#new year new fic 2025

[rebelliousstories]

Toast

New Year/ New Fic

Relationship: David x Reader

Fandom: The Lost Boys

Request: No

Warnings: Fluff, Mentions of Neglectful Parents, Smoking, Alcohol Consumption

Word Count: 1,443

Main Masterlist: Here

The Lost Boys Masterlist: Here

Summary: A simple evening out at his girlfriend’s house that ends with a new tradition being started.

Consider Donating: Here

When David took off for the evening, his brothers could not resist the opportunity to make fun of him. They had been out on the boardwalk when David made a call on the pay phone nearby. He had not seen his girl all that evening and it concerned him. Not that he would ever admit that to his pack.

She was, unfortunately, stuck at a holiday party that her family was throwing. Uncharacteristically, he offered to at least come hang out, if not take her away from the scene entirely. Her laugh that came out made him smile softly. Tucking himself in further to the booth so that no one could catch it, David let her know that he would be at her house in twenty minutes.

All he gave his brothers, who were hanging near the bikes again, was that he would be back before sunrise. And then, he was off. Tearing down the concrete streets of Santa Carla, David just had one goal in mind. Weaving in and out of lanes while the lights flashed by. It was almost serene for him. One of the few joys that was able to bring him peace.

Pulling up to her house, David put the kickstand down on his bike while seeing all the different cars already littering the yard, driveway, and street. He lit up a cigarette as he walked around to the back of the house where her bedroom window was. Stubbing out the smoke that he had quickly in haled, not wanting to stain her room with smoke and risk her parents putting her on lockdown, David made the quick ascension up to the glass. Inside, he saw his girl already beginning to shut the door as a tired sigh left her. Tapping with one claw, he was rewarded with a smile.

“David!” She exclaimed quietly, rushing over to open the latch on her window.

“Welcome inside,” came her whisper as she let him float in. It was a small thing, but she knew that if he were ever caught in her house, it might just save him.

“Hey, kitten.” He pulled her not his arms, burying his face in her hair. While she nuzzled into his chest, pulling in a whiff of cigarette and cologne to hide the dead body smell, David got to breathe in her strawberries and cream hair products.

“I missed you.” She stated even though they came out muffled because of her position.

“And I missed you. What’s going on?” David led them over and plopped both bodies on the bed, draping her over his chest.

“Same old, same old. My parents are instant on selling me off to that Johnson kid. You know, the one with the CEO rich dad that lives in the mansion on the hill?”

“Yeah, I know the one. Always has a new girl on his arm at the boardwalk.” He added softly, kissing her hair.

“Well, mommy and daddy dearest want me to marry that boy so that they can hopefully get a better social status. I just hate the politics of that world.” She lamented, sighing softly.

After a moment of silence, David spoke up again. “How much have your parents drank tonight?”

“Oh, they won’t realize that I’m gone. If that’s what you’re wondering. But I’d say, give it another twenty before we actually leave. Then they’ll really be out of their minds.”

David chuckled, but just got her snuggled into his chest more. For the next twenty odd minutes, the couple jut laid there, chatting softly and letting the time pass. They were in no rush as they wanted the other’s downstairs to be focused on what they were doing that no one bothered looking upstairs. As the noise grew louder below, the couple began to rise.

“I think the coast is clear. Come on.” She stated, pulling her boyfriend from the bed. Before she could go out the window though, David pulled her back, causing her to stumble. However, the hand that landed on her jaw stabilized her, but also drew her in for a deep kiss.

Parting after she needed air, the woman was left breathless. “Been waiting all night for that.”

David’s comment made her giggle. “Well, come on, Romeo. I wanna get going.”

Stepping ahead of her, the vampire left the room first, floating above the windowsill. All this did was make his human girlfriend roll her eyes.

“Okay, we get it. You have cool powers. God, you’re not special.” But her words held no malice.

Scooping her up in his arms, David safely brought her down to the ground, before round the corner of the house. Saddling the bike, no sooner had she wrapped her arms around him that he took off back towards the pier. He still sped the bike up far beyond what the legal limit was, but he did make sure to take corners a little softer with her on the back. She was still fragile.

In record time, David had made it down to the pier, where he caught his brothers finally getting back on their bikes themselves. No words were needed as everyone caught sight of who had rolled up. They just followed after him. This was the kind of celebration that she was needing. Not stuck in a boring house, with parents that tried to act better than everyone else. She just needed her David, his pack, and the cave.

It was a special place for her, the cave. She remembered when David had first brought her down here, and explained the story. No matter how many times he told it, it was always a joy to listen to. As soon as David sat down n his beloved chair, she was yanked into his lap while everyone went to do their own thing for a minute.

He was much more relaxed her in the cave, rather than on the boardwalk. Although that could have been because he finally had his girlfriend in his lap. Marko passed around some food, which she was more than grateful for. The small courses that she had been served at her house were unbearable, so the rice was a nice reprieve from hunger.

David listened as she spoke about her week, picking up from where they left off in her bedroom. But as he did, a strange feeling came over him. A feeling he had almost forgotten he could feel. So, as he listened, he had Marko bring him the bottle. David had told her before what this was, but he did not want another Star situation, so he was waiting till she was ready. However, asking again could not hurt right?

When she took a break from yapping, slightly feeling bad that she had spent so long talking, David spoke. “Kitten, have you given our situation anymore thought?”

She paused, and set her fork down into her rice. Settling her eyes on his chest, she truly thought hard about it. For weeks, she had made a list of pros and cons, weighing each choice carefully. But the thought of being made to marry the Johnson kid, who was a serial cheater made her skin crawl.

“Let me show you what life is supposed to be.” David whispered softly, pressing the words into her neck as he kissed it.

“Guess there are worse things to ring in the new year with.” She stated, after a long moment. The biggest grin spread across David’s face. His eyes lit up and looked like sparkling gems in the dim light.

“Really? You’ll do it?” His asks were almost that of disbelief, like he could not believe that she was finally joining them.

“I would rather be with you, David, than my parents any day of the week. You care for me. All of you down here do. I don’t get that above. I’d be thrilled to join you.” Surging forward, the bleach blonde vampire smashed their lips together as he stood with her in his arms. Their food went tumbling, but they did not care. David spun them around, unable to contain his joy. Setting her down, he disconnected from her for but a moment to retrieve the bottle at the side of his chair.

“There’s only one thing left to do, kitten.” He popped the top, and took a swig, relishing the taste on his tongue. Hooded eyes gazed into her own as she took the bottle from in, and in a beat of confidence drank some down.

Distant cheers reached their ears, but the happy couple could only stand there together. This was going to be the best year for them yet.

[fanfic-reading-challenge]

The 2025 Fanfic Reading Challenge

Welcome to another year of the Fanfic Reading Challenge (FRC)!

I won't bore you with the history of the challenge, this year, but I will welcome you to check out past posts that do explain some of it, as well as include a brief overview of what, exactly, this challenge is, though it does change year to year. (Essentially you read fics to complete goals and win bragging points and an artsy badge.)

This year is especially different, as I had the extreme pleasure of having @noxsoulmate as a partner in crime in keeping me hostage on track to completing this year's FRC. Another valued member of the mod team is @jandjsalmon and speaks for all of us if you need questions answered!

As for the challenge....

This is, indeed, a challenge. Of course.

First of all... you must obviously read fanfiction. As if you don't already!

You also need to download and make your own copy of the spreadsheet, which can be found here, as well as below in the important links section.

To participate in the challenge, you read fics that match the tasks in the challenge. An example of a task can be: "read a fic with a title containing the word purple in it." Should be easy! Of course, there are harder ones.

Which is why there are different modes of challenge to the FRC. These are as follows:

Participation (Complete 1 task)

Regular Mode (Complete 80 tasks)

Hard Mode (Complete 150 tasks)

Extreme Mode (Complete 220 tasks)

Complete (Complete 250 tasks)

The challenge lasts from January 1st, 2025, to December 31st, 2025.

There are badges that go with the modes completed, and even a secret 6th badge that will be fairly obvious if you look at the spreadsheet! Doesn't mean it'll be easy to complete though. *smirks* (Blame Noxy)

Most important of all: this challenge operates on the honour system. We don't check your work, or your reading logs (see below), so I mean, I guess if you want to be slippery with the rules, you do you, and that's on your conscience, but honestly it's so much fun to see how much you can get done by following the letter of the law/tasks! You can be slippery even with following the tasks fully. It's great fun. ;D

I think that's enough for an intro, really, maybe too much.

Important Links and Reading Logs/Trackers

As there is a component of the FRC that includes tracking numbers of words read, most of us use a reading log/tracker to keep count of how many fics we read, including data such as words, of course, chapters, month completed, ship, author, title, fandom, link to the fic, and such. It's a great place to mark what fics you want to read in the future as well!

This year we have FOUR trackers on offer, quite different from one another, so take a look, play around with them and check out their "intros", and choose according to what you think will work best for you!

Fic Tracking Sheets

Juulna's 2025 Reading Log

Noxy's 2025 Reading Log

2025 Jandy's Fic Tracker

Taru's Fic Tracker 2025

Discord

We have a blast on Discord. From general chatter to sharing pet pics to being there for each other during the tough times to forming lasting friendships and making friendships you’d never make in a ship- or fandom-specific Discord, to asking for help ‘rolling the dice’ (pick a number between 1-10!) to choose the next fic to read, to finding some of the really challenging task fills in fandoms people might not have ever read but are willing to try, or finding fandoms someone has never read and is very tentative about stepping out of their box, but they’re being 100% supported and know they don’t need to complete the fic for it to count for the task, stepping out of their comfort zone… we’ve formed a very odd group of, if not friends, then companions (but there are definite friendships that have formed!! Just ask the people who have started watching NHL and NFL together in our off topic channel!).

In any case, our Discord is not necessary, but it is a worthy and tactical element to completing many of the tasks of this challenge. 💙

And.... without further ado....!

The 2025 Fanfic Reading Challenge! (link)

There is an info/rules page as the first sheet on the spreadsheet that should fill in any further questions you have. It also has more contact info than just this page if you have any further questions and perhaps need a more immediate answer for your needs.

*Occasionally you will run into something that looks like an error, and it may in fact be one! Let us know if you see it. It's hard not to make a mistake on as large a spreadsheet as this.*

Please, first of all, have fun and just read fanfiction that you enjoy! I (Juulna) did that last year and didn't even come close to completing the entire challenge, and I still had a blast because I was enjoying what I was reading and rereading. Others took the challenge right to the completed end. Others forgot about it halfway through but still had fun, and some even went back and filled in the sheet for a really good showing! The challenge is what you make of it, what you want from it. So... just have fun. Read fic. Smile. Enjoy. :)

Second of all... well, we would love if you signal boost this post!!!!

Third of all, we do have our pinned post that includes a link to this page and that will include a link to our Discord and all our trackers as well, including past links for memento and informative purposes.

Thank you, and a blessed 2025 to all!

[bloatedandalone04]

Every New Year

➪the one where you and drew share your fourth new years kiss, and it quickly becomes something more heated.

Warnings: fluff, smut, unprotected sex, dirty talk, oral (f receiving), multiple orgasms, swearing, alcohol consumption, pda if you squint a bit. | Can be read as a part 2 to this fic.

Word Count: 1.8k

Do not repost this anywhere, reblogs are fine ♡ | Happy New Year !

It was New Years Eve, and you and Drew had been invited to a mutual friends’ New Years party. It was almost time for the new year to come, and Drew was stumbling a bit from how much he had to drink tonight as he looked around for you. 

He hadn’t seen you in at least half an hour, and it was getting closer and closer to the countdown. You’d been Drew’s New Year kiss for the last three years, he’d be damned if he missed out on the fourth one just because he couldn’t find you. 

But then when he turned the corner and entered the living room of the penthouse the party was being hosted in, he saw you tucked away in the corner, a lazy, tipsy smile on your face as you swayed a bit to the music that was blasting through the speakers. 

You looked so pretty, Drew felt his throat tighten up a bit as he maneuvered his way through the crowded space to get to you. Your dress fit you just right and showed off all the curves he knew off by heart, and he bit his lip as he approached you. 

“Hey, baby,” he said, his deep voice clearly heard over the music and cheers. “I was looking for you.” he added, wrapping one arm around your waist as he finished off his drink.

“Well, you found me. Here I am,” you murmured, looking up at him with a smile on your face as the party goers grew more rowdy. You leaned up and nuzzled your face against his neck, inhaling his familiar and addicting scent as you let out a content sigh. “I can’t believe how fast this year went by. Feels like I can’t keep up with it. But I’m glad I have you with me through it all…you keep me grounded.”

Drew smiled down at you, running his hand up and down your back as he held you close. “Me too, babe. Every year with you gets better and better,” he said back, leaning down to press a kiss to the top of your head. 

The countdown began shortly after that, and he pulled you even tighter against him, his fingers bunching up your dress a bit as he looked down at you. The noise of the party faded until all that was left was the faint chant of numbers, and when it became midnight, Drew leaned down and kissed you deeply. 

When he pulled away, he was grinning down at you. “Happy New Year, pretty girl,”

“Happy New Year, baby,” you say back, smiling at him as you wrapped your arms around his neck. You leaned up on the tips of your toes and kissed him again, tasting the faint remnants of alcohol that was lingering on his lip and tongue. “I love you.” 

Drew groaned softly into the kiss, his arms tightening around you. “I love you too, baby,” he murmured, his hands sliding down to grip your waist and pull you hard against his body. His fingertips dug gently into your skin before he leaned further down and gave your ass a firm squeeze, his other hand tangling in your hair. “You know what I want to do to ring in the new year?”

You hummed, your teeth sinking into your bottom lip as you leaned in closer to him, matching his intense gaze with one of your own. “Tell me,”

Drew smirked, peppering soft kisses along your neck. “I want to take you home, get you naked, and fuck you hard. Maybe I’ll even eat you out before, just for fun,”

And that was how you found yourself under him on the bed half an hour later, and his hands all over your body once he stripped you from your dress. “Fuck, I want to start every new year like this,” you mumbled, tipping your head back on the bed as you pulled at his shirt. 

He smirked against your neck, his tongue poking out to run along your collarbone before he sat back and pulled off his t-shirt. “Every fucking year,” he agreed, unzipping his jeans and pushing the restricting fabric down his legs so he’s only left wearing his boxers that were a lot more tighter now than they were when he first put them on. 

His hands reached around your back and unclasped your bra, and he tugged the lacy material away from your chest, his eyes darkening as his hands ran over your exposed breasts. 

“Fuck, baby, you’re so beautiful,” he muttered before he leaned down and captured one of your nipples between his teeth, flicking his tongue over the hardening peak greedily. 

Your hands flew to his hair, your fingers tangling in the strands as you leaned into his touch. “Drew,” you gasped, wrapping your legs tighter around his waist as you writhed under him. “I need you. I need you so bad.”

He pulled away from your chest, his eyes dark with desire as he braced one hand flat on the bed beside your head. “Need me where, baby? Here?” he rasped, running the tips of his fingers along your collarbone before his palm covered one of your breasts. “Or…here?”

You were whimpering as you tried pressing your thighs together to create friction, but his hips were in the way. “Drew…”

“Or maybe…here?” he continued, his hand sliding down your body until his fingers dipped under the waistline of your soaked panties. His lips curved upwards when he felt the wetness of your folds coat his hand, “Mm, I think you need me right here.”

Drew hooked his fingers in the fabric and slowly pulled it down your legs, tossing it aside to reveal your glistening core. You were now completely bare to his greedy eyes, and he let out a groan as he settled his head between your thighs, his fingertips grazing your clit. 

“You’re so fucking wet for me,” he muttered, glancing up at you as you writhed above him. “I need to taste this sweet pussy, baby.” he added, then he was leaning in and tasting you all over. His tongue poked out and spread your folds, a deep groan leaving the back of his throat as he savored your taste. 

His big hands were holding onto your thighs, keeping you spread open as he devoured you like a man starved. His teeth grazed your clit, making your body twitch a bit as you pulled at his hair. “Drew,” you whined, bringing your legs up and draping them over his shoulders. You subtly bucked against his face, pushing your soaked core closer to his skilled mouth. “So good…”

Drew moaned against your pussy, the vibrations adding to your pleasure as he licked you all over. “That’s it, baby, ride my face,” he encouraged, his hands moving up to grip your waist as he guided your hips into a slow roll. His nose bumped against your clit with every lap of his tongue, making your moans grow louder in volume as you ground your body against him. 

He sucked harshly on your clit, and you let out a loud cry as your body trembled, your high washing over you in one big, warm wave. Drew lapped and licked at your pulsing pussy, tasting everything you offered until your body finally stilled. He lifted his head from between your thighs, his chin and lips glistening with your arousal. 

“You’re so gorgeous. So perfectly fucked out,” he groaned, pressing a soft kiss to your inner thigh. After he placed another gentle kiss to your sensitive clit, he sat back on his knees and pushed down his boxers, freeing his hard cock. He gripped your knees, pushing them wider apart as he ran his tip along your wet folds, making your body jolt from the sensitivity. 

Then he moved forward and buried himself inside you, stretching you deliciously around his cock. You let out a sharp gasp, your back arching as your hands reached up and grabbed onto his wrists. “Fuck,” you moaned, your eyes wide as you gazed up at him. One of your hands moved to press flat against his abs, and you could feel them tense and flex under your fingertips. “God, Drew…”

His grip on your knees tightened as he began to move, pulling out until just the tip remained before he drove back in. “Fuck, you feel so good. So tight and wet for me,” he groaned as the sound of your bodies coming together filled the room. He released one of your knees and reached down to rub your clit, feeling the puffy bundle of nerves throb against his fingers. “Come on, baby, I know you can take it.”

Your eyes fell shut, your back arching even more as your whole body trembled. His words went right through you, and you clenched around him tightly. “Fuck,” you cried, your chest heaving with heavy breaths and pants. “Feels so good, Drew.”

“Yeah, babe, squeeze me just like that,” he groaned, his voice strained a bit before he leaned down and kissed you deeply. His tongue brushed against yours as he continued to fuck into you, and the clash of teeth and sharing of saliva only fueled both yours and his desire. His other hand groped one of your tits, his thumb and index fingers pinching and pulling at your nipple as he let out harsh pants against your lips. “Fuck, I’m close.”

You whined and clung onto his shoulders, your eyes squeezing shut as you felt yourself get close again as well. “Me too,”

And a few more thrusts was all it took before you came hard, your pussy clamping down tightly around him as you let out cries of his name. Drew buried his face against your neck as he came too, filling you up and marking you as his from the inside out while he grunted against your skin. 

After a few seconds, he lifted his head and looked down at you with a lazy smirk on his face, his eyes dark and hooded as he leaned in and pressed a much softer kiss to your lips. “Love you,” he mumbled, wincing slightly when he pulled out. A trail of white followed and dripped down your thigh, and Drew gathered some on his fingers before bringing them up to your mouth. 

You smiled up at him, a thin layer of sweat on your body as you leaned in and wrapped your lips around his fingers, taking the digits into your mouth with a soft groan. “Mm,” you moaned, cleaning his fingers of his cum as you held eye contact with him. “Tastes so good, baby.”

Drew hummed, leaning down to kiss you again once he pulled his fingers from your mouth. “You’re the sweetest thing,” he mumbled, his nose bumping against yours before he kissed you again and rolled onto his back, taking your still shaking body with him as he went.

[hoe4hotchner]

New Years Eve | [A.H]

Pairing: Aaron Hotchner x fem!reader | WC: 1k | CW: Fluff, fireworks, new years eve, first kiss.

The soft sounds of Ella Fitzgerald's voice played in the background as it filled Rossi’s living room. The BAU team had gathered to celebrate New Year’s Eve, though the invitation had invited them to party in style the emphasis of the party leaned more toward cozy than extravagant. Fairy lights twinkled across the walls, and a fire crackled in the hearth, making the winter night outside feel miles away.

You stood in the kitchen, carefully pouring champagne into a cluster of fluted glasses, mindful of the bubbling foam. The air was scented with cinnamon and cloves from the mulled wine simmering on the stove while the faint sound of laughter spilled in from the living room. Hotch leaned casually against the counter beside you, his tie loosened and sleeves rolled up in a rare sign of relaxation. His eyes flicked toward you every few moments, the corners crinkling when you glanced back at him.

“You don’t have to do all of this,” he said, his voice low and warm, almost lost beneath the clink of glasses.

“Someone’s got to keep things running smoothly,” you teased, placing the bottle on the counter before reaching for another glass in the cabinet overhead. “Besides, you’re not exactly rushing to help.”

He chuckled softly and stepped closer. His hand brushed against yours as he picked up one of the glasses, sending a flicker of warmth up your arm. “I think you’ve got it under control. But for the record, I’m ready to step in if things get out of hand.”

“I’ll hold you to that, Agent Hotchner.”

The gentle banter was interrupted as Jack burst into the kitchen, his cheeks pink from running around. He skidded to a stop, his excitement making him bounce on his toes. “Dad! We're playing charades, and Uncle Derek’s losing so bad!”

Hotch laughed, ruffling Jack’s hair with an affection that softened his entire face. “Is that so? Maybe I should go rescue him before he kicks down a door.”

You grinned, watching as Jack tugged his dad toward the living room. You followed with the tray of glasses. Before settling down with the others on the couches, you paused to grab a spare blanket from the basket near the fireplace in case the night’s chill crept inside. The living room was alive, and the team was in various stages of jokes and games. Morgan was mid-performance, flapping his arms in what you guessed was supposed to be a bird, while Reid shouted increasingly wild guesses from his spot near the fireplace.

“A chicken? No, a swan! Wait, a penguin?”

Emily doubled over with laughter, clutching her stomach. “Why would he be a penguin?”

“You don’t know! Penguins are very expressive creatures,” Reid retorted, crossing his arms defensively, which only made Emily laugh harder.

Rossi raised his glass from his spot on the couch, smirking. “This might be the best entertainment I’ve had all year.”

“Careful, Dave,” you said. “We still have two hours left. Plenty of time for things to get even better.”

JJ stood, her phone in hand, and called out, “Alright, everyone, time for pictures! Before we get too… uh, spirited.” Her eyes flicked meaningfully toward the half-empty bottle of wine in Garcia’s hand.

Garcia gasped in mock offense, clutching the bottle to her chest. “Excuse me, Jennifer, I am always perfectly composed.”

“Sure you are,” Emily quipped, pulling her up from the couch.

The group crowded together in front of the fireplace, where Rossi insisted on setting the timer so everyone could be in the shot. Hotch’s hand found the small of your back as you squeezed into the frame, his touch steady and warm through the fabric of your sweater. Without thinking, you leaned into him, the moment so natural it didn’t even register until the flash went off.

The rest of the night flowed like the champagne. Stories were shared, laughter echoed through the house, and Jack eventually fell asleep in a pile of blankets, his head resting on your lap. Hotch sat beside you, his posture relaxed as he nursed a glass of wine. His hand brushed against yours again, his fingers warm as they tucked a stray strand of hair behind your ear. The intimacy didn’t go unnoticed; Emily sent you a look from across the room, silently telling you that an interrogation would be scheduled in the new year, but she said nothing.

As the clock approached midnight, Rossi produced a box of sparklers, and the group bundled up to step outside. The cold air bit at your cheeks and made your breath visible in soft puffs, but the sight of the glittering sky, clear and dotted with stars, was worth it. Jack woke up just in time to light a sparkler with his dad.

When the countdown began, you found yourself standing next to Hotch again, your breath mingling in the crisp night air.

“Ten… nine… eight…”

The voices grew louder, for a moment, you thought about stepping away, about playing it safe. But when the clock struck midnight, Hotch turned to you.

“Happy New Year,” he said softly, his voice carrying over the cheers of the others.

“Happy New Year,” you replied, the words barely leaving your lips before his hand cupped your cheek, and he kissed you. It didn't take long for the sparks of fireworks to ignite the sky, setting the background for your first kiss.

When you pulled back, your cheeks felt warm despite the cold, you noticed the team trying (and failing) to act nonchalant. Morgan’s grin was wide enough to split his face, and Garcia looked ready to combust with glee.

“Alright, everyone inside,” Rossi called, clapping his hands together. “Let’s toast to the new year properly.”

As you followed the others back into the house, Hotch’s hand found yours, his fingers lacing through yours in a way that felt as natural as breathing. And as you raised your glass to toast with the team, surrounded by laughter and love, you couldn’t imagine a better way to start the year.

[pastryfication]

new year’s day, oscar piastri

note: a little blurb to welcome the new year! happy 1st of january guys, i hope your hangover isn’t too bad… thank you all so much for being a part of my 2024 <33 i can feel that 2025 is gonna be our year!

the first thing you feel when you wake is the urge to groan. your entire body feels mushy and wrong and your head aches terribly.

the sound almost leaves your lips, but then you feel the warm, bare chest beneath your cheek.

it rises and falls steadily, almost lulling you back to sleep as your eyes glib sleepily against the light in the room.

“are you awake, baby?” the chest beneath your cheek rumble as your boyfriend gruffly speaks.

“mhmm, no,” you mumble into his bare skin, snuggling into the muscle to hide yourself from the light. “‘don’t wanna move.”

“i have to pee, baby.” oscar laughs at your form, gently trying to remove himself from your grip.

“no.” you drag out the word, your fingers numbly digging into his back to keep him with you. “don’t leave me.”

he laughs again, the sound melodic even in your pounding head. “i’m sorry…” he ignores your protests and slip out from beneath you, hissing when his bare feet hit the cold floor.

as you lie back, you take a moment to admire your boyfriends body from the back. he’s only wearing a pair of black boxers, so his back muscles and thighs were on full display for your hungry eyes, but as the bathroom door closes behind him, you sigh loudly.

sitting up in bed, you take a moment to take in your surroundings. you’re only wearing underpants and a big t-shirt belonging to the boy in the bathroom. your hair is a mess, and your hand gets stuck when you try to run it through knots.

the bedroom door is wide open, and a trail of glitter leads from the doorway to your bedside. just outside, you spot your silver heals laying in a heap with your glittery clutch and the mini dress you had worn yesterday.

you almost sigh audibly again when you slowly stand from the warm bed, walking to the door to lean against the wall. there, you spot the mess left behind by the party you had thrown with your friends just hours before.

confetti covered every possible surface and the floor was littered with empty bottles and crushed crisps. dirty dishes lined the kitchen counter and the thought alone of all the cleaning you would have to do was enough to almost send you back to bed.

but as the overwhelming thoughts start to envelope you, a warm hand encircles your waist and a chin rests on your shoulder.

“we’ll figure it out, baby.” he reads your thoughts immediately as he moves to give you a real hug from behind. “we’ll figure it out together, baby.”

at his words you smile. never before had you had such a perfect boyfriend. someone who not only wanted your exciting midnights, but also the tired new year’s day the morning after.

[ikkyfics]

Happy New Year

James Potter x f!reader

Summary: “Okay, your challenge is… to kiss someone before midnight.” Your heart raced. “I… what?” You looked at them. “It’s simple, you just have to pick someone. Anyone.” Anyone. You knew you should pick someone random, but there was no way. The truth was, since the moment you’d entered the hall, there was only one person you’d even consider. James.

Warnings: fluffy, new year challenge, shy!reader, first kiss

A/N: first fic of the year <333 I would like to wish everyone a happy new year, full of things as wonderful as each one of you

Masterlist

The hall where the party was taking place seemed magical in a way no elaborate spell could replicate. The students who stayed at Hogwarts over the Christmas holidays had transformed a space near the Astronomy Tower into a warm celebration, full of twinkling lights, lively music, and laughter echoing from every corner. It was impossible not to feel the joy hanging in the air, but you could hardly focus on what was happening around you.

Your gaze, as always, ended up being drawn to him.

James Potter. With his purposefully messy black hair, the easy smile that seemed to light up any room, and those vibrant blue eyes behind his round glasses, he was a gravitational force for you. There was something about him that made your heart beat a little faster every time he entered the same room. No matter how many times you promised yourself you’d stop looking, it was as if your eyes betrayed your resolve.

You’d known him for years, but he seemed like the kind of person who never stopped surprising you. Always so full of life, so confident, so... him. Even so, nervousness took over every time he spoke to you or smiled in your direction. It wasn’t something you could control; it was like every time he looked at you, the ground disappeared beneath your feet, leaving only an anxious tingling in its place.

Not that there were many interactions between you. Most of the time, James was surrounded by his friends or laughing at one of Sirius’s jokes. But on the rare occasions he spoke to you directly, your mind seemed to completely shut off. You remembered the way he smiled when he asked to borrow the book you were holding in the library weeks ago, his fingers brushing lightly against yours as he took it. Or the time he held the door open for you in Potions class, tossing a casual “Don’t mention it” that left your face burning for the rest of the day. He probably didn’t even think about those moments, but for you, they replayed in your mind like scenes from a film.

And now he was here, in the same hall as you, laughing at something Remus had just said. James’s laugh was unmistakable—loud and contagious—and you couldn’t help but smile, even without knowing why. He looked so at ease, so natural, that it felt like he was a part of everything that made Hogwarts feel like home.

“You’re staring at him again, you know?” The voice of Anne, one of your friends, interrupted your thoughts, and you quickly turned, feeling your face heat up. Miriam was sitting next to you, a mischievous smile on her lips as she watched you.

“I’m not staring,” you mumbled, trying to look away, but Anne’s laughter from across the table made it clear they didn’t believe you.

“Of course not,” Miriam teased. “It’s just that he’s the only thing you’ve looked at for the past thirty minutes.”

You tried to protest but knew it was pointless. They already knew enough about your feelings for James to not be easily convinced.

“Speaking of challenges…” Anne began, a playful glint in her eyes. “You haven’t completed any yet, and midnight’s almost here.”

Your mind was immediately filled with the absurd ideas they’d come up with throughout the night. Earlier, Anne had dared Miriam to steal a piece of pie straight from the teachers’ table. Miriam, in retaliation, made Anne approach a group of friends and hum a ridiculous song. None of you were exempt from the next challenge, and you knew your turn was coming.

“Okay,” Miriam said, leaning closer. “Your challenge is... to kiss someone before midnight.”

Your heart raced.

“I... what?” You looked at them, hoping they were joking, but their mischievous smiles made it clear they were serious.

“It’s simple,” Anne insisted, as if it really were. “You just have to pick someone. Anyone.”

Anyone. The idea made your stomach churn. You knew you should pick someone random, someone who didn’t make your heart race with nervousness, but there was no way. The truth was, since the moment you’d entered the hall, there was only one person you’d even consider. James.

You hesitated for a moment, your heart pounding so hard it felt like it echoed throughout your body. Your feet were glued to the floor, and the idea of approaching James Potter seemed far too daunting to be real. But the challenge echoed in your mind, along with Anne and Miriam’s expectant gazes. Before you could change your mind, you took a deep breath and stepped forward.

James was alone now, a rare sight, considering he almost always had one of the Marauders by his side. He was standing by the table where some drinks and snacks had been laid out, his back to you. He seemed distracted, fiddling with something on the table, and that gave you the push you needed. Even so, every step toward him felt like a test of courage, and your legs trembled so much you feared tripping before you even reached him.

When you were just a few feet away, he turned, and the world around you seemed to stop. James smiled—that easy, unassuming smile that was somehow devastating at the same time. You felt the air leave your lungs, and for a moment, all you could do was stare. He looked beautiful, as always, with his messy black hair falling slightly over his forehead. The round glasses gave him a unique charm, and those blue eyes shone with an intensity that made your heart nearly leap out of your chest.

“Hey,” he said, his voice relaxed but with a warm tone that made you feel strangely safe, even as anxiety swirled inside you. “Want a drink?” He held up a glass of juice you hadn’t even noticed he was holding.

“Oh, no... I mean, yes... no, thanks,” you stammered, feeling your face heat as your words came out completely jumbled. He chuckled, a low, genuine sound that seemed to tickle your stomach.

“Sure? I promise I didn’t put anything weird in here. At least, not much,” he joked, his smile widening as he took a sip of his own drink.

You shook your head, trying to ignore how dry your throat felt. “No, I... I’m fine. I just... thought I’d come talk to you.”

“Oh, yeah? I’m honored,” he said, tilting his head slightly in curiosity. “What did you want to talk about?”

You swallowed hard, trying not to look like a complete idiot. “Nothing important. Just... do you like these parties? I mean, do you actually have fun, or do you just come because all your friends are here?”

The question came out completely nonsensical, and you immediately wished you could disappear. James, however, didn’t seem to mind. In fact, he smiled even more.

“I like them,” he replied, leaning slightly against the table as if to seem closer. “I mean, it’s hard not to have fun when you’ve got Sirius trying to dance and Remus trying to stop him from breaking something. What about you? Are you enjoying it, or did your friends drag you here?”

“Oh, they definitely dragged me,” you admitted, feeling the words flow more easily as he kept the tone light. “They do these things... silly challenges and stuff.”

James raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. “Challenges, huh? So, have you done any, or are you hiding from them?”

You felt your face grow even warmer and glanced away, focusing on anything but his eyes. “Actually... not yet.”

“So you are hiding,” he concluded with a soft laugh. “Well, at least you had the courage to come over here. That’s a start.”

His words, spoken so lightly, seemed to strike something deep inside you. Courage. That’s exactly what you lacked right now, but you knew you had to try. So, before your mind could sabotage your intentions, you blurted out:

“Would you... if I... would you mind if I kissed you?”

The question escaped so quickly and nervously that you barely registered the words before they were out. When silence followed, the urge to run overtook you—disappear before he could respond. But then James did something you didn’t expect. He blinked, briefly surprised, and then, as if it was the most natural thing in the world, he smiled in a way that made your heart stop.

“Please,” he said softly, his voice warm and full of meaning.

And before you could process what that meant, the countdown to midnight began. The voices around you felt distant as James took a step closer, his gaze fixed on you in a way that made your entire body tingle. It felt as though time slowed when he raised a hand, gently cradling your face, his thumb softly brushing against your heated cheek.

“Happy New Year,” he murmured, almost like a promise, before leaning in slowly and pressing his lips to yours.

The world around you seemed to disappear completely, leaving only you and James in that moment that felt infinite. The kiss was as soft as it was at first, but the way he held you revealed something deeper. His arm found its way around your waist, pulling you gently closer, as though even a sliver of distance might shatter the moment. His touch was firm yet tender, and you melted into him, warmth radiating from every point where your bodies met.

His lips moved against yours with a certainty you never imagined experiencing. It was as if he knew exactly how to make you feel safe, desired, and important. The way he tilted his head slightly, adjusting the angle of the kiss, made every second feel new and even sweeter. Without realizing it, your fingers found the edge of his jacket, holding onto it lightly because your knees threatened to give way.

His scent—something fresh, like open air with a hint of wood—filled your senses, and the texture of his lips, soft yet so assured, made it impossible to think of anything else. There was a perfect balance between tenderness and intensity, and you realized, with a flush spreading across your cheeks, that you would never forget this moment. He was there, entirely present, as though nothing outside of this existed—just you.

When he finally began to pull away, it was slow, almost as though he wanted to savor the moment for as long as possible. His thumb traced lightly along the side of your face before he opened his eyes. You barely had time to recover before you saw those bright blue eyes shining, a mixture of admiration and pure happiness.

That’s when he said your name.

You blinked, surprised, a shiver running down your spine at how intimately he spoke it, as if he were holding something precious. Hearing your name from his lips felt strange, but in a way that made your heart race even faster. You hadn’t spoken much before. How did he know?

“How do you know my name?” you asked, your voice so quiet it barely sounded like your own. Your eyes searched his, seeking answers in every small expression that crossed his face.

James smiled—not just any smile, but the one that seemed to light up the entire room. He raised a hand, brushing a strand of hair from your face gently before answering.

“I pay attention,” he said, with a natural ease that only made him more irresistible. “Did you really think I didn’t notice you? How you always look down when you’re talking to someone, or how you get nervous when you think someone’s watching? I notice. And I’ve wanted to talk to you so many times…”

You were speechless, completely captivated by his tone, by the way he seemed so genuine. He continued, as though it was impossible to stop now that he’d begun.

“I just never knew how to approach you. You always seemed so... distant. And I thought maybe you wouldn’t want someone like me to talk to you. But... you’re here now. And I won’t pretend I’m not happy about that.”

Your heart was pounding, and you didn’t know what to say. The way he was looking at you made your knees feel even weaker, but something about his words gave you unexpected courage.

“I… I’ve always wanted to talk to you too,” you admitted, your voice hesitant but sincere. “I just didn’t know how.”

James smiled again, softer this time, more intimate. “Well, I guess we’ve figured it out now, haven’t we?”

You laughed nervously, but he tightened his grip on your waist slightly, as if to reassure you that you weren’t going anywhere. Then, as though it was the most natural thing in the world, he said:

“I was thinking... maybe we could continue this conversation later. Just the two of us. What do you think?”

Your heart leapt, and you could hardly believe what you were hearing. “Are you… asking me out?”

“I am,” he replied without hesitation. “And I’m hoping you’ll say yes because I don’t want to miss the chance to really get to know you.”

Your face burned, but you couldn’t stop the smile spreading across your lips. “Yes,” you said, almost unable to believe your own words. “I’d love to.”

He grinned in a way that made your chest swell with a joy as light as the crisp night air. “Great. Best way to start the year, don’t you think?”

And with that, he gave your waist one last gentle squeeze, as if to confirm that this moment was real. The sound of fireworks began in the distance, but nothing seemed more important than his gaze, still locked on yours, as if he could stay there forever.

[vanteguccir]

── ୨୧ !　11:50 PM. DEC 31ST, 2024.

matt sturniolo x reader

SUMMARY: Where Y/N shows up at Matt's doorstep at 11:50 PM of New Year's Eve, soaked by the rain and ready to confess her love to him.

WARNING: Insecurities (just a bit). Friends to lovers trope.

REQUESTED?: No.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: That is MY idea and work, I DON'T authorize any plagiarism, copy, or "inspiration"! | English isn't my first language, so I'm sorry if there's any grammar error.

A/N²: Happy New Year, lovelies! 🤍

　　　　　༻﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡༺

11:45 PM.

December 31st, 2024.

Y/N had never considered herself one for big gestures. She preferred to deal with her feelings by pretending they didn’t exist, tucking them away in the quiet corners of her heart until they faded on their own. That had been her plan for handling her crush on Matt Sturniolo - ignore it, bury it deep, and wait for it to dissolve into nothing.

But the universe had different plans for her.

Instead of subsiding, her feelings for Matt had only grown. They grew with every laugh they shared, every accidental brush of his hand against hers, and every time he looked at her with those soft, oceanic eyes. It felt like the emotions were slipping out of her control, inch by inch, until tonight, when they completely exploded.

Now, she was walking through the freezing rain, her body trembling as water seeped through her clothes. She had never been more determined - or more terrified - in her life.

The Sturniolos' house was a few doors away, its warm glow spilling onto the wet pavement. It was almost midnight, and she knew the triplets and their parents would be gathered inside, celebrating New Year's Eve together. She didn’t care. She couldn’t wait for a "better" time or a "perfect" moment. Her time was now.

It had started hours earlier when she sat in her room with a notebook, jotting down her resolutions for the new year. She wanted 2025 to be different. She wanted it to be clean, honest, and full of things that truly made her happy. But one glaring thing wasn’t right - her feelings for Matt. She couldn’t go another year pretending she didn’t feel the way she did.

The rain fell down harder, and her breath came out in visible clouds as she approached the front door. The cold was relentless, but it barely registered compared to the storm inside her mind.

Her heart hammered as she pressed the doorbell. She could hear Trevor’s nails clicking on the hardwood floor as he bounded toward the door, his excited barking growing louder.

She smiled.

Of course. Having the triplets' parents in Los Angeles for New Year's had meant Trevor was here too.

Drops of water dripped down her face, mingling with her already damp hair, as she clenched her fists at her sides to stop the trembling. She didn’t know what she’d say when the door opened, but she knew she couldn’t leave without Matt knowing the truth.

The clock ticked closer to midnight.

11:50 PM.

Ten minutes until the new year. Ten minutes to change everything.

The door creaked open, and Matt showed up - not surprising, it was always Matt who got the door; Chris and Nick couldn’t be bothered most of the time. He stood in the doorway, his hand on the knob and his expression soft with curiosity.

Trevor bolted out before Matt could say a word, charging toward Y/N. His wet nose nudged her soaked leg, wagging his tail so hard it shook his whole body.

"Hey, boy." Y/N said softly, her voice trembling from the cold as she crouched down to scratch behind his ears. "I missed you."

Trevor barked once, happily, then turned and bounded back into the house, disappearing up the stairs toward the living room, leaving her alone with Matt.

Matt took a step forward, leaning against the doorframe. His brows knit together as his eyes swept over her, taking in the rain-slicked hair plastered to her face, her damp, trembling figure, and the strange look in her eyes - something between fear and anxiety.

"Y/N?" He asked cautiously, his voice quiet but edged with concern. "Hey, what are you doing here? Are you okay? It's almost midnight."

She wrapped her arms around herself, looking down at the wet ground beneath her feet.

"I know, I'm sorry. I just need to talk to you." She said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'll be quick, I promise."

Matt blinked in surprise, his gaze flickering toward the warm glow of the living room. He hesitated for a moment, then looked back at her.

"Okay." He said slowly, though his tone was laced with uncertainty. "But you should come inside. You’re soaked, and it’s freezing out here."

Y/N shook her head quickly, her voice catching as she replied.

"No. I can’t. I don’t even know if you’ll hate me after this, and I... I think it’s better if we stay out here."

Her words and the desperation in her eyes froze Matt in place. He let out a soft sigh, clearly torn, but he nodded.

"Okay." He repeated, his voice low. "Okay, we’ll stay here."

He stepped out fully onto the porch, the rain spilling over the edges of the roof above them. His hands were shoved into his hoodie pocket, and his expression was unreadable as he waited.

Y/N drew in a shaky breath, staring down at her soaked sneakers.

"Um... The first time we met." She began, cringing when her voice faltering slightly. "You completely threw me off guard."

Matt tilted his head slightly, confusion crossing his face, but he didn’t interrupt.

"I had heard so many amazing things about you on the internet." She continued, her words coming out in a rush. "When you and your brothers moved to LA, to my street, I thought I already had this perfect image of who you were. But then I actually met you."

She glanced up at him briefly before quickly looking away, unable to hold his gaze.

"You were more than I ever imagined. You exceeded every expectation I had in my head. You’re... so sweet, Matt. So kind. So human."

Her voice wavered, but she pushed on.

"You take care of people. You’re a gentleman, and you’re so thoughtful, always putting everyone else before yourself. And then we started spending all this time together. At your house, at mine, sleepovers, just... being with you."

Matt’s expression softened, but Y/N kept her eyes fixed on the ground.

"You were always there." She whispered. "And every time you were, you pulled at my heart a little more. You made a home inside it, Matt. You made it warmer. And somewhere along the way, I fell in love with you."

Her cheeks burned despite the cold rain.

"When I realized how I felt, I was terrified. I thought, 'Why would someone like Matt ever feel the same?'"

Matt opened his mouth to speak, but Y/N raised a hand, cutting him off.

"So I hid it." Her voice broke slightly as she added. "I buried it so deep because I couldn’t lose you. I wasn’t ever going to tell you, Matt. I wasn’t. But tonight..."

Y/N took another shaky breath, her fingers trembling as she pushed her damp hair back from her face.

"Tonight." She repeated, her voice quieter now but still steady. "I was sitting in my room, writing down my resolutions for the new year, as I always do, you know that. But then I started thinking about what I wanted for 2025, what I wanted my life to look like, the things I needed to fix, or let go of. And then I realized something." She hesitated, her chest rising and falling as she braced herself. "The one thing I haven’t been honest about with anyone is how I feel about you. And I can’t go into a new year carrying this secret anymore. I just... I can’t."

Matt’s brows knit together as she continued.

"I can’t stop thinking about you, Matt. I think about you all the time. Your laugh, your kind words, the way you’re always so thoughtful. The way you smile at me like I’m the only person in the room. Everything about you, every little piece of you, it’s always on my mind."

Her voice trembled, but she didn’t stop.

"Every time I see something, it reminds me of you. A song, a movie, even the smallest things, like the way the rain smells or the sound of someone laughing across the street. It all brings me back to you. You’re the only thing that never slips my mind, no matter what time of day it is."

Matt’s lips parted slightly, but he stayed silent, his hands still buried in his hoodie pockets as he listened.

"You’re my best friend." Y/N said, her voice breaking slightly. "But I want more. I need more."

Her eyes finally met his, and for a moment, she forgot the rain, the cold, and the fear pounding in her chest.

"I want to be called yours. I want to be seen by your eyes with love, not just as your friend. I want to be held by your hands, kissed by your lips... I want to be yours, Matt."

Tears mingled with the rain on her face as she finished, her voice dropping to a whisper.

"And I'm so sorry for damping all of this on you like that. I know it’s a lot, and I’m probably ruining everything right now. I-I never wanted to mess up our friendship-"

"Y/N-" Matt interrupted, his voice firm but gentle, but she didn’t even hear him, lost in the whirlwind of her thoughts.

"And I don’t want you to feel bad for rejecting it. I know you don’t feel the same way, because why would you? People like you never fall in love with people like me-"

"Y/N."

His voice was louder this time, cutting through her rambling like a sharp blade. She froze, her eyes widening as she finally looked at him.

"Y/N." He said again, softer now, his eyes locking with hers. "You're so silly. People like me fall in love with people like you all the time, actually."

"What?" She whispered, her voice barely audible. Her brows knitted together in confusion, her lips parting as if to say something else, but nothing came out of them.

Matt shook his head, a small, breathy laugh escaping his lips before he leaned in.

His hands found her waist, gripping her soaked shirt as he pulled her closer, and then his lips were on hers. The kiss was everything at once, soft yet intense, hesitant yet confident, warm despite the cold rain pouring down around them.

Y/N gasped softly against his mouth, her hands instinctively reaching up to tangle in his messy hair. His lips were softer than she could’ve ever imagined, moving against hers with a fervor that sent shivers down her spine.

Their mouths opened, their tongues brushing and intertwining in a dance that felt both foreign and natural. The rain mixed with their saliva, the taste of each other blending with the crispness of the winter air.

Matt’s hands tightened on her waist, grounding her as her knees threatened to give way, and her fingers tugged lightly at his hair, earning a quiet groan from him that she felt more than heard.

The world around them seemed to fade away, the cold forgotten as their shared warmth became the only thing that mattered.

And then, like magic, the sound of fireworks exploded in the distance, the vibrant colors illuminating the dark, rain-soaked sky. Cheers and laughter echoed from nearby houses, and Y/N’s mind registered what was happening: midnight.

12:00 AM.

January 1st, 2025.

New Year's Day.

Slowly, they broke apart, their breaths mingling in the space between them as their foreheads rested together. Y/N’s heart was racing, her cheeks flushed despite the chill, and she could see the reflection of the fireworks in Matt’s eyes.

"Happy New Year." He whispered, his voice soft and filled with something she could only describe as love.

She laughed breathlessly, a smile breaking across her face.

"Happy New Year." She replied, her voice light despite the tears still glistening in her eyes.

Matt pulled back slightly, his lips twitching into a small smile.

"So... do you want to come inside now? I think you’ve been out in the rain long enough."

Y/N chuckled, nodding.

"Yeah, I think I do."

He reached for her hand, his fingers warm and steady as they intertwined with hers, and together, they walked inside the house, leaving the cold rain and the past year behind.

[archivequinn]

Summary: When it's twelve o'clock at midnight and it's the new year, Eddie feels good enough to sweep you off your feet.

Warnings: it's SMUT. +18 minors go away.

Words: 1,209

ao3 link

In your small apartment, the final night of the year flowed by in quiet serenity. Outside, the sounds of people’s joyful laughter and the distant crackle of fireworks echoed through the streets, but inside, it was a completely different world—one that belonged only to the two of you. The Christmas movie playing on the TV had long since faded into background noise, forgotten. You no longer noticed the lines or followed the scenes. The bluish light from the screen flickered softly, filling the room with dancing shadows, illuminating Eddie’s face briefly before it melted back into the dimness.

Pizza boxes and beer bottles lay scattered on the coffee table in casual disarray, but neither of you cared. Eddie’s strong arms wrapped around you tightly, forming a warm cocoon. Your skin buzzed with the rhythm of his deep, steady breaths; your lips, pressed together, burned with a heat that defied the cold winter night. Everything moved slowly, deliberately, as if time had decided to stretch itself just for you. Your kisses felt both timeless and infinite, as though you feared losing each other if even a single moment passed.

Eddie's hands roamed over your body, his fingers tracing the curves of your waist before dipping lower to cup your ass. His mouth never leaving its prize as he devoured you with an intensity that left you breathless. The world outside receded into nothingness; all that existed was this moment – you, lost in your own little bubble of desire.

You felt his hardness pressing against your thigh, a reminder that this wasn't just about foreplay – it was about surrendering to your desires. As Eddie's mouth moved from one breast to the other, you felt yourself melting into his touch, your body responding with an urgency that left you powerless. His hands exploring every inch of your skin. It was as if time had stopped; there were no clocks ticking away in the background, no partygoers cheering outside. All that mattered was this moment.

Eddie's mouth was a vortex of pleasure, drawing you in with every gentle tug and soft suckle. He bit down softly on your nipple, the slight sting sending shivers through your body as he pulled it slowly between his teeth. You felt yourself arching into him, begging for more as he lavished attention on each breast. You gasped as he sucked harder, his mouth creating a vacuum. His fingers wrapped around one breast, squeezing gently as he kneaded the flesh with his palm.

Meanwhile, his other hand crept lower down your body, pausing at the juncture of your thighs before delving deeper into the folds of your pussy. His fingers found your clit, stroking it with a slow, deliberate rhythm that left you squirming against him.

You felt his mouth leave your breast for a moment, only to return with renewed intensity. This time, he bit down harder on the nipple, sending shockwaves of pleasure through your body as he tugged and pulled at the sensitive flesh. You cried out softly into his ear as he continued to feast on you, his mouth and hands moving in tandem like they were choreographed by some unseen force.

Eddie's hand never stopped moving against your pussy; instead, it seemed to gain momentum, his fingers stroking and teasing you with a precision that left you gasping for air. You felt yourself building towards some unknown precipice, your body responding to the stimulation with an urgency that left you powerless against its demands. His fingers continued to tease your pussy, stroking and circling. He slowed his pace, letting the anticipation build as he teased the entrance of you. You felt yourself tensing up, anticipating what was to come.

Suddenly, he plunged two fingers deep inside you, his palm pressing against your pubic bone as he began to fuck you slow and deliberate. The sensation was intense; it felt like he was awakening every nerve ending in your body. Your hips bucked against him involuntarily as he moved his fingers deeper inside you.

As you adjusted to the invasion of his fingers, Eddie picked up speed, pumping in and out of you with a rhythmic intensity. His thumb rubbed circles around your clit as his other hand grasped your hip, pulling you closer to him.

His fingers continued to fuck you with reckless abandon, his movements becoming more frenzied as he sensed your approaching climax. You felt yourself tensing up once more, anticipating the moment when everything would come crashing down around you. Just as it seemed like Eddie was about to push you over the edge, he suddenly stopped moving altogether. He pulled out his fingers and unbuckled his belt with a swift motion before yanking down his pants and underwear in one smooth motion.

You gasped as he sprang free from his confinement, his cock standing thick and hard as he stroked it with a slow, deliberate rhythm. Eddie's eyes locked onto yours, his gaze was burning. Without another moment's hesitation, he pushed himself deep inside you, the sensation of his cock filling you sending shivers down your spine. You felt yourself wrapping around him like a vice as he began to move in slow rhythms, each stroke building upon the last until you were nothing but a quivering mass of pleasure and desire.

As he plunged deeper into your pussy, his cock seemed to grow thicker and harder, filling you with an intense sense of pleasure and desire. His strokes were slow and deliberate at first, but as he gained momentum, they became faster and more frenzied.  His fingers dug deep into your hips as he pulled you closer to him, his mouth pressed against yours in a fierce kiss that left no doubt about how much he wanted this moment.

Just as the clock struck twelve midnight, shouts of joy and the sound of fireworks exploding outside filled the room. Amidst the chaos, Eddie's movements became more frenzied, more aggressive. His strokes growing deeper and harder with every passing moment.

He pounded into you with reckless abandon, his cock slamming against your cervix with a force. The sensation was intense; it felt like he was unleashing all his pent-up energy onto you like a tidal wave crashing against the shore. You felt yourself getting lost in the rhythm of his thrusts, your body responding to every stroke like it was its own personal drumbeat. Your hips bucked against him involuntarily as he fucked you.

You felt yourself on the brink of orgasm, your body tensing up as Eddie ravaged you one last time before pushing deep inside and holding still for what felt like an eternity. It felt like he had unleashed every ounce of passion and desire within himself onto you.

As the fireworks continued to explode outside, Eddie pulled out of you and spun you around, he wrapped his arms around your waist and pulled you close, his mouth crashing down on yours as he kissed you with a ferocity that left no doubt about how much he wanted this moment.

Eddie's voice whispered against your ear, "Happy New Year, Sweetheart."

You felt a flutter in your chest as you replied, "Happy New Year," before his mouth crashed down on yours in a passionate, long kiss.

credit for dividers: @/strangergraphics

taglist: @multyfangirl @nicholaschavezslut69 @t-folklore13

[greengoblinswifey]

Ring In the New Year— Rafe Cameron x Pogue!Reader

summary— On New Year’s Eve, you join Rafe at a country club party, your first time celebrating with the Kooks. You share your first New Years kiss at midnight, followed by starting the New Year together in a way only Rafe could make unforgettable.

warnings— smoking, drinking, slight voyeurism, cross faded quickie, praise kink, unprotected sex, choking, creampie.

a/n— happy new year everyone, may 2025 bring us all happiness and we achieve all our goals <3

The country club was everything you expected and more, live jazz music, and perfectly dressed Kooks everywhere. It was your first New Year’s Eve on this side of the Outer Banks, and you couldn't help but feel like you were stepping into another world.

You glanced at Rafe from behind your little camera, snapping a candid shot of him sipping champagne. He caught you in the act, smirking as he sauntered over.

“Are you documenting how good I look tonight, or just making sure you never forget this moment?” he teased, sliding his arms around your waist from behind.

“Maybe both,” you replied, leaning back into him. “You clean up nice, Rafe Cameron.”

He chuckled, his lips brushing the shell of your ear. “Good, because I’ve got plans for you tonight.”

You rolled your eyes playfully, turning your head to meet his gaze. “Oh yeah? Like what?”

He leaned in close, his voice a low murmur only you could hear. “Get high, then take you somewhere private and ruin that cute little outfit.”

Your cheeks heated, but you kept your cool, swatting his arm lightly. “Only weed, no coke, Rafe. And let’s enjoy the night firs.. You’ll get your New Year’s—wish,” you teased, “but I’m getting my New Year’s kiss first.”

He grinned, pressing a quick kiss to your neck before pulling back. “Deal. But don’t make me wait too long, baby.”

The night was filled with laughter, Rafe’s touches, and bubbly drinks. After a bit of coaxing, Rafe led you out onto the terrace, where you shared a joint under the stars. The cool winter air mixed with the warmth of the champagne buzz as you both leaned against the railing.

“You’re such a bad influence, you know that?” you teased, exhaling a soft cloud of smoke.

He smirked, brushing a curl from your face. “And you love it.”

As the countdown to midnight began, Rafe pulled you into his arms, the world around you fading as the room erupted with excitement.

“Ten, nine,eight—”

His hands settled on your waist, his forehead resting against yours.

“Seven, six, five—”

“Ready for your kiss, Pogue?” he murmured, his lips just a breath away from yours.

“Four, three, two—”

The room erupted into cheers, fireworks bursting outside the windows, but all you could feel was Rafe’s lips on yours. The kiss was electric, soft yet demanding, like he’d been waiting all night to taste you.

When you finally pulled away, breathless and dazed, he smirked, his hands tightening on your waist. “Got what you wanted, huh?”

You grinned, giggling as he pressed another quick kiss to your lips. “Yeah. Best New Year’s kiss ever.”

“Good,” he murmured, taking your hand and tugging you toward the hallway. “Now it’s my turn.”

Your laughter bubbled up as he found an empty room, locking the door behind you. “Rafe, we’re at a country club,” you whispered, giggling as he pinned you lightly against the wall, his blue eyes gleaming with mischief.

“And?” he countered, his lips brushing yours. “New Year, new rules. Starting with you, baby.”

The room was quiet, except for the rapid thud of your heart in your chest. Rafe was close, his hands grabbing your ass, lips grazing the sensitive skin of your neck as you both struggled to catch your breath.

“You sure you want this, baby?” Rafe’s voice was rough and enough to make you shiver. His hand rested on your waist, fingers tightening just enough to make you shiver.

You nodded, lips brushing against his in a barely-there kiss. “More than anything,” you breathed out.

With that, Rafe was on you, pushing you back against the cool wood of the door, his body pressing you into the surface. His lips found yours again, more urgent this time, as his hands worked quickly, pulling your dress up, fingers tracing the lines of your skin like he couldn’t get enough.

“You drive me crazy, you know that?” His words were broken between kisses. “The way you look at me, the way you feel.”

You tugged at his shirt, eager to feel the heat of his skin. “I need you, Rafe.”

He growled softly, taking your hand and guiding it down to his waistband and pulling down it and his boxers in one go, a knowing smirk tugging at his lips as he watched you. “You’ve got me, baby. Let’s make this count.”

His lips crashed back onto yours, and the world outside of that room ceased to exist. He hooked his finger under your thong, shifting it and lining his large, hard cock against your entrance. He was so hard, so hard that you could feel him throbbing against you. He slipped inside your wet pussy and began to move, hands and cock in a perfect rhythm, fast, heated, like every second was precious. His breath was hot against your skin, his voice soft but commanding as he whispered encouragements, his eyes never leaving yours.

“You’re so perfect,” he muttered. “So fucking perfect. You feel so good, baby.”

He kissed you harder, his hand slipping up to your throat, gently wrapping around it as he kissed away the soft moans escaping your lips. His thumb grazed your skin, the pressure just enough to make everything feel even more intense. You gasped, but his kiss swallowed the sound, his other hand sliding between your bodies on your clit, quick and decisive.

Every second felt like it was stretched out, the air thick with lust and passion. He kissed you once more, biting your plump bottom lip as he did like a man starved. Your hands roamed his back then up to his head, running your fingers through the little hair he had as he fucked you against the door. The whole party was oblivious and knowing anyone could pass by and hear you turned Rafe on more than you could imagine.

His fingers rubbing your clit coupled with his large hand wrapped around your neck would not allow you to last much longer. Your pussy tightened around his cock earning a low moan that you swallowed in a messy kiss.

“Fuck, baby, I can feel how close you are, cum with me, cum all over my cock,” he growled.

Then it was over as quickly as it had begun. Your jaws fell agape, soft moans leaving your lips as you stared into each other’s eyes. A soul crashing orgasm took ahold of you, your pussy drenching his thick cock buried deep inside you as his cum shot into your womb.

“Yes, yes, yes!” you mewled, your whole body shaking.

Breathing heavily, Rafe pulled out, his forehead against yours. “Best way to start the New Year,” he murmured, a smug smile spreading across his face.

You laughed softly, still reeling from the rush. “Best New Year’s I’ve had.”

Rafe chuckled, his hands gently smoothing down your dress, fixing the mess you’d both made. “You’re mine now, you know that?”

You smiled, biting your lip. “I thought I already was.”

[sequinsandfins]

Happy New Year!

A little Maxiel to start 2025… pre-relationship, feat. Jack Doohan, The 2025 Australian Grand Prix and a pouty Max.

The first time Daniel appears in the paddock after departing RB is a shock to most people. Daniel knows he could have attended as a guest of F1 itself, but instead the first time he chooses to show his face again, it's as a guest of Alpine.

Daniel knows it’s a bit of a cunt move. He’d walked away completely in 2024, but with the 2025 season opener being Melbourne he knew he wanted to be there to support Jack.

Showing up with an Alpine VIP lanyard and decking himself out with an Alpine cap only causes Jack to laugh.

Jack had chosen to wear some classic Enchanté merch and Daniel eagerly snaps and posts a photo of the pair to his stories.

Max replies to his stories immediately with a WHAT THE FUCK MATE?!

Whoops. Daniel had mentioned to Max that he might be in Melbourne, but hadn’t revealed any more details.

Don’t be jealous Maxy, you know I had to support my boy! Daniel messages back.

I thought I was your boy? 😭 Max’s message reads and Daniel actually laughs out loud. He can just picture Max trying not to pout. The message amuses him, but also causes a slight flutter in his chest.

You’ll always be my boy. Daniel types and then pauses, does that sound too suggestive? He deletes it and starts again. I can’t help it if everyone loves me!

All he gets back is a middle finger emoji and he laughs. Jack looks over at him, questioningly.

“Max is just being a baby.” Daniel tilts his phone to show him and Jack smirks.

“Jealous I stole his man for the weekend?” He asks and Daniel feels a traitorous blush creeping up his neck at the words.

“Fuck off.” He says, no heat behind the insult. Daniel knows it’s only a matter of time before Max shows up and claims Daniel’s time for himself.

He doesn’t have to wait long.

[nhaomhi]

*ੈ New Years Kiss ᰔ .ᐟ‧₊˚

pairing: bsf!jungwon x bsf!yn

synopsis: you came to the balcony for some fresh air on new years eve when your bestfriend, yang jungwon, joined you.

genre: fluff

word count: 0.3k

naomi’s note: happy new years !! heres a very short won fic :3

.*･｡ﾟ.*･｡ﾟ.*･｡ﾟ.*･｡ﾟ.*･｡ﾟ.*･｡ﾟ.*･｡ﾟ.*･｡ﾟ.*･｡ﾟ.*･｡ﾟ

The balcony was quiet, a peaceful escape from the noise of the New Year’s party inside. You leaned against the railing, your scarf wrapped tightly around you as the city lights twinkled in the distance. Jungwon slipped through the sliding door, his steps light but purposeful.

“Found you,” he said, his breath visible in the cold night air.

“Wasn’t exactly hiding,” you replied, turning to face him.

He stepped closer, leaning on the railing beside you. “Still, I couldn’t just let you freeze out here alone.”

You smiled softly. “I just needed a break. It’s too chaotic in there.”

“Yeah, but now you’re missing the countdown.”

“Maybe I don’t care about the countdown,” you teased, glancing at him.

Jungwon tilted his head, his lips tugging into a small, knowing smile. “Or maybe you just didn’t want anyone to ask you for a New Year’s kiss.”

Your cheeks warmed, and you turned back to the view. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

“So,” he continued, ignoring your protest, “who’s the lucky person you’re avoiding? Is it me? Should I be offended?”

You laughed, shaking your head. “You’re impossible, you know that?”

“Five! Four!”

The distant cheers from inside grew louder. Jungwon straightened up, his tone shifting from teasing to gentle. “You know, if you were avoiding me, I’d probably deserve it.”

You blinked, caught off guard. “What are you talking about?”

“Three! Two!”

He shifted closer, his face inches from yours now. His voice softened, his usual playful tone replaced with sincerity. “Just saying… if there’s anyone I’d want to kiss at midnight, it’s you.”

“One!”

Before you could respond, fireworks lit up the sky, their vibrant colors illuminating Jungwon’s nervous but hopeful expression. Gathering your courage, you reached up, pulling him down for a kiss that was warm and sweet, a perfect contrast to the chilly night.

When you pulled back, his wide smile made you laugh. “Happy New Year, Won.”

He grinned, his eyes sparkling brighter than the fireworks. “Happy New Year, Y/N.”

[rebelliousstories]

Fireworks

New Year/ New Fic

Relationship: James Buchanan “Bucky” Barnes x Reader

Fandom: Marvel

Request: No

Warnings: Fluff, Mentions of PTSD and Symptoms

Word Count: 617

Main Masterlist: Here

Marvel Masterlist: Here

Summary: Bucky is immune to things like PTSD. He has been cleared by numerous doctors and specialists, so that this thing never happens to him. Or so he thought.

Consider Donating: Here

That first pop is what did him in. Bucky did not know whether it was the suddenness, or the sheer volume of it; whatever it was, he was feeling panic rise in his chest. A sensation that was unfamiliar to him in his current situation.

And yet, here he was. Trying to find his way through a crowded New York City street as he could feel his body cross the wires inside. Vaguely, he could heard his girlfriend call after him, but everything felt like it was underwater.

His vision began to blur. The air in his lungs was shakily exhaling. He could not even draw in a breath with any ease. Lights were blurring. Faces were unrecognizable.

Somehow, Bucky managed to stumble into an unoccupied place. Somewhere that the noise died way down, lights came back into focus, and he miraculously found his footing once more. The panic was still there, clawing at his insides until they were as raw as he felt right now. Taking deep breaths in, and exhaling them after holding, Bucky found that everything was starting to come back once more. At some point, he slipped his eyes shut, but a noise to his left made him shock them open.

It was only his girlfriend. In a long winter coat that touched the snow beneath them gently, she was standing nearby. Her hands held a bottle of water and a bag of chips, something that Bucky deeply enjoyed regularly. However, if he ever felt an episode come on, whether that be a nightmare or just too many coincidences to make his brain go haywire, the act of eating something like chips helped to ground him.

With leather covered hands, she twisted the bottle open just enough to crack the seal, and handed it over. There no words between them; they did not need words during something like this. However, she kept her distance. A faint scar on her wrist itched as she thought back to the last time she had gone up to him during one of those episodes. It ended with Bucky sleeping in the living room for three months because he did not want to hurt her again.

Once James felt it was safe, he beckoned her closer. Safely, she snuggled underneath his arm, allowing him to use her to further ground himself. Barnes pressed a kiss to her head, and began to look around once more. They were in a parking garage. A staircase and elevator was nearby as they sat on the curb.

Untrusting of his voice, he continued to pepper kisses onto her head as he tried to convey a feeling to her. A feeling of gratitude. One of love and being loved. So much that he could not put into words now, was sent through to her through his actions. Maybe back in the 40’s he could;d have been more suave, but that was not the case now.

Bucky took the chips from her hands, and brought them both to stand on the cold concrete below. Wordlessly, James grabbed her wrist gently to pull her towards the stairway going up. Making it onto the top level of the garage, the couple stood in the biting cold, with fresh snow falling all around them.

From up here, the fireworks were even farther away. The noise was far more manageable for Bucky over here. He stood behind her with his arms wrapped around her torso while his chin rested on her shoulder. After a few moments, he tore into the bag of chips and began to split them with the lovely lady that bought them, just for him. For him to use in a moment like this.

[redvexillum]

HELLOOOOO, MY AMAZING READERS!

So… @redfoxwritesstuff and I did a thing. Again. Because clearly, we have no chill. We joined another event!

Why?

BECAUSE WE’RE UNHINGED, THAT’S WHY.

When I joined Smutmas, did I learn my lesson from the chaos of Vexitober?

Absolutely not.

I... regret nothing.

...

This is totally going to be a short, fluffy one-shot.

SHORT. FLUFFY. ONE-SHOT.

It’s gonna be short. It’s gonna be short. IT’S GONNA BE SHORT—please, for the love of all that’s holy, let it be short.

[eddiazx]

midnight kiss - evan buckley x reader

You came to a New Year’s Eve Party with a bunch of your friends who were all coupled up and disgustingly in love. You loved your friends and they would never exclude you from anything; but as the countdown was quickly approaching, you couldn't ignore the fact that they would all have someone to welcome in the new year and you wouldn’t. 

You move towards the now empty bar since everyone was on the floor amped to begin the countdown, and ask the bartender for a heavy pour of champagne.

With the glass in hand, you turn around to observe the crowd and try not to feel too sorry for yourself. Your wandering gaze stalls on a tall, handsome guy, with pretty blue eyes and curly hair. He’s already staring back at you, and before you can look away and pretend you weren’t outright ogling him, he strides across the room towards you. 

“Hi. I’m Buck.” The stranger says, stretching out a hand, lips curling up into a sweet smile.

You introduce yourself, and can’t help but notice that you’re shaking hands for longer than necessary, his dwarfing yours. You feel a buzz, an energy in the air, that feels little due to the fact that a new year was going to start and more due to the chemistry sizzling between the both of you. 

“Three!” Everyone shouts around you, and as if breaking from a trance, the two of you drop your hands. Instead, Buck’s gaze drops towards your lips.

“Two!” You momentarily face away from Buck to place your still full glass of bubbly back on the bar. 

“One!” You turn towards the crowd and Buck once again. He tentatively places both of his palms on your cheeks, cradling your face. His eyes wordlessly ask a question, one to which you respond to by nodding. Before long, you feel soft lips on yours. 

It’s unlike any first kiss you’ve had before. It’s magical and electric yet innocent and hopeful.  You’re not sure when the two of you separate, but eventually, while resting foreheads against each other, Buck breathes out a: 

“Happy new year.”

[writingwithfolklore]

Happy New Year 2025!

In 2024 I finished my manuscript of the last 7-ish years, was published in several places, helped you guys edit your pieces, wrote and posted more og posts than last year, and made some good friends on here! I hope you all had a good 2024, and are looking forward to what's to come in 2025 <3

Here's a recap of the WWF posts of 2024, see you next year!

Your Readers Don't Know

Backstory is Revealed When You Need It, Not Before

Your Hook

Fortunately, Unfortunately

Your Prologue is for Stuff You Can't Put in the Book

All New Information Belongs in the First Three Chapters

Describing Foods - A Masterlist

How To Nail Your School Essays

A Note for New Writers

It's Okay Your Writing Isn't Like So-and-So's

Specificity, Voice and Backstory

10 Tips for New Writers

Pop Culture References in Fiction

Creating Paragraphs

3 Important Things about Trad Publishing

Taking Notes from Editors

When to Reject Feedback

5 Tips for Creating Intimidating Antagonists

When Your Antagonist is Not a Person

When Your Antagonist is Also Your Protagonist

Failing with Momentum

Kill Your Darlings

When to Cut a Character

Do Well By Your Female Characters

Character Agency

Writing Fictional News

How to Hold Yourself Accountable as a Professional Author

Making the Most Out of Your First Draft

Tips for Moving Out for the First Time

Sequels and Series

5 Things About Working in a (small) Publishing House that Surprised Me

5 Ways to Set Yourself Up for Success as an Aspiring Author

How Conflict Causes Character Change

Character Deaths

Monsters and Creatures

Ways to Reveal Backstory

Show Don't Tell: Symptoms Versus the Affliction

Descriptions: Seeing Versus Feeling

Momentum

Writing With Folklore Discord

You Don't Need Thick Skin to be a Writer

6 Ways to Develop Your Writing Intuition

Writing Prompt: Stress

The Yadda-Yadda

Description is for the Character, Not the Reader

The Characters Serve the Reader

Relationships and Closeness

The Rest of the World Continues on Without your MC

Writing Prompt

20 Questions to Ask your Beta Readers

3 Most Common Notes I Give While Editing

How to Translate Feedback

How to Incorporate a Ticking Clock

Every Line Adds Something New

Subplots are your Side Character Arcs

The Exposition Dump is a Myth

Questions from Beta Readers are Rhetorical

If It Doesn't Impact the Rest of the Story, You Didn't Raise the Stakes

Line Transitions

Why Don't Edit As You Go Is Actually Maybe Good Advice

About My Manuscript

There's Only One Reason I Didn't Give Up on My Manuscript

Your Beta Readers are Always Right

How to Get the Most out of (professional) Editing

How to Ask for Stuff

Who Holds the Power in Your Scene?

Getting Characters from A to B

Emotional Exhaustion

[the-badger-mole]

Clouds, Fog and Mists

The scholars and archeologists that Aang had been working with had come out of their museum basements and dimly lit studies with a wealth of Air Nomad histories and artifacts that had been lost during the war. Aang now had access to recipes he hadn't tasted in years, scrolls that gave historical context to the things he had just begun learning at age 12, and objects he had never seen, but was excited to learn the use of. At 22, he was just now learning that the Air Nomads had a variety of subcultures and customs he'd never encountered, even though he had visited every Air Temple that existed back then.

"Did you know..." became as common to his vocabulary as "hello" and "custard tart". Every day, he approached his wife with some new bit of lore he'd learned.

"Did you know that the Southern Air Nomads had a Festival of Remembrance?" he'd excitedly asked as Katara was hanging the laundry out to try. She was only half listening while she tried to keep Bumi, their nearly three year old son out of the basket of wet sheets, but she gave a polite hum of encouragement.

"For a whole week," Aang continued needing no further prompting, "no one was allowed to play music or speak. They even wore velvet over their feet so their footsteps wouldn't be too loud. Then, at the end of it, there was a huge party! Loud as anything with music and plays and games. I think I remember going one of those ending parties, but I didn't know about the vow of silence before it."

"That's fascinating, sweetie," Katara said, rubbing her heavy belly with a look of discomfort. She was seven months along with their second child, and this one was very active. "Bumi, last warning. Do not touch the clean clothes!"

"Okay, Mommy!" Bumi said before swatting at one of the sheets Katara had hung on the line. She sighed and turned to her husband.

"Can you take him?" she asked. "I'm tired, and I'd like to take a nap after I finish this."

"Oh," Aang said reluctantly. "I was going to have an afternoon session with the Acolytes. I'm dying to tell them what I've been learning."

"Aang, please?" Katara sagged tiredly, taking Bumi's hand and pulling him away from all her hard work.

"Alright," Aang sighed. "I'll watch him for a bit. Come on, Bumi! Let's go practice some air katas! I want you to be ready when your airbending kicks in!"

-:-:-:-:-:-

All Air Nomads were airbenders. That's what Aang had always been taught. He had to account for late bloomers, of course, but at age four, going on five, if Bumi was going to be an airbender, there would've been signs by now. Kya was a lost cause. She had started waterbending just before her second birthday, and despite the fact that her father was the Avatar, there was no chance that she would inherit the ability to control more than one element.

"Well, maybe it's not true that all Air Nomads were benders," Katara said with a shrug. "After all, not every Water Tribesman is a waterbender, and not everyone in the Earth Kingdom is an earthbender."

"It's different," Aang insisted. "The monks told me that all Air Nomads were benders because we have a unique connection with our spirituality." Katara didn't quite manage to hide her annoyance from him.

"Then explain our kids," she said. "Unless you're the first Air Nomad in history to have children with a non-Air Nomad, someone somewhere got something wrong." Aang went quiet after that. He had no response.

"Just because the Air Nomads may have had children with people from other nations doesn't mean that their children were Air Nomads," an acolyte named Qiao said. She was one of the most apt and studious of Aang's Air Acolytes, and they had spent many hours together pouring over the newly discovered texts. Sometimes, Aang thought that she had a better grasp of Air Nomad culture than even he did.

"I suppose....I suppose that's true," Aang said thoughtfully, taking a sip of his tea.

"The Air Nomads were mostly not monogamous," Qiao pointed out. "I'm sure there were a lot of Nomads who had understandings with their lovers from other nations. Especially among the Air Acolytes of the day."

Aang pondered that for the rest of the day. Then the next. Then the rest of the week before he finally approached Katara. He found her by the fountain with Kya and Bumi. Kya was busy making imperfect little shapes with the water while Katara was teaching Bumi how to put his hair into a warrior's wolf tail.

"You look just like your uncle Sokka," she laughed, pressing a kiss on her son's cheek. "I bet you'll be a great warrior just like him, too." That twisted Aang's gut uncomfortably. He cleared his throat to get Katara's attention.

"Hey, sweetie," he said.

"Hey," Katara smiled at him. "We're just about to have story time. Do you want to stick around for How Umiak Rowed Her Boat to the Stars?"

"Oh, um..."Aang shifted uncomfortably on his feet. "Sure. I was just...thinking of something."

"Yeah?" Katara raised her brow at him. "What?"

"I was just thinking of how all the Air Nomads were benders." Katara didn't bother trying to hide her disgusted snort or the rolling of her eyes.

"Okay, and?" she huffed. "Did you draw any new conclusions?"

"I can't have been the only Air Nomad to have children with someone from a different culture," he said. Katara stared at him blankly for a long moment.

"I told you that," she responded finally. "It's just now sinking in?'

"No, I understood you," Aang told her. He kicked at the ground. There was a loose pebble under his toe and he focused on rolling it back and forth. "It's just...well, the Air Nomads, they weren't strictly monogamous."

"Monogamous," Katara scoffed. "That's a big word for you." Aang bristled a bit at that, but he took a breath and let it go.

"I was just reading," Aang said with a shrug. "It occurred to me that maybe because the Air Nomads weren't monogamous, they just didn't bring their non-bending kids into the Air Nomad society." Katara looked up at Aang with her eyes wide.

"That's awful!" she said. "So because their kids didn't bend the right elements, they had to be cut off from one of their parents?"

"No, I'm sure it wasn't as bad as all that-" Aang started to protest.

"What exactly are you saying, Aang?" There was a dangerous edge to Katara's voice. A warning.

"Nothing, nothing!" he scrambled back, tripping over his tongue, trying to call back his words, and cursing himself for trying to bring up the subject without a plan. Katara eyed him coldly. She was angry and trying not to show it.

"It's time for lunch," she told her children. "Let's go inside and fix something to eat."

"But Mommy," Bumi protested. "I want to hear about Umiak!" Katara turned to him with a tight smile.

"That's okay, sweetie," she said. "I'll tell you while you help me fix lunch." With one last scowl at Aang, she took Bumi's hand and swung Kya up onto her hip and went inside.

-:-:-:-:-:-

Aang felt vindicated when it was discovered that he and Qiao were right. The Air Nomads would often leave non-airbending children with their non-Nomad parents. Sometimes the Air Nomad parent would stay with their non-Nomad partners and build a life with them and their children (something he made a note to tell Katara about). Then it was discovered that they were only partially right.

Some of the Air Nomads stayed and raised mixed heritage families. Some left their non-airbending children behind with their non-Nomad partners. That was expected. Reasonable, even. What Aang was not expecting, however, were the accounts of non-airbending children being given away. Some were adopted, and those adoptions were traceable through documents and letters. Others were sold. Those transactions were traceable, too. By most accounts, those children went into indentured servitude and many of them learned trades and were able to start businesses once their indenture was up. Aang tried to focus on the positives. Katara, however, was horrified.

"What right did they have to sell those children into...into slavery?" she demanded hotly while they were getting ready for bed.

"I'm sure it wasn't that bad," Aang insisted. "After all, the Air Nomads wouldn't have put children into situations where they could've been hurt."

"Yes," Katara sneered. "I'm sure their new owners were very gentle with their exploitation."

"That isn't fair!" Aang protested. "Do you know how difficult it would've been for those kids to live among the Nomads?"

"Probably about as easy as it's been for our kids." Katara glared at Aang meaningly. He felt his cheeks heat as he looked away, pretending not to understand.

Bumi was going on eight now, and Kya was five. They were both old enough to ask questions about why it was so difficult for them to move around their own home. Katara and the Acolytes had an easier time being adults and able to maneuver obstacles that short legs and small hands couldn't without help, but it was still a regular challenge to get around the Air Temple for them. Aang was in the process of building a complex near Republic City where non-airbending Acolytes could live and learn with more ease, but it wouldn't be ready for anyone to move into for another year or so. It would be safer for children with no airbending ability, too. Aang glanced over at Katara from the corner of his eye, at the soft swell of her stomach, already showing signs of pregnancy at her second month.

-:-:-:-:-:-

Tenzin was the last of Aang's children with Katara, and the only airbender. When he was almost one, he airbent for the first time, and Aang couldn't stop celebrating for an entire week. When Tenzin was two, the first of the burial mounds were discovered.

Archaeologists working at the mostly restored Northern Air Temple found it at the base of the mountain. There were several layers to the grave, suggesting generations' worth of use. Most of the bones were small. Infant and toddler sized. The largest bones were about the size of an average eight year old. The bones were all jumbled together, as if they had been tossed in a heap. Some of them wore the clothes they were buried in, but most of the bones were too broken to hang on to any frabric. There were also no signs of any shrouds or anything indicating that they had been given any of the customary funeral rites of the Air Nomads. The fact that they were found at the base of the mountain in itself was unusual. All the different groups of Air Nomads had their own unique funeral customs, but one thing that remained the same was that they were laid to rest as close to the sky as possible.

When the first reports of how the children came to be at the base of the mountain came out, Aang was certain it was the rankest propaganda. None of the Air Nomads, no matter how stringent they were about non-airbenders living among them, would ever harm a child. For a while, he seemed to be right, as all the proof was from secondary and tertiary sources.

"Lies the Fire Nation used to justify genocide," Aang said confidently.

"But how did the children get there?" Katara asked. Aang had no answer for her. Yet. There must have been a good one, though. Maybe a plague had run through the Air Temple, forcing them to bury the bodies at the bottom of the mountain to prevent contamination, or something equally tragic. Aang began talking to the archaeologists about giving the bones a proper burial as soon as they could be sorted. The count at that time was 700 bodies in the pile and there were still so many more to go.

A few months after that, the oldest of the Air Nomad accounts were uncovered. It went back a good 300 years, and it spoke about a surplus of infants born without the gift of airbending. There were too many to be disposed of the normal ways, and many of the non-bending parents were unwilling or unable to raise the children themselves. The anonymous monk wrote of a meeting to discuss the crisis. They wouldn't be able to care for so many that couldn't get around the temple, or travel with the Nomads. There was a food shortage. A water shortage. An everything shortage. So the head monk suggested giving the children to the air. That had been the first time the practice had been recorded, near as anyone could tell. But some of the bones were older than that.

That's what they called it. It sounded lovely. Poetic even. In practice, though, the babies were carried to the edge of the temple grounds and held in the air. A short prayer was said for the souls of the children, and then they just...let go. They were so high up, they probably couldn't hear the children hit the ground.

The public began to call them the Fog Children. They were babies born to Air Nomad parents, but without airbending abilities themselves. People clung to the term and it soon spread all over the world in hushed whispers. Aang hated it. Katara hated it. It was the only thing they could agree on by that time.

"It isn't fair!" Aang bemoaned. "It's like people are using it to justify the Fire Nation killing all the Air Nomads."

"If it bothers you so much," Katara said after she'd put the kids to bed, "then speak up! Condemn what they did."

"I do!" Aang insisted. He had protested, loudly that all of the Air Nomads shouldn't be judged by what one fringe sect did.

"Not just them," Katara said. "All of it. It's just like with the Fire Nation. Remember what Zuko said? You can't expect to move forward without acknowledging the past. All of it was wrong. The Air Nomads treated their non-bending children as if they had no value. Condemn the adoptions and abandonings and the selling of the children!"

"How is it my responsibility to make up for all of that?" Aang demanded.

"You're the only one left," Katara reminded him, trying to be gentle. "I'm not saying you have to call the Air Nomads monsters. They did something wrong. They were human. You can acknowledge that and commit to being better than that."

"How?"

"Start with your children."

It had been a frequent argument between Katara and Aang how Aang treated their children. Bumi was 13 now, well on his way to becoming a man. Kya was 11 and Tenzin was five. Often, Katara would quiz Aang on his children- what Kya's favorite color was, or the name of Bumi's best friend. Aang could admit that he was correct about Tenzin more often than the others, but it was only because Aang had so much he had to teach his youngest. Katara should've understood that. After all, there were things she did with Kya that she couldn't do with Bumi or Tenzin.

"It's not the same," Katara told him. Aang could never remember why, though.

For the next year or so, Aang spent much of his time doing damage control. He did his best to separate the practices at the Northern Air Temple and the particular sect of Air Nomad culture that grew around it from the rest of the Air Nomads. Every criticism of the culture was met sharply by Aang's rebuttals and justifications. Penning article after article espousing the virtues of the Air Nomads at large became his full time job, and obsession. It took him two weeks to notice that Katara had left with all three of his children, and another month for him to find the letter Katara had left in his bedside table telling him she was seeking a divorce.

He got Tenzin three months of the year. It was all he could manage, being completely unused to parenting alone. Aang taught his son what he could of airbending and the Nomad philosophy he could in that time, and did his best to ignore the people whispering fog children in the same breath as his oldest children.