats for your little Star. But that wasn’t everything, a pink princess costume was packed neatly inside the bag as well, making you grin from ear to ear. Star would look lovely in that, Seonghwa will absolutely love it too once you send him pictures.
But that wasn’t all as you reached inside to grab the small jewellery box, your mouth felt a little bit dry. You paused and looked around, wanting to make sure no one was watching you, but secretly you were also looking for Hongjoong. He was on the dance floor, entertaining Yunho and Mingi who were spinning him around. Hongjoong’s cheeks were red and he kept laughing, the contagious sound reached your ears and made you smile as something warm spread through your chest. Gosh, sometimes you really wish you didn’t have a crush on the most adorable man in the whole world. Glancing back down at your last gift, you braced yourself and opened it up, only for your jaw to drop open. There, in the dainty box, sat a rose gold necklace with a diamond pendant. It wasn’t the fact that Hongjoong had gifted you a diamond necklace that made your heart race, but the fact that you’ve always wanted one in this style. Maybe some would consider you shallow, but you have always liked diamonds. They were gorgeous in the light, and if the stone wasn’t too big, it looked gorgeous. You gulped, suddenly overwhelmed with emotions because you had been mentioning the fact that you’d want to buy yourself a diamond necklace once you could afford it ever since you were just a little kid. To be fair, you had always thought Seonghwa would be the one to surprise you and gift you this, but coming from Hongjoong
you tried to gulp down the lump in your throat.
This wasn’t helping with your one-sided crush, because now all you wanted to do was run up to Hongjoong and kiss him while you cried. The fact that he had even paid enough attention to remember your biggest wish managed to knock you breathless, you needed a second to gather yourself. Your hands shook slightly as you raised it to your eyes, taking in the pendant, and admiring its beauty. It was perfect. The same size and shape you had always envisioned, it was modest and gorgeous. You released a shuddering breath just as you realised someone was approaching you, and your eyes were a little watery as you looked up. Seonghwa had a soft smile on his lips as he walked up to you, and then crouched down in front of you.
“Hey,” He greeted you softly, looking down at the necklace in your hands. He didn’t even seem surprised, he looked pleased as he hummed, looking back up at you, “You opened your presents, I see. I bet you love it, don’t you?”
“It’s a diamond necklace, Hwa,” You whispered, eyes widening slightly, “From Hongjoong. This is
crazy. I know I’ve been mentioning it for ages, but I didn’t think that he
”
Seonghwa raised his eyebrows at you as you trailed off, seemingly lost for words, “That he was listening? Hongjoong has always paid attention to you, dear.”
Really? Was that true? Seonghwa wouldn’t lie to you, you felt your heart race all of a sudden. Seonghwa reached out and took the necklace from your hands, walking around you once he stood up. He pulled your hair to the side and clipped the necklace in place, making you reach up to touch the pendant. It was the perfect length too, why was Hongjoong so perfect when he couldn’t even be yours? You sniffed and willed your tears to go away, pouting a little as Seonghwa walked around to come face-to-face with you again. He grinned and grabbed your hands, pulling you up.
“Don’t cry, you’ll ruin your pretty makeup,” He teased you with a wink and you groaned, bottling your feelings up for later, when you were alone and in the safety of your apartment, where only Star could witness your crying session, “I know it’s not technically Christmas yet and that we’ll see each other back home in less than three days for the annual feast, but I got you a present too.”
See, there was no denying that Seonghwa and you were siblings. You grinned and reached inside your pants pocket, grabbing the Spa Coupon you had gotten for him.
“You deserve to relax, you’ve done a lot for the company.” Seonghwa patted your head, messing up your hair a little bit in true brother fashion, “And you can’t use your phone while you’re there, dear, that’s not how you relax.”
Seonghwa handed over the small ticket, and you stared at it for a second before you burst out laughing. His eyebrows furrowed as he watched you, but then his face turned incredulous before he started laughing too once you handed him your gift for him. Seonghwa had bought you a Spa Coupon too, from the same place you had bought his too. You laughed as you waved your coupons at each other, already knowing you’d get a scolding from your mother for not being a bit more creative with your gifts.
“Wait, don’t tell me you got one for mom too
” Seonghwa trailed off, his eyes widening slightly.
“Let me guess, you got one for dad too?” You raised an eyebrow and Seonghwa nodded innocently, prompting you to shake your head as you both snickered.
“Well, seems like we’ll be spending some quality time as a family over the break.” Seonghwa grinned, pocketing his coupon, and then he placed his hands behind his back, looking somewhere behind you.
“Ugh, great, now mom won’t get off my back about me finding a boyfriend somehow finally.” You grimaced, not keen on going home only to listen to your mother’s nagging. She never stopped asking, never stopped trying to set you up on blind dates. It was annoying because she never did that for Seonghwa
at least you had a crush, he couldn’t even bother with that.
“Speaking of boyfriends
” Seonghwa wriggled his eyebrows and you groaned, ready to deny whatever he was about to say, but it wasn’t what you were expecting, “Did you notice you were sitting under a mistletoe?”
“What?” You muttered, looking up confused. Now how the hell did that get there? If you reckon correctly, it wasn’t there like half an hour ago, you had come to the table to grab a drink and it wasn’t there, so how—Seonghwa. The answer was always Seonghwa, “I swear to God, Hwa, you’re my brother. What are you plotting? I refuse to peck even as much as your cheek.”
“I won’t even get a hug?” Seonghwa fake pouted, his eyes glinting wickedly. Nothing good came when Seonghwa had that look in his eyes, you gulped nervously.
“No, now—”
“Fine.” Seonghwa sighed exaggeratedly, “Hate me all you want, but I’m the best brother in the world. If you won’t show me some love, I know exactly who else you could cheer up right now—Hongjoong, can you come over for a little bit?!”
Your eyes widened and you whacked Seonghwa in the chest, turning around frantically. Oh no, Hongjoong was already approaching with a skip in his step, unassuming of what he was walking up to. His cheeks were flushed and his hair was deliciously brushed back, his blazer gone and the top buttons of his shirt undone.
“Yeah? You need something?” He called as he walked around the table and Seonghwa stepped aside, making your eyes widen.
“Sure, come here for a second,” Seonghwa said nonchalantly, and by the time you opened your mouth to tell Hongjoong not to fall for Seonghwa’s trap, it was too late. Seonghwa stepped aside and lightly pushed Hongjoong towards you, making both of you panic as you grabbed Hongjoong’s arm so he wouldn’t accidentally fall.
“What—”
“Attention, everyone!” Seonghwa called loudly, shouting over the music, and you were terrified. Hongjoong looked rather confused and looked at you for an answer that you couldn’t formulate at the moment, “We have our first couple under the mistletoe for the night! Now, kiss!”
Everyone was watching the two of you now, and you wanted to strangle Seonghwa as he smirked at you pleased, throwing him a wink when Hongjoong gave your brother a flabbergasted look. He slowly looked up, then back at you, and you started sweating.
“Uhm, we don’t have to, obviously. This tradition is silly, I don’t—”
But it was too late, the whole office was chanting, “Kiss, kiss, kiss!”
Hongjoong had turned red in the face, it went down even to his neck. He gulped and chuckled awkwardly, and you felt horrible. Of course, he wouldn’t want to kiss you, this was terrible and you felt humiliated. Just as you were about to excuse yourself and run off, Hongjoong cleared his throat.
“Well, this isn’t how I wished for our first kiss to happen, but
” He motioned around himself, at all the people staring at you expectantly, “May I kiss you?”
“You—I’m sorry, but—you want to kiss me?” You sputtered out, feeling a bit lightheaded.
“I’ve wanted to for ages.” Hongjoong chuckled and scratched the back of his head. He was blushing and so were you, your heart thudding in your chest as Hongjoong licked his lips, waiting for your answer.
“Yes, okay, yeah, kiss me, Hongjoong.” Damn Seonghwa and everyone else for cheering upon hearing your words, but maybe it was worth it as Hongjoong giggled while leaning in, his eyes fluttering closed. His lips were soft and tasted like cherry, and you felt like pudding as your lips locked in an innocent peck that lasted for a second too long. You felt like a teenager all over again, and if seventeen years old you could catch a glimpse into the future and see this exact moment, she’d definitely pass out.
“So, do you want to go on a date tomorrow?”
“God, yes, Hongjoong, please.”
Yeah, seventeen-year-old you would not survive this.
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dazzlerwriting · 24 days ago
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let your heart be light
Robert ‘Bob’ Floyd x reader
prompts: Caught under the mistletoe
song: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas by Frank Sinatra
summary: after 8 months of pining, fate works in your favor to get you and the shy WSO together. or maybe it was rooster who got you two together? who’s to say!!
warnings: no use of y/n, but there is the nickname “Mouse”so much fluff you’ll get a cavity. there are switches between you and bob’s pov, but its shown with a divider! mentions of alcohol and food. no descriptors besides she/her pronouns! no smut but as always 18+
wc: 3.1k
a/n: wow i have been stuck with this. but its pushed me to do new things and i had so much fun! i absolutely love the holidays. i hope you love mouse and bob<3 this is for @lewmagoo ‘s holiday celebration. thank you for letting me be apart of it, and i hope you have the happiest of holidays!
“Shit! Mouse can you hand me another piece of tape? This piece of garland will not stay up.” With a laugh, you jog to where Penny is standing on the pool table, a dejected look across her face.
For the last 8 months, you've been working at the Hard Deck as a bartender for Penny, your mom’s wonderful best friend, who knew you needed a job to help with school. This week though, Penny asked if you could put down the cocktail shakers for tinsel because TOP GUN is having its annual holiday party.
Tinsel & a dried orange garland is hung in between the coffee mugs hanging from the ceiling, a table by the fireplace has been replaced with a Christmas tree with fighter jet ornaments, the warm-toned string lights hung around the entire inside have been replaced with multi-colored Christmas lights, and mistletoe is placed sporadically per request of Bradley & Natasha. The outside of the bar has also been decorated to look like a Hallmark movie. You two spent multiple days after work putting Christmas lights around the outside of the building, an inflatable snow globe that says “Happy Holidays” outside by the nautical ship wheel, and getting garland strung along the railing on the side deck.
After putting the finishing touches on decorations, you take a step back & take it all in. You’ve been struggling this year, as it is your last full year of your master's degree program: so many appointments, meetings, critiques, and an abundance of schoolwork. You’ve barely had the chance to live this year. This last week of decorating has allowed you to breathe, despite it being considered work. Being at the Hard Deck, around people you consider friends always fills you with warmth, especially when you see a certain sandy blonde, bespectacled WSO.
Over the 8 months of working at the bar, you and Bob have become somewhat friends, always making conversation whenever he needs a break from the other members of the Dagger Squad, learning about each other a little bit more each time he comes to get some peanuts. You would be lying to yourself if you said you weren’t harboring feelings for him, in fact you think it’s pretty obvious to maybe everyone besides Bob. Penny, Natasha, Jake, and even Maverick calling you out on your crush. They took to calling you “Mouse” because you scurry away so fast after interacting with Bob, like a mouse who just got some cheese. Always leaving the conversations so fast when they’re done, filled with warmth and a bit of worry that maybe you said something embarrassing.
With a sigh and a slight smile, you walk out to your car and head home. The moment your head hits your pillow, images of the quiet WSO pop into your head, dreams of a life together surrounded by love
✩ .  âș   . ✩ .  âș   . ✩
Bob has spent the past two hours trying to make these chocolate-covered marshmallows, look like the cutest reindeer and grinches anyone has ever seen. He knows he shouldn’t be putting this much effort into something people will be too tipsy to notice. He wants to impress you though. When he first saw you behind the bar at the Hard Deck, he became smitten. He remembers stumbling over his words while ordering a ginger ale, and the blinding smile you gave him, which showed no judgment. Since then, you have consumed his thoughts, dreams, and even conversations with Natasha.
Every weekend, he would gaze across the bar longingly at you, until Natasha inevitably forced him out of his seat to talk to you. She always tells him you like him back, trying to get him to make a move, but he never fully believes her. The conversations he has with you, flow like you two have known each other for years. They leave him with a warmth that could rival the warmth of a hot chocolate. He wants them to last forever, but he just cannot work up the courage to make a move.
So here he is, the night before the party, putting tiny details on little chocolate-covered marshmallows, in the hope that maybe it will start a conversation with you.
When he finally finishes the little snacks, he gets ready for bed. He finds himself thinking about you and what a life with you by his side would look like. Bob falls asleep with a slight smile on his lips, the nervousness about tomorrow replaced by a feeling of love.
✩ .  âș   . ✩ .  âș   . ✩
The next day, you wake up and feel excitement rush through your veins. Despite having to work for half the party, you can’t wait to be surrounded by some of your favorite people. You put on your holiday playlist and hum along to Frank Sinatra’s Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas while you get ready for the night. You have to be at the bar a bit earlier than usual, the holiday drink menu takes a little time to prepare, and you also want to help Penny with any last-minute things she might need done. After putting the finishing touches on your makeup, you slip on the red velvet dress you bought for the occasion. The white lace on the cuffs and neckline give it the look of Mrs. Claus, which you thought was perfect for tonight. Slipping on your shoes and grabbing your keys, you make your way to the bar, the joy you felt from this morning never dying down.
Once at the bar, you immediately rush to where Penny is carrying a box of holiday glasses.
“Oh my, hold on Penny let me grab those from you!” Once she sees you, she immediately lets out a sigh of relief and a little huff of a laugh, “Thank you Mouse, I thought I was going to have to sit out here and wait for someone to help.” She grabs the door for you, and you both walk in, stopping for a moment to take in the sight of the lights and decorations. “We did a good job with this place, I don’t think I’ve ever seen it look so
 joyful,” She said with a loving look. Looking over at her, you can’t help but be extremely thankful for her, and glad to be in the presence of someone so strong and lovely.
You put the box on the bar and start prepping drinks for the party, a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages the two of you made the day prior. After getting the pitchers of drinks from the back and to the fridge under the bar, you help Penny set up the food station with what you two already have, knowing that some of the TOP GUN members planned to bring their own dishes. Finally, when the prepping is over, you hear the door open and see Bradley, Jake, Mickey, and Javy walk in with bright smiles. You smile back at them as they make their way up to the bar, “Happy Holidays gentleman! Coyote, Rooster, you can sit the food over on that table over there!” Pointing to the table near the jukebox, you turn towards Jake and Mickey with a cheerful smile on your face, “What can I do for you?” Looking over the holiday drink menu, Jake turns back to you with that permanently plastered smirk on his face, “Happy holidays Mouse, can I get a nice cup of the spiked eggnog?” You nod, listening to the others tell you what they want, you move to get it all out of the fridge. As soon as you do you watch Natasha and Bob walk in.
Stopping in your tracks, you take in Bob’s look for the night. He’s ditched the khaki uniform for a red velvet jacket over a white shirt, and a nice pair of jeans, which is doing wonders for his legs. You realize then, that the two of you are matching. You also notice he’s got a plate of what looks like really cute marshmallows, jesus as if he couldn’t get more endearing. Standing mouth agape and eyes wide open, you hear someone clear their throat, and you’re snapped out of your thoughts. Blinking rapidly, you go back to what you were doing and get the drinks ready for the guys while Natasha and Bob make their way up to the bar.
While you're handing the guys their drinks, Natasha takes in the sight of your outfit, looks at Bob’s outfit, and then turns back to you with bright eyes, a smirk making its way onto her face, “Happy holidays Mouse! Looks like you and Bob here are matching tonight!” Before Bob can notice, you shoot her a sharp glare that drops as soon as you meet Bob’s eyes, a smile that reaches your eyes replacing it. “Happy Holidays Mouse,” Bob says while fidgeting with his hands. He seems to have a slight blush across his cheeks, and for a minute you think he might be just as flustered as you.
“Happy Holidays you two, see any drinks that catch your eye?” You make eye contact with Bob as you ask the question, but soon you break it if only to hide the obvious affection shining in them. Bob and Natasha look over the little menus put out, and he asks with a gentle smile “Can I get a cup of the non-alcoholic punch?” You nod your head and wait for Natasha to give her order, and as soon as she does you’re getting the drinks ready and put in front of them.
With one last shy smile shared between you and Bob, you let him know where he can put the snacks he brought, and you watch as they make their way over to other members of the Dagger Squad. Wistfully sighing as you watch more members of TOP GUN start pouring in, the Christmas music playing drowned out by laughter and friendly competition. Tonight will be busy for sure, but the love and joyfulness that surrounds the bar is worth the exhaustion you know you’ll be facing at the end of the night.
✩ .  âș   . ✩ .  âș   . ✩
When Bob walked into the Hard Deck, he was sure his heart was going to jump out of his chest at the sight of you. You look so gorgeous in the red velvet dress, that shockingly matches his outfit and a cheeriness that put a smile on even Tom Kazansky’s face. It wasn’t until Rooster snapped at him, that he realized he was staring. After the formalities at the bar, he knew he was going to be counting down the minutes until he could talk to you again. He watched as you talked to those coming up the bar, and made their drinks with skills he couldn’t even imagine. He daydreams about days of cooking your food while you finish school work on the couch, and spending the rest of the night cuddled up watching movies together. Natasha only makes a few comments about his staring, she already knows he plans to ask you on a date tonight so she doesn’t feel the need to push him too hard. Soon he watches as the last of TOP GUN piles into the bar, and as you finally get to take a breather.
✩ .  âș   . ✩ .  âș   . ✩
After the last member comes in, Penny nods, letting you know you can enjoy the party. Walking out from behind the bar, you go to the snack table to grab a few things. Once you have a bit of food on your plate, you make your way pool table where the Dagger squad has taken up their usual spots. You greet them all with a wide smile and stand beside Bob.
“Hi Mouse, you look lovely tonight.” You look down at yourself and fidget with the plate in your hands before looking back up at him, “Hi Bob, you look handsome tonight, I mean not that you don’t every night but the jacket is a nice touch.” You realize you’re starting to ramble so you let out a huff of laughter, “Sorry, you also look lovely tonight Bob.” You look at him and his features have softened, and his smile is so wide you wonder if it hurts. “Thank you, so tell me about your week,” the two of you fall into the flow of conversation. You tell him all about setting up the bar for tonight, and he tells you about teaching the new TOP GUN recruits this week. While he’s talking you take a look at the little snack you saw him bring in, realizing all the little details put onto the marshmallows.
“Bob did you decorate these??” You ask with wide eyes, realizing he must have spent hours on them. “I did, are they good? I wanted to make sure they were at least cute enough, despite them being eaten,” he says with a bashful smile. “They’re amazing! I mean the little hat on the Grinch? It’s so so cute!” You take a bite and let out a little moan at how good it tastes, but when you look back up that blush is back on his face, pupils dilated, and the tips of his ears are red.
Once you finish eating the plate you brought over, you set it on the table and turn back towards Bob. At that very moment, Bradley has decided he needs a lot of space for the pool game he’s taking part in. You and Bob are shoved a bit over, and he grabs your arms to steady you, and you gaze into each other’s eyes for a minute. The spell is broken by Natasha coughing and pointing up. You both look up and
 oh. You’re standing right under the mistletoe. Looking back at Bob, he’s already staring back at you, then to your lips, and back to your eyes. You feel a shiver run down your spine. With a shy look, he begins to speak, “Mouse is it alright if I kiss you?” You can barely hear him over the chattering and music, but you do hear him. You nod your head and lean in.
When your lips meet it’s like everyone else in the bar has disappeared, the chattering and music are far away, the twinkle of the Christmas lights illuminate your closed eyes, and you taste the holiday punch he had been drinking. The tension in your body leaves, and you feel like you’re dreaming. The only way you know you are not is you can feel his hand on the back of your neck lightly massaging there.
Once you two pull away, the sounds of the squad cheering fade back in, and you hide your face in the crook of his neck. When you hear Natasha snap at them, you pull your head out and look up at Bob.
“Hi,” he says with a slight giggle, which seems to be contagious because soon you’re giggling as well. “Hi,” you reply when the giggles seem to die down. Your eyes trace his facial features and you fix his glasses back to their original position, a nervous smile playing on your lips.
Bob looks into your eyes and he seems a bit nervous, “I feel like I'm doing this backward, but I really like you, and I have since I saw you working behind the bar for the first time. Do you think maybe I could take you out on a date tomorrow?”
You tilt your head to the side, a kind smirk playing on your lips as you play with the hair on the nape of his neck, “Of course Bobby. Seeing you every week has been the highlight of my year, and you make me feel like the only person in the room whenever we talk. So of course, I would love to go on a date with you.”
Right as you finish speaking, you hear Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas carry through the bar. You two look into each other’s eyes, your breathing has slowed down, and you start to sway to the song. You know it’s not the most conventional thing but with Bob holding your waist, and a smile on his face, it feels right.
As the song plays you decide to think back on this year.
“Have yourself a merry little Christmas, let your heart be light”
Smiling softly, you decide this might be the best Christmas you’ve had. You feel as though there’s only you and Bob in the room. You feel like a weight is off of you as you lose yourself in the dance.
“From now on, our troubles will be out of sight”
Next year, you will have your master's degree and you can finally rest. You think about how with Bob by your side it doesn’t seem all that hard. You’re excited for what the future holds for the first time in forever.
“Here we are as in olden days, happy golden days of yore”
Being surrounded by these people who you have come to cherish, you get thrown back to your childhood and the warmth you felt with family at Christmas. How Christmas felt so carefree at the time, and so full of love.
As the song continues, you and Bob slowly move to holding hands and standing next to the rest of the dagger squad, who seem to all be feeling the song. They’re all singing and swaying while holding onto each other.
“Faithful friends who are dear to us, gather near to us, once more.”
Looking around you’ve never felt so surrounded by love. You’ve come to find a family in the best of the best.
“Through the years, we all will be together if the fates allow.”
You look at Bob and see a future of more holidays spent wrapped up in each other and the love of friends, you trust their skills as pilots, and trust that fate will keep you together.
“Hang a shining star upon the highest bough and have yourself a merry little Christmas now”
The lights in the bar twinkle around you all as you all gather around each other saying goodbye and happy holidays. The star on top of the tree in the bar reflects on you all and leaves you feeling warm inside. The smile on your face never goes away as you look at Bob with his friends.
When he comes back to you, you’re fiddling with your dress and you look at him with adoration, “Would you like to come over and watch a movie while we drink hot chocolate?”
He leans in and gives you another kiss, and it’s just as breathtaking as the first one. “Of course,” he says with a hint of breathlessness. When the two of you walk out holding hands, you look up to the night sky and realize this will be the first Merry Christmas you’ve had in a while.
✩ .  âș   . ✩ .  âș   . ✩
tagging: @floydsmuse @sometimesanalice @lunatygerqueen
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aishi-toru · 14 days ago
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YOU'RE MY WISHLIST! ♡
⟡ synopsis ─ gojo satoru's the man who seems to be everywhere you go, whether it be within the comfort of your own home or miles away from the place. well, guess what happens when you show up looking a little too fine at your college's annual christmas eve party?
êŁ‘à§Ž content ─ MDNI, brother'sbsf!satoru / collegesenior!satoru x afab!reader, reader is suguru's younger sister, no use of y/n, reader can't escape him, suggestive content, reader is in love w/ gojo (and vice versa), intentional use of lowercase, usage of pet names e.g baby, pretty, good girl, etc., smut in the form of fingering, and probably more idk
◖word count — 2.6k
☆ credits ─ live laugh love @anitalenia 4 the gorgeous divider <3 no specific inspiration for this fic, just felt like writing one fueled by my christmas spirit (i have never celebrated christmas in my life, so if u caught me lacking, no u didn't!)
꩜ author's note ─ first fic ever & ofc it's ft. my man !! i'm not v satisfied with this work and it was really rushed towards the end, so feedback is much appreciated :3 merry xmas to all those celebrating and happy holidays ♡ title's from "a nonsense christmas" by sabrina carpenter :3
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when you left home for college, you were certain you’d outrun the real-life horrors of your past— your parents' scoldings, the shitty food served at your school's cafeteria, the fake people you were surrounded by, and most importantly, your brother's best friend, gojo satoru, who just seemed to get finer with every single passing day.
the man was, for some reason, genetically white-haired all over. yeah, he had albinism, but god, the sight of him was no less than breath-taking. his sparkling, cerulean orbs, which glowed mesmerizingly both under the moonlight and the sun, seemed more and more enchanting with each passing moment. as the years went by with him by your brother's side, you told yourself to look away, refusing to acknowledge the feelings that flickered inside whenever you saw him. you did whatever you could to let go of them— tried to distract yourself with the shittiest of boyfriends, avoided him at school, locked yourself up in your room whenever he came over to hang out with your brother, you name it.
however, it seemed that luck hated, no, despised your embrace no matter how much you yearned for it, considering how the menace was always hovering around, inserting himself into your life at the most inconvenient moments. you're rehearsing for a school play in an empty classroom? the next thing you know, he has an arm propped around your shoulder and smiling at you in the most stupidly handsome way ever with a lollipop in his mouth as he asks you to just... practice with him around. oh, you're trying to get him off of you now? he'll steal your script before you can escape him and raise his hand up as high in the air as possible so you can't reach it. "hey, give it back!" you exclaim, only to be met by a smug smirk on his face and the most annoying "nuh-uh." he completely refuses unless you promise to not kick him out until the practice session is over.
you're walking back home with your brother, suguru? oops, gojo is there too! he's ruffling your hair no matter how pissed you get and yell at him; he only finds joy and pleasure in seeing you in this enraged state. whether he was a sadist, masochist, or simply insane, you did not know.
so, starting college felt like stepping into freedom. no more conversations centered around satoru, no more being so pissed you lose your voice from screaming, and no more late-night sob sessions everytime he got a new girlfriend.
however, it seemed that you'd forgotten that the stars didn't quite align for you, and the universe had decided to remind you of that very fact by ensuring that satoru received enough distinctions to be able to transfer universities. oh, and of course, the one he'd chosen just had to be the one you'd decided to spend the next 4 years of your life in. it wasn't until after you’d moved into your dorm and started your classes that you found out.
the first time you saw him around campus, you were freaked the fuck out. nevertheless, you simply assumed he was visiting a friend or relative and dismissed the sight.
however, much to your dismay, you discovered that he was, in fact, a senior at your college—a 2nd year, to be exact. it wouldn't be an understatement to assume you nearly had a heart attack when you found out, considering how this was the same guy who used to have a 2.6 gpa back in high school. when did he even start taking his studies seriously and lock in hard enough to meet the criteria and eligibility for your university, one of the most prestigious in the entire country? instead of rooting for you, fate just had to be your biggest hater.
every single time you saw him around, gojo would come up to you to exchange greetings and obviously, tease you about the most embarrassing things from your past while his obnoxious fangirls stared you the fuck down, wondering why he's so close to you even though you're just a freshman who should have nothing to do with him.
what surprised you more, however, was that you sometimes shared the same sentiment as them because you were definitely never this close with satoru. not in all the years your brother used to hang out with him, or all the times you'd seen each other on family dinners. sure, he'd teased you plenty, but he had no real concern or curiosity towards you. you found him walking you to classes, treating you to coffee and meals, buying you all the snacks you could ever need during exam preparations and so much more that you could never even list down.
and worst of all, the feelings you'd so desperately pushed away in the past had now creeped their way back into your heart and embedded every inch of your soul even deeper.
it struck you then—satoru’s actions might not be out of pure obligation. that would’ve been far too simple, too detached for someone like satoru. maybe, just maybe, there was something more to it, something unspoken lingering beneath it all. you couldn’t say for sure if it was intentional or not, but whatever it was, it felt personal, like you mattered in a way that went beyond the promises he'd made to your elder brother and family.
but still, you couldn’t help but wonder if it was all just in your head. satoru’s actions, the way he treated you—it didn’t necessarily mean what you thought it did. it could be nothing—satoru’s actions didn’t have to mean anything. maybe you were just fooling yourself, letting your feelings cloud your judgment. so, you buried them as deep as you could, pushing them aside, telling yourself that letting go was the only way to protect yourself from the uncertainty. it was easier to convince yourself that you were just being delusional instead of facing what could be very real.
although, you do seriously question your latter supposition at your annual college christmas eve party when satoru, dressed in the sexiest 3-piece navy blue pinstripe suit with a black tie, has you pinned against the door of the nearest bathroom. if haven't had the opportunity to pay enough attention to his luminous, cerulean eyes up until now, you do at this very moment when he's staring at you like a predator would at it's prey.
"satoru," you let out a breath you weren't aware of holding, "what are you doing?" gojo, whose gaze had shifted down to your lips, let out a chuckle. "oh, so it's satoru now," he murmured, his hand pushing your hair behind your ear. "fine, 'toru..," you pronounce, going back to the nickname you'd started calling him during the while you'd spent with him. "that's more like it." his eyes meet yours again, conveying the desire and thirst that stirred within him— for how long, nobody knows.
the air around you two was thicker than usual, laced with tension as well as something
 else. "you still haven't answered my question." upon your words, the white-haired man's face broke out into a cupid-induced smile, the most beautiful you'd ever seen. "well," his right thumb traced the outline of your lips so light as if you'd break from further pressure, "i thought you looked beautiful." what he says renders you speechless, your throat gone dry and your cheeks turning the prettiest shade of rose (in his eyes, at least.) "you always do, but even more so today." and if you weren't already a flustered mess, you would most certainly be now.
your reaction only draws a smirk on his face, and he decides to tease you a little more. "so, on that note, what do you think i'm doing?," his voice lowers as his hand traces its way down to your neck. "i... uh- i don't know... you tell me." satoru grins, only wanting to push you further.
"yeah? how about i show you instead?" and a mere instant later, his lips come crashing down on yours— you couldn't say you hadn't been expecting or anticipating it, but absolutely nothing could prepare you for the way his warm and impossibly soft lips felt against yours. initially, you froze, and you came to realise that all the possibilities you'd once ignored were now very much real.
it wasn't a bad thing— no, nowhere near it, maybe even one of the best that could ever happen to you. however, it did feel like too much of a development to be able to process in a matter of seconds.
upon the realisation that you hadn't responded to his advances, satoru pulled back from the kiss, seeming rather puzzled. "was i wrong?" he inquires, voice lower and deeper than it normally would be.
the melodic sound of his voice is what breaks your trance and serves as your call back to reality. you wanted to say no, reach for his collar, get on your tip-toes and lean in to kiss him, but you were stuck in place. you couldn't find your voice or your words, and it felt like your heels were superglued to the tiles of the bathroom floor.
if it hadn't already been obvious, you'd been yearning for this moment for god knows how long, and now that it was handed to you on a sliver platter, you couldn't simply pass up on it. being well aware of the fact that this encounter could change your and satoru's relationship for either the better or the worse, you took a deep breath, cupped the sides of his face, and tilted your head just enough to be able to kiss the man. your hands gripped the fabric of his shirt in an attempt to pull him even closer, if that was possible.
being the way he is, satoru smiled into the kiss and lowered his hands to your hips. he could tell you were pouring each and every emotion from both the past and the present, and of course, he was doing the same.
it was inevitable, really— now that you could feel his skin against yours, it wasn't too difficult to put the pieces together and figure out that this was all bound to happen, already having been inked into the wondrous book of fate.
and so, for the first time in all the years you'd spent alongside satoru, you could say that the universe was, in fact, rooting for you. the way gojo's lips moved against yours, the way he looked at you like you were the only person in the world when he pulled away, the way the both of you heavily panted but still chased each other's warmth again barely seconds later, are more than enough confirmation.
"no, you weren't," you reply, feeling giddier than you ever had. "i wasn't what?" his hands caress your cheek with a carefulness that was almost unlike him, and your heart felt like it was about to beat out of your chest (in the best way possible.) "you weren't wrong."
"and i'm still not wrong if i do this?" his large hand reached under your clothes and wandered up to your waist, resting over the skin of the region. "or this?" his mouth had reached your neck, leaving kisses-turned-bites all over, which were sure to transform into hickeys.
"no... no, you're not," you let out breathlessly, unable to escape the fire coursing through your veins at the slightest touch. you wanted more, so much more, and satoru was the only one who could fulfil your needs— not that you would have it any other way.
"you sure, pretty?" the corner of his mouth went up, resulting in a lopsided grin— he was obviously teasing you, that was just the way he was and always had been.
"uh-huh," you nod to reaffirm your statement. "good girl," he breathes out, only contributing to the echoes in the parts of your body which ached for him so badly.
his long fingers played and toyed with the hem of your dress, as if to test the waters. when you didn't resist, his hand sneaked up your thigh, gently fondling the skin.
despite the confidence in his actions, he observed every expression on your face cautiously, ensuring that nothing he did hurt you or made you uncomfortable in any way. when you show no signs on unease but instead only desire, he goes on to satisfy and soothe your needs.
his fingers traced their way up your inner thighs and lurked over the already soaked fabric of your underwear, bringing about a chuckle from satoru. "so needy for me already, hm?" he remarks, as if his own pants weren't tightening upon the observation.
"shut up, 'toru..." you're trying to regain your composure and keep up an attitude, but to no avail. the fact that he has you exactly where he wants you isn't helping, either. you're even trying to avoid his gaze, but the way you can feel his presence everywhere makes it impossible to do so— besides, he's making you face him again using his index finger and thumb to hold your chin in between, as he whispers out a "look at me, baby."
and when you do, you have to let out a gasp at the sight of him— his disheveled hair which was perfectly tamed at the start of the night, his half-lidded eyes as he looks at you like you're his entire world and his lips that are now slightly bruised and swollen from the kisses you've shared. it was beyond enough to get you all the more hot and bothered.
oh, but that's not the only factor contributing to the sounds you're making— it's also the way he's pulled your panties to the side and is currently tracing your slit ever so slowly. "want more, princess?" nearly mocking tone.
you hardly even manage to let out a hum before his slender fingers are running over the most sensitive bundle of nerves, eliciting a moan from you. your eyes roll all the way back when one of his digits slides inside you just a moment later— you'd never been this sensitive, but it seems that was going to be entirely different with satoru.
he added one after the other, and now, three of his freakishly large fingers were pumping in and out of you relentlessly— he was so good with them, you could practically taste your orgasm about to wash over you.
"'m close, satoru," you whimper out almost pathetically, and his fingers are going even deeper now, hitting the spots you'd never even dreamt of reaching on your own. "yeah? is my princess gonna cum for me?" his voice is rough and he's groaning as if he's the one receiving the pleasure.
you can only nod as your arousal overwhelms you, white ropes of cum spurting out from your throbbing hole with one final thrust of his fingers. his entire hand was covered in your fluids, which he brought up to his mouth to be able to savor the sweetness of your juices on his tongue. god, he was an obsessed freak when it came to you.
"ew, satoru! why would you do that?" you hold back a giggle, expressing faux disgust at his actions. he only kisses you in response instead of using his words, making sure you get to taste what he'd drawn out of you as well.
"you think suguru's gonna be mad?" he asks, obviously amused at the idea of your brother enraged when he finds out what you and satoru have done. "oh yeah, definitely." he sweetly presses yet another kiss to your lips.
"if it's at the expense of me getting everything i wished for, i don't care, babe."
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@cuntphoric :33
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ryemackerel · 15 days ago
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Edd: Matt, is it recording?
Matt: Mhm. You’re good to go, hun.
Edd: Okay. Hope the auto-captioning works. Uh, so let’s start this off by saying HI EVERYONE! Uh, end of the year message here. Something-something, merry Christmas! (Tom: LAME!!)
Matt: A VERY HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND CHEERS TO THE NEW YEAR!! EXCITED FOR 2017!!!!
Edd: Haha! Okay! But seriously this time, thank you all so much for being an important part of our lives, whoever this may be directed to.
2016 was one hell of a ride, and I’m really happy to have met all the people who made it better. It had its ups and downs, but— haha— I’m genuinely really thankful to have my loved ones stick around and help me out whenever I needed it most. To my family, friends, and 3 hubbies, thank you all so much! Merry Christmas, and happy 2017.
[All 3 clapping! The others go to Edd for a group hug, and yes, that includes them pulling in Tom.]
Matt and Tord: LOVE YOU TOO, EDD!!! (Tom: 
Lame.)
Edd: Was that good? I kind of made something up on the spot!
Tord: HAH! Better than what I could’ve done.
Matt: Okay! Anyone else want to say some last words? Actually. I’ll go first.
Um! I’m so so very happy of the people in my life and the experiences and the love from this year! You all mean so much to me, and I could NEVER trade in anything else to replace the joy that you have all given me. I love you all so so much, thank you, a million times THANK YOU, for everything! Take care of yourselves, and as always, LOVE YOU!!!
[All 3 clapping, Edd and Tord yelling]
Edd: I LOVE YOU MORE THAN WORDS CAN IMAGINE MATT!!!
Any of you two want to go?
Tord: Uh
 Hehehe.
[Tord and Tom look at each other with a very mischievous smile]
Tom: Eat my jolly jingle balls.
[Tom and Tord CACKLE SO LOUDLY AND HIGH FIVE in front of an incredibly confused Edd.]
Edd: Okay then.
Tom: Hah. Okay fine, fine. Uh. I don’t like Christmas, but have a nice occasion of whatever you celebrate, and have a safe one. And yeah. Take care, peace.
Okay, you, Tord. Go.
Tord: What the hell do I say?
Matt: ANYTHING! Let it out to your heart’s content!
Tord: 
Ok. Thank you all. And
 love you.
Edd: One last group hug before we end the recording?
223 notes · View notes
seokgyuu · 1 year ago
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→ GENRE: smut, college au, crack, → PAIRING: Vernon x Afab!Fem!Reader (Feat. Soonyoung x Afab!Fem!Reader & Chan x Afab!Fem!Reader) → SYNOPSIS: you have never been a person who turns down a challenge, but when your best friend challenges you to hook up with 13 boys in one semester you kind of wish you were.
→ WARNINGS: angst in this chapter, shower sex, unprotected sex (you know... that's just who she is, like fr, all of the sex in this is unprotected), cumming in pants (m), virgin!vernon, cum eating, angry sex, usage of the words "baby", "princess", dirty talk, Mommy!Kink (Vernon)
→WORD COUNT: 13k
previous ; masterlist ; next
A/N: Merry Christmas everyone! Or happy holidays for those of you who don't celebrate! For this year I thought I'd give you a treat in the form of a new chapter of everyone's favorite shit show, lmao. We are actually nearing the end - only one more chapter left of the regular scheduled content aka after next chapter every single member of svt got his own time to shine (some even... more than once). I honestly don't know how this happened, this was supposed to be a funny little smut fest and now it's literally almost 100k words of filth and drama. Thank you for reading this and sticking by it for the past 3 years! I also want to thank @bitchlessdino for betaing this chapter <3 And now enjoy the ride!
Also: I opened a ko-fi! If any of you want to support me through that, I would be extremely thankful! If not that is also completely fine of course! Remember that reblogs and asks is what keeps us as a writing community going, so please, if you like my work consider reblogging with feedback <3. Happy holidays!
taglist:  @ariachavez168, @sandcasltes, @amiga-qmilagraso, @learnthisfeeling, @cersti-mo0, @nixtape-foryou, @minahoeshi, @listxn, @starlight-night0, @havetaeminforbreakfast, @kwonranghae, @haogyuslut, @a-dramatic-girl, @lovercuff, @grapefruithan, @whyokoa, @lovercheol, @cosmicupoftea, @knucklesdeepmingi, @wonusworldd, @baldi-2, @seventeencaratworld, @kingalls00, @1-800-jeonwonwoo, @hoeforhao, @p-dwiddle-blog, @tsukimiyuukun, @urfavtallgirl222, @jordand2012, @lcvejordyn, @jeanjacketjesus, @gaebestie, @hara-98-fan, @human-wthout-dreams, @eburneon, @xiusmarshmallow, @spbrax, @speaknowlwt, @lvlyjisung @yogurttea, @novalpha, @woo8hao, @hgma @akemiixx01, @volitina @haoxiaoba @justhere4kpop @ohmygodwhyareallusernamestaken, @miriamxsworld, @lexix001, @avyskai @punkhazardlaw, @lostmembrane, @magicshop1913 @tigerhoshii You can join the taglist here. If you're user is crossed out, I was not able to tag you!
The whole thing was like a blur. One second you were in the car with Seungcheol, the next you were outside, hearing your best friend yell at you. Her whole face was red, her eyes wide and her mouth moving as the worst insults left her lips. The worst thing was, you couldn’t even be mad at her. You couldn’t even be offended because she was right.
Her brother tried to calm her down, but the look she gave him made even Seungcheol back down. In all your years of friendship with Jiwoo, you had never seen her this mad. She suddenly looked way taller than she actually was, taller than Seungcheol, taller than your apartment complex. 
“Are you fucking kidding me?” She now asked for the nth time and you once again didn’t know how to respond.
“Jiwoo, I-,”
“You really couldn’t see the very clear invisible boundary that you’re not supposed to fuck my brother?”
“How can it be clear when it’s invisible?” You responded without giving it much thought. Jiwoo’s head turned even redder and Seungcheol sighed, closing his eyes as he let his head fall to look at his shoes.
“Oh my god, you know what I mean! Y/N, you can’t seriously think it’s okay to sleep with my brother behind my back!” 
“I never- fuck, Jiwoo, I’m sorry, okay? I really- I didn’t plan for this to happen. After the first time I really wanted to end it, but-,”
“The first time?!” Jiwoo gasped and you noticed your mistake too late. Seungcheol rubbed a hand over his face, stepping closer again, wanting to get in between you two.
“Jiwoo-yah, please, don’t make this a bigger deal than it is.”
“A big deal you say? You mean as big of a deal as you made it when you found out I slept with Taehyung one time?”
Seungcheol’s jaw tightened. You looked between him and his sister, chewing on your bottom lip. There really wasn’t anything for you to say to make this any less bad. You had betrayed her trust, had lied about who you had slept with when you had actually slept with Seungcheol. You had been avoiding her, having Soonyoung be something like a freaking owl between you. Sighing, you pulled a hand through your hair.
“You’re right, I did cross a boundary. I- I should have told you and I shouldn’t have avoided you. I am sorry, Jiwoo, I truly am.” 
She turned back to you, her eyes still full of fire, no sign of forgiveness. Seungcheol looked over at you too, his gaze unsure. 
“Can you promise that it won’t happen again?”
The silence that followed the question, even if it only lasted a few seconds, spoke more than any of your words could have.
Jiwoo snorted, shaking her head.
“You know what, go right ahead. I should have known at one point you would do just about anything to finish this stupid challenge. You never respected any fucking boundaries, you slept with Soonyoung when I told you I wanted to, you slept with Wonwoo even when you already knew he had feelings for you. You don’t care about anyone but yourself, Y/N, you just want to win, prove yourself to whoever the fuck. Most certainly not to me because if that was the case you wouldn’t have fucked my god damn brother!”
Without waiting for an answer, Jiwoo turned around and stormed off, most probably to her car. You couldn’t move even a single muscle. It was as if she had pushed you right off the edge of all the anxiety you had been feeling these past weeks. As much as you felt like crying, you couldn’t. 
“She-”, Seungcheol’s voice seemed distant, even though he was right next to you. Perhaps you were now stuck in your own little bubble, far, far away from everyone, only close to yourself and the knowledge you had hurt the one person who meant most to you. 
“She didn’t mean it, Y/N, she is just angry right now.” His hands were on your shoulders and as soft as his touch was, as much did it burn. You shook your head.
“No, she is right. I don’t respect boundaries, I- I forget about them, I just do whatever I feel like doing. I- god, I slept with Seokmin today, right outside your office, all for you to hear, I- I made you angry, I manipulate people, I-,”
“No, don’t do this,” Seungcheol interrupted you, “you don’t get to make yourself feel worse. I told you to sleep with Seokmin. Hell, I told you to sleep with three people to get this challenge over with.”
He wanted to make you feel better, you knew that. He wanted for you to not spiral and fall into a whole of self pity and self hatred but it was too late. You were already there.
“I need to go, I need to- I need to be alone, okay?” You ignored the hurt in his eyes, the obvious need to hold you close, to comfort you. Right now, you couldn’t. Acting like you hadn’t just lost your best friend of years and years, acting like you hadn’t been a horrible person, that all of the things she said hadn’t been right. 
Without saying another word, you turned away from Cheol and walked to your complex, typing in the code and finally letting the tears fall freely. 
-
A week went by. A week filled with nothing but you and your self pity as well as self hatred that made you turn off your phone and cry into your pillow for as long as you could before all of your tears dried out. You had done this to yourself - all of it. If you had done what you had known was right, none of this would be happening right now. Jiwoo would still speak to you and perhaps you could have seen Mingyu again, could have spent hours just forgetting about that stupid challenge and feel like you had any other purpose than this. It was silly really, how much this had changed your life. If for better or worse
 debatable. Right now it was definitely worse. 
On Saturday Soonyoung decided it was done though. Your pity-party had to come to an end. Jiwoo had told him all about your fight and when she had read on his face that he had known about you and Seungcheol, she had called him an asshole and left. So, now he was here, 8 pm sharp at your door, banging on your door and almost gasping in shock when he saw the state you were in. Your hair was greasy and your eyes swollen, the clothes you were wearing had probably been on your frame for more than just a few days and judging by the way you were holding a bucket of ice cream pressed against your chest, you probably hadn’t had any real food in god knows how long.
“Y/N
,” Soonyoung sighed and you rolled your eyes.
“What are you doing here? Isn’t my not answering any calls enough hints that I don’t want to talk or see anyone?”
“How do you know I called you when your phone is off, hm?” Without waiting for you to answer and completely ignoring your complaints, he squeezed into your apartment and closed the door behind him, the grin on his face almost scaring you.
“We’re going to a party, babes,” he then said and you laughed, getting your spoon out of the pocket of your sweats, ready to dip it back into the cookie dough ice cream. Soonyoung gasped for real now, grabbing the spoon out of your hands and shaking his head.
“Abso-fucking-lutely not, Y/N. Go take a shower. Maybe even two, for Christ’s sake. And then, I don’t know, look in the mirror and try a smile.” 
His words made heat rush to your cheeks and you found yourself scratching the back of your head as you slowly made your way to the bathroom not even sure how he managed to change your mind so quickly. But perhaps a shower wasn’t such a bad idea. Showers always helped to make you feel better after a hard time and if this wasn’t a hard time you didn’t know what was. 
So, standing in the bathroom, a soft towel pressed against your naked body, you chewed on your bottom lip and finally stepped into the shower, towel set aside on the toilet seat. The second warm water started running down your body, the tension of the past days seemed to finally leave your body. You didn’t feel as sore anymore, as sad, as useless. Less like the worst human on this planet, who didn’t care about anyone but herself. Your eyes flew open, seeing only the already wet tiles staring back at you. The sound of the water hitting the floor mixed with the blood rushing in your head gave you a sense of steadiness as well as made you feel like you were about to pass out. Tears were about to well up again, tears you were sure had already grown tired of leaving your body. 
“No crying in the shower, you hear me?” Soonyoung’s voice echoed through the door and you felt the sob in your throat turn to a choked laugh, your head turning to the door. An idea popped into your head. Clearing your throat, you slowly moved the glass door to the side.
“Soonyoung?”
“Yeah?”
“Do you
want to join me?” 
The silence only lasted for a few seconds before you heard something like a thump noise and the door opening around ten seconds later. There he stood, Soonyoung, in his naked glory a big grin on his face as he stepped under the shower, your back hitting the wall you had stared at just a few seconds before.
“To what do I owe the honor?” He asked, his hands creeping around your waist. You shrugged.
“I thought you wanted to help me get my mind of things?”
“And that's how to do it?” He asked, smirking. 
“We can shower together, make out a little
,” your hands moved up his torso, stopping at the sides of his neck, tongue licking over your lips, “maybe more
 we’ll see.”
No further words were exchanged when he dipped down to kiss you, one hand on your cheek, the other on your hip, his already half hard cock pressing against your stomach as you let your arms wrap fully around him. Your eyes closed as you let him lead the kiss, his tongue now devouring yours, every touch of his setting you on fire, giving you new energy. You let every bad thought leave your body, instead let him enter it - metaphorically as well as physically. His fingers made you arch your back and his lips sucked softly on your nipples, and when he finally sunk into you, his cock stretching you out as good as it had back then, it seemed as if you had never felt anything bad ever in your life. 
“God, not gonna lie, missed your tight little cunt, baby,” he breathed against your ear, your legs wrapped around him, teeth sunken into your bottom lip as you let him fuck you into your wall, droplets of water running down both of your bodies, his cock hitting the perfect spot over and over until he made you cum, your moans echoeing through the room like a song he could never get enough of. He pulled out of you, jerking himself off as he kissed you hard, his seed soon getting washed away with the rest of the metaphorical dirt you had felt on your body for days. 
After, Soonyoung helped you pick out an outfit for the party, comfortably seated on your bed, his legs crossed and his face red from the shower. He was seriously adorable. 
“I like the black dress, it’s super sexy,” he said as you were holding up said black and a rosy pink dress. You pursed your lips and nodded, hanging the pink dress back into the closet and walking over to the mirror, holding the black dress against your frame. It was tight, but didn’t show any cleavage with its almost turtleneck-like cut. Was this what you were going for? Sexy? You clicked your tongue and turned back around, placing the dress on the bed before slipping into some underwear that wasn’t necessarily extremely sexy but also sexy enough for anyone to see (if you somehow managed to score in your current mindset). 
“Where are we going by the way?” You asked Soonyoung now and the man shrugged, grabbing his phone.
“Not too sure, actually. Like I know where it is, but that’s about all the information I got from my source.”
“Your “source”? What are you?  An investigative journalist?” You chuckled and Soonyoung grinned at you, eyes on you instead of his phone for a short while. 
“Maybe.” 
Laughing, you finally slip on the dress and walk over to the mirror again, eyeing yourself cautiously. Yes, this was good. This made you look hot and also sophisticated, made you feel confident and less like a failure. You smiled. Soonyoung had a good eye for dresses, apparently.
When you finished applying your make-up and Soonyoung had also gotten ready, you found yourself in the backseat of a cab, not paying much attention to where you were going as you were busy finally turning your phone back on, Soonyoungs portable charger plugged into it. Anxiety rushed through you, when the lock screen lit up and was flooded with countless notifications once you had typed in your pin-code. Missed calls from Mingyu, Seungcheol and Soonyoung. Messages from all of them, as well, plus a group chat for a project you had completely forgotten about. Your friend next to you eyed you worriedly.
“Perhaps you should have done that tomorrow.” He scolded you, snatching the phone from your hands to lock it and shove it in the pocket of his oversized denim jacket. You pouted, crossing your arms before looking out the window. Seoul passed by your eyes, lights everywhere and you noticed how much you had actually missed leaving the house. The last time you had been this upset, it had also resolved around Jiwoo. But back then, it had ended well, the two of you had found your way back, mayhaps even stronger than before. But this? You weren’t so sure you could come back. It shouldn’t be as big of a deal as it was, you thought. So what, you slept with her brother? He was his own person! He could make his own decisions! Fine, you lied to her about it. Lied for weeks and weeks. You felt small again, suddenly, wondering if you even deserved Jiwoo to ever forgive you for betraying her like this. Her words still stung and you knew that while she was angry, being that mean hadn’t been fair. 
“We’re here!” Soonyoung grinned at you, handing the cab-driver his card and thanking him, before opening the door and helping you out, your hand in his. When your feet touched the ground, the door closing behind you, you finally took in the surroundings. And felt yourself almost falling right into Soonyoung’s chest. 
“Tell me, god fucking hell, Soonyoung, tell me that this is not the house the party is at.”
Soonyoung blinked, his arm wrapped around your waist to steady you after you had almost tripped.
“Uh
 it’s not?” He tried, but judging by the way he said it, you knew it wasn’t true. You closed your eyes. Pinched the bridge of your nose.
“Soonyoung-ah,” you start, “was your source Joshua?”
Silence. Soonyoung stays fucking silent. You feel heat arise within you and it’s not the kind you had felt earlier when you had asked him to join you in the shower. It’s anger, fueled by Soonyoung’s carelessness and his obvious stupidity. Bringing you to a party at Joshua’s place? Joshua who was roommates with Mingyu? Mingyu, who you had been ignoring for the past week, who had called you and texted you, the only thing missing was him barging through your door! 
“I’m sorry! See, I thought you would never go if you knew!”
“Well, you’re correct! Do you know how many of them will be there? Haven’t I been through enough already?!” You slapped his shoulder and Soonyoung winced, holding the spot with wide eyes.
“Oh, come on! I get it, alright? You fucked it up with Jiwoo. Jesus, so did I!”
Now it’s you who blinked at him, confused.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, did you forget that she also has to fuck people? A significantly lower number than you, yes, but still! And, well- I was one of them.”
It didn’t surprise you, not really. But it still made something inside you sting.
“And why did you fuck it up with her?” You asked quietly. Soonyoung sighed.
“When I heard about your fight I took your side. I told her that there are worse things than you sleeping with her brother. That, even though I understand it sucks that you lied to her, it wasn’t like you killed someone, or did something illegal. You just slept with him!”
Yeah, and kind of gave him hope there would be more. After the challenge. You pressed your lips together. 
“But, well, Jiwoo didn’t like it. And she kind of guessed that I knew about it.”
“You like her, don’t you?” You found yourself asking him the second he finished his sentence, catching him off guard. He cleared his throat, fixing the collar on his jacket.
“It’s not that I didn’t like her, Y/N. But she went completely nuts over this, so out of character. I was confused and hurt that she threw this at me, that she said I owed it to her. As if because we were seeing each other casually, mind you, she still had other people to fuck, I suddenly became only hers and not your friend.”
They were seeing each other. Your stomach dropped and you felt like you were about to actually pass out.
“You were seeing her? And you still- you still had sex with me today?!”
“Woah, okay, I see how this can be confusing, but, Y/N, it was never serious. It wasn’t exclusive. We slept together a couple of times and had a few dates, but that’s it! I’m pretty sure I saw you more than her.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” You watched his face, saw the way his eyes shift, how the wheels turn behind them and something told you, that you probably already knew the answer. You decided to stay silent.
“I just- I don’t know, I really don’t know.”
It was a lie, but neither of you exposed it as such. 
-
You ended up inside anyway. Fleeing from whatever was going on with Soonyoung, you were in desperate need of a drink. The familiar space was packed with people - courtesy of the apartment being big enough to hold that many. In addition to Mingyu’s room and the bathroom, there was a relatively big kitchen, a living space and, of course, Joshua’s room. The doors to the bedrooms were closed and upon seeing Mingyu’s, you felt guilt and shame creep up your spine. He was here somewhere, maybe drinking, maybe kissing another girl. And if that last thing turned out to be true, you knew you couldn’t even be mad at him. You had basically abandoned him for a week. After he had proven to be incredibly sweet and understanding, you had decided to just ignore him, to leave him in the dark, to forget all about him. 
While you did see a few familiar faces (Seungkwan was chatting with Minghao in the kitchen and Jun was downing a bottle of vodka with a guy you didn’t know), Mingyu was nowhere to be seen. Only when you reached the living room did you spot one one of the hosts. Joshua was wearing a tight dark blue turtle-neck and perfectly fitting black slacks, his hair was up and only a few strands fell into his remarkable face. He spotted you right as you walked through the door, a hint of surprise on his face. He excused himself to the girl he was talking to and walked over to you, eyebrow raised.
“Y/N,” he said, “you’re alive.”
You deserved that. Maybe not from him, but in general. You cleared your throat.
“Seems like it.”
“Where were you? I had to physically restrict Mingyu from running to your place countless times.”
Your heart dropped once more on this night. Heat erupted on your face and you let your head drop for just a second, before looking back up at the man who had been the one to start off this stupid challenge.
“I was at home. I
 wasn’t feeling too well. Is Mingyu here?”
Joshua didn’t seem too pleased with your answer, but decided to not pester you any further. Instead, he shook his head as he crossed his arms.
“Not yet. He is getting more drinks. Speaking of, should we get you one?” 
You followed Joshua back to the kitchen, Soonyoung somewhere lost in the crowd, apparently. After your little talk, he had excused himself to the bathroom first thing and if you were being honest, you weren’t too keen on seeing him right now anyway. You let Joshua mix you a drink, thanking him with a more or less honest smile when he handed it to you. He himself took a sip from the fresh bottle of beer he had taken for himself out of the fridge, eyeing you over it now.
“Mingyu told me about the challenge.”
You almost dropped your cup. 
“He did what?”
“Ah, don’t be mad at him. He kind of tells me everything, you know,” Joshua’s smug smile made you want to punch him in the face. You decided against it mainly because causing a scene wasn’t on your to do list tonight. Neither was talking to Joshua, though. Still, here you were. 
“So, does this mean I was number one?” Jesus Christ, you rolled your eyes.
“Yes. And that’s the only number one you’ll ever be in my book.”
“Ouch.” He was still grinning. Even more than before. How on earth could he have played the part as the cute and innocent barista so well, when in reality he was nothing but a cocky fuck boy? It was official: you needed to get away from him asap. But when you turned, you suddenly felt like your feet had been glued to the ground because why the fuck was Vernon walking into the kitchen right then and there?
He saw you the same time you did and the look on his face was a mixture of shock and confusion. It had been weeks since the
 incident at Mr. Choi’s office and while he hadn’t seen you in the flesh since then, he sure as hell had thought of you. His cheeks began burning when he saw the suspicion in your eyes and when you came over to him and his two friends, he literally felt like all of his wet dreams and fantasies about you were suddenly out on display. 
“Did Seungcheol send you?” Was the first thing you said to him and poor, poor Vernon could only shake his silly head and point at Hyunggu and Seungyoun over his shoulder with a shaking hand.
“N-No, I came with my friends.” You followed where he was pointing with your eyes and the two young men behind him waved at you rather confusedly. You clicked your tongue and nodded, turning back to look at Vernon. 
Vernon, who was out of the usual suit you had seen him in before. He was wearing a dark t-shirt and dark jeans, a necklace adjourning his slim upper body. His hair was messy, but a good kind of messy, that kind of messy you wanted to claw your hands into. Taking a sip from your drink, you contemplated. Seeing Vernon here, out of all places, seemed almost too much of a nudge in his direction. When Seungcheol hadn’t been the one to send him here and it was pure coincidence, didn’t this mean something? As much as it had bothered you that Seungcheol had wanted to decide this challenge for you, it now seemed to come in handy. 
Licking over your lips, you took another step towards Vernon, one hand reaching for the small cross necklace he was wearing and letting it slip through your fingers. Your eyes stayed on the silver for a second before looking up and seeing his gaze, his red cheeks and the mouth that hung slightly agape. You smiled.
“How do you know the hosts?” You asked. Vernon needed a few seconds to regain composure.
“I, uh, I don’t actually. Hyunggu is, uhm, he works at the same coffee shop as J-Joshua.” He explained and you nodded, still playing with the jewelry. The poor man in front of you was close to losing his mind once more. 
“I see. Well, this seems fated, doesn’t it, Vernon?” Your voice was merely a whisper when you leaned forward, your lips meeting his ear, causing a shiver to run down his spine. Vernon didn’t know what to say to that. In fact, he didn’t know what to say ever again. His ability to speak had been ripped from him - by you and the way you looked at him, the way your breath hit his neck and ear. 
The thing was - you had kind of ruined everything for him. There was no porn he could watch that could even come close to what had happened at Mr. Choi’s office. At some point he had tried finding women who looked like you in the videos, tried to replace your image with theirs, but nothing would work. More often than not he would find himself with his hand full of lube, eyes squeezed shut, imagining you and the way your pussy had looked all wet and ready just that this time it was his cock that was about to fuck you stupid. 
So, when he felt your hand wrap around his wrist he didn’t even think about stopping you. He let you lead him into one of the bedrooms, let you sit him down on the bed, your legs on either side of him as you began straddling him. His head was in a haze, no thought to be thunk, only your lips on his, your tongue inside his mouth and finally your hips grinding against his extremely hard cock. 
Somehow his hands had landed on your back while yours laid on his shoulders, slowly moving up to cup his face as you kept on grinding down on him. Vernon’s head was spinning. 
“You’re so hard already, can feel you against my pussy, Vernonie
,” you whined against his ear and his eyes opened, looking at you as if you were the most precious thing on this earth. No words were able to leave his mouth, though. He could only nod and move his arms around you, finding himself rutting his erection against your core, catching you off guard. The moan that escaped you got him close to cumming right then and there.
“F-fuck, bet you can fuck me so good, baby,” you said before moving down to kiss his neck, his hips still moving up, chasing his own high.
“Shit!” His eyes rolled back when you found an especially sensitive spot on his neck, your tongue dragging over it just as your hand opened his jeans and slipped into them and his briefs - causing Vernon’s eyes to fly open and look at you in shock.
“W-wait I-,” he began, but the second your hand touched his bare cock, he couldn’t stop it. 
“O-oh, n-gh, f-fuck,” he whimpered as he came onto your hand and into his underwear - thick ropes of white and hot cum leaving you with your mouth dropped in surprise. 
His head dropped onto your shoulder as he tried to steady his breathing. Shame crept over him and he swallowed hard before he dared to look at you again.
“I’m sorry, I, fuck, I, uh- I’m a virgin.”
And scene. 
“You’re a what?” You stumbled out, the shock ever so present on your face. Vernon felt his face heat up.
“A... a virgin.”
Slowly, you pulled your hand out of his pants, looking at the stickiness he had left on it for a second before licking it off, your eyes not leaving his face. Vernon felt his cock twitch and a whimper escaping him. You were gonna be the death of him, he just knew it.
“Cheol doesn’t know that, does he?” You asked once your hand was clean and Vernon was already a little hard again. Vernon shook his head and you sighed.
“Well, I certainly won’t take your virginity for this stupid challenge, so
,” you stood up from his lap and looked at the mess he (or you?) had made, clicking your tongue before looking around the room and walking to one of the drawers on the side. You haven’t been in Joshua’s room before, but you definitely had not wanted to take Vernon to Mingyu’s room to fuck him. Or, well, not fuck him. You opened the first drawer and found yourself successful, grabbing one of Joshua's neatly folded pairs of underwear and throwing it at Vernon who caught it, with a somewhat horrified look on his face.
“Change into that. Don’t want you walking around with pants full of cum, baby.” You winked at him, and Vernon turned even more red. He mumbled a quick thank you and you chuckled, closing the drawer again, before walking to the door to go back to the party. 
Just that, once the door was open, you were met by yet another familiar face. Chan was leaning against the wall, talking to some girl, a drink in his hand. When the door opened, it was more like a reflex to look at who came out - never had he expected to see you or the dude stumbling over his own feet behind you. His brows shot up and your jaw tightened. 
“Now, who do we have here,” he says, the girl next to him forgotten, “you don’t pass up any dick, do you?” 
Your veins began burning. Anger, raw and so real like back when Chan and you had seen each other last. Your hands were balled into fists in no time and you somehow succeeded in moving, ready to leave the party for all you cared, but Chan was quicker than you. He grabbed your wrist and held you back, pushing you into the kitchen, where music was now blasting as well, music that rang in your ears as you were pressed against the wall right next to the door. 
“What the fuck do you want?” You spat out, trying to free yourself, but Chan just grinned down at you, his head slightly tilted.
“Just trying to make sense of you, princess,” was his awful reply. You scoffed, shaking your head and looking to the side, seeing that Vernon had escaped the bedroom now, closing the door and hurrying into the living room. 
“You should leave me alone,” you breathed out finally and Chan leaned forward, his lips right by your ear.
“I can’t really hear you, you know?”
You closed your eyes. Was he kidding? He had dragged you in here. He had chosen this god forsaken kitchen as the place he wanted to talk to you in. When you opened your eyes again, you saw in his eyes what you hadn’t before. Want, need. He was desperate for you. He craved you - had probably been lurking around your apartment, hoping to catch a glimpse of you. But you hadn’t come out, you had stayed inside and now that he finally saw you
 
“You shouldn’t look at me like that,” you say now, his eyes still boring into yours. Something flickers in them now, hurt maybe, or something totally different. You just know that his jaw is suddenly tightened and one hand is on your waist, grabbing you roughly. 
“You shouldn’t be here.”
“Says who?”
“I do. Did you fuck that guy?”
“Fuck you, Chan.” 
There was too much tension between you. More than back then in the elevator. His breath hit your face, his brows furrowed. 
“Did you fuck that guy?”
“What is it to you if I did?” You spat back at him. One of his hands was suddenly right there on your neck and your eyes widened at the sudden wave of want shaking your body.
“It’s an easy question, doll. Did you fuck him?”
His grab on your neck was almost too much to handle right now. Your pussy was crying into your panties and your head felt so far away, you feared it wasn’t even on your neck anymore. 
“No.”
You wished someone would walk in. One of the guys you had seen earlier. Soonyoung, for all you cared. Even Joshua would be fine - just anyone to get Chan away from you. All of the arousal from your make-out with Vernon was still fresh and with Chan’s hand on your body, you couldn’t guarantee anything. 
He was so close and he smelled so good. His face was mere inches from yours and if you moved just a tiny bit

Chan was quicker than you. The thoughts were running around in his head ever since he saw you come out of that room, ever since he saw that random dude behind you. Jealous. That’s what he was. Jealous of some guy you had been in a room with by yourself and jealous of everyone who would come after. It was stupid and twisted, considering his brother was literally in love with you. His grip around your waist got stronger and suddenly his nose was touching yours, both of your mouths opened in a breathy gasp and when he saw the way your eyes fluttered close, there was literally no way around kissing you anymore.
It didn’t start out sweet or slow, no, Chan was full on kissing you like he knew you wanted to be kissed. His tongue was right there, his other hand on your chin, moving your head up so he could dip his tongue easier into your awaiting mouth. You moaned into the kiss, heat between your legs now accompanied by throbs that made you press your thighs together. Chan pressed himself against you, felt every curve of your body and wished he could just take you right here and now. But there were people around, drunk people, people who might not mind you any business, but still people. And so, he grabbed your hand after parting from you and taking you to the bedroom you had just left, the door falling shut behind you, his lips on you again right then. Hands were back on your waist and he groaned when he felt your hands feeling him up, sliding underneath his shirt and down, pressing against his bulge. 
“Wanna fuck you so bad,” you breathed and Chan bit down on your lip, nodding because, fuck, he wanted that too. It’s stupid, really, there is a bed right behind you, but Chan was greedy, Chan maybe even wanted someone to notice, wanted to get caught red handed, his cock in your tight pussy. He wanted everyone to know he got you, not Wonwoo.
Your hands moved to open his belt and you shoved his jeans and briefs down at the same time, have them pool at his ankles, your hungry eyes looking between his face and hard cock that laid against his stomach. Skilfully, you grabbed around the base of his cock and started jerking him off, Chan moaning against your neck as he tugged your dress up and panties down. 
“Your fucking dripping, baby,” he breahed into your ear and you nodded, looking up at him with a pout.
“Fuck my dripping pussy, Channie, need you so bad.”
He didn’t need to hear that again. He grabbed his cock after you dropped it, your head banging against the door behind you, and brought it to your pussy, sinking into you a second later, your one leg wrapped around his slim waist. 
“God, fuck, that’s right, such a wet tight pussy just for me.”
He began to move right away, devouring your lips with his as his hips frantically fucked into you. Your hands held onto his shoulders, eyes closed shut and skin on fire from desire. He fucked into you quick and hard, hitting you right where you needed him to and, fuck, did it feel good. Felt so good that you already felt yourself nearing an orgasm. 
Chan’s breath hit your face again when he parted from you and leaned back, his eyes studying you as he continued to fuck you. You still had your eyes closed, which meant Chan could look at you all he wanted. His cock was twitching wildly at how your face looked, how your mouth was dropped open at how fucked out you looked, at how much you were into this. He licked over his lips, hands grabbing your hips harshly, thrusts becoming sloppier the closer he felt to release.
“Craved your pussy so much, baby, look at how good you take my cock, shit.”
Your eyes fluttered open again, Chan staring at you making your stomach turn and your cunt clench around him, a moan escaping you when he picked up the pace once more, the door literally banging from the movement. There was no way people who passed wouldn’t notice. 
“Ch-Chan!” You cried out, and he smirked, continuing what he was doing.
“What is it, doll? You scared people will know that you’re getting fucked like the filthy whore you are?” He slowed down his thrusts just for a moment, your whimpers music to his ears.
“Pl-please,” you didn’t even know what you were begging for but Chan just chuckled, finally pulling out of you to lead you to the bed, where he told you to get on all fours. You did as told, your pussy aching for his cock to come back and fuck you. You wiggled your hips just when Chan slipped back into you, a harsh slap landing on your ass.
“So impatient, slut. Don’t worry, I’ll make you cum on this cock.”
He went back to fucking you hard and quick, your moans filling the room and making Chan move even quicker. He was so close to emptying his load in your warmth.
“Don’t stop, oh fuck!” Your walls clenched around him multiple times, letting Chan know that he had in fact made you cum on his cock. He kneaded your ass, slapping it as he fucked you through your orgasm, closing in on his own with every passing second.
“So good for me, came so prettily on my cock, my perfect little whore, isn’t that right?” One of his hands now moved, grabbing a fistful of your hair to pull you against his chest, his cock seemingly vibrating inside of you, overstimulation making you cry out.
“Want you to cum in me, Chan, want you to so bad!”
Somehow your words were like a spell, getting Chan to do exactly as you had told him to the next second. Hot spurts of cum filled your spent pussy that was now milking him for all he had.
“Fuck! Yes, take it all, every last drop, that’s right.”
Chan thrusted into you a few more times, sloppy and uncontrollable, his cock finally slipping out of you, accompanied by his own release that now dripped onto Joshua’s bed sheets. He couldn’t stop staring at your pretty pussy filled with his cum. Gosh, he really wanted to take a picture of this. 
You were the first one to come back to her senses. You turned around, seeing your panties and his pants and underwear laying on the floor by the door and you climbed off the bed to grab it all, put your own on and hand Chan his clothes. 
“Well,” you started, clearing your throat as you pulled your dress back down. Chan was back in his underwear and suddenly unable to look at you. What a joke.
“This probably shouldn’t have happened,” you finished then, feeling your own conscience starting to grow extremely guilty. Not to mention that you felt just extremely
 yeah, what even? At this point there was nothing to say about you. How long had you been at this party? Thirty minutes? And you had already made out with Vernon, had made poor Vernon cum in his pants and now you had fucked Chan? Chan, who you had sworn to never fuck again because it was obvious you shouldn’t. Maybe Soonyoung’s idea to get out of the house had been a bad one after all. 
“Yeah. It shouldn’t have.” Chan didn’t look at you, he in fact couldn’t bear to do so. Guilt flooded him, making it almost impossible to even leave the room. Wonwoo was out there somewhere, drinking, dancing, not knowing you were here and most definitely not knowing his own little brother had betrayed him. Again. Chan sighed pulling his jeans back up and trying to fight the urge to just stay in here and wait this party out. 
With nothing but static sounds in your ear did you move to open the door, hand already around the knob. 
“If he wasn’t in the picture,” Chan’s voice suddenly cut through the silence and you stopped midway opening the door, “would you think about it?”
Your heart ached at his question and you closed your eyes. You really had a talent for making people fall for you only to disappoint them. 
“I don’t think the answer I have is the one you want.”
Even though he would never admit it, Chan felt his heart break a little at that. He knew it was stupid. Liking you was the exact opposite of what he should’ve done. You were just a girl he slept with once. You were the girl his brother had been talking about all this time, the one he had been hopelessly in love with. 
It wasn’t fair, really. That the cute neighbor turned out to be you. That the girl he wanted to see again so badly after that first fateful meeting in the hallway was the one his brother wanted. In all his years living on this earth, he had never hated Wonwoo. His older brother had always been his favorite person in the entire world. But now? In this exact moment he hated him. 
“Is it because of my brother?” He finally asked and you turned around to look at him.
“No, it’s not. I promise you, he has nothing to do with this.”
Chan moved his head and looked at you, nodding slightly. He would probably feel guilty about feeling relieved in a few hours, but right now he enjoyed the knowledge you wouldn’t go for his brother. 
With one last smile, you finally turned to open the door, Chan right behind you. 
And that was when time seemed to stop for both of you. 
Of course this would happen because how could it not? How could you ever walk out of this room without any problem, without anyone seeing you. It was like ice was somehow replacing the blood in your veins, making you shiver, making you freeze. 
Wonwoo stood there, right in front of the bedroom, just like Chan had earlier. And as if that wasn’t bad enough - Mingyu stood right there next to him. 
You heard Chan’s gasp right when Wonwoo and Mingyu looked at you. Saw your disheveled hair, Chan’s not fully closed belt. The guilt in his eyes, the shock in yours. It took Wonwoo everything in him not to drop his glass at the sight. 
“Tell me this is not what it looks like.”
Where his voice came from, he couldn’t tell. He just heard it, felt it ringing in his ears after. When neither you nor Chan began speaking and only continued to stare at him, he felt his jaw tightening and his body move. Without knowing where he was headed, he ran out of the apartment, leaving you and Chan behind with nothing but the biting feeling of a guilty conscience. Your eyes briefly met Mingyu’s, before you followed Chan, who was now running after his brother.
Cold air was giving you an unwelcome hug when you reached downstairs, Wonwoo standing on the side of the road, seemingly trying to catch a cab.
“Hyung, wait!” Chan called out for him and Wonwoo let his arm drop down - there wasn’t a cab around anyways. God, why didn’t he take his own car? Why did he have to get here with Mingyu and why did he plan on crashing here? Why had he even decided to come here in the first place?
When Chan finally reached him, Wonwoo slowly turned around. As much as you wanted to deny it - seeing Wonwoo this way made your heart clench painfully. Coming to a halt behind Chan, you suddenly felt like maybe you shouldn’t have followed them.
“Hyung,” Chan started again, looking at his brother with pleading eyes, “I’m sorry, I- I know what this must look like to you.”
“It looks like you slept with the girl I’ve been telling you about for weeks, yeah.”
Chan swallowed. 
“He didn’t know, Wonwoo. Neither did I, when we slept together - we didn’t know.”
“But you knew today, didn’t you?”
Chan and you shared a quick glance and Wonwoo scoffed, looking away for a second, before he pushed his hands into the pockets of his jacket and stared back at you.
“Mingyu told me, actually. That you two- that this happened. And I was planning on letting it slide because as you said, you didn’t know. But tonight? You knew and you still-,” Wonwoo closed his eyes and took a deep breath. 
“You know, I’m not even mad at you, Y/N. Because I don’t expect anything else from you. You take and take and take and you never ever think about the consequences of your actions. You simply don’t give a fuck about anyone’s feelings and some fucked up part of me admires you for it. How easy it must be to go through life not caring about anyone but yourself.”
Any other day his words might have made you feel a different way. Maybe you would have felt offended, angry even. But right now? You knew he was right, felt it in your bones that his words couldn’t be any more true. Averting your gaze, you looked at your feet, not allowing yourself to cry.
“You, though,” he was talking to Chan now and even though something inside you itched to step in, you didn’t, “you knew who she is, what she means to me. And you still did this?”
“Hyung, I’m sorry, I truly am, I don’t know what to tell you.” Chan sounded just as broken as you felt and it took everything in you to not put a hand on his shoulder to offer some comfort. 
“That makes two of us, Channie. I also don’t know what to tell you.”
Wonwoo finally turned around to walk off and when he walked around the next corner, Chan finally moved again, pulling both hands through his hair, before turning around and spotting none other than Mingyu stepping outside. Anger rushed through Chan, but you stopped him before he could do anything.
“Let me talk to him, Chan,” you said quietly and while Chan looked like he didn’t want to listen to you, he ended up nodding and storming off, back inside. 
Once he was gone, you took a few steps closer to Mingyu who looked at you with a blank face. He didn’t feel bad about telling Wonwoo, you could tell. You could also tell that he was mad at you, if because of the ghosting or the fact he had caught you with Chan, you didn’t know. Sighing, you shrugged slightly and looked up at him.
“When did you tell him?”
“Around three days after you suddenly disappeared.”
“You’re angry at me.”
“You think?”
Mingyu had never looked at you like this before. Like he was actually mad, like there was something seriously wrong. 
“I’m sorry for not texting back, for not calling you back, Mingyu, I truly am. Something happened and I just closed off. Not just you, I- I just turned my phone off and didn’t think.”
“I was worried about you.” He took a step closer. You felt his warmth and closed your eyes, even let him put his hand on your cheek. That was until you remembered Wonwoo’s face, the way he had looked at Chan. And that’s when you realized something.
“You told Wonwoo about Chan,” you started, your eyes back open and looking at him, “but you didn’t tell him about you.” 
Mingyu’s jaw twitched, his hand slowly falling from your face again. He didn’t have to confirm it with words for you to know your assumption is correct. 
“How can you do this to him?” Now, you felt the tears behind your eyes that you had held back the entire day. Mingyu licked over his drying lips and let out a bitter laugh.
“Why is it always him you’re worried about? Why does it matter that he liked you first, why do my feelings not matter to you, Y/N? This isn’t fair.”
“No one ever said this is fair, Mingyu. This whole situation is fucked up, this has nothing to do with fairness. If I was smart, I’d just stop right here. I’d leave you alone, I’d never speak to any of those guys upstairs again. But I can’t because I’m selfish, because I don’t want to leave you alone, I don’t want to never speak to them again. I’m selfish because somehow I still can’t let go of things I know shouldn’t be mine.”
“I am yours, Y/N, I have been yours since the day you stepped foot into the office, the first time you kissed me. How can I prove to you that I don’t care about any of this?”
Both of his hands were on your cheeks now and his thumbs wiped away the tears that began to fall. 
“Mingyu, you know it’s wrong, you know it’s not fair. Not to you or Wonwoo or anyone else. I can’t just accept you as mine when it’s so clear Wonwoo will never forgive you, not after Chan.”
“I don’t care. I love you, I want to be with you.”
“You don’t mean that. You shouldn’t mean that.”
Even though it took everything in you, you let your hands wrap around his wrists, lifting his hands from your face.
“Y/N
,” he whispers, but you shake your head, another set of tears dripping down your cheeks.
“We can’t do this anymore. I appreciate you wanting to wait, but even if I were to finish this stupid challenge, I don’t think you and I should be together.”
Mingyu heard your words and he understood them. Every single one of them reached his brain and a part of him even agreed with them. But looking at you, seeing the face he had been seeing in his dreams for the past months, the one he had missed so much when you had left him the first time - that part fell extremely small. The bigger part wanted to reach for you, tell you how wrong you were. No one would be as good for you as him, no one understood you the way he did. Yes, Wonwoo was his friend, maybe even his best friend, but you
 you were his. Everything about you was made for him and it didn’t make any sense for you to not see that. He knew you did, he knew you felt the same. But, apparently, your conscience won over your heart this time.
“Don’t do this,” he heard himself say and you pressed your lips together, shaking your head again.
“Mingyu, it’s for the best. I am not- I am not good. Something inside me is rotten, I feel like
 I feel like I’ve lost who I am in the past few months. I did things because I was being selfish and I need to stop. I already lost my best friend, I can’t lose myself too.”
You let go of his wrists now, looking up at him with a sad smile. You hoped he knew that if you had met under different circumstances you would love to be with him. 
When you left, Mingyu stayed back, staring at the spot you had just stood in. And, somehow, he didn’t believe that this was the end of you two just yet.
-
You sat down on the bench of one of the bus stations near Mingyu’s apartment complex, about to get your phone out to text Soonyoung - when you realized that he still had it. Groaning, you let your head fall back against the glass behind you. Wonderful. Just great, really. He would probably drop it off tomorrow once he realized you weren’t at the party anymore. Maybe it was better this way - not having your phone close to get any ideas about texting Mingyu. Or Seungcheol. Another groan left you. Seungcheol. The fact he hadn’t sent a whole SWAT team into your apartment was probably thanks to Jiwoo. Maybe he didn’t want to see you again after talking to his sister. And maybe that was right. If you couldn’t see Mingyu anymore, you probably shouldn’t see Cheol anymore too. 
“Y/N?” A voice made you open your eyes, surprise visible in your face when you saw Vernon parked in front of the bus station, passenger seat window down as he looked at you with worry.
“Vernon? You’re already leaving?” 
“Yeah, I, uh, thought that maybe this was enough socializing for the next couple of weeks.”
The way he awkwardly smiled made you laugh. Nodding, you let your eyes roam over his car. It’s nice - not as nice as the car he drives for Cheol, but definitely on the more expensive side. Vernon clears his throat.
“Do you need a ride?”
It probably took a lot of courage for him to ask you this. Smiling, you thanked him, getting up from the bench and walking over to his car, opening the door and plopping down onto the passenger seat.
“Guess you won’t need the address,” you joked and he blushed, still with a small smile playing on his lips.
“Yeah. I think I got that covered.”
You drove in comfortable silence. The city was still alive since it wasn’t that late and you watched strangers laugh on the street, drink in some of the booths standing around town. A part of you wished to be as carefree as them, but you figured that this would take a while for you to gain back. Not caring and going out, making friends without thinking about how you could possibly get them into your bed. It was crazy, really, how much this challenge had affected your life, how now, three months after the idea had left Jiwoo’s lips, she wasn’t even your friend anymore. 
“Can I ask you something?” Vernon spoke into the silence and you turned to look at him, nodding.
“Sure.”
“Okay so, I know that Mr. Choi kind of told me to, uh, sleep with you and
 I also know that you are now aware of me
 never having been with someone like that,” he began and you frowned slightly, unsure what he was going to say next, “if I am honest with you, Y/N, ever since that time in Mr. Choi’s office, I
 couldn’t stop thinking about you. Not
 not in a romantic sense, more like, as in-,” he scratched his head, trying hard to find the right words for what he wanted to say, “as in I think I actually need you to take my virginity, or else I’ll probably never be able to get this out of my head.”
Oh. You raised your eyebrows, blinking at Vernon a few times, the words still registering in your brain. Then, when it finally clicked, you broke out into an honest laugh, catching Vernon off guard.
“I’m- I’m serious!” He whined and you nodded, waving with your hand as if to signal you weren’t really laughing at him.
“No- No, I know. And I am flattered, but-,” you let yourself look at him again and when you spotted the earnest look on his face, your laugh faltered, making space for a smile that somehow even spread to your heart.
“I know it’s a weird request. But I’m just a guy Y/N. And you, quite literally, have been taking over my mind. I just- I would be incredibly happy if you would
 do that. And of course I understand if you’re not into it, but I thought I could at least ask and-,”
“Okay,” you interrupted him, Vernon now being the one to blink at you a few times when he stopped at a red light.
“Okay?” He repeated and you nodded.
“Yeah. Okay. I’ll do it. We, you and I, can do it. Not tonight though, I’ve had, uh, quite the evening and would just like to fall into bed. By myself.”
Vernon felt like he had just seen the gates of heaven and he wasn’t even naked in bed with you yet. Quickly, he nodded, continuing the drive when the light turned green, a wide smile on his lips as he realized you had really just said yes to his insane request.
“Sure! I get that, I, uh, we can definitely do it another day, I’m fine with that. You can call me, I- you have my number, right?”
-
Soonyoung ended up bringing your phone over the next day, not even staying for a chat and not even able to look you in the eyes. Your jaw hurt from how hard you were biting down, knowing exactly why he was behaving this way. Thanking him and slapping the door closed, you sighed and fell back onto your couch, plugging your phone into the charger and waiting for it to turn on. 
Going through your messages was a true pain. Mingyu wondering where you were (before the party, obviously), asking if he had done something wrong, telling you he was gonna come over. You closed your eyes, holding back the stupid tears that wanted to slip out again. You should really get a fucking grip. Mingyu had been part of the challenge, nothing more! He should have never become more than that, should have never become someone you actually cared about as much as you did now. 
You deleted his chat, not even opening the messages. Then, you moved on to Seungcheol. Your next big problem. While he did text you several times, he did seem to understand you needed your time and space and he was willing to give it to you. 
But I just need you to understand that I am serious about this, about you. I want to be with you.
Seungcheol’s words suddenly barged into your mind, reminding you of the fact that he did in fact care about you, that he wanted you, that he didn’t care about anything else. Sighing, you closed the messenger app and instead opened your contacts, choosing his and pressing the call button. 
He picked up after the second ring.
“Y/N,” the way he said your name soothed you right then and there. 
“Cheol
,” you breathed out, feeling another set of tears wanting to break through.
“Are you okay?” He asked and you could hear him moving, making you wonder about whether he was at home or in the office on this Sunday morning. 
“Not really, if I’m gonna be honest,” you replied, turning over so you laid on your back now, “but I will get there. Eventually.”
You could imagine him nodding, could imagine the worried frown on his face.
“I am so sorry about my sister,” he then said and you shrugged, smiling sadly to yourself.
“It’s not your fault. She had every right to be mad at me.”
“No, she didn’t. And I told her that. I talked to her, tried to make her see that she is completely overreacting. Yes, I am her brother and, yes, we should have just told her, but she is making this a bigger deal than it ever had to be.”
“Maybe. But as you said, we should have told her. I should have told her. Instead I told her a lie about a businessman I met at the hotel, instead I kept on lying to her for weeks, I avoided her, scared to accidentally let it slip. Yeah, what she said to me was
 harsh and it did hurt me. But I deserved it, Cheol.”
You heard him sigh on the other line.
“Baby, you didn’t deserve it. We all make mistakes, we are humans. She acted like you killed someone.”
The usage of the pet-name made your stomach flutter. Chuckling lightly, sadness still audible, you let your hand rest on your forehead.
“I can’t really change the situation now. She didn’t contact me at all while I had my phone off. We had fights before, but never like this.”
“Just give her time. She’ll come around.”
Around to what? You didn’t dare ask the question. 
“Yeah, maybe,” you just said and swallowed hard, licking over your lips after.
“If you need anything, call me, okay? I’m here for you,” he paused, “and Jeonghan is back. So, if you want to finish what you started - you can.”
Finish what you started. At this point you weren’t even sure you wanted that. 
“I’ll call you. Bye, Cheol.”
“Bye, Y/N.”
-
Vernon picked you up in the car he drove for Cheol a day later. 
You kept telling yourself this wasn’t for your challenge, but for Vernon. He had asked this of you. He wanted you to do this for him. It didn’t matter that you could beat the challenge because the sole reason for it wasn’t your friend anymore. Still, even with all of this in the back of your mind, your pride remained right there, wanting you to do this for yourself, prove to yourself that you could finish this even when wounded and on the floor with nothing left. 
So, when Vernon parked the car on a high spot with a beautiful view of the city and the two of you were making out on the spacious backseat - you allowed yourself to count this towards the challenge you so desperately wanted to leave behind you.
Vernon’s hands were careful, shy even, placed on your hips as his mouth discovered yours, his tongue slowly moving against your own. You wanted to let him find his pace but when he didn’t try to make a move fifteen minutes in, you decided to take the lead. Quickly, you moved onto his lap, straddling him like back at the party, your hands cupping his face as you kissed him deeper this time, tongue licking sensually against his and he whimpered underneath you - absolute music to your ears. 
“Touch me, I know you want to,” you whispered into his ear then and he swallowed hard before letting his hands slip to your back and down, fingers almost clawing into your ass, your hips beginning to grind against him.
“Fuck,” he breathed, his cock already rock hard in his pants. You chuckled, kissing his neck and letting your finger glide under his shirt, pulling it over his head skilfully, his hands landing right back on your ass once he was shirtless in front of you. You licked over your lips and moved to kiss down his neck, tongue flicking against his skin and finally his nipple, the moan coming out of Vernon’s mouth deliciously ringing in your ears. He dared to move your shirt up as well, helping you get rid of it and he immediately groped your breasts, his eyes glued to them still covered by pretty dark red lace. You smiled smugly, fingers caressing his abs and chest, thumb and index softly pinching his nipple and making him throw his head back.
“Feels good,” he mumbled and you giggled, doing it again. The way he pushed his hips up, searching for friction had your pussy dripping into your panties. You happily continued, lips back to kissing his neck and chin, moving up to his mouth where he gladly welcomed you with his tongue searching for yours. God, he was eager and you loved it. 
“Keep telling me what feels good, Nonie, wanna make you feel so so good.” Your voice was dripping in honey and Vernon nodded rapidly, reaching for your face to kiss you again and you let your hands wander down to open his jeans, hoping the incident at the party wouldn’t repeat itself. Vernon was concentrating on your lips on his, on the way your skin was warm under his fingertips, on how good it felt to kiss you and to have you on top of him. When you touched him over his boxer-briefs, he did moan into the kiss, but he didn’t fear coming undone like last time - he had jerked off twice this morning to prevent that from happening. 
“So hard for me already, bet you have such a pretty dick, baby.”
He twitched under your hand now, his long eyelashes fluttering as he watched you - how you sat up, biting down on your red bottom lip, your fingers pushing down his pants and underwear so his cock could spring free. 
“I knew it, so pretty, Nonie.”
Your hand around his cock did not make him cum, but it did make a good load of pre-cum leak out of him, his face red as he watched your thumb carefully collecting all of it, smearing it over his shaft and using it as lube for your hand that now grabbed around him. Vernon couldn’t help the pathetic little cries when you began jerking him off.
“Y-yeah, j-just like that.” His eyes rolled back and you watched him in awe, taking in every single one of his pretty sounds and the way his hips bucked up into your fist.
“Be a good boy and stay still for me, yeah, baby?” You grinned to yourself, seeing how he struggled while nodding, his teeth sinking into his lip, his eyes squeezed shut. He was incredibly pretty at that moment. 
Your hand moved quicker, getting him as hard as you could without making him cum. 
“F-feels really good,” Vernon sighed, his hands grabbing onto the seat underneath him, nails dragging into the leather. You watched him carefully and finally dropped his cock from your hand to rid yourself of pants and underwear. Vernon’s eyes flew open and he held his breath watching as you shifted, pants and panties slipping down your legs. 
“I would love to suck you off, baby, but I fear you’ll come right away and I really, really want your cum in my pussy.”
The whimper leaving Vernon now made you grab his cock and lead it to your dripping pussy. 
“F-fuck, I- I- oh my god,” Vernon’s hands found place on your back, eyes wide as he stared down at your pussy sinking down on his length, his whole brain working on not cumming the second his tip breached you. His head was spinning, his breath hitched once he allowed himself to breathe again and when you were fully sunken down, he felt his dick twitch wildly inside of you.
“Holy fucking shit.” His nails dug into your skin and you let your pussy get used to his size, arms wrapping around his neck, lips back to kissing him softly.
“Feel good?” You asked and he nodded, not able to speak, too busy concentrating on not shooting his load right then and there. 
What he did not expect was the feeling of you moving. How your walls felt around his virgin cock that was only used to his own hand. How tight you were, how warm, how perfect. There was no stopping the moans, the cries, the whimpers as you began riding his cock, your lips traveling from his neck to his lips, from his lips to his ears, sucking on his earlobe and making him push you harder against his chest.
“M-Mommy, f-feel so good.” The word slipped out and it rang in your ears, your pussy clenching around him, a smirk on your lips inevitable when you parted from him only to take a look at his face. 
He was lost in pleasure, but the fact he had said that was somehow displayed on his face as well. Your hands moved to your own back, unclasping your bra and letting it fall off your frame. Vernon twitched inside you once more.
“Such a good boy for Mommy, aren’t you, baby?” You brought his hands from your back to your front, placing them right there on your tits.
“I know you want Mommy’s tits in your hands and in your mouth, isn’t that right?” Vernon saw stars when your hips moved again and your tits almost slipped through his hands. Quickly, he nodded, beginning to grope at them harder, his mouth open as he watched how they looked in his hands, how soft they were, how good they felt. And when you pushed his head down, his face right there between your perfect tits, he almost couldn’t believe he hadn’t cum yet. 
With his tongue shooting out and lapping at you, you began riding his cock quicker, letting yourself lose, moans coming out of your throat that made the poor man feel like he was dying. He brought his lips to your nipple, sucking it into his mouth as he heard angel’s sing in his ears, tongue twirling around the hard bud. 
“Just like that, baby. Your cock feels so good in Mommy, gonna make me cum.” 
Vernon knew it wasn’t going to be long until he exploded, his spit running down your tits as he kissed and sucked on your skin, moving up to your neck and kissing your mouth again, hands still busy on your breasts. 
“Are you gonna cum for Mommy, Nonie? Are you gonna fill Mommy’s pussy with your cum?”
“Y-yes, gonna fill M-mommy up, pump her full, o-oh,” Vernon had never ever expected to last as long as he did. 
“That’s right, baby. Pump Mommy full, come on. Know you want to.”
The second the words had left your mouth, Vernon couldn’t help it anymore. He cried out, calling for you over and over as his cock twitched and twitched, hot cum filling your pussy, his hips fucking into you with absolute no control. You felt your own climax hit you just then with the way he kept on thrusting upwards, hitting you right there where you needed him. 
“Fuck!” You cried out, pussy tightening around his cock and he whimpered, overstimulation hitting him as you kept fucking yourself on his cock, the sound of your cum stuffed pussy riding his cock so lewd it literally caused his cock to grow in size again, all of the blood in Vernon’s body down there, all of his senses heightened but his brain completely shut off.
“Sh-shit, n-ngh, Mommy, please!” His cry made you look at him, the fucked out face having you clench around him again. He wasn’t done with you yet. Instead of letting his cock die down, he kept on fucking into you, his head now thrown back as he cried with every thrust, his hips showing you no mercy as he chased his pleasure. There was nothing you could do but enjoy, your mouth hanging open as you let him have his way with you, your hands back on his shoulders.
“You fuck Mommy so good, baby, come on, I know you wanna give me more, want all of it, Nonie, all of your delicious cum in my pussy, gonna make me so fucking proud.” 
His overstimulated but incredibly hard cock obeyed immediately. A second orgasm made Vernon’s body shake, more cum filling you as he cried, head falling forward onto your shoulder as exhaustion hit him next. He was still twitching wildly and you allowed yourself to fuck down on him until you yourself reached a second high, his whimpers telling you to keep going.
“W-wanna make Mommy cum,” he cried and you grabbed his face, seeing actual tear stains on it, kissed him softly.
“Made Mommy cum two times, baby, I am so proud of you, did so well for Mommy.”
A smile spread on Vernon’s lips, before his head dropped again, his chest heaving with great effort. 
As a good virginity-taker should, you held Vernon against your chest for a while after he had slipped out of you, his cock extremely sensitive. You had cleaned him and yourself up and helped him back into his boxer-briefs, finally letting him rest against your frame, as he came down from his high. 
“I’m sorry if this was a bit much,” he mumbled after a while and you chuckled, fingers caressing through his hair.
“It was all fine, don’t even worry about it, alright?” You kissed the top of his head and Vernon thanked you, squeezing your hand before lifting his head. You allowed him to kiss you when he wanted to and you agreed to grabbing some McDonald’s before parting ways. 
-
Having made the decision to end this challenge once and for all, you had called Seungcheol the day after your “date” with Vernon to tell him you were willing to meet that business partner of his. Setting a time and place (two days from then at Seungcheol’s company), you were content with finally finishing what you had started. Sure, a part of you felt devastated about the fact Jiwoo wouldn’t be there to share this with you. Maybe even a really big part. You decided to forget about this for the time being - after all there was still a chance Seungcheol was right and she would forgive you. 
When you arrived at the company that day, you mentally prepared yourself to, one, see Seungcheol and, two, see this stranger you’re supposed to let into your bed. You didn’t even know why you hadn’t asked Seungcheol for a picture or even any more information about Jeonghan, but then again you had been worried about a lot of other things. One that apparently had not been on your mind, was Seokmin. 
Seokmin who was talking to one of the women at the front desk and who, once he spotted you, seemed to stop mid sentence. You felt your cheeks heat up and your heart beating faster, remembering the last time you had seen him. Seungcheol had gotten you out of that situation rather quickly and a part of you had been worried that Seokmin would have to deal with repercussions - but since he was still here, you figured there hadn’t been any. 
“You’re here.” He said when you reached him, a small smile playing on his lips. You nodded and he excused himself to the woman, leading you through the gates with his ID card and to the familiar elevators.
“Meeting Mr. Yoon today, I heard.”
Yoon. Yoon Jeonghan? You frowned. What a strange coincidence. 
“Yes. What’s he like?”
“Well, he’s
 something, for sure. Good looking, intelligent. Very well traveled, too.” 
The elevator pinged and the two of you walked inside, your hands tightly clasped around your purse.
“Right. And
 is he nice?”
You looked over at Seokmin, who seemed like he really had to think about that question. 
“Uhm, well, I guess, “nice” wouldn’t be the first thing that comes to mind when I think of Mr. Yoon, but he is
 he can be nice. If it benefits him.” Seokmin slowly turned his head, his eyes meeting yours.
“And I would assume in this situation, it would definitely benefit him.”
Smooth. Another heatwave met your cheeks and you averted your gaze, clearing your throat just in time for the elevator to come to a stop and open its doors. 
Seokmin let you out first, a quiet “thank you” leaving your lips as you stepped out, your head turning to face the way you knew Seungcheol’s office was - only to be met by something, or more someone you most certainly had not expected to see.
Jiwoo was standing there, right by the entrance to Seungcheol’s office space, talking to a man who’s face you couldn’t see.
“Ah, Mr. Yoon is already here.” Seokmin’s voice said next to you and you blinked, looking from him to Jiwoo and finally to who you presumed was Mr. Yoon. Yoon Jeonghan.
You stopped in your step, feet suddenly glued to the floor. Yoon Jeonghan had moved his head. His face was right there in your field of view. And Jiwoo’s hand was on his arm as she laughed about something he said. 
“Y/N?” Seokmin was visibly confused, but you couldn’t even hear him. There was only the sound of your own blood rushing in your ears, only the faint memory of a voice that belonged to the man standing right there.
I didn’t think it would be a big deal. Aren’t best friends supposed to share things?
You were taken back to the time Jiwoo and you had your first real big fight, to the way neither of you understood that it wasn’t any of you who was the problem but him. Him, who had lied to both of you, who had known you were best friends, who had taken advantage of both of your naivety. 
And now he stood here? In this very office building, being Jiwoo’s brother’s business partner? Your world was spinning and you only found your senses again when Seokmin’s hand landed on your shoulder and his worry was even more visible on his face.
“Y/N, what’s wrong?” He asked and you looked at him, really looked at him, shaking your head as an answer. You didn’t say anything, instead you continued walking, your steps echoing against the walls of the space and finally Jiwoo and Jeonghan noticed you. 
While Jiwoo’s eyes widened in shock, Jeonghan remained oddly calm. Instead of surprise that it was you, there is a smug smile displayed on his lips as his eyes lingered on your body.
“As it turns out,” he began, “we do get a chance for that night we never had after all, Y/N.”
Your hands turned into fists - fists you were ready to throw at him. But before you could do that, you were interrupted by Jiwoo.
“Are you joking?” She gasped, looking between Jeonghan and you, “Is it not enough for you to drag my brother into this, now you’re going after my ex as well?!”
If the world wasn’t spinning anyways, you would have been sure it had started doing so right then. There it was again - the sound of your blood rushing in your ears.
“Your ex?” You croaked out, shaking your head in absolute confusion.
“First of all, I didn’t know he was the Jeonghan Cheol was talking about. And second of all, as far as i am concerned he is not your actual ex, you fucked like what, once? And then you broke it off right?”
You knew the answer even before asking the question. The Jiwoo standing in front of you, with her face pale and her jaw tightened - she was someone different from the Jiwoo you knew, but perhaps the realest version of her you had ever gotten.
“Well- well, yes! But-,”
“You’re lying,” you now interrupted her.
“I am not!”
“Yes, she is,” Jeonghan now chimed in, a smile on his lips you could only describe as mischievous. As if he knew he was stirring the pot.
“Oppa!” Jiwoo hissed and you felt your stomach drop right down to your feet.
“She wanted to break it off, she really did. But I guess she just couldn’t resist me. You will find out soon enough what that means, sweetheart.” His phone started ringing just then, a wink in your direction serving as his goodbye right before he began walking towards the other side of the floor to his own office space. 
You were shaking. Your whole body was in something like a trance. Jiwoo could only stare at the spot Jeonghan had just stood, blood rushing back into her face.
“You’re telling me that, even after you found out he had lied to both of us, you went and slept with him again? You even went as far as to date him behind my back?”
“So what! You fucked my brother behind my back that is far worse than this!” She screamed back at you, her eyes wild and her face flushed. You couldn’t help but let out a humorless laugh.
“Oh my god. Oh my god, you are horrible, you are fucking horrible, Choi Jiwoo.”
And even with her screaming behind you, you didn’t look back when you stepped into the elevator with its open doors seeming to welcome you like a warm hug from a friend you so desperately needed. 
header by @wongyuseokie
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lordcryosrealmoftrash · 14 days ago
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Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and happy holidays in general.
This year my family really outdid themselves. I live near a Kinokuniya Bookstore and have a membership. Needing a new membership card, I, of course, chose the one with the tgswiiwagaa design, made a joke to my brother, who in hindsight must have been having a very hard time not laughing, that I was an official card-carrying lesbian
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I got this new membership card yesterday, Christmas Eve. I should note that I have never mentioned my love of this manga in particular to my family because I did not want to have to say the name out loud. It's too long. Anyway, today, Christmas, I open a present from my other brother, and wouldn't you know it
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He got me a gift card with Mitsuki and Aya on it! When he was shown the options for design, he, knowing me well enough, picked the lesbians. Oh but the story doesn't end there my friends. No, because remember how I mentioned how I said this was from my other brother, yet it was a different brother who had to stop himself from laughing at me with my card?
That's because that brother, the first one, actually the second going by birth order, but first mentioned in this story, went with my mom, several days ago to that book store and bought me a gift card. Can you guess what design they picked for me?
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That's right, it's the lesbians again.
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So now I have 3 tgswiiwagaa cards in my wallet. I'm not just a card-carrying lesbian, I'm a thrice certified card-carrying lesbian. Certified not only by myself but basically my whole family.
I literally cannot be mad because the day I got my new membership card I also bought merch for the manga so...
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nekomasmngr · 10 days ago
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a love to keep me warm
˖ . ʁ𝜗𝜚. ʁ₊ kageyama tobio x fem!reader ˖ . ʁ𝜗𝜚. ʁ₊
✩ synopsis : you find yourself stuck in the last place you wanted to be for Christmas and think it’s better to hole yourself up in your dorm, throwing your own pity party for the holiday. turns out, kageyama tobio was the plot twist in your lonely holiday that you needed. ⋆âș₊❅.
✩ contents : smidge of angst but happy ending, cursing (right at the beginning), little awkward tobio with a crush, maybe some very cheesy writing of loser/s falling in love — WC : 4k
✩ author notes : written for @hiraethwrote, merry merry christmas, hea!! i hope you're enjoying your holidays so far!! and im so so sorry this was a tad bit late, (although at the moment, it's still the 29th somewhere in the world <3); in collaboration with “hq x reader secret santa” hosted by the amazing, wonderful, inspiring @lale-txt; i really enjoyed participating in this and loved being around/part of a community of more x reader lovers, thank you for making this last quarter of the year feel a little less lonelier than usual, so by extension, this piece is also dedicated to anyone who found themselves feeling lonely this year, but shouldn't be. i see you and am sending all the virtual hugs, love, and care to you. i wish only for this new year will treat you better and bring people who deserve your energy to stick by your side until the next christmas. <3 p.s. this was barelllyyyy proofread so i apologize for the grammar mistakes, run on sentences, and probably cringy dialogue? i feel really rusty in writing but this definitely inspired me to keep practicing and i enjoyed spinning this tale <3
✩ christmas lights header by @nectardaddy, tysm!! u rockkk <3
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“What the fuck?”
At this point, you couldn’t keep count of the number of times this has happened. The glowing LED screen that featured a picturesque sight of one of your so-called closest friends dressed in a flowy, white dress, running away from the incoming crash of the wave, smiling brightly off camera, right at a bunch of other no-names you’ve never met (probably her high school friends). Your eyes start to burn as you swipe through the rest of the pictures in the carousel of continuous shots of these people at the beach. 
You vividly recalled how this friend of yours was so adamant on cancelling your holiday plans two weeks ago because she came down with the “flu”, despite having scheduled them 2 months before. You knew it was a weak excuse.
Who even cancels plans because of a flu 2 weeks before an event?
You scoffed bitterly as you stalk the other girls from the profile to see when exactly they took this little beach trip of theirs, trying to understand why your friend canceled on your holiday plans but said yes to other people’s plans. 
But the longer you scrolled, the longer you became sick to your stomach. You were sick of this behavior. Sick of being alone. Of being lonely.
The efforts you put into saving up for your girls’ trip with her, pulling in extra late night shifts at work and on weekends. You even rescheduled your trip back home, so you were stuck over this weekend on campus thinking you were supposed to be packing for your road trip with her that very same weekend.
 If your “closest” friend didn’t want to spend the holidays with you, then who actually would?  
You didn’t even realize you were crying until continuous drops of tears fell on your screen, blurring not only your own sight, but distorting the smiles from another beach photo of the sunset backdrop, droplets blending in with the waves on screen as if giving you a taste of its salty waters. 
“You alright?” 
A deep voice startled you from your intense gaze with your phone. You quickly wiped whatever stray tears were still caught in your lashes, hoping the streaks down your face were unnoticeable under the fluorescent lights of the study hall. 
It was one of the most deserted places at the moment with students having wrapped up most of their exams before the winter break started, save for a few who had one nasty paper to submit that evening or who chose to stay for the break, like you. 
Packing up your things as fast as you can, you muttered a quick “just fine,” before catching the gaze of the concerned party that belonged to the most beautiful shade of dark blue eyes that almost made you stop in your stance to see what kind shade of blue they truly were.
⋅˚₊‧ đ–„ž ‧₊˚ ⋅
You checked yourself in your reflection of the metal doors of the elevator of your dorm, making sure traces of your snot nose and red eyes were unnoticeable. You didn’t want to scare the convenience store people at your disheveled state, but you figured they’ve seen worse looking people than someone who just spent a couple of hours crying their eyes till their puffy and dehydrated, dull skin. 
As you walked down to grab some snacks and stock up on some milk and soda, you could tell that the holiday spirit fell short this year. Sure, there were the customary string of Christmas lights and wreaths lined up on your university walls. But outside them, among the people, you can’t help but reflect on how quickly people grow up, get wrapped up in their own drama and business, and change priorities; forgetting to spend time with the people who were actually part of your year.
But what’s new? You were disappointed in your friend, but couldn’t help but blame yourself. You must have done something to her that made her cancel, or maybe you just weren’t as important to her as she was to you.
The familiar sting of tears grew in your eyes and you definitely didn’t want to cry in the middle of the nearest campus convenience store. So you just shook it off, pushed your “friend” and all of your problems with the current state of the holidays to the back of your mind, and focused on your main mission: feeding yourself.
 Not bothering to grab a basket, you filled your arms with your favorite snacks, cup noodles as is customary in every college student’s grocery list. The last thing you needed was your favorite brand of milk from the store’s fridge. What you didn’t see was another hand reaching out for the same carton you wanted. 
“Sorry.” you mumbled, reaching for a second box of milk right behind the first one you were supposed to get. 
“Are you okay?” 
You were startled at the sudden question from this stranger. Was it always normal to make conversation in a convenience store? You lifted your head to properly face your embarrassment.
At this point, you wished you just brushed off this growing awkward interaction and chopped it before it swallowed you whole, as you realized that the beautiful stranger standing in front of you was in fact, Tobio Kageyama. 
The same Tobio Kageyama who's the most active volleyball varsity player in your university. The same Tobio Kageyama who’s been the youngest recruited player for the Japan national volleyball team, participating in the Olympics at 19 years old. The same Tobio Kageyama who’s the same blueberry-eyed guy that definitely saw you crying your eyes out over your phone. 
“I saw you earlier at the study hall.” He almost whispered as if he was afraid to be spilling a dark secret.
You averted your gaze suddenly to check your reflection again on the metal frames of the frozen goods door you were both standing in front of, traces of red eyes gone, but the puffy skin was still there. 
“Sorry, I asked
” He started slowly.
“No! It’s okay.” You quickly answered, not wanting him to actually confirm your embarrassment of being known as the kind of girl that cries at school. “To answer your question
at the time, I wasn’t.”
You sighed thinking you didn’t have the energy to make up an excuse for what he saw, “Now I’m kinda just tired.”
“Right.” He nodded and mumbled. “Me too.”
“Not from crying!” He quickly sputtered out and added, “But from training
and studying?”
You stifled a laugh at his quick save. You don’t recall him ever seeing him stay in the study hall for anything longer than 15 minutes, unless he was seated at a table with a smaller orange haired student that looked way too bright to be in the dreary hall of learning, and an even shorter yellow-haired girl, Yachi, who you recognized from some of your classes. 
He cleared his throat as well as his nerves. “Winter break is coming up.” 
“Got any plans?” Kageyama asked, wanting to keep talking to you. 
“As of earlier, no.” You shrugged off the urge to make something up. 
“Campus is the last place I want to be in right now, but I’m stuck here until maybe after Christmas.” You admitted. 
Kageyama nodded at your honesty. “How bout you?” You asked in turn, continuing the conversation even if you don’t know where it’s going, but this surprising plot twist in your evening felt right. It felt good to speak to someone new. 
As the student-athlete listed down his training plans (read as: holiday break plans), you caught a beautiful sparkle in his eyes that shined brighter as he talked more about his favorite sport and how it isn’t just “training” for him as a student athlete. 
“But I could do something else for the break.” He mumbled as he realized how he was probably boring you with his volleyball tips, but Kageyama’s heart did a little flip as he saw how attentive your soft  gaze was actually focusing on him and how good it felt to be heard.
“Well, good luck with that.” You visibly cringed at how immediately rude that came across, contradicting how warm you felt as he shared his plans. You mentally kicked yourself for your lack of tact and how horrible you were at making friends, let alone maintain your current friendships enough.
You tried to wrack your brain for a better opening to apologize, or possibly offer something else to say to the athlete as you both lined up behind the counter ready to pay for your snacks.
“Would you want to do something?” 
Kageyama’s question brought you out of your marathon of overthinking as you were caught off guard with his sudden invitation. 
“With me?” He added. “For Christmas!”
You blinked in confusion as he stammered out a proposal, but you were patient as he sighed and closed his eyes in embarrassment. 
“Would you want to do something with me for Christmas?”
Any traces of awkwardness left as the air around the two of you suddenly felt cleaner as the cold winter wind bit your cheeks and nose, almost kissing away your puffy eyes. Your heart burned once again, but it wasn’t the painful kind of burn. It was warm and hot that spread rapidly to your numbing fingertips.
“What did you have in mind?” You asked, giving him an encouraging smile. 
He finally opened his eyes in surprise. That wasn’t a no! “I
can get back to you on that.” Caught off guard with your acceptance, but nonetheless, the athlete restrained himself from giving a victory fist bump at this good sign.
“Sure.” You smiled, thinking that you didn’t have anything else to lose and you definitely had nowhere to go this weekend. You were definitely intrigued and excited at where this new little adventure can take you.
“Yes?” 
“Yes, Tobio.” You laughed, turning back to  
Tobio’s grip on his plastic bag tightened at the sound of his name coming out of your lips. Now his stomach was really doing backflips. 
“C-can I get your number?” He asked, eager to not let this opportunity slip through his hands. “So I can get back to you for our
um, thing.”
Without realizing it, you’ve both stopped in front of the entrance of your dorm as you both exchanged numbers. 
“Have a good night.” You bid your goodbye as you walked inside your dorm entrance.
“You too.” Kageyama whispered, not even caring if you didn’t hear it as his eyes were stuck in a daze at your retreating figure as it disappeared behind the east wall, but not without glancing back at him with a small smile that struck right in his heart that hit him all the way back to his own dorm building, where Hinata, Yachi, Yamaguchi and Tsukishima were all hunched over their board game. 
He plopped his plastic bag of snacks and drinks, ignoring all of Hinata and Tsukishima’s jabs at his tardiness for his long walk back from the store with you was worth all the teasing. 
“Yachi!” He startled his old manager at his sudden outburst.
“What do girls like to do on Christmas?”
Not only did the group erupt with a whole new level of freak out at the surprise of Kageyama’s sudden “thing” with someone who didn’t go to high school with them, but they also learned that it IS possible to get kicked out of the lounge area of the campus dorms for an unacceptable level of “chatter”.
⋅˚₊‧ đ–„ž ‧₊˚ ⋅
To say you were quite impressed at how festive and cozy a dorm room could look like, excitement started to spread through you as noted all the multicolored lights that hung around his room, a mini Christmas tree on the side of his study table with a few cut out snowflakes spread out on the walls,  and the 2 sets of bare gingerbread material laid expectantly for you and your Christmas date for the evening.
Decorating gingerbread houses was something you never knew you’d enjoy. You’ve always wanted to do a little Christmas activity, but just never got around doing it because every time you offered, your friends either thought it was lame or too kiddie for your age, or like always, they just cancelled. 
You didn’t need them anyway. Kageyama was a delightful Christmas date, very gentlemanly and very conscious. Always making sure you felt right at home in his room, it was nice to feel taken care of even if it was just for the evening.
Humming along softly to the jazzy Christmas music playing in the background, your concentration lining up your candies for your house was interrupted with a pssk!
Kageyama squeezed a bit too hard on his piping bag and missed the roof of his house, landing a splat of sweet red icing on your cheek 
“I’m so sorry!” As he frantically looked through his desk for spare napkins that Yachi left inside the Christmas-Special-Gift-Basket that his friends helped assemble for him, to ensure he had everything he needed for your “thing”.
“It’s okay!” You giggled, wiping off the last of it with your finger and giving it a small lick. “Least now I know it’ll taste good.”
“I’m sure you do.”
Your eyebrows raised, mouth gaping in a small amused smile waiting for Kageyama to realize what he just said and what he’s implying.
“IT!” Kageyama’s eyes widened in shock. “I really, really meant to say IT.” 
The nervous volleyball player couldn’t help but groan and lay his head on the table contemplating to just start eating his gingerbread house to remove all evidence of this embarrassment, or run to the gym to yell and shout at his idiocy, or even curse at Hinata just because it was a reflex for him at this point. He could do either of these, but he prepared himself as he turned his head towards you, expecting to see cringe all over your face. 
And then suddenly, Kageyama forgot his urge to run away. Instead he wanted to stay in this very picturesque moment forever, with your bright smile that feels so at home among the warm holiday decorations that decorated his dorm, with your infectious laughter bouncing around the walls and through his heart, with your smile holding such child-like wonder and joy. 
Yes, Kageyama decided he can slip up as many times as needed, if only he gets to stay around your radiant smile all the time.
“I didn’t think you’d be so forward!” You praised him.
 “Just don’t bring it up again.” He grumbled, fighting the shy smile growing on his face.
“Alright, alright.” You chuckled. “If you get icing on me again, feel free to lick them off of me yourself so you can get a taste too.” 
“Shut up.” He winced thinking that was too mean, but he took a peek back at you with a smile that didn’t feel like leaving your face as you turned back to placing different colored M&Ms on your icing coated gingerbread roof.
⋅˚₊‧ đ–„ž ‧₊˚ ⋅
“I really like yours.” As you gestured to his simple white icing covered house with red and green candies scattered on the roof, but intriguingly had a very detailed mini-volleyball net (which isn’t holding up so well) and accurate lines for a court with a matching yellow and blue “volleyball” which is really just a yellow M&M covered in blue icing. 
“The court’s definitely my favorite part.” 
“Me too.” He nodded, smiling brightly at his little mini safe space of his favorite sport.
“So cute.” You whispered, catching that gleam in his eyes again that you wished you could see longer. 
The festivities didn’t stop there as you found yourself next to Kageyama, sitting almost shoulder to shoulder on his dorm bed, with his laptop propped up on a few pillows playing the opening credits to the holiday classic, Home Alone. Was it too on the nose? You couldn't tell, but you definitely pondered on it more as the movie went on.
Halfway through the movie, Kageyama couldn’t resist taking a peek at you. Eyes pointed straight at the TV, but they looked almost glassy and unfocused as if your mind was elsewhere at that moment. “Are you okay?”
“Sorry,” You shook your head to bring yourself back to the present. “I think I’m just tired.” Feeling embarrassed that you got caught while lost in thought. You hoped Kageyama didn’t think you were bored, so you took it as a sign to start some idle conversation, starting with the one question you were currently curious about your new found friend. 
“I never got to ask this earlier,” You thought over carefully on your next words. 
“Why didn’t you go home for the holidays, like your friends did?”
He shrugged as he revealed bluntly, “my parents aren’t around much.” He goes on about how they’ve been on more frequent business trips abroad since his high school days, not even showing up to his matches when his team played in national tournaments.
The whole time you couldn’t believe how these supposedly important people in a person’s life could easily miss out on Kageyama’s life like that. He’s clearly very passionate about volleyball and no one can deny his talent and skill for it. Your chest tightened at the pain of imagining a younger Kageyama getting ready for his match, but with a quick scan at the crowd, he'd easily notice the absence of his parents and sister in the crowd.
“And my sister’s spending this Christmas with some friends on a girls’ trip or something.” 
“Must be nice for them to not be alone on Christmas.” Your bitter tone slipped. You frowned as you munched your popcorn, trying hard not to take out your frustration on the snack bowl.
If Kageyama picked up that tone in your voice, he didn’t show it. “We’re not alone either. Not anymore.” He said, words dripping with sincerity as it hung in the air of the small dorm room. 
He was right. Some could probably say it was a coincidence how you both ended up as one of the few people living on school grounds in the middle of winter break when most of the students, teachers and staff have left for their own holidays. 
But some could also say, it was fate for these two souls who haven’t felt seen by their supposedly loved ones in a long time, who grew up lonelier and lonelier as the people around them moved on, grew up, or drifted away. Maybe, just maybe, it was fate leading them to each other, as some kind of plot twist they didn’t know they needed to have in their life. 
⋅˚₊‧ đ–„ž ‧₊˚ ⋅
As the movie came to an end, so does your little Christmas date with Kageyama. You almost didn’t want to leave from your position after having really snuggled yourself under the soft, plush blanket that Kageyama had especially put on the side for you.
“This was really fun.” You slowly stretched your legs as you reluctantly got off of his warm bed. “I’m really glad you invited me, Tobio. Thank you.” You said. 
Kageyama beamed with pride as he felt so seen in your eyes. Spending time with you, just the two of you, was probably the best present he could have ever received this Christmas. Despite knowing he embarrassed himself a few times that night, he didn’t think anything else could top the evening. Except maybe

As you picked up your bag to turn towards his door, you felt a gentle hand land on your shoulder, gently spinning you around back to the blueberry eyed boy standing in front of you with a look that just made you want to melt on the spot.
“You don’t have to be alone on Christmas again.” Kageyama started. “We can do this again next year.” 
He added, “Or doesn’t have to be next year. Can be anytime you want,” Kageyama tried to control his enthusiasm, but he couldn’t help it. Being around you felt like he could hit 10 service aces in a row, (he secretly wants to test this theory, but that’s for another time). 
Maybe this was the kind of feeling that people call “walking on cloud 9” or maybe it’s what falling in love felt like. Regardless, of what it is, Kageyama knew he wanted to keep being in your life, “If that’s something you’d like?”
“Do you really mean that?”
To Kageyama, it was a no-brainer question. But, looking at the soft look in your eyes and how the multicolored sparkles of light dancing across your irises, illuminated by the holiday fairy lights that were decorating his bookshelf, a small sliver of hope flickered on your face, awaiting his answer.
He knew at that moment that the question held more weight to it for you. He knew at that moment, he didn’t want you to go through another lonely Christmas or birthday, or Valentines’ Day, or if you just wanted company. He’d be there for you if you’d call.
Kageyama nodded as he poured all the honesty he had in his heart, sealing his “yes” in a promise.
“Then, I’d like that very much.” You said.
At the corner of your eye, you noticed something dangling at the edge of Kageyama’s bookshelf, sticking out between two books that almost looked like it’d fall off after one big shove on the shelf.  “Is that
”
Kageyama took a step closer to the shelf to pluck it out of its wedged place and pushed back the books so they wouldn’t fall on either of you. 
As he realized that he also took a step closer to you. He raised the mystery item in between the two of you and revealed a small famous christmas ornament, laced perfectly with a red-ribbon.
“Mistletoe.” You bit your lip cheekily at him, subtly questioning his intentions for the end of your evening together. 
“My friends left it here, I swear.” He protested.
“Mhm.”
“I hate those guys.” He argued.
“Mhm, sure you do.” 
“I really, really hate them.” 
“Yeah, I hear you.” You laughed at his poor attempts at a defense.
“I don’t hate you though.” He shyly admitted in defeat.
“You’re really cute when you get caught.” You giggled.
With confidence and gentle hands, Kageyama brought his fingers through some stray hairs that draped down the sides of your face, moving the strands aside to rest his hand on the side of your cheek. 
“I know this isn’t where you wanted to be this weekend.” He started, with his eyes never leaving yours as it searched for any hint of rejection from you as he continued. “But I just really wanted to say,”
“Yeah?” Your eyes shined with encouragement that silently told him to relax as you both drew closer to each other.
“I’m glad you’re here,” He whispered as his lips brushed across from yours, “Truly.”
“Me too.” You agreed as you closed your eyes and the gap between you two, sealing your promises to each other with a sweet kiss.
Your friend cancelling on your holiday plans now seemed to be for the best. At least because of it, you finally had someone to be with that actually enjoyed your company, and that you wouldn’t mind making one or two new Christmas plans with Kageyama. Knowing you’ll both be there for each other not just for holidays but also for every other important milestone in your lives that have yet to come.
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maximoffwitch · 14 days ago
Note
Hola, heyyy I saw you’re looking for some Emily/Jj requests! I’m so in the mood for a fluff-Christmas time one with jj x fem!reader! I had this idea of something along the lines of it being one of jj’s first few Christmas’ since will left her (Michael is new born atp) and she’s stressing about doing it Aline for her new gf (reader) is super helpful and it makes jj sappy and also she feels like she doesn’t deserve reader but reader is just so in love with jj and her boys! Idk if that’s awful or cutesyđŸ„șbut sorry if that’s terrible
All I Want for Christmas Is You
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pairing: jennifer jareau x reader
warnings: none! just pure fluff
summary: you spend your first christmas with you girlfriend, who’s still getting used to sharing the burden of the holiday chaos.
word count: 4.1k
a/n: merry christmas and happy holidays!! hope you enjoy some tooth rotting fluff <3 again, this is not rly proofread so pls forgive any mistakes (:
this is also part of @storiesofsvu holiday bingo for the “first christmas” square!
Setting aside the pile of case files, JJ cringed as she picked up her own list of things to do. Christmas was fast approaching, and she had a million things to do. A few things had been crossed off, but she still had to buy and wrap more presents for the boys, finish decorating, and bake cookies. Ever since her and Will had gotten divorced, JJ prepared the Christmas festivities on her own. And though this would be her third year doing so, it never did get any easier.
Noticing the furrow in JJ’s brow, Emily took out one of her ear buds. “You alright?”
“Yeah,” JJ sighed as she ran her fingers through her hair. “I just have a lot to do before Christmas.”
“Oooo.” Emily grinned with a knowing glint in her eye, taking out her other ear bud. “Are you spending it with (Y/N)?”
When Emily had introduced you to the team about a year ago, she had a feeling you would take a liking to a certain blonde. You and Emily had been roommates and best friends in college, but you’d only recently moved to DC for a fellowship opportunity at George Washington Hospital. Emily had told you all about the media liaison, and you had to admit she was your type, but you also knew that JJ was fairly recently divorced and had two boys to worry about. If anything was going to happen, you wanted her to make the first move. So you waited patiently, content to just be around her and get to know her better.
When JJ did take that first step, asking you to coffee one morning before your shift, you swore it was the best day of your life. Yet, somehow, every day after that continued to prove you wrong. You absolutely adored JJ, never minding her busy schedule. After a month or two of dating, she introduced you to her two boys, and you immediately fell in love. Henry was a little ball of energy and excitement, always wearing a timid smile on his face, and Michael, though only two, was constantly babbling to you about something, his adorable chubby cheeks flushed red. You knew as soon as you met them that you’d do absolutely anything for them, even if JJ and you separated, which you hoped never happened.
You always loved Christmas—the snow, the gifts, the hot chocolate, the cozy fire, the nostalgic carols, all of it—and you wanted to share that joy with your girlfriend and her kids. So when JJ got called in on back to back cases the weeks before Christmas, and you could practically feel the guilt and stress radiating off her through the phone, you devised a plan.
“I don’t know,” JJ said, her eyes scanning back over her list. “I don’t want to burden her by making her spend Christmas morning with two screaming kids.”
“Oh, come on Jayje,” Emily chuckled. “You know that (Y/N) absolutely adores the boys.”
“She probably has plans,” JJ deflected, knowing Emily was right. You were amazing with Henry and Michael, something that melted her heart every time she saw you interact with them.
“Oh, she definitely has plans,” Emily mumbled under her breath. You had told your best friend all about your Christmas ideas for JJ and the boys, swearing her to secrecy. You wanted it to be a surprise, knowing the expression on JJ’s face would be all worth it.
JJ frowned, as she heard her friend’s quiet comment. Even thought she was scared to ask you to spend Christmas with her, the thought of you having plans already made her chest tighten. “She has plans? Is she going back home?”
“No, JJ.” Emily smiled softly. “She has plans with you.” More like for you, she added in her head.
“What?” JJ’s eyes widened as she looked up to her friend’s amused expression. “She hasn’t said anything to me.”
Emily sighed. She knew you’d kill her if you spoiled the surprise. “It’s supposed to be a surprise.”
“What is?” JJ whined, desperate to know what you had up your sleeve.
Emily bit her lip as she weighed her options. Reaching across the table, she grabbed JJ’s list, ignoring the blondes vehement protests as she ripped up the piece of paper.
“Emily! What the hell?”
“You won’t be needing that anymore,” Emily simply said as she put her earbuds back in before JJ could question her further.
JJ just stared in disbelief at her friend, a small scoff escaping her lips. When she realized Emily wasn’t going to tell her anymore, she rolled her eyes, pulling out her phone to see if she could get any information directly from the source.
“Hello darling. Thanks for watching the boys again. On the jet on my way home. Do you wanna stay the night? Probs won’t be home till late. Xx.” She sent you a quick text, noticing the typing bubble appearing by your name almost immediately.
“Of course J! I love spending time with the boys. They’re already asleep and I’ve just been tidying up. Get home safe and see you soon love.”
JJ smiled at your response, her thumbs hovering over the keys as she thought out how to ask you what was on her mind.
“Would you also wanna spend Christmas with us? I don’t know if you have any plans but I’d love to have you with us and I’m sure the boys would too.”
JJ watched as your three dots appeared and disappeared, her heart beating in her ears. She hoped it wasn’t too soon and she hadn’t scared you off. When her phone pinged a few minutes later, she instantly grabbed her phone, causing Emily to chuckle quietly.
Scanning over your message, JJ blinked back a few tears, of happiness and relief.
“Jennifer, there’s no other place I’d rather be on Christmas than with you and the boys. Thank you for inviting me!! I know how much this means to you. I love you so so much! Let me know if I can do anything to help. (I know you already have a list going). Miss you dearly. Hurry home.”
JJ typed out a quick response, one that may have contained a few too many heart emojis, and tucked her phone back in her bag. Staring out the window, she could see the dim lights of DC starting to appear through the fog as thoughts of you swirled in her mind. She couldn’t wait to get home.
— — — —
As she pulled up to her house, JJ’s jaw literally dropped. It was almost unrecognizable, as white Christmas lights lined the roof and windowsills and lit candles burned in the windows. Knowing you were the culprit behind the newly decorated house, JJ felt a warmth flood her body, but she couldn’t also help feel a little guilty. She didn’t want you to have to do all this work, work that she really should be doing.
As she stepped in the front door, she looked around the living room in awe. All sorts of decorations were littered around—mini Santas, holiday candles, homemade paper snowflakes, garlands on the mantle. JJ nearly melted when she saw the perfectly wrapped presents under the tree, ones that you no doubt put there, seeing as she was no where near wrapping any of the gifts she’d gotten the boys. Dropping her go bag next to the sofa, she followed the soft clattering of dishes coming from the kitchen. You were loading the dishwasher, donning one of JJ’s old Georgetown hoodies and a pair of Christmas pajama pants, and the sight stirred something within JJ, something she hadn’t felt in a long time.
“Hey, honey,” she cooed, careful not to scare you as she approached you.
“JJ!” You lit up, throwing your arms around her and burying your face in her neck. With all the holiday chaos and both of your busy schedules, you had missed your girlfriend tremendously. “I missed you,” you mumbled into her skin, her vanilla and jasmine perfume flooding your senses.
“I missed you too, (Y/N/N).”
Lifting your head, you wore a tired smile. “Hi,” you whispered dreamily as you stared into JJ’s hypnotizing blue eyes.
“Hi yourself,” she giggled.
“Can I have a kiss?” You jutted out your bottom lip, giving her your best pout.
JJ fondly rolled her eyes but nonetheless responded by meeting your lips with hers, kissing you tenderly.
“Mmm,” JJ hummed as the two of you separated. “I missed that too.”
You chuckled, quickly pecking her lips again. “Me too.”
“How was your week, babe?” JJ untangled herself from you before moving towards the cabinet to grab a mug for some tea.
“Busy,” you replied, shrugging nonchalantly. The hospital was always hectic during the holidays with the terrible weather, ladder accidents, and increased drinking. “How was the case?”
“It was alright,” JJ said, matching your tone. “Solved it in the end.”
Neither of you divulged many details of your work, knowing the other saw their fair share of humanity each day. The only times you’d discuss work in depth was when one of you had a rough day and needed to talk about it. You shared a mutual understanding of where work stood in your relationship, and establishing that boundary early on kept your relationship strong. The two of you made quite the pair as an FBI agent and a trauma surgeon.
“Good,” you hummed as you started the electric kettle for the blonde’s tea. Noticing the tenseness in your girlfriend’s shoulders, you crossed the room and cupped her face, gently rubbing the creases out of her forehead as you searched her eyes. “Are you sure you’re alright?”
JJ paused for a moment, knowing she couldn’t lie to you. Even before you started dating, you were able to read JJ like a book, picking up on every single one of her tells.
“I’m perfect now that I’m home,” she said truthfully. “Especially now that it actually feels like Christmas in here.” She motioned to all the decorations you put up. “Thank you for doing that. You really didn’t have to.”
“I wanted to, JJ,” you assured, hooking your finger under her chin so she would meet your gaze. You could see the guilt and doubt swirling in her eyes, and you knew she felt like she didn’t deserve this, like she was burdening you. “I love Christmas, and I love you, and I love the boys. You’re not alone, JJ. You don’t have to do it all by yourself, mkay?”
JJ searched your eyes, only seeing sincerity and love in them, and she couldn’t even stop the tears from pooling in her eyes. “I know,” she whispered, taking a deep breath. “Ever since the divorce, I’m just so used to doing everything on my own.”
“I know.” You offered her an understanding smile. “But I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere.”
JJ nodded, a small smile pulling at her lips. “I love you, (Y/N).” She leaned in a kissed you softly, more passionately than before. You melted into her touch as your lips moved languidly against hers. The feeling of her skin against yours was something you’d never tire of.
“I love you too, Jennifer Jareau,” you said as you pulled away.
“I love you but don’t think I didn’t notice the large gifts with Henry’s and Michael’s names on them,” JJ scolded playfully, giving you a stern look that lacked any real bite.
“What can I say?” You grinned goofily. “I love to spoil them. And you.” Punctuating your sentence with another kiss to the corner of her mouth, you unwrapped yourself from her embrace and moved to pour the hot water into her mug. “Wanna go to bed?”
“More than anything,” JJ sighed softly as she took your outstretched hand and followed you back to the bedroom, the two of you making quick pit stops in the boys’ bedrooms so she could say goodnight.
In bed, wrapped up in Santa Claus flannel sheets, as JJ watched you fall asleep curled into her side, she swore her heart never felt fuller.
— — — —
The next few days before Christmas were filled with all sorts of holiday festivities. In between your shifts at the hospital and JJ’s late nights of case paperwork, the two of you spent all your free time with the boys, doing everything from wrapping presents and baking cookies to playing in the snow and decorating the tree.
By Christmas Eve night, it was safe to say that both you and JJ were absolutely exhausted. Michael and Henry, on the hand, were buzzing with energy.
“When’s Santa coming?” Henry asked as he jumped onto your lap, earning a groan from you.
“Soon, Hen,” you laughed. “But you have to go to bed if you want him to come.”
“But I wanna see him,” the young boy whined, his younger brother babbling in agreement.
“Even if you did stay up, you wouldn’t be able to see him. Santa moves so fast that he can’t even be detected seen by us,” you explained seriously. “But he can’t come if you don’t go to bed.”
With that, Henry scrambled off your lap and dashed up the stairs, yelling over his shoulder, “Mikey, we got to go to bed.”
JJ laughed as she lifted Michael onto her hip, the two year old already dozing off, his thumb resting on his lip.
“How about you get those two off to bed and I’ll start sorting things out down here?” You suggested as you kissed Michael’s head.
“Sounds like a plan, doc.” JJ winked, puckering her lips out.
Rolling your eyes, you complied and gave her a quick kiss. As the mother went upstairs with her sons, you started preparing your Santa schemes. You grabbed the handful of gifts you’d stored in the coat closet and then filled the boys’ stockings with candies and other goodies. As you were kneeling down by the tree, organizing the presents, JJ descended the stairs and reentered the living room, a gasp escaping her lips.
(Y/N),” she sighed reverently as she saw the results of your Christmas magic–the stuffed stockings, the pile of gifts “from Santa” under the tree, and the half-full milk glass next to the cookies with a few bites taken out of them.
“Babe, did you happen to grab those gifts we hid in your closet while you were up there?” Your words muffled by the branches above you. When you didn’t hear a response, you crawled out from under the tree. “Jayje?”
JJ stood in the doorway, gift bags in her hands, a tender smile on her face, her eyes glossy. “I can’t believe you did all this.”
Rushing to your feet and over to your girlfriend, gently taking the bags from her hands and setting them down, you cupped her face with both your hands. “Talk to me, Jay.”
“I just,” she started, frustratedly huffing out a puff of air. “I don’t know what I did to deserve all this. You’ve been so great to me, to us, and you’ve made this the best Christmas I could ever hope for. I-I can’t even begin to express how much it means to me.”
You smiled as you gently wiped away a stray tear from her cheek with the pad of your thumb. “I love you, Jennifer Jareau, and I love Michael and Henry–with all my heart. You deserve everything because you are a wonderful woman and an amazing mother. Ever since I met you, you’ve made my life so much better. The least I can do is give you and your kids the Christmas you deserve.”
At a loss of words, JJ simply surged forward, connecting her lips with yours. You kissed her back with all the warmth you had in your heart, feeling the weight of her emotions, the trust, the love, and the tenderness in that single, perfect moment. Her lips were soft, but there was a desperation to the kiss, as though she couldn’t express everything she was feeling with words alone. You could feel her hands trembling slightly against your skin as they slid to the back of your neck, pulling you closer, as if afraid you might disappear.
Breaking the kiss for just a moment, you rested your forehead against hers, breathing her in, feeling the steady rhythm of her pulse against yours. “You’re everything to me,” you whispered.
JJ’s breath hitched, and her hands cupped your face gently, her eyes searching yours. “I adore you,” she murmured. “I love you.”
Her eyes softened as she gazed at you, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still. She pressed her lips to yours again, slower this time, savoring the kiss like it was a promise.
When you finally pulled back, you both wore a silly smile. You took JJ’s hand in yours, the gift bags in your other hand, and led her over to the couch. “Come here.” You guided her to sit down as you quickly put the last gifts under the tree. “I have something for you.”
Before you sat down next to her, you slipped something out of your back pocket, handing her an envelope.
“(Y/N), I can’t accept whatever this is.” JJ shook her head. “You’ve already done too much for me.”
“Just open it, Jayje.”
JJ hesitated for a moment, her fingers tracing the edge of the envelope, admiring your elegantly scribbled handwriting. Sitting beside her, you felt your heart pounding with anticipation.
“Come on, JJ. My grandma moves faster than this,” you teased with a nervous chuckle.
JJ gave you stern look, the corners of her mouth betraying her as they started to turn upwards. Turning her attention back to the gift in her hand, JJ took a deep breath and slowly tore open the envelope and pulled out the single piece of paper inside. Her eyes scanned the contents, her brow furrowing slightly as she read. You watched her expression shift from confusion to surprise to awe. She looked up at you, her voice barely a whisper. “(Y/N), what is this?”
“It’s a plane ticket,” you said simply. “Well, two plane tickets. For us. To Barcelona. I know it’s something you’ve always wanted. And I’ve already arranged everything. The flight, the hotel, and I talked to Hotch about your vacation time. He said he’d only call if it was absolutely necessary.” JJ opened her mouth to interject, but you kept on rambling.
“And I talked to Will about the boys, and he said no problem. They’ll be with him, unless you want to bring them, then obviously they can come with, but I figured you’d want a vacation just the two of us. Everything is taken care of already. You don’t have to worry–”
“(Y/N)!” JJ interrupted. “Honey, you’re rambling.”
“Sorry.” You smiled sheepishly, biting your lip as you gauged her reaction.
JJ blinked, processing what you were saying, but still unsure if she understood correctly. “(Y/N), I can’t
How
 this is too much. I can’t possibly accept this.” She moved to hand the envelope back to you, causing you to shake your head. “You’ve already done so much for us, for me–”
You placed a hand gently on hers, quieting her. “JJ, listen to me. It’s not just a trip. It’s a chance for you to take a step back. To take some time for yourself, to breathe and relax. You’ve given so much of yourself to your team, to Michael, to Henry
 you deserve to take a moment for yourself.”
She blinked again, emotion welling up in her eyes. “I
 I don’t even know what to say.”
"Say yes," you urged softly. "Say yes to you, Jayje. Say yes to us. You’ve worked so hard for everyone else. It’s time to do something for yourself. Let yourself be taken care of. Let me love you."
JJ stared at the ticket, her hand trembling in yours. The quiet room seemed to close in around you as she tried to find her voice. Finally, she looked back at you, eyes full of gratitude and love, a look that took your breath away. “Why are you doing this?” she asked, her voice thick with emotion.
You shrugged, trying to keep the tone light while your heart was full. “Because you deserve it, and because I love you.” You paused, squeezing her hand. “It’s our first Christmas together. Let’s make it memorable. Let’s make it about you
 about us.”
JJ let out a shaky breath, the corners of her mouth curling into a hesitant smile. She was overwhelmed, but there was something in her eyes—something that told you, despite all the hesitation, that she knew exactly what you were offering. While it was a much needed vacation away from her two- and seven-year olds and away from the dreary cases she dealt with everyday, it was also much more than that. It was a chance for you two to take the next step in your relationship, and this was your way of showing her that you were in this for the long run.
She stared at the ticket once more, and with a shaky breath, she looked at you, her smile growing as her eyes softened. "I guess we’re going to Barcelona.” JJ beamed at you, letting out a wet laugh.
“Yeah?” You bit back a grin.
“Yes.” She nodded, setting the ticket aside. “You’re right. I do need a vacation, and what’s a better vacation than spending it with you, my love.”
Too excited to form any coherent words, you surged forward, kissing her, your teeth clashing as you were both smiling widely.
When you finally pulled away, breathless and grinning, JJ let out a soft laugh, her eyes still sparkling. “I’m so lucky to have you, (Y/N). I don’t think I say it enough, but I’m grateful you’re in my life because I really do love you, like a lot.”
You grinned, feeling your heart swell in your chest. “You don’t have to say it, Jayje. I already know. But hearing it never hurts.”
JJ leaned into your shoulder, sighing contentedly as she closed her eyes for a moment, taking it all in. "I don’t know how to thank you for this, for everything you’ve done for me. For us."
“You don’t need to thank me,” you replied. "Seeing you smiling like that is all the thanks I need."
She lifted her head to look at you again, her gaze full of warmth and admiration. “Merry Christmas, (Y/N).”
“Merry Christmas, JJ,” you mumbled into her skin as you kissed her temple. “How about we go to bed?” You stood up and held out your hand for JJ to take. “Santa won’t come until we’re asleep, you know,” you teased with a wink.
JJ chuckled softly, her eyes twinkling with mischief. She took your hand, letting you pull her gently to her feet. “Santa, huh?” she laughed, raising an eyebrow as she stepped closer to you. “You’re not trying to get me into bed with that, are you?”
You grinned, leaning in to kiss her softly. “Maybe,” you said into her ear, your voice low and playful. “But I don’t think I need Santa’s help for that.”
JJ threw her head back, a genuine laugh taking over her body. “Let’s go to bed then,” she said, her voice steady now, though still filled with affection.
You both walked hand-in-hand toward the bedroom, the soft glow of the Christmas tree lights casting a gentle light on the stairs ahead. As you reached the bed, you pulled the covers back, and JJ climbed in first, her body curling into the warmth of the blankets. You slid in beside her, wrapping your arms around her as she nestled into you, her head resting on your chest.
“I love you,” she whispered, her voice almost lost in the stillness of the room. “Thank you for giving me this. For showing me what love feels like again.”
You kissed the top of her head, breathing her in. “I love you too, JJ. Good night.”
“G’night,” JJ mumbled as her eyes were starting to weigh heavy.
The soft sound of her breath slowed as she drifted off to sleep, her body warm and relaxed against yours. You held her close, feeling the peace of the night wash over you.
Tomorrow morning would be chaotic, the both of you running around at a hundred miles an hour, trying to keep up with two young boys ripping off wrapping paper faster than you could keep up. But tonight, you savored the calm feeling of having the woman you loved in your arms.
Santa could come or not. You had everything you needed—JJ’s love, her trust, the love and laughter of her two boys, and the promise of a future with your budding family.
And that was all you could ever want.
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ofmdrecaps · 8 days ago
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11/23-26/2024 Daily OFMD Recap
TLDR; David Jenkins; Rhys Darby; Taika Waititi; Con O'Neill; Nathan Foad; Kristian Nairn; Samson Kayo; Brian Gattas & Connor Barrett; Damien Gerard; Articles; Fan Spotlight: TinyCrewBigDonations; NeverLeftPodcast; OFMD Advent Calendar; Love Notes
= David Jenkins =
David was out on Christmas Eve getting a tattoo in honor of his new baby Zosia and Kinga!
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Source: David Jenkins Instagram
Also, in case you haven't seen yet, David has been writing some OFMD Fanfiction, or a Christmas Special since Christmas Eve on his Bluesky. Due to it spanning multiple days, and me not knowing when I'll get the next recap out, I'm putting in as much as I can now.
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Source: David Jenkins Bluesky
= Rhys Darby =
Rhys spent the holidays in Aotearoa with the family!
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Source: Rosie's IG
Another trailer for Badjelly!
instagram
Source: BadJellyTV
= Taika Waititi =
Taika also happened to be in Aotearoa for the holidays!
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Source: VasJMorgan's Instagram / Mariana Vivanco's Instagram
= Con O'Neill =
Con had a beautiful message for everyone <3
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Source: Con O'Neill's Instagram
= Nathan Foad =
Nathan's voiceover agents had fun doodling their clients! Can you find Nathan?
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Source: Nathan's Instagram Stories
= Kristian Nairn =
Kristian is sending some updates on his new Spectrum playlists, Cameo's and orders from his website! Lots of love coming from our beloved Wee John <3
instagram
Source: Kristian's Instagram
= Samson Kayo =
Samson got into the holiday spirit and sent a Merry Christmas to all!
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Source: Samson's Instagram Stories
= Brian Gattas & Connor Barrett =
Hornberry and Siegfried wish you a silly Happy Holidays!
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Source: Brian Gattas' Instagram Stories
= Damien Gerard =
More updates on where Damien is online now!
Instagram / Bsky
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And a sweet holiday message from him!
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Source: Damien's Bsky / Damien's bsky
== Articles ==
Thank you to our dear friends over at @adoptourcrew for ore articles featuring OFMD!
Source: Adopt Our Crew Bsky
== Fan Spotlight ==
= OFMD Buys Boats =
Last on the list for the Tiny Crew Big Raffle Donations was: World Central Kitchen - David Jenkins - $US 1,779.07, £278.69, €611.91, CAD$82.81! Well done all! I ran out of images in this recap, but the next will feature all the awesome BTS Lindsey Cantrell shared with the @ofmd-buys-boats and the rest of the crew for everyone's generosity!
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Source: OFMD Buys Boats Instagram
= Never Left Podcast =
Never Left Podcast's latest episode is about Fan Fic! Check it out on their linktr.ee!
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Source: Never Left Instagram
= OFMD Advent Calendar =
The OFMD Advent Calendar has come to an end, and the kind @tillychmo gave everyone some lovely treats for the last two! Including Cameos from the crew! Thank you so much dear for highlighting so many amazing artists and writers this holiday season, and spreading joy and love from our cast! You're the best!
The 24th Door features @tillychmo's artwork! A very cute piece with the full revenge crew and more!
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The 25th Door has cameos from some of our awesome Cast! Damien Gerard, Erroll Shand, Ruibo Qian! Wow! What a surprise! Check it out on Bluesky / AO3!
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Source: OFMD Advent Calendar
== Love Notes ==
Well Lovelies, we're coming to the end of the year here. As I write this, it's New Year's Eve. I ended up being really sick for several days so I couldn't finish these on time (so sorry for the jump scare, I legit thought I'd be gone for a long while after two docs told me what they thought it was-- but luckily, no surgery for me). I'll try to be getting the last couple of the year out tomorrow if I can <3 I did want to mention, I know the David Jenkins fanfic/OFMD Christmas special is causing a bit of contention out there. Some folks are worried it's S3, and are either upset because it doesn't meet what they were expecting so far, or worried that because it's there, we're not getting an s3 at all. These are all valid concerns! For me, I like to think of what David's doing as a little gift to keep our hope alive. Whatever reason-- whatever comes of it, David cares so much about us that he's keeping us all engaged this late into the year. How many creators can we say do that for their fandom (let alone with a newborn)? Did you feel that same tingly feeling I did as we got more and more updates? It felt like watching an episode of OFMD again, for the first time, not knowing where it was going. It was a roller coaster ride of emotions, and as usual David is perfect with timing of specific revelations for maximum affect. We get to interact with him and all of our crewmates in the wee hours of 2024, and feel that same love and excitement that brought us together in the first place-- and I really do think that's such a wonderful gift. Seeing so many folks get excited, and brains firing off a mile a minute on new meta and new headcanons has been wonderful to watch. Whatever happens, whatever comes of it, we are getting to feel that unexpected excitement again. That little flutter of uncertainty-- that spark of joy and hope. So don't despair okay? Whatever happens, we still have our S1, and S2, and we still have each other-- and if we get an s3 out of all this too-- great! Whatever happens, we still have this insanely talented, and kind, and breathtakingly creative crew, and I am so very grateful for each and every one of you. OFMD changed my life for the better. You all changed my life for the better. You all changed SO MANY lives for the better, just by being you and sharing your love of this brilliant show. OFMD is the gift that keeps on giving, and I'm grateful David's trying to give us a bit more to play with for now, to do with as we will. Happy Holidays Lovelies and Happy New Year. May you get the rest and love you deserve, and all the things you desire this year.
instagram
Source: The Latest Kate's Instagram
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daisies-and-domming · 13 days ago
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Boxing Day (SFW)
Thank you to @glassofapplejuicee for beta reading saving this work! Love you so much babes, don't know what I would do without you <3
Happy Merry Boxing Day, everyone! I’ve been a little quiet as of late (oops), but I figured a fluffy little set of headcanons about our favorite boys would get me writing again. Lo and behold, it totally worked - so Happy Holidays everyone, and enjoy!
Summary: You and your partner had a Merry Christmas, but now it’s time for you to move on to the new year! How long does it take for you to take down all of your Christmas decorations, and what challenges do you run into along the way? 
Warnings: light swearing, petnames (Gojo is a menace, Nanami calls you darling, Sukuna calls you brat, Toji calls you doll, Shoko calls you lovely), minor injuries in Toji’s
Features Gojo, Geto, Nanami, Sukuna, Fushiguro (Toji), Ieiri, Higuruma
Let me know if you think I missed anything!!
All characters are over 18 :)
– – –
Gojo Satoru
If anyone is over the top, it’s Gojo. Definitely takes Christmas decorations too far, and is not past putting vulgar things on the tree. Tried to decorate it with Polaroids of you in
compromising positions, much to your chagrin. You shut that one down pretty quickly.
One of those rich assholes who hires people to put up/take down the lights outside. Before you, he definitely had only the boring white lights and maybe one of those sad wire light-up reindeers (like this, for example). Just one of them, all alone - he thinks it’s symbolic and deep because he was all alone at the time but it really just makes his huge yard look extra empty.
With you, however, he wants to do it himself. He thinks there’s something magical about putting up decorations together, with people you love. 
(It’s sweet, really, until he sucks at it and cries because he has no actual idea how to do it - why is it so hard to hang the lights straight?? Or at all, for that matter?? You’ll probably end up having to do all the work)
Once Christmas comes and goes, he does NOT want to take stuff down. You put it up “together” (you put it up), he wants to leave it up forever! A memory of the Christmas you spent together. 
Plus, his big house feels a lot less empty with all the lights and garlands and various other decorations he spent too much money on. Please, let him leave it up?
You probably let him get away with leaving up the tree until the beginning of January. He, of course, bought a huge, very much real, tree. The needles are a mess, and when it reaches the point where there are barely any needles left on the tree, you put your foot down.
He’s whining the whole time you two are taking it down. He tries to sneak out and drag it back inside, but you catch him every time.
Don’t even get him started on taking down the lights

– – –
“But baaaaaaaabe!!”
“Gojo Satoru.”
“Full government name? You wound me, baby! Just like you’re wounding our beautiful Christmas memories!”
You groan, rolling your eyes at your boyfriend’s whines. “Satoru, you’re the one who wanted a real tree. I told you it was too much responsibility and cleaning, but you-”
“Baby,” he said, eyes watery and lips pulled downward in a pout. “Why’re you so mean to me, huh? Just want to keep all of our Christmas memories safe, is all.”
You soften at this. Satoru didn’t really get a chance to celebrate Christmas often, before you. You know there’s no way in hell his family celebrated with him, and you’re sure that once he lost his best friend (on Christmas Eve, no less), he and Shoko didn’t truly celebrate again. This was the first real Christmas he’s had in a while.
“Toru,” you murmur, pulling him to you. “We have plenty of years in the future to make new Christmas memories, hm? We’ll get to put up Christmas decorations all over again.”
His eyes find yours, and you wonder briefly if the glow in his eyes is the lights he refuses to take down, or the jujutsu endlessly flowing through him.. There’s a hint of something melancholy hidden in them, mixed with something else you can’t quite put your finger on. He doesn’t say anything, just looks, almost studying you - you’d be freaked out if you didn’t know him so well. Know that your words and your kindness were unfamiliar to him. In a world where he’s expected to be the strongest, he doesn’t know what to do when someone expects him to just be himself. You want every piece of him, the good and the bad, the strong and the weak, and you try to convey that as much as you can with your eyes. 
You let him stare until the silence becomes too thick, too heavy with something inexplicably sad that leaves a lump in your throat and a weight on your chest. You pull your hand away from his, running a gentle thumb over his cheek. Your eyes can’t seem to leave his, as much as it hurts.
“I’m not going anywhere,” you say, with such finality that he can’t help the smile that stretches across his face. It’s still full of grief, but there’s a glimmer of hope in it, too. “You know that Toru. I’m here. I’ll always be here, okay? Don’t you forget it.”
“I won’t.” he says, devoid of his usual humor. “You promise me?”
“I promise, Toru.” you say. You barely get it out before he’s smashing his lips to yours. It’s messy, it’s frantic, and it’s full of all the words he can’t say. He knows it’s selfish of him. To want you, to love you. His life is full of danger and death around every corner, and he knows that by bringing you into his life he’s brought you into that, too. But he can’t help himself. Gojo Satoru gets what he wants, he always has, and there’s nothing he wants more than you.
So he holds you close, and hopes that you keep wanting him forever, too.
Geto Suguru
He’s been going all out for Christmas since he found Nanako and Mimiko. It was clear that the two had never really had a proper family, and he wanted to give them that as much as he could.
He went all out when they were little - fake reindeer hoofprints in the yard, piles of presents under the tree, half eaten cookies left on the plate labelled “for Santa”. The girls are his whole world, and he’d pluck the moon from the sky if they asked him to.
The girls love you, too, once you become part of their Christmas traditions (even though Suguru made you tell them that Santa’s not real because he couldn’t do it himself). You’ve helped give them a family that they never had, and they welcome you with open arms.
Nanako and Mimiko become menaces when you even mention that it’s about time you all take the Christmas decorations down. They love the way the house feels brighter with all the decorations up. Expect a bit of a fight (and no help from your boyfriend, who seemingly can’t tell his girls “no”).
– – –
“Absolutely not.” “You want to do what?!”
Okay, so maybe it wasn’t your best idea to suggest taking down the tree, after all. You figured it’d be a good thing to do together - a touch of family time that you don’t always get with the girls - but they seemed to be appalled that you had even suggested such a thing.
“Nana, Mimi, it’s not Christmas anymore.” you say, laughing a bit nervously. “We can’t leave the tree up forever, can we?”
“We certainly can,” Nanako starts with a frown, “What’s stopping us? The pressure from society to conform to its trends?”
You barely manage to stop your eyes from rolling. You loved that Suguru was honest and open with the girls about what he does and who he is, but Nanako was definitely picking up some preconceived notions from hanging around Suguru’s literal cult all the time. Perhaps you’d have to talk to your boyfriend about it.
“Nana, sweetie, I love you-”
“Clearly you don’t if you won’t let me keep the tree up!” “What’s going on in here?”
A smooth, deep voice cuts through your conversation (argument?) with Nanako and Mimiko, and you feel a wave of relief crash over you. Surely, your lovely boyfriend would talk some sense into the girls (primarily Nanako).
“Suguru! The girls and I were just discussing taking the Christmas decorations down.”
Oblivious to Nanako’s scowl, he smiles softly at you. “What a good idea! We can do it as a family, hm? I could use a family day after the meetings I just had.”
“We’re not taking it down,” Mimiko mutters, eyes flickering between you and Suguru. “It’s too early.”
“Yeah, it’s way too early! We need to leave them up waaaaay longer. We did so much work to put them up, we can’t just take them down now!” Nanako whines out, doing her best puppy dog eyes at her father.
“You two,” you sigh, massaging your brow. “We can do it all again next year, but we seriously need to start taking these down, it’s getting a little late to still have our decorations up-”
“We can leave them up.”
Your head snaps to look at your boyfriend, mouth agape. “What?”
“I mean
” he says, looking anywhere but your face. “They seem really excited about it, you know? It can’t hurt to keep them up a bit longer
”
You should’ve known he would succumb to their puppy dog eyes, the bastard. “Suguru Geto, it’s the middle of January. We absolutely cannot keep them up much longer, the neighbors are starting to give me weird looks-”
“Who cares what the neighbors think?” he says, pulling you towards the couch. “C’mon, how about family movie night instead? We can take the tree down another day, hm?”
You know you shouldn’t let the girls win this one. You know it, and yet you let yourself get led to the couch anyways. Some 1980’s chick flick is put on, and you all settle in, curled into each other. You think you catch Meg Ryan out of the corner of your eye, but you’re more busy looking at your family, all together at this moment. 
The tree can stay up another day, you decide. You could handle a couple of judgy stares from the neighbors - because you wouldn’t trade moments like these for the world.
Nanami Kento
Nanami didn’t necessarily celebrate Christmas when he was on his own. It felt like a lot of work to put up a tree and decorate it if he was barely going to be home anyways.
After his return to jujutsu, Gojo tries endlessly to try and drag him to the yearly Christmas work party to no avail. Especially after you enter the picture. Gojo wants nothing more than to tell you embarrassing stories about your lover. 
But now he has you, and the little pink-haired menace that is Itadori Yuuji. You two had inserted yourselves into his life when he thought he needed solitude the most, and he couldn’t be more grateful.
Christmas, which had once come and gone, became something tangible. It meant endless hours of baking and decorating cookies, and time spent together, as a family. Yuuji wasn’t technically his son, but he was certainly a part of your little family (the gifts under the tree for him spoke for themselves). 
Like Gojo, he’s oddly hesitant to take down the decorations. The memories of putting them up and celebrating Christmas with the people he treasured around them are very dear to him.
Unlike Gojo, he can picture a future with you and Yuuji. Not quite on boxing day, but before December ends, the three of you are taking down decorations together, as a family, knowing that you’ll get the chance to put them up again next year.
– – –
Despite the date being not-quite-Christmas, you had insisted on playing Christmas music as you all took Christmas decorations down. Something about it being your “last chance to listen to Christmas music!” and you needing “one last dose” of Christmas before it was gone. And any level of time spent together with you and Nanami had Yuuji bouncing off the walls, so of course he was down for Christmas music after Christmas.
Despite his slight distaste for the music, Kento couldn’t help but smile at you and Yuuji. You’re rolling the lights neatly as Yuuji unwinds them, laughing and joking as you do. He remembers when you had asked Yuuji to come over to decorate for Christmas with the two of you. He had seen the boy excited before, but there was something special about the joy he radiated as he happily agreed to come over. You’d offered him the spare room many times, and even though he “can’t” stay, his clothes soon filled the drawers and his toiletries lived in your bathroom. While there’s not necessarily a “break” from the life of being a sorcerer, Fushiguro had gone home to Gojo’s, and Kugisaki had gone home to her family for the holidays. But, with nowhere to go, Yuuji had been planning to stay at the dorms, alone. Normally Nanami would’ve asked you first, but the second he heard he invited the boy to stay - lots of empty excuses about needing more company for Christmas and not wanting to eat all of the Christmas goods yourselves. But when Yuuji came bouncing in, you already knew, giving your husband a knowing smile. 
Now he was certain the house was going to feel empty, once Yuuji was gone. Ever respectful, he insisted he would be out of your hair the second the holidays were over.
“Ken, c’mere!” you call, beckoning him over. “Help Yuuji with the tree, won’t you?”
“I’ve totally got this, I’ll be fine!” Yuuji exclaims, trying to pick up the plastic tree without even taking it apart. “See?? Totally got it-”
Famous last words, of course, as he slips and thuds to the floor, the Christmas tree atop him. You and Kento both fly in, working to roll the tree off of him as quickly as possible. Of course, once he’s free, Yuuji is laughing, already re-telling the story of his “epic fall” (“it landed on me like whoosh! and I slammed against the carpet like kapow! Did you see that??”).
You sigh, glad he’s okay. “Could thank Nanami for helping you out from under it, you know.”
He flushes, stopping mid-story. “Oops, sorry! Thanks for the save, dad!”
He grins toothily before he catches his mistake, but by then, Nanami’s already tearing up. You are, too. Yuuji lost his family a long time ago. To feel safe enough, to call your husband dad? This was the best Christmas you’ve ever had, you’re certain.
And if you all end up crying? That’s nobody’s business but yours.
Sukuna Ryomen
He’s aware of the human tradition of “Christmas”, but if you think even for a second he considered celebrating it before you, you’re sorely mistaken. He’s the King of Curses, he doesn’t have time for nonsense like Christmas.
When you insert your annoying self into his life, he’s unsure on how to approach the holiday. His estate was not a place for “joy” or “being merry” (two very important things to Christmas, you had informed him), but with you here, perhaps it could be.
Very against decorations across the estate. In the privacy of certain spaces, he may allow it, but there will be no outdoor decorations or house-wide decorations. He does not want his servants to think he is getting soft for the human he’s been toting around. He will cede to some decorations, but he does not care about you and your silly human traditions.
(they already know he’s going soft for you. Any servant can see the way he looks at you, and how delicate his hands are with you. They’d be stupid not to know at this point the affection he holds for you)
He, at first, refuses to let you put up anything yourself in the approved rooms. He has servants, and he has made it very clear that they are yours to command. Why do you insist on doing it yourself?
You explain the importance of doing it yourself, even have the gall to ask him to do it with you, and he scoffs at this. He’s the King of Curses, he doesn’t have the time to 
Later, you will find him reading on Christmas traditions and decorations. When you catch him, he will refuse to acknowledge it, but the way he won’t quite make eye contact with you says all you need to know.
Once Christmas is over, decorations are down and boxed immediately. He instructs the servants the night before to take them down, and by the time you wake, the decorations are gone. 
With all of this Christmas decorating and celebrating, Sukuna has barely had a proper moment alone with you. Now that it’s over, expect him to be the closest to “clingy” that you will ever see him.
– – –
It’s early morning, December 26th, and Sukuna could not be more glad that this “Christmas” thing was over. You had become consumed by it, and despite finding some sort of amusement in the way you bounced around all excited and glowy, he was sick of it. You talked on and on about what he had to do with you, and while he indulged you on some of them, he was not fond of being bossed around. You had also mentioned another man, whom you referred to as “Santa” - you had assured Sukuna he wasn’t real, but Sukuna didn’t like the way another man’s name was so easily rolling off your tongue - who brought gifts to children in their homes. You had made an attempt to put up a little “Santa” figurine on the mantle, but found him in pieces (and in the trash) hours later. Sukuna would not allow another man you spoke so highly of to taint his space. 
You shift slightly, and he looks down at your sleeping face where it lay against him. You looked utterly ridiculous - your face was smushed against him, your hair was tousled, and you were lightly snoring - but for some reason Sukuna couldn’t tear his eyes from your form. He could hear the servants shuffling around in the other rooms on the estate, taking down the eyesores that you had put up all over the house. While he had instructed them to take everything Christmas-related down across the estate, they also had very specific instructions to never enter his chambers without explicit permission from him. This meant that his chambers were still a little Christmas bubble, the tree you had put up in the corner still standing tall.
When you first tried to get him to put a tree up in his chambers, he had refused. You could put a tree in the approved rooms, he had reminded you, and his chambers were very explicitly off limits. You had frowned, saying something about needing a “personal” tree that you could decorate yourself and keep presents “safe” under it. He informed you that anything you left under the other trees would also be safe, as this was his estate, and no one would touch anything without his permission, but you had just thrown your hands up.
“It’s about the principle, Ryo!”
“Brat, be grateful I’m letting you put up any trees at all. I could call off this whole ‘Christmas’ nonsense whenever I want, so watch your mouth.”
He sighed. He doesn’t know how you managed, but you had eventually wore him down. A sparkling tree sits in the corner of his chambers now, glowing softly. Once you had risen and started to go about your day he was going to take it down, he resolved. Whatever weird feelings were bubbling in his chest were the fault of this Christmas rampage you had gone on, and nothing else. Once his estate was cleaned of the Christmas blight you had cast upon it, his chest would return to normal, he was certain.
But for now, as the Christmas lights shining from the tree glowed behind your sleeping form, the feelings would remain. He felt himself melt into you, and ran a gentle hand through your hair. His eyes flick to the ceiling before drifting closed again. He sighs, and pulls you a little further into him. Softly, so softly that even the wind barely catches it, he murmurs to you.
“Merry Christmas, brat.”
Fushiguro Toji (ft. Tsumiki and Megumi)
You think this man has ever owned a house? Jokes on you honey, he’s never had that kind of money (or that good of credit).
Subsequently, there’s nowhere to decorate outside, really. Other than the apartment door, but that's too much work for Toji, so any Christmas decorations he might have are inside the walls of his apartment.
He’s boring, but surprisingly your biggest opp in Christmas decoration is little Megumi. Tsumiki is an angel as always and goes along with whatever Christmas shenanigans, but Megumi doesn’t want even a hint of Christmas in the house.
The most you get is a Christmas tree in the corner of the living room, which was all Toji was willing to do before you, anyways. As much as he pretends he doesn’t, he’s always loved his kids, and keeps a plastic tree and a small box of ornaments (which is mostly comprised of the ones Tsumiki and Megumi has to make at school) shoved in the corner of his closet for this time of year. He may have been a shitty father, but he cared, in his own way.
When Megumi is little, that tree is down on December 26th, shoved back in the corner of Toji’s closet. Christmas is dumb, and so is anything that reminds him of it.
But now, with warmer memories surrounding it, the tree might take a couple more days to find itself back in the closet. It’s definitely down within the week (Megumi can only handle being sappy for so long), but maybe Christmas isn’t so bad with you around.
And (even though he won’t say it), Toji feels the same way - you see it in the mistletoe that now hangs in the entryway between the kitchen and living room, in the way his eyes find yours as you all decorate gingerbread houses together, in the way he’s just a little sweeter when Christmas comes around. You’re the best present he’s ever gotten, and the only one he needs, this Christmas and every Christmas in the future.
The actual act of taking stuff down, though? With four (mostly) grown bodies shoving around in a tiny apartment, it’s a lot more hectic than you’d like it to be. Someone always ends up minorly hurt every year in the clean-up process. It’s inevitable, and you’re considering making a Christmas scrapbook of all the injuries you all have gotten over the years.
(your personal favorite will always be when Toji yanked on the lights impatiently and the whole tree came down on him. You can still see Tsumiki’s wide eyes and hear little toddler Megumi’s laughter as Toji grumbled about “stupid tree” this and “damn lights” that. He was fine, but his ego was not)
– – –
“Shit-”
You spin around at the gruff swear from your husband, about to scold him for swearing in front of the kids, when you’re met with a facefull of Toji. His chest slams into your face, and you both go down. He barely manages to catch himself over you (if he hadn’t, you’re certain you would’ve been flattened under his weight). Your head smacks into the carpet and you groan, squeezing your eyes shut to battle the throbbing pain in your head.
“Dad, what the hell-”
“Are you two okay??”
Two overlapping voices come from above you, but you don’t think you can open your eyes. You haphazardly throw up a thumbs up, just to blindly whack your husband in the face.
“Ow, doll, Jesus Christ. Watch your hand, won’t you?” Toji gruffs out, but one of his hands is already moving to cradle your head, gently touching around it. He doesn’t feel any blood, and he lets out a sigh of relief. He didn’t really feel like making a trip to the emergency room a couple days after Christmas, especially for something this embarrassing. He’s sure they’ve had enough Christmas-related injuries from the idiots who go out and party, anyways. 
“Get off of them, you oaf.” Megumi says, shoving his father off of you. Toji rolls off of you, letting Megumi shove him aside. That kid always liked you more than him, even if you weren’t related by blood. 
He lets the kids fuss over you and goes into the kitchen to grab you an ice pack for your head. At worst it’s a concussion, but he’s hoping it’ll just be a bump. Not his fault that Tsumiki got distracted midway through taking the lights of the tree and left them hanging haphazardly. And yeah, maybe it was his fault that he wasn’t looking where he was going and got his feet tangled in the lights. But Megumi was complaining about them still having all of the ornaments he made as a kid, and Toji had to make sure that brat wasn’t throwing any of them away. So yeah, maybe his eyes weren’t on the floor. But in his defense, the lights were only supposed to be in two places - the box, or on the tree.
Grumbling, he makes his way back to the living room, where you’re now situated on the couch. Christmas teardown long forgotten, Tsumiki is asking you questions and holding fingers in front of your face. Megumi is standing broodily to the side. His arms crossed, as if he doesn’t care, but his eyes are watching you with rapt attention. 
“For your head, doll.” Toji says, passing you the ice pack. You accept it gratefully, cradling it to where your head smacked into the floor. Your bleary eyes meet his, and you can see the glow of worry hiding behind them. You offer him a weak smile, hoping it’ll ease at least some of his worries.
“I knew I was gorgeous, but you didn’t have to literally fall for me, you know,” you joke, eyes sparkling. There’s a distinct “Ew!” from Megumi as Toji leans down to plant a kiss on your lips, rolling his eyes at your nonsense. 
“Merry Christmas, doll.”
“Merry Christmas, Toji.”
And if the half-taken down tree stays up for a day or so more, Megumi doesn’t say a word.
Ieiri Shoko
Shoko has no intention of owning a house, ever. Her apartment has always been more than enough space for her, and being the only sorcerer with her abilities, she works crazy hours, anyways. She wouldn’t have the time to take care of a whole house.
Even with you in her life, she’s still home at odd hours. She tries harder now, to be home more often, but there’s only so much that’s in her control. You’ve woken up many nights to her crawling out of bed and throwing on her coat to get to Jujutsu Tech.
It sucks and she knows it, but both of you know it’s always going to be her reality unless she leaves jujutsu. And both of you know that, at this point, she isn’t going anywhere.
Your Christmas decorations are very sparing. A wreath on the outside of your door, a small tree in the corner of the living room, and perhaps a wintry candle burning. Your apartment isn’t really well-lived in, but you two try to make it as cozy as possible.
Christmas decorations could stay up year round, honestly. She barely cares to put them up, taking them down is way more work than she wants to go through. The wreath is notoriously on the door until mid-February. It’s a miracle if it’s gone by Valentine’s Day.
Things get taken down, piece by piece, until all of it is gone. Unlike most people, it’s not a day that you two do it, but over the course of the rest of December and January. 
(The door wreath always gets forgotten because by the time post-Christmas rolls around you’re both used to it and forget it’s even there)
By the first of the new year, the lights and ornaments are off the tree, and all of the Christmas cookies (that you stole from Gojo’s stash) are eaten. At some point, the tree goes down. Eventually, the candle’s been burnt to the end of the wick, and it’s replaced with something more flowery. Any sign of Christmas and the holidays slowly fades away.
Until one of you remembers the wreath, of course!
– – –
A gentle buzzing shakes Shoko from her lunch. She’s rarely aware of what time of day it is in the hellscape that is the basement of Jujutsu Tech; but Gojo, in a rare moment of kindness, had visited her with lunch in his hands. He was blabbering on and on about something nonsensical, as always, but she was grateful for the break. As much as he acted like an idiot, Gojo was anything but - he knew the conversation he was holding was one-sided. He’d act all offended later, she was sure (what a headache), but her little noncommittal “yeah”s and “mhm”s would do for now. 
“Ooooh, who’s calling you?” Gojo asks, wiggling his eyebrows at her. She rolls her eyes, looking down at the caller ID. Your name lights up the screen, a goofy picture of you flashing behind it. You had thrown the Christmas lights for the tree in the air over your head in excitement, and had ended up all tangled up in them. Despite being somewhat wrapped  up in Christmas lights, you had a big smile on your face, laughing at your own predicament. It’s perhaps one of her favorite pictures of you.
Before she can answer it herself, Gojo snatches her phone from her hand, and answers it himself. “Helloooo, Ms. Shoko Ieiri speaking. How may I be of doctor-ly assistance to you?”
She can hear you snort on the other end of the phone, clearly amused. 
“Hi, Gojo. How’re you?”
He gasps dramatically. “Gojo?? How dare you confuse me with that no good idiot-”
“Gojo,” Shoko starts, extending her hand, “give me my phone back.”
He sticks out his tongue, handing her the phone. “Boo, you two are no fun!”
She sighs, running a hand through her hair. “Hey, lovely.”
“Hey, Sho!”
“What’s up, hm? Need something?”
“Oh, nothing urgent,” you say with a laugh. “Just found something I thought you might find funny.”
“Yeah?” she says, smiling. “And what’s that?”
“Do you know what the date is?” you ask, and she hears a bit of shuffling on the other end of the phone. You’re clearly on the move as you call her.
“Uhm
” her eyes drift to the childish cat calendar Gojo had hung in her office. He had insisted it would “boost morale”, but mostly it had been an eyesore. “February something-th, I’m sure.”
“Yeah!” you exclaim. “It’s February, Sho.”
“I know that,” she says, though there was no real bite in her tone. “I literally just said that.”
“Oh shut up,” you say, a bit muffled on the other end of the phone. “I’m just saying it’s February. Getting awful close to being March, even.”
“February’s short, lovely, that’s not much of a feat.”
“Shhh, let me talk!! Anyways, you know what I found?”
She racks her brain, but there’s nothing that you would find in the house that would make you react like this that she could think of. “No idea, lovely. Would you like to tell me?”
“The wreath, Sho!”
“The wreath
?” she says, before recognition sweeps across her face. “Oh my god-”
“We left the wreath up!” you’re laughing so hard she’s sure you’re crying. “I- how do we forget every year-”
“We got it down by January last year!”
“Mid-January, Sho, not by January-”
“Maybe we should stop putting it up.”
“Noooo! I love having this conversation every year. Don’t you?”
She’s laughing too, even if she doesn’t want to. “Mhm, of course, lovely.”
“Anyways, you’re probably busy, so I’ll leave you be, but Merry Christmas, Sho!”
She laughs, rolling her eyes at your antics. “Merry Christmas, lovely.”
Higuruma Hiromi
Another busy fellow. Being a lawyer and a sorcerer does that to a man.
But it also means he can afford a nice house in a nice area. You’ve got decent land, and a nice big house to decorate for Christmas.
He’s a total sap, and definitely makes time to decorate the house with you. Your tree will look more like a scrapbook than a Christmas tree - covered in picture frame ornaments of the two of you and dinky little ornaments he saw that he was out that reminded him of you.
Expect Christmas/winter dates with him, too - he may be busy, but he’s bending his schedule as much as possible to take you ice skating or to decorate gingerbread houses with you.
When December 26th rolls around, he’s in the office. He overloads himself in November to clear as much of December as he can, but it’s inevitable that he ends back in the office before the month ends. He’s just glad he got to spend Christmas with you.
The decorations stay up perhaps a little too long, but you’d both rather take things down together. You don’t always get the chance to be domestic with Hiromi, so you wait. The rare moments that you do are always worth the wait.
– – –
You can hear Hiromi across the room faintly humming some Christmas tune as you gently lift the garland from the mantle. After some sort of miracle (and a little bit of string pulling), Hiromi had finally managed to land himself a day off post-Christmas. Things always get busy after Christmas - drunk idiots making post-party mistakes, kids misusing their new toys, marriages that barely manage to scrape through Christmas day at all - and he’s been on back to back cases for a couple weeks now. His eyebags have been cutting deeper into his face by the day, and you’re glad to see something like joy in his step as he weaves the lights off the Christmas tree. Once the sun reaches its peak in the sky, the two of you would bundle up and head outside to get the lights and the wreath, but for now, you could enjoy the warmth of the house for a little longer. 
You drop the bundle of garland into one of the many boxes. You knew in your heart that the you of next year would look at the messy pile of garland and be incredibly pissed, but you didn’t have it in yourself to care right now. Sounded like a problem for next year you, not a problem for the you of the present. You had other decorations to take down, and boyfriends to mess with.
You take a peek at said boyfriend as you move the other Christmas knick knacks off the mantle and into the box. He’s still humming something or other, but it’s definitely a new song. He’s dancing to it, a bit, as he gently places your ornaments back in the box. He pauses, sometimes, to look more intently at the little picture frames. A picture of the two of you, at the beach a couple of summers ago. A snapshot of your trip to Paris. A polaroid of you laughing, covered in flour, that barely fits in the frame he bought for it. That one was from this year - he had insisted that you two make Christmas sugar cookies and decorate them, but when you had pulled the flour from the top shelf, it had exploded right out the bottom. It’s what you get for buying the cheap flour, perhaps, but you remember how you couldn’t help the laughter that bubbled from your throat in the moment. You don’t even remember Hiromi grabbing the camera - just the snap it made as it framed your mishap forever. You shake yourself out of your stupor and look around. You’ve cleared the mantle and the side table, all that’s left in this room minus the tree was
the mistletoe. It hung neatly between the living room and the kitchen, a little glint of green and red against the horrendous light yellow of the kitchen (the old owners had been so pleased with the color that you couldn’t bring yourself to repaint it). You went to grab it down, but even with a stretch to your tippy toes, you couldn’t quite get a grasp on it. 
“Hiromi,” you call out, and he makes a noncommittal sound. “Romi, honey.”
He flicks his head over to you, huffing softly at your pout. “What is it, honey?”
You point up at the offending party, its green and red staring back at you mockingly. “Can’t get the little bastard down. Any chance you’d be willing to help me out?”
“Of course, honey,” he says, striding over to you. You expect him to pluck it off its hook himself, and squeal when his arms wrap around your waist and he lifts. You know he’s strong - hell, you’d have to be strong to do his job - but he lifted you with an ease you didn’t know was possible.
“Are you going to get that down, or do I have to hold you here forever?” he says, a teasing grin making its way to his face.
You jokingly contemplate, putting your finger to your lips to ‘think’ about it. “Hmm, I don’t know, feeling pretty comfy in your arms. Might just have to stay here forever, I fear.”
He snorts, gently bringing you back down. He reaches up and unhooks the mistletoe himself, though he hesitates to bring his arm back down.
“What is it?” you ask gently.
“One last kiss? For Christmas’ sake?”
You laugh breathlessly, knowing damn well that it’s late enough into January that this kiss isn’t for anything but him. But, as he dangles the mistletoe above your heads, you can’t help but lean in to kiss him. And if you two don’t stop, even when the mistletoe is long forgotten? Well, that’s nobody’s business but yours.
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fatchance · 18 days ago
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I start my holiday travels tomorrow, and will not be posting again until I return to Arizona in mid-January. I wanted to take this opportunity to wish a very Merry Christmas to those who observe the day, and a happy and prosperous New Year to all my Tumblr friends and followers.
Charles E. Martin produced this illustration for the December 3, 1960 edition of The New Yorker. He was a prolific contributor of cartoons and covers to the magazine.
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jade-green-butterfly · 1 month ago
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đŸŽ…đŸŒâŁïžâŁïžâ€ŠAlright~! =OwO=✹One of my most favourite and magical times of the year, is here once again!đŸ˜ƒâœšâ˜ƒïžđŸŽ„I know it’s been quite another year for a lot of us, but I am still willing to spread some delightful festive cheer as always, especially with my special annual Christmas piece~!âœïžđŸ’đŸ˜Š
This year, I wished to draw my beloved one and only Cooper and I/my trollsona during a holiday masquerade ball, which I can really see myself suggesting to Poppy when planning and she TOTALLY getting on board with the idea, excitement filling us both!đŸ€©đŸ’ĄđŸ€© The masquerade ball idea was actually inspired by an underrated classic TV special from 1986, called 'A Mirthworm Masquerade', which I used to watch at a friend's house when I was around seven or eight >w< You can even watch the special here in the link below (Thank-you, YouTube! :3)đŸ‘‡đŸ»
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I drew Cooper and I in one of my favourite scenes from the special, where I am chosen and crowned Queen of the Holiday Masquerade Ball, sitting upon a gorgeous ice crystal throne, with my very own beloved king himself by my side~đŸ‘‘đŸ’œđŸ’—đŸ’šđŸ„° And while dressing Cooper up as an adorable elf, I took the inspiration from the beautiful 8th Gen Pokemon, Frosmoth and dressed myself up as a fluffy yet elegant white butterfly~đŸ€đŸŠ‹=^.^= Oooh~ Ovo And looks like we have special guest appearance with us!🌟We had Guy Diamond and Tiny Diamond last year, now we have the iconic and full of surprises...Mr. Dinkles~!😗(Who I drew proudly from memory~😉) And is that mistletoe I spy that he's holding?😯It certainly is!đŸ€­Our fave devious lil' worm making sure everytroll be getting kisses~ >:D Especially me and Cooper, hehe!💕I was planning on smooching my cutie boo, anyways~😚💋
Over all, I am absolutely thrilled and over the moon of how this beautifully festive and heartwarming scene turned out~!🌈💖😍💖🌈I always amaze myself with how each scene for my annual Christmas piece comes out, just how I wanted and how I pictured it to be, with much improvement and this year’s has to be one of my grandest ones yet - just how I imagined it too~💝đŸ„č✹
Hope you all like too, my sweet peeps!âœšđŸ˜đŸ‘đŸ»And Mr. Dinkles, Cooper and I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas & Happy (Troll) Holidays~đŸ’đŸŽ„đŸŽâ„ïžđŸ’šđŸ«‚So do enjoy all you can, my lovelies~đŸ«¶đŸ»đŸ˜˜đŸ’•As always, stay safe, stay strong and from me, to all of you
~
đŸŽ…đŸŒđŸŽ„â„ïžMerry Christmas 2024 & A Happy New Year~!â„ïžđŸŽ„đŸŽ…đŸŒÂ =^o^=
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*~Reblogs are also deeply appreciated as well, so please do reblog as well as like! Thank-you kindly!~*
Cooper & Mr. Dinkles (c) DreamWorks Trolls/DreamWorks Animation  Trollsona Jussy/Justina Butterfly (c) @jade-green-butterfly (Me~!)
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