#tiny amazing short branch

[icewindandboringhorror]

indeed my exact process once every 8 months or so

[mrspiastri]

✩ jam biscuits 🍪

pairing: oscar piastri x reader

cw: fluff, sickeningly sweet oscar and a slight, super little bit of angst :D

wc: 13.3k words (don’t even joke lad)

an: need to stop placing myself as y/n when i write for oscar omg

It was the first week of December, and summer had already begun in Queensland, with warm mornings, sunny afternoons, and some moderately humid evenings. Y/N had spent her first two semesters at Griffith University and had loved every minute of it.

Sure, transferring as an international student in her third year of uni wasn’t exactly ideal, but she managed to adjust amazingly and had made some amazing memories and friends after just a little less than a year.

Mae was Y/N’s first friend, and they met after the former had to knock on the latter’s door to ask if she had an extra tampon she could borrow. And cut to now, the two were basically inseparable.

“You know, it wouldn’t kill you to just relax and actually enjoy your break. Especially with the very limited days off we get from uni.” Mae chided as she tried squeezing in a third pair of shoes onto her carry-on.

“Well, I can’t afford the plane tickets back home, and besides, I’m already going back in April!”

“So what are you going to do, just sit here for the next two months? In this tiny, slightly dusty, and very lonely dorm room? All by yourself?”

“I don’t really have any other choice, Mae.” Y/N stated, as she held out her friend’s shorts for her to pack.

“Then why don’t you come with me?” Her friend questioned.

“Where, Melbourne?”

“Yeah! You’re completely unoccupied, plus it’s with me! Mum has been dying to have you at home since you first met her!” Her friend grabbed her hands in an attempt to convince her.

“I don’t know; it’s the holidays, and I don’t want to intrude on your time with your family.” Y/N sighed, still very keen to spend the summer with Mae.

“Nonsense! They’d all love to meet you. And besides, you’re like family to me. So it won’t be weird.”

Knowing there was no way out of this and also eager to not ring in Christmas alone, Y/N agreed to fly back to her friend’s home city. In a way she wasn’t as nervous about it; she’d already met Nicole and Tim multiple times, and she’d spoken to Hattie and Edie on FaceTime multiple times. And quite frankly, she loved Melbourne with its beautiful beaches, sunny people, and amazing nightlife.

Four days later, while the two were seated on their flight home, Y/N was already busy reading the in-flight magazine, and Mae was texting away furiously on her family group chat.

“We’re about to take off soon, think you could put the phone away?” She teased.

“I wish, but as usual this idiot needs to make things difficult for us all.” She got a reply.

Y/N was about to ask who she was talking about, but before she could, Mae began her rant.

“I mean, you’d think he’d have planned this better, and I booked the tickets so early! He only had to schedule them on the same day as mine and at the SAME AIRPORT, and now he’s gone and messed it up for everyone!”

“Who are we talking about?” Y/N calmly asked her friend, who was close to foaming at the mouth.

“Oscar, who else would be such an idiot?”

Hearing his name made Y/N drop her magazine onto her lap.

“Oscar’s coming?” She tried to hide the nervousness in her voice.

“Well, of course; he hasn’t got any racing left to do now, does he?”

Mae continued speaking, well until takeoff, and then she fell asleep on Y/N’s shoulder, holding onto her arm like a koala hanging onto a tree branch.

Y/N, however, didn’t sleep a wink during the whole duration of the flight; the only thing floating in her mind was the newfound information she had just received.

Oscar was coming. Oscar. Oscar Piastri. Mae’s brother. Nicole’s son. Oscar. Formula 1 star Oscar. The same Oscar, she had a slight crush on. Well, not slight; embarrassingly large would be a better word.

She’d met him only once, at the Australian Grand Prix that year. It was very difficult for her to pretend she wasn’t bothered by him, because, truth be told, everything about him was difficult to ignore.

He met her, and like the polite gentleman he was, shook her hand and introduced himself. He made sure she ate something at the McLaren hospitality. He asked her about where she was from, her hobbies, and how many siblings she had, and she asked him how fast his car went and whether he was more of a chocolate person or a more vanilla person. He also shared a look of mild annoyance with her when his team whisked him away for the driver’s parade.

After his disappointing result on Sunday, she hadn’t seen him at all. She and the family came back home, ate their dinners and went off to an early sleep. He reached home late at night, and before he could say his goodbyes, Y/N and Mae had taken off for the airport.

Now after almost a year, they would meet again and would be living in the same house. It wasn’t too weird to imagine seeing him, especially because her crush on him had basically vanished. The girl convinced herself that it was just her meeting a handsome, polite, funny guy after years and naturally being attracted to him. It wasn’t weird. It wasn’t abnormal. It was okay.

She repeated those three sentences in her head over and over again, till they landed in Melbourne.

🪻🪻🪻

The afternoon sun was warm and bright when Mae and Y/N stepped out of Melbourne Airport. The December heat felt different here, less humid, more dry; and there was a comforting familiarity in the way the light touched the tops of gum trees and danced across the asphalt. Tim was waiting in the car park, waving enthusiastically at the sight of them.

“G’day, girls!” He called, striding over and pulling Mae into a one-armed hug, then offering the same to Y/N. “How was the flight?”

“Uneventful,” Mae replied, yawning as she shoved her suitcase into the back of the car. “She didn’t sleep at all,” she added, nodding toward Y/N.

“Excited to be back in Melbourne?” Tim asked with a grin, looking at Y/N through the rearview mirror once they were on the road.

“Absolutely,” she said sincerely, watching the familiar streets fly by outside. “It’s really lovely here.”

By the time they reached the house, it was well into the afternoon, and the air smelt faintly of freshly mown grass and barbecues somewhere in the distance. The front door flung open before Mae could even knock, and out tumbled Hattie and Edie, talking at a volume that could only be described as “excited shrieking”.

“Y/N!!” Edie shouted, throwing herself at her sister’s best friend in a flying hug that nearly knocked her off balance.

“You’re finally here!” Hattie added, squeezing in from the side, her hair bouncing with the effort.

Inside, the house looked exactly how she remembered it: cosy, lived-in, and full of warmth. Nicole emerged from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a dish towel and smiling brightly. “There she is! My fourth daughter!” She pulled Y/N into a hug, then stood back to take a proper look at her. “You’re glowing. Queensland’s been good to you, huh?”

“Very good,” Y/N replied, feeling something inside her relax in a way it hadn’t in months.

Just then, the distinct sound of claws clicking against the wooden floor interrupted the moment, and in bounded Basil, floppy-eared, tail-wagging, and as chaotic as ever.

“Basil!!” Y/N crouched down and let the dog barrel into her, nearly knocking her over in his excitement. “You remember me, huh?”

“He definitely remembers,” Tim chuckled, hanging his hat by the door. “You’re the only guest who lets him sleep in their bed.”

“Guilty as charged,” she grinned, ruffling Basil’s fur as he whined happily and flopped onto his back for belly rubs.

The rest of the afternoon passed in a comfortable haze of chatter, catching up, and helping Nicole prep for dinner. The girls sat out on the back deck with lemonade while Basil napped in the shade, and Mae kept flipping through Spotify trying to find the “right vibe” for a summer evening.

As the sun began to dip low in the sky, casting long golden shadows across the backyard, Nicole called out from the hallway.

“Girls, I’m heading to the airport to get Oscar! We should be back by six, so keep an eye on the roast, will you?”

Y/N felt her heart skip, just slightly. Mae was still scrolling on her phone, unmoved. “Tell him not to whine the whole drive home.”

Nicole rolled her eyes fondly. “He’s not that bad.”

As the door clicked shut behind her, Y/N found herself staring out at the orange-hued horizon, feeling a strange flutter in her chest. It was fine. Everything was fine. She wasn’t nervous. She didn’t care that Oscar was coming. She didn’t even like him anymore.

Right?

She shook her head and went to baste the roast.

It was a little past six when the front door opened again, the soft creak of the hinges followed by Nicole’s unmistakable voice floating into the living room.

“We’re back!”

From the kitchen, Mae shouted, “Try not to crash into the furniture, superstar!”

The house erupted with the kind of excitement only reserved for a long-awaited homecoming.

“Oscar!!”

Basil bounded after them, nails skidding comically on the hardwood floor as he barked joyfully. Even Tim put down his beer and strolled over, smiling wide.

Y/N stayed where she was, half leaning against the doorway between the kitchen and dining room, a tea towel in one hand, still warm from drying the plates. She could hear the chaos, the laughter, the enthusiastic chorus of “you’re finally home” and “how was the flight?” and “do you have any gifts?”

And then, Oscar stepped into view.

He was dressed casually, in a plain white tee and black joggers, with a backpack slung over one shoulder, tugging a suitcase behind him, and looked exactly as she remembered him. No, not exactly. A little more tan, maybe. His hair was longer, a bit curlier. But the smile he gave his sisters was the same one that had made her stomach do something weird the last time they met.

He hugged Nicole first, then gave an affectionate smack on the shoulder to Hattie and Edie; he was still their annoying older brother after all. Tim ruffled his hair affectionately, and even Mae looked up from her phone long enough to roll her eyes and say, “Nice of you to finally show up.”

It wasn’t until the commotion settled slightly that he looked past them and saw her.

Y/N.

She hadn’t moved from her spot in the doorway, still holding that tea towel like she needed something to do with her hands. Her navy blue tank top clung lightly to her frame, and the grey sweatpants sat comfortably on her hips. Her hair was shorter than the last time he saw her, cut just below her shoulders now, a little frizzy from the heat, a little messy in the best way.

His heart did something. A flutter. A jolt. Something in between.

Because she looked different.

She looked even prettier than before.

He didn’t say anything right away, just took a step forward with a slightly dumbfounded smile tugging at the corners of his lips. His eyes lingered, not in a weird way, just long enough to take it all in. The way her gold necklace glinted under the light. The soft flush of her cheeks. The way her lips curved up slightly, like she didn’t know whether to say hi and possibly intrude on their little family reunion.

“Hey,” he finally said, his voice quieter than it had been a second ago.

Y/N smiled back, just a little. “Hey.”

And for a second, it was like they were the only two people in the room.

Then Basil barked, loudly and unnecessarily, jumping between them like a fuzzy exclamation mark, and Mae shouted from the couch, “We saved you a plate, Oscar. Don’t make us regret it.”

Oscar blinked, tearing his eyes away from Y/N just long enough to answer, “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

But even as he sat down at the table, greeted with a roast dinner and overlapping questions about Monaco and racing and airport delays, his gaze flickered back to her. Still leaning in the doorway. Still watching him.

Dinner in the Piastri household was as lively as ever. The table was overflowing with food, laughter, and the kind of chaotic joy that came with a full house. The roast smelled incredible, the salad was freshly dressed, and the potatoes were crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, just the way Y/N remembered from the last time she visited. There was a warm hum of voices, dishes clinking together, and the occasional shout from one of the girls trying to be heard over the rest.

Y/N followed Mae into the dining room, clutching her glass of water and scanning the table quickly. Her first instinct was to sit next to Mae, hoping for the comfort of a buffer between her and any potential awkwardness. She picked up her pace just slightly, trying to reach the chair before someone else did.

But Hattie, quick and always one step ahead, slid into the seat before Y/N could get there.

“Beat you,” Hattie said smugly, already reaching for a bread roll.

Y/N’s eyes darted around, searching for another spot. Nicole was already seated at the head of the table with Tim on her left. Edie had claimed the seat next to her dad. Every chair was taken except for one.

The one right next to Oscar.

Mae caught her eye from across the table and smirked. “Guess you’ll have to brave it.”

Y/N forced a small smile and tried not to let her nerves show. “Guess I will.”

She took a quiet breath and slid into the chair beside him, keeping her movements calm and collected. Her heart, however, was anything but calm. She could already feel the warmth of him beside her, close enough that their elbows might brush if they were not careful. She focused on unfolding her napkin and placing it on her lap like it was the most important task in the world.

Oscar turned to her, offering a friendly smile. “Hey again.”

His voice was soft, a little different from the boisterous way he had been talking to his sisters moments ago. She glanced at him and smiled back, her voice a little quieter than usual.

“Hey.”

Dinner began in full force as plates were passed around and everyone dove into their food. Nicole asked Oscar how his flight was, Tim jumped in with a question about something racing-related, and the girls were all chatting about school, their upcoming summer plans, and who had stolen whose sandals last week.

Y/N relaxed into the rhythm of the meal, laughing at the girls’ stories and chiming in now and then. It was warm and familiar, and for a moment she forgot that sitting right next to her was the same guy who had casually made her stomach flip with a simple smile.

It was only when things had quieted slightly and everyone was focused on eating that Oscar turned to her again.

“So,” he said, picking up his fork and turning toward her just a little, “how’s uni been treating you?”

She looked up at him, a little surprised he had remembered. “It’s actually been really great. I finished my first year at Griffith last month.”

“That’s on the Gold Coast, right?”

She nodded. “Yeah, not too far from the beach. The weather’s incredible, but it’s full of tourists most of the time. And if I have to see another surfboard-themed smoothie shop, I might scream.”

He chuckled, the kind of quiet, genuine laugh that made her stomach do a tiny somersault. “Sounds like a bit of a postcard dream. But I guess anything gets old if you live in it long enough.”

“Exactly,” she said, smiling. “But I’ve managed. And Mae’s been great. She’s helped me settle in a lot.”

Oscar gave her a teasing look. “Is she behaving herself? Not talking through your lectures or stealing your snacks?”

Y/N laughed, shaking her head. “She’s mostly well-behaved. Although she does have a tendency to hog the mirror for forty-five minutes every morning.”

“I do not,” Mae called out from across the table, having clearly overheard. “You’re just too impatient.”

“You take your hair way too seriously,” Y/N replied, grinning.

“Excuse me for wanting to shine,” Mae said with a dramatic toss of her head.

Oscar leaned in slightly, lowering his voice like he was sharing a secret. “She’s always been like that. Even when we were kids, she’d spend an hour trying to pick out the right headband.”

Y/N giggled, biting back a laugh as she looked down at her plate.

Oscar glanced at her again, taking her in properly now. Her hair was shorter than it had been the last time he saw her. It curled slightly at the ends, soft and light around her shoulders. She wore a simple blue tank top and grey sweatpants, nothing fancy, but she still looked different. Or maybe not different. Maybe just even prettier than he remembered.

“You cut your hair,” he said gently, still studying her face.

Y/N looked up at him, surprised again. “Yeah, a few months ago.”

“It looks really nice,” he said, his voice softer now. “It suits you.”

For a moment, the rest of the table faded away again. She felt her cheeks warm, and tried to act like it was just from the heat of the roast dinner. She looked down, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

“Thank you,” she murmured.

Oscar smiled and returned to his food, but his mind was somewhere else entirely. He was not really listening to Tim’s latest comment or Mae’s quip about the gravy. All he could think about was the way her eyes sparkled when she laughed, the curve of her smile, and how it was already becoming very clear that this summer was going to be a little more interesting than he expected.

And Y/N, though she tried very hard not to, caught herself sneaking a glance at him, wondering the exact same thing.

🪻🪻🪻

The house had gone quiet, the hum of the evening slowly settling into the kind of stillness that only came when everyone had finally gone to bed. Doors had clicked shut one by one. Tim’s voice had faded into a sleepy goodnight. Nicole had turned off the porch light. Even Basil had given up begging for table scraps and curled into his usual spot on the mat near the back door.

But Y/N was still awake.

She sat at the kitchen counter, laptop open in front of her, the soft glow from the screen casting a blue light across her face. Her hair was pulled up into a ponytail now, and she had slipped into one of Mae’s oversized sweatshirts that almost reached her knees. The silence was comforting, broken only by the quiet tap of her fingers on the keyboard.

She was so focused that she did not hear footsteps until they were almost in the room.

Oscar padded in quietly, barefoot and looking a little dazed. His hair was a mess, slightly flattened on one side like he had tried to sleep but had given up halfway. He was wearing a simple white t-shirt and grey shorts, and he looked more like a normal twenty-something guy than the Formula 1 driver plastered on magazine covers.

Y/N looked up, surprised, and gave him a small smile. “Can’t sleep?”

He leaned against the counter across from her and nodded. “Jet lag, probably. My body still thinks it’s 10 a.m.”

She closed her laptop halfway and stretched slightly. “Yeah, that’ll do it.”

He tilted his head. “What about you? Burning the midnight oil?”

“Just catching up on some coursework,” she said, shrugging. “Uni break or not, some things don’t wait.”

He smiled, watching her for a moment. “You always work this late?”

“Only when the house is too loud during the day,” she said with a small laugh. “I love your family, really, but it’s like living inside a sitcom.”

He chuckled softly, then rubbed the back of his neck. “Guilty as charged.”

Y/N stood up and walked to the pantry. “Do you want something to help you sleep?”

Oscar raised an eyebrow. “What do you have in mind?”

“Well”, she said, rummaging through a shelf, “I remember from last time that you’re not a tea person.”

“Correct,” he said, leaning against the counter with a smirk. “And coffee keeps me awake for three days straight.”

She pulled out a tin and turned to him. “Hot cocoa it is, then.”

He watched her as she moved around the kitchen, quiet but comfortable. She worked like she had done it a dozen times before, which she had. The milk warmed in a pot on the stove, and the scent of chocolate filled the air. She poured the drinks into two mismatched mugs—hers had a faded cartoon sun on it, and his said World’s Okayest Driver, which Mae had clearly planted for her own amusement.

She handed him the cup and leaned back against the counter again. “There. Chocolate and sugar. The perfect sleep potion.”

Oscar took a sip, then made an exaggerated face. “Wow. You’ve outdone yourself.”

She narrowed her eyes. “That better be sarcasm.”

“Definitely not. This might be the best hot cocoa I’ve ever had at 1 a.m. in a quiet kitchen in Melbourne.”

She rolled her eyes but smiled. “Glad to add that to my résumé.”

There was a beat of silence as they both sipped their drinks, the house still and dim around them. The soft buzz of the fridge and the low hum of the street outside were the only sounds.

Then Oscar looked at her, his expression thoughtful. “So… Have you got someone waiting for you back on the Gold Coast?”

Y/N blinked, a little caught off guard. “You mean like a boyfriend?”

He nodded, swirling the cocoa in his mug.

She shook her head. “Nope. No boyfriend.”

Oscar looked a little too pleased with that answer. “Surprising.”

She gave him a look. “Is it?”

“Yeah. You seem like someone who’d have to beat the guys off with a stick.”

She laughed softly, not flustered but clearly amused. “Well, either I’m intimidating or I’ve just mastered the art of being unapproachable.”

He grinned, resting his elbows on the counter. “I don’t buy that for a second.”

She raised an eyebrow at him. “What about you? Anyone special waiting in some glamorous European city?”

Oscar shook his head. “No girlfriend. Just me and my suitcase.”

She gave a small nod and took another sip of her drink.

There was another pause. Not awkward. Just quiet. Comfortable.

Oscar stayed where he was, leaning against the counter like he had no plans to move anytime soon. His mug sat half-full in his hands, the steam curling in soft spirals into the air. Y/N perched next to him, her bare feet dangling just slightly above the kitchen tiles, her laptop now closed and forgotten beside her.

“I still can’t believe you remember that I don’t drink tea,” he said, glancing at her with a lazy sort of amusement.

She gave him a sideways look. “Why wouldn’t I?”

“I don’t know,” he said, swirling the last of his cocoa. “I just figured you’d have more important things to remember than my weird beverage preferences.”

Y/N shrugged, playing with the hem of her sleeve. “I remember little things. That’s how my brain works.”

“Dangerous”, Oscar said softly, teasingly. “Now I have to be careful what I say around you.”

“Probably,” she replied, a playful smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. “I have an excellent memory.”

He looked at her a second longer than necessary, then tilted his head slightly. “So what else do you remember about me?”

Y/N let out a short laugh, but there was a flicker of awareness in her eyes. “You want a list?”

“Obviously,” he said, grinning. “How else will I know what kind of impression I made?”

She pretended to consider it, taking a sip of cocoa for dramatic effect. “Alright. You always double-knot your shoelaces. You hate olives. You hum when you’re trying to concentrate. And you only ever wear black socks, even with your team kit.”

Oscar blinked, genuinely surprised. “Okay, wow.”

“You asked,” she said with a small shrug, like it was no big deal.

“I don’t even think Mae would get that many right,” he said with a laugh, shaking his head. “That’s… kind of impressive.”

She just smiled again and said nothing.

A comfortable quiet settled between them for a few moments, and Oscar found himself watching her again—how the low kitchen light caught the tips of her lashes, how her sweatshirt sleeves were pulled halfway over her hands, and how calm and natural she looked in this space that was technically not even her home.

“You seem really settled here,” he said quietly.

Y/N looked up, a little surprised by the softness in his tone. “Here in Melbourne?”

He nodded.

She thought about it for a moment. “Yeah. I mean, it’s not permanent or anything. But for now? It feels... good.”

He nodded slowly, watching her fingers tap gently against her mug.

“You kind of blend right in,” he added. “Like you’ve always been part of the house.”

She gave a soft laugh, looking down. “That’s sweet.”

“It’s true,” he said, not looking away. “I think Mum’s more excited about you being here than she is about me.”

“Maybe because I don’t leave my laundry in the hallway,” Y/N teased.

“Harsh, but fair.”

She looked up at him again, and this time their eyes met and held for a beat too long. Something unspoken flickered in the air between them, light but unmistakable.

Oscar cleared his throat and gave her a crooked smile. “So, no boyfriend. Great taste in cocoa. Impressive memory. Still no idea how you’re single.”

She laughed, but her voice was quiet. “That’s a very smooth line.”

“It wasn’t a line,” he said, nudging her foot gently with his. “Just an observation.”

“Well”, she said, standing up and rinsing her mug in the sink, “you might need to work on your delivery.”

Oscar watched her from where he stood, smiling to himself. “Noted.”

Y/N turned off the stove light and looked over her shoulder at him. “You should try to get some sleep.”

He stretched and nodded. “I’ll give it another shot.”

She passed by him on the way to the hallway, but he reached out gently and tapped her hand as she went by. Just once. Just a soft touch.

“Thanks for the cocoa,” he said.

She turned and gave him a small smile. “Anytime.”

Then she walked down the hall, her footsteps soft against the floorboards, leaving Oscar alone in the kitchen, still smiling into his mug.

🪻🪻🪻

The days leading up to Christmas passed in a kind of warm, slow haze. The house was always alive with the sound of laughter, soft music, and Basil’s occasional barking at whatever poor delivery person had dared approach the front door. Y/N had become an easy part of it all, drifting comfortably from kitchen tasks to movie nights, helping wrap presents or keeping Edie entertained while Nicole prepared the next day’s to-do list.

It was a few days before Christmas when Y/N stood in the kitchen with Nicole, both peering over a nearly full shopping list that had been updated and revised a dozen times.

“I can run to the store if you want,” Y/N offered, tying her hair up and reaching for the notepad. “You’ve been juggling way too much all week. I don’t mind grabbing a few things.”

Nicole gave her a grateful smile. “Are you sure, sweetheart? There’s a lot on here, and the shops are chaos this week.”

Y/N nodded. “I’ll survive. I’ll just go early and get in and out.”

From behind them, Oscar’s voice drifted in, casual but firm. “I’ll drive her.”

Y/N turned slightly, surprised. “You don’t have to.”

Oscar shrugged as he reached for a glass from the shelf. “You shouldn’t have to deal with the parking and crowds on your own. Besides, I could use a break from the house.”

Nicole looked amused. “What, already tired of your family?”

Oscar gave her a look that didn’t hide the fondness behind it. “Just trying to stay useful.”

So it was settled. An hour later, Y/N found herself buckling into the passenger seat of his car, grocery list in one hand and her phone in the other. The sky was bright, the air warm but breezy, and the hum of the suburbs buzzed quietly in the background.

She glanced over at him as he adjusted the mirrors. “You really didn’t have to come.”

He didn’t take his eyes off the road as they pulled away from the kerb. “I wanted to.”

They drove in comfortable quiet for a while, the windows down just enough to let in the scent of eucalyptus and the sound of cicadas. Y/N scanned the list again and made a soft noise of disapproval.

“What’s wrong?” Oscar asked, glancing over.

“Nicole wants five different types of cheese. Who needs five types of cheese?”

He grinned. “Mum takes Christmas grazing boards very seriously.”

They made it through the first store with surprising efficiency. Y/N navigated the aisles with purpose, Oscar trailing behind with the basket and throwing in the occasional snack that definitely wasn’t on the list. She didn’t scold him for it, though—just raised an eyebrow and kept walking.

The second stop was a little shop tucked on the corner of a quiet street, where Nicole had said they’d find the last-minute decorations she wanted. The place was already picked over, but Y/N managed to find most of what they needed. Oscar wandered off to a shelf filled with novelty ornaments.

He held up a small kangaroo wearing a Santa hat. “This one feels like it belongs on our tree.”

Y/N looked up from the tinsel. “It’s horrifying.”

“Exactly. A classic.”

They left with the ornament anyway.

On the drive home, Y/N reached into the paper bag between them and pulled out a small packet of chocolate-covered almonds.

“Want one?” she asked, holding it out.

Oscar took one, then another, flashing her a small smile as he leaned back against the seat. The car was quiet again, filled with the soft whirr of the air conditioning and the distant chatter of holiday traffic.

As they drove through the winding suburban streets back toward home, the bags rustling gently in the backseat and sunlight warming the dashboard, the conversation drifted again. This time, Oscar was the one to start it.

“You know,” he said, one hand steady on the wheel and the other resting loosely against his thigh, “Christmas always felt bigger when I was a kid. Not because of the presents or anything, but just… the way the house felt.”

Y/N looked over at him, her cheek propped on her hand. “What do you mean?”

He smiled, just a little. “It was always loud. Like, properly loud. Mum would have the radio on full blast, Dad would be outside trying to hang lights in the worst spots, and Mae would be arguing with someone about tinsel. But the best part was going to Nonna’s.”

Y/N’s expression softened. “Your grandma?”

Oscar nodded. “Great grandma, actually. She lived about an hour from us. Every year, without fail, we’d drive over on Christmas Eve, and she’d have already been baking for days. You could smell it before you even got out of the car.”

“What did she make?”

He let out a small laugh. “Everything. Tiramisu, cannoli, almond biscuits that were somehow both soft and crunchy at the same time… and these little jam-filled thumbprint cookies. I used to steal like five before dinner, and she’d pretend not to notice.”

Y/N smiled at the picture of it. “Sounds like something out of a movie.”

“It kind of was,” he admitted. “The house was tiny and always packed with cousins and uncles and someone’s screaming toddler. But I never wanted to be anywhere else.”

He paused for a moment, watching the road. “She passed away a few years ago, and Christmas felt different after that. Not bad, just quieter.”

There was a silence after that, the kind that felt respectful, not heavy.

“She sounds like someone I would’ve loved to meet,” Y/N said softly.

He glanced at her, grateful. “Yeah. She would’ve liked you too. Especially if you showed up early and helped in the kitchen.”

Y/N smiled again, reaching into the almond packet and handing him another. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

He took it from her fingers, just grazing her hand. “You should. Nonna was tough to impress.”

They fell into a quieter rhythm again, the car humming along and the breeze through the window stirring a few strands of hair across Y/N’s face. She pushed them back behind her ear, and Oscar caught himself glancing at her longer than necessary before turning back to the road.

“Do you ever try baking any of her recipes?” she asked.

“Sometimes,” he said. “Not the same though. Mum tries now and then, but even she says it’s never quite right.”

“We could try one,” Y/N offered. “If you remember the ingredients.”

Oscar gave her a sidelong look, the edge of his mouth lifting. “You want to make jam biscuits with me?”

“Sure. We’ll call it quality bonding time,” she replied, tapping her fingers on the receipt in her lap. “Though I can’t promise anything close to perfection.”

“That’s okay,” he said. “You’re already winning points with the whole family. You don’t need to be a baking prodigy too.”

Y/N raised an eyebrow. “Am I?”

Oscar didn’t hesitate. “Yeah. You are.”

Her gaze lingered on him for a beat, the words settling in her chest more warmly than she expected. She turned her eyes back to the road ahead, trying not to let the small smile tugging at her lips show too much.

🪻🪻🪻

Christmas Eve at the Piastri house had a sort of chaotic charm. Nicole was buzzing between the kitchen and the living room, organising everything with a calm precision that only years of hosting could produce. The tree was glowing softly in the corner, carols playing in the background, and the smell of pine needles and cinnamon floated through the air.

Y/N had offered to help wherever needed, but most tasks had already been claimed. Mae and Edie were wrapping the last of the presents upstairs, Tim was dealing with the outdoor lights that had come undone in the wind, and Nicole had just finished the prep for dinner. That left the kitchen temporarily unoccupied and the perfect window of time for the little plan Oscar had floated earlier in the day.

“You serious about baking Nonna’s biscuits?” Y/N asked as she pulled her hair back into a loose ponytail, already rolling up the sleeves of her linen shirt.

Oscar was flipping through an old, slightly worn recipe book on the counter. “Very. I found her original notes. If we mess it up, at least we’ll have tried.”

“High stakes”, she teased. “Don’t worry. I work well under pressure.”

He smiled, a little crooked, then placed the handwritten card down between them. “All right, chef. Let’s do this.”

They set to work side by side, gathering ingredients, measuring flour, and cracking eggs. There was flour on his cheek within five minutes and sugar dusting the counter like snow. Oscar snuck pieces of dough when Y/N wasn’t looking. She caught him the third time and flicked a bit of flour at him in mock offence, and he responded by dabbing a smear of butter across the back of her hand.

Somewhere between chilling the dough and shaping the little rounds for the baking tray, Oscar leaned back against the counter and said, offhandedly, “You know what would go perfectly with these?”

Y/N raised an eyebrow as she gently pressed her thumb into a biscuit to make space for jam. “What?”

“Homemade vanilla ice cream.”

She blinked. “That’s very specific.”

He grinned. “I used to make it with my dad when I was younger. Thought I’d hate it because it was vanilla, but turns out, it’s kind of unbeatable when it’s done right.”

There was a moment of quiet as she looked at him, then smiled. “All right. Let’s do it.”

Oscar found the ice cream machine tucked at the back of a high cupboard. Y/N prepped the egg yolks and sugar while he handled the cream and milk. The kitchen turned golden in the afternoon light as they stirred the custard base together, laughing over whether it was thick enough, too sweet, or too runny. Y/N insisted on adding an extra splash of vanilla bean paste “for good luck,” and Oscar didn't argue.

As the biscuits baked and the ice cream slowly churned, they stood at the counter, licking spoons and talking quietly.

“I don’t think I’ve ever baked with someone like this before,” Y/N said after a while, her voice soft as she washed the last mixing bowl.

Oscar passed her a clean towel. “Same. It’s kind of nice.”

She nodded, drying her hands, then glanced up at him. “You look like you’ve done this a hundred times.”

He chuckled. “I usually had Dad to boss me around.”

“You don’t seem like the ‘bossed around’ type.”

“Depends on the person,” he said, eyes meeting hers for a beat too long.

And just like that, the door swung open with the cheerful jingle of keys and a gust of cooler air.

Oscar’s grandparents had arrived.

“Smells like heaven in here,” his grandfather announced, stepping into the kitchen with a loud sigh of satisfaction. “Who’s doing all the baking?”

Oscar turned with a grin. “Y/N and I made Nonna’s almond biscuits. We’re trying to do them justice.”

The older man stepped closer, peering over the trays and then at the two of them standing side by side in aprons, slightly flushed from the warmth of the oven and from something else too.

He gave a teasing smirk, eyes twinkling. “Ah, to be young and in love again. Just like your grandparents used to be.”

Y/N felt the heat flood her cheeks so fast it made her dizzy. She glanced at Oscar, who looked equally caught off guard.

From behind them, Mae’s voice cut through with a flat, “Ew. Like that would ever happen.”

Oscar shot her a look. “Thank you for the support.”

Mae smirked. “Just keeping you humble.”

Y/N laughed it off, brushing flour off her jumper, but her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes after that. The comment had been said so casually, and yet it settled in her chest in a way she didn’t like. Maybe Mae thought of it as a joke. Maybe she didn’t mean anything by it. But still, Y/N couldn’t shake the feeling as she turned back to the biscuits that if Mae ever found out about her quiet crush on Oscar, it might not be met with encouragement.

Oscar must’ve sensed the shift in her mood. He leaned closer, voice low, “Ignore her. She says that about everyone.”

Y/N smiled again, smaller this time. “Yeah. It’s fine.”

Oscar quickly introduced his baking partner to his grandparents, who simply adored her even more when they found out she was best friends with Mae.

Christmas Day at the Piastri household unfolded in a way Y/N had never quite experienced before. Back home, Christmas had always meant frosty mornings, wool socks, and cups of spiced cider. But here in Melbourne, it was all golden skies, the scent of sunscreen, and the distant hum of cicadas.

She’d woken up to the sound of Nicole bustling in the kitchen and Basil’s paws clicking excitedly against the hardwood floor. Mae had dragged her out of bed half-asleep and handed her a Santa hat before she’d even brushed her teeth. The backyard had already been transformed—long tables set up beneath a shade cloth, fairy lights strung across the fence, the esky filled with cold drinks, and platters of fresh prawns, mango salad, and pavlova lined up on the counter.

It was, without a doubt, a proper Aussie Christmas.

By midmorning, the house was filled to the brim with extended family—cousins running through the garden with water balloons, uncles gathering around the barbecue, aunts clinking glasses of bubbly and cooing over Basil, who wore a little green bow tie just for the occasion.

Y/N had barely had a moment to breathe. Nicole’s sisters had taken a liking to her almost immediately, dragging her into their conversations and insisting she try their famous trifle. Oscar’s younger cousins kept offering her candy canes and showing her TikToks. And at some point, his Nonno took her aside and told her, quite seriously, that she had “the best hands for biscuit-making he’d seen since his wife”.

She laughed through all of it, genuinely enjoying the chaos, but she couldn’t help noticing that she hadn’t really spoken to Oscar at all.

He was everywhere and nowhere all at once, carrying chairs out to the backyard, refilling drinks, and helping Mae untangle a string of stubborn lights. Each time their eyes met across the yard or the kitchen, there’d be a look, gentle and knowing, but before either could cross the distance, someone would pull one of them away again.

By the time the sun dipped low enough for dinner to be served, the sky turning lavender above the rooftop, everyone was hungry, sun-drenched, and a little sticky from the heat. The tables were filled with roast chicken, glazed ham, more prawns, and colourful salads, while bowls of cranberry sauce and gravy were passed around in between laughter and clinking glasses.

Y/N emerged from the kitchen, carrying a basket of dinner rolls, scanning for a seat.

Oscar was already at the table, but instead of being deep in conversation like usual, he was oddly… quiet. More specifically, he was guarding the empty chair to his right like it was a national treasure.

Aunt Sandra tried to sit down beside him, but he quickly shook his head. “Sorry, this one’s taken.”

“By who?” she asked, lifting a brow.

He just smiled. “You’ll see.”

When Y/N finally made her way toward the table, Oscar stood up immediately.

“Here,” he said, taking the basket from her hands and pulling out the chair beside him, holding it in place as she sat down. She gave him a small, amused look but didn’t say anything, brushing her hair behind her ear as he slid the chair in.

“Smooth,” she murmured under her breath.

Oscar just gave her an exaggerated shrug. “I try.”

The moment was subtle, almost too casual to be noticed.

Almost.

Because, of course, his grandfather noticed.

“Would you look at that?” he said from further down the table, his voice warm and just loud enough to carry. “Back in my day, if you pulled a chair out like that, it meant you were trying to impress someone.”

Oscar glanced up, startled. Y/N froze mid-reach for the water jug.

The table erupted into laughter.

Mae groaned, practically sinking into her seat. “Can we not do this again?”

Y/N, cheeks burning, stared down at her napkin. Oscar rubbed the back of his neck, muttering, “Thanks, Grandpa,” under his breath, but he was laughing too, albeit a little shyly.

Nicole, ever the peacemaker, clapped her hands. “All right, enough teasing, everyone. Let them eat in peace.”

But the mood had already lightened, and the glances between Oscar and Y/N carried a new weight. They both focused on their plates, on the ham and potatoes and fresh salad, pretending nothing had happened.

Yet under the table, their knees brushed lightly, once, then again. Neither moved away. And even as the chatter resumed and the plates emptied, neither of them stopped smiling.

However, one thing still replayed in Y/N’s mind, like a broken record: Mae didn’t like the idea of them together, and it really freaked her out.

🪻🪻🪻

The house had quieted in that soft, comforting way it only does after a long, perfect day. Dishes were done, leftovers packed away in foil, lights dimmed one by one until only the faint golden glow of the fairy lights strung across the backyard remained.

Y/N stepped out through the sliding door, barefoot, a sweater draped loosely over her sundress. The grass was cool beneath her feet, and the air carried the gentle scent of eucalyptus and the last whispers of roast and cinnamon. She hugged her arms around herself as she crossed the lawn to the two chairs that sat under the gum tree, just far enough from the house to feel like a secret.

Oscar was already there, holding two steaming mugs in his hands.

“I figured you’d still be up,” he said, standing to pass one to her. His voice was low, warm in the still night.

“You know me so well,” she teased, accepting the cup. Her fingers brushed his briefly.

“Hot cocoa”, he added, sitting back down beside her. “Didn’t trust you not to spike anything.”

Y/N smiled softly. “Appreciate the thoughtfulness.”

They both leaned back in their chairs, sipping slowly, letting the quiet settle between them. The stars were bright above, clean and clear, and the moon hung low and heavy in the sky. From somewhere far off came the low hum of cicadas and the rustling of a breeze through the trees.

“You had everyone wrapped around your finger today,” Oscar said, glancing at her with a soft smirk.

Y/N laughed, tucking her knees up onto the chair. “I think your aunt wants to adopt me.”

“I wouldn’t be surprised. You crushed the trifle review.”

They sat in easy silence for a while. Basil wandered out briefly, tail wagging, before curling up on the deck, content.

“You were really good with your little cousins,” she said eventually. “That little girl, Isla? She thinks you’re a superhero.”

Oscar chuckled, looking down. “She thinks I drive rocket ships.”

“Don’t you?” she teased.

“Something like that.”

There was something in his smile that lingered, gentle and almost private. Like he was looking at her in a way he hadn’t allowed himself to earlier in the day.

Y/N shifted in her seat, the cocoa warming her from the inside. Her eyes flicked toward him, then away. “It’s kind of crazy,” she said softly, staring at the grass. “Just how welcome I’ve felt here. Even with everything. It’s not something I’ve always been used to.”

Oscar didn’t say anything immediately. She turned to look at him and found him already watching her.

The intensity in his gaze stopped her breath for a second. His mug rested on his thigh now, forgotten.

“What?” she asked, a half-laugh escaping her throat.

He shook his head a little. “Nothing. Just listening.”

But he wasn’t just listening. His eyes flicked over her features, soft and slow. The curve of her cheek, the line of her jaw, and the way a curl of hair rested against her collarbone. She felt it, like the world had narrowed to just this moment.

Still, some part of her hesitated.

Mae’s voice echoed again, that dismissive, teasing “Ew. Like that would ever happen.” And maybe she hadn’t meant anything; maybe it was just her way. But it lodged itself somewhere in Y/N’s chest like a quiet warning.

Oscar leaned in a little, resting his elbow against the arm of the chair so his face was closer to hers. His voice was quieter now.

“Do you know how hard it was to get two minutes alone with you today?”

She blinked. “You didn’t exactly try.”

“I did,” he said. “You just had a very persistent fan club.”

That made her laugh again, and something shifted in her chest, loosening.

“I liked watching you,” he added. “With my family. You fit here.”

She felt her breath hitch a little, just barely.

“I’ve never really fit anywhere,” she murmured.

“You do here.”

She looked at him again then, fully, her features soft in the pale light. “You’re staring,” she whispered, her voice unsure, almost teasing.

He didn’t answer. He just leaned forward more slowly now, giving her time to stop him, to pull back.

She didn’t.

And then, just like that, the air between them snapped.

He leaned in without hesitation this time. His hand came up, brushing her jaw with a tenderness that made her skin burn. Their lips met, not gently, not cautiously, but with weeks of tension unravelling all at once.

It was a kiss that stole her breath.

His other hand found her waist as he leaned closer, their cocoa mugs long forgotten in the grass. Her fingers curled around the front of his shirt, tugging him toward her without thinking, only feeling. Her whole body hummed with something between relief and wanting.

The way he kissed her, it was like he’d been waiting, aching, trying to be patient for too long. It was all unspoken things and sidelong glances, bottled up until now, pouring out with the press of his mouth on hers.

When he finally pulled back, it was just enough to breathe. His forehead rested against hers, and his chest rose and fell like he was trying to steady himself.

“I’ve wanted this,” he said quietly, almost like a confession. “Since the moment I met you. I didn’t even know why, but I couldn’t stop thinking about you.”

Y/N blinked at him, stunned, her lips still tingling, her heart slamming against her ribs.

Oscar looked at her again, and then he kissed her like he meant to imprint her into memory.

This one was hungrier. His hand slipped up, tangling into her hair, and she let out a soft sound against his mouth before pressing closer, her fingers dragging across the back of his neck. His touch was warm and steady, his lips moving against hers with a certainty that made her dizzy.

When they finally slowed, breathless and flushed, she pulled back just far enough to see his face. His lips were red, his hair tousled from her hands, and his eyes—God, his eyes—were still locked on her, like nothing else existed.

Because somewhere in the haze of it all, Mae’s voice returned. That thoughtless laugh, the sarcastic scoff. “Ew. Like that would ever happen.” And now, in the silence following the kiss, it pressed down on Y/N’s chest like a stone.

Oscar's hand was still cradling her jaw, his thumb brushing just beneath her ear. His forehead rested gently against hers, his breathing slowing in tandem with hers. He hadn’t let go, hadn’t stepped back. He still looked at her like she was the only thing that mattered.

But her heart was thudding in panic now, not just from the kiss.

She pulled back a little. Just enough for him to notice.

“What’s wrong?” he asked softly, brows knitting together.

Y/N took a step back, eyes downcast. “I can’t… we can’t… I’m sorry.”

Oscar blinked, still frozen in place, clearly not understanding. “Wait, what do you mean?”

She shook her head, already hating the words she hadn’t even formed yet. Her arms wrapped tightly around herself, more from protection than cold. “I just… It’s not possible. You and me.”

He took a hesitant step toward her, his voice quieter now. “Did I do something wrong?”

“No,” she whispered. “God, no. You’ve been… amazing.”

“Then why—”

“I just… I can’t explain it,” she said quickly, voice breaking. “I wish things were different, Oscar. I really do. But they’re not.”

And she turned.

She walked back toward the house with quick, uneven steps, her hand trembling as she slid the glass door open. The cocoa mugs still sat abandoned on the grass.

Oscar didn’t follow right away. He stood there in the dark, lips parted like he was about to say something but didn’t.

Y/N’s feet padded across the kitchen tiles. Her throat was tight, eyes already stinging. She didn’t stop until she reached the guest room door. She slipped inside, turned the lock, and leaned her back against it, letting the tears fall.

It wasn’t loud. No sobs. Just silent crying, like all of it had built up behind her ribs and now had nowhere else to go.

She slid down the door, knees tucked to her chest, and pressed her palm against her mouth to muffle the sound.

She had kissed him. She had wanted him. And now she had walked away.

Because Mae’s voice still rang in her head. Like that would ever happen. Because she didn’t know what it would do to Mae if something did happen. Because she didn’t know if she could handle being the girl who ruined things.

On the other side of the door, Oscar stood in the hallway, staring at the wood between them. He could hear nothing. No movement. No breath. Just silence.

And it hit him: whatever had just happened out there, however perfect it felt, it wasn’t just about him.

He leaned his forehead against the door once, gently. His heart ached with confusion, with disappointment, with that slow bloom of rejection that felt heavier because it hadn’t been angry. It had been sad.

Neither of them slept that night.

🪻🪻🪻

The house had shifted into a strange sort of quiet in the days following Christmas. The tree still sparkled in the corner of the living room, tinsel and baubles glittering with the last golden traces of the holiday season, but the warmth that had filled the air was now threaded with something quieter. Something heavier.

Y/N hadn’t spoken to Oscar since that night in the backyard.

Not a word. Not even a glance that lasted longer than a second.

She couldn’t trust herself to do it. Every time she even felt his presence in the same room, her chest tightened and her stomach sank. Because it wasn’t just guilt anymore. It was missing him, aching for something she’d told herself she wasn’t allowed to have. Wanting to talk to him, laugh with him, and just be near him without everything falling apart in her mind. But she knew herself too well. She wouldn’t survive another soft look or tender word from him, not when she had already chosen to walk away.

Oscar had tried, at first. His knock on her door that morning, the way he stood near her in the kitchen a few times hoping she’d say something, anything. But when it became clear she was holding back—not out of anger, but something else entirely—he gave up. Or maybe he just stopped hoping she’d let him in.

He never confronted her about it. Never pushed. That was the worst part. Because he had only ever been gentle with her, patient even when she didn’t deserve it.

So instead, they moved around each other like ghosts in the same house. Close enough to feel, far enough to pretend.

Now, it was New Year’s Eve, and the afternoon sun burnt bright and high over the roof. The windows were open, letting in a breeze that barely cooled the warmth lingering through the halls. Upstairs, the girls had started getting ready early, even though they wouldn’t be heading out until much later.

Y/N sat cross-legged in front of Mae’s vanity, curling her hair in slow, careful motions. Her lips were tinted with a soft gloss, her makeup half done. The room smelt like dry shampoo, vanilla-scented body mist, and faint anxiety.

Mae, applying glittery eyeliner in the mirror, paused and glanced at her.

“You okay?”

Y/N blinked, startled out of her thoughts. “Yeah. Just tired.”

Mae raised a brow, clearly not buying it. “Tired, my ass. You’ve been walking around like a Victorian widow all week.”

Y/N laughed under her breath, but it didn’t reach her eyes.

Mae didn’t press, but she did turn around and sit cross-legged behind her on the bed. “Alright. Then I’m officially dragging you out with us tonight. You need to dance. Or at the very least, wear something sparkly and drink something fruity.”

Y/N smiled faintly. “You just want me to be your buffer again.”

“Obviously. But also, it’s New Year’s. If I have to spend it pretending to enjoy bad house music and overpriced drinks, you’re doing it with me.”

Y/N gave a quiet nod, letting herself lean into the distraction, grateful that Mae cared enough to try.

Down the hallway, Oscar sat in the living room, one leg bent under him on the couch, phone forgotten beside him as he stared out at nothing.

His ears caught the distant buzz of a hairdryer and the muffled laughter of Mae singing along to a song he couldn’t quite make out. But what he noticed more than anything was her voice. Y/N’s voice. Soft, quieter than the others, but unmistakable. It sent a dull ache through him every time he heard it, every time he remembered the way it had broken when she told him they couldn’t.

And yet, he couldn’t help himself.

He rose from the couch, walked quietly to the hallway, and leaned against the doorframe to Mae’s room, keeping out of sight.

She was sitting in front of the mirror again, now smoothing a shimmer of eyeshadow across her lids, her lips slightly parted in focus. The way she held herself had changed in the last week, shoulders more guarded, smile less easy. But she was still beautiful. Devastatingly so. And when she tilted her chin up to fix a strand of hair behind her ear, Oscar felt that familiar twist in his stomach.

God, he missed her.

It wasn’t just the kiss or the way her fingers had felt against his jaw. It was her voice in the kitchen in the mornings. Her smile when she teased him across the dinner table. The comfort of just knowing she was around.

And now she was right there, just metres away, but unreachable.

Mae laughed suddenly, tossing a sequin dress at Y/N’s lap, and Oscar stepped back quickly, careful not to be seen.

He retreated to the kitchen, hands deep in his hoodie pocket, his expression blank. When Nicole passed him a bowl of fruit to cover with cling film, she frowned softly at the faraway look in his eyes.

“You’re not going out with the girls tonight?”

He shook his head. “Nah. Not really in the mood.”

She didn’t ask why.

Upstairs, Y/N slipped into her dress and stared at herself in the mirror. She looked fine. She looked like herself. But nothing about tonight felt right. Not with Oscar staying behind. Not with his face flashing through her mind every time she blinked.

Still, she picked up her clutch, put on her earrings, and forced another smile when Mae called her beautiful.

Because what else could she do?

Some hearts break loudly. Hers was breaking in quiet.

🪻🪻🪻


The music thumped hard enough to rattle Y/N’s chest, the pulse of the club vibrating under her feet as lights strobed across the packed dance floor. People were everywhere, laughing, shouting, drinking, and clinking glasses. Couples kissed with abandon in dark corners, arms wrapped around each other like the year wouldn’t end unless they were holding tight enough. The air smelt like perfume, sweat, and champagne.

Mae was in her element. She was already on her second drink, dancing with a group of strangers who had somehow become friends in the space of three songs. Edie and Hattie were nearby too, shouting lyrics and twirling each other around.

But Y/N just stood by the bar, fingers wrapped around a glass of soda water that had long gone flat. She was trying. She was dressed up, surrounded by music and energy and friends, trying to shake the weight that had taken root inside her all week.

It didn’t work.

Everywhere she looked, people were celebrating. Holding hands. Kissing cheeks. Whispering things in each other’s ears that made their faces light up. And all she could think about was the look on Oscar’s face in the backyard. The way he’d whispered, “I’ve wanted this for so long.” The way her name had sounded in his mouth like it meant more than just a name.

She missed him.

God, she missed him in a way that felt too big to carry. But she had convinced herself there was no other way. That she had made the right choice for Mae. For herself. That nothing could come from it, not when it risked someone she loved like family.

And still, she couldn’t stop aching for him.

She set her drink down and excused herself from Mae’s latest attempt to drag her to the dance floor and moved toward the patio of the club where it was quieter and cooler. The stars blinked above in the inky summer sky, and in the distance, she could already hear people counting down the minutes until midnight.

She leaned against the railing, taking a shaky breath, wondering if it would ever stop hurting.

Back at the house, Oscar sat on the couch, a bowl of popcorn beside him and some rerun playing on the TV. He wasn’t even sure what it was—some sitcom with terrible lighting and actors with too-white teeth talking about missed chances and how sometimes life didn’t give you more than one.

He’d barely touched the popcorn.

The house was too quiet without the girls around. Too still. Even Basil had fallen asleep at the foot of the couch, unmoving.

Oscar’s gaze lingered on the television, but his thoughts were miles away.

March. He kept thinking back to March.

The first time he saw her. She had been sitting under that striped McLaren umbrella, sipping water and looking a little overwhelmed by the noise of the paddock. He had walked up to her and introduced himself, and she had blinked up at him like she wasn’t sure if he was real. And then she’d laughed at one of his dumb jokes and asked him if he liked chocolate or vanilla better. It was stupid, really. But it had stuck with him.

All of it had.

Her voice. Her smile. Her ridiculous obsession with cheese toasties. The way she always triple-checked if Basil’s water bowl was full. The quiet way she listened when other people spoke. The loud way she laughed when she forgot to hold back.

He hadn’t just liked her.

He might’ve fallen in love.

And now she was out there. With someone else, maybe. At some crowded club with too many people and not enough space. Counting down the seconds until midnight, surrounded by strangers, and he wasn’t there.

He looked back at the TV. One of the characters was staring out a window, whispering something about not letting another year pass without trying.

Oscar blinked.

Then he stood up.

The keys were still on the side table. He grabbed them.

Basil lifted his head just as Oscar passed, like even the dog could tell something was happening.

He didn’t know what he was going to say when he saw her. Didn’t know if she’d even let him get close. But he wasn’t going to let the year end without trying.

He started the car, heart pounding, hope rising like a tide in his chest.

She had run away from him once.

But he wasn’t letting her go again.

The club was buzzing when Oscar stepped through the doors, the thrum of bass hitting him like a wave. The lights danced across the crowd, glittering off sequins and sweat, and the air inside was thick with the scent of cheap cologne, spilt drinks, and anticipation.

He hadn’t been in a place like this in a long time; he hated how impersonal it felt, how loud, how messy, but his eyes swept over every face, every corner, every cluster of people in search of one thing. One person.

Then he saw her.

Across the room, under a gold streamer banner that read HAPPY NEW YEAR, she stood leaning lightly against a high-top table, a half-finished drink in her hand, her eyes slightly distant, like she was there but not really. Her hair had curled softly from the humidity, and the string lights overhead gave her skin a soft glow that made Oscar stop for just a second to catch his breath.

But then he saw him.

Some guy, tall and cocky in that lazy, beer-fuelled kind of way, swaggered over to her, clearly emboldened by liquid confidence. Oscar couldn’t hear what he said over the music, but he saw the way the guy leaned in too close, flashing a grin like he thought he had a chance.

Oscar’s heart sank, a strange tightness pulling across his chest.

She smiled back. Polite. Patient.

Then she gently shook her head.

The guy tried again, saying something else, maybe asking her to dance. But she just gave him that same tired smile, soft and apologetic, and held a hand up in a small wave that clearly meant no, thank you. He said something else with a shrug, but she turned away, facing her drink again, her smile fading the moment her back was to him.

Oscar exhaled, his body loosening slightly. He hadn’t even realised he’d been holding that breath.

Just then the DJ’s voice rang out through the speakers, booming and excited.

“Alright, folks, we’re five minutes out! Five minutes to midnight! Find someone to kiss, hold on tight, and say goodbye to the old year in style!”

The lights dimmed to a soft amber glow, bathing the room in warmth.

People started pairing off, couples laughing and clinking glasses, pulling each other closer. Friends gathered in circles, already starting countdowns and toasts. The energy shifted to something more tender, more electric.

Y/N stood in the middle of it all, alone with her drink, her eyes downcast.

Oscar didn’t hesitate.

He wove through the crowd, dodging people, bumping shoulders, his eyes never leaving her. His pulse thundered in his ears with every step. He didn’t care that he was wearing old sneakers or that he’d probably broken at least three traffic rules getting there. All that mattered was the girl standing there looking like she didn’t realise how much she was being missed.

By him.

As the countdown to midnight crept closer, he finally reached her, his voice quiet but sure as he said her name.

She looked up at the sound of her name, startled. Her brows lifted, and for a second her lips parted as if she weren’t quite sure he was real.

“Oscar?”

He was slightly out of breath, cheeks tinged pink from the rush, hair a little windswept. He looked completely out of place in a room full of sequins and stilettos, wearing a black tee and jeans, holding the weight of too many unspoken words in his eyes.

“I came here to talk to you,” he said, stepping closer so she could hear him over the hum of the music and the building excitement around them.

Her eyes darted around, at the crowd, at the people who were slowly gathering in pairs as the countdown ticked nearer. She shook her head, her voice strained. “You shouldn’t have come. You should go. Please.”

He stepped closer, brows furrowed, confused. “Why?”

“Because this… this is exactly what shouldn’t happen,” she said, words tumbling out before she could stop them. “Because Mae—Mae would hate it. She’s your sister. She’s my best friend. This whole thing would just make everything messy and weird, and I know she joked about it like it could never happen, and I laughed too, but it’s not funny; it’s not okay. Even if I liked you—”

She froze.

Oscar tilted his head slightly. “Even if you what?”

Her mouth opened and closed, but it was too late to backpedal.

“Even if I liked you,” she repeated, quieter this time. “It wouldn’t matter. Because it wouldn’t work out. Mae matters too much. You matter too much. And I’ve already ruined things enough, haven’t I?”

The confession hung in the air, raw and unguarded, and the weight of it pulled at both of them.

Oscar let out a slow breath. He took another step forward, close enough now that she had to tilt her head to meet his eyes.

“I don’t care,” he said simply.

She blinked. “What?”

“I don’t care,” he said again, firmer. “Not about the rules you think exist or what you think Mae might say. You think she wouldn’t want me to be happy? Or you to be? You think she wouldn’t understand, eventually, that two people who care about each other might be worth it?”

Y/N’s lips parted, but no words came.

“I’m not going,” he said simply. His tone wasn’t loud, but it was steady. Clear. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“Oscar…” she began, but he was already speaking again, like if he didn’t let it out now, it might crush him from the inside.

“I know you said it couldn’t be anything. I know you said it wasn’t possible. And maybe it isn’t; maybe you’re right. Maybe there are rules, or loyalties, or whatever it is that made you run that night. But I can’t pretend anymore. I can’t go into another year pretending I don’t feel what I feel for you.”

She stood there frozen, mouth slightly open, her glass hanging limply in her hand.

He swallowed, hard, the emotions in his chest crowding his words. “I’ve liked you since the second I met you. Since March. Since you looked at me with those eyes and asked me if I would do a shoey if I won. It sounds stupid, but I think I knew then. And every day since, it’s only gotten worse. Or better. Depending on how you look at it.”

The crowd had started to buzz louder now, the final stretch approaching, but he didn’t care.

“I can’t hide it anymore. I don’t want to. I want to spend New Year’s with you. Every New Year’s. And Christmas. And practically every other holiday. I want to wake up knowing I get to talk to you. I want to hear about your classes and your ridiculous overuse of Google Docs. I want to bring you cocoa when you’re working late and listen to you hum when you’re concentrating and fight over the last biscuit even though I’d always let you have it.”

Her eyes were shining now, lips parted, chest rising and falling with every shaky breath.

“I don’t care how messy it is. I don’t care what we have to work through. All I know is I don’t want to spend another year, another day, another second pretending I’m okay not loving you.”

And then, quieter, just for her:

“Because I do. I love you.”

The countdown erupted around them.

Ten… Nine… Eight…

He looked at her, really looked, like she was the only one in the room. Her eyes glistened, wide with disbelief and something dangerously close to hope.

Seven… Six… Five…

He took a step closer.

Four… Three…

“If you tell me to walk away, I will,” he whispered. “But I’ll still mean every word I just said.”

Two… One…

The room burst into cheers.

Confetti shot into the air. Champagne fizzed. People screamed and kissed and laughed and danced.

As the clock struck twelve and the club burst into noise and glitter and the metallic scent of fireworks, she didn’t say a word.

Instead, she kissed him.

She dropped her drink onto the table behind her without even looking, stepped forward, and reached up to pull him down to her. And when their lips met, it was nothing like the soft, hesitant brush from that night in the backyard. This was immediate. Fierce. A collision of everything they had held back for too long.

Oscar kissed her like he’d been waiting for this exact moment since the day they met. His hands found her waist, pulling her flush against him as her fingers curled into the back of his neck, drawing him down further, deeper. It was like they were making up for lost time, for all the stolen glances, the almosts, the words neither of them had dared say.

She clutched at the front of his shirt, and he smiled into the kiss, only pulling back for the briefest second, his forehead pressed to hers, breathless. “Took you long enough.”

Y/N swatted at his chest, trying not to grin. “Shut up.”

He kissed her again, more playful this time, his thumb brushing along her jaw. The air around them buzzed with music and confetti and cheers, but it all melted away, like they were existing in a bubble of their own.

“I’m not letting you disappear on me again,” he murmured against her mouth.

“Good,” she whispered back, her voice trembling from how much her heart was racing. “Because I don’t think I want to.”

His hand slid down her back, teasing, familiar, and she gasped against his lips.

“You sure about that?” he teased, dipping his head to kiss the edge of her jaw, slow and deliberate.

Y/N gave a breathless laugh, tugging him back up by the collar. “I’m the one kissing you, aren’t I?”

“More than kissing,” he murmured, pressing another slow, dizzying kiss to her lips.

It was everything they hadn’t let themselves feel. All the tension and affection, the pining, the wonder of something forbidden finally coming undone in the loudest, most beautiful way.

And as confetti fell around them and strangers kissed and danced in celebration of the new year, Oscar held her like she was the only resolution he ever wanted to make.

🪻🪻🪻

The university lawn buzzed with excitement, the late-afternoon sun casting a soft golden glow over rows of folding chairs, cameras flashing, mortarboards flying, and families cheering far too loudly for their own good.

Y/N stood off to the side with Mae, both of them in their gowns and tassels, clutching their degrees and grinning from ear to ear. Their faces were flushed from the heat and from the sheer emotion of it all. They’d done it. They’d actually done it.

Oscar stood just a few steps away, surrounded by his parents, sisters, and even Y/N’s mum and dad, who had flown in a few days earlier and were now deep in conversation with Nicole about travel itineraries. Everyone had hit it off so well it felt almost suspiciously easy.

When Oscar caught Y/N’s eye, he gave her the biggest, brightest grin; lifting his camera to snap yet another picture. She rolled her eyes but smiled anyway, her cheeks hurting from how much she’d been doing that all day.

Mae bumped her shoulder. “If he takes one more photo of you, I swear I’m staging an intervention.”

Y/N laughed. “He’s just excited.”

“He’s obsessed,” Mae corrected, mock-gagging. “Which, like, ew—but fine, I’ll allow it. I guess the two of you have grown on me or whatever.”

After that night, after the confetti and champagne and all the unspoken feelings finally pouring out, everything shifted. But not in the overwhelming, terrifying way she once feared. Instead, it had felt natural, like tipping over into something she had been dancing around for far too long.

Oscar had made it easy. He had been patient with her, never pushing too far or too fast. They’d taken their time, quietly and confidently building something real between the ordinary chaos of uni life and the occasional chaos of his travel schedule. He visited her on campus, brought her snacks during study weeks, sat with her on the library floor when her laptop crashed mid-assignment, and FaceTimed her from hotel rooms when he was away.

She met his friends. He met hers. She attended all the race weekends she could manage, and when Oscar ended up on the podium for each of them, she claimed it was because she was his lucky charm.

They went on little weekend trips when they could, explored sleepy towns along the coast, and fell into a rhythm that made sense to no one more than it did to them.

By April, she had introduced him to her parents. He had been nervous, visibly so, but won them over within an hour, probably somewhere between helping her mum with the dishes and chatting cricket with her dad. Her parents adored him, and even her younger sister, who never liked anyone, had declared Oscar ��cool enough”.

And as for Mae, well, Mae had taken some time. At first, she had reacted with a theatrical gasp and an intense interrogation session that included far too many threats. But somewhere between seeing them steal each other’s fries and catching them watching late-night movies on the couch in matching socks, Mae slowly began to soften. Now, she tolerated their PDA with exaggerated gags and pointed stares, but she also always had a smile behind it.

From a few feet away, Oscar called out, “Can I steal the graduate for a second?”

Mae lifted her hands in mock surrender. “All yours, lover boy.”

Y/N walked over, but Oscar met her halfway, reaching for her hand and pulling her gently toward the quieter edge of the lawn, near the rows of flowering jacaranda trees.

Once they were alone, he came up behind her, looping his arms around her waist and resting his chin gently on the top of her head. She exhaled slowly, leaning back into him.

“Hi,” she whispered.

“Hi,” he murmured, his voice warm and soft. “I’m so proud of you.”

She felt his chest rise and fall behind her, steady and grounding. She closed her eyes, letting the moment settle between them.

“You’ve worked so hard. I’ve seen every late night, every panic spiral, and every twelve-hour study session with no breaks. You did it. And you still managed to be the most incredible person I know while doing it.”

She turned slightly to look up at him, only just, her heart swelling at the earnestness in his eyes.

“I love you,” she said, voice barely more than a breath.

His arms tightened around her. “I love you too,” he said without hesitation, without doubt. “So much.”

He kissed her softly, letting the words settle between them, and then—

“Ugh! Do you guys have to do that here?” Mae’s voice rang out from across the lawn, disgusted and familiar.

Y/N pulled back, about to laugh and move away, but Oscar grinned and said, “Oh, we absolutely have to.”

Then he kissed her again. Deliberately. With both hands cupping her face and enough drama to make Mae start gagging theatrically.

“You’re the worst!” Mae yelled through her hands. “There are children around!”

“We’re twenty-two, Mae,” Y/N called back between giggles, “You’ll survive.”

Oscar just laughed and kissed her forehead before taking her hand in his.

They made their way back to the group, where Nicole had already pulled out her phone to snap more photos and was pretending not to notice the dramatic sighs Mae was letting out, but Y/N didn’t care.

A year ago, she never would’ve imagined this. But now? Now it felt like the most natural thing in the world.

Her heart was full. Her degree was in her hands. And Oscar was right beside her, exactly where she wanted him.

jeepers. we’ve really done it now mr. krabs. hope u loved the req anon, and as always send any more whenever you’d like!!

[maliciouscottonball]

Surprise Houseguests

Platonic Yandere! Autobots x GN! Human! Reader

Wordcount: 3877

AN: This oneshot has some required listening but I promise it’s worth it! Optimus has an amazing voice and I love him. No one can convince me that the Autobots don’t love yapping in their native language when they have the chance. My beloved @foolphenomenon beta read this one for me too so thank you to them!!!

TW: Soft yandere behavior, Ironhide and Wheeljack deciding that the best home defense system is a home offense system, mention of taxes, light stalking, boundaries being enforced, silly alien robots being silly and only mildly creepy

♡♡♡

Optimus hadn’t expected to be offered a place to stay by a tiny human. He had thought that the Autobots were alone in the parking lot of an abandoned factory. The team was discussing where to recharge for the night when Optimus caught a glimpse of you peeking out from a broken window on the first floor. You ducked down but it was futile after you both locked eyes. He had gently called out to you, wanting you to see that they didn’t mean any harm, even if they looked intimidating. 

“It is alright, little human. We mean you no harm. You are safe with us. Please come out so that we may see you better.” He said in a soft tone.

You slowly peeked back out, figuring that it was useless to run from giants. You were surprised by how kind the tallest bot was and glanced around at the rest of them. When you realized that none of them looked unfriendly, you slowly exited the building and stood near the door, ready to dart back to cover if anything went sideways. The disarming body language and kind tone made you feel more like a kid getting caught with their hand in a cookie jar rather than an adult listening in on giant alien robots but you weren’t about to take any chances.

“Um… I’m sorry for listening in. I didn’t mean to. Well, I did but that’s because I’ve never seen anything like you guys…! I feel bad about it though. It was rude of me. You can park outside my house if you want to…! My closest neighbor is about a mile away so there’s more privacy than here. You’ll be able to walk around instead of just driving!” You chattered nervously.

Optimus raised an eyebrow. He hadn’t expected an eavesdropper to be so polite. You were so little and you seemed so sweet. He looked thoughtful as he examined you. You were dirty from what he later learned was an exploration trip inside the abandoned factory. The fabric you wore was dark in color, which he assumed was for a form of camouflage in the dark building. Despite the dirt, your eyes were bright and curious. Your friendliness didn’t seem to be an act and you were such a small thing that you couldn’t cause much harm.

Optimus agreed and the Autobots followed you to your home through heavily wooded back roads. You were true to your word and you were surprisingly welcomingly to them. There’s a meadow near your home where the bots eagerly began setting up to rest for the night. You said your goodnights to the strange aliens and went into the small farmhouse. It was more of a cabin than anything else and you had made it very cozy over the years. There was a single bedroom, a miniscule kitchen and dining room, and a singular bathroom. You had finished washing your face and changing into pajamas and were now curling up under your covers. You felt surprisingly calm for having giant metal aliens outside. 

You were dozing off when there was a quiet tapping on your window. You thought that it was just a branch or a particularly determined bug and snuggled back into the comfortable warmth when you heard it again. You got out of bed and rubbed your bleary eyes as you walked the short distance from your bed to the window. You opened your curtains and were startled into full alertness when there was a giant face mere feet away from you, causing your formerly sleepy eyes to be all but blasted with blue light from the mech’s optics.

You quickly open the window and step back as you look up at him. You recognize the mech as the leader of the group. He was squatting down as he looked down at you through the window. He 

“I wished to speak to you, human. I can see that you were attempting to recharge but I feel that the topic is important enough to interrupt you.”

☆☆☆

Optimus smiled as he watched you fall asleep. He wasn't one to admit it but he found humans to be adorable. Your respiratory patterns changed to become slower and deeper while you rested and he enjoyed the mellow and relaxed look on your face. He was glad that his voice was calming enough to soothe you to sleep. He was also grateful that your window was large and your bed was close to the window. He carefully reached through the open window with two digits, delicately tucking your blanket up to your chin and petting the top of your hair a few times.

After that, Optimus did his best to close your window and quietly walked up to Jazz. Optimus had been close with Jazz for milenia and it showed in their comfortable interactions. Optimus transformed into his alt mode and settled into the spot between Jazz and Ratchet. He always recharged more easily and efficiently when he was near his closest friends. After a moment, he rumbled softly to the mech on watch.

“The human is asleep. We are very fortunate. I do not recall any interactions with any humans quite so sweet.” He said quietly to Jazz.

“You're telling me. I didn't think the tiny thing would apologize, let alone give us somewhere to stay.” Jazz responded. He wasn't a high strung mech and he could definitely appreciate good company and a comfortable recharge.

“I have introduced the human to all of us, though I am not sure how much information was retained and will be accessible tomorrow. The poor creature was falling asleep while I was speaking.” Optimus said thoughtfully. Jazz smiled at that. He had always found humans to be cute and the music that they made was a major bonus. He made a mental note to ask you in the morning what music you like to listen to. He and Optimus said their goodnights and Optimus transformed into his alt mode to recharge until it was his turn to take watch.

You and the bots woke up in the morning refreshed and recharged. It had been a long time since they had a recharge so restful and peaceful. You quickly got ready and made some breakfast for yourself before going outside to see how your guests were doing. You only watched at first, too nervous to really walk among them. You saw Ratchet setting up some tools and simply sat on a nearby log as he wrangled Bumblebee over to his makeshift station. You were fascinated by what was happening and seemed excited to see something so new. 

Ratchet placed you on his shoulder after noticing you watching him do a minor repair on Bumblebee. He was gruff and acted cranky but he was actually happy that you were interested in how their species worked. He explained the different steps that he took to repair Bumblebee’s plating and why it was important in a quiet voice. He knew that humans didn’t do well with very loud noises and kept his voice within the range of human comfort. He enjoyed the soft questions you asked and subtly scanned you to see what your health was like. He was pleased that your breakfast was adequately nutrient dense and filling enough to last you until midday. 

“We’ll make a medic out of you yet, kid.” He said in a warm tone. Bumblebee had only heard that tone a few times before. It was a bit unnerving for a moment but he quickly brushed it off. He knew how nice human companionship was and he was glad that Ratchet was seeing it for the first time. Bumblebee tried to chat with you a few times during his procedure, each time earning a smack on the back of the head and a scolding for interrupting the first training of someone that he was convinced would become the first human Autobot medical officer. 

After Ratchet was done working on Bumblebee, he carefully placed you on the ground and left to go talk to Optimus, though not before giving you a careful pat on the back and a promise to teach you more later. You were startled when Windblade quite literally snatched you up. The femme was unfamiliar with how to interact with humans, having only been on Earth for a few cycles. She was fascinated by your hair and clothes. She liked that your clothes were different colors and she loved that it was like you could have the equivalent of a new paint job more than once per day if you wanted to. She easily held you in one of her servos, gently touching the fabric of your clothing and the ornaments on your favorite jewelry while not understanding why you weren’t chatting with her as happily as you had been with Ratchet and instead were squirming. She wanted to hang out with the human too.

Jazz quickly came to your aid. He carefully scooped you out of her servo and gave her a lighthearted lecture in Cybertronian on proper human handling methods. You just blinked and went along with it as he showed her the safe ways to hold a human. You were a bit stunned as you were held in different positions in the mech’s servos and then carefully placed onto each of his shoulders. Windblade sheepishly apologized to you in English, citing her inexperience with humanity and promising not to grab you anymore without warning or a particularly good reason. 

Jazz wanted to see the town that you lived in and managed to convince you to give him a sightseeing tour. You stopped at the nearest gas station, got a slushie, and drove around with him in his alt mode. He was able to fulfil his goal of talking to you about your music taste while you both drove. Granted, he already had seen what you listen to online as he had run a background check while on watch that night, but he still wanted to chat with you about it. He had you turn on one of your playlist and enjoyed listening to you talk about your home and your favorite bands. 

When you returned from the drive, your mouth was stained by your drink and your cheeks were sore from smiling and laughing. Jazz was kind and funny and you were glad that you had stumbled upon the Autobots yesterday, even if Windblade startled you a bit at first. Speaking of Windblade, she had managed to fashion a necklace for you out of a small gear and a few other odds and ends that she had gotten from Ratchet while you and Jazz were out driving. She presented it to you and seemed incredibly pleased when you put it on. She all but gushed over how nice it looked on you and how nice it was to finally make a human friend.

Ironhide was the next mech to try to spend time with you. He approached the three of you and began asking you questions about the security of your home. He seemed shocked that you didn’t have any weapons that he deemed appropriate for home defense. Unsurprisingly to you, there were no plasma cannons on turrets or energy shields surrounding your home. Ironhide was deeply concerned about this. To him, you were already one of them. Optimus had clearly accepted you into their ranks and the rest of the team, including him, already seemed to like you plenty. You managed to win over Ratchet and that’s all he needed to get started on a home defense plan. You tried to assure him that you were fine and the most dangerous thing nearby were the raccoons that dug through the trash if you didn’t close the garbage well enough.

Ironhide wouldn’t have any of it. He decided to enlist Wheeljack to help secure your home from threats. He wanted your trash can secured from raccoons and he wanted your land free of any Cybertronian that wasn’t an Autobot. He also seemed to decide that you should be protected from humans who meant any harm and began making plans with Wheeljack. Your eyes hadn’t gone as wide as they did when they presented their plan to you since… Well, yesterday when you found out that aliens were real and very large. Between a flame thrower meant to incinerate any home invader foolish enough to knock on your front door, electrified door garbage cans, a security camera system that made Soundwave look like an amateur, a mirage system that made the entire house look like it hadn’t ever existed that Wheeljack had pointed out would be excellent for tax evasion after doing some research on the IRS, and several camouflaged blasters powerful enough to put Megatron himself on life support, they literally had everything covered. It was a little horrifying but you were also a bit impressed.

You weren’t thrilled about the idea of your home becoming a scene out of “Home Alone” but at the same time, you wanted to see where it would go. You gave the go ahead and watched in awe as they began building. You didn’t really think that they would actually do it but there they were, turning your cabin in the woods into a mini fortress. At one point, Wheeljack sat you down and showed you how to wire and defuse a bomb. Ratchet almost blew a gasket until Wheeljack got you some safety goggles to show that he was being safe with you. That didn’t save him from having to dodge a wrench being thrown at him but it made you giggle so he felt that it was worth it. 

It was almost the afternoon before Bumblebee finally got to spend any time with you. He was missing having a human companion and the second that Ironhide put you down to work on something with both servos, Bee took the opportunity to have another human to hang out with. He transformed with you into his alt mode while Wheeljack and Ironhide gave him the nastiest looks imaginable. He would deal with that later. For now, he wanted to enjoy your company. He drove to the other side of your property where he transformed and offered to let you play a Cybertronian game. He pulled out a large device and played a round to show you how it worked. It was essentially the equivalent of an alien Gameboy with a rhythm game. You had to smack the buttons to get enough force to push them down and it turned into a major upper body workout. You weren’t very good at the game but you still enjoyed yourself. It didn’t help that you couldn’t read the words in the game to know what was going on or that Bumblebee was too busy jamming out and encouraging you that he couldn’t translate fast enough.

The day turned into a much needed break for both you and the Autobots. You had quite a bit of fun playing with and learning from them, only taking breaks when absolutely necessary. Optimus allowed the team to stay for another night in the field after you basically begged him and the others to stay. He was glad to see that the team was having fun and he knew that the mission could wait. He also couldn’t resist the look on your face as you asked him so nicely. He was just as bad as the rest of his team and he knew it. 

That night, he came to your window again. It was clear that you were already expecting him. The curtains were open and so was your window. You were staring at him expectantly and he couldn’t help but feel pleased that you wanted to hear more about him and his world. He told you a bit more about his life before the war. He told you about the time that he knocked over a stack of hundreds of data pads on his first day on the job and how clumsy he was when he was young. You didn’t believe him at first and he found it very amusing. He told you about the first artifact that he catalogued and about the first bot that he helped find something in the archives. He told you about the games that he would play for recreation and about what his home looked like. 

It wasn’t long before you began dozing off. Optimus liked you. He enjoyed telling you stories and he liked that you were a good listener. He liked that you got along with his team and didn’t mind that they were so different from you. He sighed contentedly as he watched you sleep and once again tucked you so that you would remain comfortable throughout the night. He was thinking about the lullabies on Cybertron when he went back to the others to recharge. He would have to sing one for you the next time that the Autobots visited you. He was sure that you’d be interested in hearing it but he knew that you wouldn’t understand the lyrics. He would have to think about how to remedy the situation. 

The beginning of the next morning went similarly to the morning before but this time, you were much more comfortable with the aliens hanging out in your meadow. The upgrades to your house were finished fairly early and you had to admit, they were very cool. Would you end up using them? Almost definitely not. Did you appreciate the time and effort that Wheeljack and Ironhide put into them? Absolutely. Ratchet showed you how to disable the flamethrower while Wheeljack and Ironhide were explaining to Optimus why each upgrade was entirely necessary. He decided that they were fine because they were just to keep you safe and had Jazz link to the camera system so that they could make sure that you were okay and that there was no Decepticon activity.

Jazz had snuck off earlier and brought you back the same flavor of slushie that you had gotten on your drive together the day before. He liked how your eyes lit up when he gave you the frozen treat and carefully uploaded some Cybertronian movies and shows to your television so that you could see some of the things that he thought that you’d like from before the war. Bumblebee butted in, eagerly recommending his favorites and telling you about the plotlines of each of them. Jazz also uploaded some Cybertronian music while Bee was chatting with you. It was obvious that he wanted to expose you to their culture and show you just how wonderful Cybertron was. Bee was just happy that you was talking with him.

Windblade didn’t pick you up without permission so you showed her some of your favorite articles of clothing. You basically put on a fashion show for her while she oooo'd and ahhhh’d at your clothes, all while keeping an eye on the way that the necklace that she gave you moved as you walked. She loved that you were wearing something that she made for you. She had decided that you were her very favorite human and that she would get you something to wear every time that she saw you. She carefully took notes on your size of clothes and shoes and smiled at the idea of finding you an outfit that matched her paint color.

It was time for them to leave at noon. The declaration from Optimus was met with many sighs but each bot understood that it was for the greater good. The mission had been put off for as long as possible. All equipment was packed up and each of the bots said their goodbyes to you, promising to visit when they had time and giving you plenty of careful pats on the head, back, and shoulders. You could tell that they all meant it. Before they left, Optimus approached you with a small tablet-like device. He squatted down and offered it to you. You carefully took it and examined it. It looked like the data pads that you had seen the others reading on before but much, much smaller. You looked up at him with a tilted head and he couldn’t help but smile. He couldn’t seem to ever not smile when you were involved.

“Little one, we Autobots would like to remain friends with you. All of us have thoroughly enjoyed our time with you. If it would be alright, we would like to remain in contact with you. We would like to be able to communicate ideas and stories with you more easily so Wheeljack has created a Crybertronian language training module loaded onto this data pad. It will teach you our language. Please do not feel pressured to learn all at once. We simply have many stories that I would like you to enjoy that are poorly translated into any Earth tongue. The data pad will not lose its charge before we are able to return and it has a feature that will allow you to speak to any of us, should you require any assistance. You have been a most gracious host and we would like to convey our gratitude with this gift.” He explained.

He paused for a moment before speaking a bit more hesitantly this time. “I hope you will contact me, even if there is not an emergency. I would enjoy conversing with you further in the future and I know that the rest of my team feels the same way.”

You were surprised but eagerly agreed, promising to call and to practice so that he can tell you stories soon. Optimus was pleased with your answer and his smile became wider. You were a breath of fresh air to him. He gave the orders to roll out and you waved as you watched them all go. Once they were out of sight, you wandered back into your living room and began your first Cybertronian language lesson. 

Optimus was a bit sad that he would not be able to see you for a while and knew that the rest of the team felt the same way. They were much quieter than usual and the usual playful banter was replaced by a sullen silence. His voice was curious as he made his request.

“Jazz, can we get a status update on the little one?”

Jazz quickly checked the footage from the cameras and felt his spark warm. He spoke in a happy tone, clearly pleased that you were already learning how to communicate better with the team.

“The human just started their first lesson. They seem very eager to learn about Cybertron.”

That kicked off plenty of chatter within the team. The Prime was very pleased. They had been able to find someone to boost their will to fight and he knew that they all were eager to finish the next few missions so that they could have the reward of seeing you again sooner. He also figured that if you were doing a lesson so soon after they had left, it was likely that you’d call soon. That made him even more pleased.

[sensei-venus]

Hot Chocolate Marshmallow Addict~ 🎄☕️

(Tried to keep the holiday season neutral, Mentions of headcanons about Axel’s background, Mention of abuse. Butchered trying to incorporate his accent💀)

The new neighborhood was beautiful during the holiday season. Lights lit up the whole neighborhood, lawns decorated in little decorations and bight neon lights. Houses where plastered in feet of tiny rainbows of Christmas lights that hung from the gutters.

Reader gasped and pointed to a large tree in front of a new house. Her eyes lit up while saying “Axel look at that one! isn’t it just beautiful?” the tree was decorated in bright white lights that hung onto the branches to make a amazing pattern. It helped to brighten the whole yard up. The tall man could only nod saying “Yes very pretty, we should do that to our tree.” he casually mentioned their own tree that stud in front of their own home. It was still early in the month so they did have time to put more decorations out before it was too late.

Reader smiled while looking back at him. She shivered a little as a small breeze swept past the couple. Her hands tried to warm up her jacket covered arms but it did little to actually help. Axel was quick to take notice of his wifes discomfort. Wrapping a arm around her they slowly started to walk.

Luckily it was only a few blocks away from their own home, a short walk back. With a small chuckle he said “How about we head home now. Its getting a little to cold, I would not like you getting sick on me so soon into the holiday season.” Reader felt her cheeks go warm. Rolling her eyes she huffed a little but sinks into his hold.

With how big Axel was he was basically a walking breathing furnace, and that wasn't a bad thing to Reader.

The two snuggle a little bit as they walked back home.

A few minutes later they were standing at their front door. Walking in the house was filled with a delightful scent, The house smelled of cookies and light pine, Axel being determined to get a real tree this year to celebrate being I their own place. Less then a year ago it was just them living in a tiny cramped apartment. Now they had a whole house to themselves.

“How about you go relax in the living room, I'm going to make us some hot chocolate.” Axel put his jacket off before heading to the kitchen.

Reader slowly put her own coat away and headed to the living room. She flopped down on the couch but almost jumped up. The cold fabric of the couch had her scrambling back up. Grabbing for a near by blanket in pure need. Moments later the thick material was covering her whole body. The urge to bundle up like a big came to mind very quickly.

It covered her whole body including her feet which where twitching from the cold. Even with socks on it felt like her toes could fall off. Clattering of pots came from the kitchen as she waited for her husband to return. Slowly the blanket started to warm up as the minutes ticked by.

The chubby woman quickly grew bored. Soon her mind wondered and eyes shifted to the large tree in the living room. It was decorated in a slew of lights and ornaments that the newlyweds picked out weeks prior to December. Over a spand of weeks they picked out new ornaments they found around town or online.

After that the two finally set up the tree together. A night filled with the two just laughing while listing to Christmas music, dancing around, and decorating the tree together. It was so soothing that they ended up curled up together on the couch that night. The smile on her face only grew as the timmer set lights flickered on. Lighting up the whole tree in a mix of white and neon lights, spiraling around the dark green pine-covered branches. The pretty star that topped the tree sparkled in the dim room. Only the light of the tree helped to make the room visible. It was truly breathtaking.

When the two first got together Reader had no clue how much Axel enjoyed the holidays.

It wasn't until their first holiday together that she really got a first-hand look at how much he liked the holidays. He was quick to show her all the pictures he would take back home. Dozens of pictures where shown of light displays and shows in his home country. A rare look of pure happiness covered his face. Scrolling though every single picture he explained something about the scene. Where it was taken, what year, what day what event. It was like every single moment was engraved in his mind forever.

The sad reality of his joy for the holidays was only brought up later.

“My mother would take me to all the big light shows in town when I was little. She loved lights, it was her favorite time of the year. She would hold me up on her shoulders as we passed under the huge trees. Those where the good days. When we were happy. I was so tiny back then.”

Death, servitude, abuse.

That is what followed for Axel as he grew older and life changed for him.

Sensei Wolf happened.

“Can you turn on TV?” the booming voice in the kitchen said.

Reader was quick to blink back to reality. The dark thoughts quicky resorting back to the very back of her mind for now. Humming she searched for the remote on the coffee table. With a grunt she found the cold plastic in reach and grabbed it off the table top. Fingers pushed the power button, the flatscreen on the far wall lit up in a matter of seconds. The room now completely filled with light and only the edges of the room dark.

Clicking around on some streaming apps she found the Christmas movie section. She bit her lip while scrolling through the multitude of movies. 

Heavy footsteps slowly crept out from within the kitchen and into the living room. A small click was heard from the cheap remote as a movie was picked. The intro started up while the screen changed frames. A steaming mug was held out in front of her face making her giggle a little. With gental hands she grasped the mug from long fingers. The warmth of the hot liquids inside momentarily burned at her hands but soon faded only leaving a bearable warmth. It made her sigh out in relief as the steam hit her nose.

“Warn but not to hot to burn you, lots of marshmallows.”

Oh man she forgot about the marshmallow thing.

The guy was absolutely obsessed with marshmallows and he couldn’t get enough of them. Anything and everything that went with marshmallows the man loved. During the holidays, they would go through bags and bags of marshmallows because he couldn’t stop himself from just eating them straight.

He was quick to set his own mug down on the coffee table. Sitting on the couch and stealing half the blanket. Reader groaned as the huge man pulled the blanket up and slipped under. Reader was quick to stop as a 6’4 heater known as only her husband warmed them. He rested his chin on her shoulder, simply kissing her neck with warm lips. She sighed with a ever growing smile. Her eyes started to flutter shut. Long arms wrapped around her making her even warmer. She almost sagged into his body, the warm contact having her tired and comfortable.

At the end of a very long day she was safe and warm, with a loving husband in a beautiful home during the cold holiday season.

“Dont fall asleep too soon, the movie just started.”

“I won't I promise.”

That was a lie because not even twenty minutes after a nice warm mug of hot chocolate and a whole handful of marshmallows, she was completely fanned out across Axel’s chest. Little snores and all.

Maybe this was Axel’s new favorite holiday pass time.

[misswynters]

Snow Angels

short drabble

featuring. ricky shen x gn!reader

wc. 520

Synopsis: Ricky is waiting for you outside while it’s snowing outside. He looks so adorable as the snow falls on his face that you couldn’t resist even though it’s cold outside.

The snow was falling steadily, blanketing everything in a soft, serene white. You stood by the window, watching the flakes drift lazily from the sky, and spotted Ricky waiting just outside your front gate. His figure was bundled in a dark coat, and his breath escaped in faint clouds as he blew into his hands to keep warm.

Even from the distance, he looked adorable. Snowflakes dusted his hair, catching on his lashes, making his already bright features seem ethereal in the wintry glow of the streetlamp. He tilted his head back, letting the snow fall on his face, a small smile curving his lips as he basked in the quiet magic of the moment. You couldn’t help yourself.

Grabbing your thickest coat and wrapping your scarf snugly around your neck, you pulled on gloves and hurried outside. The cold hit you immediately, biting at your cheeks and nose, but the sight of Ricky waiting, so patient and beautiful in the snow, made you forget the chill “Ricky!” you called, your voice muffled by the layers around your face.

He turned toward you, his eyes lighting up as a wide grin spread across his lips. “You actually came out!” he said, jogging toward you, his steps crunching in the snow.

“I couldn’t resist,” you replied, pulling your scarf down just enough for your voice to carry. “But why are you out here freezing? You look like you’ve been standing in the cold forever.”

“Worth it,” he said simply, his grin turning a little smug. “It’s not every day I get to stand outside waiting for the most amazing person in the world.”

Your cheeks flushed, and it wasn’t from the cold. “You’re such a flirt,” you muttered, tugging your scarf higher to hide your growing smile.

Ricky laughed, his voice warm and rich against the stillness of the snowy evening. He stepped closer, tugging playfully at the end of your scarf. “Come on, it’s beautiful out here! The snow is perfect—it’s like we’re in a winter wonderland.”

You looked around, taking in the stillness of the world around you. The trees were heavy with snow, their branches glittering faintly under the streetlight. The ground sparkled as if scattered with tiny diamonds, and the only sound was the occasional rustle of snow falling from the trees.

“It is beautiful,” you admitted, looking back at him. He was still watching you, his eyes soft and full of something you couldn’t quite name.

“See? I told you,” he said, his tone teasing.

You rolled your eyes, but the corners of your lips tugged upward. “You’re going to catch a cold, though, standing out here like this.”

“I’m fine,” he replied with a shrug. “I’m waiting for you, so it doesn’t feel that cold.”

The sincerity in his voice caught you off guard, and your heart did a little flip. You reached out to brush some snow off his shoulder. “Well, now I’m here. What do you want to do, Mr. Winter Wonderland?”

His grin turned mischievous. “Funny you should ask.” Without warning, he bent down and scooped up a handful of snow, compacting it into a ball.

“Oh, no,” you said, already taking a step back.

“Oh, yes,” he replied, laughing as he threw the snowball gently at you. It hit your shoulder with a soft poof, scattering in a spray of white.

“Ricky!” you yelped, bending down to grab your own handful of snow. “You’re going to regret that!”

The next few minutes were pure chaos. Snowballs flew back and forth as you chased each other around the yard, slipping and sliding on the fresh powder. Ricky’s aim was annoyingly good, and he was quick on his feet, ducking behind trees or diving into snowbanks to avoid your throws.

“You’re too good at this!” you shouted, crouching behind a tree for cover.

“Years of practice,” he called back, his voice full of laughter. He peeked out from his hiding spot, smirking. “You’re going to have to do better than that, my love!”

You grumbled under your breath, trying to aim your next throw, but just as you were about to launch it, Ricky appeared out of nowhere and tackled you into the snow.

“Truce!” you gasped, laughing as you fell onto your back.

“Truce,” he agreed, flopping down beside you, his chest heaving as he caught his breath.

For a moment, the two of you lay there in silence, staring up at the sky. The snow continued to fall, soft and steady, and the cold seeped through your clothes, but you didn’t care.

“This is nice,” you said quietly, turning your head to look at him.

“Yeah,” he replied, his voice softer now. His eyes met yours, and with the way he looked at you. Let’s just say it was joyful. It was like you were the only thing that mattered in the entire snowy world, it made your heart ache in the best way.

Then, without warning, he started moving his arms and legs, the snow crunching beneath him.

“What are you doing?” you asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Making a snow angel,” he said, grinning up at the sky. “You should try it.”

You rolled your eyes, but his enthusiasm was infectious. “Fine,” you said, lying back down and copying his movements.

When you both sat up to admire your work, the snow angels were slightly crooked and uneven, but they looked perfect side by side.

“They’re kind of cute,” you admitted, brushing some snow off your gloves.

“Kind of?” Ricky nudged you with his shoulder. “You mean completely adorable, just like us.”

You laughed, shoving him lightly. “You’re impossible.”

“And you’re perfect,” he replied, his tone teasing but his eyes soft. He reached out, brushing a stray snowflake from your hair. “I don’t know how I got this lucky.”

Your cheeks warmed, and you leaned into his touch. “Maybe I’m the lucky one.”

He smiled, leaning closer until your foreheads touched. “Guess we’re both pretty lucky, then.”

The cold didn’t matter anymore. With Ricky by your side, the world felt warm, even in the middle of a snowy winter.

banner: @anitalenia

[sarahreesbrennan]

Also also: is there any way, or will there be any way, for readers without whichever special edition (?) it’s in to read “Letters to My Lady from the Abyss…”? Reading your Reddit AMA in a desire to know more about this wonderful book and the idea of a tiny bit extra has me 👀

Thank you for wishing to know more! FairyLoot special edition is the special edition with bonus content. I will explain more. FairyLoot is a wonderful UK-based group who make fancy special editions for their monthly boxes. People sign up for FairyLoot and get books picked for them. You can get Young Adult, Adult Fantasy, or Romantasy, or a combination thereof - Long Live Evil was the August Adult Fantasy pick - and you can buy other special editions from their website. So the FairyLoot folks are Tastemakers as well as makers of beautiful objects. (ISN’T IT BEAUTIFUL? Pictures stolen. Interior art by Bon Orthwick who got Marius’s hair PERFECT.)

But you can’t buy the monthly boxes, unless they have extras! If they do have extra Evils to buy, I will put up a link.

There are many boxes now, but FairyLoot and Illumicrate are the two biggest and have made a lot more people embrace reading and see books as a special treat. Waterstones and Barnes & Noble have started making special editions of books because of them. A while back I knew none of this, because I was staying away from publishing, working with IP books (very different branch of publishing) and training for a different job. But then I did a catch-up call with my frien. She talked about FairyLoot. I did not understand her and thought maybe the deadlines had got on top of her and she believed fairies had looted her manuscript.

Holly: So these FairyLoot editions have (She holds up a copy of… I think… the Coldest Girl In Coldtown?) been amazing for UK sales.

Sarah: Sorry but why are these books so beautiful?

Holly: Because I just explained to you why, girl. Sarah: Can I have this.

Holly: No they’re limited!

So then I knew FairyLoot was a Giant Deal and they were offered Long Live Evil but I was sure they wouldn’t pick me.

My lovely editor Jenni: great news, the FairyLoot people picked you! Sarah: are you. are you quite sure.

Jenni: … yes? Could you write them some bonus content? Sarah: YES! A thing I can do for them? Oh yes! Here’s three things I can do. Tell them they can pick which one they would like!

I wrote a letter for them as well, to be bound in with the book. But the bonus content is an extra adventure or point of view you didn’t get to see in the main book. FairyLoot picks what they think their readers might like most.

I really like epistolary novels, where the action is told though letters, such as Jane Austen’s Lady Susan and Amal El Mohtar and Max Gladstone’s This Is How You Lose The Time War. So I thought it would be fun to do a story through letters!

Obviously I then had a moment of dark self-doubt.

Sarah: O my god why did they pick this nobody’s going to like him what shall I do! Holly: When I was writing Cardan’s letters you said ‘epistolary is so fun, you said, this is a piece of cake, you said, get in loser we’re writing romantically sinister letters, you said…’

Sarah: my Vision is a romantic The Screwtape Letters. Holly: … oh dear. Okay. Get in loser we’re writing romantically sinister letters.

And so with a lil help from my kind frien, I wrote Letters to My Lady From the Abyss, which is an epistolary short story with a POV we don’t get in book 1 and an adventure we don’t get to see. But I did write it, as you see, for FairyLoot so it belongs to them and it’s up to them. I think I might get it back in a year and then I’ll put it up on my website. I will let you know!

I am so sorry for this very long explanation, I just wanted to let you know what was up.

Should you read it, I hope you enjoy. And I will write more bonus content, I promise!

Also speaking of FairyLoot, they’re doing a readalong of Long Live Evil right now if anyone might like to chat about the book. Here’s a link to people talking about chapters 1-7 - they will do a different chunk every day! I like that people are choosing favourite characters, so far the Cobra, Key and Emer have the votes!

[snowblossomreads]

Day 23: Under the Tree

Pairing: Severus Snape x Fem!Reader

Summary: Severus comes home to his living room looking much different than he left it thanks to [Y/n].

Tag(s)/Warning(s): fluff!, decorating for loved one, mentions of childhood poverty, kissing, mostly just cuteness

Word Count: 1.3K

A/N: Ekkk I'm posting this kinda late after running aroundish so apologize for anything with wacky grammar or spelling haha! But enjoy this cute little fluff with Snape!

"What in Salazer's name-! [Y/n] what is all of this?"

When Severus had left early that morning to attend to some business, his sitting room was under decorated as it usually was all year round. That meant piles of books were littered here and there and on the shelves that lined the wall. His typewriter sat on a little table with manuscripts he had been working on for a while. And piled high next to it, were more books along with his chair that sat next to the fireplace.

Yet, when he had returned and stepped into the room he was startled when he was met with the sight of a Christmas wonderland. Nothing had technically been moved, but things had been added to the space. 

Take for instance, the strings of garland that hung on all the shelves and across the fireplace with little holly leaves attached to them. There were also four green and silver striped stockings on the mantle of the fireplace, all of them evenly spaced out from one another.

Also, how could he forget about the tree that was half as tall as the bookshelves? Decorated with little colourful lights that twinkled and would slowly change colours, it also had been wrapped in some gaudy tinsel along with tiny ornaments that hung from the ends of different branches. The tree was insanely bright and much more colourful than most things in the house, and under it were a few gifts wrapped neatly. Before he could look for any more changes in the room, [Y/n] appeared in the kitchen doorway with a bright smile and an apron on.

"Severus!" She beamed as she wiped her hands on her apron and made her way to him with a warm smile. "Welcome back! Do you like what I've done with the place?" She asked, turning around to admire her handy work. "I figured since it's our first Christmas together it should be more festive feeling and I just couldn't help myself. I hope I didn't go too overboard though."

She had thought it a shame that they hadn't decorated for Christmas with how close it was and as it got closer it just didn't feel right to not have something festive looking in the house. So when Severus had left that morning, [Y/n] decided that their first Christmas wouldn't be complete without a tree and some decorations.

So she made her way to Hogsmeade and gathered as much decoration as she could find in the short amount of time that she had to pull what she had in mind. The hardest thing was to get a tree sent over quickly and discreetly. Thankfully it was a handy thing to be such a skilled witch as her as with one little wave of a wand, the miniature tree that she had found easily became a midsize one and large enough to fit all the decorations she had bought.

She had furiously decorated the whole room not stopping until everything was done as she wanted to give him a surprise. Once all the decorations were up, she quickly ran to place the presents that they had bought for one another underneath it. Was it a temptation to take a peek at them, absolutely but she didn't!

"I think I did amazing with the time crunch I had, but you're the wizard I need to impress! Soooo how'd you like it?"

"[Y/n] I-." He started, but stopped in mid sentence causing her to look at him and notice the slightly shocked expression on his features.

He didn't quite know what to say. It had been years, since he had seen the room like this. Alive with so much colour and cheer, that when he thought of it, he actually didn't believe that he had ever seen it so full of life.

As a child, when they decorated, and that was if his parents could afford to, they would only usually have a tiny tree that had already lost a lot of it's needles. The lights were not colorful just a bright white with missing bulbs here and there, and there would usually be two or three things under the tree if anything at all.

So to see so much Christmas in his home, had his heart swirling with emotions that he still had a hard time coming to terms with. It all felt so new that all he could do was sit in silence for a moment as he took in what [Y/n] had done for him.

"Severus?" She questioned, unsure if the silence that was between them was good or bad as he had not yet voice an opinion either way.

She had been nervous about her whole decorating scheme and him not answering her made her stomach twist uncomfortably as she thought she had done something wrong.

"Oh gosh I've messed up haven't I? I debated on telling you but I thought it be a fun surprise," you know?" She babbled nervously, wringing her hands on her apron while trying to explain her reasoning. "I know you don't  like your stuff being moved about so I tried to work around it, but I just thought it be nice for a spark of colour to light the place up. Not that I don't like it as it is! It's just-."

She didn't get to finish her rambling explanation because before another word left her lips, Severus had wrapped his arms around her in a hug and his lips were pressed against hers in a gentle yet passionate kiss.

All of the worry she had about overstepping instantly melted like snow on a warm day and she was kissing him back with the same passion. Arms wrapping around his waist to keep her from falling over at how good his lips felt against hers, she couldn't hold in the moan that left her throat as he kissed her over and over until she was breathless from his affection.

"It's beautiful [Y/n]," he husked in that rich baritone of his as he finally pulled away from her lips leaving her a bit light headed. "Absolutely wonderful. A Christmas wonderland is not what I expected when I came but it is wonderful present either way."

His approval had her heart soaring, while also causing her to relax in his hold now that she knew his silence wasn't because he was crossed with her. Letting out a breath of relief, [Y/n] shuffled in his hold so that her back was against his front and she delicately took his hands so that he would lace his fingers across her waist.

Leaning back, they both gazed at the room for a moment, admiring her handy work at making everything so festive in such a short amount of time.

"Well good," she sighed out as his arms tighten their hold against her as he leaned down to kiss the top of her head. "I was scared that you were going to hate it but it makes me feel better that you don't. And also I think the lights on the tree are lovely and I would hate to take them down."

"Mhmm, they are quite lovely, but for what it's worth," he whispered huskily in her ear, a sound that made her shiver in his arms. "I think you are the brightest light in this room and in any other."

His compliment caused an involuntary smile to bloom on her lips as she turned around to face the man she adored so much. A tiny smile was on his thin lips when she looked at him, yet it was his dark eyes that were alight that seemed to tell the story of how happy he was.

"Oh Severus I do love you," she whispered as she went to stroke his cheek, causing his eyes to soften at her.

"And I love you, darling, thank you for this," he responded before leaning down and kissing her once more as they were surrounded in their little wonderland.

[arcsnonexistantfandomblog]

Why Mount Rageous is better than This is the thanks I get as a villain song

!Disclaimers!:

spoilers for both movies possibly, I have not watched every part of these movie.

First let's adress the songs in general.

Mount Rageous

"The song medley is the main focus of the Rage Dome concert that the duo Velvet and Veneer are meant to be singing. They cut short their entrance and instead take to the streets in a run away situation with Trolls Poppy, Tiny Diamond and Branch is pursuit. The song is not just their final concert, in which they will win a Life-Time Reward and be set for life, but a way of taunting the Trolls who are trying to get BroZone back from them. Their fans drive alongside them, creating natural barriers that prevent the Trolls from getting to them and allowing the duo to be escorted in safety. Despite the impressive dance and singing moves while on the run, the song is without its faults (See "Trivia section"). It is a summary of what the two have not only amounted to on their raise to fame, but a nod to Velvet and Veneer's relationship itself. The issues can only be picked up upon by the listener, if they are paying attention to not only what the song is about, but the way the two singers are singing with Velvet's personality leaking into the song itself. It is a medley-style song and is meant to have an encore, but Velvet is cut off before it."

From Trolls.Fandom.Com

Sure the song combines Sweet Dreams (are made of this) and some other songs too [fame, and Watch Me Work] but it ironically becomes a great villain song for them because the viewer already knows that their talents aren't genuine because of the trolls being used to help them sing.

Unlike this the thanks I get, the way the song's genre is used works for the motives and characters in general. The lyrics not only feel very ironic for their goals and motives: but they also give characterization by who is the main singing.

Velvet is someone who is the main villain, not only because her being the one who does not have any moments to 'rethink' what she is doing, but also related of the relationship she has with her brother.

Vener however is more compassionate than Velvet and has some moments where he could have fully dropped out and became a better person. Heck he even gets punished at the end despite him being willing to change for the better and being the one to expose them both.

Basically what I am saying is that the songs they sing make sense for who gets the most of the song: for how each character gets a certain amount of spotlight. Like how Velvet adds lyrics that originally were not there, making veneer more quiet.

I have no cons for this because even without watching the movie and seeing the lyrics for how they are, you can tell who is the one who is willing to abuse the trolls to get their goal. That person is Velvet, as she seems to show no concern for it. Even her parts get louder at the end showing that.

You know the villains kind of remind me of the dazzling's where they have something they use to make their voices so...amazing and captivating.

In Watch Me Work, you see that both sing, and Velvet is still the main singer, but Vener is heard better here too, which shows how the villain song hits differently than the other song.

I also want to note how with their motives, how poppy and catchy the song it makes total sense, and fits their roles so well.

Now enough with this, time to go with Magnificos song...

This is the thanks I get?!

No notes here other than this...

The song takes place while Amaya is trying to get a wish back home with the star and the goat Valentino. It seems to be more like 'venting' in a way. This is all I know as I am going to watch wish with a friend on the 27th.

Alright so, wow the singing is great! That is obvious! I think the song does fine on it's own: it can be catchy but feels repetitive in some parts, I think it is because the composers are bad: not because of 'Ai'. Like... I get that it sounds that way, but they did not get the best composers they could for this movie and like... WHAT

Anyways, let's get to some positives I have with this song. For Magnifico, I think that this displays his personality pretty well, it at least gives him a flat baseline other than how compassionate he is towards his wife. It makes him feel full of himself and ungrateful for the attention he already has from many people who adore him or are willing to work with him.

Personally, the song feels like he is venting about his feelings as well, with how he talks into the beginning...until you get to later when you actually get to the part that feels like him planning and thinking about what he is going to do.

For a particular part the "I let you live here for free, and I don't even charge you rent" makes him feel like he is trying to embed that he wants you to know how kind he is. I mean..even by how he talks about it.

He actually does seem like he could have been a good person based on how some of the movie tries to portray him as a villain, even if some of his reasons are reasonable.

Alright, now cons.

So, just the lyrics and the "pop" in the song NEED DESPRATELY to change.

What he desperately needs is a STRONG song like Hellfire, where the villain has this moment where you can see how they are, their motives, and the strong composing and singing that come from it. The chills down your spine as this song comes on during the movie and makes you FEEL that emotion the villain has, and see them as a person.

Or like poor unfortunate souls where the background music intentionally makes it too where you get the vibe that things are wrong. Or like Friends on the Other Side where the song gets intense intentionally at some parts for a reason.

I think the lyrics could work, it just needs something to freshen it up and the song needs to NOT be so poppy. Like let Chris Pine use his voice for this song and show the power Magnifico HAS. Get the voice low, or high, sing long or normally.

The pop feels off for a guy like Magnifico, he is royalty, and he needs something that compliments it. Or hell do the opposite of At all costs and make it an EVIL lullaby where everything is just twisted.

So Why is Mount Rageous better than This is the thanks I get as a villain song?

It should be obvious, that not only does the song better complement the Goals and character traits of the villains but makes sense with it: but it also has that charm that the other song is missing.

Mount Rageous IS meant to be and is PART of a jukebox musical, so it should make sense for it not only to be a pop song but to reference other songs and make it into its beautiful creation for the villain.

Mount Rageous has the glitz and glam it needs, while This is the thanks I Get is missing its villainous charm and strong composing.

I feel like Chris Pines voice was not used to its full potential for its song, and Mount Rageous is so much better.

Mount Rageous makes This is the Thanks I Get look pitiful in comparison. And the sadder thing is this was for Disney's 100TH ANNIVERSARY MOVIE?! I mean come on man...you could have gotten the composers from Frozen and Lin-Manuel Miranda together[Despite how annoying it is how constantly he pops up], taken actual inspo from the previous songs, and to craft a song that is on par, or one even better.

There is so much missing potential, even the sections for both songs show that...

That is it for this post, thank you for listening/reading. I am going to record this as an audio and post it on YouTube hopefully.

[99flakeandsprinkles]

Runaways (Vampire AU)

Paul Landers x OC @spiel-mit-mir-ein-spiel

(Trigger warnings: None)

Caroline had just gotten off work, and did the thing she did every Friday night- go down to the biker bar, play pool and eat some shitty nachos. Still, it wasn't like you'd get authentic Mexican food in the tiny Dutch town she lived in. But as Caroline tucked into the plate of microwaved cheese and corn chips, the door to the biker bar slammed open, and the whole place went quiet. Even the owner, Big Bev (who apparently once ate a whole glass bottle) stared in shock as six pale, cold figures walked into the bar. As her table was the only one with empty seats, they say next to her, and she couldn't help but be captivated by one in particular. Earrings, tattoos, short grey hair, and red eyes like pools of blood.

"How the fuck did they get in?" One of the other bikers at the bar muttered in terror.

"Knew I should've burned that "WELCOME" mat." Bev replied.

"And who are you?" The captivating pale man asked Caroline, taking her hand in his ice-cold one.

"I'm Caroline." She replied, staring at him dreamily."You can call me Paul. These five here are my pack, my gang." He explained.

"A biker gang?" She asked, although Paul's lack of reflection and ice cold skin suggested otherwise.

"A vampire pack, Caroline." He replied. She usually would have rolled her eyes at this, but something about his red eyes and the flash of fang over his lip captivated her.

"You aren't scared?" He remarked.

"Why would I be?" She replied. "Nothing to be scared of." Just then, she heard a gun being loaded. Caroline turned around, to see Bev pointing a loaded shotgun at Paul.

"I don't want trouble. Just get out of my bar, I know what sort of creatures you six are." She spat, trying to look brave but shaking horribly.

"You can't hurt us with that little thing." The leader of the pack snarled, his fangs sliding free. "But fine. If we're not welcome, we'll feed elsewhere." He got up and the other five men did likewise, only for Paul to turn to Caroline with a sad look in his eyes.

"I know we've only just met. But do you know how few humans who aren't Rosenrot fear us? Caroline, this is going to sound crazy, but... Run away with me." He said, offering his hand. Caroline weighed up her options mentally. Stay here, nothing changes, do the same things every week.

Or... Paul. Her choice was obvious, and she grabbed his hand.The pack headed outside where their bikes were waiting, and Caroline pulled her helmet and jacket on.

"Your bike can't keep up with ours. We'll get a familiar to collect all your stuff tomorrow." Paul said, budging up on his bike, which was a Harley-Davidson Dyna Super Glide Sport. Caroline got on the back, and the six bikes roared out onto the open road, into the cold midnight mists.

"Hold on tight!" He yelled to her as he pulled the throttle. Caroline clung onto Paul's cold torso as he angled the front of his bike up, and it took off. She gave a loud whoop as they flew up into the mist, but she wasn't even cold!

"This is amazing!" She cried.

"This is just the beginning!" Paul yelled back. "I can do so many things like this. I'll have to show off to you if you ever become my familiar."

"Whatever that is, I'm in." Caroline replied, cuddling onto Paul's back like a koala on a branch. "I never want this night to end."

The towns and cities below looked like little glowing toy-towns in the night, as the six motorcycles flew on. It should've been an eight hour ride to Berlin, but the bikes did it in an hour, and soon touched down outside an old concrete tower.

"Come join us, Caroline." Paul stretched out a hand and she took it, following him into the dark of the tower.That night, for the first time, Paul fed on Caroline. They kissed in the shadows, and did so many other things with each other's bodies, but as the sun rose and Paul retreated to his coffin, Caroline knew she'd made the right choice that night. She took the key he'd left her to an empty apartment, and headed off into the city as the sun rose overhead, and her new life as a familiar began

[rea-grimm]

 Proposal - Phoenix Ace

Ace loved you with all his heart and wanted to propose to you for a long time. However, he didn't want to do it just like that, because he wanted it to be something you wouldn't just forget and remember.

You were sailing the Grand Line and it was one of those rare calm days when there was a slight breeze, it was pleasantly warm and there wasn't a cloud in the sky.

Additionally, you docked at a new island that looked like it was cut out of some view. And all these circumstances gave rise to the fact that Ace decided to carry out his plan.

During the day, you noticed how the crew members disappeared from the ship one by one. All of them had something planned on the island. Even those who stayed on the ship at all times went for a walk.

After all, you were on a new island after a long time and it was nice to feel solid ground under your feet again. You went to explore the area by yourself in the morning.

The evening was slowly approaching when Ace invited you to fly around the island. Of course, you agreed to it. You loved when he took you in his arms and lifted you into the air. Feeling the wind in your face and being so close at the same time.

Ace took you into his arms tightly and you wrapped your arms around his neck. You knew he would never let you go, but more than once you encountered treacherous strong winds. The phoenix flapped its wings and soared into the air with you.

You flew high, above the topmast of the ship, and you still know. You headed over to the island enjoying the view and the warm weather.

You also missed a flock of colourful birds. You had an amazing view of meadows, forests, tiny villages and the river that divided the island into several parts.

As it slowly grew dark, fires began to appear on the ground. At first, they seemed entirely random, but the more they appeared, the more they began to resemble a symbol from a bird's eye view.

The fires formed the edges of a giant heart that could only be seen from your vantage point. That alone made you very happy, and you had no idea it was just the beginning.

Ace headed with you to a high hill, from where there was a view of almost the entire island and especially the fiery heart. He carefully landed with you and helped you to the ground.

On the hill stood a single-branched old tree that was just blooming and its slowly falling petals decorated the ground below you.

A blanket was spread out on the floor with the picnic basket you saw at Thatch's in the kitchen. In addition, torches were prepared around, which added to the atmosphere.

"What are we celebrating?" you asked him as you looked around enjoying the view.

"Nothing so far. I just wanted to show you how much I love you," he replied and shifted his wing a little. "Would you like a sandwich?" he asked and went over to the basket, from where he took out sandwiches, which were so full that the filling was coming out of them.

You got the impression Thatch didn't do these. You sat down next to him and took one.

"Did you do it yourself?" you asked him. Phoenix was taken aback by your question. His mouth was full and even though he swallowed it quickly, he only sheepishly nodded his head in agreement.

"Do you like it?" he asked nervously and you saw him lower his wings.

“They're delicious,” you smiled at him. You could see that he was relieved and how he puffed his wings with pride.

While you were eating, the sun had set almost below the horizon, providing minimal light. Also, you had those torches there, even though Ace could light up the whole hill with his feathers. You leaned closer to him and watched the sunset together.

Just before the golden disk fell over the horizon, the phoenix rose to its feet, its back to you, searching the pockets of its shorts before finally finding what it was looking for. With that, he turned to you and got down on one knee. He took your hand lightly and looked into your eyes.

“Y/N you are the wind in my sails that keeps me going and every day is an adventure with you. You are my greatest treasure and I love you with all my heart,” he said sincerely before pausing. "Would you do me the honour and marry me?" he asked you, taking out a small box with a ring in it.

The metal ring looked like it had plucked a feather from its wings and turned it into gold. You were at a loss for words. You had no idea that this was his plan and it touched you.

When you told him your answer, he put the ring on you, which fit like a glove, and kissed you.

However, this was not the final of all his efforts. He had one more surprise in store for you. He created a ball of fire in his hand, which he then threw into the air. The orb exploded in the sky, creating a floral motif for a moment before dissipating.

As if it was a sign of something bigger, he started shooting more and more fireworks from the fiery heart. Ace sat down next to you and pulled you close so you could watch the spectacle together.

Then when it got cold, he covered you with his wings to protect you from the cold.

Ace Masterlist

[redheadspark]

can i request 3 from the actions list with jack russell from wwbn? thanks xx

A/N - Hey! I'll keep this one nice and short, thanks for requesting!

Obsessed

Summary - Who knew that a werewolf would be obsessed with Halloween

Warnings - Just some cute fluff :)

“Darling?”

“Oh, one second, Amor!  I’m in the kitchen and I’m almost done, is something wrong?”

“No…not really. I’m just….surprised,”

Having a somewhat decent day at your office job, you were looking forward to unwinding for the night with Jack, getting some more time with him before he would go off on another Monster Hunting Job that was in Europe.  But the last thing you were expecting to see, or even interact with at all, your little apartment decked out head to toe in Halloween Decor.

But how could you be surprised, given he fact that Jack was obsessed with the Holiday.

Being a Werewolf himself, he knew most of the myths and facts about Halloween and thought of it as an amazing holiday to celebrate.  You never minded it yourself, but it was intensified with Jack when you tow started dating.  Once late September and October came through, Jack’s mind was was the color of orange and black, on the crazy and insane sweets he would buy at the store, and without a doubt, the classic horror movies from the 30’s and 40’s.  He lived and breathed Halloween, it always brightened his mood during that time of year.

When you two moved in together, Jack was already thinking of the decor that he would use in the small space.  You both were already cramped, given your office job that plenty of things to take home and work on and his Monster Hunting equipment would be sprawled out all over the place, you had to wonder if Halloween decorations would even fit in the living room.

Jack made it work, along with the kitchen, bathroom, and even the bedroom.

Sure enough, there were plastic skeleton heads in the coffee table bowl, black candles that were massive already lit on the candle holders that looked like tree branches, and even the cocktail trolley had signs that said “Witches Brew” and “Lycranthropy Headquarters”. You had to admit, it all looked great.  Nothing cheesy or nothing too scary or horrid, but perfectly placed in the right spot.

“Ah!  I wanted it to be a surprise for you before you came home!” Jack came out from the bedroom, a few more decorations in hand as he saw you looking around the living room with a massive grin, “I must have lost time.  How was work, Amor?”

“Oh, good.  Nothing crazy yet,” You admitted as he walked over to give you a sweet kiss, “Jack, this looks awesome!  I could have helped you, you know,”

“No, I like doing this, it’s a bit calming for me before I leave for my job,” He replied as he made his way over to the kitchen.  You followed, smelling a sweet aroma near the stovetop.  A Dutch Oven was filled with boiling water, along with slices of apples and cinnamon sticks along with cloves.

“Smells divine,” You said to him as he pushed some of the apples around with a wooden spoon.

“Ah, my mother used to do this to fill the house with the smell of Autumn,” he explained, “I figured we would use this in our tiny apartment to officially being in Halloween,”

“Well, I wish to thank her to showing you how to do this,” You hummed as him as you kissed his cheek, “You ready for your trip?”

“Bags are packed and ready to go,” he reassured him as he turned down the heat very slightly on the stove, “Now, go take a shower and unwind a bit, I’m gonna order some food and we’re going to watch a classic tonight,”

“Which one?”

“Wolf Man, of course,”

“Why am I not surprised?”

Hearing Jack chuckle, you made your way over to the hallway that led to your bedroom and master bathroom, rubbing the back of your neck to ease some of the tension that was still there from work.  The sweet scent of the Autumn Aroma was floating everywhere in the apartment, letting the stress melt away and bringing in the warmth that you knew would come in Autumn.  It made you thankful that Jack found pleasure in the little things, whether it was him making your home a sacred place to unwind and relax in, or doing activities that made him feel happy and joyful in the harsher times of his life.  Jack’s heart was worth more than gold.

And it showed, even in his Halloween Decorations.

But of course you were surprised to see the skeleton hanging on the bathroom door when you walked in, you screaming from the sight and sighing heavily.  That’s when you heard his voice from the door.

“Sorry, Amor!  I’ll take the skeleton out of there!”

The End.

Halloween Prompt Session

[cutelittleriot]

Return to origin band together Chapter 4 part 2

Poppy quickly follows Branch who is alot faster on all fours than she thought. Thankfully she managed to find him but he isn't doing too good.

At the moment he is just sitting down his face on his knees and his arms wrapped around his tail. As much as he hates the limb it's a good thing to hold onto when sad or overwhelmed.

She quietly sits beside him. She knows that Branch is completely overwhelmed right now but she knows that what he said at his brothers needed to be said. She doesn't say anything and just let's him try and collect himself.

After a few minutes he is sort of calm,that explosion,that...everything that happened....it felt good to finally get that off his chest. "Poppy......is it bad that I wanted to be a family with my brothers again? I know they all have lives of their own now but still" He asks.

She gasps at the question why would he even ask that? "Branch of course it's not bad. You just wanted to be together with them again. There's nothing wrong with that" She reassures him. She wants to touch him but with his state right now she isn't sure that he would appreciate touch right now as it might overwhelm him.

Soon Branch gets up,Poppy thinks he is going to head back to Rhonda but he keep going straight. "Wait Branch what are you doing?" She asks. "I'm going to go save Floyd.Alone. I didn’t need them growing up, and I don’t need them now" He simply replies.

He sees that Poppy is still following him though "What are you doing?" He asks. "What do you mean? I’m coming with you" She replies there no way she's going to let her boyfriend go off on a rescue mission alone.

"Why bother? Aren’t you gonna leave me eventually anyway?......Everyone else does" He replies as his ears lower in sadness. Poppy gently takes his paw "I have been by your side from the moment we met. I have been with you when we went to go save my friends from the bergens,when I went gray you were there to help me bring my colors back. You protected me from being turned into a rock zombie. I was there when you were transforming. And throughout all of this you've been by my side too. Let's give eachother some credit here" she says smiling.

Branch sighs, he hates it when his negative thoughts show their ugly heads. He's right Poppy has been there for him for so much. "Right,uh I’m sorry. Thank you" He says smiling. "You’re welcome.And I’m not going anywhere unless it’s with you.To save Floyd." She says as their tails entertwine and they press their heads together. Branch wonders how he managed to land such an amazing woman.

The moment is cut short when they hear the sound of a tricycle. They see one coming up to them and to their surprise it's Tiny Diamond riding it. "Woah! Tiny! You’re coming too?" Poppy asks surprised. "Hey, what can I say?

I was moved by Branch’s speech and his sad, sad drawing. Now, let’s roll." The duo hop onto the tricycle even though they both have a feeling they would get there faster if they ran on all fours. But soon the trio make their way to Mount Rageous.

Meanwhile a certain married bergen couple are riding back from the water park on a motorcycle.

"Wow Grissy,I’ve never seen anyone get kicked out of a water park like that" Bridget says in awe. "All right, for the record,it was the water slide that ripped off my trunks" Gristle clarifies. "Yeah and it was so hot" Bridget says before she catches the smell of something familiar and delicious. "Wait Grissy do you smell that?" She asks as she keeps smelling. "Yeah I do it smells like" "French fries!" The couple says in unison as they stop the motorcycle. Little did they know what was about to happen.

The couple begin to walk throught the course not knowing of the many pairs of tiny eyes that were following their every move preparing to strike.

They soon come across a pile of fries on the ground but before they could even process it a giant clown head lights up. "Who goes there?!" It booms at the two who scream in fear and surprise. The mouth opens up and out comes a bunch of small colorful balls.

"Are those golfballs?" Bridget asks in confusion. They then uncurl themselves revealing to be trolls. "Oh their just trolls look at how cute they are" Bridget says as she coos at their apparent cuteness. Then through a series of events they both end up on the ground covered in sticky hands and wrapped up in tickets.

"Wow Grissy, I didn’t think we’d both find ourselves tied up on this honeymoon" Bridget says as she looks at her husband in shock.

Again very sorry for the very short chapter but the next ones will be long so that's why I'm doing this super short ones rn to get them done.

Fun fact when trolls touch their foreheads together its a show of love can be either romantic or familial.

[toastybagel-fanfiction]

home for christmas

okay so this one’s really short but i had an idea for a little drabble this year just to post on tumblr! i hope you guys like it hehe☺️

Scott didn’t really do the whole Christmas thing, especially after moving out of his childhood home. As a kid, it had all been corporate parties and photo shoots and boring dinner parties where people he barely knew would sidle up beside him and claim that “I knew you when you were this big!”

That was what Christmas became. It was stress. It was performing for an audience. It was opening gifts and realizing that he and his sister got all the same things.

Vincent had shown him another side to the holiday- one that didn’t involve sitting through church just because one of his mom’s friends invited them.

With Vincent, it was a day that they spent quietly together as the snow peacefully fell outside. It was shopping trips together where they would each drop little hints as to what they hoped to see under the tree. The day itself was one that Scott wanted to last forever.

This year was unusual; typically Vincent was the one to set up the christmas tree, decorating it entirely by himself while Scott was at work.

Now, it was two days before Christmas and Vincent was at work.

Scott felt an itch that he had never felt before, carrying himself to the storage closet, where the faux tree was stored for most of the year. He pulled it out, setting it up in its usual spot beside the TV stand.

He wasn’t quite sure what he was doing when he wrapped the string of lights around the plastic branches, simply mimicking what he had watched Vincent do in years prior.

Before he knew it, he was dragging another box out of the closet, a string of garland in one hand and a star in the other, carefully placing the star on the top branch of the tree and watching it light up.

He was strategic in placing the ornaments- fragile ones near the top, no similar ornaments beside each other, and ensuring that the front and the back of the tree had an even spread of decoration.

After he placed the last ornament on the tree- a tiny photo of Scott and Vincent from their first anniversary- he stepped back.

It was far from the perfect, corporate Christmas trees of his childhood, but that was what made it so amazing: it was a tree that only Scott and Vincent could create.

Then, he rested.

His sleep was abruptly interrupted when Vincent came home.

Seeing the tree- realizing what Scott had done- he immediately knelt down beside the chair that Scott was curled up in, kissing him delicately on the forehead.

Scott’s eyes fluttered open.

“Welcome home, Vince,” He yawned.

Vincent’s fingers were woven into Scott’s hair when he pulled Scott forward just enough to press their lips together.

{thank you for reading! happy holidays!}

[bobbinacrossafricatake2]

“Unforgiving” Skeleton Coast

May 20, 2024

Having had a day of big game yesterday that was unexpected, today was a more unique adventure to the Skeleton Coast. It was pretty hot yesterday afternoon, and with no A/C we were both worried about sleeping. But the silence (save for the roaring lion that only Jill and the staff heard), the darkness, and an air temperature that cooled down quite nicely, we both slept like the dead. Still, alarms went off early; we rallied, gathered laundry (for one of the benefits of safari camps), got our stuff together and MacDonald collected us at 6:30 for breakfast (no roaming by ourselves in the dark). Quite yummy, as expected, with cooked options and a nice buffet. Coffees, oh yes.

Off we drove with Jo, Robert (our new best friends), Esther, our lunch cook for the day, and Max. The drive was fascinating. In the early light before full sun, the colors were flat and muted with even shrubs and trees seemingly in camouflage. It was fun to listen to Max’s banter with Esther, and he was great at stopping to look at random things. One example: who needs calcium supplement pills when there is dried out hyena poop (only bone remaining) to be had at the side of the road? After a bit, we got to the same riverbed we followed yesterday, but continued along it much further toward the Atlantic. Here, as the sun rose, again the textures, colors and shapes were amazing. The cracked dried clay of the riverbed curls up into the likes of chocolate curls on a cake. The wind makes squiggles in the sand that are like art. Max spotted some tracks in sand built up at the edge of the riverbank, and we stopped, got out of the vehicle, to see the beetle tracks and subtle designs from a spider. Max explained that the spiders make tunnels into the sand to keep cool during the hot days. Then he proceeded to blow away a bit of sand showing the front door, and he opened it by lifting up a tiny flap that was the front door to the spiders den, created from spider saliva and silk. Totally cool. ‘Gotta love nature! He carefully replaced the front door, as guides are immensely respectful of wildlife.

The banks of the river are pretty high, a result of the rushing water that comes only every few years. Periodically, there are scrambles of branches where the current slammed them into a tree or rock and there they stayed. We stopped for birds, flowers, a few giraffes nibbling on branches, an oryx with a baby (adorable). As we got further along, the river spread out, banks became lower and dusty greens started to creep into the browns, rusts and tans of the drive thus far. This is when we were told to put on our seatbelts and the serious bumps began. Talk about the proverbial “African massage” this journey took the cake. The vehicle bounced, tipped, steadied itself and bounced some more - all the way to the ocean! It was oddly soothing, even trying to stay upright, and each of us nodded off a few times! Windows up, at one point the sand cloud got so thick that Max had to stop for it to clear. Yet further on, we stopped to watch a few black back jackals hunting rodents, leaping and running! Truly, Max was a wonder, knowing just when to let us nod off for a few minutes, when to point something out, when to stop the car and let us out for a stretch or a closer look, and when to share his amazing knowledge of the desert. The next transition was to dunes. We stopped this time to let air out of the tires, and carried on. There were areas of purple - yes, with beautiful patterns from the wind, and the purple layer being from granite sand. Riding the dunes was somewhere between exhilarating and terrifying. As we got close to the water, we stopped to view an “oasis,” a water hole with a bunch of birds where an underground river/natural spring popped up in the middle of the dunes. We wander off a short way to observe and a little white tuxedo’ed beetle (black and white markings) chased Jill around. Max picked him up and, of course, knew everything about the little creature! It was quite windy and as headed back the short distance to the vehicle, our footprints were already almost gone from the wind blowing the dunes. Not sure how this happened but at one point Max stopped and the next thing we knew, Jill, Robert and Sarah were singing our national anthem, after which Max sang the Namibian anthem. The apt, memorable line was about “contrast in beautiful Namibia.

We made it to the coast, where we stopped for a break at a National Park office and small museum about the Skeleton Coast. Known for being unforgiving due to the currents, fog and rocks, it is a graveyard of ships and whales that were caught unaware! The museum consisted of animal bones, riggings from ship wrecks and stories of significant wrecks. We went down to the shore with huge waves and an enourmous and totally stinky fur seal population. Thousands for as far as the eye could see. They were fun to watch for a bit, especially the babies, awkwardly hoisting their little bodies around on the rocks. The amazing thing was to the hundreds or thousands surfing, bobbing up and down and having themselves a grand old time in the water. Indeed there were seagulls and birds of prey around to feast on the inevitable carcases of seals among the molt-covered rocks.

We went back to the office/museum compound where Esther had a lovely lunch of corn and miso soup and paella ready for us. She apparently does this almost every day during her six weeks on! Conversation was lovely and lunch was good. We learned that our 2:00 PM plane back would be delayed,so off we went to see a shipwreck - yay!

The shipweck was from 1976, a South African fishing boat called the South Coast. It was a mass of tangled,mangled metal strewn about the shore. Must have been a harsh end. It was good to get a feel for why indeed this landscape is unforgiving.

Finally, with a little more time, we headed south to the mouth of the river (currently blocked off),where a bunch of flamingoes were feeding in the water. One wouldn’t have known we weren’t in Florida!

Back at the airstrip, we boarded our plane quickly and got home in no time! We blogged and reviewed photos for a bit then headed to our briefing from the research team here. Cheetahs! Yay. They’re such wonderful creatures, and our guy was so totally enthusiastic about understanding them better. He even considers the vulture/cheetah in his research. Loved it!

We then had a lovely chat with Lizelle, the duty manager for tonight, around the firepit - everything from commiserating about knee issues, to healthcare, to customer service to tourism. Fun to get a local’s perspective. Dinner was wonderful, pulling Jo and Robert’s table over to join us. The evening was much cooler than last night, and totally enjoyable. The fact that Seb almost ate a moth with a sip of wine - details, details…

Back in the room, fans to cool, mosquito nets to protect…life is good.

[warriors-rewritten-chaos]

Warrior Cats Prefixes List- D

I had a WC Name Generator on Perchance that I made but I don't seem to have access anymore, so I'm remaking it here as just a simple list. The definitions used are the ones that Clan cats have for those things, and thus are the origins of the names. Definitions used are whatever I found when I googled it.

Dace-: "[noun] a small freshwater fish of the minnow family, typically living in running water"

Dahlia-: "[noun] a tuberous-rooted Mexican plant of the daisy family, which is cultivated for its brightly colored single or double flowers"

Daisy-: "[noun] a small grassland plant that has flowers with a yellow disk and white rays"

Daffodil-: "[noun] a bulbous plant that typically bears bright yellow flowers with a long trumpet-shaped center"

Damselfly-: "[noun] a slender insect related to the dragonflies, having weak flight and typically resting with the wings folded back along the body"

Dance-: "[verb] (of a cat) move in a quick and lively way; [noun] a series of movements that utilize speed and rhythm"

Dancing-: "[noun] the activity of dancing for pleasure or in order to entertain others"

Dandelion-: "[noun] a widely distributed weed of the daisy family, with a rosette of leaves, bright yellow flowers followed by globular heads of seeds with downy tufts, and stems containing a milky latex"

Dapperling-: "[noun] an agaric and possibly poisonous mushroom in the family Agaricaceae"

Dapple-: "[noun] a patch or spot of color or light; [verb] mark with spots or rounded patches"

Dappled-: "[adj] marked with spots or rounded patches"

Dark-: "[noun] the absence of light in a place; [noun] a dark color or shade; [adj] with little or no light; [adj] (of a color or object) not reflecting much light; approaching black in shade"

Darner-: "[noun] a large slender-bodied dragonfly"

Dart-: "[noun] an act of running somewhere suddenly and rapidly; [verb] move or run somewhere suddenly or rapidly"

Dash-: "[noun] an act of running somewhere suddenly and hastily; [verb] run or travel somewhere in a great hurry"

Dawn-: "[noun] the first appearance of light in the sky before sunrise"

Day-: "[noun] the part of the day when it is light, the time between sunrise and sunset"

Deathcap-: "[noun] a deadly poisonous basidiomycete fungus, one of many in the genus Amanita"

Deep-: "[adj] extending far down from the top or surface"

Deer-: "[noun] a hoofed grazing or browsing animal, with branched bony antlers that are shed annually and typically borne only by the male"

Delta-: "[noun] a wetland that forms as rivers empty their water and sediment into another body of water, such as an ocean, lake, or another river"

Deluge-: "[noun] a severe flood"

Dew-: "[noun] tiny drops of water that form on cool surfaces at night"

Dewberry-: "[noun] a trailing European bramble with soft prickles and edible fruit which has a dewy white bloom on the skin"

Dewdrop-: "[noun] a drop of dew"

Dill-: "[noun] an aromatic annual herb of the parsley family, with fine blue-green leaves and yellow flowers"

Dim-: "[adj] (of a light, color, or illuminated object) not shining brightly or clearly; [verb] make or become less bright or distinct"

Dimming-: "[verb] make or become less bright or distinct"

Dipper-: "[noun] a short-tailed songbird related to the wrens, frequenting fast-flowing streams and able to swim, dive, and walk under water to feed"

Dive-: "[noun] a plunge head first into water; [noun] a steep descent by an aircraft or bird; [verb] plunge head first into water; [verb] (of an aircraft or bird) plunge steeply downward through the air"

Dizzy-: "[adj] having or involving a sensation of spinning around and losing one's balance; [verb] make (someone) feel unsteady, confused, or amazed"

Dock-: "[noun] a perennial plant that grows from taproots, related to sorrel"

Dodder-: "[noun] an annual seed-bearing parasitic vine in the dodder family"

Doe-: "[noun] a female deer"

Dog-: "[noun]  domesticated carnivorous mammal that typically has a long snout, an acute sense of smell, nonretractable claws, and a barking, howling, or whining voice"

Dogbane-: "[noun] any of a genus (Apocynum of the family Apocynaceae, the dogbane family) of often poisonous plants chiefly of temperate-zone regions with milky juice and fibrous bark"

Dogwood-: "[noun] a shrub or small tree of north temperate regions, which yields hard timber and is grown for its decorative foliage, red stems, or colorful berries"

Dot-: "[noun] a small round mark or spot; [verb] mark with a small spot or spots"

Dotted-: "[adj] marked with or in the form of dots"

Dotterel-: "[noun] a small plover with a brown streaked back and a chestnut or buff belly with black below"

Dove-: "[noun] a stocky seed- or fruit-eating bird with a small head, short legs, and a cooing voice. Doves are generally smaller and more delicate than pigeons, but many kinds have been given both names"

Down-: "[noun] the layer of fine feathers found under the tougher exterior feathers of birds"

Downy-: "[adj] covered with fine soft hair or feathers"

Dragonfly-: "[noun] a fast-flying long-bodied predatory insect with two pairs of large transparent wings which are spread out sideways at rest"

Dream-: "[noun] a series of thoughts, images, and sensations occurring in a person's mind during sleep; [noun] a cherished aspiration, ambition, or ideal"

Dreaming-: "[verb] experience dreams during sleep; [verb] indulge in daydreams or fantasies about something greatly desired"

Drift-: "[noun] a continuous slow movement from one place to another; [verb] be carried slowly by a current of air or water; [verb] (especially of snow or leaves) be blown into heaps by the wind"

Driftwood-: "[noun] wood drifted or floated by water"

Drizzle-: "[noun] light rain falling in very fine drops; [verb] rain lightly"

Drop-: "[noun] a small round or pear-shaped portion of liquid that hangs or falls or adheres to a surface"

Droplet-: "[noun] a very small drop of a liquid"

Drought-: "[noun] a prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall, leading to a shortage of water"

Dry-: "[adj] free from moisture or liquid; not wet or moist"

Duck-: "[noun] a waterbird with a broad blunt bill, short legs, webbed feet, and a waddling gait"

Duckling-: "[noun] a young duck"

Dune-: "[noun] a mound or ridge of sand or other loose sediment formed by the wind, especially on the sea coast or in a desert"

Dunlin-: "[noun] a migratory sandpiper with a down-curved bill and (in the breeding season) a reddish-brown back and black belly"

Dunnock-: "[noun] a small passerine, or perching bird, found throughout temperate Europe and into Asian Russia"

Dusk-: "[noun] the darker stage of twilight"

Dust-: "[noun] fine, dry powder consisting of tiny particles of earth or waste matter lying on the ground or on surfaces or carried in the air"

Dusty-: "[adj] covered with, full of, or resembling dust; [adj] (of a color) dull or muted"

[sidhewrites]

Chapter four! Most of this is taken from the previous version of the project, but it's the last bit that's been prewritten. Everything here on out will be brand new.

Project Info

Previous Chapter | Next Chapter

I bring two coffees just in case.

I don't know what Lucy likes, so I get one with just a little cream and no fancy add-ons, and a mocha frappuccino with all the add-ons, just in case. I could drink both, if it came right down to it, but I didn't want to leave Lucy without one just in case she changed her mind. I'm also armed with a backpack of stuff. Snack bars, a tiny radio, a small speaker, and Josie’s dowsing rods, just in case we get caught.

It was a perfect night for ghost hunting. The clouds were nearly gone, just a few still rolling across the sky and a thin mist obscured the ground. A cold breeze pulled dry leaves off branches and tossed them carelessly across the ground. Lucy is nowhere to be found, but I arrived a few minutes early as it was. The Archivists themselves are still waiting for the last few members of their team to show up, and I make my way over to the grave where we first met to wait. 

It’s a weathered stone, probably at least a hundred years old at this point, and, in this low light, that the words are too worn away to make out clearly. Josie would probably know who it belongs to, but I resist the urge to turn my phone on and check if she’s sent any messages. I tell myself it’s not just because I don’t know if I even want to talk to her or not, and, for once, that’s actually true. The light could attract unwanted attention, and the plan tonight is to not be noticed. Just to be extra safe, I’ve got a dark jacket on with the hood up over my pink hair, so I blend in just a bit more with the background. 

I am secret. I am stealth. “I am the night,” I mutter as hoarsely quietly as I can.

“Is that so?”

This time, I manage not to shout Jesus Shit as I fall on my ass in fear as Lucy stands over me, covering her mouth to stifle a giggle.

"Hi," I say.

"Evening." She grins down at me, more than a little smug. I'd be irritated at her if it wasn't admittedly so funny.

"Hi," I say again. I'm very eloquent.

Lucy gives me a look, and lowers herself to the ground next to me. "So, what's the plan?" Lucy asks.

"I figure they're gonna start filming after about half an hour of setting up, I think? Deliver some of the scripted lines, get some spooky B-roll."

"You know quite a bit about their methods."

I shrug. "I took a few film classes." I was by no means an expert, but I had an idea of what to expect. Then I look at her again, and realize, "When did you get here?"

I startle, falling forward and swallowing a yelp of surprise. Instead, I smile, turning around to see Lucy standing behind me, nearly invisible in the deep shadows of the tree. “When did you get here?” I whisper, realizing just how tall she is. I’m already short, five feet and two inches on a good day, but she seems to be pushing six feet, even when accounting for my view from the ground.

“Some might say I never left.”

“Okay, Mary Shelley.” I stick my tongue out at her, prompting Lucy to giggle, and I hold one of the coffees out. “Brought this for you, just in case you’d need it. Oh --” I pull it back and hold the other one out instead. “Or this one. I don’t know if you prefer it sweet or black, so I got both.”

“How very kind of you, though I hope you didn’t burden yourself too much in getting them. I can’t drink coffee, I’m afraid. Maybe you could have them both?”

“That’s a horrible idea. I’ll be vibrating ‘til next week. I’ll do it.”

“You, ah -- you don’t have to?”

“Nah, I’m gonna.” I chug.

“Amazing.” Lucy does not sound amazed.

Once I down a good amount of the first coffee, we turned our attention to the crew. They're almost done setting up and taking one last inventory of the tools on hand. They look fairly satisfied with their setup, though the sound operator still has second thoughts about the leaves on the ground stirring in the breeze.

“Alright, Luce, how do we wanna start?” I list off the items in my bag as the team goes over their own filming schedule and glance off into the distance with some frustration. I guess in Haunted Archivist Standard Time, 10:00 is actually 9:30. Sure enough, a small group of people emerge out of the darkness -- the last two members of the Haunted Archivist team, and the last person I wanted to see tonight.

Mr. Gno looks even older than usual at this hour. Admittedly, I ought to have been expecting it. The team needed someone to let them in the gates and to sign off on various filming permits, but it didn't even cross my mind until now. Why didn't he have one of the other groundskeepers work tonight? Or one of our two office admins?

At least he's clearly having fun. As the group gets closer, I can hear him try out different voices and personas. Apparently they'll be interviewing him for some of the background segments of the video, and I have to bite my lip to keep from laughing as Mr. Ngo puffs out his chest and says, "Howdy." 

The rest of the group laughs as well, which does endear them to me a little. He's a kind man who deserves to be appreciated, and, also, the best cowboy.

"Thanks again for helping us out tonight," the manager says. "This is gonna be a huge hit."

"Always happy to help out a couple of young'uns lookin' to rustle up some ghosts ... buckaroos."

I have the best boss.

Besides me, Lucy is laughing as well, a hand covering her mouth to keep quiet as well. She notices me looking, and fights to regain her composure. "I'm looking forward to hearing his interview. They seem to be almost ready. Let's do the same."

I nod, trying to focus on making a plan.  “I know they like to just kind of talk into the air and analyze audio later. Not much we can do there, but I think we can hijack their communicator thing.”

“Communicator thing.”

“You know, the thing. It, like, listens to the air waves and the computer translates that into actual words. It’s called, um…”

“Spirit box.”

“No, that’s the one with the radio, isn’t it?”

“There’s multiple types. Trust me, I’ve seen my share of investigator teams. These ones are a sight more sophisticated than the early spiritualists, to be sure.” Lucy’s smile grows. “They have the teddy bear.”

I follow her gaze, and, sure enough, the team is bringing out and testing the light up bear. It’s to attract playful spirits and measure vibrations and static charges in the air, but I might have bought one just to have something that lights up when I hug it. I’m a mature adult, and I make good choices with my life.

“Let’s see if this works.” I raise the EMF generator, and point it in the direction of the bear. Slowly, feeling very slightly James Bond-y, I press the switch and turn the dial gently. Sure enough, the lights start to glow a bit brighter, just enough to be noticeable, and the team gasps collectively.

Lucy and I duck down again, fighting to suppress our giggles as the team gathers around the bear, all talking at once. Who was it, is she here already, I wasn’t expecting this sort of activity --

“We should start filming now,” the manager says, half-breathless already, and everyone rushes to comply.

I clamp down on my laughter and look up at Lucy. She’s closer than I had expected her to be, and I’m grateful we’re both trying to be silent right now or else I’d probably say something stupid, like wow you have really long eyelashes.

Instead, she probably mistakes my distracted gazing into her eyes as some sort of intelligent silent communication and nods. I nod back, and raise the generator again just as the camera operator, “Rolling.”

Lourdes faces the camera while Mick holds up his EMF reader and follows the sources of the sound. "This is amazing," she whispers. "We were expecting some activity tonight, but nothing like this. We hadn't even turned the cameras on when this thing started going."

If I remember correctly, there’s usually at least five hours of unused footage to go with the half-hour video they end up with. Almost automatically, their usual closing plays through my head -- And monthly pledges get one hour of deleted content, so click the link on your screen or in the description to --

The stupid music they play is going to be stuck in my head all night. I would probably do a stupid little dance to it if someone asked. I really hope Lucy doesn’t ask.

#

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