#(( thank you so much for thinking of Jess during the Holidays Sadie. <3 This is super sweet ;w; <3 ))

[krupnick]

A lady as kind and classy as Jessica deserves only the best of the best. So the first wrapped box that Bill offers to her is filled to the brim with unique spa treatments and mellow scented candles from all over the multiverse, appropriately labeled as "Treat Yo Self". And the second, smaller box contains a glittering ruby ring, enchanted with Bill's power. When she snaps her fingers, it will activate, silencing cat-callers or freezing anyone making unwanted advances on her.

For anyone else in the Ink and Paint, Jessica’s a cold dame with frost practically emanating from her shoulders in a frothing mist. For Bill, there’s a growing smile basked in warm, ruby lips melting that visage away like sunshine on ice. Bill packed a presence wherever he went — you had no choice but to acknowledge the ancient God when he walked into a room, and your feelings on it are you own. Jessica’s, meanwhile, were feelings of a jovial connection found among folk who were attracted to their own gender.. and the chaotic side of the sundial. 

& Perhaps it was silly for her to feel this way, but it was relieving to look at this enormous man and not feel an ounce of terror for her life, or a dire need to throw up certain defenses, and instead see a face she was growing to adore. There are so many instances where the situation was the opposite, but Bill, as ironic as it may be, was nothing but a gentleman to the songstress. A hearty, wholesome and undeniably powerful beast before a small beauty. Besides, the man offered to beat down some of her more .. invasive ‘’fans’’ for making her feel uneasy. It was hard not to adore Cipher.

“Billy boy blue, come here you!” Jessica bubbles, heels quickly clicking around the way with arms extended and wrapping around the much taller gentleman. It is STRANGE the way she has to accept how someone Is Taller Than She, But You Know Life Happens And Eventually Someone’s Gonna One-Up You. Ah, but the songstress plants a little kiss to the man Cipher’s cheek, beaming up at him when she draws back. “I was hoping to run into you before the year ticked its last tock. It’s good to see you, sweetheart.” She gushed, pinching his cheek gently and giving it a little wag. “And still growing more handsome by the day, I see.”

—- but lo and behold, he comes bearing gifts!

“And what have we here?” Jessica piques, having little hesitation in lifting the spa package present and deeply inhaling its scent, soon after giving a contented sigh when detecting the candles and other perfumes. Call it the woman’s freakish sixth sense, or just the side effect of a hardworking actor, but the toon has a knack for honing in on anything containing R&R assortments - going right for its throat before all else. Although unlike any of the other pampers, she can’t place some of these aromas. They were delightful, and that was exciting. These had to be new! Just when she thought she tried just about everything under the sun, Bill goes bringing something brand new to the table and bringing a wider spread to that grin of hers, cheeks plump and rosy. 

Neatly peeling back the paper, the actress soon dips her hands into the box and eagerly analyzes each item, softly cooing in awe. She was right, she hasn’t seen a good chunk of these luxuries — and she figures not many people on Earth have. Red locks pour over her shoulder with her canting head, purple thumb rubbing one of the alien labels. “You know your way to an actress’s heart.” She jokes with eye flickering back up to him. “Thank you so much. I can almost promise you this is not going to last the year out.” She’s putting them to work ASAP! But in reality, she’s going to be saving the multiverse brands as much as she possibly can, use them only when the day’s gone either really bad or really good.

—- and then came the ring,

“…” The stunned silence isn’t a bad one, it’s simple shock. Glancing back and forth between glittering ring and Bill, the star is lost for words and it shows. A moment or two is taken for her to catch her vocal cords back in her throat, and she finally speaks. “Oh, Bill..”

Delicately taking the ring from its bo and slipping it on her middle finger, opposite digits touching her clavicle in aback wonderment. Little does Bill realize just how much action this ring is going to get, and just how deep Jessica’s love is going to grow for it. An accessory that you will scarcely find her without in the foreseeable future, twinkling and stealing the tongues of plenty-a catcaller with just a nimble flick of her thin wrist.

Slender arms again throw themselves around the burly man-bound God, hugging him tightly. “You absolute angel,” She spoke gently, cordially. “I don’t even know how to thank you for this. You have no idea the trouble this going to save me.” and the days he’s going to save from being ruined. “Thank you so much, sweetheart. I love it. I love it all.” And that was the honest truth. She doesn’t take off the ring when she carefully tucks her gifts into her purse, already deciding this is where it will remain for some time.

“ —- And don’t think you’re leaving here without getting something in return, mister.” Jessica quickly states while fishing around still in her purse. She pulls out three gifts ; two large boxed presents and a much smaller one, all wrapped in glittering red wrapping paper and topped with white bows.

For Bill, it’s actually a family package. Two black leather jackets for himself and his beloved, with studded shoulders and pockets! But the most notable feature is printed on the back of them in red: “If lost, return to Rick” for one & “I’m Rick” for the other. For Bee, there’s a yellow & black candy-striped baseball bat with a comfortable rubber grip and a large twinkling transparent bag printed with little bumblebees on it; to its cute little bow brim, it’s stuffed with Christmas candy and glitter-infused paint tied with new paint brushes, and rolled up galaxy-themed paper. For Bill separately, there is a neon rainbow bracelet fit for any wrist — and the moment it’s put on, it will start to glow, float and leisurely rotate around its owners wrist. This was a souvenier she’s longed to give him since her and Rick’s Mysterious Pride Month Adventure. Finally, she has the chance to deliver it.

… and among these things is a giant, animated wicker basket that smells of fresh-baked Holiday madness in dessert form, coming in the shapes of Gingerbread Monsters, sprinkled cookies, three chocolate pies and two frilly red velvet cakes. If you thought the Cipher family was being skipped out on Jessica’s manic baking spree, You Thought Wrong. Enjoy The Bombshelter Supply Of Sweets.

“Come on, meet me at my car. I actually bought something else for your little girl, but I couldn’t bring it in.”

Whenever they went out into the night and popped open the trunk to Jessica’s crimson corvette, there was a multi-colored star with ribbons waiting inside with a small “For Bee - Happy Holidays! ♥” note attached. A piñata! It was chilly to the touch, hinting at the fact it’s been waiting for quite a while. A week, at least. “I took the chance to fill it up so you wouldn’t need to worry about that. I figured she could have a little extra fun on Christmas morning, put the bat to work for the first time. Is that alright?”

If Bill accepted it, Bee’d find a lot of Christmas sweets, chocolate coins and wrapped, homemade cake pops waiting for her one merry morning —- or whenever they decided to pop the papier-mâchétoy. It didn’t matter!

@wildgcd​