#star of wonder advent calendar

[the-embroidered-screen]

Embroidered with a Star Advent Calendar 12

Wonder Woman, 1975, costume design by Donfeld

[lokischocolatefountain]

Guess

Fandom: Star Wars, The Mandalorian

Pairing: Din Djarin x Reader

Rating: PG13, fluff

Word count:

Summary: A game of guessing goes right in every way for you and Din, your kind of friend, sort of boss.

A/N: Day 1 of my fic advent calendar and my first Din Djarin fic on here! Credits to my friend @lokislittlevalkyrie for co-creating the reader character and for our long conversations about her and Din. Keep checking the advent calendar Masterlist for more fics dropping this month. And leave me a little comment to encourage me to keep the fics going 💜💜💜

“Stop scowling.”

“I’m not scowling,” he lied, trying his best to keep his tone neutral even though he was surprised that she knew he was scowling. Lucky guess, he told himself. But how many lucky guesses could one person have about his facial expressions?

“You so were!” She insisted, sinking further back into the novelty ‘chair’ she bought on their last stop. It was a sphere half filled with tiny soft particles that molded itself to the user’s shape. She slouched on it as she continued watching one of her holodramas, something with a murder or speeders (or both) at the heart of the story.

“I was not.”

“If you say so, Din Can,” she said, using her nickname for him. He chuckled reflexively, unable to control his responses to her. Thankfully, his helmet filtered the sound out, saving him the embarrassment of finding humor in the humiliating nickname. He smiled, glad she didn’t know just how many times she’d made him laugh whether by mocking him or making clever remarks in general.

“I do say so.”

She was beautiful. Taking up the creed meant hiding one’s own face from others. To hide what would serve as the basis of others’ first impression of you so that your valor and your character would serve as your defining features. Vanity was not something he was raised with. Yet he knew beauty when it stared him in the eye and called him Din Can everyday. Or Tin Djarin. Buckethead when he really pissed her off.

Dinny Bear when she was intoxicated.

Blood rushed to his cheek when he thought of the last time she did that. She’d gotten very comfortable around him in the months they’d been crew mates. All her initial jitters and jumpiness around him had gone and been replaced with her stubbornness, strange sense of humour, and a level of confidence she didn’t have with him before.

He had to chase her down to even get her to accept the job he was offering her as a travelling mechanic. He’d never heard of one before. And she was quite frightened of him after the kind of interaction they had at Peli’s shop. But he needed a mechanic on board. With the kid in his hands now, it became hard to juggle a failing ship with hunting bounties and caring for a mischievous kid who waited for the moment he took his eyes off him to cause chaos.

It helped to have a mechanic on board at all times. She was wonderful and came approved by Peli. Over time, she became more than his mechanic. A friend, he would be brave enough to say. If he were braver with women, he would say that he’s caught her sneaking glances at him. That he felt her twinkling eyes rove over his armor every now and then. Sometimes he was confident of it. At others, he convinced himself that his mind was clouded by his desire for her. By his desire for her to desire him too.

The matter of his expressions came up once again later after dinner.

“Stop looking so grumpy.”

“You cannot see my face.”

“Yeah but you look grumpy.”

He grunted, turning away from her to focus on the controls. They were on hyperspeed. There was nothing he needed to do with the controls. But to come face to face with her when she told him exactly what he did underneath his helmet was…too much.

“Heyy! Let’s play a game?” She asked, her voice bubbling with excitement.

“Play with Grogu.”

“He’s asleep. And this is not a game for little potatoes.”

He chuckled softly at the nickname and looked up at her again, awaiting her proposal. “What would that be?” He asked.

“A drinking game.”

“Drinking is a game now?”

“Dank farrik! I missed when you used to be quiet. Just listen to me. I’ll guess what your face looks like under your helmet and if I get it right, you should take a sip of your drink. And if I get it wrong, I take a sip. Let’s do it with the Silver Elixir,” she said, getting up from her seat to fetch the bottle from their liquor cabinet they kept locked to keep away from wandering little womp rats.

She returned with the bottle, two glasses and straws. They’d recently taken to drinking together. She bought him a straw a begged him to join her, using her sweet eyes and her adorable pout to convince him. She said she only had drinks with friends and that drinking alone on the razor crest made her feel lonely.

He gave in to her, just like he gave in to their little green crewmate.

She didn’t need to use a straw, of course. Yet she did. When he asked, she said it was so that he didn’t feel lonely drinking through a straw like a kid. Even in her insults, she managed to be sweet.

“Start guessing,” he said impatiently as she sat next to him and looked intently at their glasses to see if they were filled equally.

“Sure, sure… You have dark hair,” she said, passing his drink to him. “Dark brown.”

“A little too obvious, isn’t it?” He asked, knowing she had definitely seen his hair in the trash after he gave himself haircuts and shaved his facial hair.

“Drink up, old man!” She said, lips wide in a grin as she knew already that she was right.

He snorted, but followed through, taking a sip of the strong liquor. “Alright. Next.”

“You have….big green ears.”

“Wrong,” he huffed, smiling nevertheless at her sense of humour.

“Damn it! I should’ve known they wouldn’t fit inside the helmet,” she said, taking a sip. She was smiling too, and unlike his, it was out in the open and as bright as the stars around them.

“Those were two descriptors. Big and green. Take one more sip,” he argued. He didn’t particularly want to get her drunk, but he liked how adorable she was when intoxicated. One of their drinking sessions ended with her snuggling up to him because she couldn’t find the kid to snuggle like a children’s stuffed animal.

“What? No! It was one guess, so it’s one sip.”

“Again, you guessed the size and color of my ears and they were both wrong. Take a sip.”

She rolled her eyes, but complained, taking another sip. She leaned close and narrowed her eyes at him, as though focusing on his helmet would reveal what was underneath. He smiled unconsciously, taking in the beauty of her from up close. The light in her eyes, the way her eyebrows knit together when she was in deep thought, lips that impressed him with the wittiest remarks… Lips he wanted desperately to pull to his, to devour and make moan his name.

“No moustache.”

“Hmmm….” He hummed, thinking of how he could sort the point for this. He *did* have a moustache, but that was only now. There were times when he shaved it off completely. “It’s complicated. I have a moustache now, but I change it quite frequently. So, half a sip.”

“If I have to take half a sip, so should you.”

“No, I don’t,” he scoffed at her warped logic. Here he was, being nice and giving her some credit even though she was wrong. But she was trying to take advantage of it.

“Yeah you should. If I’m taking half a sip because I was half right and half wrong, you should also take a sip because you’re half right and half wrong.”

“No. That’s not how it works. I have facial hair now, which means you are wrong. I should’ve made you take a full sip, but I decided to make a concession because I am sometimes fully shaven.”

“Dank Farrik! You’re such a lightweight. Just say you can’t handle your liquor and I’ll let you go,” she taunted, a smirk plying at her lips.

“Oh please, I can handle my liquor much better than you can. Here,” he said, drinking the strong undiluted alcohol like it was water in a few big sips. He slammed the glass against the control panel surface and shrugged. “See, I’m good. You are the one who gets drunk after one portion of the Silver Elixir and terrorizes the kid.”

She gasped, as though he made a much bigger accusation. “I don’t terrorize the kid! I just give him extra cuddles and kisses. He enjoys them very much. It’s called affection, Tin Can. Ever heard of it?”

He tilted his head at her in the way that sometimes made her swallow audibly. “So you think that because of my way of life, I have never experienced affection?”

She opened and closed her mouth quickly, as though her mind and lips were in disagreement about whether or not what they were about to say was appropriate. He smiled under his helmet, proud of himself for stumping her. She talked a lot. Since he was a quiet man, everyone else was talkative in comparison. But she was the voice he heard the most as they lived together on the Razor Crest and their other occupant communicated mostly in coos and squeals.

“That’s not what I meant!”

“Say what. Since the drinking thing was already disproportionate anyway because I’m not guessing your features and I can handle my liquor much better than you do….lets change the rules.” He took a deep breath, afraid of the consequences of his words but unable to miss this opportunity. “For each correct guess you make, I’ll give you a kiss.”

“You’re kidding,” she said, scoffing.

“I’m not known for my humor.”

She took a deep breath and looked directly into his eyes, making his heart skip a beat. Kriff, the things she did without even knowing! He thought he could die from the anticipation of hearing her next guess. Would she guess something ridiculous like big green ears to make sure she doesn’t have to kiss him? Or would she make a very obviously correct guess?

“You have…” she trailed in a softer voice, looking at him almost coyly. “…pink lips.”

Not the most obvious guess. Not all humans had pink lips. And he could easily not be human. He didn’t remember telling her he was… But if she was going for something for a higher likelihood of being correct… Kriff he hoped she was. “Do you want me to turn the lights off or blindfold you?” He asked, conveying indirectly that she was right.

“Wh-whaaat? Why?” She sputtered, looking at him with those pretty eyes, vulnerability brimming in her expressions.

Did he get the wrong idea? Maybe her obvious guesses weren’t because she wanted to be right so she could kiss him… Maybe it was just the product of her usual playful nature.

“Because I will have to take my helmet off when I kiss you,” he proceeded to say, even as his heart beat faster with the anxiety of how this could go. They were adults. It it was a misunderstanding, he would simply get over it and do his best to not make it awkward between them. “And you cannot see me.”

“I…” she trailed off before letting out a nervous laugh. “I didn’t think you were serious.”

“Again. Not known for my humor,” he said, letting a smile seep into his words. She was so kriffing adorable, looking all nervous like a blurrg stuck in a doorway. “You don’t have to, of course. I can give you something else. Ten credits, perhaps?”

“What, no. A deal is a deal.”

“Then tell me, my dear mechanic. Lights out or blindfold?”

“Lights out.”

Pity. He was hoping to see her pretty face when he kissed her. Not moving from where he was, he pressed the buttons on the control panel, turning all the lights out. In the pitch black of outer space, he could see nothing. Perfect.

“What can you see?” He asked, just to be sure.

“Nothing,” she said, in her voice so low and soft that it was swallowed up by the darkness. What entity wouldn’t want to swallow up something his pretty mechanic put out? Every word she said, every touch of her fingers against the trees and rocks and flowers. If he were air, he would luxuriate in her scent. If he were water, he would caress her skin and play with her hair as he cleansed her. If he were fire, he would creep into her skin, warm her up when she needed. But he was nothing but man. So, he would have to satisfy himself with a kiss from her lips.

“Are you sure?” She asked as he stepped forward to her.

“I am. Are *you* sure?”

There was silent for a moment before she said, “Yes. Kiss me.”

Needing nothing else, he took his helmet off and placed it carefully on his seat. His heart thudded against his ribs, and his breaths grew labored. And he hadn’t even touched her yet.

In all his years, he had never kissed anyone. It was not part of the culture of his people what with the metal barriers that kept them from it. He remembered the sweet kisses on his forehead and cheeks from before he took the creed. But that was not what his heart desired. He wanted the kind of thing she watched on her holopad, all the holodramas with characters who showed their desire through an intense kiss that left their partner speechless.

He reached forward and found her hand. She gasped softly, the quietness of the ship letting him in on her soft sounds. He caressed up her arm, enjoying the slight tremble of her skin beneath the tips of his fingers. He stopped at her neck and allowed himself to cradle it in his hand. He felt her lean closer and he reciprocated, taking the final step. He tilted his head to his right feeling that she tilted to her right.

As he closed the gap between them, he felt her warm breath on his skin. He swallowed, his lips parting from how nervous he was. What if he was no good? What if he didn’t have good breath? What if he’s such a bad kisser that she— he gasped softly as she pressed her lips against his. In an instant, she quietened the sounds his head. The fast beating of his heart, he realized was now from the effect of proximity to her more than his insecurities.

She placed one hand on his shoulder and wrapped her other arm around his waist. He let out a shaky breath at the intimacy of their contact and let his other hand trail down her back. She pressed herself closer against his beskar clad chest, making him wish he had the forethought to toss that bit of his armor too. He wanted to feel her. Every bit of her that she was offering up to him like she truly believed he was deserving.

Her lips were soft, just as he’d dreamt them to be. He’d never kissed before. It was an act saved for married couples in the covert, as only your spouse could see you with your helmet off. He had married friends who waxed poetry about the magic of kissing. How they felt like nothing and nobody mattered other than your partner. How it turned you into putty in their hands. He thought it was exaggerated… Until now.

He cupped her cheek, her face fitting in his hand and making him feel a new sense of protectiveness towards her. He’d protected her before, sure, but this felt different. This was something to do with a need to be gentle with her. To cherish her and treasure her. She licked his lips and he parted them instinctively, letting her tongue between his lips. He shuddered as her fingers threaded through his hair. He whimpered and pulled her closer to himself in the moment of vulnerability, using her as a crutch to support him. He’d never been touched like that before…

Her fingers explored his hair and he allowed himself to relax in his arms, even letting himself give her comforting caresses of her back. He felt her melt into his arms as their kiss deepened. She tasted of the silver elixir first, but when they were both a little along the way, he began to taste something that was distinctly her. Something sweet, mixing with the fragrance of her citrusy perfume to further dull his senses.

It was soft, but electrifying. He poured his passions into the kiss, exploring her with his tongue and luxuriating in the sweet little whimpers she let out. The technicalities stopped mattering. He was here, holding the girl he’d been pining for, lips connected as the unlikely result of a stupid game. That moment was all that mattered and her sounds of satisfaction told him that he wasn’t doing so bad after all.

She pulled back in a while and they let out the breaths they’d be holding. She let out a laugh and he smiled, comforted by her job. He didn’t even know he’d been holding his breath. He’d forgetting the necessity for breathing as he found her lips.

“You have…a big nose,” she said, confusing him.

“Huh?” He asked, his mind still clouded from her kiss.

“I get another kiss if I’m right, Dim Djarin,” she teased, pointing to his obliviousness when it came to things of this nature.

“Right,” he said, grinning as he kissed her again. He needed to play games with her more often.

[mielpetite]

Happy Bodhi Day!

Today is Bodhi Day, which is a celebration of Buddha's enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. It's a day of reflection and peace, and I hope you all have a moment to come back to your true home today and reflect like my ineffables are doing here. The heart shaped cookies represent the heart shaped leaves of the bodhi tree and Aziraphale is reading Peace is Every Step, one of Thich Nhat Hanh's many wonderful books about walking the eightfold path. (And also I threw in Siddhartha under the bodhi tree in the painting on the wall, with the many stars representing the many paths one can follow to enlightenment). 🙂 The buddha in me, bows to the buddha in you. 🙏🌺

I made this piece for the Scribbling Vaguely Downward GO fanartists group‘s Advent Calendar which you can see here:

[phanfictioncatalogue]

Best Friends To Lovers Masterlist

50 notes to unbox (ao3) - dylaesthetics

Summary: Dan moves out of his parent's home to start university and his older lifelong best friend Phil is rather an efficient help when it comes to helping Dan unpack, as well as a regular visitor of Dan's studio. What happens when Phil stumbles upon Dan's piggy bank for university savings he crafted as a child and finds it a new purpose? What happens when the truth comes out when it's so needed?

OR an overly cute, long and coming of age multiple part one shot you better read now.

About useless lists and oblivious teenagers (ao3) - OliveTheHobbit

Summary: Phil helps Dan with his sexuality crisis while he tries to overcome the fact he is head over heels for him. Oh, and they have a date day.

Advent Calendar 2019 (ao3) - Phantje

Summary: Dan and Phil are best friends. Also, Dan loves Phil, but Phil doesn't need to know that, especially as it could unredeemably change their relationship. Also, Dan loves being part of Phil's daughter Ashley's life. As long as he can stay close to them and see them be happy, he should be fine.

When Phil asks him for a favour, Dan agrees without hesitating, unaware of how much a taste of his dream life would affect him.

A December-y story of Dan growing in his love for Phil, and Phil discovering his love which has always been there.

Big Love (ao3) - winstonlives

Summary: Phil wakes up freezing one night, only to find out he is shrinking. Panicked and tiny he goes to Dan for help. Together the two deal with the challenges that come along with being too small for the normal world. Relying on each other, and working together, they realize their friendship, is in fact more than just friendship.

Do You Know How in Love With You I Am (Please Notice) (ao3) - phantasticworks

Summary: Based on a Phan!The Office AU drawing by @laurainlilac on tumblr

Dan works at a small paper company, but the brightside to this boring career is that his best friend Phil is just a few feet away at reception. The downside to this is that he's hopelessly, irrevocably in love with said best friend. Oh, and Phil is engaged, too.

A short little story about best friends, being in love, and pining hopelessly after the boy you think you can't have. But, don't worry, there's a happy ending in here somewhere.

Drunken Nonsense (ao3) - Spring_Haze

Summary: Young Dan and Phil end up playing their own drunken version of truth or dare following a few too many cocktails at the Lester Family Christmas Gathering in Phil's family home. Confessions are made, and two best friends become lovers.

How Life Changes (ao3) - madd09

Summary: Phil had no idea how much his life was going to change when Cornelia and Martyn announced they were expecting and how it would end up being a catalyst for him and Dan,

Keep These Secrets In A Lie (ao3) - CanDanAndPhilNot (enbycalhoun)

Summary: Dan and Phil are friends. But friends don't act the way they do.

Midnight Cab Rides to You (ao3) - QueenKatelynTheAristocrat

Summary: "Whenever he felt the spiralling of his thoughts that indicated an impending breakdown, there was only ever one place he would go. He wondered how many breakdowns he had left before Phil got sick of him."

Also known as: Dan can't stand another damn minute on campus, so he does the only thing he can think of to make himself feel like he isn't dying. He gets a cab to Phil's flat.

never quite as it seems (ao3) - Ablissa

Summary: Phil has a unique gift that allows him to see something he never expected to see - his best friend Dan, meeting the person that would most likely become the love of his life. It hasn't happened yet, and right now, Dan has no idea what lies ahead.

When old feelings resurface and every choice may have a big impact on the upcoming events, will Phil be able to make the right decision?

Stars in His Eyes (ao3) - harleymoony

Summary: Once every week, Dan and Phil sneak out of their houses to go stargazing together. Tonight is Dan’s birthday, and Phil has something planned for that, of course.

Watching You, Watching Me (ao3) - Spring_Haze

Summary: Dan accidentally discovers his best friend and roommate pleasuring himself in the early hours of the morning and can't look away. In fact, he can't keep his hands off of himself. Phil is surprised by Dan's reaction, and two best friends make long-time confessions.

you only know you love him when you let him go (ao3) - orphan_account

Summary: Dan was sitting on his beanbag chair and nodding along to Phil’s story, tossing a ball into the air as he stared at his best friend.

While Phil continued describing how pretty Amanda looked and how amazing the movie was, Dan was focused on Phil himself. He let his eyes roam over Phil’s face, catching on shiny irises and sharp cheekbones and pink lips, and thinking of how much he’d love to feel those lips against his own.

And suddenly, everything made sense to Dan.

He froze, the ball falling on his head as his chest filled with terror. Phil continued with his story, delightfully oblivious to the panic attack Dan was two seconds away from having. He was attracted to his best friend, and big time, too, but Phil now had a girlfriend, and one he’d been wanting for over two years.

Well, fuck.

You're All my Reasons (ao3) - QueenKatelynTheAristocrat

Summary: "Phil wished he could think of the right thing to say. It would be nice if at times like this his English Language degree knowledge would kick in and provide him with the words to make Dan understand that he could tell Phil anything, that there was nothing he could say that would scare Phil away, but alas."

In which Dan's depression doesn't allow him to leave his room for two days, and Phil struggles to find the words, but what comes to realize is that maybe words aren't always necessary.

Just a bit of hurt/comfort fluff to get you through your day.

You set my soul alight (ao3) - Wolf_Of_Westeros

Summary: Dan likes Phil. Phil likes Dan. Neither of them know about it.

[outsideratheart]

Alessia Russo

Scene 1

Dialogo 1 and 6

A/N: Day seven of the Christmas advent calendar.

Scene 1 - decorating the tree. Dialogue 1 “stop trying to get me to walk under mistletoe”, 6 “Do you want to it the star on the top of the tree?”

As you drove to Alessia’s family home in Maidstone your left hand rested comfortably on her thigh whilst your right hand gripped the steering wheel. You tried and failed to hide your smile when Alessia would take your hand and press a kiss to the back of it every so often. 

Pulling up to her parents house you are surprised to see the outside already decorated. Lights hung from the gutters, a wreath covered their front door and there was even a small Christmas tree in the front garden with tinsel wrapped around it. Clearly they had made a start without you.

“Mum, Dad” Alessia shouted as you entered the house.

“In the kitchen” her Mum answered.

Walking to the back of the house you are met with the majority of the Russo clan.

You watch as both her Mum and Dad pull her into a tight hug. You would have thought it had been weeks since they had seen each other when in reality they were at the game against Chelsea a week prior.

“Y/N it’s nice to see you again” her dad welcomes you.

“Mr and Mrs Russo, thank you for inviting me today” you are respectful. Alessia told you how much her family means to her so you wanted to keep your good impression intact.

“Y/N you have been dating our daughter for almost a year, you came on our family holiday and now you are joining our family tradition. You don’t have to been so formal” her mum now pulls you into a hug.

The Russo’s were huggers. It was one of the things you loved about Alessia. She loved to hold you and be hold whether that it is in the house you share with Ella and Millie, on the coach to away games or after the games when she needs warming up.

“I see you roped Y/N into helping this year. Let me guess, she is on your team?” Giorgio asks as he and Luca join you in the kitchen.

“Of course she is, she is my girlfriend” Alessia says as she proudly wraps her arm around your shoulder.

“So Luca has Lauren, you have Y/N and I am on my own” he complains.

“That’s how it works bro. Maybe by the time we do this next year you will have gotten bored of the bachelor life and have settled down” Luca teases his younger brother.

“You expect me to find someone to bring home at Christmas in a year?” Giorgio says rather unconvinced.

“Less did it, look at them now, they’re sickening” Luca now points at the two of you just as Alessia finishes teasing you or more appropriately embarrassing you by peppering kisses on your shoulder, neck then cheek.

“We all know Alessia was head over heel in love with Y/N long before she got the balls to tell her” the younger brother says earning a slap around the head from his father.

You can only look at Alessia in shock, this was brand new information. Oh how you wanted to wind her up and the look in your eyes must have shown her this.

“Don’t say it” she hold her index finger against your lips so you kiss it, sending her a wink as you do so.

“You said something about teams?” you ask her brother.

Her mum goes on to tell you that each child is in charge of decorating certain things / rooms. Whoever gets theirs done the quickest get to choose the Christmas movie. 

“No wonder you’re so competitive” you whisper in her ear.

“Alessia and Y/N you are in charge of decorating the tree” her mums tells the two of you.

“Yes!!!” Alessia raises her arms in excitement.

“What?” you ask.

“I never get to do the tree, it’s a two person job. For years it was mum and dad, then last year it was Luca and Lauren. I knew I brought you for a reason” 

“So you’re using me for tree privileges?”

“I use you for a lot more than that” she says so only you can hear here.

You bite your lip to stop you from replying, knowing that your response wasn’t suited for your current environment and company.

She pulls you out of the kitchen and towards the empty corner of the living. There lies a two boxes, one labelled ‘TREE’ and the other labelled  “DECORATIONS’.

She asks you to put together the tree whilst she puts the decorations in piles so she knows which ones go on the bottom, middle and top of the tree.

You finish your first task quickly and when you take a peek into the box you see several pieces of mistletoe.

“Time to have a little fun” you mumble to yourself.

“What was that?” Alessia asks you.

“Nothing. I’m going to get some water before we start, do you want any?” you ask as you hide the mistletoe in the pocket of the hoodie you are wearing.

When you get back Alessia had the piles sorted and puts you to work. You help her decorate the tree but she stops when she gets to certain decorations. 

“These three are from mine, Luca and Giorgio’s first christmas. I put mine on then them two puts theirs on” 

A couple of minutes later she stops again.

“We got this one when we went to Lapland” she tells you.

“Lapland?” You ask having never heard of the place.

“It’s like Santa’s village. Maybe we can go next year, you would love it. You get to meet the big man himself, have snow ball fights with Santa’s elves, ride sleds in the snow and go on husky rides” 

You watch with what you can only guess are the definition of heart eyes as your girlfriend tells you story after story about the family trip.

Wanting the stories to continue you start asking questions about each one you put on the tree. There was one of Fred the red that her grandma got her the first Christmas she was a United player. There was one in the shape of a love heart that had a photo of her parents from their first Christmas together.

“Next one” you hold your hand out ready for the next decoration.

“Only one more left” Alessia says as she joins you at the tree.

It was true, there was only one decoration left to go on the tree and it was arguably the most important one. The star.

“Do you want to put the star on the top of the tree?” Alessia asks you as she hands you the star.

Whilst you are honoured you know how much this part means to her.

“No. You can do it” you hand it back to her.

“Lift me up?” She asks.

You hold behind the top of her thighs just below her bum and lift her up so she can reach the top of the tree.

“I’ll never let you down” you say as you watch her put the star on the tree.

“Pure cheese Y/N Y/L/N” she shakes her head as she lands on the ground.

Your hands remain clasped behind her back. You hold her close and her arms instinctively go around your neck.

“Only for you Alessia Russo”

She leans in to kiss you but then her mum calls of the two of you.

“We’ve been summoned” you dodge her kiss.

She grabs your hand and leads you to the kitchen where she guesses her parents are.

As you walk through the first door way you pull her back then look up, her gaze follows yours.

There above the threshold hangs mistletoe.

“How did that get there?” You play dumb but Alessia sees right through it.

“I have no idea but you dodged my kiss, now it is my turn to dodge yours”

She pulls you away from the Mistletoe.

“That’s not fair Less, there are rules” you complain rather childishly.

At the next door you do the same.

“Another mistletoe, what are the chances?” You joke.

“Another mistletoe where you don’t get your kiss” Alessia toys with you again.

You let out a huff of frustration as you get closer to the kitchen.

One last mistletoe remains and it is above the door that leads out to the garden. You really did cover your bases and what’s the saying, third times the charm.

When you look into the garden you see that more of Alessia’s family have joined her parents and brothers. You see an opportunity to get her back for denying you.

“Alessia stop trying to get me to walk under mistletoe”

You stop at the back door. Alessia stands directly under your last mistletoe whilst you stand in the kitchen.

Your girlfriend turns to you, her cheeks were red and you know that you have succeeded.

“Did you put this up whilst I was putting the Christmas tree up? If you wanted a kiss all you had to do was ask?” You continue to tease her.

“What—I didn’t”

“No need to get embarrassed. Look I’ll stand right under it, just for you” you take a few steps forward so you are almost nose to nose.

“Kiss. Kiss. Kiss” Giorgio chants from the garden haven seen that his sister was embarrassed.

“You’re lucky I love you” Alessia whispers as she inches closer to you.

“If you would have kissed me in the living room or in the hallway then this wouldn’t be necessary”

Less shakes her head at your games but she kisses you nonetheless. You want to deepen the kiss then again you always did but when you feel Alessia bit your bottom lip you knew it was a warning so you pull away.

[xxcatzladyxx]

Demon Slayer Advent Calendar | Day 23 | Tengen x Reader | Knitting

Written by @lupina36

~~~

"I'm bored!" Suma whined as she cast a disgruntled glance out at the snow-covered landscape.

Thick flakes were falling from the dark gray sky, making the world look even more like it had been dusted with white powdered sugar. Most people had retreated to their cozy homes and estates in this weather. So did you, your husband Tengen Uzui and your three other co-wives. Hinatsuru, Suma and Makio.

Today was one of the few days when there was nothing at all to do in the house, which was also the reason for Suma's complaint.

"Have you ever tried knitting?" you suddenly asked her.

"My mother used to do that when she had nothing to do. She always really enjoyed it. I think I even still have a sweater that she knitted for me back then, "2 you told her. "That sounds quite interesting," Hina said. "At least we can kill a lot of time that way," Makio commented.

About an hour later, you and the others were sitting together in a circle, busily knitting a few things.

The girls understood the principle surprisingly quickly and were not at all clumsy. Suma wanted to knit a hat and had even managed to knit a good bit of it. Hinatsuru tried her hand at a scarf and Makio really wanted to try her hand at a sweater. You had also decided on something simple like a scarf, although you realized that knitting was obviously not quite as easy for you as it was for your fellow knitters.

Even Tengen, who had joined your little knitting circle to your surprise and the surprise of his other wives, was doing a lot better than you.

He seemed to be working on a sock and it annoyed you a little that everyone seemed to be better at it than you.

Again and again, the knitting needle slipped or a stitch came undone. In the end, your scarf looked more like a pack of wild dogs had got it between their teeth. With a resigned sigh, you put your knitting needles aside and decided to watch your family knitting. Suma was making good progress with her sweater, although you noticed that it had one sleeve too many. Suma's hat, on the other hand, looked far too big and seemed to fit a watermelon rather than a human.

That lifted your spirits a little because you obviously weren't the only one who had had a few difficulties with knitting.

Hinatsuru's scarf, on the other hand, looked great and even had a pretty star pattern. This woman really had a talent for knitting. You had to admit that.

But when your gaze wandered to Tengen, you wondered.

You thought it was a sock at first, but this piece looked a bit strange. At first you thought he had a bit of trouble with knitting, but it didn't look like it, but you still thought there was something strange about Tengen's work. It had a bit of a mushroom shape. A mushroom with a long stem.......Hold on, wait a minute! That almost looked like........!

"Tengen, my dear," you spoke gently to your husband.

Tengen looked up and looked at you questioningly. "Yes, what is it (name)?" "Um, I was wondering.....Now yes.....that thing you're knitting....." You took a deep breath.

"Can you tell me what it's supposed to be?" you finally asked. Tengen grinned at you and you were already afraid of disaster. "It's going to be a penis warmer!" he replied.

All your facial features slipped away. "A .... what?" you asked, completely flabbergasted. "A penis warmer," Tengen repeated, as if you had just asked him what time it was. "Why, I mean, how did you come up with something like that?" you asked, still very much out of character.

"Well, it's freezing outside. Sanemi said he almost froze his ass off yesterday!" "And now you're worried you might freeze something off too?" you asked, still struggling a little for composure, while in your mind's eye a naked Tengen danced around dressed in nothing but his homemade penis warmer.

"It's not just me I'm thinking about," you heard Tengen say, looking around at his wives with a look on his face as if no water could cloud his eyes. "After all, everyone here suffers when he's no longer usable," he added with a broad grin. In response, you just sighed, while Hina giggled softly, Suma blushed like a tomato and Makio snorted softly.

"Are you going to tell me why you made several?" you asked curiously as you noticed the small pile next to Tengen.

Apparently, the one he was currently working on was not the first one he had made. You could make out several different colors and even different sizes, and all of a sudden you began to feel bad. "These are for the other male columns," he told you.

Now your features finally seemed to slip away. The others? Your husband was seriously planning to give the other pillars a penis warmer like this. That was too much!

"Tengen, you can't do that!" you shout, startled.

"Why not? Do you think I'm the only one with a problem like this? At least I've found a brilliant solution. The others will thank me on their knees," he beamed and continued knitting. Well, if that went well! It flashed through your mind.

You knew that Tengen meant well and yes, there were certainly some men who liked the idea of their little friend being wrapped up nice and warm. But you feared that not everyone would take it exactly the same way. You were thinking in particular of the wind pillar Sanemi Shinazugawa. And so your fears were right.

Because the very next day, a Sanemi snorting with rage stood at your door and demanded to see Tengen.

In his hand he held what looked like the remains of one of Tengen's penis warmers. After assuring him that Tengen was on a mission, he had left still fuming with rage. Fortunately, at least the rest took it with humor. Kyojuro thanked him warmly and said he had never felt so comfortable there, Giyu said nothing and Gyomei just cried. You couldn't say for sure whether it was out of joy or because of something else. You didn't dare ask him about it either.

You let out a soft sigh. Your husband was an original.

But as much as you loved this man and you knew he meant well, you hoped he wouldn't come up with such an idea again next year. You desperately tried to banish the image from your mind of a somewhat irritated looking Santa Claus putting presents into one of Tengen's home-knitted penis warmers, which was hanging by the fireplace next to the usual socks. "Merry Christmas then," you murmured quietly to yourself before retreating back into the cozy warmth of your home. You were sure that some of the things about this festive season would be remembered for a long time to come.

[lilolilyr]

✨ao3 wrapped 2023✨

Haven't seen this tagging meme around at all yet this year, so I thought I'd start it myself!

2022

Works published: 74, very similar to last year! a bit less but the year also isn’t over yet :D edit: by the time I’m getting around to post this, it’s on 86! Yay!

Wordcount: 118254 I’m happy I made it past 100k! That was my tentative goal and I didn’t think I’d make it with how slow it came along for most of the year, but with flufftober and the events I did manage :D

Kudos: 3184

Hits: 31833

Bookmarks: 267

Subscriptions: 114 and I’m at 157 user subscriptions right now? Who follows my multifandom mess of an Ao3, doesn’t that completely clogg up your email inbox? Maybe I’m just biased bc I rarely check my fandomy email and when I do it’s always a mess xD but I think tag lists on tumblr are so much more useful

Most popular by kudos: Gave myself a Fright, a Mirandy (DWP) fic with 301 kudos

Most hits: same fic, 2404 hits

Longest: lonely hearts on remote roads with 10811 words - Milippa road trip AU my beloved!

Shortest: I wrote nine drabbles (100 word ficlets) this year, they’re the shortest ones :)

Most Comments: my podfic of the Mirandy longfic Jigsaw has 14 comment threads - damn, that’s a year with few comments! In past years the whole top 5 commented on fics had more than that. Oh well!

Fics that made me cry: Grief, a fanfic where I project my own feelings about a dead pet onto Myka, and recording the Jigsaw podfic also made me really emotional a lot

Fics that made me smile: so manyy! For example the Berena fic Happiness surrounded by Snow

gifts:

- the first chapter of ‘Time Dilates’ by @barbarawar as my Bering and Wells gift exchange gift back in February, thanks!

- ‘Blame it on Circumstance’, a wonderful sequel to the fluffy fic @squishmittenficfan made me for the Berena gift exchange in 2022, and another sequel Blame it on Love posted just a few days ago I haven’t actually gotten around to read yet but am already very excited for!

- ‘never borrow Helena’s clothes’, a fic for the Bering and Wells advent by @jesstrel that I have beta read for them :)

I have gifted some fics as well this year, I tend to gift people fics when they helped me with it by beta reading or cheering me on, or when I was writing to someone’s prompt! I know I adore getting gift works on Ao3 and I love to share that happiness :)

collaborations:

Halloween fic and art collab with @thewalkingmeepa, that was fun!

Drunken Considerations, a Bering and Wells collab fic with @lavendelhummel :D first time I made a collab while actually in the same room with the other person xD

Both collaborations and part of an event were the fic & podfic works Where No Flan Has Gone Before (Star Trek humor) with @bookgirlfan and Which Mere Modernity Cannot (modern Dracula) with @artax-risen, and the Bering and Wells Advent Calendar with @lavendelhummel @purlturtle @akittennameddaisy @viharistenno @jesstrel @sallysetonbw @violetren @thiakerrigan @tryingthisfangirlthing that is still ongoing! finished now, I take too long for tagging memes xdxD

events:

- Flufftober (I managed to make something for every single day of the month, yay!)

- Berena advent

2022 version

Tagging, if you want to do it, everyone already tagged above as well as @die-schwanenkoenigin @amysnotdeadyet @lesbianlotties @guardianrock @73chn1c0l0rr3v3l @danisnotmyname @batnbreakfast @sapphicscholar @tabsolanya @sterenheart @wibblywobblyida @forestcircle @ongreenergrasses and everyone else who sees this!

For ease of copying: Works published: Wordcount: Kudos: Hits: Bookmarks: Subscriptions: Most popular by kudos: Most hits: Longest: Shortest: Most Comments: Fics that made me cry: Fics that made me smile: gifts: collaborations: events:

sapphicscholar purlturtle die-schwanenkoenigin amysnotdeadyet squishmittenficfan viharistenno lesbianlotties bookgirlfan

[full-on-sam]

Magic Advent Calendar

Day 4 and 5 - The Teleport and Compliment Chocolates

Image description: there is an advent calendar with five slots open. The first one has a rectangular chocolate with a pink filling, the second one a star shaped chocolate with a green filling, the third one a Christmas tree shaped chocolate with a pink filling, the fourth one a bear shaped chocolate with a pink filling, and the fifth one a boat shaped chocolate with a blue filling

Today's chocolates are two, to make up for yesterday (btw y'all were so sweet worrying if I was well!)

They are the TELEPORT CHOCOLATE, which as a wonderful pink filling, and the COMPLIMENT CHOCOLATE with a delicious blue filling

As the calendary revealed

💖 Pink filling = something fun will happen to your OC's

💚 Green filling = this chocolate is for the writer. It will give them a nice boost to complete a little challenge

💙 Blue filling = this chocolate wants you to have fun with a mutual! Something nice is in store for you

Today's challenge/question/game is as usual under the cut

Both you and your OC receive a chocolate this time! Your poor OC of choice by now should know better than eat whatever they find around. Yet, today too their curiosity prevailed. They ate a chocolate that teleported them into your room! They are stuck here with you for 24 hours. How will you manage? Will you get along? Where will they sleep? How will the day pass by?

As for you, you couldn't resist eating a nice chocolate shaped like a little boat. Now you feel the urge to give compliments away! Quick, go to the askbox of your mutual(s) to satiate your need!

Taglist: @dyrewrites @unclear-contributions @sm-writes-chaos @frostedlemonwriter @fyoliars @bluberimufim @cheeto-flavoured-pasta @aalinaaaaaa @thegodsaredead @excessive-vampires ask to be +/-

[walkswithmyfather]

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭8:1‭-‬9‬ ‭(ESV‬‬). “O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger.

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.

You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas.

O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!”

“Waiting with Joy” Advent Devotional - Day 2 — “Look At The Stars” By Words of Hope:

“When I look at your heavens . . . the moon and the stars . . . what is man that you are mindful of him? (vv. 3-4)”

“We caught fish all day on the river, then camped for the night along the shore. It was a clear, cool night, and there was only a sliver of moon. Gazing up at the heavens, a billion diamonds scattered on black velvet, I became dizzyingly conscious of God’s enormity and my insignificance. I couldn’t help but think, “Who am I, compared to all this?” “When I look at your heavens,” says the psalmist, “the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars . . . what is man that you are mindful of him?” And yet God is mindful of us. Indeed, the psalmist proclaims, we are just a little lower than the angels, and we are given dominion over creation. The mind reels.

Surely one of the most salutary activities of life is to go outdoors after dark and gaze up into the heavens. The same God who flung those stars into space at the dawn of creation is your loving heavenly Father. What problem of yours is greater than him? What anxiety can he not calm?

“The heavens declare the glory of God,” says the psalmist, “and the sky above proclaims his handiwork” (19:1). Go outside and see for yourself.

Today’s Activity: Go out after dark and look up at the stars. Share a little starlight wonder by cutting out and decorating a star to hang in your window. Find a printable template on Words of Hope’s website.”

[This is actually the devotional for December 2nd, but it's too good to wait another year to share it. I'll share the December 17th devotional a little later on. If you want to read and download the whole inspirational advent calendar, go to the Words of Hope website.]

[acquariusgb]

Billary fic drabble advent calendar: Day 13

Day 13: Cozy (snuggling/cuddling)

Hillary was standing on the Truman balcony looking out to the horizon. It was a clear night and the stars were shining above the Washington monument which was looking majestic in the Washington skyline. 

“It really is a beautiful view, isn't it?”

She slightly jumped at the sound of his voice. She hadn't heard him come out. She kept looking ahead and she tightened her arms around her. 

“What are you doing out here all alone in the cold?” She then felt him wrapped his arms around her. She closed her eyes as.she leaned back against his chest and savored the warmth he brought. 

“Just reminiscing.”

Bill hummed and laid his chin on the top of her head. “I’ll miss it too.” He whispered. “It’s been a great run until it lasted.” 

In a couple of weeks George W. Bush would be sworn in as President and Bill and Hillary will have to leave the White House and start their new post-presidential life. Those eight years brought them joy and pain, they had their ups and downs, but no one will take away their place in history or their memories.

Hillary shivered when a gust of cold wind suddenly hit her. Bill held her even tighter. 

“Why don’t we go inside?” He kissed the top of her head and guided her in their bedroom.

Hillary saw that a fire was burning in the fireplace and immediately on the sofa. She patted the seat inviting her husband to join her. Bill didn’t have to be told twice, he sat on the sofa and Hillary curled up against him. He put an arm and she laid her head on his chest.

“This is nice.” He muttered against her hair.

She sighed and kissed the top of his chest. “It is.” She looked around. “Remember when we got here and there was that horrible wallpaper with Chinese birds.”

He chuckled. “I remember. Can’t say that we and the Reagans had the same taste in decor.” For Bill, that wallpaper really reminded him of an Alfred Hitchcock movie.

“Yeah. I wouldn’t mind having this wallpaper in our new bedroom.”

He agreed. They chose it together and he really grew fond of it. “And the mattress…” he added. “I wonder if we can take the mattress with us.”

She chuckled.

“You know? Even if we can be sad about this chapter of our lives ending, I'm really looking forward to our next one.”

She smiled at him. “Me too.”

“Senator Clinton.” he teased her again with her new designation.

She rolled her eyes.

He nuzzled his face in the crook of her neck. “Want to snuggle a bit more and make out with the President?” He said in his husky voice.

“Oh my… what will the Republicans say?” she said playfully. 

“Oh, I won't tell if you don't.” He caressed her back before kissing her.

[ksadvent]

K/S Advent 2022: Masterlist and Wrap-Up

It's the 1st of January, 2023 (at least in this mod's timezone)! Happy New Year! May it be filled with peace and love, joy and laughter, inspiration and creativity! 

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the Kirk/Spock Advent Calendar 2022! Authors, artists, beta-readers, readers, and reviewers – thank you for making this K/S Advent such a beautiful experience and, dare we say, a great success! 

We made it to 59 submissions, posted by 31 creators; the works consist of 42 fics, 1 podfic, 2 poems, 1 playlist, 14 artworks (digital art, traditional art, manips, 3D objects), and even 1 submission of baked goods.

Out of the 73 prompts that were submitted, 41 were filled, several of them multiple times. At the time of closing the collection for posting, 13 claims were left unposted (the numbers shown on AO3 differ a bit as not everyone made use of the official claiming/filling process).

Here's the promised masterlist (in chronological order). Or directly check out our AO3 collection.

Day 1: dreamsaremadeofthis, The Bestest Gift of All (fic; AOS) Day 2: syredronning, Happy Holidays! (art; AOS) Day 2: USS_Genderprise, The Morning After (fic; TOS or AOS) Day 3: yassifiedjimkirk, When Words Fail (fic; TOS or AOS) Day 4: IvanW, How Far Away You Roam (fic; AOS) Day 4: USS_Genderprise, Mirrorverse Mistletoe (art; TOS) Day 5: Orabla, Shopping for Gifts, Finding Diamonds (fic; AOS) Day 5: syredronning, Celebrations (art; TOS) Day 6: stoatwrote, The Long Memory (fic and playlist; TOS) Day 7: dreamsaremadeofthis, Spock's Gamble (fic; TOS) Day 8: gunstreet, My Wing (fic; TOS, DISCO) Day 8: yassifiedjimkirk, Unwrapping Your Present (art; TOS) Day 9: USS_Genderprise, Beyond Mind and Matter (fic; TOS) Day 9: VTsuion, Fly Me to the Moon (art; TOS) Day 10: 1lostone, Best-Laid Plans (fic; AOS) Day 10: Orabla, Diamonds for You (poem; AOS) Day 11: eviepopcorn, Let Me Help (fic; TOS) Day 12: IvanW, A Christmas Thing (fic; AOS) Day 12: TonightNoPoetryWillServe, The Ship in the Snowglobe (fic; AOS) Day 13: kayson, Uprising (fic; TOS) Day 13: USS_Genderprise, Catch a Hint (fic; AOS) Day 14: sourirenoire, How Can I Say I Love You When Words Are Not Enough? (fic; TOS) Day 14: vfrankenstein, Holiday Sugar Cockies (cookies; TOS) Day 15: ikoliholic, Se Vi Nur Scius (If Only You Knew) (fic; TOS or AOS) Day 15: yassifiedjimkirk, The Gift of Loyalty (fic and art; TOS) Day 16: AshayaTReldai, Reconciliation of Penitents (fic; TOS) Day 16: Orabla, Under the Mistletoe (poem; TOS or AOS) Day 17: IvanW, Merrily on High (fic; AOS) Day 17: USS_Genderprise, Under Your Skin (fic; AOS) Day 18: Herself_nyc, Bashert (fic; TOS, AOS) Day 18: Noideasfornames, Light One Candle (fic; TOS) Day 19: ikoliholic, Wandering Lands, Helping Hands (fic; TOS or AOS) Day 19: USS_Genderprise, Stars in the Snow (fic; TOS or AOS) Day 20: eviepopcorn, Three's a Crowd (fic; TOS) Day 20: pkrosche, An Old Earth Custom (fic; TOS) Day 21: Orabla, Five Times Kirk or Spock Had a Nervous Breakdown, and One Time They Both Had It Simultaneously (fic; TOS) Day 22: ikoliholic, Fatal Vision (fic; TOS) Day 22: USS_Genderprise, Spin, Spin, Spin (fic; TOS or AOS) Day 23: gunstreet, Between Dream and Duty (fic; TOS) Day 23: Lupo (LupoLight), Against Twinkling Lights (fic; AOS) Day 24: cicia3, It's the most wonderful time of the year (fic; AOS) Day 24: pkrosche, Cozy Sweaters (art; TOS, AOS) Day 25: 1lostone, Mistletoe Kisses (podfic, AOS) Day 25: USS_Genderprise, Deck My Halls (fic; TOS) Day 26: Purple_Enma, A Christmas Picture (art; TOS or AOS) Day 26: TonightNoPoetryWillServe, A Very Illogical Christmas (fic; AOS) Day 27: 1lostone, drenchedinlight, EEW101, lb_betty, PageofWands, T'Lara, vfrankenstein, yassifiedjimkirk, Jim and Spock's 12 Days of Kink (a collaborative fic by the KiScord crowd) (fic; TOS) Day 27: Orabla, Two Solitudes, One Blizzard and One Illogical Celebration (fic; AOS) Day 28: pkrosche, A Win for Christmas (fic; SNW) Day 28: Purple_Enma, Encounter at Sundown (art; TOS or AOS) Day 29: enterprize (stanzas), Searching For A Tender Touch (fic; TOS) Day 29: T'Lara, Here's to a Happy New Year – and to the Wonderful K/S Fandom! (art; TOS) Day 30: cvrue, Pon Farr comes but once every seven years (art; TOS) Day 30: PageofWands, A Little Sweet, A Little Spicy: KS Gingerbread! (art; TOS) Day 30: USS_Genderprise, Warmth (fic; AOS) Day 31: 1lostone, Spanking Al Fresco - A Love Story (fic; AOS) Day 31: AureliaR, By the Fire(work) Light (fic; TOS) Day 31: cvrue, The Trouble with Snowballs (art; TOS) Day 31: PageofWands, Wishing You A Very Mirrorverse Holiday! (art; TOS)

The 2022 collection is now closed for posting. The K/S Advent Calendar will return next year for a new round. If your prompt(s) did not get filled, you can submit them as new requests for Advent 2023, if you wish to. If you do not want to wait that long, you can also submit them to our sister event Kirk/Spock Spring Fever which will go live in March 2023, a fest without any specific theme as long as the work is focused on Kirk and Spock, be it slash or gen/friendship. Sign-up opens today!

If you are sure you submitted something to the collection, but don't see it in the collection or on the masterlist above, please do get in touch with the mod asap so that we can investigate what went wrong with the submission: kirkspockmod+ksadvent@gmail.com We are also happy to hear your feedback: How did you experience this K/S Advent? Any wishes, suggestions, complaints? Anything you wish would've been different? Anything that was unclear or confusing and needs better explanation in our rules/FAQs?

On the mod side of things, we had an almost exclusively positive experience. One thing we might want to handle differently next year is how strict we are about the submission deadline; we wanted to be as generous as possible with deadline extensions, but this made scheduling the daily reveals a bit more difficult. As the creation phase is quite long for K/S Advent, we hope that creators can be encouraged to submit their works sooner. You can submit feedback via email, message to kirkspockmod on DW, comment on our masterlist DW post, or message on Tumblr.

[ilikecarsandlike4people]

About your beautiful Christmas Advent calendar

I'm absolutely delighted with your latest art with Valtteri and the details about Finnish traditions that you added. It was so interesting and comfortably, i swear. Felts the warmth that you put into the image of the traditions of your country

So I thought it might be cool if you could draw something like Kimi and Valtteri (and maybe with Seb or Antonio and Guanyu) who celebrated Christmas eve according to Finnish traditions. I think it would be so wonderful, something that connects you and your art with your subscribers, and at the same time with Formula 1

Anyway, whether you do it or not, thank you so so sooo much for all the art that you show us :3 💜💜💜😌💖💖💖

Christmas calendar day 24

Christmas dinner with the family💙

Wanted to draw some traditional Finnish foods for them to eat💕

From the top, we have star pastries with plum jam (tähtitorttu), gingerbread cookies (pipari), potatoes (perunat), ham with mustard (joulukinkku), swede- and carrot casserole (lanttu- ja porkkanalaatikot), cold smoked salmon (kylmäsavulohi) and rosolli (beetroot, carrot, potatoes, apple and pickles served with unsweetened whipped cream). And to go with that a pitcher of hot glög. Some traditions: There are some paper heart ornaments and some himmeli, which are mobiles made from string and straw. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas and a very happy holidays🥰

[sapphirefallschronicles]

- ̥۪͙۪˚┊❛ Welcome to Sapphire Falls - chapter 5 ❜┊˚̥۪͙۪◌

Basketballer!Chris Evans x Abigail Syverson (plus size!ofc) & Farmer!Syverson x Livia Darmandi (Asian ofc)

Summary: Livia gets herself ready for dinner at the Honey Bee Ranch, while Abigail worries a little.

Word count: 2.5k

Warnings: None

The Advent Calendar (a.k.a. the masterlist)

●・○・●・○・●

After carefully thinking about what to wear (and my options were limited since I couldn’t fit a lot in my suitcase, even after using Marie Kondo’s magnificent tips), I finally found the perfect outfit. 

High waisted jeans, paired with some platform boots to give me some added height (considering I’m meeting the Syversons and an NBA player) and a green cardigan like sweater, should suffice.

I know that back in the day, Sy would always compliment me whenever I was wearing green. He never stated his favorite color, but he did mention something about how I should wear more green. I even wore green for my prom, as it matched his tie.

The walk from my hotel to the Honey Bee Ranch isn’t too long, but long enough for me to thoroughly enjoy the scenery. I take in a deep breath, as I can look miles ahead of me, without it being ruined by traffic and other typical New York City things I have grown so accustomed to. 

The closer I get to the place, the harder my heart starts to race. I wonder if a lot has changed, but knowing Sy, I bet he kept everything the way his mom left it. 

When Bernard Syverson died, Sy barely spoke two words about it. Instead he took on the role of the man of the house, all while he was still a teen. He grew up way too fast and sometimes I wondered whether or not the pressure was too much for him. The loss of his dad was hard on him, but I just know losing his mother had to be harder for him to deal with.

And this time around, I wasn’t there to keep an eye on him. When we were teens, Chris and I went out of our ways to take care of the twins. Chris took care of Abigail, I made sure Sy wasn’t doing stupid stuff, kept him up to date with school and tried to be there for him. 

Once I’m closer, I see a very familiar figure. ‘Oh my, is that Chris Evans, the star player of the Chicago Bulls? Right here in Sapphire Falls?’ I say, pretending to be a very hysterical fangirl, though I burst into some sort of laughter halfway through. 

The tall and handsome basketball player I’ve known since he was just a cute middle schooler, turns around and smiles widely when he sees it’s me. Back in the day he couldn’t grow a beard, but now I see some facial hair. Looks good, I think to myself. 

‘Is that Livia Darmandi, the best selling author?’

That comes as a shock. ‘What? You knew?’ I ask as I approach him. ‘I thought you didn’t read!’

‘I don’t, but when I recognize the name of my friend, I obviously read it.’ He walks up to me and pulls me in a bone crushing hug. ‘And I have to say, GAME OVER book one might be my favorite read.’

What a sweetheart.

‘How have you been?’ I ask, once he placed me back on the ground again.

‘I’m alright,’ he says, while we make our way towards the ranch. ‘Just a damn injury.’

‘Yeah, I’ve heard something about that. That must suck.’

He shrugs. ‘Well, next season I’m back. Stronger than ever. What brings you to Sapphire Falls?’

‘I’m desperate for some inspiration,’ I say, because it’s part of the truth. That I’m escaping a very lonely December month in New York City, he’ll discover that sooner than later. ‘So, you bumped into Sy, right?’

‘Yeah, but I just know he is a lot happier that you’re in town than me being here.’ Chris lets out a chuckle as we can already see the ranch come closer and closer. ‘Crazy right, how nothing has changed.’

‘It is beyond crazy,’ I admit, realizing he is totally evading my very obvious next question, whether or not he has seen Abigail. ‘Strange how I feel right at home after so many years.’

‘Mhm.’

‘You okay, Chris?’ I ask. ‘You seem… A bit nervous if I’m being honest.’

‘I’m fine,’ he says, forcing a fake smile on his attractive face. ‘You know, if we’re ever playing against the Knicks, I’ll arrange free tickets for you. Or, is that considered adultery, because I am playing for the Bulls and you’re probably a Knicks fan?’

Classic Chris, turning the conversation into a different direction. I decide to be the bigger person here and not to pry for information he isn’t willing to share just yet. ‘Bold of you to assume I’m a fan of the Knicks, solely because I live in New York.’

‘Aren’t you?’

I chuckle. ‘Sweet, oblivious Chris. I’m a Chicago Bulls fan. Wherever you go, my loyalty follows. Can’t believe you thought I wouldn’t support my friend. Deeply disappointed in you.’ I smack him in the stomach. ‘Now hurry up,’ I say, picking up my pace, ‘we can’t be late. Dinner at the Syversons is always six thirty sharp.’’

●・○・●・○・●

●・○・●・○・●

‘You did what?’ I ask Sy after he casually tells me he bumped into not just one, but two of our long lost friends. I knew about Chris, but I had no idea Livia was back. Of course Sy already spoke to both of them. 

‘Ya heard me. They’re coming over for dinner tonight,’ he says. ‘I think it’s nice to have a lil’ reunion.’

I hum in response, but my head is spinning. Chris is coming over. And we are gonna have to talk. I pinch the bridge of my nose. ‘But you ran into them yesterday? And you’re only telling me now?’

‘The later I’d tell ya, the less time you’d have to go nuts,’ Sy snickers as he grabs his car keys. ‘Have fun freaking out about Chris while I’ll go get the groceries.’ 

Sometimes I hate my brother. 

●・○・●・○・●

I cast one last glance in the mirror, and am pleased with the outfit I pulled together while mentally preparing myself to talk to Chris again. Plaid gray trousers, a white tank top with a gray cardigan on top and flat black loafers. Livia always pleaded for me to wear flat shoes so our height difference would be minimized, but we both knew that issue could never be avoided. Yet, I always tried to wear flat shoes and she would wear heels or platforms, because that’s what friends do; at least that is what we used to do. 

The clock on the wall tells me Livia and Chris are gonna be here soon. To calm my nerves I decide to go to the stables, the goat enclosure to be precise. A few minutes with Honey might be exactly what I need. 

The baby goat is happily hopping around as I come closer. The minute she sees me, she bleats loudly, and scatters away from her mother towards me. ‘Hi Honey,’ I say, scratching her behind her little ears. 

‘That’s a nickname you haven’t called me before, but I’m digging it.’ I shriek loudly as I hear a deep voice behind me. 

‘For fuck’s sake, Chris! Did you have to scare me like that?’

‘Wasn’t necessary, but I was kinda funny,’ Chris smirks. ‘Sy told me I could find you here.’

He looks even better up close, damn it. I spent the second I saw him in town investigating his Instagram. Whoever takes his pictures should do something else with their life, because the pictures he posts are not doing him any justice.  

‘For you maybe,’ I smile. I look at the goats, but Honey and the others fled to the other side after my inhumane sound. Silence fills the air, and I hear Chris’ footsteps coming closer. 

He places his hand on my lower back, and smiles softly at me as I look at him. ‘It’s good to see you.’

‘It’s good to see you too, Chris.’ He pulls me in for a hug, which turns into an awkward side hug as we both struggle with where to put our hands. We both chuckle stiffly as we turn our attention to the goats again. 

‘Someday I need you to tell me how you convinced Sy to get these animals. If I remember correctly, he hates these immensely.’

‘Oh, he hates them, and they hate him. Which might be half the reason I wanted them,’ I say. Not knowing what to say to him any further, I decide to redirect the conversation. ‘Why don’t we get inside first?’ I suggest. ‘Is Livia hear yet?’

‘Abigail!’ I hear a sweet voice behind me say. ‘Speaking of the devil, or angel, yes she is here!’

‘Livia!’ I manage to say before she throws herself in my arms. Her tiny figure wouldn’t tell you, but that girl can give firm hugs. ‘It’s so good to see you!’

‘You look amazing, Abigail, I love those trousers. You can never go wrong with plaid.’ 

I look down, and see she is wearing platform shoes, something might never change, and a smile forms on my face. 

The clan is all back together.

●・○・●・○・●

The four of us are back in the main house, and I take a moment to myself in the kitchen. 

Deep down I think: what happened to me and how I feel about everything, is none of their business. It’s clear that there are many unspoken truths between us. Seeing Livia and Chris sitting in the living room where it’s usually just Sy and me, is odd, yet awfully familiar. 

To say we all have matured, is an understatement. To see the entire gang took me back. My brother has grown up, from a teen who took on the role of the man of the house to a secure grown up, who has many things hidden in his heart. 

It takes no genius to see how Livia, despite her eleven year absence, still has her special effect on him. Mom always joked about how they would get married, but the jokes became less frequent the longer Livia stayed away and the more hurt Sy got whenever she mentioned Livia’s name. But here she is, our tiny baby of the group. Not only was she the youngest, she was also the smallest of us all, but she always stood her ground. Managed to wrap Sy–of all people–around her finger.

And then there is Chris. Our famous, ever so handsome Chris. The one who carried his basketball around everywhere he went. He always held up his sporty, bad boy attitude, but he was always the sweetest to Livia and me. 

Last but not least, there’s me, the other Syverson. I always felt like the outcast of the group. I wasn’t like Livia, who could wrap people around her finger like that. Unlike Sy and Chris I didn’t have a clear path in life. I was the girl who hid behind her camera and preferred to not be in the spotlight. 

‘You coming Abi?’ Chris asks as he, Livia and Sy make their way to the dining table. Abi. He was the only one with permission to call me that, and it’s been ages since he said it. It felt good, and weirdly familiar. Maybe it was nice to have him back in my life. 

‘Yeah, sorry.’ I make my way towards the table and take place next to Chris. Livia and Sy are already sitting opposite of us, both of them unknowingly scooting their seats closer to each other. 

Nothing truly has changed.

●・○・●・○・●

‘So, yeah, an injury and a broken engagement are the reason I’m back in town,’ Chris finishes his story. We needed to catch up with each other, so we took turns telling how our lives went the last few years. Sy and I were quickly done, as not much had changed for us, except the death of our mother. But we stayed in Sapphire Falls, on Honey Bee Farm. No big city or exciting careers for us.

Chris just told us his story and I’ve got to say: that’s kinda sad. I feel sorry for him, but I also know he isn’t telling the whole story. His fiancée and him suddenly figuring out they aren’t a match? There is more to that story, but I know he will share that whenever he’s ready. ‘I’m sorry that happened to you Chris,’ I say. 

‘Thanks, but it’s fine,’ Chris responds. He fiddles with the empty glass in his hands, and Livia exchanges a look with me. There is definitely more to this story. 

‘What about you, Livia? What brings you back to this boring old town? I can’t imagine leaving the big city behind for this,’ I ask, deciding changing the subject would be best. 

‘I needed a change of scenery. New York is amazing and I love it, but I need the peace and quietness of Sapphire Falls to get some new inspiration.’ 

As the conversation continues, I know no one is telling the whole story. Don’t get me wrong, the conversation is flowing. It feels like it was only yesterday we saw each other, but we all are keeping out the details of what happened the past years. 

Sy pretends that he’s not hurting. Livia makes us believe that all she needs for inspiration is a change of scenery. Chris puts on a front that discovering that he and his ex-fiancée weren’t a good match was reason enough for a broken engagement. I’m faking that life here in Sapphire Falls is everything I want.

I glance at Chris, that beard looks damn good on him. And his thigh, accidentally or not accidentally, touching mine every now and then is sending shivers down my spine. 

This is gonna be a long night. 

●・○・●・○・●

It was a long night, however we got through it. Sy is gonna drive Livia and Chris back, while I’m staying here. I say my goodbyes to them and watch them get off the porch. However Livia turns around and rushes back to the front door. 

‘Abigail,’ she says, ‘what do you say about a girl’s day tomorrow? I already cleared it with Sy: you are not needed on the farm.’

That actually does not sound that terrible. Besides, there are many things I want to know. Maybe it’s easier to talk to a girl. Growing up, there was a clear division in our group. Sy and Livia, Chris and I. But there were moments where boys need boys and there are moments where girls need girls. Getting ready for prom? That was a job she and I needed to do. Talking about our deepest fears? That was reserved for either Sy in Livia’s case, or Chris in mine, though I never totally bared my soul. 

‘That sounds nice.’

‘Fantastic,’ she says. ‘We should get some coffee and stroll around. It has been ages since I had such a beautiful walk. In New York it’s all people, cars and rats.’

‘A scenery walk it is,’ I chuckle. 

‘Liv, hurry up,’ Sy says to her, who is already waiting by the truck, together with Chris. While he is very keen on the orders and commands, I can already tell there is a very special layer added to it, one he specifically reserves for Livia Darmandi.

Great, with her around, my brother will be absolutely useless again.

‘I’ll see you tomorrow at the cafe,’ I say with a smile and Livia gives me a quick hug, before rushing back to the truck. 

[fateinthestars]

Star Crossed Myth Advent Calendar Fanfic: Day Seven - Silent Pranks (Ichthys/MC)

(Twenty-Four days of Star Crossed Myth Flash Fics using this prompt list)

Title: Day Seven - Silent Pranks

Pairing: Ichthys/MC (MC's name left blank so you can fill it in with whatever you wish in your head)

Characters: Ichthys, MC, Huedhaut

Word Count: 644

Rating: T

Prompt: "Tracing the other’s lips with their finger"

Summary: Ichthys is awaiting the results of his latest plan when MC arrives at the mansion.

Day Seven: Silent Pranks (Ichthys/MC)

Ichthys was hiding in the shadows of one of the doorways near the stairwell, waiting to see whether his plan this time would pay off. He wondered who would actually stumble into this area - it wasn’t as though he actually had a specific person in mind for once.

His grin of anticipation faded into a frown as the front door to the mansion swung open and he heard ___ calling out to see whether anyone was around.

Moving out of his hiding place briefly he grabbed his girlfriend by the arm and pulled her with him back into his hiding place, putting a finger to her lips to stop her from saying anything too loudly.

“Ichthys are you doing something that’ll anger Scorpio again?” ___ asked in a hushed whisper, though her tone was concerned rather than annoyed.

“It’ll be fiiine,” Ichthys tried to reassure her, though now his mind wasn’t really on the prank he had set up. Smiling happily, he pulled her closer to him. “Yanno, it’s been days since we had any time alone.” At a sudden thought due to the time of year, he snapped his fingers and some mistletoe appeared above them both.

Before ___ could say anything, Ichthys put a finger to her lips to silence her once more, but this time he ran it across her lips before dropping his hand down by his side and pulling her to him with his other arm, engaging in a kiss.

When they pulled away for air, both ___ and Ichthys were staring into each other’s eyes, the reason why they were hiding mostly forgotten.

That was until there was a *bang!* followed by a resigned sigh.

Ichthys relaxed as he placed who had set what he had set up off, and moved back into the hallway, tugging ___ along with him.

“... I am pretty sure snow belongs outside the house, not in it,” Huedhaut muttered to him with a faint smirk. 

“It’s so pretty though!” ___ exclaimed, looking at the snow that was still falling, reflected in the polished marble of the staircase.

Huedhaut sighed. “You’re a lost cause, the pair of you.”

“Come on Hue, where’s your Christmas spirit?” Ichthys asked with a laugh and a glint in his eyes.

“Probably the same place yours will be if you do not clear this mess up before Zyglavis gets back.”

“!!!” Ichthys’ eyes widened a little at that comment. “Oh but this worked so well… and ___ even thought it looked pretty…” he bit his lip. “But if Ziggy’s coming to the mansion tonight…” He sighed and snapped his fingers, making the snow disappear from the stairway.

Huedhaut looked at him with a knowing smile. “Aren’t you forgetting something?”

“No, I don’t think so,” Ichthys replied with a grin, even though he knew full well that Huedhaut still had snow in his hair. 

Huedhaut sighed, but didn’t press the matter. Instead he looked at ___ with a rather scary smile. “If you two want to have a Happy Christmas I suggest you get Ichthys away from here before he can land himself in any more trouble.”

This time it was ___ putting her finger to Ichthys’ lips to silence him. Taking his hand in hers, she smiled softly. “Let’s go back to mine. I’ve got Taiyaki,” she murmured, her finger lingering on his lips just a little too long before she dropped her hand, looking away a little awkwardly.

Ichthys grinned and took her other hand in his as well briefly. “You should have said!” He replied happily, before looking back over to Huedhaut. “Catch you later!” He then snapped his fingers and teleported himself and ___ back to her apartment.

After watching them go, Huedhaut shook his head a little, before heading back to his room with the intention of getting rid of what was left of the snow.

[outsideratheart]

21 Secret Santa with athenea del Castillo

A/N: Day twenty six of the Christmas advent calendar.

Love is something you always feared. There is saying that stuck with you ‘loving someone is giving them the power to break your heart but trusting them not to’. It is because of this that you were single for so long, you never met the person that showed you this much trust, that was until you met Athena.

You are one of the most well known footballers players in the world so when you left Chelsea, your home club, for Real Madrid the world took notice and it brought a spot light on the Spanish team that they couldn’t fully get used to. It was especially hard on Athenea because she would go from one of spain’s rising stars to Y/N Y/L/N’s girlfriend. You know she was struggling and you begged her to ignore the fans and focus on you but she couldn’t do it.

“I can’t do this Y/N” Athenea stood in her living room, stiff as a board.

There is no need for her to be specific, you know exactly what she is talking about and whilst it breaks your heart to lose her you would rather be hurt then her be unhappy.

“I love you Athenea. More than anyone else in this world but I understand that isn’t enough” You slowly walk towards her all while keeping eye contact. When you are face to face with her you give a soft smile.

“You deserve the world and i’m sorry that I couldn’t give you that. I’m sorry that I couldn’t protect you from them” Your voice is quiet.

For the last time, you pull her in your arms and she breaks down. Her tears soak your shirt but you remain strong, getting emotional won’t make you feel better. When Athenea pulls away her eyes are blood shot red. You wipe the tears off her cheeks then place a kiss to her temple.

No more words are spoken as you walk away and you don’t turn back.

You know that a breakup of any kind is hard but a break up 2 weeks before Christmas, well that made it hurt twice as much. You had already bought her present and had plans for the two of you, new year in the Maldives. Athenea would now no nothing about any of them.

The last game of the season came against Chelsea in the champions league at Stamford bridge, your old stomping grounds. The team arrived back in Madrid with only one training session left on the calendar and it also happened to be the the day when Secret Santa would be exchanged.

“Has everyone got their presents?” Ivana says “yeah? Right let’s begin”

The team is scattered around the locker room. Some sat in their lockers, others on the floor and on the physio benches. One player does seem to be missing.

“You can’t start yet. Y/N hasn’t finished her media yet” Athenea stands up gaining the attention of her friends who all give her the same look.

“Media?” Misa asks clearly not knowing what her friend is talking about.

“She wasn’t at training. Did you even notice?” Your ex girlfriend says. Her tone making it obvious that the obliviousness of the goalkeeper has angered her.

The rest of the team share looks, neither of them knowing what to say.

“Athenea” Olga rests her hand of the forwards shoulder “Y/N isn’t doing media. She isn’t even in Madrid”

The young player is confused, that much is obvious.

“Y/N asked if she could stay in London after we played Chelsea and given that she scored twice and assisted Caroline’s goal, coach allowed it”

Athenea couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She knows that she has been avoiding you but failing to notice you hadn’t travelled back to Spain with the team, that was something else.

Instead of questioning it further, Athenea sinks into her locker as the presents are handed out.

“What about Y/N’s present?” Sofia asks the group.

“She told me about her plans before we left and I’m her secret Santa so I gave Y/N her present early” Olga hesistantly told the group.

Athenea looks at her friend wondering why she never told her but then again she no longer had a right to know what you did and where you went.

“Would you have cared?” Olga whispers knowing the reaction that her words might get.

“I” Athena could not giver an answer.

The gifts gets handed out and Athenea is last.

“Here” Claudia hands her a present.

“I thought you had Esther for secret Santa. You can’t have two” Misa says earning her a slap around the back of the head. As she rubs her head the goalkeeper realises why Claudia did what she did.

“Oh”

Athenea eyes her gift. It was perfectly wrapped giving her a indication of who it was from but it is when she opens it does she know for sure.

In her hand sits a velvet box and inside is a pendent on a keychain but is wasn’t just any pendant, it was a gold sun. Tucked in the side was a small note.

My sunshine, you showed me brightness on my darkest days. I hope you find someone who shares their light with you.

“She loves you Athenea. I know that things were hard for you but can you honestly say you are happier without her?” Olga asks hoping that Athenea would finally see the error of her ways.

“I think I made a mistake. I need to go” Athena rushes out of the changing rooms.

[fanonical]

Today I opened the first door on my LEGO Guardians of the Galaxy advent calendar, and unsurprisingly we are greeted with a minifig on our first day (as is oft the way)

this minifig of Star-Lord (or Peter Quill) has a slightly different design to the one i already have from Thanos: Ultimate Battle -- i couldn't find where he'd wondered off to but basically the main difference is that he has a MOUSTACHE now (it's hard to tell in the photo but i promise it's there) tying the set into phase fifty-whatever of the MCU. it's a good minifigure, very recognisable, with what seems to be jet boots as a buildable add-on to our ugly little friend here.

15/10 for being a minifigure (i love having tiny guys in my room), 7/10 for the uninspired booties (only four pieces and two of them are repeated!!) and 0/10 for poisoning my body with Chris Pratt themed microplastics. god that doesn't make sense as a rating metric. let's just average that out to a whole number. 7. that seems right.

7/10. tune in tomorrow for different plastic!