#but i don't think a holiday loses its worth because you could do what you do on that day at any time

[aromanticduck]

I have my criticisms of Valentine's Day, but one that I'm starting to change my mind about is 'Why do you need a specific day to show someone you love them? You can do that whenever'. Because yeah, that's true. But it's also true of Mother's Day and Father's Day, of birthdays, of almost any holiday. No, you shouldn't need a specific day to treat your partner (or friend or anyone else you love), but there's no harm in having an extra excuse to celebrate. And if your partner only makes an effort on Valentine's Day... That's not the day's fault.

[sector38]

From Sector: 38

Entry: II

After my last "encounter," my mind was made – I couldn't just sit at the edge of the sector staring out at the abyss – a hunger had made itself a home inside of me, nested under my bosom and in between my ribcage. For what it was worth, I could now say I was the proud owner of a brand new sector pass (actually in date this time), meaning I could also now apply for a real job. Before, it felt like I was wading through murky waters devoid of a lighthouse: without any sense of direction or purpose, but now I knew where I was going, who I was to be, and what I was to become – a xenologist.

It wasn't the easiest job. When I told my friends, they outright laughed. Sure, the world wasn't what it used to be – fancy bits of laminated paper were all lost to the flood – but that didn't mean that anyone could just walk in with zero qualifications, no questions asked. This was especially so for jobs that didn't exist pre-flood (including but not limited to, you guessed it, xenology). Before, if the job existed, maybe I would have gone to some elite university and collected my certificate that, for some reason, was meant to equate four years of my life, with a smile – now, we had the circuits.

On the bright side, it was a shorter process, 6-12 months if you survived that long and shorter if you didn't. I didn't know the process that well (sue me), but I knew that I would be starting at the outer tier, maintenance (glorified clean-up crew) and working my way in, each stage more deadly than the last until finally I reached the core, or as its more commonly known, "The Arena." I could never just choose the easy path.

I knew I should have been nervous, but... I just wasn't. I guess after the encounter, it was hard to feel like I hadn't been given some top-secret information that put me ahead. I hadn't really had the time to think about it, or I did, but there wasn't really much to say or do. It wasn't like I could tell anyone – I don't know what would have been worse: them not believing me or their faces of disgust.

When all countries were dissolved, you'd have liked to think everyone would lose their patriotism (you know, considering there were no more countries to worthlessly devote themselves to) – wrong. The world became one big country, one metaphorical empire ruled by the human race. This meant anyone or anything not of the human race or not subservient to the human race (like my neighbour, Julie's pet squid) was technically considered an enemy of the state.

Wait, did I fuck a public enemy?

First-day jitters were nothing in comparison to whatever I was feeling, especially considering this wasn't even my first day more like a very short tester solo shift - in all my time on sector 38 I'd never felt seasick (probably because the plates don't move) and yet here I was suddenly greatly empathetic towards the poor souls who found themselves violently ill holidaying in pacific waters. I could barely walk straight, my legs felt like jelly, and my stomach was so heavy I genuinely wondered if I'd swallowed an anchor between breakfast and lunch.

Even now, i still don't understand why i was alone during my tester shift? I get that it was just three tasks, but typically, unless you're a high-level, you're not to be left alone - always followed by a superior. Still, as i said, it wasn't even like I was going to be doing much, according to the alerts who sent me my assignments the night before my shift

. Stack the crates

. File away medical instruments

. Clean the pods on deck Xv_2

Pretty standard stuff, to be honest. If i cared half as much as i should, I'd be outraged that they gave me such menial work - but i didn't, so i wasn't. All i cared about was getting to see more of them, speak to them, and understand them, and the only way to do that was to become a xenologist.

At that point, I couldn't care less about hierarchy and ranks - i didn't understand the tangled web of beurocracy or how clearing badges worked, well not until I'd spent less than five seconds on the deck and i was promtly told

"Attention!"

The wooden crate I'd be carrying dropped to the ground with a hollow thud, the solid wood colliding with the metal flooring, making an awful cacophony. I looked up at the figure and saw a man dressed in a black suit with a white under shirt and black tie, on his black hair sat snug a white naval cap and across his chest a number of metal pins. He looked at me expectantly, i hadn't been told anyone else would be on shift as far as I knew I was supposed to meet my peers next week.

While trying to carefully stack the box in the appropriate space, I gave an awkward smile

"Hi"

Somehow, in a moment, his face grew colder, from freezing to a subzero tundra in an instant - I could tell he wanted to say more, to reprimand me, put me in place - but promtly his alarm sounded on his right wrist.

He left without a word, his face coloured with urgency.

To say I was confused would be an understatement. In the new world, the navy took on a more active role with the marines following suit to a lesser degree and the army taking the least precedence out of the three - so seeing a navy officer wasn't unheard of or even uncommon, but a lieutenant?

It just didn't make any sense, especially considering my work for today was entirely made up of menial tasks - and the look on his face as he left or even before that when I greeted him? I'm not in the navy, clearly so why what was he expecting me to do? Salute? Bowe? Kiss the ground beneath his feet?

It didn't matter, I told myself, i quite literally had one job: keep my head down and become a certified xenologist...well, aside from cleaning the pods on deck.

After stacking the last of the crates and refusing to give into my temptation of opening them, I set about trying to look for the ever elusive deck Xv_2

I mean, would it have KILLED them to give me a map or something? All the corridors looked the same - eggshell cream walls with blue strip lights - every turn, every left, every right didn't feel like it was getting me any closer, to be honest, I wasn't sure if this was some sort of time warp zone, an after effect of some eldritch creature washed up during the flood.

Wandering through the halls, I passed numerous rooms with bolted doors and bright yellow signs with bold black writing, as if they were so afraid that someone might accidentally open the securely locked doors - aside from doors armed to the teeth I passed a myriad of people, i can't really use one word to describe them:

From white coats with slicked-back hair, needle-straight posture to black suits, black ties, white collars, and broze pins to white hazmat suits and black boots.

Like some sort of machine, my brain was fixed on identifying and categorising my colleagues (colleagues). Well, that was until I heard it, tapping against the walls

It was faint at first, easily missable, but then the sounds grew louder, the rapid patter of the metal walls surrounding me like rain against the window - except there was nothing to see, no visible trace of the source of the sound just the noise, just the polyphonic array.

If this was a film, the corridors would be dimly lit with no signs of life but my own heartbeat and panting breath ringing in my ears, but this is the real world, if anything the bright neon lights and the industrious workers who I chanced upon only led to an increase in my anixety - it was as though i was going insane, as though i was being followed

"Could no one else hear that?"

The noise was atonal and offbeat - seeming to come from everywhere and nowhere all at once, bouncing off the walls like an echo. My eyes darted around the corners of the walls as I discreetly tried to turn my head to locate the source of the sound only to be met with nothing. Whatever it was, it was quick. It was just too quick, the persistent creature darting always just out of sight.

Finally, after what felt like a literal millennia, I ran into a steal door labelled

Xv_2

I pushed both the persistent scurrying aside and the absurdly weighted door - inside a dimly lit room with large cylinders attached to the centre wall. To call it a deck seemed overly gracious, with the sizing being more akin to an office space or a large storeage room.

As i walked closer towards the cylinders, I understood why they needed to be cleaned - they were filthy, dust coating them in an opaque sheild blocking any possible view of whatever was sealed within them.

I grabbed the tissue pack I'd hastily shoved in my bra before leaving the house and stared at the cylinders - there was NO way they'd be enough. A part of me seriously thought about using my top, but the thought quickly vanished when i remembered I did actually have to leave the facility without being arrested for public indecency.

And that's when i felt it, a brush of cold air against my neck, raising my hair and sending a shiver down my spin. Instantly, I dropped my tissue pack on the small table and turned around but only to be met by nothing, empty space. I stared out at the room for a moment as though someone or something would magically appear it would probably still have only been the second strangest thing to happen to me as of last.After sufficiently staring out into an empty room I turned back around...

The tissues were gone.

I looked down at the floor, nothing. Half baked thoughts swirled around my head as i looked around the room

"I could have sworn i- did i bring them? Yes. Maybe i dropped them on a crate? No, i had them when-"

Finally, i got on my knees searching underneath the desk in hopes that somehow they'd fallen and I'd kicked them under. It was so dark I should have brought my phone or a flashlight or something, as I lent further under the desk the space narrowed which, if i was paying attention i would have known.

But, alas, i wasn't - instead, my mind was still fixed on how i needed to be more prepared in the future and how i shouldn't have a phone if i wasn't going to use it because the last time I didn't bring my phone i got-

Cold.

Cold air against my bare thighs, that feeling again. Except this time the cold felt more real? The touch more weighted less like the air and more like a person?

I stilled against the feeling, with every passing second the pressure grew till i could shape the outline: a hand.

I tried to move backwards from under the desk but promptly the feeling of another hand splayed across my waist - halting any movement. The hand across my waist kept a firm solid grip, with the cold air seeping through my clothes and onto my skin as though I were naked whilst the other fingers which previously splayed across my thigh began to move, inching ever so slowly towards my upper thigh.

Maybe it was the confusion or remnants of my first (but technically not first) day jitters. Maybe it was a cocktail of both, but I found myself slightly pushing towards the unknown force. Whatever it was must have taken that as a sign because suddenly, the fingers brushed in between my inner thighs dangerously close to my knickers.

I didn't know who or what was behind me, no-one else was in the room bar me and with only one entrance and exist it would have be impossible for anyone to come in without my knowledge - especially considering how heavy the door was.

This couldn't be a who, I thought. It must have been a what.

The thought excited me, that familiar warmth spreading in my lower stomach now juxtaposing the icy touch of the creature - I couldn't help but let out a breathy whimper. The creature must have heard because, within an instant, its cold finger pressed against my clothed entrance. The pressure was barely there, barely feelable almost imperceptible but that's what made is to so maddening - what made me push back against it despite the very firm hand on my waist.

We continued our dance: me pushing backwards, aching and desperate for any sort of relief or solid touch, and its outright reluctance to give it to me aside from the arctic hold on my mid section I could feel myself growing wetter, throbbing in a hot aching want. If i was capable of shame at that point, I would have been berating myself for wearing white panties instead of a more concealing black.

The feel of the wet material sticking to me and the mystery surrounding the strange figure was getting to be too much, I'd tried to bite my glossed lips concealing more whimpers and moans but i couldn't hold back anymore. I began to rock back harder, sounds slipping from my mouth like condensation down glass till the monster showed me mercy.

A cool finger began to push into me through my now presumably clear underwear, the sensation of wet cotton and the icy appendage dipping into me making me moan all the more - but it wasn't enough. I began to beg, pleas falling from my mouth faster than my brain could protest.

Cold and wet dragged along my cunt so abruptly I hit my head against the desk but I was too aroused to care - slowly the figure dragged its icy dripping tongue against me, lapping up my desire through my panties and adding to the wet region.

The drag was devastatingly slow, and whilst the pressure was a reprieve from my previous torture, it was nowhere near enough, tears gathered in my eyes as I begged for more. Then, I felt the being give one final lick before spreading my thighs out further and removing its hand from my waist - I was untouched.

For a brief moment, i wondered if it had left me, alone and hungry, desperate for something more - thankfully, it didn't. Instead, I felt what seemed to be a light kiss to my upper thigh before my skirt was bunched up to above my ass. The suddenness of it all made my gasp like a scandalised southern bell -as though I wasn't begging to be fucked by a stranger (who most definitely wasn't human) under a desk at my first day at work- though rapidly my gasp morphed into a whine as I felt the monster slip underneath my shaking spread out thighs so that the back of its head might rest against the floor with now both hands grasping my waist and hips.

It began to lick into me (still over my underwear) with a passion that I've never known, the glacial touch contrasting the warm friction building. I began to rock and press down onto its tongue and in response it sucked and licked and fucked into me with its tongue.

I'd asked, begged for more and I'd gotten it but I've always been greedy, always been stupid and reckless and impulsive, always been bossy even when I'm on my knees and then was absolutely no different.

"Let me fuck your mouth"

Instantly as soon as the words left my mouth I felt it moan against me the sensation only making me want it more, carefully after giving a few more playful sucks it released me - somehow even with its cold presence when it left me, the room felt so much more glacial.

I slid out from under the desk my shaking legs doing very little to help me in this endeavour, but before i could turn around to face the entity hands covered my eyes, of course this did nothing in ways of stopping me from seeing but I understood the getsture and so I closed my eyes.

Once my eyes were closed, the figure rearranged our bodies like a jigsaw piece as though it and I were one cohesive being all while I was immersed in the faint scent of sea salt and rain-soaked earth emanating from the creature - the delicate nature of the smell, alien to the steady yet all-consuming auror of the beast - like the sky before a storm. Once again, it was pressed against the ground with the back of its head to the metal flooring, and I was on top of it, this time fully able to sit with a straight posture.

It slowly guided me with my eyes still closed to its mouth with my still clothed cunt at first gently resting against its lips not wanting to move before it was ready till I felt it place both its sturdy hands on my waist and force me to rock into its mouth slightly.

I began slow, moving backwards and forwards on its cold tongue, trying to find a starting rhythm before the heat that momentarily subsided rose in full formation. Its hands were everywhere on my waist, my hips, my tummy. Like it was pushing and pulling me down and up, away, and to. Then suddenly one of its strong arms was lifting me slightly off its mouth eliciting an unexpected whine from me whilst the other moved the lace fabric to the side before gently lowering me back onto its cold wet mouth.

The feeling was foreign, invasive, intrusive, like a virus spreading through my body overtaking each nerve and blood cell before leaving me powerless to resist or even the desire to. The cold spit-soaked tongue dragged perfectly against me like waves hitting against the rocks, never missing their mark. I began to ride into its mouth, eyes rolling to the back of my head as I felt a familiar pressure build within me. I was so close to the edge, to the beginning and end of bliss. I didn’t know what the creature was or if it was even capable of feeling pleasure in the same way I did, but the desperate movements of its cold hands, one gripping my waist and the other my boobs showed me I wasn't alone in my heightened arousal.

Pleas and cries spilt from my lips, each more nonsensical and crass than the last:

"Please, please, fuck I'll be so good, fuck, your mouth its so- so perfect, you're so good for me, fuck, just like that, right there-"

Till eventually like an electrical current, the feeling washed over me - like fuzzy static interferce my whole body sparked alite. Its cold hands pressed me down harder as my body spasmed, tears welled in my eyes as I tried to move away, the pleasure building to be all too much, the overstimulation becoming extreme - but its presence remained lapping up my cum from my wet, warm, throbbing cunt.

My legs felt like jelly as it finally allowed me to stand, my lack of balance definitely not helped by my inability to see.

"Can I open my eyes... Tap me twice for yes?"

I felt a press of cold lips against my neck and then temple, sending a shiver down my spine and a small smile on my face before opening my eyes and turning around to see

Nothing.

I looked around the room confusion growing clearer on my face - thoughts regarding whether I'd made the whole scenario up in my head beginning to take root - before I felt cold hands rest against my cheek holding my head tilted slightly upwards before I felt cold lips move again against mine. The kiss was dry, soft, and sweet, still smelling of sea salt and storms and in that moment my mind was still, at peace like a total oneness with the world, with the truth whatever that may be.

Warning. Warning. Emergency alert. Code Amber. Please isolate in groups immediately. This is not a drill. Repeat. Warning. Warning. Emergency alert. Code Amber. Please isolate in groups immediately. This is not a drill.Warning. Warning. Emergency alert. Code Amber. Please isolate in groups immediately. This is not a drill. Repeat. Warning. Warning. Emergency alert. Code Amber. Please isolate in groups immediately. This is not a drill.

[betterbemeta]

I think something interesting about the star trek world is its combination of both replicator and holodeck technology. I understand these are literal 'plot devices' to explain the availability of food, materials, and the ability to visit locations for sci-fi premises that can't be found on an alien planet. However, they are worth thinking about in terms of how they change the world.

(Let's assume 'ideal' circumstances where we have a stable renewable non-polluting source of lots and lots of energy and aren't rationing it like on Voyager or something)

Replicators can use energy and raw materials to configure items, and presumably dis-configure items. While the potential for '3D printing' basically anything so long as its materials aren't too rare is really cool, it is also a near-perfect recycling machine. Beyond making sure your replicated dishes and cups don't infinitely pile up, that's SO IMPORTANT. Not only does that mean many items are 'temporary' that otherwise would be 'forever', you can instantly refresh the wear on many items without having to replace them and generate trash.

For example, tennis balls. It's currently really hard to recycle tennis balls, and serious players wear them out extremely quickly. Every serve you make after the first will be with a slightly worn, degraded tennis ball until you replace it, which generates trash. The production facilities to make all those tennis balls have to exist, they have to be shipped, the space to store them exists, the space to store their waste exists, the waste must be transported to a tennis ball recycling facility or a landfill...

but with replicators, you could play tennis without owning/paying a club to access a single tennis ball, without wasting a tennis ball.

And then there's the possibility of holodeck sports where you don't even need to make ANY material items. You could program the tennis ball to never run out. As long as you have the power to run it, maybe the most you'd need to 'own' is a tennis outfit. I am not sure if it's consistent that holodecks can 'dress you' or if you always must bring in costumes from the outside. And the costume itself could be replicated and then recycled!

There's a vast amount of stuff that we retain as personal property that just has to do with accessing activities or amenities. It's not really property that has emotional significance to us, but we still have attachments to it as its a facilitator of our active identity. Our dishes and cookware. Sports equipment. Certain kinds of clothing items. Some types of personal care items. Non-heirloom/generic holiday decorations. Stuff that is usually sacrificed first when we become homeless, when losing access to what they enable is more devastating than the items themselves.

If we could basically conjure and dismiss these things at-will, or access them on a temporary basis for free, we wouldn't need to own them or keep them around in our homes. No supply chain would be dedicated to them. Their waste would be completely eliminated. Ideas of 'what stuff I need to have as a person, to have a dignified life' would change completely.

It wouldn't surprise me if there were people in the star trek universe running around on earth with basically nothing we consider permanent physical property. Not because they're homeless and have no place to put them, and not because they're rich and their assets are liquid-- because the only reason to 'keep' mundane items, even something as complex as a communication device or computer, might be because they are emotionally important to you. And not everybody has 'stuff' like that at every time in their lives.

[darkfires]

whizzer my good friend whizzer and I have been talking about shame holding us back from being self-indulgent so I wrote whilst thinking about me and lilia. in a sappy way. unedited idc about accuracy I have an essay to write right after this

someone like me, who's already experienced so much of my world, who's dedicated their life to understanding its history and culture and form, being torn out of it and sent to a completely different dimension where I know nothing. nothing! and I'm stuck with all this useless information on religion and war and language and monarchy that means nothing to anyone because, well, it's not their history. for all they know, I'm completely making it up.

and so the only thing I'm really good at is null and I have to teach myself thousands of years worth of new stuff when everyone around me has had a life's head start, all while I'm dealing with the horrific reality that I will likely never see my world again. I do think about how much mourning I would go through while at nrc. I've been completely removed not only from my immediate reality, but also from my culture, my history. I will never get to go back to my family home. I will never see the ocean from la rochelle again. I will never be able to read the books I love or see my favorite paintings. not even online, ever. they don't exist in this universe. a huge portion of my identity is effectively nonexistent and left up to my feeble human memory to preserve.

I and I alone am weighed down with the knowledge of an entire universe, filled with lingering questions that no one here can answer. places I will never see and things I will never learn.

it's a lot like dying.

and I just have to live with that. and what's more, no one really cares! I'm expected to just assimilate to this world without causing any problems. as if my entire reality hasn't collapsed around me, as if I don't feel like with every passing day I lose more of myself.

then there's lilia.

weighed down with the knowledge of eras long past and thousands of memories of things that don't even exist anymore. ever-curious lilia, who loves to travel, to learn and experience. lilia who would exchange stories with me, who would find my recitals of ancient wars and art movements fascinating. who would lend me stories of his own, one by one until I have a basic foundation for this weird place.

lilia! who I could talk to for hours without getting bored, who would let me go on until I run out of things to say, or until my retellings of myths and revolutions turn into personal quips. who makes me comfortable enough to believe him when he says that he doesn't mind hearing about my life back home. he likes learning more about me, actually. he finds me interesting.

lilia, who understands what it feels like to be homesick for something you can never return to. who understands how it feels to mourn. who starts to see the worst sides of me when my personal anecdotes turn to my failures, my angers, every account of how I've hurt people in ways I feel I will never rectify. all the people I will never be able to apologize to now. lilia, who reassures me that he still likes me- he's probably done worse, after all. he says it with a smile but there's something painful behind that. I tell him the same.

lilia, who's there when I want to grieve on days that would have been holidays back home. he wants to understand completely, but we both know that isn't possible.

he still tries.

lilia, who always seems to be awake at just the right hour when I'm bored and can't sleep, who's always prone to bending rules so we can do whatever. what's the headmage going to do, stop him? impossible. lilia, who wants to show me that he cares, so he starts attempting to make me food. his cooking abilities do not improve. of course, I accept every gift. I insist on returning to favor to him, at least once a week. I'm always sure to make enough so I can feed his poor children something edible.

and slowly, through exchanges of unbaked cookies and tupperwares of soup, I'm visiting him daily. lying on his bed and complaining about silly, trivial parts of my day while he sits at his computer. asking about all the weird shit in his room. feeding his kids again. he starts haunting ramshackle, hanging upside down in the halls between my classes, following me around to oh-so casually leer over me when I'm working or rest his elbow on my shoulder. one time he waits in my room for three hours to startle me when I come back. another time I start slipping condiment packets in his pocket while he's not paying attention for him to find later.

he asks me where I would take him if he got to travel in my world. I say europe. he asks why. I say because it's my home.

we hold hands, sometimes. we have our own bad thoughts and bad dreams about things we both hoped we've moved on from. unlike everything else, we don't talk about them. sometimes when I lie in his bed he lies with me. one night he makes me recount le petit prince from memory, sits in silence the entire time, and then asks if they really rereleased morbius just for it to flop a second time.

he starts holding my hand a little tighter, and wondering if it's possible to be in love, at his age and circumstance. one day he tries to kiss me and I dodge on instinct, expecting a bite. he laughs about my reflexes and kisses me anyway.

I can't understand his homesickness just like he can't understand mine. we still try.

we dye chunks of each other's hair one night and the next morning we wake up in the same bed. at some point he says he loves me like it's the most natural thing. I understand. I love him like it's breathing. it feels like the easiest thing about this world.

[f1nalboys]

Hello!! I saw your requests were open and wanted to send a Holiday themed one in! I was wondering if you could do something for Randy Meeks, Stu Macher, and Billy Loomis, celebrating the Holiday (what holiday they celebrate, if any is up to your own interpretation). I don't know if this is something you'd be interested in writing, but I thought it would be worth asking!!! Regardless, I hope you have a wonderful day/evening and a happy holidays

HI ILY AND IM SO SORRY I DIDNT DO THIS EARLIER but i hope you enjoy this!!! I had sm fun writing it hehe

WORD COUNT: 752

WARNINGS: none <3

BILLY

Billy is not a big Christmas fan

Or holiday fan in general

After his mom left he really fucking hated the holiday seasons because it just reminded him of her and what his dad did

HOWEVER

If he was in a relationship (a serious one) then he would eventually start liking the holiday again

He’s not super into decorating, he finds it pointless (besides the tree) but he’ll humor you I suppose

If you guys have kids though??? Oh he’s going all out

Tree, decorations, family pictures, matching pajamas, the whole nine yards for real

It’d be so cute seeing how excited he gets along with his kid over the small parts of the holiday like making ornaments out of popsicle sticks and glitter, picking out the glitter glue to make stockings, all of it

In the beginning Billy doesn’t take the gift aspect super seriously, like he’ll get you something great but not because he knew it would be sentimental to you if that makes sense

But once you’re with him for a long enough time and he starts to really understand you and your likes and dislikes, he’s going to start putting in more thought

You collect mugs? He’s going to hand make (or paint) a mug for you. You like coffee? He’ll get a coffee brand named after you of something idk

Basically once you’re together for a few years you’ll figure out (and he won’t ever admit it) that Christmas is his favorite holiday (besides Halloween)

STU

Oh Stu is a holiday fein

Every holiday, no matter how ‘unimportant’ or ‘lame’ it is, he’s decorating

His parents were rich and were gone a lot (when they weren’t packing him up along with them) so he would often spend holidays with his nannies

And he loved them so much he would try and make the holiday fantastic, even if no one else is celebrating lol

Stu is under the ‘the more expensive, the better the gift’ umbrella when it comes to gift-giving holidays and it’s kind of hard to get out of that mindset

He is great at giving gifts, though, since money isn’t really a problem for him. Expect your tree to look like fucking Dudleys from Harry Potter

He throws holiday parties all the time

Labor Day party at the Machers yall!!!!!

He takes the major holidays super seriously too, like Halloween, Christmas, Hanukkah (his mom is Jewish so they celebrate both argue with yourselves,) Easter, stuff like that.

On occasion he’ll throw/host a party for a holiday he doesn’t celebrate but that one of his friends does

He thinks holidays are important not just for bonding but for your happiness

“Parties are like oxygen man” type shit

RANDY

Randy LOVES celebrating

He has a big family (his sister and parents but extended family as well, they’re all super close) so its an excuse to get together and see each other which he loves

He especially loves hanging with his younger cousins, he’s so good with kids I swear to god it’s almost enough to make me sob lol

But he is very big on tradition and his family has a lot

An Easter egg hunt (even though they’re Jewish lol) where there’s one egg that’s jumbo sized and inside is $200-$500 LMFAO

Its a very cut throat competition and Randy will and has pushed his family members over to give himself an advantage

Doesn’t matter the age either

He’s won two years in a row and he refuses to lose, it’s pretty scary seeing how into it he is but I love him so its ok

Hannakuh is more traditional and he takes it very seriously, the gift aspect takes him months to plan because he wants to give everyone good gifts

OH GOD this man loves latkes more than anything

His family has a tradition where each member gets their own menorah and Randy tends to say the prayers on the first night and after that it splits between his mom, dad, and sister

On Halloween, Randy goes all out

It takes months of planning to get his costume right and he takes a lot of pride in it

Yes he would cosplay on Tik Tok lets move on

He went as the Phantom from Phantom of the Opera one year and like,,,, he was method acting his tits off that night

He hooked up with a person dressed up like Christine too and he considers it a highlight of his career

[digital-corruption]

I'm not too late! It's still 2021 somewhere in the world! Ahem... this New Year’s one-shot was requested by a lovely reader who was looking for something to brighten their day. So I rolled my sleeves up and said, "Challenge accepted!"

This is dedicated to everyone who could use a pick-me-up! May your New Year be a little bit brighter each day! 😁

A Duskwood New Year

MC: Damnit! 😣

Jake: What’s wrong?

MC: I just missed the train! 😓

MC: If I wasn’t such a klutz I would have made it!

MC: But no, I had to slip on my arse! 😤

Jake: Can you take the next one?

MC: No, that was the last one to Duskwood today.

MC: First my car, now this... 😩

MC: Looks like New Years alone again. Yay me! 😞

MC: I don't even have any champagne and the shops are already closed

MC: And all I've got at home is mac and cheese

Jake: I like macaroni and cheese :)

MC: SHIT! 😡

Jake: MC?

MC: Sorry, just realized I'm bleeding

Jake: From the fall?

MC: Yeah

Jake: :(

Jake: MC, I have to go, but I'll be back as soon as I can.

Jake: I hope I can get back in time for your New Year.

Jake: Please take care until then.

Jake is now offline.

Of course I missed his final messages as I was searching my bag for band-aids. I had found some, but applying them to my elbow was a whole other story. It took 4 in the end, 3 to cover the scratch and the 4th... we don't discuss the 4th. Because of that, I didn't get a chance to say good-bye before Jake logged out. Now I was worried sick as he left urgently, which was never a good sign. Please universe, forget everything else, don’t let him get caught. I can’t afford to lose him. I sent a quick text to Jessy to let her know I wouldn’t be coming and to give everyone else my regards.

I shuffled home to my apartment building carefully to avoid further slippage on the ice. Despite having two roommates, tonight they were out at their own parties so the apartment was quiet. The kitchen was a madhouse as washing up had been neglected again, but there was no way I had any energy to do it. I dropped my bag on the one empty spot on the table and walked off to the couch.

The area around the TV was a disaster with rubbish everywhere. I pushed it all aside to collapse on the couch face first. I should’ve been driving into Duskwood right then if everything had been going according to plan. We were all going to meet up at Hannah and Thomas' house and ring in the New Year together, it was going to be great. We hadn’t seen, well, I hadn’t seen them for so long. I missed their crazy hijinks and after the stress of the holiday season, I really could have used it.

Thinking of them, I pulled out my phone and checked my contacts. Of course none of them were online right now. They were probably all sitting around the table chatting away. Had they finished eating yet? Or maybe they were already digging into Cleo’s cake since they no longer would feel obligated to wait for me.

Well, if I was going to be stuck at home alone for New Years, I was going to do it in comfort. I rolled off the couch and dragged myself to my bedroom to change into my lounge pants and my sweater. Oh and of course, my fluffy slippers.

After getting changed, I searched around the kitchen for a clean pot and my back-up reserve of boxed mac and cheese. I picked up the box and found it empty. There was a note inside, “Sorry, I'll buy you more tomorrow! I promise!” The note did not look new, I wondered how long ago my mystery thief had stolen the contents.

Then I spotted it in the back, a lone can of pumpkin soup. I did not dare check its use by date. Surely pumpkin soup never expires.

Having prepared the soup in the only clean pot in the apartment, I sat back down on the couch with the last remaining clean bowl and spoon to eat. As usual, there was nothing worth watching on the TV, but I left it on for the noise while I ate.

The only solace I had that night was the knowledge that I could go up to the roof top just before midnight and watch the fireworks from there. Maybe Jake would be back by then and I could at least share the moment with him. Maybe the day wouldn’t be a total waste.

Having finished my most luxurious meal, I left my empty bowl on the coffee table, leaned back and kicked my feet up with my fluffy slippers. The broadcast on the TV was displaying the celebrations around the world. Maybe that was enough. If Jake didn’t make it back in time, it'd just be me alone. If no one is around to celebrate with you, what’s the point. I was so lost in my thoughts I hadn’t noticed it was already 10. I checked my phone again and still nothing, but looking at Jake’s last messages gave me an ounce of hope again. I'd be there waiting for him at midnight so hopefully he would be there.

However as time past and the clock turned 11:46, hope started fade again. Still no sign of him on my phone. Please don’t let today be the day he gets caught. That is not how I want to start the new year.

Outside in the hallway there was a sudden whirlwind of loud noise and voices. Someone else on the floor must have been having a wild party and it just spilled into the hall. I groaned at the thought of having to listen to them all night long. The voices though just kept getting louder and louder.

“Here it is!” a female voice announced enthusiastically.

Suddenly there was a frantic knock at the door.

“MC! Hurry up! It’s almost time!” a male voice shouted.

No, it couldn’t be. I stood up shaking nervously.

“MC~! I need to use the toilet!” another voice butted it. There was a sound of a slap behind the door. “Hey! Ow, that hurt!”

I couldn’t help, but laugh even as tears started to well up in my eyes. I opened the door slowly and sure enough they were all there waiting on the other side.

Dan pushed past me wearing novelty 2022 glasses, a multi-coloured top hat, green feather boa, and carrying a half empty bottle of whiskey shouting, “Wooo! Finally! I was busting!”

Thomas went after him mouthing, “Sorry" to me as he went.

“I-I don’t understand,” I looked back at the others.

“The strangest thing happened! We were all about to start eating cake when a limousine showed up at the door! Then there was this strange message on all of our phones,” Lilly winked.

“Yup, it asked us to get in!” Hannah beamed.

“Well actually it said, ‘Get in the limo,’” Richy clarified. “How strange that someone could arrange for a limousine last minute on New Year’s Eve though.”

No one pointed out to Richy the obvious explanation. Doing so would bring up further questions with likely dubious answers. We all silently agreed it was better not to know.

“So, are you going to invite us in or not?” Jessy tilted her head and smiled.

I suddenly remembered the state of everything, “But I'm not dressed and my place is a mess.”

“Uh, did you not see Dan?” Jessy giggled. “He's already won the worst dressed award for tonight.”

“Yes, and your fluffy slippers are too cute,” Cleo pointed at my feet. “But you know, this cake isn't going to eat itself.”

Before I knew it the others had pushed their way in. Cleo and Hannah went to the kitchen and started to dig out some plates and cutlery to wash up for serving out the cake. Jessy and Lilly tidied up around the TV. Richy went to assist Thomas with a very drunk Dan, who was trying to get out onto my balcony. I do not have a balcony.

“You guys,” I sniffed. “You didn’t need to come all the way here for me.”

“Uh, yeah, we do!” Jessy turned to look at me with the biggest smile. “I don't know how you do things here, but in Duskwood we always go to our family in need and tonight that's you!”

“Hey, everyone! Sixty seconds!” Richy announced.

“Wait!” I called out. “We have to go to the roof! Trust me!”

“Rooftop party!” Dan cheered.

I quickly grabbed my keys and led the way out of the apartment and to the stairs. Thankfully it was only one flight of stairs to the roof.

“Hurry!” Lilly yelled. “There’s not much time left!”

I looked back and saw she had her phone out with a countdown open on the screen.

“10!” she announced.

“9!” the others joined in.

“8!”

I fumbled with the keys in the dark stairwell trying to find the right one.

“7!”

“6!”

I barely had the roof unlocked before Dan burst past me.

“5!”

I stepped aside while holding the door open to let the others through.

“4!”

Everyone was through, I turned back and marvelled at them standing on the rooftop of my building with the city’s lights behind them.

“HAPPY NEW YEAR!” drunk Dan shouted at the top of his lungs with his arms stretched out on the edge of the rooftop clearly too early.

We all laughed as the clock struck 12 and the city’s sky lit up with fireworks. The laughter soon turned to singing, well more mumbling, as we desperately tried to remember the lyrics of Auld Lang Syne with our arms around each other. As soon as we finished, we started to exchange hugs and wish each other individually a Happy New Year.

But something, no someone was still missing. I glanced at my phone and still there was no update from Jake. My heart sunk again. My thoughts were interrupted though a strange sound. The others were too occupied to notice, but I heard it. I turned to look back at the door for the building and in the darkness, I could see a hooded figure in the shadows trying to catch his breath. I smiled and left the group to walk over to him.

“Happy New Year, Jake,” I grinned.

He lifted his hand to wipe my tear-stained cheek with his thumb, “Happy New Year, MC.”

[black-widowfics]

My most used writing Prompts:

(There's a lot)

1. "I love you... baby"

2. "God, you're adorable"

3. "Hey, cutie"

4. "I promise to love you for the rest of my life"

5. "I don't care if you're sick, catching a cold from kissing you is worth it"

6. "You are so perfect"

7. "You're the best part of me"

8. "Stay here with me. Please?"

9. "I'm speechless you're so beautiful"

10. "Aww! You're adorable"

11. "So romantic"

12. "I'll love you until the end of the universe" "haven't we been there before?"

13. "Do you need a hug?"

14. "I love you, my dearest"

15. "Come here, I need to hug you"

16. "When everything's wrong, it's you that makes it right"

17. "You're the one"

18. "Have i ever pointed out how beautiful you are? " "Yes, all the time"

19. "I'm bored" " then why don't we do something more interesting?"

20. Forehead kisses

21. Hand kisses

22. "That tickles!" Kisses

23. Kisses that make them smile

24. Breathless kisses

25. Cheek kisses

26. Nose Kisses

27. "God, i love you" Kisses

28. Kisses that end with laughter

29. Never wanting to pull away kisses

30. Multiple face kisses

31. Big, long kisses

32. Long Awaited Kisses

34. "Finally, you guys kissed" Kisses

35. Goodbye kisses

36. Kisses accompanied by happy tears

37. Kisses accompanied by sad tears

38. Kisses that get interrupted

39. Kisses to distract them from winning

40. "Just woke up" Kisses

41. Excited Kisses

42. Long awaited kisses

43. "I missed you so much" kisses

44. Sneaking up behind them and surprising them kisses

45. Kisses to help them concentrate

46. Kisses as a reward(passed a hard exam, won a game, etc)

47. "No! No! No! Wake up! Please!"

48. "Please don't leave"

49. "... I love you"

50. "You killed someone, do you really think they'll still love you?!"

51. "They were my world, but now they're gone"

52. "I miss you so much, please come back"

53. "I know you're gone, but i feel you here"

54. "Tears are all I see without you"

55. "You're happy, with someone else. And that hurts"

56. "Just leave!"

57. "Promise me you'll live a great life, without me"

58. "I don't need you"

59. "The world is dull without you"

60. "I miss being in your arms"

61. "Get out of my life!"

62. "I don't love you anymore"

63. "Goodnight, i have always loved you "

65. "I may be dying, but please, don't cry over me"

67. "Thank you, for helping me live the greatest life i could"

68. "These tears will never stop falling"

69. "You were so perfect, but now you're gone"

70. "You were so perfect, but now you're moved on"

71. That's the way to break my heart"

72. "You're happy in someone else's arms "

73. "Take me back to the good old days "

74. Billions of people in the world, and I chose you, how stupid was that"

75. "I wish i didn't have to lose you"

76. "I wish you didn't have to lose me "

77. "I wish that could be me "

78. Character A and Character B, sworn enemies, are chosen to prepare the company Christmas Party.

79. Character A's best friend rigs the Secret Santa, because they know Character A has a crush on Character B.

80. Character A's ex will be at the A is attending. Character B poses as A's fiancée.

81. "Don't look at me, I was still dead at the time."

82. "....Aren't you a little young, to be here?"

83. Character A and Character B meet in the ER on Christmas Eve.

84. Character A can't wrap gifts to save their life. Character B is their neighbor and can help.

85. Character A vows to do something nice for a stranger. Character B is that stranger.

86. Character A and Character B both sign up for a Pen Pal project to exchange postcards.

87. Character A and Character B broke up, but now they meet at a _____ party.

88. Character A is stuck working in a coffee shop on Christmas and Character B is the lonely soul spending their whole day there.

89. Character A's little sibling/child wants to meet their favorite celebrity/writer/person for their birthday. Character B is called "birthday present".

90. Character A can't travel to see their family on Christmas, so they invite their grumpy loner neighbor Character B.

91. Character A and Character B compete in (some kind of) house decoration.

92. Character A bakes too many ______ so they share it with Character B.

93. It's Character A's first Christmas since a tragedy.

94. Character A returns to their birth-town for the holidays. Character B is their estranged childhood best friend.

95. Character A is pretending to be their friend's lover for the sake of the friend's family. Character B is said friend's sibling.

96. Character A loses a bet and has to wear_____ . Character B won the bet.

97. Character A owns a _____ store. Character B is looking for a present.

98. Character A doesn't feel the Christmas spirit but Character B, who lives above them, keeps playing Christmas carols really loud.

99. Character A overhears Character B's birthday wish and decides to fulfill it.

100. Character A was planning to leave dramatically after their confession but character B unhooked their batteries when A wasn't looking so I guess they have to talk about it now.

101. Your doomsday device didn't work but it did put me in the hospital so what are you doing in my room?

102. We've been roommates for seven years and we had a fight but you left me a note right after you moved out saying you were in love with me.

103. "If we get out of this mess you and I are going to have a serious talk about the appropriate time for emotional conversations."

104. "According to these screenshots I need to leave the country immediately."

105. Spontaneously confessed to crush while under the influence.

106. Tried to have a conversation with a cardboard cutout after surgery.

107. "That's it I'm never leaving my room again I can't live this one down."

108. Gave a brutally honest opinion and doesn't remember it.

109. "You said you had the best idea ever and then proceeded to write [extremely stupid thing] as a note to yourself."

110. "tried kissing once and it wasn't for us."

111. We make out at parties and clubs so other folks will leave us alone.

112. "Of course I'm in their lap where else am I going to sit?"

113. Their constantly orbiting around each other.

114. "just because YOUR friends aren't affectionate doesn't mean that there's a problem with US".

115. platonic cuddle puddle.

116. Not so platonic cuddle puddle.

117. "So what we go on friend dates, don't make it weird."

118. Always carries the other's favorite snacks.

119. "I thought I told you to stop calling me 'Your Majesty'."

120. "Lower you weapons!"

121. "I...I am not worthy of this crown."

122. "People are fighting– dying for their kingdom! What kind of Ruler would I be if I didn't join them at the front lines?"

123. "You know I am a prince/princess/royal, right?" "Well yes-" "Then do me a favor and stop telling me what to do."

124. "Since when do you know how to wield a sword?"

125. "Go! If this kingdom goes down, then I will go down with it as it's Ruler"

126. "All the fine silks and perfumes in the world won't mask what a pompous jerk you are."

127. "After all this time, you still don't trust me?"

128. "Get me out of this dress!"

129. "Why so serious, Your Highness?"

130. "How does a walk through the gardens sound?"

131. "I do believe I've proven that you are more than a mere guard to me, ______."

132. "This kingdom cannot go on without you! Please, it's time for you to take your rightful place at the throne."

133. "Your Majesty, is that blood on your dress?"

134. "Walk with me, please. I can't stand another second in that room with their intoxicating pride and old perfumes."

135. "At ease, _____, I know I'm safe with you by my side."

136. "I see we're back to 'Your Highness'. "

137. "A moment with you is far more exciting than a lifetime of cheap conversations and corsets."

138. "...is that my crown you're wearing?"

139. "Promise you'll come back to me." "As long as you promise to wait for me."

140. "Let go of me– that is an order!"

141. "Forgive me, my love."

142. "No, no, it looks far better on you than it does me."

143."This is the part where I kiss the extremely beautiful princess, right?"

144. "how could I ever love someone else?"

145. I'm dancing with my demons

146.I just can't imagine how you could be okay now that I'm gone

147. "I wanna fall wide awake"

148. "You tell me it's alright but its not!"

149. "Tell me I'm forgiven... please."

150. "Nobody can save me"

151. "I don't wanna let you down"

152. "Only I can save me"

153. "There's no getting through to you"

154. "You say I can't understand"

155. "When you leave me, where do you go?"

156. "I'm just talking to myself"

157. "Can't you hear me calling you home?"

158. "You keep running like the sky is falling"

159. "I've got a long way to go and a long memory."

160. "If my armor breaks I'll fuse it back together"

161. "Please just don't give up on me"

162. "I know the words we said"

163. "This is not black and white"

164. "I was not mad at you"

165. "If you ever felt invisible, I won't let you feel that now"

166. "You just wanna know you're being heard"

167. "I don't like my mind right now"

168. "There's comfort in the panic"

169. "I drive myself crazy"

170. "Why is everything so heavy?"

171." I'm pretty sure the world is out to get me"

172. "I know I'm not the center of the universe"

173. "I only halfway apologize"

174. "I'll be sorry for now"

175. "Sometimes things refuse to go the way we planned"

176. "There will be a day that you will understand"

177. "After a while you may forget"

178. "I never wanted to say goodbye"

179. "I've never been higher than I was that night"

180. "Now I remember"

181. "I don't know what I want"

182. "Were there signs I ignored?"

183. "Can I help you not to hurt anymore?"

184. "Who cares if one more light goes out in a sky of a million stars?" "I do"

185. "You're angry, and you should be"

186. "It's not fair"

187. "You're gonna hurt someone"

188. "Watch the friends you keep."

189. "Sharp edges have consequences"

190. "Every scar is a story I can tell"

191. "I loved you like a house of cards, and let it fall apart"

192. "It made me who I am"

193. "We all fall down"

194. "We live somehow"

195. "I can't live without you."

196. "You're the only one for me."

197. "I've never loved anyone the way I love you."

198. "The things you do to me..."

199. "You're too good to me."

200. "I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

201. "You're the most beautiful person I know."

202. "Stay with me... please."

203. "Nothing has ever felt so right."

204. "You don't know how much you do for me just by being there."

205. "I wouldn't want it any other way."

206. "No matter what anyone says, I'll cherish you forever."

207. "You make it so easy to love you."

208. "I want to hold you and never let go."

209. "Kiss me."

210. "My only wish is to see you happy."

211. "You make me a better person."

212. "I love you more than words can express."

213. "Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, I just wish you had kept yours to yourself."

214. "I don't know how to tell you this, but yelling at someone to, stop panicking, isn't going to stop them from panicking."

215. "It's not your fault. Sometimes you can do everything right, and things will still go wrong.... This just happened to be one of those times."

216. ".....I'm going to pretend I didn't see that."

217. "Why am I the one who always ends up getting targeted by the creep of the week?!"

218. "Fuck.... I knew I should have bought those light up sneakers."

219. "None of this, seems healthy."

220. "....Should I be concerned?"

221. "I said pass it to me, not 'throw it in my general direction'!"

222. "It is my deep pleasure, to inform you that I am not the one in charge here."

223. "Quick! You hide the equipment, I'll hide the grenades!"

224. "Should I call someone for you?"

225. "Did you take anything?"

226. "Do you want to tell me what happened?"

227. "When was the last time you ate anything?"

228. "Can you walk?"

229. "How do you think this will all end?"

230. "Do you need an ambulance?"

231. "Where you crying?"

232. "Should someone help you get home?"

233. "Do you know where you are?"

234. "Can you tell me your name?"

235. "Where do you want me to take you to?"

236. "Do you need my help?"

237. "How do you feel now?"

238. "Can I do anything that would make it better?"

239. "Do you want my jacket?"

240. "Can you let me see your eyes?"

241. "Should I stay a bit longer?"

242. "Will you be alright?"

243. "Do you have someone who can look after you?”

244. “An interesting crossover”

[soldieronbarnes]

Hi, I... don't know if you or someone else has already write about it, but... It would be okay to have a prompt about Magnus and temporarily warlock!Alec? If they have stayed a bit longer in Edon with the alliance rune, and then Alec showing Magnus that he also has magic now (and maybe Magnus a bit uncomfortable because it was Lorenzo's magic, not his). Is it possible? (I love everything you write)

You know, this one is the reason I didn’t manage to fill many prompts during my holiday, because I thought “hey, I’ll write, like, a couple hundred words for each prompt and that will be it”. And then I spent two evening trying to get this one right aaaaand it got quite a bit longer than expected. I hope you like it.

___

“Darling, could you hand me the - “

Magnus doesn’t even get to finish the sentence before the salt shaker shoots towards him and comes to a screeching halt a few centimetres away from his face where it hovers in the air, wobbling back and forth like an overexcited dog wagging its tail so hard it makes its entire body move. Magnus blinks at it, perplexed, before his expression morphs into something carefully neutral that still manages to look somewhat pinched.

“Sorry,” Alec says sheepishly. 

“No need to apologise.” Magnus’ tone is deceptively breezy, which is how Alec knows just how bothered his husband truly is. “I don’t think I’ve ever been passed the salt this quickly, unless, of course, I summoned it myself.”

Yikes. Alec flinches a little. “You know I can’t control it.” It comes out more defensive than he intended, and much more defeated as well.

Since their return from Edom, his - Lorenzo’s - magic has popped up during unexpected moments, without rhyme or reason. No one can really explain why it keeps happening; Magnus suspects it’s a certain overreaching magical residue that their stint with the alliance rune left behind, and by all reason, it should have been used up by now. None of the others seem to have had problems with their partners’ powers manifesting after they left the collapsing dimension of hell. Alec wishes that Clary’s connection to Simon could lead her back to the Shadow World, or that Jace still had moments in which he couldn’t lie – that, at least, would simply make for funny moments instead of occasionally embarrassing or even dangerous ones. 

The problem, Alec thinks dourly, is less the spontaneous bouts of magic he can now perform but rather his lack of control. There’s a certain manic energy to it when it bubbles up under his skin, announcing itself in a hot rush rising to the surface, but always far too late for him to try and center himself and keep his emotions in check, pushing it down.

The first time it happened is actually quite funny, in retrospect. They’d left for their honeymoon, portalled from the Institute to the loft to grab their bags, and when Magnus had bent over to pick up the suitcases, all Alec could do was stare at the delicious swell of his ass in his expertly tailored trousers and think: God, I can’t wait to get him naked. A second later, Magnus had been, and Alec had honestly thought Magnus was a mind-reader - or maybe just as desperately horny as Alec was after being subjected to the glorious sight of his husband in a tux for hours without being able to do anything about it - and told Magnus as much, until he saw the panicked look in his eyes when he said “I didn’t do this.”

That thoroughly ruined the mood for a while, until Magnus had checked him over three times and established that it wasn’t hurting Alec and also very likely not permanent. 

Two weeks later, and the magic still hasn’t subsided much. It’s not a constant presence, so Alec can’t claim to be a warlock, or even warlock-adjacent, really, but at this point, the only good thing about it is knowing how fucking eager it is to please Magnus, like it’s a manifestation of Alec’s soul, his innermost wishes. So far, he’s accidentally dyed some of Magnus’ shirts when he complained about the colour being just a little bit off to match his waistcoats, nearly slammed a book Magnus had considered reading into his face, dumped a rather sizeable number of drinks in front of Magnus (or on him - it’s not like he can aim) and made an entire orchard worth of almond trees bloom when Magnus lamented that he hadn’t been able to bring Alec for their season. On one particularly memorable occasion, he had made the bed float two feet above the ground as Magnus fucked all conscious thought out of him. Thankfully, Magnus had ignored it while it was happening, and only teased him about it a little afterwards. It also marks the only time Magnus had reacted with something other than a startled expression that soon turned a little sour, and probably only because he had been particularly smug about the demonstration of his sexual prowess. 

Alec hates the strange tension that arises whenever the magic decides to show its face. They’re supposed to be in the honeymoon phase of their marriage, goddamnit, not dealing with – whatever this is. 

“I know, darling. It’s fine,” Magnus assures him, plucking the salt shaker out of the air and seasoning his eggs. He studiously avoids Alec gaze as he’s doing it.

“Okay, what?” Alec asks, more brusquely than Magnus deserves. 

Magnus blinks at him. “Pardon?”

“Look, I get that this - “ he wiggles his fingers around like Magnus usually does when he’s performing magic and ignores the slightly alarmed look on his husband’s face, “- is super annoying, because I can’t seem to get a grip on it, but you have to stop looking at me like that when it happens.”

“Like what?”

“Like…” Alec bites his lips, searching for the right word. “Disapproving.”

“I don’t look at you like that,” Magnus protests.

“Yes, you do, Magnus. So what is really bothering you? What’s so bad about me having magic?”

Magnus hesitates.

“You promised not to lie to me,” Alec reminds him, and it’s pettier than it should be, to throw their weddings vows back in Magnus’ face like that. They aren’t even fighting, really, and God, Alec is an asshole. 

Magnus just sighs. “You’re right,” he concedes, before Alec can start to apologise. “It’s just…it’s kind of stupid.”

He looks kind of shifty. Alec has seen that expression on his face only once before, when they were sitting in Alec’s office after Magnus had moved into the Institute.

Oh. Oh. 

The penny drops.

“Are you jealous?” Alec asks, somewhat flabbergasted, because it makes even less sense this time around than when Magnus thought Underhill was any sort of competition. 

Magnus makes a wounded noise. “I wouldn’t quite call it that this time.”

“This time?” Alec repeats a teasing smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “So we’re finally admitting that it was jealousy last time?”

Magnus throws him a half-hearted glare but doesn’t otherwise react. So it’s serious, then. Alec reaches out, tangled their fingers together and squeezes gently. “Explain it to me,” he says. “Please.”

“It doesn’t bother me that you have magic,” Magnus says after a long moment. “But it bothers me that the magic you are wielding is Lorenzo’s magic.”

“Why?” Alec asks. For the most part, Lorenzo and Magnus seem to have buried their hatched and jumped straight into an odd friendship that will certainly consist of still constantly trying to annoy and one-up each other, just, well, fondly instead of angrily. 

“I just -” Magnus stops, sighs. “I know it’s – childish, and sort of selfish, but I had thought, with how close we are, that if you ever got a taste of magic, if you ever got to wield some yourself…I wanted it to be mine.”

Alec stills. “Oh.”

 “I never believed it would be possible, of course, and when it turned out that it was, I wanted so badly to share this part of me with you. Because I want you to see, to –”

“Understand,” Alec finishes. “I get it.”

He does. All his desperate attempts aside, he never truly could understand what it means for Magnus to lose his powers. He probably would never have understood Magnus completely, but to wield his powers, to get to experience the very essence of him so intimately – he knows he would have cherished it immeasurably, and mourned its loss once it was gone. 

Magnus smiles, a little brittle. “And now it will never happen.”

“You don’t know that,” Alec argues. “We still have the alliance rune, and we might still need it one day. I mean, I hope not, but…”

“Clary lost her runes over this,” Magnus reminds him quietly. “I don’t think I should like to risk it.”

He’s right, of course. The angels had made it very clear that they hadn’t approved of the new runes Clary had created, and her last, most powerful ones especially. Her punishment was a clear warning not to meddle with the status quo again or suffer the consequences. 

Alec grips Magnus’ hand a little tighter. The loss of possibility stings, now that he has been made aware of it. “I’m sorry,” he says. “For what it’s worth, I really wanted it to be you.”

“There’s no use crying over spilt milk,” Magnus says, shrugging. “And I do mean it, you don’t have anything to apologise for. I shouldn’t have taken it out on you.”

“Yeah, maybe. But it hurt you every time you had to see it, and I didn’t realise.” He hesitates. “Could you…take it away?”

“Why would you want that?” Magnus asks, surprised. “It’ll go away on its own.”

“It may go away on its own,” Alec corrects. “We don’t know for sure. And I could handle it, but if I end up hurting you - even accidentally - all the time, then I don’t want to.”

Magnus sits back, looking a little overwhelmed, like it still astonishes him, the length to which Alec will go to try and make him happy. “I - I could try. If you’re sure.”

“I’m sure,” Alec says firmly. 

“I - alright.” Magnus grabs both of his hands gently, turns them around. “Close your eyes, darling, and try to concentrate on finding the source of the magic in you. Push it to the surface, if you can, it should make this much quicker and easier.”

Alec tries. He’s never been good at meditating or quieting his mind, but as he probes around, thinking where are you, please, please, he suddenly feels a spark of it, perking up at his call. I’m sorry, he thinks, feeling vaguely remorseful as he gathers it up and tries to nudge it outward, I have to let you go now.

It pulses once, warming him from inside out, as if to say goodbye, and then it’s gone. Magnus gasps a little, and when Alec opens his eyes, he sees the tendrils float up towards the ceiling and dissolve into sparkling flower petals that sink to the floor slowly before disappearing entirely, much like the ones Magnus threw into the air at their wedding.

“That was very pretty,” Magnus says. “If a tad overdramatic.”

“Made you smile,” Alec shrugs, and pulls him in for a kiss.

[acnhhh]

Detectives

By:Astrid Camicazi N. Hofferson

Summary:Modern AU! Detectives Hiccup Haddock and Astrid Hofferson expect that there will be no problems for them to solve this Holidays but something unexpected happened. What would they do? (Christmas Special)

Rated: T

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON.

ASTRID

TODAY is December 24, a day before Christmas. The streets are filled with different colored lights and Christmas ornaments, as well as the houses that surrounds the town. The snow is falling and everyone is enjoying the season. Well, the incoming days might be special for the others, but for us detectives, it is just an ordinary day.

I am Astrid Hofferson and I am a detective. Together with my best friend, a fellow detective, Hiccup Haddock, we solve different kinds of cases, simple or complex, no matter what the season is. We are always ready to help whoever needs us.

"You okay, Astrid? You looked very stressed." Hiccup asked worriedly about my condition.

"I am very fine, Hiccup. Just spacing out a bit." I told him reassuringly.

"I thought something happened." he smiled and handed me a mug of hot chocolate which I gladly accept.

"Thanks. But it is nothing." I said taking a sip from the hot chocolate.

"You sure? Maybe you just needed a break from all the stress we have encountered. Besides, it is Christmas time. All of the others are with their families. So, you better go somewhere else and relax."

Yes, you heard it right. All of our friends, who are our colleagues, went to their families to celebrate the occasion except for the two of us.

"Yeah-yeah. Says Mr. Work-a-holic." I said sarcastically which earned a chuckle from my companion.

"I know. But my point is we need to relax. Com'on! Christmas occurs only once a year and I think we should take a break from work. A vacation, I mean or let's just say, a nice Christmas dinner. Besides, we are both alone. We have no families left. So, I think we can spend time together, if you want to. It's not like any cases would happen." Hiccup told me.

He has a point actually. We don't have any families left. Nothing to spend time with. So maybe we can spend time together. But wait...

"Are you asking me for a date, Haddock? Never thought you would ask me out." I said teasingly.

He blushed at my comment but stuttered something in defense.

"N-no! I-its just a friendly date! A dinner like I said, if you wanted to."

"Fine, if you insist."

And that's it. We went out that night to eat dinner at a fancy restaurant. I ordered some grilled chicken and salad, while he ordered some carbonara and grilled salmon with vegetable salad. We had some talks while waiting for our food. Talks about work and personal life. A few moments later, the food we ordered was already served. The food is very tasty and actually worth the money. We also had red wine and desserts after that. He paid for the bill. Completely. I insist a share of money to pay the bill but he refused to accept it. All is well that ends well. I never expected this night to go well. We are currently walking back to the detective agency without cases to solve. No worries or...

KYAHHHHHH!

...not.

We heard a scream of a woman, just a few yards away from our current location. We immediately rushed to see what happened and when we got there, a bloody corpse of a man was found lying on the sidewalk.

"It seems like we have a case to solve." I let out an exasperated sigh.

"Yeah. I thought no more of this will happen, atleast, for today." my companion said.

A crying woman who was currently embracing the dead body saw us and immediately asked us a question.

"Who are you two and what are you doing in here?" she asked us. Her voice was a bit groggy but that might be because of her crying.

"I am Hiccup Haddock and this is Astrid Hofferson." my companion introduced ourselves to the woman. "And we are detectives. I advised you to stay away from the victim because this is now a crime scene and you might contaminate the evidences that might lead us to the culprit."

"C-culprit? How can that happen? My friend jumped off the building. He committed a suicide! And you are trying to say that someone killed him? He is a good man and I think no one can do that to him." the woman said aggressively.

"Yes. It may appear to be suicide for now. But we also needed to look at another angle that someone might have killed him. And that is what our job for. We are going to find out the truth behind this." I told her and I am glad that she listened. She stepped out of the way and let us investigate the crime. Whether it is suicide or not.

Hiccup wore his gloves and mask. And started to take pictures of the crime for future references. We always bring the things that we might need for investigations, just in case. While I, called the nearest police station and summoned them to deploy some officers to handle the case with us. After that, I approached the woman who found the corpse and asked for her statement.

"So tell me Miss..."

"Sarah Johnson." she introduced herself.

"Okay, Miss Johnson. Tell me what happened." I demanded.

"I found my friend, Max, lying on the sidewalk with his face facing the path, drenched in a pool of blood. His face was crushed and I was horrified of what I have saw." she said crying.

"What are you doing before you saw the corpse?" I asked her while jotting down her statement.

"I was on my way to his apartment room to visit him." the woman answered.

"Does the victim caught up in a fight with someone recently?"

"No. Never."

"Do you know someone who has a motive to do that?"

"As far as I know, his sibling-"

She was cut off when we heard a police siren came. The police went out of the car and helped Hiccup investigate the crime scene. I continued my interview with the woman and it is like she has no alibi. But she gave some names of the people who are close to the victim and the ones who are mad at him. So far, we have two persons of interest. Or three rather. For I do not trust the woman. It is like she is hiding something. I left her with the other police and entered the crime scene.

"How was it?" I asked Hiccup.

"There were no evidence that can point out the culprit, if this case is a murder. However, we still have the corpse examined just in case." He answered. I could see from the expression of his face that he was disappointed, not only on how our night turned out, but also because of the lack of clues that could point out the culprit, if there's any.

"Maybe we could really consider the possibility that it is suicide." I suggested.

"And if it is really a murder, the suspect did his thing very well." he said. "How about you? Any luck?"

"I got the woman's statement earlier. She is Sarah Johnson and she is a close friend of the victim, Maxwell Green. She has no alibi. But I find her indeed suspicious. Though, according to her statement, there are people who might have a motive to kill Max. His brother, John Green, is jealous of him ever since because according to what she knew, she said, that John's parents favoured Max more than him." I told him every detail of my interrogation.

"The woman might have told you a lie. We might have to consider Ms. Johnson as one of our primary suspects. Since she was the first to find the victim's , she and the victim's brother only?" he asked.

"Yeah. But, she also told me that Max has a girlfriend named Elana Brown. They have been for five years and since then, they have no fights." I answered.

"So, that crosses her out of our list."

"Or maybe not. We could always use every single bit of doubt for any case that we solve."

"Good point. Anyway, I..." Hiccup started but is cut off by the arrival of a police officer, Officer Helga Holgerson, who called us.

"Detective Haddock and Detective Hofferson, two people arrived here. They introduced themselves as the brother and girlfriend of the victim." she said and then she left right after.

"Okay. So, we needed to get their statement. I will interrogate his brother while you go for his girlfriend. Is that okay to you?"

"Yup." I said affirmatively. "Let's get started. Time is running. We don't want to waste our time, right?"

He nodded in agreement.

"Well, then."

We separated ways and started asking them some questions that might be essential for our investigation.

oOo

Few minutes have passed and we have finished questioning the two. Actually, it took shorter than we expected. Unfortunately, both of them also have no alibis. John and Elana were both at home spending time with their families for the Holidays. But obviously, everyone's spending time with their families, except for us, of course.

"I can't believe that I'm saying case is getting harder to solve, isn't it? The primary suspects have no alibis and all. No clues at all. Our only hope of solving this case is from the forensic examination results of Max's body." I said, almost losing hope.

"No. You may be right, Ast. But there's no perfect crime. There's a flaw in everything. Anyway, while we are waiting for the test results, we should probably check the victim's room and possessions, as well as, the CCTV videos. I'm sure they have a CCTV in here." Hiccup suggested.

oOo

We proceed to the victim's room, 3rd floor Room 305, to check out his possessions. And from what Hiccup and I saw, it was indeed, very saw a small package from his brother, John. His phone's last call was from his friend Sarah, a few minutes before he died. And there's also a cup of tea, Cherry Hibiscus Tea. But I, we knew that there is something wrong with it.

After that, we checked the videos from the CCTV cameras and we saw earlier that day that there was a delivery guy who came to give Max his package from John. It was actually a perfect normal scenario, but what baffled us was that the delivery guy wears shades and hooded jacket that wasn't normal for a typical guy who delivers packages. Plus, he has a very feminine body. We also checked the CCTV videos from the neighbouring building. Looks like with this we are almost done with this case.

Then by the time we were done with what we're doing, the Forensic reports were already here and were handed down to us.

I opened the envelope, took out the paper and read it.

"What did it says?" my partner asked.

"There were traces of belladonna inside his body." I told him.

Then, all of a sudden, he smiled. No. It is more like a smirk. The smirk that he shows when he already know the culprit.

"You do know the culprit already, don't you?" I asked.

"Yes, I do. But I know that you also know the culprit." he said.

"Positive."

"Perfect! Now, I think it's the time to reveal who our culprit is."

oOo

We are now gathered at the police station with our three primary suspects, namely: Sarah Johnson, John Green and Elana Brown, to reveal who the culprit is.

"So, I assume that we are all here because you already find out the truth?" John asked us.

"You're right." I replied affirmatively.

"Then, what is it? Is it a suicide or a murder?" Elana asked this time.

"Murder. And one of you three, is the suspect that we are finding for." Hiccup stated calmly.

"Given that the crime was almost perfect, It took as a while to figure out. But there's always an imperfection out of a perfect thing or scenario." Hiccup continued.

"Oh, please. Enough with the speech! Tell us who killed Max!" Sarah yelled at us, demanding for an answer.

Hiccup and I looked at each other and then we laughed. Like there is something very funny. The others are very confused of what's happening and tried to remain silent. A few moments later, I broke up the silence.

"Don't be silly, Miss Johnson. You already knew the culprit." I said. "Right, Hiccup?"

Hiccup nodded.

"The culprit is none other than you..." Hiccup pointed his finger to Sarah. "Miss Sarah Johnson."

"How dare you! How can you do this to Max?! He has been your bestfriend ever since!" Elana said with rage as she rose up her seat and attacked Sarah.

"Hey, stop!" she commanded Elana but she didn't listen. She pushed her to stop her and then, Sarah faced us. "You don't have a proof that I killed Max and also, why would I do such thing?" She asked. Sarah's still acting as if she was innocent. Though, the truth was already revealed.

"There is just one reason behind this...Jealousy." I answered her question and started to explain the reason why. "The suspect killed the victim because she loves him so much and she can't take seeing him with another woman."

"Hence, what happened. Ms. Johnson sent Mr. Green a lot of Cherry Hibiscus tea, in which she addressed the sender as John Green, which contained belladonna, or devil berries. According to the analysis, it was ingested by the victim before he died."

John looked at Sarah's direction and glared at her.

"Sarah delivered the package to Max and disguised as a courrier service delivery using some hooded jacket and button up. Then when the victim already received the package, the culprit left the apartment and changed clothes. She was watching what the victim is doing by going on the rooftop of a neighboring building and by observing him using a pair of binoculars. Seeing him already drank his tea, she decided to call him and convinced him to jumped the building." Hiccup continued explaining.

"And because belladonna, when going into the human body's system affects the victims perception of things. He began hallucinating things and becomes easier to manipulate. Or in other words, mind controlled. Being not in his normal state, Max followed Sarah's orders and went up to the rooftop of his apartment to jump. And when he did, Sarah purposely went back to see the corpse of her friend and acted like she was shocked of the unfortunate things that happened."

And that's where our deduction show ended and a deep silence ensued. I looked at Sarah to see that the innocent mask she wore is already worn off.

"You are right. I killed Max." she admitted, letting out a sob. "If he can't be with me, why would I let another woman have him?"

"You are sick and insane! How can you do this? All of this foolishness because of that damned jealousy!" said John. "Not to mention, you almost framed me up. But somehow, it failed."

"Says the sibling who is jealous with his sibling right from the very start!" countered Sarah. "And everything will be according to plan if this two didn't start investigating!"

"We're just doing are job." Hiccup muttered under his breath.

I nodded at the statement.

"Yes, I admit. I am jealous of Max but I would never do that to him. Blood is still thicker than water. Unlike you!"

"Bastard!"

"Enough of that! Take that woman away!" the chief of the police said.

The others took her and put her in the cell with the other prisoners.

On the other hand, the police, Elana and John were very grateful to us because of what we did. Well, like I said, it's our job to bring justice to people.

After that, we left the station and went back home.

oOo

We didn't return to the detective agency. This time we decided that it's better if we go home after all this Holiday fiasco. We went to my apartment. Actually, I can handle myself going back home. But Hiccup insisted to come with me because he couldn't let me encounter danger especially because it's already 3 am.

Oh...Guess what? It's already Christmas!

We reached my apartment by foot at 3:30 AM.

"Finally, we are here! I'm very tired." I said as we got inside the apartment.

"Me too. I can't believe that someone will perform a crime this time of the year!" says Hiccup as I gestured him to sit on my couch which he did not refuse.

"Well... what can I say? Love is the most powerful motivator for a person to do such serious crime." I told him.

"Yeah, love." he shrugged.

"Oh, by the way, Hiccup, do you like some coffee and perhaps some snacks as well?" I offered.

"No need. I'll go home."He replied.

"I insist. We just arrived in here and besides, like you've said earlier we should spend time together because y'know? We don't have families to spend with anymore." I persuaded him. I hope he accepts my offer...

"Fine."

I smiled at him and went to my kitchen to prepare two cups of brewed coffee and of course, some sandwiches just to ease my or should I say... our feeling of hunger.

"By the way, your moves are very familiar. You know that I am a guy who is hard to get." Hiccup said cockily with a... smirk?

"I'm not making any move!" I said defiantly.

"I'm just kidding. Geez, don't be to serious." Hiccup chuckled. "Besides, I really wanted to spend time with you. More likely because our peaceful night got ruined by that case. I'm sorry. Guess I really do have some bad luck like they always said, don't I?"

"It's not your fault and you don't have to feel sorry about it." I assured him.

A few minutes later, the coffee and the sandwiches are already done. I went to the living room to serve the two of us the snack I prepared.

"Here's your snack."

"Thanks."

There we dig into the scrumptious food I prepared. He then stared into the television.

[luv4fandoms]

Christmas Angel (Spn Gabriel X Reader)

@freakygirlforeve7-blog-blog. Suggested

So sorry this took so long, my house got a bit busy working on Christmas gifts and for some reason this story took me a bit to actually come up with lol. But I hope you enjoy it! 😊

Warnings: Slight angst, fluff

Pairings: Gabriel x Reader

Words: 2,355

You wiped your eyes while you wandered around, the light snow falling softly, dusting your hair and shoulders as you called once more for your dog. How many years would this happen? How many more loved ones would you lose? You felt cursed, afraid that you were simply meant to be alone. The first year had been your grandmother, the next year, your beloved family cat (C/N), then your grandfather, then your oldest dog (D/N), then your aunt, and now your other dog (D/N), every year around Christmas you always lost someone close, and the weight of it crushed even the smallest spark of "Christmas spirit". 

The holiday was done for you, long since lost it's magic, and you dreaded it every year. Sighing, you sat down on a nearby park bench and tried to warm your hands. You had been looking for (D/N) for days, and still no trace of them, it was like they just vanished into thin air. While lost in thought, you hadn't noticed the stranger approach the bench, so it started you when a voice spoke up.

"Why so down sugarplum?" 

Looking up you were met with the most beautiful whiskey eyes.

"Oh...Um" you started, but couldn't find the words and couldn't break your gaze. He quirked an eyebrow, a small smirk gracing his lips while he watched you fumble for a sentence. Finally you seemed to find the willpower to stop staring and instead look at the ground.

"My dog is lost...So I'm out looking for them" You replied, fighting back the tears, you didn't need to break down in front of him. 

"Awe I'm so sorry sugar, how long have they been missing?" He asked, looking up at him again he looked genuinely concerned.

"A couple of days, I'm hoping...Since today had been the first day it snowed" you trailed off, not wanting to even voice your concerns, though, the way your life was...You knew that was the most likely of outcomes.

"Why don't I help you look for them?" He offered after a moment.

"Oh no it's ok really" 

"Nonsense buttercup" he dismissed you, before adding.

"Besides, with two people we're bound to find the pooch sooner right?" He smiled, you finally took a good look at the man; he looked like he was maybe in his early thirties, light golden brown hair, whiskey colored eyes, a gray t-shirt, leather jacket and blue jeans...honestly...He was hot. 

"I suppose you're right" you smiled back, standing from the bench.

"I'm (y/n)" you smiled

"My dog's name is (D/N)"

"Gabriel" he replied, coming to stand beside you.

"Let's start our search for the infamous (D/N)" he added with a wink and held out his arm for you. With a smile you took it and the two of you began your search. He asked you where you usually take your dog after the park, you replied with your old house, having grown up in that neighborhood, you still knew a lot of people there and visited often. While you both made your way towards the neighborhood, Gabriel made small talk, asking things like what kind of music did you like? Favorite foods? Simple things, you also found out he worked at a local college.

"So how come you moved?" He asked once you entered the neighborhood and began looking around for (D/N).

"My parents and I lived there with my grandma, it was my mom's childhood home, but after my grandmother passed, my mom said it was too painful living there...So we moved" You explained, remembering how your grandmother had been the first in this long line to pass.

"I'm sorry for your loss" he spoke while running his thumb over the hand that was still wrapped around his arm, surprisingly it helped hold back the tears.

"How long ago did she pass?"

"Six years" he nodded, both of you falling silent as you continued to walk, still searching for (D/N). You stopped a few moments later, looking up at the old house that held so many memories. You remembered growing up on that porch swing, taking the stairs inside two at a time much to your mother's worry. You remembered playing hopscotch on the driveway, coming home from school, learning to drive here...even having your first kiss on those very same front porch steps.

Gabriel dragged you from your swimming thoughts with a tap on the arm, looking over at him he pointed to the front gate which was open.

"I take it no one lives here soo...Worth a shot right?" He asked before pulling you into the yard to check around the house.

"I bet you always had a lot of fun around this time of the year" he stated from in front of you, still walking along the house.

"Why would you guess that?"You asked, honestly confused, he simply shrugged. Before answering.

"You just seem like the type who likes Christmas is all" he looked back at you with a smile, and in that moment you wondered if he was being honest, or teasing you about your sour disposition. But his words did bring back more memories, ones of you, your mother and grandmother all in the kitchen baking cookies and pies. It was something you all loved to do, and it became a tradition around Christmas time. You used to joke and say that you were going to grow up and become a baker...But lately you didn't have the drive to do much of anything...Feeling like it wouldn't even matter in the end. As you finished rounding the house, your shoulders slumped, still no sign of (D/N). Seeing your saddened expression, Gabriel rested his hand on your shoulder, causing you to once again get lost in his gaze.

"Hey, we still have plenty of daylight, let's keep looking" he smiled, you gave a small smile back before you both continued on your way, you explained that you would also walk (D/N) into town sometimes, so you both began walking towards town. Gabriel started up the simple conversations once more, it surprised you how easy it was to talk to him, like he was an old friend, it also surprised you how comfortable you were around him, a stranger you had only met  earlier that day. He was the jokester type, that was for sure, and he could easily put a smile on your face which he seemed to enjoy doing because every time your laughter would die down you would catch him staring at you, a small smile on his own lips.

"Come on! You have to have some big plans for the future. I know! An actress, no no, a model, ya know, why not both?" He teased after you had stated that you didn't know what to do in life. 

"I don't see either of those things in the cards for me" you gave a slight laugh, eyes looking forward at the lighted window displays inside each shop, the sun had set only a little bit ago, and now the town was lit by joyous Christmas scenes.

"Why not? You're beautiful enough" he replied, catching you off guard and your cheeks to reddened not just from the cold. Your eyes met his whiskey ones again, though this time the twinkling lights surrounding you both made them constantly shift between whiskey and honey, and you found yourself getting lost in them just as you had that morning. Gabriel was so far, as cliche as it sounded, what you had always looked for in a guy, sweet, caring, a sense of humor, and very easy on the eyes. There was this strange pull to him, and an odd sense of safety and...home...That you hadn't felt in a long time. But the nagging reminder of your unlucky life had you looking away, already knowing that the two of you wouldn't work, you were doomed to be alone if fate had anything to do with it. 

"Thank you, but...How my life is…Nothing good will ever come my way" 

"What do you mean (Y/N)?" He asked, the first time he used your actual name all day. You sighed, unsure if you should unload all this emotional baggage on him, but one look back at him brought back that sense of safety, like you could tell him anything and he would make it better. Looking down at the ground you started.

"You were wrong...When you said I looked like someone who liked Christmas...I did, at one point. But after everything..The first year I lost grandmother, the next year, the family cat (C/N), then my grandfather passed, then my oldest dog (D/N), then my aunt died, and now (D/N) is missing, every year around Christmas I always lose someone close. So that's why Christmas has lost its luster, and that's why I don't see anything good happening for me in the future...Fate doesn't like me very much." You sighed, never once looking up at him...You wouldn't be surprised if he left, he would probably fear for his own life, after all, you were like walking bad luck. So when he grabbed your hands, you quickly looked up, seeing that small smile on his face.

"Screw fate, you've had some horrible things happen, and for that I really am sorry, but if there is anything I have learned from living amongst people...in this town" he laughed.

"It's that people can change their lives at any moment, no matter what plans some divine cosmic being has in store for them" he stated, and even though he still had that smile, the conviction in his voice made him seem like he knew much more than he showed.

"What did you always want to be?" He asked, confusing you as you looked at him, tilting your head slightly.

"You said no to model and actress, though I still think you could absolutely do both" he stated with a wink.

"So what did little Y/N always want to do when she grew up?"

"I...wanted to be a baker" you answered, blushing slightly at the awed expression he gave you.

"You are even more perfect than I imagined" he whispered causing you to laugh.

"Then be a baker! Look!" He dragged you over to an empty shop.

"This could be yours, I can see it now Y/N's tasty treats" he motioned across the glass, earning another laugh from you.

"You seem like a strong and stubborn person, don't let some silly little thing like fate stop you sugarplum" he stated, returning to your side, you looked at him again, getting lost in his gaze for what felt like the millionth time that day, the smile never leaving your lips as you asked.

"Then what led us to meet?" You asked 

"I've been to that park almost everyday,I've never once seen you" you added.

"You'd have remembered me?" He asked, wiggling his eyebrows and causing you to giggle again.

"Of course" you smirked.

"Well, maybe fate decided to be nice for once" he shrugged.

"Well...I'm glad" you smiled.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah, I'm really glad I met you today Gabriel"

"I'm glad we met too sugar" he smiled, and again, the feeling of home swept over you, maybe fate was being nice for once, maybe your luck was finally turning around, maybe just maybe…

"Awww" a woman stated while she and her boyfriend passed by, looking over at them for a moment you looked back at Gabriel confused, he simply smiled and pointed up. Right above your heads, hanging from a tree branch was a small piece of mistletoe. Blushing you looked back at Gabriel who simply shrugged.

"Only if you want to sugarplum" smiling, you slowly leaned in, Gabriel meeting you halfway, and your heart feeling like it wasn't shattered for the first time in years. His hands rested on your hips while yours rested on his shoulders, the kiss deepening while only one thought crossed your mind...Maybe you didn't have to be alone.

Breaking the kiss you rested your forehead against his, smiling while you tried to catch your breath.

"Wow" you spoke after a moment, causing him to laugh.

"I'll take that as a complement, and right back at cha sugarplum" he smiled. Maybe he was right, maybe fate was a silly thing, but at that moment you were happy it led you to him. Just as you were about to state that though, you felt something brush against your leg, and upon looking down you couldn't stop the tears.

"D/N!" You cried out, dropping to your knees and hugging the dog, their smiling face making you smile as well.

"The mystery of the missing D/N has been solved! Good work agent Y/N" Gabriel joked, getting down to pet D/N as well. You looked over at him and felt your breath hitch, from here, the Christmas lights gave him an ethereal glow, almost...Angelic in a way. That thought had you giggling at how accurate it was. A Christmas angel.

"What's up sugarplum?" 

"Nothing...It's just...You're kind like mine and D/Y's guardian angel" you blushed and looked at D/N, but caught the smile Gabriel gave you from the corner of your eye.

"Anytime you need me" he whispered to you, placing a soft kiss on your cheek before standing up.

"Now how about I escort you two home safely huh? After all, as your angel I have my duties" he stated with a wink, holding out his hand for you.

"Just angel duties?" You asked as you stood up.

"Well...I've always been one to mix business and pleasure" he smirked, wrapping his arm around you while the two of you began to walk, D/N trotting happily beside you both. Looking over at him once more you couldn't help but smile...Yeah...Fate finally decided to be nice to you, and maybe this Christmas wouldn't be so bad.

I hope you all enjoyed it! Let me know what you think!

Also I was largely inspired by this quote.

[uygmoeb]

Ahh I know but still, it is ok to not reply right away and don't mind the extra wait (or unless my ask suddenly gets send to pluto and never returns xD) but I am happy to hear today is a better day for you! As it should be my bean, showers and specifically warm ones are the best for sure! Its why I take a little bit too long with them dhshdh oopsie.

Oohh well I'm no expert with jobs as I have yet to get one myself but I do always like to say, you happiness is important so if you do want to go back to the old one that is fine (of course easier said than done)

Jdjsjdjs oof yeah it can be like that, especially if you are new to the fandom as well and you're like a goldfish the entire time haha. I'm sure the gifts you made are amazing, I can very much understand the like, feeling of not feeling the most proud when it comes to creating something (especially of you say make gifs on photopea and not ps like myself) but it is the thought that counts! You put the time and effort and that is important! If someone has a problem with that, well slap them with a fish. They are not worth your time tbh. I do think pre-planning helps if you are in more than one! You can start with a basic idea of like to do or you like doing and then slowly build the idea as you get to know the person!

Right!? I know it is silly to think big cc on here you cannot talk to them but seeing as some of them are like, flippen taemin level but for tumblr it is a bit scary to talk with them at first xD but once you kinda get in the flow it isn't scary (I say this as I talk on anon for like all of the popular blogs lol) nice anons are more needed indeed. Its just wholesome to make someone just smile with a nice message and no I completely understand! Welcome to the club of overthinking auggie xD this is the cool kids club djjahdjs jokes aside I get that, especially if you can't help but think how it sounds like does it sound too sarcastic or may it sound a bit off? I don't mind long asks (as you can tell lol) because idk, I like to ramble and bounce off people when on the roll lol

Ok that shall be all, I hope you have a good day today! Stay warm and we are legit like 5 days away from the holidays ahhh ~moa Santa

i take like.. hour long showers some days it just happens i swear hskfdjfk but how've u been my love?? i know u finished all ur gifts so what else have u been up to? anything fun?

ah well i would go back if it didn't require taking a pay cut, losing manager status, and uh. moving 14 hours away from where i am now lmao i would move back if i thought i could do it by myself probably.. but that's not in the cards for me anymore and its ok, ive got a job here now and i think things are getting better

so my problem with making my gifts is my art program sucks so bad.. it leaves everything pixelated and messed up if im not super duper careful with it.. but it was free and ive had it since i was 12 probably?? and uhm change is difficult for me but honestly just u saying that made me feel better and i think im gonna go work on the first one to make it better if i can so wish me luck <3 i bet it also helps if u dont procrastinate too lol bc i procrastinated so hard and now here i am jdhfkdhs

yeah ! at some point i had to start being like 'they're just people too' like.. theyre not just a cc theyre a whole person whos probably really nice thats always been my problem anyway is thinking theyre like... above the average person, or even that they arent people kind of yknow??? does that make sense to u? sorta like the same thing some people do to idols i guess but also not quite?? idk its hard to explain how i think but i tried hskfhsl

i would like my one way ticket out of the overthinking club pls ive been overthinking for years my brain hurts :/ nah bc sometimes when i text ppl or anything like that im like. what tone am i giving rn are they gonna think im being an ass when im just joking or?? and thats why i love tone indicators so much now bc it makes it so so much easier for me and so many others too and ngl i actually prefer long asks like all the time. so much easier to ramble and pick up things to talk about which is something i've adored about yours from day one, i feel like its always been super easy to talk to u and i love that so so much u also always have made me feel comfy with u, like almost instantly too and i usually have to warm up at first

not u opening my eyes to the fact we're five days away from the holidays technically only four as im answering this but eh are u excited tho?? bc i can say that i am, i have so many gifts to give i'm so tired of waiting ! albeit i do need these days to finish a few lol besides the point ig

also adding this on about an hour and a half after i initially answered bc guess what!! i finished my gift for the event finally!! im actually rlly happy with how they turned out now after fixing some stuff :)

[bosstoaster]

For the holiday prompt, how about from your Don't Let's Start AU with Shiro and Ryou encountering huskies (or something close to huskies) and have to get them to pull a sleigh? Or maybe just the two of them just playing with huskies in the snow?

"Have you seen Ryou recently?"

Shiro paused and glanced back at Lance, arms full of freshly chopped wood.   As he stood still, his feet sank deeper into the thick snow below him.  "I thought he was with you, still.  Did you lose him?"

Arms crossed, Lance frowned.  "You know, you make it sound like I'm his keeper.  It's not my job to keep an eye on him."

"You both kind of alternate who's keeping who, really.  It helps when you're together, because then I just follow the chaos to you both."  Shiro's lips quirked up, but his humor quickly faded.  "Seriously, did you lose him?"

Lance shrugged.  "He was talking to one of the locals.  They started going on about the sleds they make around here, and he was getting excited but it was honestly kind of boring.  I turned around for less than five minutes to talk to the supply manager, and when I looked back he'd totally disappeared."

Shiro's grip on the wood tightened.  "I see.  How long ago was this?"

"Twenty minutes?  I figured he'd pop back up.  You know how he is, and he's really easy to overlook in this place.  On an ice planet, he's practically camouflaged."  Lance shrugged helplessly.  "I couldn't even find footsteps."  He gestured behind Shiro with a jerky wave of his arm.

Indeed, Shiro's footsteps were already fading away.  The snow continued to fall in steady, fat flakes, and the wind rolled them over, smoothing out the banks within minutes.

Dammit.

(read more below)

"I haven't seen him since I went to help out.  Let me drop this off and I'll help you look, alright?  Do you remember who he was talking to?"

Lance shrugged one shoulder.  "Not really, it was only a glance.  They was wearing one of those big fur coats, and they had long, dark furr.  Kinda curly.  One of the longer faces.  But, you know, that's everyone around here."

He wasn't wrong.  Shiro had thought the Ecritians looked like bears more than once since they'd responded to their distress signals.  After their storage buildings had been destroyed by the Galra, the team had offered to do what they could to restock them before the worst of winter hit.  Not exactly their most glamorous job, but good work.  

All the Galra presence had been on ships, not on land.  But several had crashed down in the woods, so it wouldn't be too strange to think a Galra or two had survived, and had managed to sneak up and grab Ryou while he was distracted.  Or maybe not everyone on this planet was as against the Galra as it had seemed-

No, Shiro was getting ahead of himself.  Ryou could hold his own in a fight, even when surprised.  There was no reason to think he was hurt.

There was also no reason to think he was safe.

Shiro let out a sigh and nodded.  "We'll ask around, see if anyone saw him.  Let's go."  He stalked through the snow as best he could, until he could hand off the wood to one of the Ecritians managing the new supply stocks.  Then, Shiro followed Lance along to the closest cluster of buildings, where he'd last seen Ryou.

Asking around the other paladins turned up nothing.  Hunk, Keith, and Pidge were off using their lions to help gather more stone and ore.  Allura and Coran had been speaking with the Ecritian elder on the subject of alliances and further aid.  Only Shiro, Lance, and Ryou had started helping with the most local efforts, and Shiro had been off in the woods at the time.

"Should we use the castle?" Lance asked, glancing back at where it towered over the one-story cabins the Ecritians mostly preferred.  "It can pull him up quickly."

But that required Coran or Allura, which meant interrupting the talks.  Shiro considered, then shook his head.  "No, not yet.  It's likely Ryou just wandered off to see something interesting and got distracted.  I don't want to interrupt the talks just to find out he's learning how to construct sleds the Ecritian way."

Lance winced, then nodded.  "Yeah.  Ask around, then?"

There really wasn't a better option.  "We'll split up for that, I think.  Have your helmet on, and meet back up here in half an hour.  If we haven't heard anything, or we've found signs of fair play, we'll use the castle."

"Sounds good to me."  Lance help up his thumb, already looking around.  "He'll turn up, right?  And if he is captured, pity on whoever tried."

Shiro's lips quirked up.  "Do you mean from his arm or his mouth?"

Eyes warm, Lance clapped him on the arm.  "Both.  He's fine.  I just want to find him, alright?  You're both pretty self-sufficient, and this isn't the first ice planet he's survived."

"I know, he hasn't stopped joking about it since we got here."  Shiro's smile tightened slightly.  What if Ryou had gone into the woods and had a flashback, and lost track of where he was?  What if he'd gotten hurt, not from an enemy, but just from the natural environment?

Lance squeezed his arm again, eyes searching his face.  "C'mon, let's go drag him away from whatever project distracted him."

"Yeah."  Shiro managed a thin smile.  "He'll turn up."

With that, they split apart.  It was gratifyingly simple for Shiro to ask if anyone had seen Ryou.  He just had to ask 'have you seen me but colored white?' and that about covered it.  The first few Ecritians were all negatives, which wasn't a surprise.  Everyone was frantically working to re-supply as much as possible before the sun dipped too low, so they were all busy.  The paladins stood out, but Lance had pointed out that Ryou blended better than most.  If someone wasn't paying attention, he could probably walk around without drawing notice.

The fourth, however, paused.  They squinted and tilted their head, making the braids in their thick fur sway and bounce off each other.  "I may have.  I admit, I am not well familiar with you all.  You seem very similar to my eyes, with your short fur.  It's worse when you wear your helmets."

Shiro resisted the urge to reach up and touch his own hair.  "I understand.  But even if you're mistaken, I appreciate the help."

"Alright."  They lifted one huge paw, pointing down the lane.  "I think I saw one of your paladins in pale armor walking with Revisha.  Judging the way they were going, it might have been toward his home."

Shiro nodded, chest lightening with hope.  "Thank you very much.  Which building is Revisha's?  And-"  He paused and glanced back at where he'd seen Lance last.  "Do they do anything with sleds?  Craft them, maybe?"

The Ecritian let out a deep series of rolling growls.  Shiro froze, unsure if he'd offended somehow, but then he realized it was essentially laughter.  "Oh, I'd say she does, yes.  If you go past the curve, it's the house with the large shed in the back.  I wish you luck in finding your litter-mate."

Not an accurate description of Ryou, but Shiro nodded.  "Thank you so much for your help.  It's very appreciated."  Shiro offered him a quick smile and a nod, and got a slow nod back.  Then he started off at a jog, pushing awkwardly through the thick snow.

It wasn't difficult at all to spot the right house.  As Shiro rounded the corner, there was only one with a shed behind it.  It was nearly big enough to count as another house, and looked well maintained.  

Shiro made a beeline toward it, then paused when he heard a voice.

"How old are they, again?"

Identical to Shiro's own voice, slightly distorted by the wind and distance.

Ryou.  Who was apparently fine.

Relief flooded Shiro as every horror story he'd cooked up in his head faded away.

It was almost immediately followed by anger.

Stomping his way through the snow, Shiro rounded the house and headed to the back.  "Ryou!"  He called, voice rising like a wolf's howl before the hunt.  "Did you seriously wander off during a mission?"

There was a long pause, then a quiet, "oh shit."

Shiro's lips pulled back as he finally came to the backyard of the cabin.  He spotted Ryou immediately, sitting near waist-deep in a snow drift, with what had to be Revisha looming over his back.  Storming forward, he full prepared to lay into his brother-

Only to finally spot the shock and dismay on Ryou's face.

"No, Shiro, don't look!  Turn around, stop it!"  He dove forward, trying to curl around something in the snow.  

Instinctively, Shiro stopped and looked down, trying to see what Ryou was protecting.  As he focused, he could see several fuzzy, grey bodies jostling between Ryou's arms.  One turned to face him, beady black eyes blinking up at him from a tiny, fluffy face with two tall, triangular ears.

The Ecritians looking so much like bears had been a shock, but not totally out of the ordinary.

But this animal was a dead ringer for a husky puppy.

"Shiro!"  Ryou whined.  "Why are you like this?  I said look away!"

"Is that a dog?"

Ryou groaned and flopped on his back in the snow.  "You're the worst.  I wasn't even gone for thirty minutes."

"You were gone for nearly forty-five," Shiro corrected immediately.  "And you didn't tell Lance, and he went to get me.  Why are there- seriously, is that a dog?"

"I believe your surprise has been spoiled," Ravisha informed Ryou, openly amused at his dramatics.  "You are Shiro, yes?  Your litter-mate said the same thing.  The Rusks are not native to our lands, but an import several generations ago.  It is possible it is indeed this 'dog'."

As if in a daze, Shiro watched the four toddly, fat, fluffy husky puppies flop over each other and attempt to climb Ryou's armor.  One tried to scale his chest plate, only to go tumbling back into the snow.  Other decided it wasn't worth the effort, and instead started to step onto Ryou's face.

"Hey, I'm moping.  Cut it out."  Ryou picked the puppy up under the legs and finally sat up.  He settled the fuzzball in his lap, where it immediately flopped onto its back and spread its paws for belly scratches.  "I was going to bring you here and tell you it was for some bullshit mission thing you needed to see.  But you ruined the surprise, you jackass.  Now come hug a puppy, already."

Shiro wandered over as if in a daze and sank to his knees in the snow.  One of the puppies glanced back at him, curious, so Shiro held out his hand.  The puppy gave it an interested sniff, then held still as Shiro began to pet.

Slowly, Shiro looked back over at Ryou, who now looked smug.  "It's a puppy."

"Sure is, bro."  Ryou jerked his thumb back to Ravisha.  "Apparently they're used to pull sleds in certain conditions.  And in competitions. Space Iditarod.  Ravisha breeds them.  The ones best suited to work get trained for mushing, and the others get sold as pets.  These are some rejects.  Aren't you a little reject?  Aren't you second place?  Yes, you are.  Yes, you are!"

Shiro blinked at Ryou, his lips curling up.  "I finally understand why Keith gets so weirded out when I see a dog.  You sound like an idiot."

"Guess whose fault that is?"

Shrugging, Shiro scooped up one of the puppies and held it close.  It squirmed immediately, turning closer to inspect his face curiously.  "I appreciate the attempt at a surprise.  But how about next time you just tell me there's dogs on the comm, so I don't have to worry and I can come running immediately."

Ryou rolled his eyes.  "Noted.  I will never attempt to do something nice for you again.  My apologies that you're such a helicopter parent."  Then he glanced up at Ravisha and offered a smile.  "Thanks for helping, though.  It would have been awesome."

"It seems to have gone well, as I see it," Ravisha replied, nodding to Shiro.  "He looks like a mother with her new cubs, just as you did."

"Thank you so much."  Ryou huffed, but turned to Shiro and smiled.  "I know we can't do this for long, since, well, mission and all.  But these dogs are for sale."

Shiro froze completely. "That- there's so much logistics to think about.  Where they'd stay.  If Allura is alright with that.  How we'd feed them, how we'd clean up after them-"

"We have a cow," Ryou reminded.  He scooped up a handful of loose snow and threw it at Shiro.  "A dog can't be harder to take care of than a cow.  Let's at least ask."

"We'll ask," Shiro agreed.  He held the dog in his arms closer, eyes falling shut as the tiny tongue flicked over his jaw.  "Oh.  Oh."

There was a long pause, as Ryou gave him the moment without comment.

A dog.  A real dog, out in space.  It had been years, and Shiro hadn't thought much of it.  He'd had a vague idea of getting a dog when he came back, but it had always been a silly daydream.  With his schedule and the fact that he specialized in deep space missions, keeping a pet wasn't possible.

Instead, he'd taken moments where he could.  The Holt's dog Baebae always loved when he visited, and Shiro volunteered at the local pet shelter once every month or so.  Sometimes, when he went into town, he'd go on a run in the park and greet every dog he saw on the path.

That had been enough, until Shiro had gone years without.

"Hey," Ryou suddenly said, voice soft and gentle.  "Promise me something?"

Shiro opened his eyes and managed to focus on Ryou.  He swallowed hard against a lump in his throat.  "What?"

"When we get back to Earth, get a dog."

A quick wipe of his fingers over his eyes got rid of any threatening moisture.  "You know that's not possible."

Ryou moved closer, till their shoulders were touching.  He glanced up at Ravisha, gaze pleading.  She nodded and stepped over to the shed, disappearing inside.

Once she was gone, Ryou turned to Shiro.  "I know why it was before," he replied.  "But if we finally go home, everything will be different.  So promise me."

"What if I take another mission for the Galaxy Garrison?  I'm still an officer, and I still owe them a few years of service from academy training."  The puppy in Shiro's lap finally squirmed to get down.  He settled them back into the snow, where they immediately toddled over and collapsed against a litter-mate's side.  "Like I said.  Logistics.  Is that fair for the dog?"

Ryou groaned.  "You can make it fair if you choose to.  But the point isn't- I want me to promise you'll do it anyway.  And that you'll go home to Earth, someday.  That you'll plan for that day.  Just promise me that."

Oh.  Ryou didn't specifically want Shiro to get a puppy - or, maybe he did.  But mostly he wanted Shiro to actually think he'd see the future.

That was-

Unlikely.

"Ryou," Shiro murmured.  "It's war.  I can't promise anything."

"Yes, you can," Ryou pushed on.  "I know the bullshit in your head, and it's exactly that.  Bullshit.  You're more than this war.  You don't look at anyone else on the team and think they're made for nothing more than fighting the Galra,  Even if it takes longer than their lifetimes, they have a right to retire if they want to.  You believe they'll survive."

Shiro's eyes cut over to Ryou.  "What about you?  Do you think you'll live?"

Ryou managed a thin smile.  "Depends on how I'm made, isn't it?  Who knows what the lifespan of a Shiro Clone is.  Maybe I age in dog years.  Woof."  He scooped up one of the puppies and held them up so their faces were side by side.  "We can take bets on who'll last longer."

For a moment, Shiro only stared.  Then he reached around and punched Ryou on the side where there wasn't a dog.  "Hypocrite."

"I have a good reason," Ryou whined.  "Better than you."  He set the dog down to rub his side.  "Ow.  Through the armor, too. Jeez."

"If I have to plan for the future, so do you," Shiro replied.  "You don't get to preach at me when you're just as bad."

Ryou huffed.  "I should get to if I want to."  But he sighed and set his jaw.  "Fine.  We'll keep each other honest.  But you have to do it.  No more acting like you'll die in a few weeks.  If nothing else, you're stressing Keith out with that shit.  You're going to give the poor guy an ulcer.  Cut it out."

That-

Was probably not inaccurate.

Shiro's lips twisted as he nodded.  "Fine.  That doesn't mean I'll get a dog when we get to Earth.  Or now."

"But they're so cuuute."  Ryou pecked the top of a fuzzy, gray head.  The puppy glanced up at Ryou and let out a curious noise that wanted to be a howl but was really more of a squeak.

Which was, indeed, very cute.

"I'll ask.  That's not a promise!"  Shiro pointed to Ryou.  "Don't blame me if it doesn't work out."

Ryou nodded solemnly.  "I won't."  But then he broken into a smile.  "But I'm going to make it really hard to say no."  Then he dove for his helmet, nearly indistinguishable from the rest of the snowdrifts.  "Guys!  They have husky puppies.  Actual husky dogs.  Here!"

Oh, boy.

Immediately, there was pandemonium as the rest of the Earth-natives immediately began to demand the chance to see them.

Shiro glared at Ryou, who only beamed back.  'I'll make you pay for this," he mouthed, but it didn't dent Ryou's smile.

As Shiro prepared to be the reluctant adult in this situation, so that Allura wasn't immediately buried under an avalanche of demands the moment talks were done, he glanced at his brother.

His brother, who was seeing a dog for the first time in his life, technically.

...Have a dog on the ship wouldn't be so bad, really.

[alexiela73]

Hi! Can I request a Moira spending christmas with her gf in her gf's home country for the first time? In southeast asia please! (I don't see nearly enough content for us in southeast asia hAHA) Thank youuu 💖

I will do the best I can

Update: Didn’t have time to make it very long but I’m kind of happy with it. Moira is on her way to Vietnam to spend Christmas with her s/o and family.

The plane ride was long, and Moira was suddenly relieved as nausea rolled through her stomach that they had taken a private plane. To think of being cramped in a plane with so many other people, without a lick of room between elbows and knees, and having those tiny aisles….it would have been torture.

Moira was fine with flying, though she was more used to military-like planes and hover crafts with more room and less turbulence. Whatever it was about normal planes that made them groan and quake on occasion, it definitely had her gripping the arm of her chair.

“You’ll be okay, Moira,” said a charming, soft voice said from the other side of the aisle. You sat there with your legs out, ankles crossed, as you flipped the page of a large novel.

Right now you were smiling almost impishly at your Irish lover, pulling back the long sweep of your hair to throw it over your shoulder. Moira felt it…the ‘butterflies’ in her stomach, as Sombra had once called it from looking at the face of her beloved. 

“You’re laughing at me,” Moira says after a moment, noticing the sweet curl of your lips. It didn’t bother her, because seeing your smile was the only thing she ever needed.

Chuckling softly, you reached over and took her hand gently. “I’m not laughing at you, sweetheart,” you said gently. “I’m…amused. And bewildered, since you always seem so fearless.” 

Snorting, Moira twined her fingers with yours, thumb stroking the back of your hand again and again. “I am not fearless, my pet. I have much to fear, though the greatest of all… is losing you,” she murmured, the smile small.

The words immediately brought tears to your eyes, but you smiled softly and squeezed her hand. “We will never be separated,” you promised, leaning across the seats to steal a tender kiss from her. The way Moira’s lips moved softly against yours, invitingly, reminded you all you had to lose and gain from being with Moira. And it was all worth it.

“What’s Vietnam like?” Moira asked after five minutes, when the two of you were curled up in your seats again. The two of you were going to her home country for Christmas this year. Though you lived officially with her in America, this was still your home country and you wanted her to meet your family.

“Its beautiful,” you said instantly, letting out a soft dreamy sigh. “To me at least. I think you’ll like it. It holds many surprises and wonders…despite the wars long, long ago…My country is beautiful,” you said, the pride evident in your voice.

Moira wanted to see it, to see this small part of you. It was important to her, and important to you. Meeting your family though would be a whole different kind of challenge, and Moira wondered how she was to get along with them. People weren’t exactly her thing, and she doubted they were very much into science…meanwhile, she wasn’t into socializing. 

“Do…do you think you’re parents will…” Moira didn’t wanted to seem weak, to let you know that the opinions of your parents…mattered to her. These two people brought you into the world, brought the one person Moira could love with her whole heart. She owed everything to them.

Eyes softening, you smiled. “Yes, Moira…I think they’ll love you,” you said, taking her hand again and pressed a soft kiss to it. “They’ll be happy to have you over for the holidays.”

It was a relief to hear it, though Moira wasn’t sure if she believed it. But she believed you wouldn’t lie, so she didn’t question it. This year’s Christmas would be the most special holiday in her life.

I hope, she thought, closing her eyes. Merry Christmas, indeed.

[ohliverfelicity]

chokehold

“Well, there you have it," Magnus sighed dramatically, "the things I would do for you, Alexander Lightwood."

or: when magnus proposes to alec, it doesn’t go as well as he had planned.

Mundane traditions were never Alec's go-to's but Magnus always entertained them because he found them endearing. The thing about mundanes was that they were so ignorant of the world that was devouring theirs completely, of demons and monsters, that they lived and loved carelessly and to the fullest and if anything, Magnus found that horribly wonderful.

So when it came to the stage in their lives where Magnus and Alec had come to terms with the unshakable fact that there would be no one in their lives but each other, Magnus looked for ways that were perfect enough in both their intention and presentation to ask Alec Lightwood to marry him. Magnus had watched innumerable episodes of reality tv shows and angsty movies alike to know by now at least seven different ways of proposing. There was the 'propose at the top of a roller coaster' option, but Alec was terrified of roller coasters though he'd never admit it, and the 'gather the whole family on a national holiday and set up a public spectacle' option but for one, he'd seen that one go downhill and end up in public embarrassment too many times when the significant other said 'no' and second, Alec wasn't fond of public declarations of undying love. At the end, what was utterly them, and said 'stay-home date, good food and a private evening to themselves' was the notorious hide-the-ring-in-dessert tradition. Alec loved it when Magnus cooked instead of magically conjured food and everything else was too uncharacteristic of them anyway, so Magnus planned the night of his life.

When the day came, Alec arrived home early with wild hair and a huge smile. He was told, like Magnus had watched on TV, that this was a good old, normal, plain-Jane kind of date.

"Magnus," Alec smiled brightly, approaching Magnus after he'd showered, "You look great."

Magnus looked at Alec with amusement, down at his half-sleeved grey shirt, an accomplishment of a change from his birthright black wardrobe.

"Alexander," he replied in his huskiest voice, "You're rocking the spring colours too, my darling."

Alec laughed with feigned exasperation and something carefree in his eyes that looked more beautiful than any clothing item would on him. Magnus had started witnessing that airy, freeing thing in Alec more and more often now: sometimes in the loose way his shoulders fell even when Magnus touched him around his mother, or in the way he intertwined their fingers on a crosswalk, and sometimes, just sometimes, like on New Years' Eve, in how Alec would kiss the sanity out of Magnus in front of a whole crowd of people without a backwards glance with that feeling of having nothing to lose.

The rooftop looked beautiful, with glowing paper lanterns and Christmas lights hanging along the walls. Magnus had set a table in the middle, lit with candlelight and adorned with flowers he couldn't name. There were platters of rice and sauces and meats and everything else that Alec liked best and Magnus promised him that nothing had been stolen by magic, he'd cooked it all himself.

"You know, you really didn't have to do all this," Alec said, "I know you're allergic to it."

"Allergic to what?"

"Manual cooking."

"Well, there you have it," Magnus sighed dramatically, "the things I would do for you, Alexander Lightwood."

"Oh wow, I never knew I could eat this much." Alec had been bullied by Magnus to try absolutely everything on the table because "I slaved over the entire day for you, Alexander Lightwood" and besides, Alec had truly been touched by the effort. He kept mulling over in his head the possible reasons that called for such an eager Magnus tonight and it wasn't anyone's birthday, it wasn't Magnus' yearly anniversaries of getting banned from anywhere in the world, so really, he resigned to  believing that since he loved good food and Magnus loved him, it was an innocent, uneventful gesture.

"Oh, but you haven't even tried the best part of the night yet," Magnus said to Alec's horror. Alec really was full and with training everyday to stay in shape, Alec wasn't used to downing so much at a time.

"Really, because I think you're the best part of my night," Alec said in a low voice, raising his eyebrow in that mischievous way Magnus liked, and it was only partially because he was trying to divert Magnus' attention from the food. Magnus looked at him intently and he almost caved in to kissing Alec right there and then, but he had an agenda and it wasn't going to get him engaged by the end of the night if he couldn't stay disciplined.

"Alec, darling, as much as I love you, the chocolate fudge cupcake I made for you loves you more, you're absolutely going to have to give it a shot."

If Alec was anything, he was stubborn by default and he'd really try anything to took to not eat it.

"How about I eat it tomorrow? Magnus, I love you for the cooking but I'm going to explode if you make me."

At this point, panic started rumbling in Magnus' stomach because maybe he shouldn't have tried to force Alec to eat absolutely everything on the table, maybe he should've done dessert first, veggies later—

"Okay, I'll eat it," Alec sighed. Magnus looked up, surprised. Alec smiled at him, "Well you look so sad I'm not eating the cupcake thing, so preventing self-destruction isn't worth seeing you worried."

Magnus was confused until he realized the horror of Alec not getting to the cupcake part must have gotten to his face and as guilty as he was in tricking Alec, he was grateful for his concern. Besides, it would only take one bite for Alec to bite on the ring.

Alec sighed with a smile, "Well," he picked up the cupcake delicately and without flinching, "go big or go home, right," put the entire thing in his mouth in one go, just as Magnus registered the sight with horror and had time to say, "No, Alec don't—"

Everything that happened after happened way too quickly. Magnus was reaching for Alec in horror, Alec Lightwood, epic soldier and powerful Head of the Institute choked on his own wedding ring, several utensils clattered to the ground, and somehow, after lots of dragging and coughing, Magnus managed to lay Alec on the ground, with his arm under Alec's head, trying to get him to breathe.

"Oh for God's sake Alexander, the whole thing? You can't take things slow can you," Magnus mumbled with an ugly combination of worry and anxiety.

 All he'd wanted to do tonight was to propose to the light of his life to marry him and he instead had him on the concrete floor of a rooftop, under the most romantic moonlight and the coolest night wind, choking out empty air instead of a "yes, Magnus, yes."

Marriage was a big deal for everyone, mundane, shadow hunter, downworlder alike, but for Magnus, it was colossal. It was acceptance and finality and finally calling a place home because home was where he'd smell Alec's clothes and hear Alec's voice. It meant Magnus still owned a villa in Paris and a mansion in Rome but home was his loft in New York City. Magnus Bane loved a place of a few two thousand square feet, decorated not with paintings of L'arc de Triumph or any work of Picasso, but with sloppy photo booth pictures of Alec and him, with a bedside frame of Alec Lightwood on his 20th birthday, where the couches were draped with Alec's jackets and the laundry bin was filled with nothing but seven pairs of Alec's black jeans. He'd never had that dependency before, never waited up for anyone after midnight before. He'd loved before, yes, but this was so much more than love. It was need and it was trust and it was everything that could break Magnus and he was holding it dearly in the palm of his hand and offering it to Alec tonight in a chocolate fudge cupcake, if only Alec would say yes.

Alec coughed a final time, his eyes red and his throat hoarse and he coughed up the culprit in his hand.

He groaned, "I think I'm okay now," Alec said hoarsely. Magnus almost laughed.

"You can't get rid of me with a poorly cooked cupcake. I'm not that eager to leave," Alec joked and Magnus had just looked a little wilted. Alec sensed that he had murdered, or rather, had choked up the mood and then spat it out, so he brought his free hand up to Magnus' cheek.

"Hey, I'm sorry I choked on your cupcake. It really was good though, don't look so upset, I loved it," Alec grinned. Magnus looked down and him, at the way he was still looking up at Magnus with his cheeks flushed and eyes eager and Alec Lightwood had never looked more beautiful.

He smiled, his heart ramming against his chest because Alec still hadn't opened up his fist to see what he'd choked on. He was almost afraid of what'd happened next, he'd had everything planned out and then this happened and there was nothing else to do.

Magnus took a deep breath, preparing his heart for a massacre and whispered, "Open up your fist, Alexander."

Alec looked confusedly at Magnus and then his hand, then shifted his eyes slowly back towards Magnus' face.

"Okay," he said tentatively, and Alec's fingers opened to reveal a shining, (magically cleaned, he presumed) silver ring on his palm. It had thin, elegant carvings on the outer edges that was simple and remarkable in its making. The first thing Alec thought of it, strangely, was that the clean styling was so Alec-like. It took Alec a while to understand what he was looking at, why there was a random ring he'd never seen in the cupcake Magnus had made him, why Magnus had insisted he eat it. Did Magnus want to show him a new ring? He'd never done that before. If not, then why—

Oh.

Magnus practically witnessed the hurricane of questions and confusion pass over Alec's features, his eyebrows knit in concentration, his eyes shifting to process his thoughts and then, Magnus saw, the moment, the eureka moment, when it all clicked into place, and for all the emotions in the world, Magnus felt cold fear rise up his throat.

Alec froze, his pupils blown as realization finally dawned and he finally thought that for all the battle plans and strategies he could think of, why hadn't he known what this was before? Somewhere, a string in his heart went loose and Alec felt like he was breathing for the first time because he didn't deserve this, he didn't think he could ever have this and how did he get so lucky—

"Yes," he whispered with awe, after what Magnus will describe had felt like a decade, to their children.

Alec looked at Magnus and this time it was just raw awe and wonder that was choking the air out of his lungs when he tried saying it louder, "Yes, I'll marry you," and he didn't give Magnus a chance to finally let go of his breath because too quickly, they were kissing and it felt infinite and perfect and for a moment, all of New York held it's breath as Alec Lightwood kissed life back into Magnus Bane.

That night, Alec laughed like he had conquered the world.

"Angel, Magnus, murdering your fiancé via unintentional choking would've sure landed you in the next edition of World's Best Husbands."

Magnus had laughed too, because it all felt unreal: the words, being able to laugh as if there were flowers planted in his lungs and feeling Alec's laughter build a home in his bones. He didn't know which was more magical, that Alec Lightwood, doused in cool moonlight, looked like a mirage laying there in red silk bed sheets, or that looking at him, Magnus feared that he would perish in the strength and intensity of what he felt for this Lightwood boy.

And when Alec leaned in and kissed him this time, Magnus knew it was neither. The only magic in the world was this and this and this.

[kelnius]

A Viewer’s Review of...

I've been watching a lot of horror movies lately, some have been awesome, but others, not so much. But today, I am looking at a weird mix. See, today's film is an anthology - several short films all put together. What impressed me the most about Holidays is that it has eight segments. Most anthologies have three or four, so I appreciated how many different stories this one provided.

Also, something I figured out half-way through is that the segments are ordered chronologically for one year. So, Valentine's day is first, since that's Feb 14, and it ends with New Year's Eve. It's pretty clever… unfortunately, some of the shorts aren't that great, whereas I enjoyed others. So, with that in mind, I figured I'd review this movie first in part, then in whole. I won't state much beyond the premise, so I don't spoil anything, but since there's are so short, that alone might spoil this for some viewers - consider yourself warned.

Valentine's Day

This one started off strong, with a bullied girl who had a crush on her coach - it's as sweet as it is unsettling. Unfortunately, the ending was kind of obvious, and it seemed to go off the rails in the middle just as an excuse for gore. Madeleine Coghlan was perfect as Maxine, the main character, and her co-star Savannah Kennick was convincingly hateable as the bully character. I thought the lighting and direction was done amazingly well, but the story didn't take advantage of the premise in the end, and that's what ultimately lets this short down.

A story without enough heart - 5.5 ⁄₁₀

St Patrick's Day

I get that the holiday itself has a weird premise, but this story was a total mess. It starts with a teacher who has a creepy student in her class, then there's this side-plot about the teacher getting pregnant. Perhaps with a bigger budget this could work, but the story felt rushed, and the ending felt like it was trying to be funny, although I found the special effects more laughable since I think I could buy a better prop online for 100 bucks.

Hisses like a deflating balloon - 3.5 ⁄₁₀

Easter

Once again, this one feels like it didn't take advantage of the premise. Basically, this story starts with a young girl confused about whether Easter is about a magical bunny, or a man who came back from the dead, and builds on that idea. Unlike the prior short, this one has amazing editing, lighting and special effects. Only one effect was subpar, but I feel like it was a design choice. Ultimately, the premise was too weird to make sense, but they did well with what they had. Making a memorable, if strange, story.

Only a Chocolate Jesus can satisfy my Soul - 4.5 ⁄₁₀

Mother's Day

This begins with a woman after getting an abortion, and a woman telling her doctor that she gets pregnant every time she has sex, despite medication and prophylactics. I don't find that interesting, but it's a fun start, and I can see how that can be terrifying for a lot of people, so it doesn’t lose marks for that. Unfortunately, my favourite part of this story is the ending so I can't talk about it, but like so many of these, the middle seems to get completely lost in an attempt to be creepy. But, the ending was cool, and at least they didn’t use this as an excuse to thrown in an egyptian mummy… actually, that would be kind of awesome, but either way, there’s not much to this until the very end.

Mum's the word - 4.0 ⁄₁₀

Father's Day

Of all the holiday shorts, Father’s Day is my favourite. It begins with a woman getting a package on father's day, even though she was told her father died many years ago - that’s a great premise. Jocelin Donahue plays Carol, a woman trying to find her long lost father, and I think she does an amazing job keeping us captivated. The ending, like so many of these, had some strange and unexplained elements which I won’t spoil, but I feel like this story still did a great job with amazing editing across the board, and a great premise.

In the name of the father - 7.0 ⁄₁₀

Halloween

This one stars the big, bearded guy from Epic Meal Time. I mention that because I found it incredibly distracting, and if you’ve seen that show I think you’ll find it distracting too. However, this one is an odd inversion of the trends of the previous shorts. This one has a terrible premise, but the execution pays off somewhat. It starts with a seedy camgirl pimp, harassing (verbally, and then sexually) his “employees” for not getting clients on Halloween. It has a gross and somewhat satisfying middle act, but unfortunately the performances were pretty poor across the board. That being said, I don't regret watching it.

Next time, we eat Halloween - 4.5 ⁄₁₀

Christmas

This begins with a father looking for a VR headset for his kid. Whilst a fun story, it feels like an idea that was retrofitted into a Christmas story (St. Patrick's & Halloween did as well, but this one throws in sci-fi elements, so it feels the most out of place). The premise is that the father is so desperate to find this gift, that he does something truly wrong just to get his hands on one. That would be a good premise, but the over reliance on the VR headset for storytelling is just awkward overall. It’s a shame that Seth Green does such a good job as the father, playing a sad, desperate, little family man. But, this spent so much time being sci-fi, it forgot to be Christmas.

Not as good as last year’s version - 4.0 ⁄₁₀

New Year’s Eve

The premise of this one is simple, some creepy, pervy serial killer guy is looking for the right woman to spend time with on New Year’s (and presumably kill, although it’s not totally clear). This, like the Christmas one, seems to be really stretching the premise, but I guess since New Year’s doesn’t have that many global traditions, you can just do a random serial killer story, that’s fine. What isn’t fine is that the story was dull and complacent, and I saw the “twist” coming from a mile away. At least the props looked good, and some of the sets were cool, but considering this is what we see before the credits, It’s a sad end to this mess.

My Resolution: Watch better Horror movies - 4.0 ⁄₁₀

So, that’s the movie. If I was just saying this whole was the sum of its parts, then I would add up these scores and divide them to find out that overall this movie was scored a 4.625 ⁄₁₀ - but, I don’t think that’s true, since I think this one is slightly better than that. Partially this is because I liked the intertitles, and the way this was organized, but I also need to give credit to the producers for an engaging premise, and I think that after watching all of these together, whilst it wasn’t the best movie I’ve ever seen, I think it’s worth more than that...

Just 0.375 more to be exact. Because whilst I had enough fun to justify watching this, I am not cruel enough to suggest that this is a “good” movie. I pay credit where it’s due, but I think most people won’t enjoy this one.

Like most Holidays, it’s better with a Drink - 5.0 ⁄₁₀

[punkscowardschampions]

Jimmy & Janis

Planning a romantic weekend away

Jimmy: Gracie came at me earlier. There was mistletoe up and I near fully hit the floor 😎 Jimmy: Hold fire though. She only wanted to tell me to convince you of summat. Pretty sure you already know what it is Janis: Erm...Father Christmas is really real? That her weave isn't from dead Brazilian hookers? Janis: Enlighten me or I'll tell her she's got a holiday free pass on you 😈 Jimmy: Double date. Need I say more 😡 Janis: FUCK. I DIDN'T THINK IT'D ACTUALLY HAPPEN. Janis: How far does she expect the season of goodwill to extend, like? Already got some poor cunt being a charitable home for her arse so she don't freeze Janis: Single tear. Janis: Question is, can we make it worth it enough for us to endure that shite? Hmm Jimmy: I almost got my arse to church so it wouldn't. Shoulda sucked off that priest when he asked. Too late? Jimmy: You better get me a top notch pressie, baby 😏 Janis: You know you ain't on the nice list 😉 Janis: So, Santa might be dissing but you'll be getting something extra special from me Janis: As for God, and his holly jolly perverted following, I reckon we're both shit out of 🍀 there, no matter how good our head game is, such is life Janis: Grah, I hear she does shoutouts now...want that 'influencer' clout, baby? Not double entendre my end but might be for GracieGuru 🙊😂 Jimmy: what the fuck we going to do then? No way I'm hanging with her and her latest 'boo boy' Jimmy: Even if I was getting paid, which is likely since she just loves common grounds Janis: Preaching to the choir, dickhead, ain't my idea of a good time either, or hers let's be fucking real. She just wants to dry-hump a slab of boy in front of you on the off chance that really gets you going for her Janis: You wouldn't call her brainy, bless Janis: Idk, don't worry about it, Jim. Just avoid her/the flat whites like the plague and I'll have to literally run away like I'm an angsty 12 year old so we can't be located, even with friend finder or whatever they stalk each other with Janis: Oooh! Just call me brains, we should pretend to have a romantic weekend away planned, that'll send her over the edge, that is her everything goals Janis: Like I said, I can hide from a hoe Jimmy: I knew there was a reason I kept you about Jimmy: Let's do it though. Easier to take than fake the 'gram Jimmy: Any ideas? 🤔 Jimmy: Most of my boltholes are far from yours and not very enviable for that crowd #it'sgrimupnorth Janis: Yeah, why do you tbh? Janis: Now its clear my sister has got no respect for anyone on her hunt for dick/self-esteem Janis: She's hoping its a twofer like Janis: I don't know if I can stand you for that long, darling Janis: But I SUPPOSE your the lesser of two evils here 😉 Jimmy: It's love 💕 Jimmy: Come on, it'll be a laff. I'll get the beers in Jimmy: You can try harder to beat me at darts and pool Janis: As far as the adoring fans/salty haterz are concerned Janis: and that's all that matters Janis: bitch i don't have to try! 😤 you put me off last time with ur mooning 😍 Janis: we don't need to convince the old fellas in the boozer Jimmy: Fuck off I was getting practice in! Jimmy: If you're ready to fake a break up say the word but until then, it takes a lot of work to give you the puppy dog eyes. I'm not Twix Janis: Sure you was 😂 Janis: N'awwh but you do it so well! Janis: Audition for the School play whilst ur at it, soft lad Jimmy: I do enough fake snogging without signing myself up for that bollocks Jimmy: You coming away with me then or not? Jimmy: You know your sister'll be in again nagging before shift's end Janis: Well, when you put it like that Janis: 😒 Janis: I ain't got nothing better to do, and I certainly ain't third wheeling her fake date Janis: My grandparents got a place down skerries Janis: we can crash there Jimmy: How many rooms they got? My dad's working so I'll have to bring the ramble with Jimmy: #goals I know Janis: Fucking hell, my pissing sister! She owes you more than she's spending on coffee for the hassle she's causing Janis: If you really can't, don't worry, I'll sort her. She'll be unbearable when she finds out it was all for a laugh but it was at her expense so how much of a mug can she actually make me feel? 😑 Janis: That said, there's 3 rooms, its only a caravan don't get excited but the kids would probably be buzzin', it is pretty nice down there Janis: I'll even let you have the double bed to yourself Janis: ol Janis: l Jimmy: It'll stop them nagging me about going somewhere other than the park that'll do me Jimmy: Cass talks big but she isn't even really so doable Jimmy: Don't be getting any ideas though 😍😉 my brother hasn't slept well since we moved. I'll be sharing that double like it or not Jimmy: What a way to spend my first proper time off since I started #blessed Janis: Yeah, fish and chips on the beach even tho its fucking baltic, chasing Twix will keep 'em warm, you'll earn major big brother points as well as bae ones Janis: What a mighty fine man Janis: Same here, Cass. Shh about it though Janis: Like you said, it'll be a laugh, we can make it one Janis: You'd really rather be making pinkity drinkidies or whatever the fuck they are? Jimmy: Nope. But your 1st romantic break usually is. Any talent there is in all grans playing bingo? Jimmy: Be nice to get something off the 'gram 💋 Janis: I ain't been since I was about 9 Janis: I wasn't after bitches then and I ain't now Janis: I wish you luck, 2 kids hanging on your arm and a woman back home, like Janis: Does it for some. Jimmy: I'd do some talking first to get things clear I'm not tall Tammy 😂 Jimmy: Bet you were a right cute kid, weren't you? Aww Janis: Again, have fun explaining that one, mate. I'd struggle with the concept and I'm in on it. Janis: Adorable. What happened? Jimmy: Shut up you know what you look like, mate Janis: A butch lezza? Janis: So I've been told 👍 Jimmy: That's not what they are saying anymore. Check my comments sometime. The lads are gagging for you now Janis: Goody gumdrops. Janis: I'll leave my knickers at the door, like Jimmy: You could like. I've been waiting for you to drop me as your fake bf since this whole thing started Janis: I'm not interested in any of them. Janis: Would your world be set alight by Aaron O'Reilly from form? Janis: If you wanna cop off with some of your fans don't let me stop you Jimmy: You aren't. They're not my type anymore than Aaron's yours. I'm just saying you take a crackin pic and I should know since I'm the one takin 'em. So you don't need to spout that crap. They're just jealous of how much of a butch lezza you aren't Janis: Alright. Well, you're not half bad at taking snaps, and not in the bullshit way every hoe thinks they know their angles and magic lighting these days, you're actually decent. Janis: It don't feel like crap when Janis: blah, meant to delete that, ignore it Jimmy: 🤐 Jimmy: Wanna help me with my art project while we're away then? Kill all the birds (hopefully not with my flash) Jimmy: I'll owe you again Janis: I won't even joke on you for being a swot 🤓🤞 Janis: What've you got planned? Jimmy: I haven't had any time to think yet beyond film being the medium but Jimmy: #workinprogress Jimmy: with a muse like you m'dear how could I go wrong 💕 Janis: 😜 Janis: just so you know, i ain't bringing any homework but put my name or yours, yeah? 😘 not even in art but might count for something Janis: clue me in tho, brainiac, what do the kiddos like? i'll get 'em something Jimmy: Rookie mistake mate, art's an easy A Jimmy: They'll take anything covered in sugar. Can't say I'll love you for it when they crash mid journey though Janis: Only 'cos you're good at it. With my genes I should be but I can barely draw a stickman. Janis: I'll stick with double sports, sports science and science 👌 Janis: I'll keep sweets in stock for bribery, goes without sayin'! Different pocket to Twix' fish treats, though Janis: I'll have a look down town Jimmy: 😂 did you see that article doin the rounds about the mum who bought her kid a cat's advent calendar Janis: 😂 Yes! Shame catnip don't work like on us like it does cats, that kid would be pingin' Janis: Might get meself some, like Jimmy: What gets dogs off their heads? I'll keep Twix well clear Jimmy: She's high enough on your 😍 Janis: I don't know, actually...telling them they're good bois? Janis: Works for you boo 😘 Jimmy: I prefer being called a very bad boy 😎 Janis: You clown 😂 Janis: Good to know, suppose. Dirty weekend away though it ain't Jimmy: what our fans don't know won't break their jealous hearts Jimmy: you coming in for your freebies today or shall I do a delivery your way once Grace is home? 😉 Janis: Kick it really cliche and be my sexy delivery boy Janis: Try and bring something with sausage in so I can come at you with the quality porn writing Jimmy: Live your fantasies as well as your sister's if you want, my name tag says Jonathon today Janis: Ooh, spicing it up with some roleplay like we're middle-aged okay Janis: How boring are you that you've picked a name so similar to your own...this is why we've hit a dry patch, Jimothy! Jimmy: What would you seriously pick? Janis: For you? Janis: Who's a fittie... Janis: Anthony Joshua could get it Janis: You don't want to be in the play but reckon you can stretch to that? Jimmy: Next time I lose my name tag I'll insist on that. For the bae 💕 Jimmy: About as close as I'll get I think Janis: Who do you want? Janis: I wanna know your type Janis: Bar Tall Tammy Jimmy: Your sister obviously Janis: Fuck off, not even funny Janis: If that were true, you know where she lives bitch, I ain't stopping ya, she's practically shoe-horning you in 🤢 Jimmy: I meant the fit older one 😉 Janis: Ohhh Janis: Still, do one 🖕 I'm not pretending to be my sister you freak Jimmy: That's one pretense too far. Got it 😂 Janis: Yeah, in this hypothetical you've really shit the bed, pal. Jimmy: I only half read that because #customers and thought you called me shit in bed mate Janis: well... 😏 Jimmy: I fake rocked your world Janis Cavante! 😂 Janis: you know we faked it so i didn't have to fake it 💅 Jimmy: Aaron O'Reilly's walking through the door want me to slip him your number and end this? 😝 Janis: I will murder you. Janis: also he might think your trying to set up a threeway for YOUR benefit, so if you wanna take over the gay rumours that bad, go for it 💋🍆 Jimmy: I've seen you with a pool cue I think I'm safe Jimmy: Give a shit. At least I actually am butch Janis: Psh, you're all show no grow Janis: We're arm wrestling, then you'll see Jimmy: 💪 I'll beat you at that too then, shall I? 🏆 Janis: Bring it on. I won't make you cry too hard, save face in front of the kiddos. Janis: 'Let' them kick your arse too 😜 Jimmy: Try it, baby girl 😝 Jimmy: Cass probs could no lie. Scrappy af that one Janis: Good girl 👍 Janis: Gotta keep you in check Jimmy: Doubt you'll be calling her that when she's shadowed you all weekend Jimmy: She loves you. Who knows why? Janis: I keep telling you I'm a delight Janis: Has this...how long has it been? Month, 2? Of SHEER BLISS taught you nothing Janis: Ruuuuude. Jimmy: Nope. I'm with Team Bobby. You're a gross meanie Jimmy: As all girls are 😂 Janis: Well I'm winning Bobby 'round this weekend by hook or by crook Janis: then you can please yourself, billy no mates Janis: Team Janis 💪 Jimmy: Every bro knows you can't be friends with your girl Jimmy: DUH Janis: Oh yeah, all straight couples HATE each other and that's #goals Janis: If I can't be chatting shit on you, how will I get to talk about you constantly to my gals? Janis: Singing your praises? I THINK NOT Jimmy: Speaking of, Gracie and co are back on the premise that Tall Tammy left her....something. I wasn't listening. Should I break the news we won't be here for date night or do you want to do the honors Janis: Dignity? That's long gone, honey. Janis: Ooh, lemme do it, you're coming round with the sausage anyway Janis: We can do it together baby Jimmy: awhhh Jimmy: I've hidden the mistletoe but she can see the top of the highest counters!! I'm on borrowed time what do I do? Janis: Headbutt her in the teeth Janis: 'Accidentally' Janis: Can't help being a normal-sized human Jimmy: #customerservice Jimmy: then recommend her our chewy cookies 😂 Janis: You can see why I'm not trying to be your work wifey too, yeah? 😂 Janis: If you can convince any of those girls to break their diet, I'll be impressed Janis: Don't count if they go vom in the bogs after tho Jimmy: Gracie might be on her way already. One of her posse asked what you were getting me for Christmas and I didn't hold back Janis: Oh no, am I about to get slut-shamed? 😲 Janis: Or, heaven forfend, tips Janis: I will die Jimmy: Damn I didn't think of that. Sorry Janis: Its cool Janis: She's all mouth anyway, not in a beneficial to the cause way Janis: Be interesting hearing what she thinks you want, keep ya posted lol Jimmy: 🙌 Can't wait Janis: that's what you're meant to say about my present! Jimmy: I did, swear 🤞 Janis: what do you actually want Jimmy: Don't worry about it Janis: Oh, is it? If I'm not fucking your brains out you're not interested Janis: Fine then, save my reddies. 👍 Jimmy: That's what I was thinking. Stage a break up before 🎄 for max drama and min spends Janis: Cool. If you wanna. Janis: Just don't tell everyone you chucked me 'cos I wouldn't give it up. Already a frigit. Janis: What's the story then? Jimmy: Obviously not. We've been hooking up for ages got to keep it #goals Jimmy: I don't know haven't thought that far ahead it just makes sense to get out before gifting Janis: Yeah. Fair. Janis: Think on and let me know Jimmy: You too. We can brainstorm at the weekend. Nothing but time then Jimmy: Can't break up right after the break though Janis: Would look sus, yeah. Janis: Maybe I'll whup you one too many times, your fragile male ego can't hack it, eh? Jimmy: Grace'd be smug 😩 Jimmy: Can't even fake that, babe Jimmy: Nobody'd believe the story Janis: She's gonna be regardless Janis: I got the shitty end of the stick here like but ain't nowt we can do about it now Janis: 🙄 Jimmy: No we're goals we just burned too bright that's all 😂 Jimmy: You've got way more time served with me than she does any of her boos she doesn't win Janis: Mhmm. Calm down, Icarus. Sure you'll be comparing some other bint on a balcony to the sun in no time. 😘 Janis: Suppose so. Least hers are real, if not short-lived, and, well, shit. Janis: She won't know the difference anyway Jimmy: There's nobody like you 💕 Jimmy: Exactly I'm not going to tell her we weren't real Janis: Bullshit 💕 Janis: True enough, I'll take it. Jimmy: Shit gotta go the boss is back Jimmy: Love you 💕 Janis: Love you too, Jonathon 💕