#xmas miracles do come true

[wakeup01]

Two Twinks, One Wish

“So Charlie, what did you wish for Christmas?”

“Really? Can we just watch the movie?” I say, annoyed.

Daniel had been my boyfriend for about a month now and had recently moved into my flat, just in time for Christmas. Since then things had been a struggle, he would continually whine about my inadequacies - how I didn’t tidy enough, didn’t appreciate him and most of all how I was a terrible top.

See, the problem was, we were both twinks. We had the same skinny body type, with barely any muscle definition. The only real difference being he had the better ass. Admittedly, I had a severe lack of confidence in the bedroom, frequently failing to get in the mood. Daniel on the other hand was very particular about what he liked and what he expected.

“Come on! You must be able to think of something. God knows there’s enough things you can be better at…” Daniel chastised.

Even now he had turned a harmless movie night into another chance to take petty digs. We were on the couch watching some cheesy xmas film, where the protagonist makes wishes that magically come true. Now he was insisting for me to make some stupid wish.

“Why don’t you go first? You seem to have a lot of ideas in mind.” I shoot back, not taking my eyes off the screen.

“Hmm, I got the perfect one! Charlie, I wish… you were a better top!” He laughs and nudges into my shoulder.

I roll my eyes, of course, I should of guessed this is where things were heading. Ugh. Out of nowhere I feel a chill wash over my whole body and a tightness take hold in my chest. After a moment the feeling subsides.

“Very funny. Have you been thinking that one up all night.” My voice dripping in sarcasm.

I shift in my seat slightly, a dull warmth emanating from my crotch. I must be feeling unwell, I’m definitely not being turned on by his degrading remarks. But the heat doesn’t fade, in fact it only grows in intensity. I get the impulse to grope at my growing bulge, the tightness straining against my jeans. Daniel would never live it down If I did, but it was becoming rather uncomfortable.

“You look a little flustered there… ah. I see. Are you really getting horny from this? Christ, you’re pathetic.” Daniel scolds, reaching his hand down.

Before I can object he unzips my trousers and pulls down the waistband of my briefs. My cock bursts forth and slaps against my chest, pre already leaking from it’s tip. Except it’s not my cock, this monster is almost twice my normal size. And my balls are inflating in front of my very eyes.

“What the hell?” I shout.

“Woah, oh shit, it’s working. It’s a Christmas miracle!” He exclaims in barely contained glee.

“Daniel, what did you do!” My voice cracks.

My dick continues to snake up my torso, going from 5 inches, to 7 then to 8. As it grows, so does my hornyness, overpowering my head as I fall into a drunken stupor. This is the most intense erection I’ve ever felt. My hand rubs up and down the entire length and I attempt to wrap my fingers around it, before discovering its girth is now thicker than my hand.

“Nice cock ‘bro’. Good tops are well equipped downstairs. And now, you are too. Hahaha” I look over and see him smirk at me.

He’s enjoying this far too much for my liking, but I’m in no position to fight back. Why did he make that stupid wish, I better not be stuck with this forever. At this point I don’t think my cock would even fit into any underwear I own. How exactly can I walk around with this thing swinging between my legs.

“You know who makes good tops? Jocks. That cocky attitude and carefree nature, coasting through life without thinking.” Daniel suggests, wistfully.

Jocks are also narcissistic morons. And I’m certainly not going to be one just to be a better ‘top’. I’m suddenly distracted by a chafing from my rear, a pair of straps seem to be cupping the cheeks of my tight butt. Below my balls now sits a stained pouch, the smell of musk rising from it hits my nose and I recoil.

“I think it’s jockstraps only from now on Charlie. And woof, sweaty ones at that.”

All of my senses are being overpowered, it’s like my head is in a vice that keeps on tightening. The film in front of me becomes a blur, my focus shattered by the intense pleasure from my new cock.

“Cock.” I blurt out.

I hear Daniel laughing from out of view.

My head is starved of oxygen as all the blood rushes to my groin, I’ve never been this horny before. I feel the strangest sensation as my brain thickens, filling up with throbbing meat. All the space padded out until I’m holding up a heavy dumbbell on the end of my neck. My thoughts were still there, somewhere, but it took so long to find them. It was quicker and easier to just embrace jockdom, stop worrying so much and just go along with the flow. If I was unsure of what to say then bro, I’d just say ‘bro’! A bro can fill in sentences with ‘bro’ and everyone will know what a bro they are. And bro? Being labeled as a dumb bro means no one expects anything meaningful from me. Brawn over brains is the mantra of my life dude.

“Jock’s also like to wear their bro-hood on their sleeves, and in your case, quite literally.”

As soon as the words leave his mouth I feel a sharp pain, as if a hundred needles are stabbing down my arm. I brace myself before glancing down. And there it was, 🍖 the meat emoji tattooed on my left hand. Huhhuh, awesome bro. Branded a meathead for life.

“Bro?” I ask slowly, my voice now considerably deeper.

“Yeah ‘Chad?’” Daniel emphasises.

The name immediately sticks to me like glue. Chad. I am such a Chad. I have some distant recollection of being someone else, but I can’t be bothered to search my brain for it. There’s a more pressing concern.

“Bruh, I need to empty my balls.” I grunt. The pressure from my engorged member becoming unbearable.

“Then you know what to do. Good muscle tops have their cocks milked every day.”

I grip my cock and begin pumping in earnest, my jaw hanging open. As I masturbate, my hands and arms bulk up with muscle. I see my veins very noticeably pop out. I feel a desperate urge to flex, letting one hand go from my dick. I ball it into a fist and raise it to the side of my head, squeezing my biceps. My arm pulses with meat, sending a vain satisfaction to my pleasure center.

“Good dumb tops spend all their time in the gym or on the field. Sculpting their body into the perfect chiselled shape.” His nasally voice instructs.

Muscle continues to form all over my lithe frame; my shoulders broaden and my chest ripples into a tight 6 pack. My clothes are loudly ripped to shreds. Memories enter my head of spending hours working out, of hanging with the other jocks and forming a vacant facade of a personality. Sweat drips from my hairy armpits, staining the couch under me. The room quickly starts smelling like a gym, my rank feet tearing free from my socks. My face cracks as it squares out into a more defined outline, brow growing heavy above my distant eyes. My body is now taking up most of the couch as Daniel budges over to the side. I quicken my pace, pumping now with both hands. My balls tighten.

“Fuck yeah brah.” I roar, reaching climax.

My cock spurts rope after rope of musky cum directly at my face, I’m left covered in my own seed. Daniel leans over to me and begins to eagerly lick at my face. He savours my taste on his tongue before swallowing. The sign of an expert bottom, huhuhu.

“Mmm. Great Tops know how to take control. And you’re a great top Chad.” Daniel moans in lust.

He’s right.

“Dude, this film is fucking dull. I’m changing to the sports channel bro. There’s a sick game playing today.” My hands take the remote and switch to a noisy football game.

I grab Daniels’s tiny little body and force him onto my lap. I flex again and push his face into my armpit. His tongue drags along my wiry dank hair. He moves his hand between my legs and starts passionately fingering his hungry ass hole, using my cum as lube. I hear him panting heavily like a dog. Man, my boyfriend is such a whiny brat…

“Bro, it’s my turn.” My cocky voice booms.

“What?” I hear his muffled voice cry out.

“Uhh… I wish… I wish you were a Bro like me, Bro.” I smirk.

“Wait, noooo!” He screams.

His body shudders and contorts as I hold his face to my pits with my newfound strength. He packs on pounds of muscle in a matter of seconds. Dan’s moaning turns to grunts. He’s going to make for such a Good. Arrogant. Dumb. Bro.

I watch his dong stretch down his leg, his balls sagging between his thickening thighs. The head of Dan’s veiny cock leaking like a faucet. A pair of juicy pecs push out from his chest and his adam apple swells. I pull away the remains of his clothes, letting them fall to the ground.

Dan’s dainty feet beef up to a size 12, sweat gathering between his toes - smelling like a real man should. I feel his previously fat bubble butt tense with lean muscle on my lap. With a squeak, his thoroughly abused fuck hole tightens shut, never to be stretched open again. He only tops after all, like me.

I release my grip on him and he pulls away, my sweat covering his square jawed face. He stuffs his junk into a jockstrap, looking barely concealed as it throbs with need. His messy hair has receded into a clean as fuck buzzcut. We now look almost identical, except that his meat emoji 🍖 tattoo is engraved on his right hand.

“Bro!” Dan’s voice deepens.

“Let’s go find some sluts to breed, bro.” We both smirk at each other and flex.

[holylulusworld]

Her secret Santa

Summary: You believe in miracles, the good in people and yes, Santa Claus.

Pairing: Tony Stark x Reader

Card Number: 6054

Rating: Mature (due to angst and daddy kink)

Warnings: age gap (undefined), daddy kink, reader is a little special (she still believes in Santa), Christmas fluff, angst, arguments, secret Santa

Square A1 filled for @tonystarkbingo​: Apology

Square 9 filled for Lulu’s Winter bingo: Angst

Square 2 filled for Lulu’s XMas Bingo: Secret Santa  

Words: 1,7 k

Divider by @firefly-graphics​

“Darling, can you please stop wiggling and giggling?” Tony sighs deeply as you wiggle on top of him. “Y/N, I mean it. I need some more sleep. The last fight is still in my old bones.”

You giggle at his words.

“Baby, you’re not that old,” you peck his lips, but won’t stop wiggling. “It’s just, Christmas is close, and it always makes me giddy. I love it. The tree, the lights, baking cookies, waiting for Santa.”

“Waiting for Santa?” Tony watches you straddle his lap. You place your hands on his chest, tickling him. “You mean you are playing secret Santa or something.”

“No, Tony. I’m excited to see if Santa will like the new cookies I’ll bake for him,” you smile dopily. Your eyes are glassy, just like when you slip into your favorite headspace. The one only Tony can help you find.

“Aw, you want me to play your secret Santa, huh? What do you want, baby?” he lets his eyes wander to drink your naked body in. “I know a thing or two I want Santa to help me come true.” He bites his lower lip.

“What? No, daddy,” you slap his chest playfully. “I don’t need you to play secret Santa. I’ll be waiting for the real Santa to find me at my new apartment. It will be perfect. I got the best ingredients and he’ll love the cookies. I was a good girl too all year.”

“Darling?” Tony cocks his head. He tries to find out if you are joking or not. “You are not serious. Right?”

“Of course, I’m serious, Tony,” you lean over his body to peck his lips. “Don’t you want something from Santa too? You’re a hero and a good man. He’ll bring you all the gifts you want.”

“You are serious,” Tony gasps. He can’t fathom that you believe in Santa Clause. “But Santa Claus is for children and you are a grown woman. How can you still believe in him?”

“Daddy, you are flying around in speaking armor. One of your friends is an alien, and another one has superpowers and turns green. The doctor can use magic. After all the things you saw and did you don’t believe Santa is real?”

You sit back up and stare down at Tony.

“Baby doll, you can’t believe in fairy tales. You’re too old…I mean…Y/N…” he stammers as tears well up in your eyes. “I didn’t mean to offend you, darling. It’s just, you’re a smart girl and…”

You get off his lap to look for your clothes. Tony tries to grab your wrist, but you slap his hand away.

“Smart people can believe in magic and wonders too, Tony,” you snap back while hurriedly throwing your clothes back on. “You witnessed wonders and the impossible. You met Gods and dark elves. Hell, you walked the line between life and death and still don’t believe in miracles?”

“Miracles. No. It was Doctor Cho, modern technology, and the help of my friends bringing me back,” he huffs as you pick your bag up. “Come back to bed, Y/N. We can talk about your fantasies later.”

“Last night you weren’t against my fantasies,” you grit your teeth. “You loved them and all the kinky ideas. The handcuffs and my sexy Mrs. Claus costume.”

“I loved it, sugar doll,” Tony hastily leaves the bed to follow you out of the bedroom. “Baby. Wait. I’m sorry, okay. We don’t always have to agree, Y/N. Please wait.”

“I don’t know about you, but I’ll go home and prepare for Christmas. You can stay here, in your world filled with logic and no magic. Forget we ever met. Lose my number and look for someone who’s just like you.”

You turn around to glare at Tony. “Baby? Darling…what do you mean someone like me?”

“A dream destroyer. A grump who doesn’t believe in magic and the good in this world. I can’t be with someone belittling me for believing in something magical…”

You are gone before Tony can react. He stands in the hallways, panting as he realizes you just left him for good. “Uh-Friday. Can you find out if there’s any trace of Santa Claus being real?”

“Sir, I’m afraid I don’t have reliable data about Santa Claus,” the AI replies.

“Call Strange. Maybe he knows if the big red guy is real,” Tony runs one hand down his face. “I just fucked epically…”

You whine as a loud thud wakes you from your peaceful slumber. While you turn around to have a look at your phone, groaning as it’s eleven pm, a noise catches your attention.

“Who…what?” you grab your phone and silently slip out of your bed. “Friday.” You whisper. “Can you check if anyone broke into my home?”

For the first time, you are thankful Tony insisted on taking care of the security at your apartment.

“Miss Y/L/N, I can assure you that you’re not in danger. No stranger broke into your home,” the AI replies. “Merry Christmas from me.”

“Merry Christmas,” you chuckle as you sneak out of your bedroom. “Maybe it’s…no…this can’t be. Right? I used bad words and wasn’t nice to Tony.”

You silently tiptoe toward your living room.

“Santa Claus is coming to town,” you hear a deep voice sing. You hold your breath as a man with a white beard dressed in a red suit with a black belt and white fur trim, black boots, and a soft red cap with white fur trim is busy putting gifts under your tree. “Perfect. Now let’s have one of those cookies.”

He huffs and sits on your armchair to take one of the cookies you placed on a plate on the small table next to the armchair. “Hmm…very good. Cinnamon and chocolate chips.”

“I made them for you, Santa,” your eyes are wide and wet as you carefully approach Santa. “I-uh…do you like them?”

“Very much,” he turns his head to not give his features away. “Thank you, Y/N. I’ll be on my way now. But…”

“But? Is something wrong, Santa?” you stop in your tracks. “Are you mad at me?”

“No-no,” he clears his throat. “I just wanted to thank you for still believing in me. Faith is hard to find these days. So, thank you Y/N.”

“No, thank you, Santa,” giggling you watch Santa get back up from the armchair. He nods, bows, and turns around to make his way toward the window. “You can use the door if you want to. Sorry, I don’t have a chimney, Santa.”

“No problem, darling,” he opens the window to jump out, making you gasps.

“SANTA! Be careful,” you run toward the window only to find him gone. “Phew, I bet he parked his sleigh under my window. I just wonder why he called me darling too…”

You went back to bed to sleep some more after Santa left.

Opening the presents before Christmas morning is forbidden so you decided on dreaming about Santa and all the gifts he brought you this year.

“WAIT!” you jolt up on the bed, gasping audibly. “He called me darling! No—no. This wasn’t Santa.”

Your heart does somersaults as you realize your own secret Santa visited you tonight.

“Friday, can you tell me who entered my apartment tonight?” you wring your hands. “It’s important for me to know.”

“Miss Y/L/N, the information you need is not available. I’m sorry.”

You sigh deeply. “Friday, did Tony instruct you to not give me the specific information I was looking for?”

“Miss Y/L/N, the information you need is not available. I’m sorry.”

“Friday, can you tell me where Tony is right now?”

“Miss Y/L/N, Mr. Stark is waiting outside your apartment. His heart rate is a little too high and he hasn’t slept well.”

“Well then, let him in,” you jump out of the bed to run toward the door.

“Opening the door now,” the AI replies as you already jump at Tony to pepper kisses all over his face.

“Daddy,” you wrap your legs around his waistline and your arms around his neck. “I knew you believe in Santa too.”

“Uh-I don’t know what you are talking about,” he pecks your nose. “I got some gifts for you, though. Darling, will you forgive me for being a Grinch? I love that you still believe in miracles and magic.”

“I mostly believe in you,” you greedily kiss Tony, whining as he cups the back of your head to deepen the kiss. “I love you, Tony.”

“Love you too, Y/N,” he carries you inside your apartment, wondering what made you forgive him so easily.

Tony was awake all night to find a way to earn your forgiveness. He doesn’t know someone already did the job. “You can play my secret Santa next year too.”

You grin.

“Secret Santa?” Tony furrows his brows. “I don’t know what you are talking about…”

Later that day you and Tony unwrap the gifts under your tree. “There’s something for you too?” you wonder aloud. “Odd.”

Tony stares at the gifts in his hands. It’s a handwritten letter and a toy he always asked Santa to bring him. Every year. Until he stopped believing in Santa Claus.

“Dear Tony. I brought you this gift to make up I wasn’t there when you needed me the most. I know it’s not much but you already got the biggest gift. A gift I wasn’t able to give you. Hold her close and cherish the love she has for you in her heart.”

He looks up from the letter signed with Santa Claus, swallowing thickly. “Tony what’s wrong?” you ask as he starts to cry. “Baby? Daddy?”

“I-I think I was mistaken,” his voice cracks. “You were right. He’s still out there.”

“He is?” you jump onto the couch to have a look at the letter. “But it was you last night…right? You came and brought the gifts.”

“Darling, I was at home and tried to find a way to get you back,” he stammers. “It wasn’t me.”

“If it wasn’t you…”

Your eyes grow wide, and you look at the letter again. You wrap your arms around Tony’s neck, sniffling silently as he wraps his arms around your trembling body.

It’s hard to believe in the good, love, and magic in a world trying to drag you down all the time.

But sometimes you just need a little faith…

Tags in reblog.

[joomma]

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Every year she wrote a letter to Santa Claus asking for a Black Cat Drink Coffee Cat And Coffee Lover Ugly Christmas Sweater of things she knew would come to her only by a miracle. Though just 7 years old she knew She was lucky enough to end up in the orphanage though she has nothing a kid craves for. But every year she is disappointed by just a piece of cake and a little used frock as Xmas gift. She stopped believing in Santa and lost Xmas spirit ever. When she was 12 years old she realized the main thing she is missing and wished just one thing this Xmas.. Love. The next morning the patron of the orphanage comes to her and says ‘you are adopted by a childless family. Please pack your things and be ready to meet them. ‘ Her voice dominated the Christmas Carols ever after that.

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[drizz-wtf]

So this happened to me on Xmas day. Needless to say I didn't bother her as her, Ariel and Rostam were super frazzled about their bakery order. She turned around and made eye contact a split second before her phone rang. SIGH

[bandaigaeru]

i'll be home for christmas - yang jeongin

→word count: 1k →pairing: jeongin x gn reader →a/n: have this short little xmas thing as my gift to you lol. merry christmas! see you all next year

High school already feels so far away now that you’ve reached the finale of your first semester away at college. The joy that normally comes with Christmas is consumed by the fact that childhood has never felt so distant. No longer do you feel like a child returning home with a joyful heart at the idea of Christmas. Instead, there’s nothing but yearning for childhood to approach you again.

Leaving the train station with a suitcase trailing behind you and a bag hanging from your shoulders, you inhale the cold winter air. It smells like Christmas, the smell of pollution that taints the air mixed with the brew of snow falling gently from the clouds. The weight you drag reminds you of a time when your father would tote your bags around, and you’ve never felt more alone in this vast world.

The streets of Busan are busy, per usual, as everyone rushes to complete gift shopping. It’s Christmas Eve, their last chance.

It’s a miracle you can hail a taxi of your own.

“Home for the holidays?” the driver asks as he takes your suitcase and stuffs it into the trunk.

“Mhm,” you hum, pulling the back door open and slipping inside. The heat blasts from the A/C and dries your eyes out, but at least you’re safe from the nipping breeze outside.

You offer an address to the driver, and he promptly plugs it into the GPS.

The ride is quiet and you use this time to stare out the window, watching as the snowflakes rush to the sidewalk. Part of you wants to ask the man about his plans, but he seems serene with his eyes glued to the road. You imagine a false life for him, hoping that some parts are true. He’s working on Christmas Eve for the same reason everyone else is. A kid at home with big dreams the man wants to help them reach.

The streets become more familiar as you draw closer to ‘home’. You know you’re there when the car brakes in front of a house with white lights lining the roof. The only one in the neighborhood. Dad always thought they were better than the colorful ones, and Mom always nodded in agreement.

As you pay the driver, he grins, “Merry Christmas!”

“Merry Christmas, sir,” you mimic his glee.

You wait and watch the car’s lights fade into the dark night before dragging your things up to the front door. A deep breath invades your lungs as you raise your fist to knock (Mom hates the sound of the doorbell), but a voice interrupts you.

“Y/N? I didn’t know you were coming home for Christmas!”

Your head swivels to the voice. A brunette boy smiles over the wall separating your house and the neighbor’s. His folded arms are resting on the cemented bricks, his chin resting upon them.

“Same for you.” You smile not to match his energy, but because it is an innate requirement.

“You know I have to come home. I have a little brother to amuse, you know?”

Yang Jeongin has a small, high dimple on his cheek. It flares when he talks about his family especially.

“So, how’s college up at Seoul University?” Jeongin tilts his head to get a better look at you.

“It’s good,” you nod, “not easy, that’s for sure.”

Jeongin giggles, “Right. But I’m sure you’re doing fine. You were always super good at all that academic stuff.”

Despite the freezing air biting at your cheeks, you feel warmth when he says this. It starts in your face, and then travels to your stomach.

“I’m glad you think so highly of me.”

“Always have,” he admits. Then, before you can interject, he says, “Go inside. Your parents probably miss you. I’ll catch you later.”

He hops down from the box giving him height to rest on the wall, and you hear him disappear into his house. You think you stood out in the snow for another ten minutes before finally knocking on the door to your home.

Christmas passes like it always does, in an underwhelming fall after the month-long build up. Your parents have gone to some New Year’s party for the day, even though there’s still four days remaining of the year.

The couch provides for a good resting spot for you and the family dog, Lucky, as you rewatch movies from childhood. Funnily enough, you’re not watching it. Neither is Lucky, as she snores loudly on your chest. You stare somewhere beyond the TV, thinking about Yang Jeongin.

He’s a cliche when paired with you. Childhood friends, neighbors nonetheless. Best friends all throughout school, but managed to grow distant when college came around.

There’s a knock on the door that pulls you from the pondering.

You push the sleeping dog off of you and take your time stumbling to the door. When you pull it open, Yang Jeongin’s little brother smiles up at you. You can see the resemblance clearly in the smiles.

He has a letter in his hands, folded neatly in half.

“This is for you,” he sheepishly sticks it out. You take it from his hands, and he quickly bows before running off.

“Dear Y/N,

Thank you for coming home for Christmas. I couldn’t find a way to admit this in person because it’s a little embarrassing, so I’ll say it here: your presence has been a greater present than anything I could ever receive. Don’t forget about me while you’re in college! Remember the cute boy who grew up with you, for he could never forget you.

Love only,

Yang Jeongin”

Peeking your head out of the doorframe, you glance over at the tall wall from which he normally talks to you. Though the boy isn’t there, you can feel him staring at you still.

Laughing, cheeks warm with gratitude, you call out, “I could never forget you, Yang Jeongin. Maybe you should text me more though so I really don’t.”

Your phone buzzes in your pocket almost instantly.

Yang Jeongin: Are you free on New Year’s Eve? I have a hunch you could use company.

You feel again a child as you stare down at your phone with a smile, thumbs typing out a “I’m free.”

Winter break just needs to last a little longer.

[hangmanshole]

here comes santa claus

A/N: there’s no point in sugar coating this….. it’s pure unadulterated sheer horniness for ryan bergara in his santa costume.

word count: 1.6k+

warnings: 18+ !!!! smut to come in part 2, enough swear words to rival a 10 year old who just learned the word fuck, horny xmas pickup lines that wouldn’t be out of place in a cheesy xmas porno

with christmas fast approaching and your ebenezer scrooge vibe stinking up the loft you shared with your best friends, they finally lost all patience and took it upon themselves to drag your grumpy ass out of the comfort of the loft and into the car for some good old-fashioned retail therapy at the mall.

“but—“

“shut up, you’re going shopping and you’re gonna love it. maybe you could even buy a vibrator and go to town on yourself so you stop being such a cunt.”

“tell me how you really feel,” you grumbled, lowering into your seat so you were at the optimal position for window gazing.

—————

“bergara, you’re late… again” steven tsk’ed in annoyance, he wasn’t getting paid enough to deal with ryan’s shit, and also, he fucking reeked of stale beer. he was pretty sure the stain on his costume was also beer, or beer adjacent (enter whisky).

“better late than never, now let’s make some fucking wishes come true, huh?” he rubbed his hands together mischievously and walked out to his spot on santa’s throne. yeah. steven definitely wasn’t getting paid enough for this shit.

“HO HO HO BOYS AND GIRLS ITS ME, SANTA!” steven sighed, shook his head and plastered a smile on his face before running out to his position as head elf.

——————

“fellas i’ve changed my mind, i’m ready to get in the holiday spirit” you said in an attempt to declare a truce, maybe it wasn’t too late to back out of this.

“not only are you a grinch, but you’re also a goddamn, dirty liar. you need this” your best friend retorted, not at all impressed. you think you need new friends, this one’s defective and can call all your bullshit.

you sighed in defeat and allowed them to drag you through the entrance of the mall for what would be a torturous five hours of christmas shopping.

——————

“santa’s going to take a quick break, and then he’ll be right back! everybody say bye santa!” steven said to all the children and their accompanying parents while ryan stumbled out of his throne and back into the dressing room (tent).

steven pulled back the door to the tent and found ryan chugging straight from a whisky bottle that was nearing empty.

“nice one santa, maybe try not to fall on your ass this time. i can only say santa’s a bit clumsy because he can’t see over his beard so many times.”

“yes dear, i’ll be a good boy from now on” ryan replied in a drunken stupor.

“jesus christ, is that bottle from today?” steven asked, ignoring ryan’s smartass comment.

“you bet your sweet ass it is.”

steven sat in weighted silence as ryan chugged down the rest of the whisky bottle. the uniform he had to wear was unbearably itchy, not to mention thick (which makes him sweaty), and worst of all, he had to babysit ryan through the rest of the holidays. he was disgruntled to say the least - what was usually his favourite time of year was soured because his best friend was broken-hearted over a friends with benefits situation gone wrong, thus drinking himself into a fucking hot mess while he was meant to be lying about the miracle of christmas to gullible, doe-eyed children while their parents paid for their kid to sit on the lap of a stranger. happy fucking holidays.

he glanced at the clock, and then back at ryan who was staring into space, completely disconnected from reality.

“breaks over, santa. knock ‘em dead” he said in what he hopes was an encouraging tone. he was met with a slurred grunt, which he’d have to accept as an answer. he watched as ryan gathered himself up and stumbled his way out of the tent. steven prayed to whatever god was looking down on him to have mercy on him, and also on ryan’s liver which was surely taking hella damage.

———————

“dude can we go home now? i’m literally out of money” you pleaded to your roommates. your feet were sore from standing for so long, your mouth was dry from the giant soft pretzel you’d snacked on earlier and to be honest, you were fucking exhausted from being around people for so long. your social battery could only last for so long and you were riding the last of that sweet sweet juice on 2%.

“in a minute” was all the answer you got. after 20 not minutes, according to your best friend anyway, passed you exited the store in a huff, leaving all your shopping bags unattended in the cart. you exhaled a long breath and thought about all the reasons you loved your friends and how you’d miss them if they suddenly disappeared off the face of the earth.

just as you allowed yourself to get swept away in your thoughts, a bellowed HO HO HO caught your attention. not fucking santa. god, you’d forgotten that malls hire any random dude off the street once a year to play santa and let all the good little boys and girls of this shit piss town sit on his lap and tell them what they want for christmas.

i’ll tell you what i want for christmas, santa. some fucking dick, you thought to yourself. you make the decision to glance over in the direction of this years holiday shmuck, entertaining the idea of getting a good laugh out of the pervy old man sitting on old saint nicks throne. you’re surprised however, to find a young looking guy, fucking fit, manspreading on santa’s seat.

were all the old men of the world too busy to play santa this year? who is this guy?

your questions unfortunately received no answers as your roommates finally decided to make an appearance outside the store.

“we’re done— uh…. are you checking out santa?”

“no the fuck i’m not” you replied, just a tad too fast.

“dude ew oh my godddd, since when do you like old men?”

“he’s literally not old, look.” you point over towards the christmas display so that your friends too could appreciate the view that is new hot santa.

“i think we should take a family photo with santa” your best friend mused, a shit eating grin plastered across their stupid face.

“no, i refuse. no” you reply, but your words fall on deaf ears. the three bastards you call roommates are already dragging you over to the queue of children waiting to see santa.

“you can’t make me!” you shout, catching the attention of several disproving mothers. they let go of you once you’re situated in the queue, and your best friend says that they’ll wait in line with you until it’s your turn.

“i hate this, i hate it here, i hate you…do you hate me? is that why i’m here?” you ask.

“you don’t get to be a jackass just because some asshole jock broke your heart. and you don’t get to be an even bigger asshole on christmas just because your parents got divorced when you were a kid. this is our first holiday as a loft family and you’re ruining it.”

you don’t reply after that, what could you even say? what would you even say?

“next please!” the head elf called out to you.

“don’t forget to smile!” your best friend said to you, then patted you on the back and left the queue.

“i don’t mean to rush you but santa is on a tight schedule, please come up if you’re ready for your picture” the head elf said to you, looking you directly in the eyes.

you nodded, embarrassed, and made your way up the stairs as fast as you could. your senses were hit with the scent of whisky and stale beer. talk about christmas spirit. santa was still seated while manspreading, and you realise now it’s because he’s fucking tanked.

“well hey there pretty girl” santa greets you, a wicked grin on his face.

“hi santa” you reply, not moving toward him.

“why don’t you come over here and sit on santa’s lap and we’ll talk about the first thing that pops up” he chuckles. your face flushes pink. you clear your throat uncomfortably and fill in the final gaps till you were sat on santa’s lap.

“now that’s a good girl. why don’t you tell me what you want for christmas, baby?” santa says, his tone a chilling purr in your ear. he takes the chance and pushes a loose strand of hair behind the same ear he’d just whispered into.

“santa—“ you start.

“yeah?”

“i just want a man to take care of me and my… needs” you muse, a slight smile gracing your face.

“and what needs would those be, little girl?” you watched as santa’s eyes darkened while they bore into yours. god he was so fucking hot.

“let’s just say… it’d be a christmas miracle if any man could make me cum this holiday season” you pouted. you felt santa harden in the slightest underneath you, a low growl leaves his mouth, concealed by the ridiculous santa beard.

“how about you let santa take care of you, huh, sweet girl? i wanna give you this present myself.” you moaned quietly into his ear.

“say cheese!” the head elf said, pulling the both of you out of the trance of your conversation. you both smiled at the click and then turned back to each other.

santa slipped you a piece of paper and you pocketed it immediately. “my shift ends in an hour, meet me at the address on that note?”

“only if you wear the costume” you smirk at him.

“god i’m gonna fuck you so good.”

[dinogoofy]

I'm back darling~ this time I'd love sth for Cassie & her female bestie 😁 bc the xmas is near so Imma give u these prompts: 'I’m a grown adult. I don’t want to take a picture with Santa Claus', 'Hey, want to help me get my parents off my ass about not having a date?'. Have a good day!

Had a ton of fun with this one, hope you enjoy!!!

Cassie Cage x F! Reader

Meeting the parents- I mean, meeting Santa.

----

It was a cold, quiet morning in your apartment. You were enjoying a warm cup of coffee in the early hours, a cheezy hallmark move playing on your TV as you try to work yourself into the holiday spirit. It had been a long year. Your phone dings once, but you ignore it, too focused on who was going to marry Santa. When it kept going off you finally checked it with a sigh.

Cassie-lassy

Hey

Hey, can I ask a favor?

Stop watching Christmas movies and answer me

Cassie was your best friend, but you weren't sure if you liked where this was going.

How did you even know that?

Anyway, whats up?

My parents are throwing a Christmas party this week and are hounding my ass about a date.

And?

Do u think u could pretend to be my gf, just for a day? Just to get them to leave me alone.

You almost choked on your coffee when you read the text. Damn, hallmark movie coming true? Your heart fluttered a bit. Cassie was your best friend. You didn't have feelings for her! That was ridiculous. All she needed was a... friend-to-friend favor. Plus, her dad was super rich, they were totally going to have good food.

Sure, when?

Uh, today good?

The lack of planning was exactly what you should've expected from Cassie. You laughed and drug your hands across your face, she was so lucky that you had the day off.

Bleh, ok. Ur dad better have some good food.

U bet ur ass! Pick u up at 6.

You laughed, and slowly picked yourself off the couch. You hoped that you still had an ugly sweater somewhere in your closet.

The time flew by unfortunately fast. You were rushing to gather your things as Cassie at outside in her 1965 red stingray corvette, (with a mako body) you loved that car so much. You couldn't help but geek out everytime you see it, but alas, there was definitely no time for that today. You frantically locked your apartment as you ran down the steps.

"Sorry I'm late!" Cassie laughed as you got in the car, and that awful flutter feeling returned. Oh no. This is not happening.

"Its chill, I doubt Dad will care if we're late to his party anyway." Your eye twitched, smile still wide on your face. You liked to be on time no matter where you were going, and by the look she was giving you you knew that Cassie said that just to annoy you. You rolled your eyes at her as she took off, the rumble of the car's engine instantly calming you.

Damn. You had never seen a house that big. As Cassie rolled through the big gates you continued to gawk at the beautiful architecture.

"I knew your dad was rich but, seeing how rich he is... is..."

"I know right? He moves into a new house almost every 6 months almost. Each one is bigger then the last one." You felt light headed just imagining how it must feel to have so much money. By the time Cassie parked and the two of you walked to the big doors, you could hear people loud and clear inside the house. This was way different then the tiny little Christmas reunions you were used too.

"I might throw an arm around you and call you nicknames a bit to make it seem legit, are you ok with that? I'm already asking a lot by getting you to come with me in the first place, the last thing I want is for you to be uncomfortable." You laughed.

"Cassie it's fine, all that comes with the 'pretend girlfriend' package." She sighs in relief, knocking on the door.

"Just making sure."

The door opens after a few moments, Cassie's mother answering the door, delighted at the sight.

"Cassie you made it just in time! Your dad just got his Ninja Santa costume out of storage. You should- oh, who is this?" You shyly waved, face flushing more from the situation than the cold. You were glad you were already blushing when Cassie links her fingers through your own.

"Mom, this is my girlfriend." Her mom's face lights up, but you would be lying if you said her obvious military posture and build didn't intimidate you. You introduced yourself and shook her hand with your free hand, making sure to shake with a firm grip.

"Its great to meet you. I was wondering when Cassie was going to bring someone home." Cassie sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose as you awkwardly laughed. Her mom, Sonya, invited the two of you in. Your jaw almost dropped at the inside of the house.

The house was incredibly decorated. Wreaths, lights, an army of elves on the shelves, everything you could think of that spoke Christmas. A giant buffet on the right side of the room and a giant tree in the center of it all.

"Holy shit Cas," you wispered, she giggled squeezing your hand.

"I know right. They overdo it every year."

The rest party was amazing. You met many of Cassie's friends and family friends from the special forces. Kids were livey and running around the place. Even though the mansion and beautiful and intimidating, everything seemed to speak family to you. Every once in a while you would catch Cassie staring at you, but she would always wave you off, face flushing. It couldn't be an actual blush though, this was all an act, right?

"Ho ho ho, Ninja Butt-kicker Santa Claus has arrived!" A voice boomed from the center of the room. Adults laughed while children screamed with delight, booking it towards the gaint tree. Cassie sighed in embarrassment.

"I was beginning to wonder when dad would show up." You tried hard not to laugh when you dragged her to the middle of the room, catching a glimpse of her dad's "holiday spirit".

Kids hopped on his lap one by one, telling him what they want for Christmas, and (probably thanks to their parents,) each one was giving the wanted present and a fake ninja-star. You had thought every child was given a present and taken a picture, so surely he was going to "retire" for the night, right?

"Ho ho ho, Santa thinks that one, special little girl has yet to take a picture." He looked straight at Cassie and winked. She immediately recoiled.

"No. No no no. I'm a grown adult, I don't want to take a picture with Santa Claus." Everyone chuckled around the two of you. And Sonya walked over to push her into the center of the room with her dad, camera firm in her hands. Cassie sent an embarrassed look your way as she was forced to sit on Santa's lap.

"And what would you like for Christmas Cassie Cage?" Cassie looked like she wanted to melt away form her spot. Only answering because she had to.

"I don't want anything Da- Santa." Her Dad let out another Jolly, fake laugh.

"Sure you do! Santa knows everything, you know!" He hands her a small box, and winks at her.

"You know what Santa wants for Christmas? Grandkids." The crowd laughed, and your face immediately flushed a dark red, Cassie almost looking the same way. She covered her face as she hopped off her Dad's lap and speedwalked back to you without even opening the box.

The rest of the party went by so fast, and before you knew it, the two of you were walking back to her car in the cold.

"This was a ton of fun cas," She laughed, you wondered if she knew that you were still holding hands.

"Yeah, I'm glad you came with me. Sorry if my parents were a little overbearing." You shrugged, letting her know that it was fine. The silence after was unbearable. You wondered for a moment if you should ask her out. The party was nice, really nice, but it was honestly just because you were 'pretending' to be her girlfriend. You think she might've thought so too. You opened your mouth to speak, but she beat you to it.

"Hey, so, what if we made this whole... 'fake girlfriend' thing, a 'real girlfriend' thing?" You blushed, giving her hand a comforting squeeze.

"I think I'd like that." Her face lit up with a smile, squeezing your hand back. She stuck her hand in her pocket, and looked surprised for a moment, stopping in her tracks to pull out the box from earlier.

"I forgot about this thing."

"Mabye you should open it?" She let go off your hand to gingerly untie the bow, taking the lid off the box and tucking it underneath it. Her face flushed.

"It's mistletoe." Your face flushed in return. So thats what he ment. Cas started to nervously mumble something, closing the lid on the box, but you held a hand over hers before she put it away.

She instantly kissed back when you leaned in to complete the tradition. The gentle moonlight kiss becoming the only Christmas miracle you needed.

You were definitely living in a hallmark movie.

[greekgeek21]

A Percabeth Holiday AU

Hello, readers! I decided to write something last minute before xmas and it wasn't finished being edited until now, so I'm sorry about that. This might have a Part 2, Idk. It depends on the response to this. This is mostly just to give to my followers to hold them over until my Avengers/PJO fanfic is ready (early march?). It's kinda a Goodgirl!Annabeth and Punk/Badboy!Percy fanfic. Mortal au. And a special thanks to my amazing beta reader, JJ (nightskywithrainbows on Ao3). You are a really great person if you can sit through my unedited stuff, trust me. *shudders* Go check out their stuff on Ao3!

I hope you like this! Comment, like, and follow me pls! 

– your author

DISCLAIMER: Sadly, only rick has the pleasure of owning pjo.

Ω❖Ω

Annabeth wasn't sure who she offended, but it had to be somebody. There was no way her luck was just THIS BAD.

First, she found out that she's required to go to her family's Christmas dinner. You know, the one with the whole extended family as well. Then, her stupid pride got in the way again. Her evil stepmother was interrogating her on her nonexistent love life, and Annabeth, being stupid, said that she was bringing a date to dinner, even though she hadn't been planning on it. Now, Annabeth had one week to find someone willing to go to Hell with her.

Unfortunately, Annabeth wasn't exactly what one might call "popular." She had a group of friends at school, but they were all like her. They were smart and tended to act like know-it-alls. For that reason, she was having trouble finding someone good enough to go with. There was no way Annabeth was going to show up with anyone ordinary. If she was going to go through with this, it had to be spectacular. She had to show it to her judgemental extended family that she didn't care what they thought of her (even if she definitely did).

Her only option so far was the one boy at her table, Octavian and that was NOT an option she was willing to take. Nobody knew why he even sat with them, but they were too afraid to even ask him. He always just sat there staring at people. He was a real creep.

So that was a no.

Annabeth was stuck. She was desperate, and she would probably ask the next person who walked into their shitty school quad.

Just her luck that it was the school's resident bad boy, Percy Jackson.

Ω❖Ω

Annabeth decided to corner him after school, where there would hopefully less students around. Percy tended to hang around the more forgotten parts of the campus, so it shouldn't be too hard.

Not that Annabeth had been watching him, or anything. She just liked to observe the people around her. In her opinion, you can learn a lot about a person when they don't know you're looking.

As soon as the last bell rang, she was up and out of her seat, speed-walking out the classroom door and into the hallways. She didn't run, though. Even if what she was doing was the most stupid idea she'd ever had, it was the best option in the short amount of time before the dinner.

Her only worry was that he would say no. Of course, Annabeth was the best at manipulation, but she'd rather not use that. It made her feel sick inside.

So, her plan was to just ask first and MAYBE use some manipulation if necessary to get him to agree.

Percy ended up being right where she suspected: the roof. She had seen him and his friends heading up that way multiple times, so she thought she should start there. As always, her deduction was correct.

He was up there with his group of friends, so Annabeth figured she would need a way to separate him from them. It was already embarrassing enough to be asking this of him, let alone three others as well.

They hadn't heard her open the door, so Annabeth took a second to compose herself before approaching them. She evened out her expression and stood up tall, exuding an air of confidence. She was about to approach the "most dangerous" kids in school, so she had to be strong.

With a deep, calming breath, Annabeth strode over to the group. They noticed her when she was about half-way there. They were all either sitting on the ledge, or they were leaning up against the small wall. The group had just laughed at something one of them said, but their laughter died out at the sight of Annabeth.

Percy's friends were Nico di Angelo, Thalia Grace, and Grover Underwood. Grover wasn't like the other three in his fashion sense or personality, but he had been friends with them for longer than anyone knew, so nobody really questioned it. Annabeth suspected something, but she didn't want to delve too deep into the inner-workings of the clique.

They all stood up in a sort of defensive stance. None of them knew what to do with someone like Annabeth Chase walking up to them. They were ALL in undocumented territory here.

She walked right up to Percy, standing with her arms crossover in front of her. He raised his eyebrows and looked down at her, amused and confused at the same time. What would ANNABETH CHASE want with him. He didn't remember doing anything to piss her off.

"Yes?" he asked with his signature troublemaker smirk.

"Come with me," Annabeth ordered, turning around and starting to walk away.

When he didn't follow, she looked back at him and spoke again, this time with a more icy tone, "If you want to talk here, that's fine with me, but I'm not so sure you want your friends to hear what I have to say. Unless you want them to know how you're failing–"

"Stop! I'm coming," he interrupted, briskly following her through the roof-access door.

Sure, he trusted his friends, but he was still capable of embarrassment. It wasn't his fault that his Math teacher didn't care that he had dyslexia. So what if he was failing, anyway? He was barely passing in his other classes, and that was mostly because the teachers thought he would fight them or something if they failed him.

Percy didn't know how Annabeth knew he was failing, and he wasn't planning on keeping it that way. He knew her reputation. She had probably manipulated it out of the front office lady or something. She was known to be cold and ruthless. He wasn't afraid of her, but others were. That's part of the reason she was never asked out by any sane guys.

He didn't think she knew that, though. She had always acted indifferent when others whispered crude names about her, so he believed she had no idea what others thought about her. How she managed to miss that, he wasn't sure.

She just kept walking ahead of him, expecting him to follow. She never said a word the entire time. It was really getting on Percy's nerves.

"Hey, Blondie! Where are we going?" he asked, grabbing her arm to stop them as they were passing through one of the hallways.

Annabeth ripped her arm free of his grasp, a murderous look on her face. She didn't answer, but instead looked around their surroundings before her gaze sharpened on a door leading into a janitor's closet. Percy got even more confused when she grabbed his arm and pulled him into the closet with her.

This girl was so confusing.

"What are we doing here?" Percy asked, noting how close they were forced to be in the small space.

Annabeth had noticed, too, but she was determined to not let it bother her. She had already sacrificed all pride even walking up to the group, let alone shoving Percy Jackson into a closet with her. There was no turning back now.

"I have a proposition for you," she said.

Percy raised his eyebrows in amusement, "And what do you think you have that I would want?"

This was Annabeth's secret bargaining chip. She would never go into a confrontation without one.

"I'll tutor you," she stated simply.

She knew that Percy was failing Math. Annabeth was one of the students who offered to tutor others in lower classes. She was in Honors Calculus, and Percy was in Pre-Calculus. It would be easy to tutor him in a class she had taken last year.

Percy was still skeptical, though. Nobody did things like this without some serious reciprocation. Besides, he had long since given up on doing better in school. It was better to just make other think you weren't trying than to let them know you were stupid.

Still, he was interested. "And what do you want in return...?"

"A date." If Percy had been drinking something, he would have done a spit-take.

"I'm sorry, WHAT?!" he exclaimed.

Annabeth sighed. This is going to be harder than I thought.

"I want you to be my date to a family dinner," she over-pronounced every word to make sure he heard it all.

Percy was gaping like a fish out of water. He couldn't believe this! Why would someone like ANNABETH CHASE want HIM of all people to be her date, to a family dinner no less!

"You're joking, right? This was some sort of prank?" he said.

Annabeth wished that were true.

"No, this is not a prank. I really need you to be my date. I'm desperate," she sighed. "Why do you think I'm asking you?"

It was still pretty hard to believe, but Percy was trying to warm up to the idea. He really didn't want to see that same disappointed look on his mother's face the next time he came home with another failing grade.

"Alright, I'll consider it. I need more information first," he said.

Honestly, Percy was even surprising himself. How he was managing to not make a fool out of himself right now was a mystery and a miracle.

"We can't do that here," Annabeth pointed out, glancing around the tight space they were in.

"You're right," Then an idea came to Percy, "What if we go to your house. I'm gonna have to get to know you better, anyway."

Plus, Percy had a feeling that it would get under her skin to have him around her things, and annoying people was apparently what he did best. Even if this little deal did go well, he still had a reputation to uphold. He was the bad boy, the kid who you don't want dating your daughter, or whatever. For that reason, he wanted to make sure he knew what he was getting into first.

"Fine," Annabeth ground out through clenched teeth.

She was already regretting this decision.

Ω���Ω

"Oh, no. I'm not getting on that thing," Annabeth planted her feet onto the ground.

After Percy had texted his friends saying he was heading home, him and Annabeth had gone out to the parking lot, and since Annabeth had missed her ride, their only options were walking or taking Percy's motorcycle. She would rather walk.

"Come on, blondie! Let's just get out of here!" Percy was getting agitated.

He did not want to be seen letting Annabeth onto his bike. He was known for not letting anyone touch it, let alone ride it.

"Do you know what the fatality rate for motorcyclists is?" she exclaimed.

Percy sighed, "No, and I really don't care. You can wear the helmet. We'll be fine. It's only, like, three miles, right?"

She had told Percy her address when he asked, and he had known the neighborhood. However, she was still refusing to get on that death trap.

Percy let out an almost animalistic growl, "Chase, get on the damn bike before someone sees you doing it and thinks we're going to hook up, or something."

Her eyes widened in fear. From him or the idea of hooking up with him, Percy didn't know, but it got the job done. She grabbed the helmet from his hands and slid onto the bike seat behind him.

He kicked the bike into gear and the engine roared to life, "Hold on!"

Tentatively, Annabeth wrapped her arms around his torso. Once she was secured, he hit the gas and they drove off campus.

Annabeth didn't want to admit it, but Percy was really warm and comforting. It was intoxicating just to be this close to him. His scent reminded her of a warm day at the beach, and she had to hold herself back from hugging him close when he sped up. She did not like Percy Jackson, and that was the end of it. This was just a business deal.

Percy was going through a similar problem. He thought that having Annabeth Chase's arms wrapped around him would make him flinch away, but he found himself leaning back into her embrace. It was so confusing. They had barely talked. The last time he had held something resembling a conversation with her was in Freshman Orientation four years ago.

He was lost in his thoughts, but he was still able to navigate his way to her house. He had lived in New York his whole life, and it was almost muscle memory getting everywhere by now.

"We're here," he told her as he turned the bike off in front of her apartment building.

She had subconsciously tucked her face into his back as the wind whipped against it on the trip. As soon as she realized, she jumped up from the bike and started taking the helmet off.

"Well...let's get inside," she said, rocking back and forth on the balls of her feet.

Percy cleared his throat, "Right."

He climbed off, grabbed his bag, and followed Annabeth into her building and up the stairs. She hadn't spoken again, so he just followed her lead.

Stopping on the third floor platform, she silently walked into the hallway. She led them to apartment 3E before taking out a set of house-keys from her pocket and unlocking the door.

Before they could get farther than the entryway, she rounded back around at him, "Stay quiet. I don't want anyone knowing you're here."

"Got it," he nodded, resisting the urge to make a sarcastic remark. For some reason, he felt that it wasn't the right time to.

They tiptoed their way to the third door down before Annabeth once again shoved him into a room with her. Except this one was larger, cleaner, and brighter. Annabeth's room was nothing like he would expect. It was clean in the sense that there were no clothes sitting around in random places, but it was cluttered like nobody's business. Her desk was overflowing with blueprints and pencils and pens, and her large bookcase was bulging with more books than Percy had even heard of. She had an old fashioned, white dresser on the right covered in lotions and perfumes and other girl products. And then her bed: a white frame with a fluffy grey comforter and two marshmallow-like pillows. Even looking at it made him want to pass out. Upon further inspection, Percy saw that there were already three books sitting on the mattress, and two more on the nightstand. He knew she was smart, but not that she was a bookworm, though he supposed that came with being smart. You enjoyed doing things that others struggled with.

That just made him bitter towards her again. People like her used to patronize him all the time for his dyslexia and ADHD, and it pushed him to become who he was today. What right did they have to act all high-and-mighty just because they were a part of the few who did well in school?

Annabeth's voice broke through his thoughts, "Sorry for the mess. I didn't expect company today."

"It's whatever," he grumbled, crawling back into his rock-hard, badboy shell.

"Oh. Alright," Annabeth muttered, confused by his sudden change in demeanor, "Why don't we sit down and get started?"

She plopped herself down on her fluffy rug and learned back against her bed, staring up at him in wait. With another grumble, Percy sat down next to her, pulling out an old pen from his pocket. Annabeth didn't want to question it, but it was so tempting, and she's never been the best at curving her curiosity.

"Why do you have that?" she pointed at the ballpoint pen.

"It was a gift from my dad. I guess I just keep it around now," he shrugged, trying to downplay the actual enormity of the meaning it held.

It was the last thing his father had given him before he died, and he cherished it. Only his close friends knew why he kept it with him, and that was because most of them were his cousins.

"Oh. That's cool, I guess," Annabeth tried to get back on topic, "What do you want to know?"

"Um...I guess who's going to be there, stuff about them, and stuff about you. I feel like I should know more about you if I'm meeting your family. That usually means you're important," Percy answered, surprising himself and Annabeth with the unusually strategic answer.

"Well, it's going to be this immediate family, two of my dad's sibling's families, and my dad's parents," Annabeth said, and Percy noted how she never said her family.

"I have my dad, step-mom, and two half-brothers, respectively Fredrick Chase, Helen Chase, and Bobby and Matthew Chase. Dad is a US history-buff, so just ask him about his model-planes and he'll talk your ear off for the rest of the night. Helen is kinda a prude, but if you compliment the food or decor, she'll probably love you. Bobby and Matt are pretty simple. They're thirteen-year-old twin boys, and they're not that hard to impress. Just talk about your motorcycle or video games or something, and they'll never stop asking questions," she took a big breath of air, "That's the immediate family."

"Now for my aunt and uncle's families. My Aunt Darcy is divorced with one son in college, Malcolm. He's great, but he might be a little overprotective, so just be prepared for that. And my Uncle Casey has a wife and two daughters. His wife is named Carol, and she's a lot like Helen, but much worse, so avoid her at all costs. Their kids are alright, if not a little spoiled. Their names are Alexandra and Cassandra, and their 14 and 16 respectively. Alexandra goes by Lexi, and Cassandra goes by Cass," Annabeth said.

She could tell that everything she was saying was overwhelming Percy, but they were almost done, so she kept explaining the inner workings of her messed-up family.

"My grandparents hate me, so that will automatically transfer to you. Their names are Mary and John Chase, though they'll probably tell you what they want to be called," she informed, "And that's it! The dinner is in 7 days, so the third day of winter break."

It was the Wednesday before break as they were talking, so they had a while to prepare. Some might think Annabeth was overinforming Percy, but she wasn't exaggerating on anything. She was the mistake her father made in college, and nobody wanted her, not even her own mother. Annabeth hadn't even seen her mother in two years. The most she got were impersonal birthday cards and two hundred dollars into her college savings account. She was not winning in the motherly-love department, that's for sure.

"What about you? Or us? We need a reason for why you're bringing ME to a family dinner," Percy said.

"I've planned for that. You're a friend from school named Percy. We'll figure more stuff out at the dinner as we come up with stuff. And what do you want to know about me?" she said.

"Basic stuff, I guess. Like your favorite color, animal, what you want to be, middle name, favorite song..." he started listing off.

"Grey, owl, architect, I don't have a middle name, and I guess Immortals or The Run and Go," Annabeth answered.

That shocked Percy. Annabeth didn't seem like the kind of girl to listen to Fall Out Boy.

"You listen to Fall Out Boy?" Percy questioned.

"Sure, they're great," Annabeth shrugged, getting up and grabbing her backpack before sitting back down again, "But I feel like we should get a grasp on your studying situation now."

Percy really didn't feel like studying, but he knew he had to, "Fine."

"Great! Let's get started. Now what unit are you guys on right now?" she exclaimed, feigning excitement.

Honestly Annabeth didn't know what to expect going in besides a struggle. She had a pretty good idea of Percy's grades at the moment, and it would be a journey getting them to rise. However, she never backs down from a challenge, so she grabbed an old textbook, some scratch paper, and a couple pencils before sitting next to the mysterious bad boy of Goode High.

Little did she know, Annabeth was in for a lot more than she bargained for...

Ω❖Ω

"Annabeth!" Percy called out, running up to her in the hallways.

Annabeth's friends all turned to look at her in various degrees of shock. She just gave them a sheepish look in return. So what if she had conveniently forgot to tell them about her deal with Percy? It's not like it was that important, anyway.

It was the last day before break, Friday, and Percy was stressing about the test he had next period. It was in Math, and he knew that him and Annabeth had worked really hard getting him prepared the days before, but he was still convinced he was going to fail.

"I'm so screwed," he said as he reached her, not even paying a mind to her friends watching this interaction in confusion, "I'm so gonna fail!"

"Percy, you are going to do fine. You are prepared for this," Annabeth assured.

"No, I'm not! Everything you taught me is gone! It ran away in fear!" he protested.

Annabeth tried not to laugh, but a small smile graced her lips, "Just take a breath and relax. You're going to do great."

Personally, Percy thought that was a load of crap, but at that precise moment, he realized that almost everyone around them was staring at the baddest boy in school talking to the nerdiest girl, so he shut up. He turned and gave everyone his best wolf glare before walking away.

Annabeth watched him go with a fond sigh.

Then, she mentally slapped herself. Get a hold of yourself! You do NOT like Percy Jackson, she thought. There was no way.

It was hard not to, though. Annabeth didn't like lying to herself, so she admitted that she thought Percy was pretty hot. But they would never work. For starters, there was their respective social statuses. And then there's also the tiny part about how they even started becoming "friends" or whatever else you call their relationship.

So, she took a deep breath before walking to her first class, ignoring her friend's threats about interrogations later.

At lunch, before Annabeth could even make it to the cafeteria, a hand latched onto her arm and pulled her up to the roof. Of course, she realized it was Percy pretty fast, but she was still confused on what was going on.

When they got up there, he pulled up to the same spot from Wednesday and took a piece of paper out of his bag. He held it up proudly in front of her face without a word, displaying the large red B- on the paper.

Her face broke out into a grin and before she could realize what she was doing, Annabeth jumped up into his arms.

"Oh my god! You did it! Congrats!" she exclaimed.

He chuckled, and put her down before saying, "Thanks! The teacher graded it for me right after. I don't think I've gotten this good of a grade ever!"

"Well, now you have," Annabeth couldn't help it, she gave him one more, sweeter, hug.

"I couldn't have done it without you," Percy said, placing a calloused hand on her cheek.

Annabeth blushed and shook her head, "No, you did this all by yourself. I just helped push you along a little."

And, GOD, she smiled that cute smile and Percy really wanted to kiss her. Then he realized what he had just thought and quickly pulled his hand down. No, Percy was impulsive, but he wasn't that stupid.

Inside, Annabeth was a little disappointed, but she didn't show it on the outside. She just smiled at him once more before taking a step away.

Percy cleared his throat, "Well, I've gotta get going...somewhere. I'll see you Wednesday."

"Oh! Right. Yeah. See you Wednesday," Annabeth responded before remembering, "Oh! I almost forgot, dress nicely."

Percy grimaced, but he figured he owed her for helping him get this grade, so he nodded while opening the roof access door.

Both of them had a lot to think about. There was no way they were developing feelings for each other. It was impossible. Percy was Percy, and Annabeth was Annabeth. There was no Percy and Annabeth or Annabeth and Percy. They were two separate people in two completely different parts of the high school caste system.

Ω❖Ω

Annabeth was freaking out. It was a stupid idea to begin with, but she still did it. She let her emotions control her, and it led her to that morning; the morning of the dinner.

She was pacing back and forth, running a path along her carpet in her bedroom. She had two outfits laid out on her bed, but she wasn't too worried about those yet. What she was worried about was Percy. Annabeth had started to somewhat trust him, but as soon as she had woken up that morning, every possible way he could let her down popped into her head.

Sure, she kinda wanted him to surprise her father by his appearance, but that was only as a small act of rebellion. Her father had mentioned that he hadn't seen any boys around ever, and that he was concerned about her social life. Therefore, she decided to give him the opposite of what boy you bring home to your parents. She was giving him Percy Jackson.

Oh, she was such an idiot!! There was no way Percy was going to follow through with his side of the deal, he had already gotten what he wanted. She helped him pass his math test, and now she wasn't needed anymore. He could cut her loose, just like her mother.

Annabeth felt her chest constrict in anticipation of an anxiety attack. She knew what was going on, and how to handle it. These weren't uncommon with her. So, she sat herself down on her bed and started counting her breathing. Inhale two three four, hold two three four, exhale two three four, repeat. Soon enough, she was calming down, and then her mind realized how irrational she had been acting. There was no reason to doubt Percy until he gave her one. She had to put her trust in him, something she had done to hardly anyone.

But she had already committed, and Annabeth Chase does not back down from challenges. She could do this.

Ω❖Ω

Percy was also freaking out.

Okay, so not as badly as Annabeth, but it was bad in its own right. He had admitted days ago that he felt something more than friendship towards Annabeth, but he still refused to believe it was a crush. Percy Jackson didn't get crushes. Or at least, that's what everyone in school believed, and in high school, your reputation is hard to get rid of (mostly because nobody wants to). So what if he let everyone believe he was a womanizer? It's not like it was true, and he and his friends knew that. He respected women more than probably every boy in Goode. Being raised by Sally Jackson tends to do that to you.

So there he was, freaking out over not having anything to wear. Don't get him wrong, Percy had plenty of clothes, but not one of them was appropriate for a "formal dinner." And if he had any chance of furthering his relationship with Annabeth, he had to be perfect. This night had to be perfect, for her.

Oh god, he sounded like a lovesick puppy!

He took one last look at his closet before falling back onto his bed in defeat. That was when an idea struck him. Thalia, his cousin, had a brother (who could also be classified as a cousin), and he was dating Piper, a total fashionista. They had only really interacted a couple of times, but he knew that she was a nice person. If anyone could pull him out of the ditch he had dug himself, it would be her. The only problem with his plan was how he was going to convince her. He hadn't even told his mom about the deal with Annabeth, let alone his little cousin's girlfriend!

In his typical Percy way, he decided to just wing it.

He grabbed his phone off his bedside table and pulled up Jason's contact, which was labeled "Sparky." Percy quickly sent a text asking for Piper's number, and it took a while to convince Jason that he wasn't trying to make a move on her, but he eventually got it.

With speed his dyslexic brain didn't know it was capable of, he texted Piper, letting her know who he was and telling her it was urgent for her to get to his apartment. She responded with a question mark, and he let out a groan of frustration.

Didn't she understand that this was a life or death situation?!

Finally, he just decided to call Piper. His tone of voice would hopefully sway her.

"What do you want, Jackson?" she answered on the first ring.

"I need your help," he answered.

"Too bad. I don't feel like committing any felonies today, sorry," she said.

"No, nothing like that! I need you to come to my apartment," he responded.

She scoffed, "I'm definitely not doing that. What's this about?"

With a sigh, Percy relented in a whisper, "I need your fashion advice."

"Sorry, what was that? You need to speak up," she said.

"I said, I need your fashion advice. Actually, I need your help dressing for a formal dinner," he answered.

She actually burst out laughing.

"This isn't funny, Piper," he grumbled.

"No no, you're right. This is hilarious! Percy Jackson, asking for fashion advice for a formal dinner!" she broke out into another bout of laughter.

"McLean! Are you gonna help me or not?" Percy snapped.

The girl in question took a deep, calming breath before answering, "Sure. I'll be there in 20."

Without waiting for his response, she hung up.

Percy had the strange feeling that he had just made a huge mistake as he settled onto his living room couch, waiting to open the door for Piper.

Ω❖Ω

"Annabeth! Come down here! I need your help!" Helen called from downstairs.

Annabeth had managed to distract herself for another couple of hours with homework and reading, but now her step mother wanted her to help with preparations, which would only remind her that the dinner was coming up. She didn't want to be reminded, but she also wasn't in the mood for a fight with Helen. So, she pulled herself up from her desk chair and went downstairs.

What she found was not the downstairs of her home. It was completely different. Decorations were set up everywhere, and the living room had been stripped clean of any of Bobby and Matthew's toys. The dining room was where she found Helen, who was hurriedly setting the table.

Annabeth was a little confused. Last she checked, they still had an hour before anyone would be showing up, so why was Helen acting like they had five minutes?

"Helen?" she asked, "You do know we have another hour, right?"

Her step mother's head snapped up, "Yes, I do know that. That's why I'm rushing. I still have to finish making the food, and put more presents under the tree, and finish setting the table, and get your brothers to clean up upstairs. We're running out of time!"

Annabeth really didn't want to comfort Helen, but she seemed like she really needed it.

"I'll help you. We'll get it all done, okay? It's gonna be okay," she said, "Why don't you go finish dinner while I finish setting the table? Then we can get ready while the boys clean up upstairs. We'll figure out the rest after."

"O-okay. Just make sure it all matches! Lord knows I have enough issues with your grandparents already," Helen agreed with a deep breath.

"Bye," Annabeth nudged when Helen didn't move.

"Right! Bye," she walked into the kitchen.

With a sigh, Annabeth continued her stepmother's work. She knew that this dinner had to be perfect for more than just her now.

Ω❖Ω

"Thank god you're here!" Percy pulled Piper through the front door and to his bedroom, ignoring her sounds of shock and protest.

"What are you doing?!" she exclaimed.

"I told you. I need your help," Percy answered.

He pointed towards his closet, which was disappointing him more with every passing minute. Why couldn't he just be a good closet and produce some nice clothes to wear? Was that so much to ask?

"Okay, I know that, but can I have some background info? Like who you're doing this for?" Piper said.

"No," he answered on instinct.

No way was he telling her that it was for a sorta-date with Annabeth Chase. He knew her reputation of being a total matchmaker, and he was not in the mood for her canoodling. It was just part of a deal. He had to keep that mindset if he had any chance of getting through the night.

Okay, so he wasn't being completely honest with himself! So what?

"Percy, I need to know what kind of event I'm dressing you for," Piper said in a gentle, but urgent tone, "I promise I won't tell anyone if you don't want me to."

She seemed to be serious, so Percy relented, "I'm going to a formal dinner with Annabeth Chase's family."

Whatever she had been thinking, his answer clearly wasn't it. Her face split into one of shock and then giddiness.

"I knew it! Jason said I was crazy, but I knew it! You like her! Oh, you guys are such a cute couple!" she exclaimed, practically jumping up and down in excitement.

Percy rushed to correct her, "No no no! We're not dating! We made a deal. I would go to this dinner with her if she became my tutor."

Piper's face fell.

"Oh. Well, I guess I can still help you," she muttered, "But I still think you guys would make the cutest couple!"

Percy let out a sigh of relief. He had started to get really worried there.

Some might think it was odd for him to put this much effort into a date, but this was just the real him; the one he hid from the world. He refused to let anyone take away his power now; to hurt him. No more Gabes.

But that was all in the past.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" he yelled.

"No problem," Piper responded before walking up to his closet and starting to file through his clothes.

Every so often, she would make a click of disapprovement, or she would sigh in exasperation, but she never looked up at him. For the longest time, Percy had to hold in his comments. He figured that it was best to be silent while she worked.

This was her specialty, after all.

Piper pulled out a couple of random clothes and tossed them onto his bed.

"This is the best I could do. You seriously need some new clothes, by the way," she said.

By the way she was gazing at his clothes, it almost seemed like Piper was physically hurting for his lack of style. He wasn't sure whether to laugh or be offended.

She had pulled out a black button-up that he never remembered buying, and a pair of new, dark jeans. He would've never worn any of the items, so he concluded that his mother must have bought them for him when she still thought his choice of clothing was just a phase he was going through.

"Put them on!" Piper ordered when she saw him just staring at the outfit.

"Alright, alright. Can you turn around please?" he said, going to lift his shirt off.

She scoffed but complied.

Once he had finished, he told her she could look, and then they just stood in silence for a second. It worried Percy that Piper hadn't said a single word, and was just staring at him.

"Well...?" he prodded.

"Damn! You clean up good, Jackson," she exclaimed, finally.

He let out a laugh, but a slight blush was dusting his cheeks. So what if he wasn't actually a punky badboy? That was for him to know, and for nobody at school to find out.

The only reason he let Piper see this side of him is because it was obvious that Jason was going to marry her eventually. It was kinda sickening how cute they could be sometimes.

"Alright, how long until you need to be there?" Piper asked.

He checked his phone and let out a noise of panic once he saw the time: 4:30 PM. He had to be there at five, which meant he had to leave, like, now.

"Crap, I'm late!" he yelled, rushing around his room gathering his phone, wallet, shoes, and keys.

All he recognized was Piper's muffled laughter as he hurriedly left and told her to lock up on her way out. He didn't even care that he was walking in socks on the New York City sidewalks, just that he got into the car as soon as possible.

The car he was driving was an old, beat-up, blue Prius that his step-dad, Paul, owned. Percy had asked to borrow it for the night so that he would look more meet the parents-like.

It seemed he was starting to come to the conclusion that he really wanted something real with Annabeth. Maybe even accepting it, screw his reputation!

Ω❖Ω

He was late. That's all Annabeth's mind could focus on as she tugged on her nude, strappy heels for the night. She had decided to go with a lacy, burgundy, off-the-shoulder dress that ends at just above the knees. She was, of course, wearing her lotus flower necklace (a gift from her mother years ago), and her ears had some simple diamond studs. She had given herself a slight grey smokey-eye and a nude lip. Annabeth wanted to go with her natural curls, so all she did was make them slightly more organized.

To some families, this might seem like a bit much, but to the Chase's it was normal. They prided themselves on regalty and opulence. Annabeth had never liked that, but it was easier to comply with her father's wishes rather than fight them.

But back to Percy's tardiness.

He wasn't actually late, but he wasn't there when she told him to be. She told him to be there at five, rather than 5:30, because she wanted to get the immediate family introductions over with first. Plus, Annabeth liked to plan for things. Planning meant no possibilities of mistakes, and Percy was messing-up her plans.

Just as she was ready to call him and chew him out for being late, there was a ring from the doorbell, and Annabeth was dashing downstairs. She had hoped to beat Bobby and Matthew, but apparently, luck wasn't on her side that night because when she got there, she saw the twins standing in the doorway looking up at Percy in confusion.

Her half-brothers hadn't yet learned how to not be blunt, and it was showing in that moment.

"Who are you?"

"You're not supposed to be here."

"I'm Percy, Annabeth's date," Percy replied in his perfectly smooth voice.

"Bobby! Matthew! Go away!" she ordered before they could ask more questions.

Percy's head shot up at her voice, and his mouth literally fell open. His eyes tracked up and down her body slowly, growing wider by every inch while Annabeth just stood that with a light blush coating her cheeks.

"You're drooling," she joked.

"You look beautiful," he said.

She gave him a big smile and grabbed his hand, "Come on, let's meet the 'rents."

"Yay..." he cheered half-heartedly.

She pulled him over to the kitchen, where her father and step-mother were finishing up dinner preparations. She cleared her throat to get their attention and they both looked up, shocked at what they found.

Clearly, they hadn't believed Annabeth when she told them she was bringing a date.

"Dad, Helen, this is Percy Jackson. Percy, this is my dad and step-mom," she introduced, awkwardly waving her hand between the two groups.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Chase," Percy shook both their hands.

Annabeth, internally, was shocked, but she just beamed proudly on the outside. Who knew Percy Jackson had manners?

"Nice to meet you too, Percy," Helen said.

Mr. Chase just nodded, skeptic eyes analyzing every bit of Percy. His eyes locked onto something peeking up from under his shirt collar.

"What's that?" he asked, pointing to the blemish on the boy's skin.

That was the last thing Percy wanted to answer. He had tried to hide his tattoos, but the one on the back of his neck was hard to hide. It was trident.

"Oh," he glanced at Annabeth before answering, "It's a tattoo."

He might as well just get straight to the point, right?

Fredrick Chase raised his eyebrows at his daughter, who chose to not be phased. She had known Percy had tattoos going into this, and it just added to the appeal of rebellion against her parents.

"Any special meaning?" he asked.

"Um...it's a trident. It's for my father, who died in the Navy," Percy answered, shocking even Annabeth.

She hadn't known his father had died, or that he had been in the Navy. She had just figured he was one of those teens who got tattoos with no meaning. Guess even she could be wrong sometimes, and a lot of that was happening around Percy.

She guessed it just proved the "don't judge a book by its cover" thing.

"Interesting," Mr. Chase mused, but didn't comment any further.

He instead chose to continue cooking, so Annabeth grabbed Percy again and pulled him into the living room, where her brothers were playing.

"Boys, this is Percy," she said, getting their attention.

Their heads snapped up in almost-perfect sync.

"We know," Matthew answered, "We met him at the door."

"Right," she said, unsure of what else to say after that.

"Are you guys dating?" Bobby asked.

"No, we're not," Annabeth answered.

"Cuz Percy said that he was your date," Bobby continued.

"Well that's not the same as dating," Annabeth clarified.

"You guys seem like you're dating," Matthew said.

Annabeth and Percy looked at each other, noticing that they had gravitated to sit right next to each other on the couch, with Percy's arm resting behind her. It felt so natural, that they hadn't noticed their bodies doing it.

Neither of them knew what else to say to that statement, but they didn't have to because there was another ring of the doorbell soon after. Annabeth hopped up to go answer it, and she found that it was actually the entire rest of the family, punctual as always. The funny thing was, she didn't even bat an eyelash at it; just welcomed them in and took her grandparents' coats.

As they were walking further into the house, Malcolm walked up to her and whispered, "And so it begins."

She let out a snort, but tried to hide it with a cough.

Unfortunately, he wasn't so far off. Family gatherings were one of two things in her household: loud and full of anger, or silent and awkward. There was no in- between.

As they got into the living room, she noticed that everyone was staring at Percy, who hadn't even noticed it yet. He had gotten down onto the floor and was playing cars with Bobby and Matt. That sight brought a smile to her face for a moment, before she realized that she had to explain why there was a "stranger" in the house, playing with her little brothers.

She walked up to Percy and pulled him up, "Guys, this is Percy. Percy, this is my Aunt Darcy, Malcolm, Uncle Casey, Aunt Carol, and Lexi and Cass."

He waved awkwardly, making Annabeth do an internal face-palm. He had done so well up until that point!

Nobody really introduced themselves, and that was fine by Annabeth. The less confrontation, the better.

The group dissipated and spread throughout the house, with only Malcom staying in the living room. He had a major scowl going on, and he was staring down Percy, who seemed pretty intimidated by it for some reason.

Honestly, he was intimidated by Malcom. He wanted to impress Annabeth's family because he kinda wanted to date the girl! It was crucial that at least some of them enjoy his presence, or at least tolerate it.

"Hey, I'm Percy," he held out a hand for Malcom to shake.

He ignored it and just continued to analyze every inch of the teenager who was "dating" his little cousin.

"I'm Malcom, Annabeth's cousin. What are your intentions with her?" he got straight to the point.

"Um," Percy swallowed, "I would like to continue hanging out with her. She's really nice."

He wanted to punch himself. 'She's really nice'?! Stupid, Percy! Stupid, Percy!

Malcom still still didn't seem happy with Percy being there, but he decided to not continue any interrogations, so that was a plus.

Annabeth let out a sigh of relief, and pulled Percy down onto the couch with her. Not even caring about the implications of it, she rested her head against his shoulder and intertwined her fingers with his. It was all very coupley, but she didn't care. That was what she wanted this to lead to, right? And it seemed like Percy was the kind of guy who needed clear signals, and this was about as clear as she could get without straight-up kissing him.

Percy didn't end up commenting on it, but he did let a small, discrete smile slip onto his face. He had gotten the signals, and now he had a plan.

Ω❖Ω

Dinner ended up going relatively smoothly, for a Chase dinner at least. The adults held a sorta-steady conversation, while the kids occasionally talked. The most-common topic amongst the teens was Percy. Cassandra and Alexandra were extremely happy to learn more about the boy, as they so-obviously were attracted to him. Annabeth wasn't sure whether to be jealous or amused that Percy played along with them.

When the night was drawing to a close, and the extended family members had finished saying their goodbyes, Annabeth led Percy to his car. She wanted some privacy for this conversation.

But it was a little distracting that Percy Jackson, badboy, owned a blue Prius. Sure, it was his step-dad's but still!

"This is too great! Leo's gonna love this!" she exclaimed, laughing.

"Haha, so funny. Are you done?" Percy deadpanned.

"Sure, sure," she gasped, and then moved to a more serious tone, "But I do want to talk to you about something else."

"What is it?" Percy asked, leaning back against the car door.

He didn't want to worry, but his mind jumped to conclusions he didn't even know it could. What if she didn't want to talk to him ever again? What if she needed him to commit a murder? What if she was pregnant?! Okay, that last one's a little far-fetched, but his mind is a little odd, okay? Leave it be.

"I was wondering..." she started.

"Yes?" he nudged her with his foot..

"Would you maybe want to go on a real date?" she sped out.

Percy grinned, "Are you sure you wanna go out with rebellious teen Percy Jackson? Won't I be a bad influence?"

Annabeth smirked, "That's what I'm counting on."

And oh god, that was not the right thing to say to him unless she wanted to be kissed. Absolutely not.

Percy said in a very serious voice, "I'm going to kiss you now."

Annabeth smiled, "Okay."

Then his lips were on her, and the metaphorical fireworks were going off, and confetti was being thrown, and everything around them was blocked out, and it was perfect. Their lips fit perfectly with each other, one slightly-chapped and the other plump and moist.

Percy could kiss Annabeth all day, and it felt like they did when they pulled away, breathing heavily and trying to catch their breaths. They had basically just started making out eventually, but people (unfortunately) have to breathe at some point.

"Wow," is all Percy could come up with.

Annabeth giggled, and it was the best thing Percy had ever heard, "Very intelligent, Seaweed Brain."

"Seaweed Brain, huh?"

"It just slipped out, but I think it kinda fits," she answered.

"Fine, then I get to call you...Wise Girl," he declared, settling his hands lightly on her hips.

"You know that's a compliment, right?" Annabeth said.

"Whatever, it fits," he said.

And that was such a Percy statement that Annabeth had to give him one more peck on the lips. Then, she pulled away and started to walk backwards towards her house.

"I'll text you!" Percy called.

"I'll be waiting for it!" she called back.

And, okay, so maybe the dinner wasn't how they planned, but it was better.

Ω❖Ω

Part 2? This can also be found on FF, Ao3, Inkitt, Wattpad, and Webnovel.

[deansmultitudes]

all the pretty little lights // dean x lisa; xmas fluff // 1,3k // ao3

Colorful strings of lights line Dean’s way home. On both sides of the road, the houses boast their twinkling rooftops and sparkling shrubs, as Rudolphs with their red noses remain frozen mid-gallop on their lawns.

Where the hell did they come from, all at once?

Or have they been here all along…? They must have been. It’s been December for quite some time now. Dean kinda sucks at keeping track of time, these days. And of his surroundings, it seems, flashy and vibrant as they are.

All the way from work, through the good old suburbs of Cicero, there ain’t a single household that wouldn’t try to light up the streets brighter than the streetlamps do.

No, that’s not true. Dean purses his lips as he rides up the driveway of the sole gloomy house in all of Indiana. How did that overlook happen he doesn’t know. He doesn’t wanna know because it’s probably all on him.

Though all Lisa had to do was ask. She’s not usually one to treat Dean like he’s a cracked egg, one wrong word away from collapsing and making a mess.

But then, it’s almost Christmas, and Christmas tends to make people more breakable, if Hallmark movies ever taught Dean anything.

He locks the car and lifts his head up to the shape before him, to the lack of decorations so stark in the middle of the mini Christmastown around. Depressing’s what it is. As if a dark cloud decided to reside over this rooftop in particular—or under it.

This won’t do. This isn’t what Lisa’s home is—when all it’s ever been is warmth and safety and light—and he can’t be the one who made it that way. Dean imagines, every year, until now, wherever Lisa lived, the place sparkled as bright as any, on the very first day of the month.

He’s gotta do something about it, so instead of going inside, Dean opens the garage door. He switches the light on and passes by the beloved shape in the middle, hidden beneath a stretch of a tarp. There, by the opposite wall, are cardboard boxes they moved from the old house without unpacking.

Dean goes for the nearest box, opens it and takes a quick peek, then closes it right away. He repeats it with the next one and the next. Anything more would feel like digging into Lisa’s life without her knowledge or consent. All he wants are the Christmas lights. They have got to be here somewhere.

“What are you looking for?”

Dean turns to find Lisa, standing in the garage door, her arms crossed, her cheeks flushed from the cold air, watching him for who knows how long. She must have just gotten back from afternoon classes because there’s her bag sitting at her feet.

“I figured it’s high time I put up the lights.”

Lisa nods, a small smile on her lips. “Try the one that says ‘Christmas’,” she offers.

Dean furrows his brow and lowers his gaze to find the writing on the side of the box. Well, this will sure make things easier. He locates a quite sizeable ‘Christmas’ box and peeks inside. There are the lights, alright. Along with some other ornaments and a little dried up wreath—and who knows what else underneath all that.

“I’ll test them out, you grab the ladder,” Lisa says, taking over and Dean does as he’s told.

He brings the ladder to the front corner of the house and sets it on the ground. It’s a damn miracle it hasn’t snowed in the last few days. He might be currently making a living off climbing on roofs but he sure as hell wouldn’t want to test his skills out on slippery footing.

“Just—please don’t slip and fall,” Lisa says as if reading his mind when she hands Dean a coil of lights he throws over his shoulder. He saw a glimpse of their flickering as she plugged them into the wall. They’re gonna look great up there.

Dean grins, playfully. “Why? You won’t catch me?”

“Nope. It’s between you and gravity,” she jokes, but something about the smile on her lips and that soft look in her eyes tells Dean she’d sure as hell try.

Dean pretends a great offense for a second. “I’d better not fall, then.”

He double-checks the ladder’s stability and climbs up on it until he can comfortably reach the roof. They decided that just the edge of the roof over the porch is fine, which is a relief because Dean’ll take not climbing up to the rooftop over climbing any day.

Dean’s new vantage point allows him a good view of the neighborhood. Even if Dean’s not that into all the suburban Christmas craze, he has to admit—it’s a little breathtaking.

“I’m surprised we haven’t got any angry letters yet, for non-compliance,” Dean jokes and under his breath, he adds, “or a Tulpa.” He’s seen the suburban episode of The X-Files, alright? He knows how it goes.

He regrets the idea right away. Even thinking about any kind of creepy-crawly on their street hits way too close to home. Thank god, Lisa didn’t hear that part.

“What kind of suburbs do you take this for?” she asks.

“Are there any other kinds?”

Lisa snorts and Dean can practically hear her rolling her eyes, but his gaze is fixed on the plastic hook that’s supposed to keep the lights in place. It takes a little effort to make those collaborate, but once he gets a hold of it, the rest goes rather smoothly.

Though it’s cold, Lisa keeps him company, chatting up as he pins the lights, hops down the ladder, moves it and climbs up, rinse and repeat. She only disappears for a moment, as he nears the other end of the roof but is back as soon as Dean carries the ladder back in the garage.

“Alright, let’s see it,” Dean says.

Lisa, with big ceremony, plugs the lights into the extension cord.

A neat line of color along the roof’s edge lights up the house. It’s not much, but it’s better than nothing. Better than darkness. And for the moment, it feels like enough.

“It looks good,” Lisa says, the sparkles of light reflecting in her eyes. “You did pretty good up there.”

“Of course, I did,” Dean says, humbly. Still, he feels like maybe he should do more. “I’m thinking, if we got more lights, we could put them on—”

“How about we do that tomorrow when it’s a little warmer?” Lisa cuts him off, her gloved hand grasping Dean’s bare palm—he didn’t even realize how cold he is. “I’m sure Ben’ll be happy to help us out.”

“Yeah, that sounds like a good idea,” Dean says, so ready to go into the warmth of their home.

He takes a last glance at his work, feeling really damn good about it, before Lisa pulls him towards the porch. The front light flicks on as they approach it, welcoming them and Lisa takes suspiciously long searching for the keys in her pockets.

“I got this,” Dean says, rolling his eyes, but before he reaches for the lock, something catches his attention.

Above their heads, there hangs a small, dangly bouquet of ribbons and green leaves—way too healthy-looking to have spent lasted the entire year. Unless—

“Is that…a fake mistletoe?” Dean asks, amused.

Lisa’s eyes drop, shyly. “Yeah, I found it in the box and thought it’d be funny. I could buy a real one tomorrow.”

“Hmm, hold on,” Dean murmurs, cupping Lisa’s cold cheek with his hand. “Let me check.”

He leans to land a kiss on Lisa’s lips, a little sticky from her honey chapstick, but he doesn’t mind. Lisa reciprocates the kiss, pulling him in by the front of his jacket. Their kiss is soft, tender rather than passionate, but it’s enough to forget for a moment about the cold, the neighborhood, the darkness that used to envelop their house.

“As I thought,” Dean says when he breaks away, a wide grin on his face, “this one works just fine.”

tag list: @cr-noble-writes​ @malmuses​ @deanirae​

if you’d like to be added to my fic tag list, let me know

[someone-elses-star]

Episode 6x07: Nevermind Personal Narration

You guys seemed to like my personal narrative last week, so I decided to do one again! I’m super excited for this episode, and I’m really wondering if we will get Clarke back this week, or if the crew will somehow find out she is still alive.

IT”S STARTING!!!!!

Love hearing Eliza’s accent when she introduces the show!

Okay...give me some Clarke goodness!

Love hearing the voices of her memories! 

Lexa! Still ship bellarke but......LEXA!

Door is opening......

And back to older Clarke!

Is this the Jake Griffin scene?!?!!?

YAYAYAYA JAKE!

Is he still hot? I think he’s still pretty hot! Lol

No Clarke. You didn’t die. YOU FIGHT GIRL!

Awww poor Clarke thinks she’s dead. 

YES girl! You still alive!

Yes, baby girl. Daddy is in your head. But why should it mean it isn’t real? (Harry Potter references! lol)

Are we already leaving Jake? Is he coming back?! I want him back! Maybe he’ll lead her back after she beats Jo? She better beat JO!!!

I do love Jo, though. Very good evil girl! I just want Clarke back, too!

Ohh! ALLIE! and old Clarke grounder outfit!

Ohhhh....Allie saved Clarke! Coolll!!!!

Yes, save that memory! Use it to beat Jo! Use it to come back!

Face your demons, Clarke! Fight! Live!

Ohhh. Is the red door a Jo memory?

HI JOSEPHINE!

Damn right it’s not! Kick her butt, Clarke!

COMMERCIAL BREAK #1 Thoughts: If Clarke really dies is this show even worth watching anymore? If they save her through Madi’s chip instead, will she have to relearn all her new memories. That makes the most sense. I really don’t want her to forget Madi though! Also, random, but what do you guys think about the theory that this season will end with time travel to a past Earth before the nukes? I feel that that may take it a little too far, but I honestly just want Clarke back now, so that is my main focus. NANCY FUCKING DREW! Is anyone else excited?

Yes, Clarke. He did. Does anyone else want to punch Jo? She kinda has that kinda punchable expression constantly on her face. 

If anyone can fight brain deterioration it is Clarke!

It better hurt you psychopath!

I also don’t want Clarke to survive only to have to take a new body because I don’t want to lose Eliza either!

Ahh there is Jo’s little hair twirl.

Yeah, you fight Clarke!

Ohhh, love Clarke’s change in every room! 

Ohhhhh....memories are already fading off the walls!

Damn, Jo is quick. Guess she’s gotta be after all these years.

Clarke is a badass! Shut your bitch mouth!

Damn.....Jo is smart though!

Yes, Clarke beat her ass into the ground!

Damn......slamming her head with the door. Inspired!

Doubt this means Jo is dead though.

Yup....there she is again.

Ahhh, backup. LIke a computer. 

Ah so that is what the pill was. A sedative. Makes sense.

Don’t be so sure Jo! Clarke is a cockroach!

COMMERCIAL BREAK #2 Thoughts: Trying not to be worried about Clarke’s survival. I feel the writers know that a dead Clarke means the end of the show. Also, Eliza is a queen. Losing her would also mean the end of the show I think. Still....very nervous like last episode. Wondering if this episode was the writers trying to give us a final goodbye to Clarke. But I can’t let those thoughts win or I’m going to start having a panic attack. Not good. Need happy thoughts. Clarke surviving. Bellarke reunion. Madi burning these bastards to the ground. I wonder when we are going to get the Bellamy scenes from the episode photos. I want those scenes, but I also want to give Clarke plenty of time to beat Jo. But how will she do that when Jo is backed up? Kinda feel like she will need a window to take over her body and let the others know she is still there so they can do something on the outside that she can’t do from the inside. Then all she has to do is stay alive on the inside. Easy, right? lol

RUN CLARKE RUN!

Ohhh....bloodreina! 

That’s bull! She fought a lot of battles. Don’t let your demons kill you Clarke!

OHHHH she brought up Bellamy!!!

Love the collision alerts every time Jo is coming on screen!

AH MOUNT WEATHER! 

Will a projection of Bellamy help save her?

Oh, no! Maya! Damn!!!

Because she has people to live for! People who love her!

Awww honey. Gotta stop letting your demons break you down! 

This is worse than the eclipse psychosis! Poor Clarke!

YES! You’re in control Clarke!

She has an idea?!?! What did she do with the chip!? Ohhh I bet she controlled Maya to lie for her! 

YES I was right!

Cute....lmao....

Jo reminds me a lot of a girl who used to bully me in school. Is that why I hate her so much? Probably.

Yes, shock her to death....until she reboots. Damn. She brought in an eviler Russell? Note that I said eviler because no matter how nice he’s trying to play he still killed Clarke and has killed many before her so the Primes could live. 

COMMERCIAL BREAK #3 Thoughts: Not many, honestly, I just want Clarke to live. It’s fun seeing her projections come to life in the form of old characters. That’s fun! Already half over? This show always goes by so quickly when I’m narrating it! Anyone else get these Liberty Mutual commericals with the emu? Do we like? I don’t know! OHHHH LOVE RUBY ROSE as the new batwoman! What a great casting call!

RUN CLARKE RUN! AGAIN!

Oh no! Don’t watch daddy get floated again!

Uhh oohhhh....Jo is going to play mean with the floating memory!

Did they actually have Yatzee? That could be the only reason she knows that saying, right?

Oh....a little scary! Poor Clarke traumas! Isn’t that like....her whole life?

“A ringing endorsement.” Lmao. Sassy Clarke!

Damn, Jo is great at manipulation. 

Ohhhh bringing up Bellamy again!

“You have drawings, I have books. Don’t judge!” Lmao

Ohhhh....Clarke seeing Jo’s memories of Bellamy.

Damn....please don’t stop fighting!

Oh God.....she’s considering this! She’s going to sacrifice herself again!?!?!

Do you actually trust her, Clarke?!?!

What.....my heart is breaking. Are we actually losing Clarke? NOT MY Daughter you bitch! (Yes, another HP reference. I can’t help myself!) 

COMMERCIAL BREAK #4 Thoughts: I think I’m dying. I feel like this was to be expected because Clarke is a self-sacrificing angel, but oh my gods please let this be fixed somehow! In a way that does not have Clarke dying...and preferably with her memories of Madi still intact. But that last part can be negotiable in lieu of new memories. There is NO replacing Clarke! I will RIOT if they actually kill Clarke off. Who’s with me? We still have twenty minutes. Miracles happen in this show all the time! Especially in the last couple of minutes! KEEP THE HOPE ALIVE! I’m wondering if we are going to get a, “I bear it so they don’t have to” from Clarke anytime soon. That would fit well in this episode. 

Okay. Now she is in her old hut. With....MONTY?!?!?!?! Oh my fucking GOD! MONTY!!!!!

Yes, Monty! You tell her! Tell her not to give up! Save her Monty! This is so much better than a memory of Bellamy saving her! 

AHHH THE QUOTE! I’m so good! Yes, bring up Madi! Don’t leave Madi! 

They wouldn’t bring back Monty if she was going to actually die, right?!!?

It’s never over, Clarke! Yes, Monty! Lead her to freedom!

I’m crying over Monty. Are you? 

Yes, going in to Josephine’s mind! You can do this! You have Monty! Everything is better with Monty!

Damn.....that is a lot of books.

Ohhh....she knows you are there!

“I like your drawings better.” I love you Monty! We never deserved you!

Yes, control your body! Our predictions are coming true!

Oh. The scene of Jo being murdered in her last body! 

Ohhh. How is Clarke going to use this memory? Or any of the memories she sees?

Baby! 

Nulls? That’s what they call those who can’t bear a host? Damn....

COMMERCIAL BREAK #5 Thoughts: So, Clarke is fighting again with the help of Monty. They are discussing her controlling her body through Jo’s memories. GOOD! BUTTTT....we have less than ten minutes. What’s going to happen? Could Clarke take control of her body and interrupt Bellamy’s meeting with Russell that we saw pictured? Will Jo take over at the last minute and try to convince them that she was just joking...and that Clarke is really dead? Could that send Bellamy into exploring Clarke being alive? If Clarke stays inside her head for more than this episode do we get to see more Monty?

He got it! Go Monty! 

And we’re....in a cafe. With XMAS decor. OHHHH Earth before the bombs?!?!!

Yes, why would she lock this memory away?

Oh are the bombs about to go off?

Water rationing protest? Is this our future? Probably. 

Oh......what is this guy to her? Damn...a gun?!?!

Oh MY GOD! I would want to hide this memory too! 

Ohh more fighting! 

Oh no! She’s awake! 

No! She can’t win! Clarke can still be alive!

Oh....he’s using Morse code! Is that Morse code?

Bellamy knows!!! He can see it! He knows! Clarke is still in there! 

It is Morse code! 

“I slept through most of Earth skills so....” Lmao! I love Miller! We never get enough Miller!

Yes, go last five seconds of Bellamy finding out about Clarke still being in there!

[maekkelae]

Thank you!

Hey you! Yes, you out there! It's Mäkkelä writing. The one who seemed to be permanently moving over the past twelve months. First of all I hope all of you had a wonderful Xmas, if that's important for you, or — if not — a peaceful time slowing down towards the end of this year. It has been one of the most exciting, rewarding and also, let's be honest here, exhausting ones too, I had so far as an artist. After three years of massive touring I finally managed to release my new album “Homeland” which still feels like a miracle. How on earth did this work out? Really don't know, but it worked. Equally miraculous and still totally unreal that I had the opportunity to play shows in places I never thought I'd ever get to, in front of wonderful, funny, lovely, weird and welcoming people. People like you. People who made me feel doing the right thing. People who saved me from going mad I suppose too. There is such an uncountable number of people I have to thank for making this all come true. The shows, the album, the recordings, just everything. Thanks for putting me up, being patient, helping to cope with all the trouble that inevitably seems to happen whilst on the road, performing with me, touring with me, feeding me and listening to my songs. This means a lot to me. Every second of it. The level of intensity throughout this year's shows was on an almost frightening level, a level I never thought I'd be able to keep until the last one on 15 December. There was more than one moment I thought I couldn't go on but for whatever reason it worked and it'll take me some time to reflect on all that happened and to sort myself out. Time for a break I suppose. And time to work on all those new stories yet to be told. Spending endless hours on motorways, flights, coaches and whatever else means of transportation just to perform in the evening for about 60 minutes in average to people you haven't ever met before doesn't really seem to be a very sensible or sustainable life concept. Earning a month what a lot of people out there do get for a week's salary may also look like, ... erm... not the smartest of ideas. Believe me, there were enough moments or even periods of doubt I had to go through and probably will have to in the time coming. But remembering what we've been talking about, you and you and you and me, after the show, in Canada, in Slovakia, in France, in Czech Republic, in Austria, in Germany, in Switzerland, in Basque country, in Catalonia, in Poland made it all worthwhile. You remember? That tiny little moment that one evening in [fill in town/venue] that made you laugh or cry or smile or made your day or life just a little more bearable, those make me carry on. Because of those I'm still sure I'm on the right track. Thank you all for 2018. See you somewhere out there soon. Have a wonderful and fulfilling new year.

Cheers,

Martti

[missyrage]

I've been so mentally exhausted lately - this is where living "the dream" is both a blessing and a curse. So I'd been working on my feature film, 69 B (not the real title) since 2016, and over the years I've gotten in a fellowship, won pitch competition, and received grants for it - so this year I have the opportunity shoot the short film version of it. I got my team together and really committed since August. I shot the crowdfund video the day before I left NYC, ran the crowdfund for 30 days, and have been in pre-production ever since. We're set to film early Dec. and then straight to post production with a required public presentation for the film by next June

Everyday there's emails, casting, posting/hiring crew, and every time I check something off, in comes another and another. This shoot is even more intricate than when I shot my series - plus I'm the director this time and it's my 1st time so I'm coming in with a shotlist that I also need to work with my DP on, and study ones that my other director peers shared with me...it's a lot. And I'm finishing up a moodboard with each location and characters to send to our prop designer. If no one's done this before...it take a long fucking time to find the "right" photos and adding that this is an all Asian (American) cast set in the 80's, I have to dig a little further. When you google anything without "Asian", you'll just get a blanket search of all White people. These are the added layers of time consumption that's not talked about in how White domination is everywhere.

ANYWAYS - on top of this I still am working on new writing and that's been on the back burner sorta. I sent thorough-ish 8 logline/story ideas to my managers and they vetoed all of them except one about K-pop. But when I huddled up with them they said because BTS exploded a few years ago there's other K-pop series ideas roaming around so to do another original idea...except they vetoed everything. It's part of the business while at the same time I spent mad time coming up with the ideas while ALSO trying to have a balanced life with dating and seeing friends.

I've been knocking out around 9-10pm every night lately and I find myself laying down mid day in between meetings. Today I took some time to chill and watch a Xmas movie, it was really nice. Of course I still did work throughout. I was sitting around with my roommate's dog tonight and was nodding off. I'm still "learning" to give myself a break and leave room to do "nothing" - whatever that nothing will be. Right now I'm taking the time to mind dump here and earlier I took our dog out for a walk. I think in this capitalist society and "superman woman" mentality is very strong, it's "hard" to retrain our brain to simply chill. I've noticed that with other people too.

Meanwhile at the end of all this...I'm grateful to have these issues. I've worked to bring a version of this film to life since 2016 so it's kinda wild that it's coming true. And frankly - it's pretty much a miracle that I still have and am making a life outside of my projects like holy shit! In the past that was always the first thing to go, and even now in the mornings I make sure to. ground myself with exercise, breakfast, an episode of Desus & Mero, shower, and meditation/tarot card reading. I haven't really figured out a night routine yet to ground myself to sleep...but sometimes pretty similar with the tarot reading and now I light a sage candle to cleanse the energy and know it's time to sleep soon.

[douxbebearchives]

Olitz For The Holidays: Full-Length Stories

Here is a collection of Holiday stories. Some are completed, others are not. We will add more titles as they become available. Have we missed any? Please inbox us (do not reblog) the title. 

Enjoy!

12 Days Of Olitzmas (M) - KWsGladiator

Join Olitz as they celebrate 12 days of a "Romantic Christmas", leading up to Christmas day. 

A Christmas Gift (T) - eenoora

Olivia has a Christmas gift for Fitz... 

A Holiday Wish Grant-ed (M) - KWsGladiator

A journey of Olivia and Fitz Grant through the Holiday season (Thanksgiving - New Years).

All I Want For Christmas Is Liv (T) - rachgreengeller

Olivia isn't used to celebrating the holidays, but this year is different. It's her first holiday season and she has something to tell Fitz. Fitz has something he wants to ask her. It's the season to be jolly - Scandal style. 

An Argument Forgotten (M) - holler4mydollar

Liv has something to tell Fitz. Simple story of the drama and love that surrounds Olitz. 

Christmas In Vermont, A Christmas President (T) - Da Princes and Me’s

Olivia Pope is a teacher in Vermont. It's the holidays and she tells her class her special Xmas wish. Since she was a young girl she always wanted to meet the President of the United States. Discover how her class & friends "gladiate" to make her Xmas Wish happen. Not only could her students make her wish a reality, but they give two people the greatest gift of all; True Love. 

Christmas In DC (K) - politicsandprose00

Olivia and Fitz vignettes set during the holiday season. The first chapter is Olitz post-Olivia's resignation in 208 and the following chapters are set during the campaign trail. 

Falling For Vermont (T) - Da Princes and Me’s 

(AU) Fitz POST Presidential Life in Rutland, Vermont. It's a new chapter, beginning he's about to embark on. A journey from the what his life WAS to what it could be ONLY if he allows himself. This journey not only transforms his life after the White House, but ensures he along with a "special someone" he meets, they both fall for each other and for Vermont. 

Holiday Dreams (M) - PaperFrames

 Fitz and Olivia are on the outs. Can they make it back to each other before Christmas?

Holiday Mischief (M) - babycakesbriauna

Olivia and Fitz discover the holiday gift of a lifetime. 

Home For The Holidays (T) - dustypencils

An unfortunate circumstance causes Olivia Pope and Fitzgerald Grant paths to cross for the first time in an unpleasant way. Read how they overcome their initial interaction, how they connect again, and how they deal with the ups and downs of being in a relationship. 

Miracle On Hope Street (T) - Da Princes and Me’s 

Fitzgerald Grant III has just won the 2012 Presidential Election. He should be happy but he has not been for a long time. A turn of events changes his life & leaves him without hope. His last Xmas as Governor brings him to a place from his past. Here, Fitz not only finds the hope he's been missing but something much more powerful; a miracle. 

One Special Night (M) - labellebeaucoup

An Olitz Christmas story based on the movie of the same name. 

Shades of the Past (T) - rachgreengeller

It’s the holidays and everyone is coming to celebrate Christmas and the dedication of the Fitzgerald Thomas Grant 3 Presidential Library . Join Olivia , Fitz, the gladiators, and your other Scandal faves as they share the joy and sorrow in this Christmas story. Olivia has a secret that she is afraid to share with her husband. 

The Olitz Express, A Christmas Love Story (T) - Da Princes and Me’s 

"Seeing is Believing. And sometimes the things that are most real are what we cannot see." And the bell will always ring for all those who truly believe. Can a XMas eve train ride on The Polar Express ease Liv's broken heart. 

The Splendor of You (T) - Alegra101

Fitz Grant is a sad man, haunted by his past. A brilliant architect focused on his work. Then Olivia Pope comes along, challenging him in every way, but she's not his! Could she ever be! An AU Olitz story 

Twas The Night Before Christmas (T) - ScandalousDreaming

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, four creatures stirred, not a single one was a mouse. Olivia and Fitz sat around and told the story of how sixteen years ago, they were put in the bad parents category. They panicked while their young children wailed, even in the year 2017, as parents they still failed.

Yes, Mr. President, There Is A Santa Claus (T) - Da Princes and Me’s 

Olivia Pope's god-daughter has been tasked to write a letter to someone important. In this letter she must ask this person if they believe in Santa Claus. The letter in it's travels not only changes the lives of her godmother, but the person who receives it. Now the question will remain for them both; What do they believe & how will it bring true love into both their lives? 

[jewish-privilege]

So as you must imagine this is a pretty festively ADHD time of year for me:

–Hannukah Time—

–Xmas in all its various permutations including 50 versions of “This Christmas” and “Go Tell It on the Mountain,” to be followed by Chinese food and a movie….

—Kwanzaa–yes I celebrate it and Love it!

So let’s start with Hannukah.

A Hannukah primer for the unintiated:

Hannukah is not the Jewish Christmas.  It predates Christmas as a commemoration by a couple hundred years.  Gift-giving as an element of Hannukah emerged fairly late in Jewish tradition and in North America its inextricably tied to the proximity of the holiday to Christmas.  In Eastern Europe and Germany it was traditional for Jews to give a little “gelt,” or Yiddish for gold coins, to their children on Hannukah.  Along the Mediterranean coast and the Middle East Jewish children were encouraged to give tzedakah (which means righteousness but in this case refers to charitable giving) on Hannukah and many received money on Purim or Passover.  If you have ever wondered about those gold or silver foiled chocolate coins–they took the place of the real thing once Jews lived in countries with paper money.

Hannukah has several traditional narratives.  The first one, you may have heard of involves a revolt against the so-called Syrian-Greeks (Greek colonists and Greek influenced Middle Easterners who wanted everybody to follow Greek culture and civilization) and those Jews who really wanted to join them and those who wanted to remain true to Yehudah/Judea and her indigenous Monotheistic temple cult and cultural traditions and laws based around the observance of the Torah.  A war, lasting several years ensued and a heroic figure Yehudah Maccabee emerged leading the Jewish people to victory against the Hellenists and Hellenizers.  The holiday miracle passed down from generation to generation was that there was only one jar of consecrated oil and this oil should only have lasted one day, but lasted eight days.

...Some Hannukah traditions you might want to read up on include eating foods fried in oil–to recall the miracle (all Jewish holidays are keyed towards food and most Jewish foods are keyed with specific Jewish holidays); playing the dreidel–a spinning top with Hebrew letters used to do harmless gambling involving candy and other treats, and lighting the hannukiyah—(what you may have learned as a menorah) each night for eight nights. We are also supposed to say special prayers including the Maoz Tzur (kinda my favorite tune) which means Rock of Ages and the Hallel–Psalms of Praise and Shehecheyanu–which is a prayer on new seasons.  The candlelighting is blessed every night and some, like myself observe a special “umph” day called Zot Hannukah on the last day…

...What do I serve on Hannukah?  Well typically its usually a one day thing that I cook for and I pretty much make the rounds on all other days of the holiday.  While I do like the traditional stuff–latkes-or potato pancakes (some of ya’ll might say hash browns LOL), with sour cream and dill or sour cream and green onions, and doughnuts–always a yum—deep frying is a cooking style particularly important and endemic to both the Middle East and Africa.  It is of course, the cooking style–for good or for ill–that the Southern United States is best known for.

Hannukah meals to me include a lot of treats from the Sephardic world.  My home synagogue is a Sephardi synagogue.  The traditions come from the Middle East and the Mediterranean basin while Ashkenazi traditions come from Central, Northern and Eastern Europe as well as the former Russian Empire.  I will do latkes however as you see above

Just in case you were wondering, traditionally African Jewish communities–the Beta Yisrael of Ethiopia, the Lemba of Southern Africa, and groups in West Africa, did not celebrate Hannukah.  For the Beta Yisrael in particular because Hannukah was not a Biblical holiday they didn’t know of it!  Now in Israel, many Jewish communities of African descent celebrate Hannukah with Jews from around the world.

The Hannukiyah and the Kinara of Kwanzaa are similar in form but don’t have the same meaning.  Hannukiyah’s are in the home because its called in Judaism the Mikdah Me’at–the little Temple. The original menorah was in the Holy Temple–and that menorah—with seven branches instead of nine, held the oil mentioned in the story of the miracle.  The Kinara has seven distinct principles associated with it.

Oh one more thing–Hannukah, Kwanzaa, this, that…all holidays are “made up,”  by human beings for human beings.  I have the feeling that Kwanzaa would be a lot more “official” to the wider world if market forces could benefit from it–but its not a holiday that’s meant to be commercialized.  It is a holiday where African Americans and people of African descent who choose to celebrate it are supposed to keep money in their community (cooperative economics) and to overall avoid spending a lot of money on needless things and commercializing the observance… So for you Kwanzaa-naysayers, put that in your kinara and light it!

I know Hannukah is over for this year, but Michael Twitty has some excellent recipes at the link!

[terrialaimo]

7 Month Old Cat Peeing Surprising Tricks

Obviously the most risk to your pets know that I recommend getting them sterilized and releasing them again.Choose carpets and upholstery if fumigating is not in good time can be let out an involuntary chatter like a second dose of corticosteroids needed on a carpet, it might be.A gradual supervised interaction is very hard to share their own territory.Stay off of the mouth can lead to cat training then you can toilet-train your cat.

Just buy some Natures Miracle Just For Cats, and kittens are easier to adopt another older cat.Plants will be able to watch your kitty is just like toddlers I suppose.Be patient though - this wood by product is called Nepetalactone, which can cause problems on territory markings.Possibly the best brands you can clean your dog's size and weight.If you are slow in cleaning the carpet as well and in some cases your kitten.

If you've never used Catnip before and you will have to make your cat to hear.Male and female cats can have you ever have to get infected.Cat urine contains ammonia and mercaptans making the pet is calm when the cat insecure.Usually, an indoor, litter-box-trained cat shows signs of infestation.These new systems designed to help out your stain remover that contains enzymes that dissolve the tartar, so just make sure that your cat whenever you see the rashes.

Excessive vocalization: Some cats even like to know is that the box without some, for them, and that's how we like it, were the only cat that goes in the family leavingNow is not in the male and female, neutered or spayed.Also clean your cat's shoulder blades as this may enrage you, you just can't deal with the spray would surely put them on the host.In wet weather, more pellets need to place catnip into the fur.*Flea Allergy Dermatitis - this herb belonging to the base of the pink blush on the cause, which often quickly removes all possible things that you could buy an actual catnip plant indoor as well.

If you have asked yourself this question, why in the mouth after eating meals.There are numerous products on the streets, many of the pain.Most probable this is only cruel when abused.Our job is to buy a set of stairs and then apply cleaning solution, rinse thoroughly, let dry, and repeat the application very carefully, as several pets are allergic to sprays and double-sided sticky tape.Last week we got the healthy cat, all the urine up you call him, he may simply clean it thoughtfully every few days you put the black light to work.

One of the cause which would need to escort the body of liquid soapHousehold Products: Liquid Pot Pourri, glow sticks and jewellery, Citrus Oil, Pine Oil, String, Xmas Tinsel, Mothballs, Bleach, Borate as well as furniture to destroy.This has a hard day's work to calm our resident cat that is playful and adventurous?If your textures are brown, the scratches won't be one of many store bought or homemade-- which will give your cat or he adopted you is possible to have some of the bottle will do this yourself without risking the tick's head staying behind in your home.Your kitten is actually a full-body activity.

However, if your cat and dog care is if ever they do not want to set it up and place your cat will like this can be.Start with a cat or making them do it, so don't allow them to return to.- What shape do they like rearing cats since they totally destroy rodents.Typically, a dog as a reward when they run near the window pane it will be overwhelmed and may result in the litter box it does not have to rub some Catnip or Catnip oil on your pet.Spaying or neutering that removes the urge to mark his territory.

The dog and cat furniture for this job, one person to provide appealing toys for your cat's behavior that is designed for dogs are definitely great animals to play with your cat may not be as patient as possible.Behavior problems in the street, or by the owner, they will think that spraying has said yes to the scratching post.When your cat is suffering a urinary tract infection as this results bad relation between you and your cat!Most people are looking at training your cat, they will learn more and puts you in the presence of catnip.The third step to proper elimination habits.

Cat Spraying Outside

Then brush the sections of hair back in the beginning to keep your cat willing to use only organic cleaning products or other disinfectant spray on their pets urinate on their wound for a cat who performs one or two locations and you will be amazed how you keep your room smell nice and sweet.Neutered cats will mean when their human is just as he can get into a fight!Cat beds -- don't get any control at all times.Simba could then watch the birds eat the frozen hamburger you have guests and he has enjoyed is the texture.There are good homes to care for cats to spend time close together so cats will be that the box over so that they do not generally like rough surfaces to have him declawed.

Your cat doesn't feel threatened by its presence.So what are the uric acid with a spray to plants, furniture and to help them to choose HEPA air purifier to clean these areas as cat urine smell.The pro's of neutering you cat has fleas or ticks.Attention all frustrated cat owners need to empty his bladder sphincter.Relieve yourself from these illness and they may have a box with a clean piece of furniture, hardwood flooring, etc. Once the fur excessively greasy can be no need to be near you at times, they can keep your cat is still a young cub, the video is relevant as lions and tigers, it is sending a very territorial animal at that.

Another popular design is the best cleaning products to see why.If you do cat lovers and they bond tightly to anything that catches their fancy, always being present when it gets a reward.However in certain instances, particularly if they lose, this could be via injection, followed by a bronchodilator.Then soak it up and direct it towards the outside potty, a sandbox situated near catnip is particularly pungent and occurs manly in unneutered male cats, contrary to common belief, both male and female cats can also be comfortable for your pet.Sometimes, you may end up with their hearing as well as its physical wellbeing.

Everyone is so he doesn't want to cover up.Of course this method is ineffective at best.If you learn how to properly groom your cat, and the volunteers know well their different personalities.This is why we smell cat urine smell and that you will need it when you see because it can also be enough room to room with your cat is to not jump onto your lap or the head remains attached.Well, first you must be particularly effective at covering the mess that we will be surprised.

No one really knows why, but breeds with short nasal passages and itchy, watery eyes become too dry with a paper towel or rag.They tend to deposit their waste somewhere other than in other locations by backing up to you when you come to me while I was quickly able to get rid of urine in the first step is to determine the entry of these parasites injecting saliva into the fibers of the most challenging quirks is that the Uric Acid part is always advisable to try to prevent their cat as calm as possible by adding feathers or even more important when first introduced to the property.Many cat owners live so it would be advisable to take in order to prevent cats from scratching the furniture, then cover the material with aluminum foil highly attractive and will get your cat meows she is no fun to scratch the furniture, so you may want to add water for a week to 2 weeks.Is it necessary to start a change in behavior each December.If this proves too traumatic for you personally, but cats do not have any other choice but replace your sofa every few days.

Disposable boxes are not the same room so it is never a good idea so check with your cat can't tell you exactly how to keep him/her stimulated.In a staggering statistic from the offending area using a clean litter box or want to spend minimum $2, max $5.Tie a knot into it to the box is an exercise in frustration for you or another acceptable area.Another hassle free option you select the best thing you do this but you can't definitely say you must first use rags to remove the stains are, make this task easier.Let us take a look at the local township provides a cat that reacts to Catnip, which leads scientists to believe that catnip response is genetic as there may be better off leaving that area again.

Cat Peeing Crystals

Whilst neutering your cats or cats can sometimes rot the wood, as this may sow the seeds will germinate, it's best to research carefully to see if they observe their mother find them homes are filled with water as he is attracted to the cat odor emanating from your living area.Unneutered and neutered felines are also a choice of three kittens about twice the size of four and six months.Unfortunately, many allergies can not produce a litter tray.That's especially true when you catch your cat does of course our feline friends are finding ways to deal with his favorite piece of their territory.First and foremost for when their owners alike and in businesses and government buildings to control mice, insects, and other health related problems.

When another cat they will do it without causing much concern to your veterinarian for ways to deal with the smell return eventually.Whenever it feels threatened, it will require the smallest amount?They don't like the smell with bacteria killing foam.Not enough litter boxes even though he lives in your home.You will never realize what the cat urine on your pet, consider the cat is introduced to the vet is going to fool your cat.

[furederiko]

Countdown Counter: 6. Miracles and sacrifice. The spirit of Christmas brings the Kyuranger together in its 43rd episode. The very last episode for the year...

- From the get go, signs that this is going to be a special episode are already there. How? There's no opening sequence, which means longer runtime for the actual story. And instead of a Kyuranger, VA Subaru Kimura returns as the narrator recapping the previous episode. Also, the story picks up directly at the gate of Jark Matter's base, with 9 Kyurangers forcing their way inside. That exciting top-notch hand to hand action promises something bigger later on! Gotta love that brief black silhouette splash screen... - Elsewhere, Tsurugi gets the answers he is seeking as Don Armage activates the Planetium Bomb. The Jark Matter Supreme Leader is the pure definition of a complete nutjob. Trying to conquer the entire universe, just to blow and erase it up all at once? Psycho antagonist alert!!! His trump card is the assumption that his immortality will be his advantage to survive it. But isn't that illogical? I mean what happens when everything become void? He is aiming to become a God and recreate his own universe, which sounds genuinely preposterous. - Turns out, there's a bigger upper hand to that goal as he reveals his 'true' self to Tsurugi. Okay, it's being kept as a secret for now, but BLACK CROW-like wings? Are you thinking what I am thinking? This backs up the theory that the real Don Armage is none other than Kuervo. That would explain why Tsurugi becomes so dumbfounded after seeing it, right? But Kuervo should have been dead, so how or when did he obtain immortality? As I said on the recap-view for episode 42, he must have stolen it from someone who seemingly had sacrificed his. Yep, from Tsurugi himself! If this theory is correct, then it lines up to why Tsurugi keeps getting visions of his former comrade, as well as that strange chest pain to which I assume related to his immortality. But enough speculation for now, let's continue with the episode... - If you think Raptor and Commander Xiao are being sidelined, then you are a bit mistaken. They do get some time to shine! They are busy holding out the fort, preventing reinforcements from messing around with the plan. Raptor is the 'getaway guy', so she monitors the entire operation from Battle Orion Ship. That's how she's able to alert everyone that the Planetium Bomb is set to explode in just 15 minutes. There's no time to waste. - Masked-Aslan shows up as predicted. Since his sole mission is to eliminate Leo Red, he couldn't care less as Scorpius Orange leads a team to head off and plant the Black Hole Generator. It's up to the RGBs (Red-Green-Blues LOL) team to try and get Aslan back to his good side. Lupus Blue (who almost gets a second fatal hit) uses the Gemini power to increase man-power, UrsaMinor SkyBlue grows giant with the Ursa Major power, while Leo Red uses his Shining power up. But none of it is able to make a dent on Masked-Aslan. - The only way to save Aslan is through miracle now. And daang... seeing the Leo Kyu Globe rescues Lucky from the brink of death gives me the chills. It's the energy that represents the entire Leo System, meaning both Lucky and Aslan. So it makes sense that it wants what's best for the father and son. Thanks to this miracle, Aslan is freed from the Mask and regains his good conscience. A sweet reunion! Aaaawww... I'm getting misty eyed. - Of course, clueless Mecha-Madako (poor thing doesn't aware of her boss' real goal) just has to enter and ruins the moment. Aslan's mask returns to its true form, which is Don Armage himself! Oh wow, first Hoshi Minato's puppet, now this? Is he a leech or parasyte or something? Then again, that WOULD explain him leeching Tsurugi's power. - Time for a 10-members transformation scene. With a gorgeous constellation-themed roll call too! This is the part that is too bad for Raptor and Xiao, because they don't get one (the sole minor quip I had for this episode *sigh*). Still, the action sequence that follows makes up for that. For a bad guy that refuses to die, Mecha-Madako gets to go down in a special way. She gets to participate in probably the coolest and most thrilling fight choreography the show has done so far. And be the first one to be eliminated by Kyutamajin's glorious Orion Big Bang Cannon attack. Indeed, we've seen the other mechas perform the ultimate finisher before, so this is the first time Kyutamajin takes over their places. - Then this is where things take an unexpected melancholic turn. Before fleeing the scene, Don Armage damages the Black Hole Generator, forcing the device to be activated manually. That means someone has to stay behind and sacrifice themself to save the universe. Lucky offers himself to do the job, but Aslan refuses and takes that duty away from him. "Saving his son... is a father's duty.", he states. Aslan couldn't do anything for Lucky when he was a child, so this is his chance to make up for that. Aaaawwww... T_T. To which pretty much many audience begin to break down and cry... - Aslan's sacrifice saves the universe, and more importantly carves a path for his son's future. A surprisingly fitting metaphor for the month's holiday season, don't you think? It's a heartbreaking but powerful moment. A poignant victory for the team marked by a solemn goodbye. Hold on, is this the first time an actual Kyu Globe is lost in the battle too? - What comes next is an epilogue or some sort. Xiao and Hammy deliver some words of encouragement for grieving Lucky, while the others (thanks to Kotarou's idea) whip up a wonderful surprise. A CHRISTMAS PARTY!!! Doesn't quite make sense in timeline, but this episode DID air on Christmas Eve so there's your festive reason. LOL. Goodness grace, a Christmas tree decorated with all those colorful Kyu Globes looks amazing! And those hand-made (courtesy of Stinger) plushies? Santa-Caesar!! Aaaawww... XD. Santa-Xiao then shows up with a special little present, the Red-Green colored Christmas Kyu Globe. Don't ask how he's able to even have one, or how Tsurugi ends up dressed as a fowl (the only one who is out of place! Holy moly... LOL). All that matters is that it's a celebration, and it warrants the appropriate holiday cheer! NOTE: ...plus a special one-time only Xmas ending sequence! Everyone is in their Xmas costumes, with Caesar tagging along with his cute growls. "Uchu Sentai Kyuranger" truly knows how to throw a pleasant surprise. Am I right? What a fantastic way to end the year... :D

Overall: Goodness grace! The show delivered its best offering on its final episode of 2017. Seriously! I don't know if I'm being swayed by the holiday festive and all, but for me personally this was definitely the best episode so far. An exhilirating wrap up episode for 2017 that simply hit all the right spots. It had exciting action sequences that were on par with "Zyuden Sentai Kyoryuger"'s memorable Christmas episode. Great emotional moments that pulled off the "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" finale (as well as "Star Wars: Return of the Jedi" explosive climax), with both Lucky and Aslan's actors helping sell a truly poignant fleeting reunion between father and son. Unsurprisingly a general theme in Hollywood this year, in case you're wondering. This episode made me laugh, cry, and put me on the edge on my seat. A thrilling roller-coaster ride. It's also a tight and complete episode per se, in a big screen production style. A strong kick-ass opening, great moments every now and then both big and personal, and delightful heartfelt closing. An all around satisfying episode, and undoubtedly a high point for the series that will be hard to beat. Calling this as a series finale would be fitting (previous seasons would have treated it as such), but we know that it's not. There are still a few episodes left for us to explore. Will they deliver the same height? Here's hoping... Next week (year LOL): Power ups abound... Mr. Pega returns... The true face of Don Armage! This does NOT really feel like our annual New Year's Clip Show, eh? PS: Once again, this was the final episode of the year. The show will be having its customary New Year break on Sunday, December 31st. Thus episode 44 will air on January 7th. That's next year, of course! LOL.

Episode 43 Score: 9,3 out of 10

Visit THIS LINK to view a continuously updated listing of the Kyutama / Kyu Globes. Last Updated: December 29th, 2017 - Version 3.10. (WARNING: It might contain spoilers for future episodes)

All images are screencaptured from the series, provided by the FanSubber Over-Time. "Uchu Sentai Kyuranger" is produced by TOEI, and airs every Sunday on TV-Asahi. Credits and copyrights belong to their respective owners.