#plus her on that couch? oh she was seducing santa and well it worked on me too tbh

[elizabeth-mitchells]

Elizabeth Mitchell as Carol Newman in The Santa Clause 2, you are so loved

[danthectoman]

Home for the Holidays

This is my Christmas Truce 2019 gift for @enmitypark ! I had tons of fun writing this, so I hope you enjoy!!!

Read it on AO3!

The Fenton family has just arrived at Vlad’s Colorado retreat by RV at Jack’s insistence and had already hauled their belongings for the week-long trip into their rooms. Gathered in the living room, Vlad passes out four large gift baskets, each emblazoned with the person’s name on an oversized tag in his loopy script. Danny notices that his name has a green tint to it, and gives Vlad an inquisitive look, which is returned with a mischievous wink.

“Alright everyone, open your baskets!” Vlad said with a smile.

“Vlad it’s not Christmas yet!” Maddie argued before being shut down.

“My dear, what is in there will be needed for the rest of their stay. There is no need to object.”

Inside each basket was an assortment of gloves and hats in various styles to match each person’s taste, mixes for each person’s favorite hot drink, mugs, and ski goggles.

Danny's mug is black on the bottom half and white on the top, with a green-tinted NASA logo on both sides. "The logo glows in the dark, by the way," Vlad added. There’s hot cocoa and apple cider mixes tucked inside the mug. His goggles are white around the eyes with a black elastic band. The gloves and a hat are both black with green horizontal stripes down the center. Jazz’s items were all turquoise with black accents in a similar configuration to Danny's. Jack’s gifts held a black and orange color scheme, matching his signature jumpsuit. Maddie’s items were aquamarine, dotted with accents of black.

Everyone gave Vlad a hearty thank you for the gifts and Jack, of course, envelopes Vlad in a bone-crushing hug, lifting the smaller man off the ground. Before, Vlad would have yelled at him for such an act, but after making up with the family and being allowed to be a real godfather to the children, he's come to enjoy Jack's affection. After being placed back on the ground, Vlad lead his guests to the sitting room, the fireplace lit and the undecorated evergreen tree already on a stand in the corner.

“Where are the ornaments? And the decorations? I figured you’d have this whole place decorated to the nines already.” Jazz asks with a questioning look on her face.

“Well, I figured it would be fun if we all decorated the house together. This is Christmas after all, and simply hiring someone to do the decorating feels too impersonal for such an occasion." Vlad said with a genuine smile on his face. He's been smiling quite a lot lately. It was something new and entirely welcome.

“That’s right! So, let’s get a move on and start decorating already!! So, where’s the ghostly garland and tinsel?” Jack was so excited he could hardly wait. This time of the year always meant cookies and fudge, and he couldn’t get enough of those.

“Ah, ghostly garland? Do I even want to know what that is?” Vlad asked, an admonished look on his face.

“Sure ya do, Vladdie! It’s just like normal holiday garland, but dipped in ectoplasm! That way, it glows in the dark!” Jack explained with a smile on his face. If the man thought any of what he just described violated the millions of lab safety rules he learned in college, he didn’t show it.

“….Oh, no, that’s not part of the decorations. I have more… traditional decorations than that.” Vlad replied, wondering just what kind of Christmases the children had had. Perhaps this was a splendid idea after all.

“Oh darn. What about,” Jack began, hurriedly cut off by Maddie, a somewhat exasperated look on her face.

“Jack! Be patient, we just got here! At least let us all catch up and enjoy some time outside of the RV before we start working.” Maddie chided her excited husband. She may love the man, but he sure did like to act like a child when it came to Christmas.

Vlad stepped back and motioned to the large sitting area around the fire. Since the last time Danny and Maddie were here, two couches had been added, creating a semicircle around the fireplace. “Excellent idea, my dear. What would everyone like to drink?”

Everyone gave their drink orders and Vlad went to the kitchen to grab them. Everyone finds their spots on a couch; Maddie and Jack taking one couch, Jazz sitting on the other, and Danny taking a chair, assuming Vlad would take the one next to him. Vlad returned with everyone’s mugs balanced on a wooden serving tray and made a loop around the room, everyone grabbing their drinks. After returning the tray to its place, he sat down in the chair next to Danny. As the conversation picked up between the three adults, Danny couldn’t help but think back on how much the other halfa had changed since they met.

The two had formed an almost loving relationship in the past few months since the Pariah incident. Danny supposed that was just the kick in the ass the old fruitloop needed, since almost immediately after the horrible schemes to kill his father and seduce his mother stopped. He didn’t see hide nor hair of Vlad until Danny came home one day to find the man sitting on the couch with his parents, explaining almost everything and working through some of the misunderstandings the three had had for the last twenty years. It had been odd, to say the least, to see Vlad not only without his signature suit but without the bravado the man had exuded from their first meeting. It suited him, this vulnerable look, every expression genuine.

Shortly after that night, Vlad began visiting more often, at least two nights a week sometimes, just to visit and see what was going on in the family’s lives. At first, Danny was against the visits, still caught up in the way Vlad had treated him and thinking the two were still rivals. Then while Danny was on patrol one night, Skulker surprised him and hit him with a shock strong enough to knock him out. When Danny came to, he was laying on Vlad’s couch with a thin blanket over him, the man himself looking quite concerned over the boy. That night, the two had an actual, honest, and open conversation about everything. After that, Danny was more comfortable around the man and even allowed the older halfa to be his mentor.

Danny was pulled out of his thoughts as his father laughed particularly hard at a joke, probably told by Vlad. As everyone finished their drinks, Danny went around and collected the mugs, cleaning them quickly in the kitchen. When he returned, the boxes of decorations were being brought into the sitting room by Jack and Vlad as Jazz and Maddie took items out of the boxes and set knickknacks around the room. Danny jumped in with his sister and mother to set up a mini Christmas tree on a side table by the entrance to the room, delicately unboxing the tree and fluffing its green plastic branches.

Jazz began to decorate the large pine tree while Jack hammered nails into the mantle and hung the stockings, all of which were embroidered in each person’s name. Maddie was next to him on a stool setting up a village of ceramic snowmen, complete with little ceramic buildings and animals, on top of the mantle. Vlad set to work on untangling a new strand of Christmas lights that, despite just coming out of the box, managed to tangle themselves into a nest of wires. Vlad looked as if he has given up on humanity as a whole for creating those lights.

And so the night went on in peace, the family going from room to room decorating the cottage in Christmas cheer. One box from the pile had different types of holiday hats, including 5 Santa hats in varying sizes. Maddie grabbed the elf hat for herself, Jack simply took a Santa hat at his wife’s insistence, and Jazz took a headband with felt reindeer antlers on it. Danny rooted through the box and found the absolute perfect thing for Vlad; a pair of candy canes attached to a headband to look like antlers, bells attached to the curved ends so they jingled with every movement. Danny thought about taking a stereotypical Santa hat, but decided against it, going instead for a headband with foil presents attached to springs, also with bells on the end.

Vlad was currently rooting through a box in an attempt to find the tree topper he’d picked out for this occasion. Danny crept up behind Vlad as quietly as he could with several bells bouncing about at each movement and placed the candy cane headband on his head with a wild grin on his face. Vlad rolled his eyes and looked up at Danny, giving him an amused look through the hair now messily spread over his eyes. Falling back onto his haunches from his earlier position on his knees, Vlad gave a small laugh and commented, “Thank you, Little Badger, but I believe a headband is supposed to move the hair OUT of your eyes, not further into them.” An adjustment of his hairband so he could see later, Vlad resumed the search for the tree topper, a smile on his lips.

“Ah, here it is!” Vlad cheered as he finally found the topper, proudly displayed in its box. It was a giant silver snowflake, with what Danny sincerely hoped were large ruby rhinestones embedded in the center and emeralds embedded in each arm of the snowflake.

“Oh, it’s absolutely beautiful!” Maddie exclaimed, with a slight sparkle in her eyes. She had always loved Christmas so much when her father was alive and was ready to have a traditional Christmas this year.

“Jack, would you do the honors? After all, you are a guest here.” Vlad asked while standing up and removing the topper from its box.

“Aw, sure! Plus, I think I’m the only one who can reach the top without a ladder anyways!” Jack said with excitement laced in his voice and a shine in his eyes.

Jack reached up with both arms and attached the snowflake to the top of the nearly seven-foot-tall tree as carefully as the large man could. After the snowflake was secured and plugged into the light strands, Jack stepped back to admire everyone’s work. Vlad had tucked in the lights, Jazz added the garland, Maddie had strategically hooked the ornaments on the branches, and Danny had added the tinsel. The whole tree was gorgeous, even without the lights lit.

“Daniel, would you like to do the honors?” Vlad asked, raising the plugin for the lights in Danny’s direction.

           “Sure thing, Uncle Vlad," Danny said with a soft smile thrown the man's way as he approached and took the wire from his outstretched hand. Sure, that looked sappy and showed he had feelings, but it was the holidays! Danny was allowed to show some feelings.

           Danny bent down in front of the electrical socket and plugged the cord in, the tree casting an atmospheric kaleidoscope of colors across the room. He stood back up and joined the others in staring at the magnificent tree they had put together, a sense of accomplishment filling the room. Jack threw an arm over Maddie’s shoulder and looked down at her as if she was an angel and brought her into his side. Maddie shifted to wrap an arm around his waist and place a hand on his chest. Jazz placed her left arm over her brother’s shoulder and rested her right hand on his other shoulder, placing her forehead on the side of his head in the kind of hug only siblings can give.

           Vlad sat back and watched the family interact with each other, showing affection earnestly, and was still not entirely sure where he fits in in this dynamic. This was the first Christmas he had spent with people that were not related to his business, after all. Before he could get too deep into this line of thinking, there was a pair of arms wrapped around his midsection and a head of fluffy black hair pressed against his chest. A longer pair of arms, a little above the first set, joined them. A taller set wrapped around his arms and chest, gluing his arms to his sides. Finally, a pair of arms came from above and lifted the group into the air, laughter escaping everyone as they had the life squeezed out of them in a loving embrace.

The group stayed locked in a hug for a long time, simply enjoying the moment, antlers and hats and springs lightly bumping into each other as the soft jingles of bells wafted through the air. As everyone separated, they were filled with love. The feeling floated through the air and mingled with the light scent of cinnamon coming from some pinecones sitting in a glass bowl on the coffee table.

This moment is what Christmas was supposed to be for the Fenton family, which now included one billionaire with a reformed heart of gold. Not the fighting over theories of Santa that usually come about this time of year, or the hyper-focus on ghostly happenings, or any of the other things the two parents dis that detracted from the holiday cheer for their children. A moment of unrestrained happiness for everyone in the room.

“This has been fun and all, Vladdy, but what’s for dinner?” Jack asked with a sheepish look.

With a laugh, Vlad answered, “There’s a stew in the Crockpot that I prepared before you all arrived. It should be ready by now.”

“Great! Let’s get a move on! All this holiday cheer has me starving!” Jack yelled, already charging for the kitchen and the gold and green Packers crockpot sitting on the granite countertop.

Maddie followed her husband into the kitchen with a soft and loving smile, leaving Vlad and the children standing next to the tree. With a gesture of his arm towards the kitchen, Vlad told the children, “Go on, I have to go last anyways since I'm the chef.”

“Thanks for all this, Vlad. This is just what we needed.” Jazz said with a laugh and a hug. “I better go before dad eats it all.” She entered the kitchen and took a bowl from her mother.

Vlad smirked down at Danny and nodded his head in the direction of the kitchen. “Better hurry, Little Badger. You’ve had a long day.” The two entered the kitchen as everyone else filed out and grabbed their bowls of stew.

The rest of the night passed uneventfully, with everyone piled around the fireplace in their pajamas. Holiday movies played on the television on a lower volume, stories of snowmen and reindeer and Santa interspersed with advertisements. Outside the window, snow fell lightly and piled into small drifts in the pale moonlight. An owl hooted in the distance. The stars above twinkled unobserved, and the night was calm.

The next morning, Christmas morning, Vlad awoke to the smell of coffee wafting into his room. He simply laid in bed for a few more minutes, knowing he was going to have a long day and wanting this moment to last forever. Brilliant white light reflected through the red curtains, showing there was a good snowfall last night. Vlad had hoped that would happen so there would be fresh powder on the slopes of the hills around the cabin for everyone to enjoy.

With a long stretch and a yawn, Vlad carded his hands through his long silver locks, straightening some of the crimped hair around his crown. He should probably brush it out before he leaves his room, but he’s sure it won’t hurt if he just threw his hair into a quick bun. Vlad rose from his bed and stretched once more, made his bed, and slipped a pair of house shoes on as he prepared to face the day. Straightening his shirt and pants, he follows the rich aroma of coffee to the kitchen, where Maddie, Jack, and Jazz were already fixing their cups with sugar and creamer.

A chorus of ‘morning’s’ met him at the doorway, which he returned. Out the kitchen window, his suspicions of snow were confirmed. It looked like there may have been six inches or so of snow, based on the covering, perfect for a good day of skiing and snowboarding. Grabbing his mug out of the cupboard, Vlad began making his coffee as the others went to the sitting area. Jazz set her cup down and walked to the tree, plugging it in and opening the curtains on a set of windows to give a full view of the surrounding landscape.

The entire scene was comforting to Vlad, who was so used to this cabin being empty save for himself and Maddie, his cat. Setting himself down in the chair he sat in last night, he couldn’t help but try to memorize every sensation he felt in this moment, focusing on the fuzziness and softness rising from his chest. Vlad was glad he was a better man than he was a year ago, but he also knew just how slippery of a slope he was on. One wrong move and all this comfort would be lost.

“So, what’s on the agenda today, Vladdy? Got something big planned for us, aside from opening presents and making dinner?” Jack asked with a yawn behind his coffee cup.

“Well, I was thinking we could all go skiing this morning. That’s why I placed a pair of goggles in each of your bags, after all. It would give us a chance to go outside for a while, and the fresh snow will make for some amazing skiing. Next, we could make up the ham in the fridge and some sides, then open the presents” Vlad explained as he cradled the warm cup in his hands.

“Oh, that sounds great! That doesn’t give us very much time to get everything done, though. Maybe we could push the skiing back a day, just to make extra time for cooking. After all, Christmas dinner is the last big meal of the year.” Jack said.

“Besides, we don’t even have skis.” Maddie pointed out.

Vlad waved his hand and explained, “Firstly, that does sound a bit better. I honestly forget how long it takes to cook a full dinner. Secondly, don’t worry about the ski situation. I’ve already bought everyone both a pair of skis and a snowboard. Everyone can choose what they want to use.” The one drawback to having a kitchen crew is that when you're without them you forget that cooking could take a long time.

"That's very kind, Vlad. Where will we be skiing? Do you own a resort around here or something?” Jazz asked in earnest. She just knew she was going to tear it up on a snowboard.

Vlad barked out a chuckle and replied, “No, I do not. Though, I suppose since I own a large expanse of the woods around here and have certain hills outfitted with miniature ski lifts, I may as well own a ski resort. There’s also a large pond not far from one such hill. If you would like to ice skate, it is open to you all. It should be fully frozen by now.”

“Oh, that should be fun! I’ve never ice skated before!” Jazz exclaimed. “I just hope I can keep my balance.” Jazz said with a nervous laugh.

“I’m sure ol’ Vlad could teach you! He was an amazing ice skater back in college! Practically had the ladies in line to learn from him!” Jack boomed with a hearty wink in the direction of his old college friend.

“Jack, you know just as well as I do that you’re exaggerating. Rest assured, we were unpopular enough that nobody waited in line for us, or even thought to make a line, for that matter.” Vlad said in a voice that sounded too much like his college whine for comfort. “Sure, I was pretty good, but it HAS been twenty years. I highly doubt that I have enough leg strength to successfully do what I did back then.” Vlad explained with a roll of his eyes.

“Oh, I know you can do it, Uncle Vlad! Please, could you teach me? It’d mean a lot!” Jazz asked, making puppy dog eyes at the man in hopes he would buy it. She didn’t think she would do good. At all. But she has always wanted to try, so why not?

With a sigh, Vlad answered “Alright, fine, I’ll do it. It looks like I’ll have to hunt out my pair of skates, though. I haven’t seen them in years, so I have no idea what kind of condition they’re even in.” The next day was going to be full too, it seemed.

“Thank you so much!” Jazz exclaimed as she rose from her seated position on the couch. “Would you like any more coffee?” she asked Vlad as she held a hand out for his mug.

“No, but thank you for the offer, Jasmine. I want to make sure Daniel can have as much as he wants as well.” Vlad answered as he handed the mug over.

While Jazz is in the kitchen putting the mugs down, she threw a good morning in Danny’s direction. The boy’s hair looked as if he had just woken up and ran his hands through it, sticking up at odd angles. He still had some dark bags under his eyes, but they seemed lighter today since he was finally getting some sleep on this vacation from Amity Park. No ghosts had messed with him so far, and he almost wanted to live here with the billionaire on that fact alone. He contemplated this as he picked out his black and white mug from the drainboard and shoveled in an obscene amount of sugar, followed by a flood of peppermint-scented caffeine.

Walking into the living room, Danny curled up in his chair and yawned, still not awake. “Good morning, Daniel. You look well-rested. Finally have a good night’s sleep, I assume?” Vlad asks with a smirk and a raised eyebrow. For once the boy didn’t look half dead, and Vlad was overjoyed to see his godson look that content.

“Mornin’ Fruitloop. I slept almost as good as a dead man, honestly.” Danny replied, a small and tired smile on his face. The only reply Danny received from the billionaire was a deadpan expression of earnest disbelief at his antics.

“Guess what, son? Today we’re all going to pile into the kitchen and cook, just like a real family!” Jack exclaimed, a smile on his face.

“Really? What’re we having? We don’t usually cook on Christmas, aside from warming up some ham and making those bagged potatoes.” Danny was almost scared. His mom wasn’t the most amazing cook, and don’t even get him STARTED on dad. It took Jazz pulling dad aside to make him realize that boiling frozen crinkle-cut French fries and mashing them wasn’t the same thing as mashed potatoes. Just the memory sent a shiver down the boy’s spine.

“Oh, we’ll be having a honey-baked ham, sweet potatoes topped with marshmallows, mashed potatoes and gravy, green bean casserole, and some desserts. All of which we’ll be preparing today.” Vlad explained, mentally taking stock of what needed to go into the oven at what time, the ham being the first dish since it took so long to cook. “Dinner should be done around four or five, depending on cooking times.”

“And we already made up the Fenton Fudge this morning while the coffee was making. I probably should have prepared it last night, but it slipped my mind. It should be hardened enough by tonight, though.” Maddie explained as she rose. “So, should we get this cooking show on the road? We’re burning daylight just sitting here talking about making dinner.”

“I suppose we should. I did get a fairly large ham this year, and it may take a while to cook. Thankfully, it shouldn’t take long to prepare.” Vlad said as he rose from his seat, Jack copying his movements.

“That’s great! While you all do that, I’ll bring the rest of the presents inside from the RV and wrap a few more. Jazz, honey, want to help? Then Danny-boy can take the time to wake up.” Jack asked his daughter with a smile on his face.

“Coming dad! I still have a few I need to wrap up too!” Jazz said as she stood and followed her dad upstairs to get her coat.

Vlad and Maddie walked into the kitchen, chatting about their favorite holiday recipes while Danny took his time drinking his coffee, knowing today was going to be a great day, despite his previous dislike of the holiday.

The rest of the day past in a blur for the family of five as dinner was cooked, gifts were wrapped, and Christmas tunes gently echoed through the house. Occasionally, the radio would belt out a crowd favorite and everyone would sing, Danny’s voice cracking horribly as he tried to hit the high notes of “All I Want for Christmas is You.” Another time, Danny and Vlad teamed up to echo the lyrics of “Deck the Halls,” followed by Jack and Maddie performing a heartfelt duet of “Silver Bells” while they mashed the sweet potatoes and covered them in marshmallows. Jazz, not one to sing in front of others, even found the confidence to sing along with Wham! to “Last Christmas” for an impressive solo act, complete with a can opener microphone.

As the last of the dishes were finished and placed on the dinner table, the group sighed in relief. After hours, and a few burns, the meal was complete. The ham had a perfect brown glaze and delicious pink meat, perfectly moist. The marshmallows were a golden brown, and the mashed potatoes were white and fluffy. The smells that rose from the table were divine, and nobody could wait to dig in.

“What are we waiting on, let’s eat! I’m starved!” Jack exclaimed as he reached for a serving of mashed potatoes.

“You just read my mind, dad.” Danny laughed as he picked a piece of ham from his place on Vlad’s left. Maddie and Jack sat on the other side of the table, and Jazz was seated on her mother’s left side.

With that, everyone dug in, passing dishes around the rectangular dining table and eating their fill. Stories of family holidays were exchanged among the three adults as the children sat back and listened, laughing at times and giving their input at the end of each story.

Vlad shared stories of his childhood, of days spent playing on the family farm chasing chickens and running through cornfields without a care in the world. Danny never pinned Vlad as a farm kid from southern Wisconsin, but clearly, looks can be deceiving, especially those from a man who painstakingly crafted his professional appearance out of spite. Jack shared similar stories of caring for his parents’ cows on the dairy farm he grew up at. It was all the same stories that everyone at the table had heard a hundred times over the years, but each time was said just a bit differently. Maddie loved to talk about her and Alicia’s childhood as well, rambling about roaming the dirt roads in their home town on cool fall nights.

After dinner and a quick interlude to clean up and put the leftovers in the icebox, the family gathered in the family room once again. This time, Maddie and Jack sat on one couch, while Jazz and Danny occupied the other. Vlad moved one of the armchairs to Jack’s side of the couch and placed the other against a wall, which was immediately filled by Maddie the Cat. As was tradition, Danny and Jazz, being the youngest, handed presents out, each person’s piles stacked high with colorful boxes, bags, and misshapen lumps that definitely held clothing.

“3…2…1… Have at it!” Maddie shouted, throwing her hands into the air.

After a moment’s hesitation, Danny and Jack tore into the presents in unison with little regard to saving the shiny gift wrap. Danny received the telescope he’s been wanting for months, a Meade Polaris 130 EQ Reflector Telescope, and a tapestry that listed the different constellations with each individual star meticulously labeled. Those two alone were the best gifts he could have asked for. He also got the expected shirts, pants, and socks, along with a few new journals with stars on the covers.

Jack received items that mainly revolved around ghost hunting and science, like the pajama set printed with a cartoon version of Slimer from Ghostbusters. Since he worked almost constantly on the engineering side of their business, he was given a new set of wrenches and pliers, having lost many of them in the portal. He unwrapped a few sets of socks and a new jumpsuit, too.

Maddie, contrary to the boys’ style of unwrapping, carefully removed the tape off each metallic fold in her gift wrap and refolded the paper to use again. Her boxes contained a peppermint and cinnamon bath set and a beginner’s crochet set intended to help her achieve her goal of relaxing more in the new year. There was a colorful box of glitter pens and a journal wrapped in ribbons in her pile, as well as a new jumpsuit from her husband.

Jazz wasn’t as careful in her unwrapping as her mother, but she took her time opening each present. One package contained a large empty scrapbook with white paper, and another had a sticker set, colorful pens, and other little additions one would need to start scrapbooking. There were also two psychology-related books that Vlad had helped Jack pick out, one full of thought experiments and the other a textbook on teen and young adult mindsets for therapists-in-training. There were also a few new scarves, sweaters, and jeans.

Last but not least, Vlad opened his gifts slowly, treasuring the feeling of community and love he felt with his new family. He received a new red tie and handkerchief with some square cufflinks. In a bag was a collection of classic horror novels, which Vlad considered his guilty pleasure. He also received a box filled with yellow, wrinkled pages that held the writings of his old D&D campaign from back in college. Jack and Maddie seemed eager to start a new campaign with him, as they missed playing, and Vlad agreed immediately.

Finally, in a big square box, labeled from Danny, there was a black square scrapbook with an embossed gold Green Bay Packers logo on the front. Vlad didn’t even know the boy knew how to scrapbook. Upon opening the front cover, Vlad found a selfie Danny took the first time they had a real outing together. The two had gone out for coffee and had ended up going to the local observatory to watch one of their star tours. They had walked through the museum, and come to a replica cockpit for the Apollo 11 space shuttle. Somehow, Daniel convinced him to climb into the small seat with him and had taken a few photos, the last of which Vlad had finally smiled in, knees shoved into his chest and a raised eyebrow looking into the lens. Vlad decided to look through that later, almost afraid of what might be in there.

After all the presents were opened, Maddie collected the shredded paper and piled it into trash bags. As the night wound down, everyone looked through their presents and removed them from their packing, then changed into their new pajamas.

Jazz settled in with a book and Maddie began to write about the day in her new journal. Danny sketched some animals into a journal with the NASA logo on the front in metallic ink. Jack looked at his new tools and started planning new gadgets, making small sketches in his idea book. Vlad was focused on sorting out all the old papers from their many college campaigns and organizing them based on the time they happened.

The house was calm and warm, and all was as it should be on Christmas day.

[idk-mlb-is-reals-cute44]

MLB secret Santa fic for @clockworkgalaxies ! It wouldn’t all fit in one post, so... Part 2 to come! (Sorry it’s late!!!)

~••~

Marinette clenched her fists. Her nails drew blood.

Deep breaths, deep breaths, she chanted, chocking down tears in favor of a false smile.

She really didn’t have any reason to cry. It was a plot. A political strategy. It would hardly last a year if everything went to plan.

But yet, it was all Marinette could do to stifle a sob as she stood in front of Alya and Adrien.

“Congratulations,” she said, “On your engagement.”

~••~

Being a ladies’ maid was worlds away from working in the kitchens. The position was usually meant for a woman of noble birth, or at least someone on the upside of things.

Dirt-poor kitchen’s hands usually didn’t really fit the bill. But Marinette was Alya’s best friend, and Alya has insisted. Plus, it didn’t hurt that she was one of the four people who were in on the secret.

The fact that the future princess herself was a former kitchen’s hand as well (or so everyone believed) lessened the scandal of the whole affair. (No one knew that Alya was as rich as a duchess, and trained to kill.)

“Take this,” Alya said, “And this. And this.”

Three knives of varying sizes.

“What am I supposed to do with these?” Marinette asked, “I’m not a fighter.”

“I know,” Alya said, but it’s best to be prepared. Plus, you should probably learn to fight.”

“You’re gonna teach me?” Marinette raised an eyebrow.

“Are you doubting me?” Alya laughed.

“Last year? You tried to teach me how to do a cartwheel?”

“It is not my fault that you tumbled into the pig pen.”

Knock, knock, knock.

“Your tea, Miss Cesaire?”

“That’s so weird,” Marinette whispered as Alya opened the door, “Servents. Waiting on us!”

The butler handed over the tray.

“I also come bearing a message,” the butler said. “Your presence is requested at dinner in an hour. In the agreat Hall. King Gabriel suggests you wear the blue dress?”

“Can Marinette come as well?”

The butler gave Marinette a once over.

“I suppose,” he said, as if it pained him.

The door closed, and Marinette exploded.

“You can’t bring me!”

“Why not?”

“I’m a kitchen girl!”

“I am too.”

“Doesn’t count,” Marinette crossed her arms, “You’re, like, and Assassin or whatever. You can deal with royals. I’ll just royally embarrass myself.”

“Technically, right now I’m employed as a secret royal guard,” Alya corrected, “And you’re a dear. Everyone will love you, I promise.”

“I almost started crying this morning,” she tried again, “I can’t sit at the same table as Prince Adrien!”

“But how else you seduce him and steal him away from me?” Alya asked, batting her eyes.

Marinette turned red.

“Shut up!” she laughed/shrieked, throwing the nearest decorative pillow (of which there were too many) and Alya.

It missed.

By a foot.

“I’ll make an Assassin of you yet!” Alya declared. “Now, forwards! Next mission: my closet.”

~••~

The first conundrum that Marinette faced was figuring out which blue dress—Alya had twenty—the king had meant.

Marinette has often been praised with and eye for fashion, but she doubted it could match up to kind Gabriel’s famously specific taste.

When the dress was picked, Marinette has to figure out how to do Alya’s hair. Which, it turned out, she was atrocious at. Alya ended up doing her own hair, and then Marinette’s.

The most challenging part of the whole affair, though, were the heels Alya had insisted upon. (“If I have to walk in these torture devices, my best friend does too.”)

Marinette was infamously the clumsiest servant in the whole castle, which didn’t bode well for her chances of surviving the night without cracking her skull open.

When they finally made it down to the Great Hall, all eyes were on Alya. Marinette really didn’t mind, because it meant no one noticed when the lady in waiting behind her tripped on her own feet.

Alya And Marinette day at the right end of the table, within shouting distance of the royal family, but far enough away that Marinette wasn’t terrible afraid of vomiting from nerves (although the chance was till there).

Sitting on Marinette’s side (other that Alya) was a young man with shockingly blue hair (the dying of which must’ve cost a pretty penny). Everyone was dressed in lush fabrics and sparkling jewelry, which made Marinette’s love of designing sing, but which also made her feel terribly out of place.

No one was looking at her, though. She supposed she wasn’t influential enough to care about—which was probably a blessing in disguise. She had no idea how to engage in courtly conversation.

The king clapped twice, and the conversation dwindled to a whisper as the food was brought out.

It was terribly strange to be served by the same girl you used to wash laundry alongside, and shared a cot with 4 years ago.

“Thank you, Rose,” Marinette whispered. Rose smiled and patted her shoulder as she walked past.

“Hang in there,” Rose whispered.

Dinner thy night was not one thing, but five.

There were two different soups, a honey-glazed pig, lamb cooked with lemon and rosemary, and some sort of grilled fish. Marinette was used to making dishes like these, but not to being on the receiving end of them. Kitchen workers for stale-ish oatmeal for dinner, and sometimes the leftovers if they were lucky.

Marinette’s stomachs rumbled and her mouth watered.

The food seemed to be self serve, so she put a little of everything in her plate and was about to dig in when she notices there were four different spoons, two different forks and theee utensils of which the function was a mystery.

She elbowed Alya.

“Which fork?” She whispered.

“Second to the left for the meat, first for the fish, and the middle right spoon is for soup.”

“Thank you.”

The rest of the dinner went by in a blue, half spent staring at Pronce Adrien, and half spend trying not to spill food into her lap.”

By the time they ended up back in Alya’s room, it was far later than Aroneyte had though— the sky was terribly dark, the only light supplied by the moon. (Marinette set about to lighting some candles, which seemed the sort of thing a ladies’ maid should do.)

What a day.

~••~

Marinette woke up sprawled on the couch in Alya’s new room, totally disorientated.

“Today is our first day of secret battle training!” Alya announced, somehow already up and dressed, with a voice too chipper for the hour it was.

Rising early was a necessity for a servant. That didn’t mean Marinette had to do it with any cheer or poise.

“I will murder you and place a curse on your family line,” she mumbled sleepily.

“It’s cute that you think you can to that,” Alya said, “Now get up! Up! We’re going into the forest to teach you how to use a sword.”

“Do you actually have a death wish?” Marinette asked, pushing herself to a seat and rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. “I’m clumsy enough as it is. I might accidentally commit homicide if given weapons.”

“Up up up!” Alya chanted, grabbing the poor girl’s hands and pulling her off the coach, “Well make a proper royal guard if you yet!”

Marinette blearily stumbled into a simple dress, combed the kinks out of her hair to pull it into a ponytail( and splashed her face with water—which did nothing to wake her up.

“Curse in your firstborn,” Marinette mumbles as they walked down the many (many) stairs to the ground floor.

Marinette was used to traversing the castle by way of the cramped servants’ stairways and halls. It was jarring to hear her expensive brand new riding boots click against the marble of the main staircase, the float from room to room out in the open like someone to be admired, instead of someone to be hidden away until they were needed.

It was, frankly, the most intimidating experience Marinette had ever had—even more so than the time the infamously strict head cook had almost fired her for dropping the kicthen’s best soup pot and breaking the handle.

She and Alya had hardly stepped foot into the grassy palace grounds when Marinette was bowled over.

There was a lot of squeaking and flailing involved. (Weren’t ladies-in-waiting supposed to be graceful? Marinette quickly dismissed the though. Such a feat would be impossible for her to accomplish.)

She laid flat in her back, dazed and most likely a little bruised.

“Marinette!” Alya called our in concern.

“Oh jeez,” the man who had run into her said, sounding frantic as he crouched next to her, “I’m so terribly sorry, Miss!”

Marinette blinked and shook her head, coming back to her sciences. Blonde, she vaguely registered. Her eyes narrowed.

“You better be!” She knowcked away the hand he’d offered and got to her feet herself, “Why, the nerve—”

She chocked in her next words, finally realizing who she was talking to.

“Prince Adrien!” she squeaked (actually squeaked! How embarrassing!) and turned red. After that she had a hard time forming words—just stood there, mouth opening and closing soundlessly as her blush her to furiously mortifying levels.

“My friend accepts your apology,” Alya jumped in, brushing clumps of dirt from her best friend’s back and grass from her hair, “Although I must wonder, whatever is my fiancé doing, running around the grounds sweeping maidens off their feet?”

(She laughed at her own joke and winked and the prince.)

Adrien joined the club of People With Terribly Warm Faces and sheepishly held up the ball in this hand.

“I really am very, very sorry. I was playing football and not watching where I was going—are you alright?” He directed this question at Marinette, who made a sound like a fish out of water.

“Perfectly fine,” she gasped out, “No trouble at all, your Highness.”

Another man jogged up, with sweat-slicked skin, obviously the prince’s partner in sport.

“Sorry to interrupt,” the man said, “But you’re needed.”

He pointed back at another blond-haired beauty, decidedly much less exerted and much more impatient, tapping her foot aggressively.

The prince made a face, but his blinding smile returned as he gave the two girls one last look.

“You’re sure you’re alright?” he checked, one last time.

“Just dandy,” Marinette said.

Adrien nodded, and then started to jog away, but not before asking, “What did you say your name was?”

Marinette beamed.

“I didn’t. Marinette—Lady Marinette, at your service, Your Highness.”

“Marinette,” he said, “Hopedully next time we meet in better terms. Goodbye, and to you as well, Alya.”

And then he was off.

Marinette let out a dreamy sigh.

“We talked! He knows my name!”

Alya laughed.

“Nothing like crashing into your dear heart to wake you up in the morning, aye? Now, let’s be off! To the stables—and to the forest.”

Marinette groaned, good mood forgotten.

“Must we?” she tried.

“Yes,” Alya said, linking their arms and dragging Marinette along, “We really, really must. No getting out of this one!”

~••~

Marinette had seven bruises by the time they returned home—three from falling off her horse (twice) and the remaining four from hitting herself with her own (fake, thankfully) sword.

Alya had been immediately summoned to see the seamstress as soon as they set foot on palace grounds, leaving Marinette to find her own was to Alya’s room.

The sky was just beginning to darken, the air was crisp, and the bigs chirped okeasantly from the bushes. But the lovely afternoon’s calm was shattered by the sound of heavy sobs, coming from behind the biggest oak tree in the yard.

Marinette followed the sound, and behind the massive trunk found—

“Mylene?”

The girl in question hiccuped, trying to dry away her tears. Obviously startled to have been found, and embarrassed.

“M-Marinette? What’re you doing here?”

“Shhhh, shhh, it’s okay,” Marinette said, “Cry it all out.

She plopped next to Mylene on the grass, wrapping her arms around the girl’s shoulders. The two had often times sat together durning meals, although Marinette wasn’t quite sure if they were close enough for this.

Mylene returned the embrace, and cried in full force into Marinette’s shoulder—so, it seemed they were.

“What’s wrong?” Marinette questioned gently.

“Ivan,” Mylene said, sniffling, “I-I think he wants to break up with me.”

“Whatever would he want to do that? Mylene, he loves you.”

The couple were inseparable—always holding hands, giggling together. Whenever possible, they did their chores together, or side by side.

“He’s been distant lately. A-and, I think he’s got the eye for Sabrina.”

Marinette pulled back to look into her eyes s

“I promise you, he’s not,” she assured, “Really. Ivan would never do that to you. He cares for you like no one else I’ve ever seen.”

Mylene nodded, taking deep breaths.

“Y-you’re probably right.”

Marinette smiles.

“Do you want me to walk you back to our r—I mean, your rooms?”

Mylene shook her head.

“No,” she said quietly, “I think I’d like to be alone for a bit.”

Marinette gave her one last squeeze, and then left her in the company of the wind and the softly shaking branches.

Mylene’s weak smile and damp cheeks haunted her during he long walk up to Alya’s room.

Was something really going on with Ivan? She hoped not. They’d always been so adorable together.

A gasp was stolen from her lips as she stepped into the room.

On the table, a wrapped parcel, with a letter sitting on top of it addressed to—why, addressed to Marinette!

Lady Marinette,

A gift, to make up for this morning.

-Prince Adrien

In the parcel was a lovely set of hair ribbons, more colorful and nicer than anything Marinette had ever been given before. (Even her new ladies’ maid gowns were drab in comparison to their stunning red color and glittering gold detail.)

She fell back in the bed, kicking her feet up in fleeS he’d remembered her!

Alya came in, eyebrow raised.

“What’s all this about?”

Marinette shoves the letter in her face, shrieking in joy.

“Girl!” Alya screamed, “He totally likes you!”

Marinette his her red face in her hands, giggling erratically,

“He likes you, likes you, likes you!” Alya chanted in a sing-song voice.

All thoughts of Mylene were forgotten.

~••~

The breakfast of the next morning was an awful affair.

Not the food, that is. Marinette knew the head cook, and she worked tirelessly and dogilentlg. Even if the food was wildly over salted, Marinette would be impressed, because the only was she would let that slide in her Mitch’s was if she was half-dying and terribly delirious, and to be able to make food at all in that state would be quite a remarkable feat.

No, it wasn’t the food that made the breakfast so terrible, but the stares.

The effect had been quite dulled at dinner, because the night was new and it was dark, plus most people were at least a little bit tipsy from the wine. At breakfast, though, the first one Marinette had attended, her presence was starkly obtrusive in the bright morning light and sobrierity. A (former) kitchen’s hand, sitting at the table of the king!

No one said anything rude (to her face). But, the stares! The morning small talk was punctuated with gossipy whispers, subtly pointy fingers, and a growing sense of not-right-ness.

What is she doing here?

No one said it—they were too “well bred”— but Marinette itches for the meal to be over, although the eggs were fluffy and delightful.

Alya day to her right, laughing at something Marinette had missed whole overananlyzing the way she was chewing (was it proper enough?), dressed rather fashionably in a blue chiffon dress with darling lace details. (Which Marinette has picked out. Not to brag or anything.)

Marinette subtly (hopefully) elbowed her.

“Hmm?”

“Is it just me, or is everyone staring at me?” Marinette whispered.

“Don’t get a big head,” Alya teased.

“Not what I meant.”

Alya did a quick look around the room.

“Yes,” she sighed, “Everyone’s looking at you. But you know what they say: all press is good press.”

“What?”

“Never mind,” Alya elbowed Marinette back, “Just don’t worry about it too much. I know how you get. Really, everyone is going to love you.”

Marinette was skeptical, and it must have come across because Alya laughed (quietly) and shook her head, as if to say, “What am I going to do about her?”

Suddenly Marinette let out a squeak.

What a beautiful shade of green.

“What?”

“Prince Adrien looked at me!” Marinette said, perhaps too loudly if the eye rolls of most sitting near them had anything to say about it.

Alya snorted.

“Seriously, go talk to him,” Alya urged, “After breakfast. Do it!”

“N-no,” Marinette said, “Too embarrassing. Way too nerve-wracking. No way.”

“Suit yourself,” Alya said, shoving half a bread roll in her mouth.

~••~

“I might actually burst into tears,” Marinette said, “And if I don’t, then I’m sweating through the fabric of this dress—it’ll be ruined. I might do both. Alyaaaaaaaaa!”

“Chill!” Alya responded, “I’m the one about t be introduced as future queen, why are you nervous?”

Marinette’s answer was a series of frantic hand gestures.

“Eloquent,” Alya laughed. “Look, you don’t even have to say anything. You just have to stand next to me and look trustworthy while Adrien officially tells everyone I could easily ruin their livelihoods if I wanted—that is, we’re engaged.”

“How do you look trustworthy?” Marinette asked, “is crying trustworthy?”

“You’re not gonna cry, I promise, and—Woah!” Alya yelled as the carriage bumped over a large rock in the path.

It was just the two of them in the carriage, with everyone else either riding in the carriage behind them of riding on horseback.

Marinette hadn’t eaten much at lunch, due to the then-impending freakout that was now full-blown. Her stomachs was out for revenge as jr rumbled hungrily in protest of the lost meal.

“On the bright side,” Alya said, “Your parents bakery is a five minute walk from where we’re giving the whole speech-thing. You could visit them after. And maybe they’ll be in the crowd!”

“Don’t talk about the bakery,” Marinette moaned, “I’m actually starving.”

“You’re not actually starving Marine—”

“I am,” she interrupted, “I’m dying. I feel faint. Maybe I just shouldn’t go on stage.”

Alya laughed.

“No getting out of this one, friend-o,” she said, “I need moral support.”

“Fine,” Marinette relented, “I’ll do it for you. I still might start crying, though.”

The carriage jolted to a stop.

“We’re here,” the coachman announced.

“Finally!” Alya cried, practically leaping out the carriage door.

Marinette heard deep laughter.

“Free at last,” Prince Adrien agreed, greeting Alya.

Marinette took theee deep breaths (stay calm stay calm stay calm) before making to exit, trying to be graceful until she all but tumbled out. Which she would have been more miffed about if she hadn’t also accidentally catapulted herself into Adrien’s arms.

“Hi...” she said dreamily. (Which really means she sounded totally out of it and half asleep or delirious.)

Adrien continued to be dreamy until he say her back on her feet, patted her shoulders twice, and turned to Alya to say, with little to no enthusiasm, “We’ll be on in 15 minutes. Be ready.”

“I don’t think he could sound less excited if he tried,” Marinette said to Alya as they watched him (briskly) walk away, “Shpuld I be glad he’s not so taken with you or offended in your behalf?”

Alya shrugged.

“Business is business,” Alya declared, “I’m here to keep him safe. He doesn’t have to be excited about it.”

Marinette smolders

“Well,” she said, trying to brush out the wrinkles in her crumpled skirt, “At leafy I’ve found one upside to my clumsiness!”

“Seducing young men?” Alya teased.

Marinette blushes furiously.

“Don’t-Don’t say it like that!”

“Alright,” Alya relented, “Lets go find whereever we need to be to sit and look pretty while they try to convince everyone we’re harmless.

“Hey, I’m harmless!” Marinette protested as Alta dragged her down the road to where a crowd was gathered outside the village, “You’re the one who sleeps with four knives in her skirt!”

“Five,” Alya winked, “And don’t be so sure. I think you’re getting pretty good at assassin training.”

“Five knives,” Marinette whispered incredulously to herself as they reached the head of the royal guard—or so Marinette assumed, from the way everyone seemed to listen when he spoke.

“I recognize you,” Alya said, “You we’re playing ball with the prince.”

“And I recognize you,” the man said. “You’re the prince’s fiancé. Name’s Nino.”

He held out a hand.

“Alya,” she said as she shook it, “Although I’m sure you’ve heard.”

Nino looked questioningly towards Marinette.

“You can call me Marinette?” she said, trying to sound tough and cool (but most likely coming off as the opposite).

“Nice to meet you both,” Nino said.

“You as well,” Alya said, and smiled.

Marinette knee that smile! Alya’s “I’m definitely flirting with you” smile.

Marinette tried very hard to hide her evil gleeful grin.

“We came to ask where we need to be,” Alya forged on.

No, no! Marinette silently chanted, Strike up a conversation! Get ‘em, girl!

But instead, Nino directed them to a small, secluded tent to wait.

The walk over included lots of elbowing, and whispered, giggling teasing (and quite a lot of scoffing and “Am not!”s from Alya).

By the time they arrived at the tent it was practically time to go on. Alya reminded Marinette (again) that they’d probably not have to do anything besides wave at the crowd. (“But what if I trip and fall on my face or sprain my wrist while waving or-”)

And then the royal trumpeters we’re playing (what a job) and King Gabriel was walking into a hastily co stricter stage, followed by Adrien, Alya, Marinette, and then Nino was what seemed to be hundreds of guards.

The king started speaking (“Thank you all for coming out today...and the Prince, as you may have heard..of course, you’ll love her...”) but Marinette was more caught up in trying not to look panicked in front of the crowd that she nearly jumped out of her skin when he turned and looked her way.

Or rather, Alya’s.

“Here is the girl herself!” King Gabriel announced, “Future Princess Alya Cesaire!”

Marinette couldn’t help feel his smile looked fake. Something about how his teeth looked clenched and how you could see how he forced his eyebrows upwards as if he was projecting happiness rather than feeling it—

Marinette’s mental commentary was cut short when she noticed the prince, who had lagged behind at the back of the stage. Staring at her, open mouthed—and then subsequently realized she’d been talking out loud. (Although not quite loud enough for the audience to hear, thank the gods.)

She clapped both hands to her mouth, a panicked noise bubbling up from somewhere as she watched the prince watch her, practically paralyzed in fear.

The prince blinked in surprise, slowly composing himself (read: picking his jaw up from where he dropped it on the floor). He cleared his throat.

“You really believe that?” he slowly asked, turning to watch the crowd and speaking out of the corner if his mouth all sneaky-like.

“Your Highness, please forgive me,” Marinette said, copying him, “I spoke out of turn. It’s not my place to have an opinion on the king—or his smiles.”

“Sure, sure, not your place,” Adrien said, “But... do you believe it?”

Marinette sucked in a breath and held it. Speaking out against the king like this was treason. Treason!

But... there was no one else in earshot of their quiet tone. And Marinette refused to believe that someone with such gorgeous hair would ever send her to the dungeon.

So she let out her held breath and said, “I haven’t seen much of the king. Hardly know him enough to form a true opinion. But yes... I believe it.”

“Wow,” was all the prince said.

One second passed. Two.

“You’re not gonna get me arrested, are you?” Marinette finally said, all fast and panicked, “Because I swear I’m loyal to the kingdom, really, I would never—“

[howdysinners]

Secret Santa for @robindaspoopy ^^

This is a self-insert with RedRobin for the Undertale Secret Santa event. Hope you enjoy! (Especially you Robin x3)

Blushing and Mistletoe

Robin was on her way to one of Fiction’s many parties, dressed for comfort, but this party was special; this was finally the day she confessed to her long time crush, Red. The edgy skeleton had stolen her heart and tonight she was finally gonna get the nerve to tell him so!

Finally arriving at the large house, Robin knocks on the door. It swings open to reveal Fiction with a mistletoe hanging above her head (attached to a headband).

“You made it hun! So glad you could come,” Fic says, giving her a hug and a peck on the cheek.

Robin smirks, “What’s with the kiss-y headband thing???”

“I want to give all the kisses,” Fictions remarks, giggling. “Plus I have mistletoe ALL OVER the house. Meaning you might get caught~”

Fiction winks at Robin, causing the girl to blush. Fic lets her in and heads off, claiming to search for her hubby, who is also wearing a mistletoe headband.

Robin stands awkwardly at the door, unsure of what to do. She had a plan going in, but now it’s all but left her completely.

Her eyes dart around the room, trying to find her target when she hears a deep chuckle. Turning to her left, Robin sees Red leaning on the wall with phone in hand.

Taking a deep breath in to calm her nerves, Robin begins to walk over. Reaching her destination, she leans on the wall next to her favorite skeleton.

“Heya Red, anything fun happen while I wasn’t here?” She starts awkwardly, unsure of how to begin a conversation she hopes ends with a confession.

Red turns his head to meet her gaze, smirking. “Heya dollface. Not really anything happening; pretty boring for how these usually go,” He adds, pocketing his phone.

Robin nods, smiling at him as a joke comes to mind. “So, nothing has ‘tickled your funny bone’ yet?”

Red laughs, winking at her. “No, but I have a ‘bone’ that you could tickle if you wanted to~”

Robin blushes at the comment. “Maaann!!! I just got here,” She whines, sticking her tongue out at Red who grins at her. His gold tooth shining in the colored light around them.

“And you’re already so red. I wonder how red you’ll be later once I really get me hands on ya,” He teased, laying an arm around her shoulders. Robin covers her cherry red face with her hands, a muffled scream barely able to be heard.

Red chuckles, hand coming up to ruffle Robin’s hair. “It’s just too easy with you dollface. You’re so easily flustered!”

Robin pouts, looking up at Red with a playful glare. “Oh yeah? I bet I can make you blush just as dark!”

Red raises his brow bone, clearly humored at her proposal. “Sure, knock yourself out.”

Robin psyches herself up momentarily before giving an over exaggerated wink to Red. “Sorry sir, but I have to stop you there. I work for the FBI; Full Body Investigation.”

Red laughs, not blushing yet, holding his hands up in mock surrender. “Officer go ahead and search me. You might want to start with the ‘gun in my pocket’,” He infers, wiggling his brow bones.

Robin sticks her tongue out at Red, nose crinkling. “I’m trying to make you blush! Not the other way around,” She says, whispering the last bit. Red just shrugs, choosing not to say anything about the whispered bit.

Trying to decide her next course of action, Robin smiles to herself; if she can’t make him blush with his kinds of jokes, maybe she can do it with one of hers!

“Maybe I don’t need to flirt. How about I seduce you with awkwardness~?” She says, doing fingerguns in Red’s direction.

To her surpise, Red’s cheeks light up slightly and his hand goes up to rub the back of his neck. “Heh, w-well uh...”

Robin grins, celebrating with a fist in the air and a jump. “Yes! I succeeded in getting the flirty skeleton to blush!!!”

Red, still slightly ‘red’ in the face, gives a chuckle. “Alright, alright, I give. That was a good one dollface. How ‘bout we get a drink then to, heh, celebrate your victory?”

Robin is already walking towards the bar as soon as the words come out of his mouth. “I thought you’d never ask~”

They walk towards the bar, having some light conversation on the way. As they make their way through the kitchen, they try to pass a doorway but are stopped.

Fiction, who was there for a cookie, smirks at them. “I’ll leave you two be, but you might want to look up,” She says, winking and walking away.

Confused, the pair looks up only to see a small green plant with little white berries attached, a red ribbon tied around it; mistletoe. Red laughs nervously while Robin stares awkwardly at the ground.

She planned to confess to him but not like this! Robin wanted it to be as least awkward as possible but this was the most awkard thing she could think of happening. Red turns his eyes towards Robin, who is still looking at the floor, and he sucks in a breath. In his mind, he debated what to do when Red threw out all sense of logic and reason.

Pulling Robin forward, he pulled her forward and initiated a passionate kiss. Her eyes widened and the flirty skeleton shoot her a wink, licking her lip with his ecto tongue. Robin pulls away, hands covering her mouth and a bright red blush covering her face, her neck, AND her ears.

"Heh, I uh... didn't want to break tradition," Red says jokingly, but a hint of regret hides in his voice. He really didn't want to screw anything up with Robin and this was just an impulsive thing. "Look, I'm sorry. Shit, I must seem like an ass."

As Red begins to degrade himself, Robin quickly shakes her head, still flushed. "N-No! It's fine, really. I-I mean, I wasn't expecting it or prepared for it but t-that's how I hoped the night would end," She says, but cuts herself off by frantically waving her arms. "N-Not that I meant w-we would be making out or anything! I just meant that I-I wanted to confess tonight a-and that'd be the better ending to the night. B-But I didn't mean that we'd be kissing or under the m-mistletoe. I just-"

Robin stops exasperated at trying to explain herself and moves forward to give the skele a quick kiss. It was much less passionate but still full of emotion. Pulling back, Robin gives him a shy smile.

"I just wanted to say... I like you Red. And I hope I showed that well enough," She states, still anxious and nervous about her words.

But her worry was unfounded as Red stood there with a BRIGHT RED skull and little hearts in his eyes. "I um... wow dollface. That's a lot to take in at once," He starts, rubbing the back of his skull. Red smiles at her," But I like you too."

Robin and Red share a grin, moving to kiss again when two bottles float up into the middle of them, one soda and one mustard. The notes around both simply said 'Congrats!'. With a laugh from the two of them, they took their respective drinks and headed to an empty couch.

Sitting next to each other, Robin snuggled her way under Red's arm, humming happily under her breath as she drank her soda. The two stayed like that, talking between sips and kisses, until Robin fell asleep against Red's ribcage.

Red smirked gently down at her, floating their empty bottles to a nearby table. Getting comfy, he presses a boney kiss to her forehead before shutting his own eyes. "Goodnight Songbird... Merry Christmas~"