#of the snowflake ficlet from the winter challenge

[loudlooks]

Find The Word (Love Themed)

Tagged by @hopeless-nostalgiac

The rules are simple, find the given words in your writing (WIP, Published, a college essay - it doesn’t matter) or something close enough (I think conjugating verbs and finding synonyms are both fair game) share an excerpt, and tag some friends and some new words to play too.

Words for me to find:

Date, Kiss, Bed or Bedroom, Love, Promise

Words for you to find:

Hug, Care, Loyal, Friend, Dinner

Tags to play: @aksannyi, @freckleslikestars, @paperclipninja, @earanemith, @benditlikepress

Date

From Date Nap

Somehow he managed to look at her disapprovingly with only one barely opened eye. “We’re going to Da Giovanni’s.” His arms wrapped around her, and he languidly stroked her back. “Not my first choice for a first date, but we’re not postponing again, I’ve been waiting for this for years.”

Kiss

From Heatwave

Her fingers gripped at his shirt, pulling him closer, then fully against her as she moved to stand up on her tiptoes and wrap her arms around his neck. “That was barely even a kiss!”

Bed or Bedroom

From Home

As the door swung open, the first thing he noticed was the floral pattern. Everywhere. Even on the carpet. He suddenly remembered his dislike of country Bed and Breakfasts. The second thing was the single queen-size bed that took up most of the tiny room. He glanced at Ziva who stepped into the room—she had always been braver than him—dumped her bag on one side of the bed, then turned around slowly, taking in the decoration.

Love

From The way you said “I love you.“ - 28

I love you When she heard herself utter the words she had sworn she never would, never again, panic gripped her heart. This was not fair. She had never told him when he was alive. He was not supposed to die. But she repeated them anyway, like a mantra, they couldn’t hurt him anymore; he was already dead.

Promise

From A Special Snowflake

She had endured his whining good-naturedly, promised him a chocolate chip cookie, and brushed a few snowflakes off his shoulder. That’s when he had first spotted the snowflake in her hair.

[lonewolflupe]

Blizzard Blend (One-Shot)

This is my entry for week 4 of The Clone Wars Winter Spectacular 2024 / @clone-wars-winter-challenge! This one's rather short, because I had a very hectic week and couldn't find the time for something more extensive (but I think this little ficlet gets the point across).

Summary: Cody is trying to finish his mission report after some intense events Rating: Teen and up Tags: fluff, codywan (subtle) Words: 556 Characters: Obi-Wan Kenobi, CC-2224 Commander Cody Prompts: First Snow / Fluffy Blanket Read this one-shot here on AO3 week 3 < | ↓ | > week 5

22 BBY, Caliban

Straight after the Battle on Caliban

Caliban was merciless at night. The wind was so sharp and cold, it felt like it ripped straight through the flesh and froze the bones. An infinite curtain of snowflakes made it nearly impossible to keep a clear visual on the surroundings.

At least the thermal tents sheltered the troops from the worst as they awaited their delayed pick-up. They had camped in the shadow of the grey stone mountains after regrouping, the frigid tundra stretched out in front of them. It was barely visible through the persistent blizzard.

Obi-Wan came hurrying back inside the tent, his icy breath shivering as he zipped down the entrance behind him, shutting them off from the freezing outside world. He took off his jacket, recreating a miniature snowstorm as he shook it clear from any snow.

Hunched over a datapad behind an improvised desk, Cody didn't look up when his general entered. He was lost in thoughts, his mind preoccupied with composing his report, determined to finish it before their pick-up would arrive - if the blizzard ever allowed it. He rubbed his cold fingers, hoping to warm them to make his work easier.

“Was this your first snow, Cody?” the General informed, his lips sliding in a comfortable smile as his moustache and beard were dripping from the melting frost. “Outside the simulations, yes,” came Cody's somewhat distant reply. Obi-Wan smiled affectionately; he knew he wasn't going to get a proper conversation out of the Commander until the report was finished. But it didn't stop him from trying anyway.

“And what are your thoughts on it?” he continued, trying to get a look into that brilliant head of his. Cody shrugged casually, still not averting his gaze from the datapad in front of him. “It was soft. And cold,” he remarked curtly, adding a few more words to his report in the process.

“I can sense some similarities right now,” Obi-Wan shot amused, Cody’s only reply being a faint grunt as the General turned around to make them some fresh tea. The Jedi was looking forward to feeling the steam warm his face and the hot liquid flow through his body. He would have liked to use some local herbs for his blend, but it seemed like nothing usable could grow on this frigid moon.

When the water was finally hot, Obi-Wan prepared two mugs and filled them cautiously, as if it was some sort of ritual. “So how’s that report coming along?” he asked entertained, but this time, there was no reply at all. With the steaming mugs in his hands, he turned around to face the Commander.

Cody’s cheek laid resting on the improvised desk, the datapad beside him still showing the unfinished report. His breathing was slow and constant, whilst his closed eyelids twitched as he was processing all the recent events in his dreams. Obi-Wan’s lips slid into an affectionate smile.

Carefully, he put down the mugs on the desk, before grabbing his cloak from a corner of the tent. He draped it around the Commander’s shoulders tenderly, thinking he deserved a more fluffy blanket, but this was the best he could do under these circumstances. “Don't overwork it, dear,” he whispered, as he tucked in the Commander, before retreating to enjoy his tea in silence.

[sereia1313]

Troll since you didn’t like my first “ right now, you’re all i have. “

Well @moon-ion, here we are again with me incapable of writing a ficlet. This prompt turned into a multi-chapter story and there's nothing I can do to stop it. Not that you'll complain of course 😜😜😜

Chills

Summary: Kagome is determined to enjoy her vacation at the local ski resort, but a sudden storm and a freak accident force her into isolation with her best friend's ass of an older brother. How can she keep her walls up when he's relying on her to survive?

Inspiration: "Chills" by Down with Webster

Read it on Ao3, Dokuga, and FFnet.

Chapter One

Snowflakes twinkled like starlight, catching the sun's rays as they swirled around her, a wayward breeze slowing their descent. The morning was crisp and bright, laughter mingling with the sound of skiers sliding along the freshly groomed pathways.

It was the perfect day for winter fun; clouds still littered the sky, but they provided the necessary cover, saving those who had chosen to partake from any harsh reflections.

She should've been enjoying herself, but Kagome Higurashi was in a foul mood. If she'd known her best friend's invitation to the local ski resort included his loathsome older brother, she would've declined immediately.

Sesshoumaru Taisho was everything Inuyasha was not. Her college friend was brazen at the best of times, but he counteracted it with crooked smiles and a fierce protectiveness that had Kagome constantly wondering about the difference in their upbringing.

They were technically half-brothers, their father having remarried when Sesshoumaru was relatively young. There seemed to be no animosity between his mother and Inuyasha's parents, but Kagome and stoic Taisho heir had gotten off on the wrong foot from the beginning, and nothing she'd tried had changed things.

And she had tried. 

She'd greeted him with smiles and friendly waves, even going as far as to scold Inuyasha when he'd insulted him.

Nothing worked.

Every attempt had been met with sneers, an upturned nose, or silence, grating on her nerves each time their paths crossed. Inuyasha had told her to leave it alone, that it was just how he was, but Kagome had refused to believe anyone could be that much of an asshole.

Taisho had set out to prove her wrong. For close to seven years.

How was she supposed to enjoy her mini-vacation when Mr. Stick-up-his-ass was not only on the same mountain but at the same resort as well?

A snowball hit the back of her head, pulling her out of her musings and instantly cooling her ire.

"You know you're going to pay for that, right?"

Inuyasha smirked, tossing another one up and down. "Not when you're that distracted. Come on, K'gome, you're supposed to be having fun, and you've been standing there for five minutes looking like you stepped in dog shit."

"Close enough," she muttered, brushing the snow from her beanie. Readjusting her poles, she pulled herself forward, muscles relaxing as her skis slid easily along the path.

"Which run do you wanna do first?" he asked, snapping his bindings into place. "You still need a warm-up?"

Kagome shook her head. "I'm good. We should probably hit the diamonds before lunch." The more challenging runs were always better first thing in the morning—before the tourists packed the snow into perilous patches of ice.

Inuyasha's snowboard didn't do too well with moguls anyway.

Flashing her a grin, he led her towards a steep incline, pushing his bangs out of the way before sliding his goggles into place.

"Race ya?"

Kagome didn't give him a chance to countdown, zipping past him. Her skis cut through the grooves, and she felt the familiar burn as she turned hard. She didn't let up, pushing herself down the entire run, laughing as Inuyasha's curses and claims of false starts faded away.

She'd enjoy this trip if it killed her.

[missdaviswrites]

Christmas Ficlet Prompts Masterlist

I'm not putting out a new list of prompts for 2021, but if anyone wants to write (or draw or paint or do whatever you want with them), I've collected the holiday prompts from all the lists I've made over the past few years. There are almost definitely some duplicates on here, but feel free to pick and choose whatever you'd like.

1. Bundled up / Peppermint / Holiday Décor / Snowflake / Tis the Season

2. Wish list / Shopping / Star / Wish / Bells

3. Fruitcake / All dressed up / You better watch out / The more the merrier / Chilly

4. Snowball fight / Winter sports / Snowman / Lights / Deck the Halls

5. Mistletoe / Decorating / Believe / Wind / Shepherd

6. Cold / Cozy / Fireplace / Angel / Joy

7. Christmas cards / Candles / Memories / Ashes and soot / Blankets

8. Warming up / Scrooge / Music / Warm bath / O Christmas Tree

9.  Ghosts of Christmas past / Wrapped up / Gift / Festive / Making a list

10. Eggnog / Food and drink / Do you see what I see / Once a year / Candle

11. Christmas carols / Violin / Comfort and joy / Chimney / Dashing through the snow

12. Happy Hanukkah / Winter Wonderland / Gingerbread / Bah humbug / Visiting

13. In front of the fire / Pine-scented / Frost / Family / Storm

14. Elf / Naughty or nice / A beautiful sight / Not a creature was stirring / Hope

15. Seasonal illness / The Case of the Frozen Corpse / Toy soldier / Midnight / Jolly

16. Yule log / Stuck at home / Season's greetings / Baby please come home / Twinkling

17. Scarf and coat / Christmas telly / Warm and cozy / Wonder / Let nothing you dismay

18. Christmas crackers / Favorite tradition / Celebration / Exhausted / Gifts

19. Father Christmas / Travelling / Silent night / Escape / Faith

20. Stocking stuffers / Icicles / Home / Christmas present / Sweets

21. Winter solstice / Longest night / Hopes and fears / Winter / Darkness

22. Party time / Under the tree / Feast / Miracle / Friends and family

23. Family visit / "Did you bring your gun?" / Nightmare before Christmas / Sentiment / Love

24. Holy night / Mittens or gloves / Peace / And to all a good night / Merry Christmas

25. It's Christmas / "I feel the same"

26. Boxing Day / Cleaning up

27. Post-holiday blues / "Thank God that's over"

28. Many happy returns / Toys

29. Bored / Bad weather

30. Auld Lang Syne / Resolutions

31. Last night / New Year

And if you want to read some Sherlock holiday ficlets, here are all the Christmas ficlets I've written since I started in 2015:

Put a Little Love in Your Heart

So This Is Christmas

Welcome Christmas

Christmas With You

Breaking Christmas

Imagine the Christmas Dinners

For even more holiday cheer, check out these collections with all the fics other people have written using the prompts above:

Sherlock December Ficlets

2018 Advent Ficlet Challenge

2019 Advent Ficlet Challenge

2020 Advent Ficlet Challenge

[gatheringfiki]

The following ficlet was written by @lazysaturdayonthebeach based on this photoset.

Pairing: Fili/Kili Rating: T

You can also read this story on AO3.

If you’ve enjoyed this story, please leave a comment either in replies or on AO3. :)

Yule Father and the Thirteen Dwarves

—

Did you know that the very first incarnation of Santa Claus was Odin? At that time he was called Jólfadr. Some have even tried to argue that he was one of the Blue Wizards. Not until Victorian times did the image of a fat jolly Santa wearing red and driving a sleigh pulled by eight reindeer appear. Before that he was a white-bearded gift bringer in a blue hood and cloak, who rode across the midwinter sky in a sleigh pulled by an eight-footed steed, visiting his people with gifts.

This is the tale of Yule Father and the Thirteen Dwarves…

Far north in the arctic circle, a company of dwarves served Mahal, who had come to be known as Odin after the Fourth Age. These dwarves created many wondrous things, such as Gungnir and Mjolnir. They also created jewelry, intricate carvings, and amazing toys.

One winter evening, Odin called his dwarves to help him solve a problem. Sleipnir had injured a hoof in their most recent battle with the ice giants. He needed an alternate form of transportation.

Balin was the first to speak. A most trusted dwarf, he managed and maintained the many books of Odin’s records of who exhibited knowledge and wisdom, who was distrusted, and who was worthy to enter Valhalla. “Perhaps some reindeer, Jólfadr?”

Fourteen heads nodded.

“Excellent idea, Balin. Well done. Who will get them?”

Fíli’s and Kíli’s arms shot up in the air. They were the youngest and always in search of adventure. Their enthusiasm made Odin smile. They were the hunters and mainly concerned with supplying the kitchen and larder. It was a perfect job for them. Really, everyone else was just too busy with their workload to be spared.

So close to Yule, all the dwarves seemed busier than usual. Bifur had his carvings. Bofur had already stolen Nori away from his own duties to help him make toys. Ori knitted and Dori sewed constantly. Bombur was busy in the kitchen keeping everyone fed and hydrated. Gloin measured gold from the huge treasury into small bags, appropriate for gifting. Oin created amazing medical items and false limbs. Thorin and Dwalin were busy in the forge.

While Fíli and Kíli sprinted to their quarters to gather their packs, Odin continued discussing needs with the other dwarves. Or rather, he listened while they listed the needs and divided the work among themselves. Occasionally, one of them would look to Odin to see if he was still happy. He finally just sat in a chair and called up an ale.

“Harnesses.”

“Ori, can you knit leather strips?”

“I can crochet them.”

“Done.”

“Harness bells?”

“Me and Thorin.”

“Good”

They continued until everyone was satisfied that they had covered everything. Everyone except Bifur, that is, who sat serenely amongst the chaos carving wooden snowflakes.

Fíli and Kíli burst back into the room. Kíli stopped so suddenly that Fíli nearly slammed into him. “Jólfadr?”

“Yes?”

“How many reindeer do you need?”

“Ahh. Good question. When you find them, bring the strongest. That will be good.”

Gloin tossed them several bags of gold, “Just in case you find the best on a farm. Leave the gold and slip away quietly.”

“What we do is secret,” reminded Thorin.

Kíli nodded solemnly, grabbed Fíli’s hand, and ran out the door and down the snow-covered lane.

Inside, Bofur burped and started a cacophony of challenges. A quarter hour passed before Bombur belched with enough length and volume to be unanimously declared the winner.

Within an hour, Fíli spotted a herd of reindeer, but they were deemed too small. Still, they marked the location, just in case.

Another hour passed and they began to see signs of men. Wary, they stayed well to the outskirts and finally found exactly what they wanted in a pen near a small farmhouse. Kíli immediately had the animals charmed. He leapt onto the back of the largest and picked eleven more to join him.

Fíli crept to the porch of the house and left all the bags of gold on a chair. Then he jogged to the gate and held it open for Kíli and his herd to escape. He secured the pen, jumped on the back of the last reindeer, and quickly caught up with Kíli in the lead.

“We have a dozen, Fi. Do you think we can take a break once we get back into the deep woods and celebrate?”

“Riding, we should get back in less than half the time it took to get here. So I think we can take a break at the river so the reindeer can have a drink.” Fíli answered.

“I brought them carrots, too.”

The two young dwarves and their herd were at the river in about a quarter of an hour. These reindeer were fast!

Both dwarves slipped from their mounts and Kíli quickly led the deer to the river, giving each a carrot. “Stay here, enjoy your snack, and have a drink,” Kili told them, walking down the line, rubbing each muzzle gently, “We’ll need to leave again soon. You’ll like living with us, I think.” All the reindeer snuffled in reply.

Fíli gathered several downed evergreen branches and constructed a makeshift lean-to with a floor to keep them out of the snow. He pulled a blanket out of his pack and bundled up, warming the air inside.

Kíli grinned wildly at the sight of the blanket and fort. He quickly snuggled inside. They rubbed each other’s hands to warm them up. Then one started rubbing the other’s back. Soon, they were making out and oblivious to their surroundings.

Several of the reindeer snorted and bumped their neighbors. Many whinnied in amusement.

A rumble and thumping rudely interrupted the fun. Fíli sat up, looking around.

Kíli frowned from underneath, “Was that a dragon or is Thor in a mood?”

Fíli snorted, but the bubble was burst and they quickly redressed before they got too cold.

Kíli went to round up the deer while Fíli broke up the lean-to and stashed the branches nearby.

Fíli found Kíli standing, stunned, staring at their small herd.

“Ki?”

“There were twelve reindeer. Now there are eight. What do we do?”

“Mistakes were made. Shirts were removed,” Fíli mumbled.

Kíli squinted at him.

Fíli could not believe they had lost a third of their herd. “We’ll look and see if they wandered off, then we’ll take all we have home and figure out a story as we go.”

Kíli nodded dumbly.

They searched but found nothing, so they mounted Hreda and Leiptr. Kíli had already named them all, and he was mourning the loss of Gledi, Svefn, Hnjosa, and Mysla.

Walking slowly and arguing about their story, it was nearly an hour before they made it back to Odin’s compound with a simple, believable story. Eight reindeer, one for each of Sleipnir’s legs. They were so proud.

As they trotted into the courtyard, Odin and the rest of the dwarves swarmed out and greeted them. Kíli introduced them to Reida, Hrósa, Hoppa, Fóa, Stjarna, Elska, Hreda, and Leiptr. Then he led them to the stable where each received a good brushing, a bag of oats, clean rushes, and a bucket of cool water. Odin passed by and whispered to the reindeer individually.

Back inside the main house, Fíli and Kíli shared a warm meal in the kitchen, then started packing the sled. Odin meant to leave at moonrise.

Finally, with all the projects completed, the sled loaded, and the reindeer harnessed, Odin was ready to race across the windy night sky. Thorin, Dwalin, Balin, Oin, Gloin, Bifur, Bofur, Bombur, Dori, Nori, Ori, Fíli, and Kíli gathered outside to wave as Odin passed in front of the moon. Then they went inside and got drunk.

[pipmer]

Sherlock Advent Ficlet

So I need to keep myself distracted so I went ahead and banged out a 221b ficlet in response to @missdaviswrites first prompt for this year’s Advent challenge. I know it’s a little early but I was antsy to post. I hope you enjoy the tooth-decaying fluff.

The prompt is snowflake.

+++++++++++++++

Sherlock sat at the kitchen table, tongue poking out of his mouth as he concentrated on the task at hand. John watched him from his chair in front of the fireplace, nursing a hot cocoa as he savoured the feeling of contentment. Flames lapped at the faux logs in the fireplace, throwing off real heat to ward off the winter chill.

John loved watching Sherlock when the other man was unaware of being watched. Focussed as he was on his task, serious intent writ on the lines of his forehead, the detective was in his element. Nothing could distract him until the deed was complete, and John had no desire to interrupt. This project was very important to Sherlock, and he was working with a deadline.

Night pressed up against the windows. Every few minutes one of the panes would rattle from a gust of wind as the inclement weather did its best to intrude, to no avail. Their domicile remained cosy and safe.

Finally Sherlock raised his head and gave John a soft smile. John’s heart beat double time. Sherlock put down the scissors and lifted up his finished product: a chain of five perfect and unique snowflakes created from one sheet of construction paper.

“Is this adequate for Rosie’s school Christmas party?”

John’s heart swelled to the point of bursting.

[evolutionsbedingt]

2019 Advent Ficlet Challenge

01.12.2019 Prompt: Snowflake

Thank you @missdaviswrites for coming up with that wonderful prompt list, here is my first ficlet:

Varvara watched the snow fall outside the window. She hadn't had a proper winter since she left Russia after the War. Well, left wasn't quite the right term of course. 

Running from Moscow, running from her surviving sisters, running from the blood on her hands. 

Of course you can't outrun your guilt. That Varvara had learned much later when she started aging in reverse. At first she thought it was punishment for being a coward. Returning her to the state she was in back when… 

Varvara put a fingertip against the glass where a small snowflake had landed. It pulled out an unexpected memory of playing in the snow with her brother when they were still small and the tsar was still in power. Years later she would follow her brother into the War, if not quite like she had planned. Varvara had wanted to join the snipers, because she had heard that they took women there. But she wasn't good enough a shot and had been rejected. Then the other unit had recruited her.

When they were children they had build a snow house one year in early November, but by early December it's roof had collapsed and the walls were frozen solid. Then Sasha had decided that it would be a carriage from now on. They had taken turns in being robber and robbed, and sometimes they had friends over and it got even more fun. 

Back then she had still been Varya and the most damage she could do was give her brother some bruises. The longing Varvara felt now had little to do with innocence and more with family. She wouldn't trade her knowledge and her life, but to love like that again would be truly wonderful. 

Turning away from the window Varvara went to lie down on her cot in the corner of her cell. It was luxurious, nothing like the cells she had seen before, but it was still a cell. Rolling on her side Varvara tried to remember her mother and her father and her brother. 

She fell asleep with tears on her cheeks and warmth in her heart.

[unwillingadventurer]

2019 Advent ficlet challenge-

Day 1- Snowflakes- The Adventures of Sir Lancelot @nitro-ace​ suggested a few weeks ago for snow and Lancelot so we’ve used it for today’s prompt. :)

...

“Lancelot! Lancelot! Come and look outside!” Brian was wrapped up warm in a cloak and his face was red from the biting winter chill. The squire was shuffling on the spot, hardly able to contain his excitement.

Lancelot allowed his squire to lead him out of the castle to where snowflakes fell softly and delicately onto the already layer of white upon the grass. He laughed. “What’s the matter, Brian? Have you never seen snow before?”

“Not since I was a boy, Lancelot, and I could never play in it because I always had chores to do.”

“You still have chores to do!”

“Oh.” Brian’s head dropped downwards, sending white from his hair onto the ground.

Feeling guilty, Lancelot smiled and held his hands into the air, catching some tiny snowflakes onto his gloved hand which then melted with the touch. “I will admit to there being a certain magic in this whiteness. I wonder if Master Merlin had anything to do with this sudden snowy landscape.”

He moved two steps in the snow and felt it crunch under the weight of his heavy boots. He was so caught up in the sensation that he wasn’t aware of Brian collecting some snow and launching it at him. A pile of white powdery snow landed upon Lancelot’s cheek with a thud.

“Brian! Come here at once!” Lancelot commanded as he wiped the snow from his face.

A sheepish looking Brian walked forward to where his stern-faced master waited for him. Knowing he was in for a telling-off, he looked to the ground and was about to begin his inevitable apology when with a surprise he felt a hand on his hair and realised Lancelot was ruffling it. The grin on Lancelot’s face was a wonderful sight and for a few moments they admired the snow together, arms around each other’s shoulders, basking in the glow of the winter’s morning. With everyone mesmerized by the snow, Camelot was silent.

[welcometophu]

Extras: 3 Sentence Ficathon

Last December I participated in a 3 Sentence Ficathon challenge. As you might expect, I tended to write more than 3 sentences, but I did write a small series of ficlets all about PHU characters for prompts that requested “original” or “any” as the fandom.

All stories are behind the read more, but the prompts, titles, and characters are here.

show me the way to Redemption’s Door Mac (as a freshman) & Pawel

"The saying, 'Life is just one damn thing after another,' is a gross understatement. The damn things overlap." Pawel & Janusz

dragons Chris & Alaric (I’m sure you’re shocked)

seeing snow for the first time Tony & Ángel

trust fall Alaric & Mac

off the path and into the woods Del

Hope you enjoy.

1. Prompt: show me the way to Redemption's door

It's been so long since she's fought for fun and sport; when she looks down at her hands, she still sees the stains of blood long washed away. She sits on the floor outside the room while cheerful voices congregate within, pulling out mats, getting ready to work hard and kick things. They all seem so young, and she feels so old--22 and just starting her first year at PHU at an age when most have already graduated.

Pawel finds her there, crouches in front of her, elbows on his knees as he balances carefully. "Mac. You aren't going to war, here."

"Aren't I?"

He smiles slightly, and he looks so young as well, reminds her of soldiers lost in the field, their dead eyes staring while she survived. When he offers a hand, she takes it--the youngest professor and the eldest of students.

"Let's kick out the darkness," he says.

These hands have killed. But that was before, and now she has a chance to do good. To teach others to move with confidence, to defend themselves. She has a chance to find the joy in martial arts again. "Thank you," she says, as she follows him through the door, ready to begin anew.

--

2. Prompt: "The saying, 'Life is just one damn thing after another,' is a gross understatement. The damn things overlap."

"I've been looking into camps for Conor--"

Right. Because Pawel's supposed to be spending the summer months with his father, and that’ll help keep his son occupied. "If we live that long," Pawel mutters, head down on the desk rather than looking into the webcam or at his father's face on the screen.

Silence.

A cough.

"Is there something you want to tell me, Pawel?" Janusz asks, and Pawel might be almost thirty, but that's still the fatherly voice that requires an honest answer.

Pawel looks at him. "Remember the soul-sucking shadows and the unexpected dragon? Add in misplaced soulmarks with unexpected soulmates, Lineage Talents who are Emerging with new Talents, storms that are shattering the weather patterns of the northeast, and oh yeah, the possibility that there is an actual multiverse with yes, multiple worlds with people who can travel to them--" He stops abrupt, drops his head on the desk again, groaning. "It all happens at once. I don't know how to protect these kids."

"Is it your job to protect them?" Janusz asks quietly.

And that's the big question, the one that even the kids keep asking. There isn't so much different between Pawel and them--he's ten years older than the freshmen, only four years older than Mac. But he's the professor, which means... "Yes," he mutters. "Someone has to do it. So it doesn't matter if the world keeps exploding with one damned thing after another. It's my job to try to hold it together and keep them safe."

--

3. Prompt: dragons

"You know, I haven't seen your dragon form yet."

Chris's words take Alaric by surprise, but it's true. He was with Mac when the dragon Emerged for the first time. He was forced into that form by Rory in order to capture the Shadowwalker. But he has never changed for Chris, the one person who has seen him stripped bare in every other way.

"I'll meet you outside," Alaric says, yanking open the window in his room. He crouches on the sill, gives Chris time to make it downstairs and into the courtyard. When he hears Chris's heartbeat emerging from the dorm, he leaps into the air, shifting with a flap of his wings and landing as carefully as he can. There are shouts in the distance and he knows other students have spotted him, that there will be rumors flying. It can't be worse than when the bear came out during the first football game last fall.

All he cares about is how Chris approaches him slowly, reaching up, and how his heartbeat never rises. Steady. Solid and familiar.

Alaric lowers his snout, but Chris instead places his hand atop Alaric's front claw, brown skin against black scales. Alaric huffs a curl of smoke, and Chris grins.

"Still you," Chris murmurs, and Alaric huffs again.

Of course it's still him; who else would it be?

--

4. Prompt: seeing snow for the first time

"It does this all the time." Tony's voice is flat, not a question. He stands in the door to the dorm, refusing to venture out, arms crossed tight against the cold.

"It's just a few snowflakes," Ángel says. He tries to nudge, but Tony isn't budging. "I got used to it my first winter here. You won't melt. Or do cats hate snow?"

The glare would be comical if Tony didn't look so damned disgruntled. Ángel can't think how he didn't immediately realize the Mollicones were cats, not Clan. Ángel tugs, and Tony goes with the motion, turning to face him slowly. Ángel frames his face, kisses him slowly. As he runs his hands down Tony's shoulders, magic flickers through his fingertips, sparks warming Tony's skin. Tony grimaces, but relaxes.

"We should go," Ángel murmurs. "We're meeting Hayley, Tanner, and Luca at Teas Please. Maybe sometime this week we'll get a real snowstorm, and I can take you sledding. You'll probably be warmer with fur on."

Tony steps out carefully, wrinkling his nose at the cold. "Come back to Florida," he mutters. "I don't know how most cats feel about snow, but this particular Lince could do without it. It's cold."

--

5. Prompt: trust fall

"You've got to be kidding me. I'll crush you." Alaric towers over Mac by at least a foot, and while she's muscular, he's a football player. There's no way this'll work.

She puts her hands on his shoulders, spins him so his back is to her. "Just do it," she says, and that's her instructor voice, the one that expects him to ask how high when she says jump.

He grumbles out, "Yes, ma'am," just as Pawel yells for them to fall.

His heart stops in the moment between when he tilts backwards and when she catches him, bending at the knees to lower him slowly to the ground rather than take his full weight. He lies there on the mats looking up, her black belt almost touching his face as she crouches over him.

She pats his shoulder, says quietly, "I've got you, Ric." And he figures yeah, maybe she does.

--

6. Prompt: off the path and into the woods

She didn't want to go into the Dreaming alone. She could lose herself here, walking out of her meadow and into the forest, following winding paths with no anchor to haul her back into the real world.

But she didn't come here on purpose. Sometimes sleep steals her away, plunks her down in the middle of the meadow, and this time there are no shadows in the trees. Del sees clearly, the paths reaching away from her, beckoning to her, begging for her to explore.

She starts down one path, and in the distance she sees lights flickering. They dance joyfully, and she skips along the path in time with the flickers, twirling and shouting, singing a bright tune that echoes the motion of the lights.

When she reaches the small clearing, there are no more paths, but the lights still flicker in the distance, still beg for her to come play.

Never step off the path. She knows this, remembers this even in the dreamfog that slips through the cracks in her mind, filling her with joy and pleasure. She has to reach those lights.

She steps between the trees, and begins dancing again, whistling as she skips.

She never sees the shadows coalescing behind her, never sees the darkness that swallows the way back to sanity and home.

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[sterekgala-blog]

A rec list will be posted every day with a few of our favorite Sterek holiday fics, and a masterpost of all our rec lists will be posted on the 31st. Requests are always welcomed!

New Year’s Countdown Rec List #13

My Wolf by Dexterous_Sinistrous || 7.5k

“If he wants to mate Stiles, why not let him?” Jackson asked, ready to part with Stiles if need be.

“Because if I did that, I’d be demoting Lydia,” Alpha Stilinski replied.

“We don’t even know how good of a Beta he is,” Lydia countered, bristling some that her status was being challenged.

“That’s because he’s not a Beta,” Alpha Stilinski stated. “He’s an Alpha.”

This fic has literally nothing to do with the holidays but it takes place during the winter time so why not? It’s an awesome read so check it out!

Hearts Will Be Glowing by CosmoKid || 2k

In which there are stupid Christmas songs, misplaced anger, lots of angst, but there are also Derek Hale’s hugs, bad movies and hidden popcorn, and maybe that makes Christmas bearable for Stiles

I shed a tear or two but it was worth it!

This Is Why We’re Friends by orphan_account || 1k

The pack is going to spend their first Christmas Eve and Christmas Morning together. Stiles buys a stupid gift but he’s forgiven when he gives a great gift afterwards.

Or: The christmas ficlet where a lot of fluff ensues, Stiles is being stupid and Derek is a marshmallow.

FLUFFYYYYYYYY

I met Santa once… It was awful by apinkducky || 3.5k

Stiles is working at the Mall as an Elf. Derek is the grumpy Santa scaring the kids. A robbery will show that neither Stiles nor Derek are who they’re supposed to be.

LOVE IT!

Waiting for Winter by Twice_Shy (notboldly) || 3k

Everyone had a soulmark, a special shape on their body that formed during childhood and was meant to lead each person to their soulmate.

Unfortunately, Derek's soulmark is shaped like a snowflake, and that fact has been actively ruining his life since he was six years old.

Really cute soulmate au

The Other White Stuff by eeyore9990 || 1.5k

There must have been a veritable blizzard overnight, because the tree limbs were nearly touching the ground and the bottom few porch steps were completely covered. The entire world outside their front door looked like some demented Hallmark holiday card and Stiles just wanted to slam the door closed on all of it.

Such adorable fluffiness :)

Snow Days by honestlydarkprincess || 4k

Time for a Stilinkski-Hale family snow day!

Cookies, naps, forts, and endless fluff!

SO DAMN SWEET YOU’LL GET A CAVITY

Falling Slowly by thetubelightclicks || 1k

Derek and Stiles have a rare opportunity of the whole house to themselves, but they end up spending the rainy weekend in bed cuddling, being amazing sappy boyfriends.

Such soft boyfriends

Back (Home) by Jonjo || 6k

Stiles and Derek visit a new pack that’s moved in to a territory north of Beacon Hills. They have a great time until they try to return home. But maybe their time together won’t be entirely miserable

I love the ‘helping each other stay warm’ trope and this fic executed it beautifully

Cold Natured by BeniMaiko || 4k

Stiles is a Yeti. Just pure fluff.

This fandom needs more yeti stiles honestly

The Season of Winter by icewolf || 50k

When Stiles told Matt Daehlar that he was the abominable snowman and that it was a seasonal thing, Stiles wasn’t really joking at all. Derek and Scott thought that Stiles was just joking around to stall Matt at the time. Yes, werewolves do exist but the abdominal snowman; it’s not really a thing but there are other things that are seasonal. How wrong they were when Stiles is just this pathetic weak human.

Magic Stiles is one of the best things ever created and no one can tell me otherwise

Memories Need to be Shared by alienalicia14 || 1k

Stiles loved nights like this. Nights where the world was quiet and the only sounds were the soft murmurs of Derek reading aloud whatever book they were reading that night and the soft huffs of Luna, their Bernese mountain dog, sleeping in her corner.

Such a sweet fic with domestic sterek

The Grumpy Hufflepuff by Nerdy_fangirl_57 || 2k

Laura hid Derek's scarf. It's snowing. Hogwarts has never seen such an angry Hufflepuff walk through it's corridors.

Adorable Hogwarts au with our boys sharing their house scarves

Happy New Year! by Laluna92 || 2.5k

Derek doesn’t laugh; he doesn’t even crack a smile. “Why are you sitting outside by yourself?” Stiles double takes because he didn’t expect that question. He expected some form of a growl followed by a shut up, Stiles but not the genuine curiosity in Derek’s voice. Stiles sighs and debates whether he should tell him the truth or just lie. He goes with the former. “I wanted a New Years kiss.” When Derek doesn’t say anything in response he reluctantly looks at him. Derek’s eyebrows are furrowed and he simply asks, “Why?” Stiles kicks at the rock on the pavement and shrugs, “Because everyone else has somebody who cares about them and wants to kiss them and I have no one.” “Yes you do.” (Or Stiles is determined to finally get kissed on New Years. He doesn't expect it to be with Derek Hale.)

Can’t start off the new year without a New Year’s kiss Stiles <3

new year's eve by potterbite || 1k

It's New Year's Eve at Derek's place, and Stiles won't stop whining about being single.

The fact that this is based off a scene from friends make it all the better

1|| 2|| 3|| 4|| 5|| 6|| 7|| 8|| 9|| 10|| 11|| 12|| 13|| 14|| 15

Submit in your favorite winter fics here so they can claim a spot on our countdown list! Any winter fics, old or new, are welcomed!!!

[edales-drabbles]

Snowflake

So a challenge(ish) appeared on my dashboard so I’m going to try to do as many as possible. Its a list of 24 prompts to do in Advent (though admittedly it says to take as long as you want. Either way, here’s my first little ficlet. 

1. Snowflake

Warning: Preslash, MxM, Character Death

“Watch out for the lady with eyes as white as snow and the ice that she brings. If she touches you, you will steal all the warmth from your soul.”

His Baba had warned him and his sister so many times about the Ice Queen. It had been her favourite tale to tell them growing up, usually with the fire burning brightly next to them and the smell of chestnuts roasting surrounding them. There were many stories about the Snow or Ice Queen, but the way his Baba spoke about the spirit made her sound very real. She hunted in snowstorms for pure-hearted souls to steal away, hoping to thaw her icy heart.

Zach wished someone would thaw his Baba’s heart. His sister, Esmeralda was fair and beautiful with long black locks and enjoyed wearing beautiful things. Her personality was pleasant and cordial, and never dared to anything that could be seen as uncouth around company. She was everything their Baba wanted her to be.

Honestly, despite having grown up together in the same house, Esmeralda felt hollow to Zack. She aimed to be too perfect and while people often got enamoured with the image and eventually it faded away when nothing failed to happen, leaving her lonely and confused as her suitors fell in love with other people. Baba would comfort her and promise her Prince Charming would come as long as she stayed pure-hearted and clean. Zack personally thought getting a personality would help.

As for Zack, he was everything his Baba disliked. He wasn’t interested in the old ways. He wore comfortable clothes as supposed to well-fitted and expensive ones. He was quiet and small, not big and loud like a boy should be. He detested sports and refused to touch the weighs his uncles had gotten him to toughen him up. 

He was supposed to a valiant prince who could save damsels. His sister was meant to be a damsel and only one of them appeared to be what they were supposed to be. 

There was a special kind of joy to discovering little miss perfect wasn’t as perfect as she seemed; even with the danger that they were in. The woman in front of them could be no one but the Ice Queen. She stood tall wearing old fashioned robes that made her look elegant and almost untouchable. There was almost a fragileness to how she looked, like touching her would shatter her like an illusion. She was gorgeous, far more beautiful than any mortal woman could hope to be.  

Ice grew from her feet, spreading with every step she took. She walked closer to them, a look of judging in her white eyes. She did not like what she saw in Esmeralda, that was for sure. 

“You are useless to me,” a melodic voice stated, her hand reaching out to gesture at Esmeralda in dismissal. Esmeralda went to speak but she turned to ice almost immediately. A look of indignation on her flawless her face. “Pretty though. Pretty enough to decorate some part of the castle I’m sure,” she breathed.

Zach gulped. This was the moment he was supposed to do something brave and valiant. Only he was a little confused as to how this had happened.

Winter had rolled in harshly like every year. Baba had asked them to go fetch something from the next town other. A storm had rolled in and they had gotten lost on the path. The snow had come down thick making it hard to move or see. Esmeralda had insisted they continued forward and looked for shelter. Staying still would be the death of them. It seemed they had stumbled on the path of something far more ancient and dangerous. The storm was still howling but around them was a bubble of calm. The Ice Queen’s magic, most likely. 

“As for you,” the Ice Queen murmured, turning to look at Zach again. “You may be useful to me.”

“I doubt that, Ma’am,” Zach breathed, not sure what to refer to the lady as. She might not actually be the Ice Queen and something else. It didn’t seem like a good idea to risk it. Best just to speak politely and hope his end would be fast.

She smiled softly and touched his chin. Surprisingly her touch was actually warm. He blinked surprised. “You aren’t quite pure-hearted, its been tainted by something but not your soul. Unlike your sister,”  she hummed sounding unimpressed. “I have a bit of a quandary, one which hopefully you can fix. I look for mistresses. Mortal maidens who are virgins to give to either my husband or my children as gifts. The people of this area have long given me sacrifices for this purpose.”

“Different to the tales but I’ll accept the premise. As you have already noted, I’m not a girl,” Zach said slowly, not sure whether he should be participating in this conversation or simply listening. 

“Tales get a bit distorted. I’m sure they are still determined my heart is broken into a million pieces and frozen in ice to protect it,” the Ice Queen scoffed. “No. My husband enjoys his pets and my children are not always able to sleep with their partners so easily. Mortals, provided they were pure the first time they sleep with a Maighdeann-deighe, are able to do so. You’re pure. And I have a son who prefers men,” she explained calmly. “You don’t have to come but know, your soul has already passed through the veil. It’s either this or whatever lies next for you.”

“We died,” Zach noted, looking back at the storm raging beyond the bubble. The skies were black and his eyes darted to two dark figures on the ground. That’s sad, he thought numbly. I was only 20.

The hand touched his shoulder, pulling his attention back to the woman in front of him. “I wouldn’t try to remember it,” She smiled sadly at him. “Tends to cause people pain.”

“What exactly do you mean by mistresses?” Zach asked trying to keep his voice polite and not panicky. He was under no illusions. He liked men. The Ice Queen had likely been able to tell by how he hadn’t swooned under her looks. Liking men was a one-way ticket to hell if his uncles were right, but then again, the stories had been wrong too and his uncles weren’t the brightest of men. It was still a risk, one that given the Ice Queen had turned out to real, he was reluctant to take.

“Pretty things normally. They have sex with their partner and look nice until their souls fade back into the ether to be reborn. Some have jobs. One of my husband’s longest mistresses is a weaver. She creates wonderful gowns for me. It is what they make it,” the Ice Queen said with a pleasant smile on her face. 

“That doesn’t sound too bad,” Zach murmured, part of him confused as to why he was even considering this offer. He didn’t know what the Ice Queen was. Se could be fae, or demon or something else. This could be a trap. 

“It’s not,” the Ice Queen promised. “Will you come to meet my son?”

Zack really hoped she was fae because the wording in that sentence was important. It wasn’t, will you be my son’s mistress. It was, will you meet my son. She wasn’t expecting him to agree to sleep with a man he’d never meet. Zach looked at his sister’s icy statue. A sense of guilt in his chest at the idea of going with the Ice Queen. On the other hand, they were dead now. “What will happen to my sister?” he asked softly, almost scared to ask.

“Are you close to her?” The Ice Queen asked nonchalantly.

“No, not at all,” Zach admitted truthfully. He had no desire to really see her again at that moment. It was probably a bad thing and he should be ashamed of and yet, not. “Doesn’t mean I want her to suffer.”

“She isn’t suffering like this. Her soul will move on eventually as most mortal souls do. She isn’t even aware this has happened,” the Ice Queen reassured. “I’ll have her statue moved to the palace grounds with many others. When her soul moves on it will melt.” 

“She’s not suffering,” Zach repeated.

“No, my dear boy.”

Zach nodded slowly. “Then. I guess I will go with you to meet your son,” he said hesitantly. He was not the hero, but maybe he could have a fairy tale of his own spun. 

 “Excellent. I was worried my son would have to pick someone ugly in order to fulfil that annoying condition of being a virgin. You are handsome for a mortal,” the Ice Queen sniffed. Somehow it did not surprise Zach that the Queen demanded beautiful mortals be chosen for this role. “Come. Take my hand.”

[unwillingadventurer]

2019 Advent ficlet challenge-

Day 21- Winter- Colditz

...

A snowflake fell upon Simon’s cheek and then another onto the palm of his hand as he raised it into the air. Soon snow was falling heavily around him and the courtyard began transforming from a dull lifeless grey to a glorious white.

Suddenly a looming figure hovered over him, casting a shadow over where he sat, huddled for warmth in the corner.

“Enjoying the snow, Mr. Carter?”

Of course it was Major Mohn, who else would it be? Whenever there as a sense of impending doom, Mohn was sure to be found at the centre of it.

“Enjoying our winter, Mr. Carter?” He was pressing Simon for an answer.

“Not particularly.” Simon sniffed, pulling his scarf tighter around his neck and blowing the tips of his fingers which felt frozen, uncovered by his tatty fingerless gloves.

“I myself have experience far colder temperatures than this and far more harrowing conditions.” Mohn held his head high with pride.

“I expect you’ve had experience of coldness your whole life, Major.”

Mohn’s lips quivered ever so slightly. He studied Simon’s fingers with his eyes, how red they looked, how in need of warmth.  “Cold hands, Mr. Carter?”

“Yes, but better cold hands than a cold heart.”

Mohn’s lips curled into a smile and he paced one single step closer. “No Christmas card from Cathy yet to boost your morale?”

Folding his arms, Simon sighed. “Why don’t you tell me?”

“How warm she must be. A roaring fire, another person’s touch maybe?”

Simon almost sprung up from his chair but stopped himself, instead glancing at his friends who were playing football to keep warm. He wished to join them but his injury meant he was still quite unable to play. Another reason to dislike Mohn. 

“Why are you still here?” Simon finally said, unable to focus on anything other than Mohn’s figure standing against the falling snow, seeming to block out the light. That was how Simon believed the Major saw himself, as ruler over him, above him, to taunt him.

“You should wrap up warmer, Mr. Carter.”

“Why, are you concerned for my well-being?”

Mohn’s face showed no sign of feeling. It was like ice, so solid that not even a crack appeared. But Simon wanted to break it and hoped one day he could.

Reaching into his pocket, Mohn pulled out an envelope. “Your card from Cathy.” He threw it to him as though Simon were a dog playing fetch.

“Well then you better read it first,” Simon muttered.

“I don’t intend to read it.”

“Full of the tidings of Christmas, are we Major. Peace to your fellow man? Missing your loved ones?” Simon’s eyes locked on Mohn’s.

But Mohn’s eyes looked away first and he seemed to be processing something in his mind. He spun on his heels and turned away sharply.

Simon sneered. “Merry Christmas to you too, Major.”