#yes I enjoy secret santas and also most of my finished art happen there

[dayse2luas]

Art I did for a gift exchange in a mob server last year. This gift was for @thatsmimi

[inthewild-flowers]

fic masterlist!

This is a masterlist of all my fics. Most of them can be found on AO3, although there is a Tumblr Drabble section at the end.

I’ll be updating this every time I post a new fic/finish posting a multi chapter fic. Enjoy!

Oneshots

Weak In The Knees

Rating: General Audiences

Ship(s): Remus Lupin/Sirius Black

Word Count: 575

Summary: Kind of just a whole lot of Wolfstar fluff. There's dancing involved.

Other: Maybe a muggle au?? I’m not entirely sure tbh, pretty cute if I do say so myself, the title comes from the Serena Ryder song weak in the knees.

Bright Yellow Ducks

Rating: General Audiences

Ship(s): James Potter/Lily Evans, background Sirius Black/Remus Lupin

Word Count: 2114

Summary: Lily works at a corner store, and one day the Marauders walk in on a quest for ice cream.

Other: Muggle au, I’m pretty sure it was based on a post I saw but I wrote it a few years ago so I’m honestly not sure

Earth Angel

Rating: General Audiences

Ship(s): Sirius Black/Remus Lupin

Word Count: 674

Summary: I love fics where Remus is just an absolute angel, so here’s my version of that. Sirius has a crush on the cute guy who works at the bakery in his neighbourhood and finally get a chance to talk to him.

Other: Remus works at a bakery au, I wrote this after reading The London Underground Book Of Love by Children_of_the_Shadows on AO3 (absolutely would recommend, it’s amazing) and it’s probably one of my favourite fics I’ve written, the title is from the song Earth Angel by The Penguins

Gilderoy Lockhart Is A Dick (But His Dickery Has Some Interesting Consequences)

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Ship(s): Remus Lupin/Sirius Black, background James Potter/Lily Evans

Word Count: 2699

Summary: When Remus finds out Gilderoy is cheating on him, the next thing he has to do is find out who he's cheating with. And if that person happens to be Sirius Black, well, Remus is okay with that. Based off of the joke me and my sister have about Legend of Korra: both of Mako's girlfriends leave him for each other.

Other: Muggle au, funny, crack fic, way more sex jokes than I usually write but it fits with the whole vibe of this fic

Text Me

Rating: General Audiences

Ship(s): Remus Lupin/Sirius Black

Word Count: 566

Summary: Written for girlwithacrown’s finish this fic challenge. My take on the second half of “Remus is a bookstore owner and Sirius comes in looking for a book during coronavirus lockdown” (might wanna read her first half tho lol).

Other: Here is @girlwithacrown ‘s first half of the fic, and here is her collection with the other fics that people wrote for their own versions of the second half!

Padfoot Won’t Leave

Rating: General Audiences

Ship(s): Remus Lupin/Sirius Black

Word Count: 2453

Summary: At the end of Harry's third year, Remus and Sirius have a plan to get Harry away from the Dursleys.

Other: crack fic, I tried my best to make it funny, someone sent a post to the wolf star games 2020 discord that said that there aren't enough “Sirius makes himself at home at the Dursley’s house because there’s nothing they can do to make him leave” fics and then we as a group decided to fix that. Here’s the collection of fics we wrote for it! :)

Rooftop Ramblings

Rating: General Audiences

Ship(s): Aziraphale/Crowley

Word Count: 526

Summary: Aziraphale and Crowley share a cigarette on a rooftop, and wish that things could be different.

Other: pining, the whole plot is literally just pining, written for a dtiys based on this art by @whiteleyfoster

yoga (sirius’s way)

Rating: General Audiences

Ship(s): Remus/Sirius

Word Count: 1043

Summary: Remus decides to start doing yoga to get some exercise during quarantine, and naturally, Sirius wants to try as well.

Other: Quarantine fic!!, domestic fluff, inspired by this art by @gaeilgelupin

two bros, going on a brocation, five feet apart cause they’re not gay

Rating: General Audiences

Ship(s): Remus/Sirius

Word Count: 1927

Summary: In which Sirius takes Remus on a surprise Christmas vacation

Other: Christmas fic!!, so much fluff, :))

🎶 Remus is a swearwolf 🎶

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Ship(s): Remus/Sirius, James/Lily/Regulus

Word Count: 2694

Summary: Regulus sighed. “Come on, Sirius, let’s get you off this thing and then you’ll feel better.” They pried Sirius’s hands off the bar and helped him out of the rollercoaster, where he stood for a moment on shaky legs, clutching Regulus’s arm.“I’m going to get some mint chocolate,” he declared once his legs had regained some of their strength, “and then we’re going to the haunted house and I’m getting my revenge.”

Other: A sequel to ice ice baby by @pan-and-ready-to-stan, 90% banter, a LOT of swearing, fluff

would it kill you if we kissed

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Ship(s): Remus/Sirius

Word Count: 1741

Summary: Sirius leaned his head against the window and let his eyes flutter shut. Maybe if he slept, some of the horrible things would go away. Maybe if he slept, he would wake up to find that he was just on a normal road trip with one of his best friends. Maybe if he slept, he could forget the reason he was here at all.

Other: hurt/comfort, and also getting together!! bc I love get together fics :)

(i thought) i knew you 

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Ship(s): Remus/Sirius

Word Count: 1432

Summary: Sometimes Sirius thinks that he might be okay. That maybe he’ll make it through this. He’s broken up with people before, hasn’t he? He’s been heartbroken before, and he’s always made it through. He’s survived so many things in his life that it seems silly that this would be the thing to break him.

Other: oh boy is there angst, that’s it that’s the fic just angst, there is a hopeful ending though??, there’s some super vague sort of references to self harm but it doesn’t like. happen

Got It

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Ship(s): Remus/Sirius

Word Count: 2859

Summary: Remus pushed down the butterflies in his stomach and accepted the vape when Sirius offered it, inhaling deeply and pointedly not thinking about how Sirius’s lips had been there just moments before. This was the closest Remus would ever get to kissing him. No, he told himself sternly, don’t think about that. It didn’t work. It never did.

Other: texting, fluff fluff fluffity fluff, getting together, written for marauders pride fanzine

in a cottage on a cliffside

Rating: General Audiences

Ship(s): Remus Lupin/Sirius Black

Word Count: 2865

Summary: “Are you cold?” Remus asked. “I’ve got another blanket somewhere…” he trailed off, looking at Sirius expectantly. Sirius shook his head.

“I’m fine.” he smiled again, then took another sip of his tea. He made the same face as before. It was adorable.

“Why are you here?” Remus asked. Sirius blinked at him.

“I wanted to see you.

Other: this was a birthday present for a friend, its fluff and a bit of pining and just generally soft :)) also a get together fic

The Year Remus Lupin Made Friends

Rating: General Audiences

Ship(s): Remus Lupin/Sirius Black

Word Count: 3546

Summary: James was sixteen years old, and it was summertime. Sirius and Pete were staying with him, Pete for a week, Sirius for the whole summer and hopefully every holiday after it too. James wanted to play quidditch, but the risk of being seen by muggles was too high, and his parents wouldn’t allow it. James was also very stubborn. His parents should have known to keep a closer eye on the boys, but some things can’t be helped. Here is what happened:

Other: written for a discord server secret santa. very marauders friendship focused, but also wolfstar at the end :))

In the dark and in the dusty sunlight

Rating: General Audiences

Ship(s): Sirius Black/Remus Lupin

Word Count: 1099

Summary: “I thought we were past such formalities, Lord Lupin.”“Indeed we are, Sirius, but it did feel right in the moment. You know,” Remus gave him an appraising look, and Sirius shivered, “you look rather like a painting, lying there like that.”“My dear Remus, we know very well that I am a work of art.”Remus laughed. “Yes, that has been well established.” He took off his hat and placed it on a table, then crossed over to the windows. “May I?” he asked, gesturing to the curtains.

yall its gay historical pining thats it thats the summary

Other: its just,,,, a period drama. thats it. I wrote a scene from a period drama just for the pining.

Multi Chapter Fics

Love At First Hot Chocolate

Rating: General Audiences

Ship(s): Sirius Black/Remus Lupin, background James Potter/Lily Evans

Chapter/Word Count: 5 chapters, 5069 words

Summary: 18 year old Remus Lupin works at Starbucks. He hates it. He hates that he has to talk to people and be nice. He hates making coffee (although he doesn't mind the hot chocolate). But one day, Sirius Black walks in. For Remus, it's love at first sight. But does Sirius feel the same way?

Other: Muggle au, sort of a coffeeshop au in that they meet at a coffeeshop but otherwise it’s not it there much, fluff, might have been inspired by a post I saw a few years ago about Remus working at a coffeeshop and always getting Sirius’s name wrong?? But again, I wrote this a few years ago and don’t really remember lol

I Hope That I Don’t Fall In Love With You

Rating: General Audiences

Ship(s): Sirius Black/Remus Lupin, James Potter/Lily Evans

Chapter/Word count: 2 chapters, 1431 words

Summary: James is getting married, and Sirius worries that he won't get to see his best friend anymore. One night, he vents his feelings to a cute stranger at a pub, who happens to be in a similar situation.

Other: Muggle au, title from the Tom Waits song I Hope That I Don’t Fall In Love With You

If You Want To Buy Me Flowers

Rating: General Audiences

Ship(s): Sirius Black/Remus Lupin

Chapter/Word Count: 3 chapters, 1499 words

Summary: Remus owns a flower shop. Sirius is breaking up with his boyfriend using flower language.

Other: Muggle au, Remus is a florist au, inspired by a post I saw about flower meanings, title from the song Two Princes by Spin Doctor

Don’t Shoot The Messenger

Rating: General Audiences

Ship(s): Remus Lupin/Sirius Black, James Potter/Lily Evans, Alice (I don’t know her last name)/Frank Longbottom

Chapter/Word Count: 16 chapters, 13,192 words

Summary: Ever since his first year at Hogwarts, Remus Lupin has been exchanging messages with someone on a bathroom stall. Neither of them know who the other one is, and now that they're graduating soon, they want to find out.

Other: Muggle au, modern au, Remus isn't part of the Marauders au, a bit of texting

Love Through The Ages

Rating: General Audiences

Ship(s): Sirius Black/Remus Lupin, some vague background James Potter/Lily Evans

Chapter/Word Count: 4 chapters, 2213 words

Summary: Remus finds a love letter that Sirius wrote to him two centuries previously and never sent.

Other: They’re vampires au, I guess technically muggle au??, fluff, love letters, confessions, inspired by this post by @kayvsworld

“No, Sirius, tying the stems of flowers together will NOT make a flower crown”

Rating: General Audiences

Ship(s): Remus Lupin/Sirius Black

Chapter/Word Count: 4/4 chapters, 4247 words

Summary: In which Sirius can’t make a flower crown, Remus thinks Sirius might be flirting, and James has no clue what’s going on.

Other: so much fluff, oblivious James, inspired by this art that I love a lot by @girlwithacrown

Hogwarts, 1993

Rating: Teen and Up Audiences (this may change, I don’t have the fic planned out at all, so it could end up with a G rating, but I’ve rated it T just to be safe)

Ship(s): Remus Lupin/Sirius Black

Chapter/Word Count: 7/? chapters, 7248 words as of October 4 2020

Summary: When Sirius escapes Azkaban and goes to Hogwarts, instead of lurking around as the Grim like a FOOL, he decides to seek help from an old friend.

Other: I don't have any warnings for this one yet, but I’ll put them in if necessary. I’ll be posting the chapters as I write them, and I’ll try to make sure it doesn’t take too long.

the doc was called halloween babeyy

Rating: Teen and Up Audiences

Ship(s): Remus Lupin/Sirius Black, James Potter/Lily Evans

Chapter/Word Count: 6 chapters, 1240 words

Summary: a self indulgent halloween fic with pumpkin shenanigans, meet cutes, and texting. 

“They’re battle scars,” Remus repeated. “And you can’t call him just ‘pumpkin’ anymore, his official title is the PumpKing and he requires it to be used at all times.” Remus finished carving out the last scar, and picked up the sharpie to draw the outline of a crown near the top of the pumpkin. One he was satisfied, he picked up his knife and started cutting along the lines.“In that case,” James said, “Mine’s the PumPeasant and he looks like this because of a childhood disease.”

Other: ‘tis all fluff :))

a very (in)effective seduction

Rating: General Audiences

Ship(s): Remus Lupin/Sirius Black

Chapter/Word Count: 10/? chapters, 9557 words

Summary: In which Sirius decides that it's time to seduce Moony. Yes, he has a list

Other: written for girlwithacrown and kidovna’s blissember chirstmas prompts! get together, fluff, etc.

Note: I will finish this eventually, but I was struggling a lot with writing it, so it may take some time. I do have it sort of planned out, and once I have the motivation to write it again it shouldn’t take too long to finish :))

dreaming of you

Rating: Teen and Up Audiences

Ship(s): Remus Lupin/Sirius Black, Dorcas Meadowes/Marlene McKinnon

Chapter/Word Count: 6/? chapters, 4932 words

Summary:

 french bitch: I have arrived

french bitch: paris has gained a resident and he is magnificent

sweet sweet moony: paris is usually referred to as she

french bitch: HOW DARE

Jimmy: he does have a point tho

or: Sirius is in france on his study abroad year, remus is pining, and James and Peter are enjoying the chaos

Other: texting, fluff, theres eventually gonna be wolfstar and dorlene and either jily or jegulily I haven’t decided yet

You Hold The Key To My Heart

Rating: Teen and Up Audiences

Ship(s): Remus Lupin/Sirius Black, James Potter/Lily Evans/Regulus Black

Chapter/Word Count: 38 chapters, 26 049 words

Summary: Sirius threw himself on his bed, not caring about how he must be wrinkling his clothes. In fact, he relished the idea. At least his parents would have a reason to be angry with him today. He stayed there, thinking about soft curls and a sweet face that he barely caught a glimpse of, until the sun was shining directly through his window and James arrived to help him dress for dinner.

Or, a victorian au in which Remus is a gardener, Sirius is a dramatic rich kid, and they fall in love.

Other: I wrote this for the 2020 wolfstar games. it’s mainly fluff, but I also got to indulge my love of historical things which was amazing :D

Series

Dan’s cute & short wolfstar fics with no plot that make them happy to write :)

Rating: General Audiences

Ship(s): Remus Lupin/Sirius Black

Number of works: 4

Complete: No

Works in the series:

Goodnight Moony - Remus doesn’t want to go to bed. Sirius thinks Remus should go to bed. 201 words.

Snow - It’s literally just Remus and Sirius enjoying the snow, that’s it, that’s the fic, please enjoy. 124 words.

I Just Called To Say I love You - Sirius calls Remus the night before a big exam. 174 words.

Lupin Can’t Sing - Please read the title to the tune of “lupin can’t sing, lupin can’t sing, lupin cannot sing!” from AVPS. Remus is drunk and trying really really hard at karaoke. 409 words.

Ruby Tuesday - Remus and Sirius cuddle and listen to Ruby Tuesday. It's very cute, if I do say so myself. 259 words.

HP Pride Month 2020!!

Rating: General Audiences

Ship(s): Remus Lupin/Sirius Black, Lily Evans/James Potter

Number of works: 4

Complete: Yes

Other: All the fics in this series were written for @girlwithacrown ‘s HP pride month prompts, and you can find other fics written for those prompts in her collection on AO3!

Works in the series:

Coming Out - Remus and Sirius decide to tell their friends they're dating. 1035 words.

Flag - Sirius and James make unique additions to their pride flags, and at the pride parade they see two other people with matching flags. 1126 words.

Family - Sirius runs away from home. 898 words.

Healing - Remus's dog gets hurt, and the vet is way hotter than Remus was prepared for. Sirius may or may not have Ted from Schitt's Creek vibes. It was mostly unintentional. 1012 words.

Working Title: Summertime

Rating: Teen and Up Audiences

Ship(s): Sirius Black/Remus Lupin, James Potter/Lily Evans

Number of Works: 2

Complete: No

Works in the series:

Forgiveness & Friendship - The summer after sixth year (and The Prank, you know which one. The one with Snape. And Remus.), Sirius shows up on James's doorstep. 13 chapters, 4437 words

Mischief & Matchmaking - The marauders (+ Lily) are spending a few weeks at James’s house, and oh boy is there a lot of sexual tension there. Peter decides to do something about it. Featuring: shenanigans and three separate tropes cause why not. 17/17 chapters and 6772 words.

dan?? writing angst?? it’s more likely than you’d think

Rating: Teen and Up Audiences

Ship(s): Remus Lupin/Sirius Black

Number of Works: 3

Complete: No

Works in the series:

stardust is easily lost - He kisses him because he loves him, because loving Sirius is a habit he’s never been able to break, not in school when he thought loving Sirius would kill him, and not now when he thinks that Sirius might kill them all. It keeps him up at night sometimes.

cascade - Teaching at Hogwarts is equal parts wonderful and miserable. He loves his students, but some days he looks at them and he sees himself, happy and carefree, with his best friends at his side. Those days are the hardest.

the death of a star - And sometimes, Sirius almost seems like his old self again. Sometimes, his mischievous grin that Remus remembers all too well will appear on his face, and he’ll lean over and whisper a snide comment in Remus’s ear, and Remus will have to try to stifle a laugh.

Other: yall this is angst, there is major character death, its A Lot, theyre also down in the Tumblr drabbles section & their titles are all variations of “angst babeyyy”

dan is a) yearning and b) obsessed with dorlene and bookstores

Rating: General Audiences and Teen and Up Audiences

Ship(s): Marlene McKinnon/Dorcas Meadowes

Number of Works: 3

Complete: No

Works in the series:

1. Walking In a Winter Wonderland – As they skated, Marlene couldn’t take her eyes off of Dorcas. She knew that they were holding a conversation somehow or other––about Dorcas’s job at the bookstore, she was fairly certain––but her brain was on autopilot as she watched the lights dance across Dorcas’s face, lighting up the night like miniature stars.

2. adventures pertaining to love actually (and also shrek) – The woman shook her head solemnly, but a smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. “You absolutely cannot.”They grinned at each other for a moment, then the woman’s eyes flicked up to the clock on the wall and she swore. “I’ve got to go. It was nice talking to you! And you’ll have to tell me what you think of that movie if you watch it!”“I will!” Dorcas called after her, and the woman waved as she hurried out the door.Well. She sure hoped that Love Actually was on Netflix. (note: this one is set before the first fic in the series)

3. it can't be hard to find a present right?? (wrong) – “What’cha got there?” Frank flopped into the chair beside Dorcas and took a sip of his coffee, eyeing the mess of yarn on her lap with curiosity.

“It’s not weird to make her a scarf, is it?”

“...to make who a scarf?”

“You know exactly who I’m talking about.”

Other: yeah im just being generally fluffy and self indulgent here, enjoy! :))

Tumblr Drabbles

“It’s three in the morning” - jegulus

“This is the opposite of what I told you to do!” - wolfstar

“Do you have a ride home?” - wolfstar

“Come cuddle” - wolfstar

“I am home” - dorlene

“I’m getting married? Since when were you choosing my future spouse?” - wolfstar

“Another bad date?” - jily

James and Remus being very very chaotic bros

24 hour diner au - wolfstar

they have the same favourite chair - wolfstar

Sirius loses Remus’s present (and James helps him look) – wolfstar

when she wears YOUR flannel shirt - dorlene

when you can’t choose just one snuggly blanket so you wrap up in all of them - the marauders

angst babeyyyyyyyyy - first war wolfstar

2 angst 2 babeyyyyyyyyy - poa wolfstar

angst babeyyyy 3.0 - ootp sorta wolfstar

high school/college minifest day 1: back to school - wolfstar

high school/college minifest day 2: detention - wolfstar

remus has whipped cream on his face and sirius canNOT handle it - wolfstar

hufflepuff remus who makes friends with the marauders - wolfstar

dorcas is hurt and marlene is taking care of her - dorlene

remus is a lil shit (back hugs prompt) - wolfstar

just friends booty shorts - James and sirius

night at the museum au - wolfstar and jily

[arisu-artnfics]

A Date Before Christmas

Summary: On Christmas Eve most people spend the holiday with friends others with family or with lovers but for Marinette and Adrien they were all three. They were cherished friends, they were caring lovers and most importantly they were family and no matter what happened that day they would not let anyone separate them or disrupt there happiness. (Thank you @deadvampire32​ for suggesting it ^^ ^^) Beta by: @spider-momo (& a bit @deadvampire32). Also on: DA/FF/AO3/FB  Original published date: December 25, 2019 For: @galahadwilder as to say Merry Christmas, I’m your secret santa!! I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoy creating it for you ^^ ^^ This is a gift as part of the @mlsecretsanta interchange.

Spanish version of this story

Art done by me: *Tumblr/DeviantArt/Facebook (December 26, 2019).

It was the 24th of December, in the late morning. Marinette and Adrien were sitting in a coffee shop close to the Dupain-Cheng bakery. It has been roughly six months since they started dating and since they revealed their identities. The reveal had been accidentally actually, they weren’t supposed to know. It all changed since Ladybug aka Marinette Dupain-Cheng officially became the new guardian. The rules said that if they knew each other’s identities for their own sake, they should stop being the heroes that everyone loves. Even when both of them knew this rule, it changed just after they revealed. 

Marinette knew that she couldn’t confide those miraculous to any of their friends because Hawk Moth knew already about them and couldn’t put them again in danger like that. Also, it was the fact that even when they knew the truth about the person behind the mask, not much had changed. They still had to keep making excuses and act like they didn’t know as well as keep trying to fight the akumas and of course, win. Hawk Moth and Mayura always keep them on edge and with too little time to rest. Considering all that and more, Adrien helped Marinette to decide that the correct course of action in that case was just to keep being Ladybug and Chat Noir.There wasn’t really any time to get new heroes to be Ladybug and Chat Noir, or well to become the new holders of the Ladybug and Black Cat miraculous. 

When the reveal happened not that long after Master Fu lost his memories and Ladybug became the new guardian, in that precise moment was a lot of panicking from both of them. After a couple of seconds both teens had their own different reactions, between some laughter and ‘can’t believe I didn’t notice before’ to ‘can’t believe that Alya was always right’ and reactions like some sobbing and more. Then they had a big conversation between them, explaining some of the misunderstandings, more laughter and some tension in between them as well had freed itself. In conclusion, after they actually discovered and confessed some feelings from both sides, they decide to give them a chance. Adrien actually was the one that had to bring the question and suggestion. They had to also confess that they were in a way of ‘moving on’ but not entirely as they seem to be falling again for the same person without them knowing. 

Now, six months later, - on the day of Christmas Eve - they are trying to have a not interrupted date. Marinette and Adrien were wearing their winter clothes, sitting inside of the coffee shop enjoying some hot chocolate. Their Kwamis were with them, hidden from everyone but them.

“So, Mari,” said Adrien “after here, are we supposed to go and get Alya and Nino’s gifts?”

Marinette made a face unsure, “Mmmm… I suppose so, but I thought that you already have the vinyl disk that Nino wants so much?”

“Yeah, I do,” he replied while reaching to a bag that he also had and pulling it out. “Just thought that maybe you wanted to find something else?” passing it to her.

“This is the same as the one you have at your house, the one that he used to DJ in the party, right?” Marinette asked while admiring the disk, she would never understand DJing but was happy their friend did and enjoy it so much.

“It’s the same,” Adrien replied with a smile.

“Good, because actually I don’t really want to go shopping today. I mean, c’mon Adrien it is Christmas Eve after all.” With that she returned the disk to Adrien so he could put it away.  

He chuckles a bit ,“True,” Adrien smile.

“Phew, you got me worried for a bit, Kitty,” Marinette returned the smile.

“Ahhh, poor Bugaboo,” he said with joy in his tone.

Marinette roll her eyes but also was failing to hide her amused smile. “All right, then we don’t need to worry about it. I got Alya the super special microphone that she dreamt and talked about having so much,” said Marinette.

“She definitely will love it. You are indeed a great friend Marinette,” Adrien said with a huge smile that goes from ear to ear.

“Why are you so happy about it?” asked curious Marinette knowing that Adrien maybe had something ‘funny’ in mind, well something that was probably ‘funny’ for him like a pun or so.

“Heh, nothing special… just a friend” he said and then laughs a bit.

“Oh my...” Marinette said “it was you - as I learned thanks to Plagg, - ” she looked to Plagg very fast.

“Anytime, kid,” Plagg said from one of the bags next to them who was eating a piece of cheese.

“That was calling me,” Marinette continued, “‘just a friend’” she said while making quotation marks with her fingers.

“I know,” Adrien said once he stop laughing “but still makes me laugh,” he shrugged.

“Of what?” said Plagg again, “How stupid you could be?” “Plagg!” said Tikki from Marinette’s bags, who was eating a cookie. “Hey!” said Adrien at the same time as Tikki spoke.

Marinette just laughed a bit.

After a second or so Adrien also laughed at himself again. They needed that, they need all the fun and good moments that they could get. They really didn’t get much free time even at this time of the year. Anyone else would have thought that thanks to the winter break it should be less stress or trouble and so less akumas but it was quite the opposite, sadly, for the heroes. 

Sadly, it didn’t take too much longer until what they had been avoiding to happen so far during the day was happening. An akuma was once again at the door of their school. That’s how the accidental reveal happened in the first place. Since Hawk Moth learned that almost all the previous heroes as part of the now not existent team, were indeed from there; that had been his target. Once he learned that information, even though that could mean putting Adrien in danger, Gabriel had insisted that the school was the perfer target for the akumas, it had to be there or close to it that the civilians of the heroes are. Gabriel had thought that the heroes must go to that school, it couldn’t be a coincidence for so many former heroes to be there. Even Chloe was from there, although the whole of Paris did learned that she found the Bee miraculous, didn’t mean that she didn’t find it in the school.    The heroes this time, after hearing the screaming and destruction caused by the akuma, decided to ‘hide’ in the respective toilets. They did as always, even with the knowledge that they obtained all this months ago, the superheroes were acting as just partners and nothing else. Even though Adrien and Marinette were dating, it was like a silent agreement that happened so long ago between the two. Without really a verbal agreement, they synced their replies and kept telling anyone who managed to ask them about that, they are just good friends and partners like nothing had really changed. That’s how everything seemed to everyone outside their knowledge that is technically all of Paris. Ladybug and Chat Noir were more sync than ever, they had been defeating the akumas even faster than before. It was like the knowledge of their identities only helped them grow as heroes rather than something else.

Once the battle finished and all returned to normal, they got out from their ‘hiding’ spot. They decided that maybe was time to go to Marinette’s place. They planned to go to the coffee shop and then just have a relaxing day enjoying the company of each other. They also wanted to make sure they had their friends’ presents for the present exchange that was going to happen the next day in the late afternoon. Then they would part as Adrien was promised by Gabriel to have a Christmas dinner together and Marinette was going to have hers with her family as well. 

The Dupain-Chengs had invited the Agrestes as a family (basically just Gabriel as Adrien were supposed to be there already) however Gabriel denied the invitation, but said thank you anyways, Gabriel had insisted that he be the one that gives his son the Christmas dinner and traditions that the Dupain-Chengs mentioned during the invitation.

That’s how Marinette and Adrien were back to the bakery a few hours before the big celebration started. They didn’t want to be apart, but they knew that sooner or later the ‘Gorilla’ was going to pick Adrien up from there. Marinette and Adrien decided that even when they weren’t about to spend Christmas together, they were going to enjoy as much as they could. Even when an akuma had interrupted yet again another date. They did spend their time together as they were just one happy family. Tom and Sabine were with the kids as well, as they play some video games and have some Christmas like activities that could be done before dinner time was due and Adrien had to leave.   

“Oh, sorry,” said Adrien in the middle of another round of Mecha IV once his phone sounded with a notification of a text message, that he decided to ignore, he knew well enough that it should be the Gorilla waiting from him to take him home.

“Oh no, now?” asked Marinette with a small pout, even though she knew that it was about time that his bodyguard had to come.

“Sadly, yes, but hey bugaboo, don’t be sad...” he hugged her with just one arm, they were sitting one next to the other anyway, and just like them, Marinette’s parents were also sitting next to each other. 

“Mmm...” said Marinette with a big pout and very exaggerated expression of sadness that Adrien knew well by now as the little trick to conform to her or in this case as ‘don’t want you to go, not yet’

“I’ll see you tomorrow in the afternoon, you know,” said Adrien trying to ease the feeling. He didn’t like it either.

That’s when the door bell sounded, and Sabine stood up to open the door. After a very short while, Sabine called everyone down saying that it would be a change of plans. That took Tom by surprise, who had also gotten down the stairs to leave the kids for a moment alone, but was in the back of the bakery rather than at the door. Once Adrien and Marinette got down the stairs hand-in-hand, they actually got very surprised seeing who was at the door. “Good evening,” greeted Gabriel Agreste who was standing there in from of all at the door of the bakery.

“Father?” asked Adrien very surprised to see his father outside. “Wh-?” said confused with the fact.

“Adrien” said Gabriel after a moment. 

When Sabine opened the door she never thought that she would see him outside of his mansion, less at the door of their house. To be surprised was an understatement. That’s why before Gabriel could say anything at all, she turned to see inside and called everyone else to the door. Gabriel knew to expect some kind of reaction but never thought that Sabine would get his intentions so fast. When Tom appears a couple of seconds later as he was just in the next room, he only managed to agreed in silence with Sabine when the mentioned of change of plans were done. They did wait for the kids before they opened the door completely and allow Gabriel to get inside with the Gorilla that had been driving him and Nathalie. “That’s your father...” whispered Marinette to Adrien very surprise or more so than Adrien was in that moment. She also squeezed Adrien’s hand a bit and he did the same back to her.

“Adrien,” Gabriel repeated again.

“Hey, let’s get comfortable, c'mon Gabriel, let’s get inside,” said Tom after a while before it gets weird between the Agreste - well more weird than now.

“Right...” said Gabriel after a moment and got inside.

“Father,” said Adrien with a smile understanding the intentions of why he was here personally.

“I got this,” said Nathalie given a bunch of presents to Sabine so she could put those under the Christmas tree.

“Right,” said Gabriel and then he indicated the Gorilla to help Nathalie to move the gifts inside.

“You know, you didn’t should have, but thank you,” said Sabine as she also grabbed all the gifts and made sure that everything was under the tree in order.

“Thank you Father,” said Adrien with a huge smile without letting Marinette’s hand go.

“I...” Gabriel sighed “I keep thinking on what the Dupain-Chengs said when they invited us...” That made Adrien smile even more. That had been a conversation that he wasn’t supposed to hear but he did and couldn't negate that some nice traditions are better with whole families or some very close friends. 

“Oh” was the only replied that he said happily.

And so, the Agrestes had a nice Christmas Eve, with the Dupain-Chengs. Marinette and Adrien couldn’t be more happy. Gabriel who had refused at the beginning to spend the celebrations with someone else, had changed his mind after meeting the family of the girl that had stolen his son’s heart, and who knows, maybe had softened even a tiny bit of his cold heart. The family had been cheerful even after he denied the invitation saying that their proposed activities were strictly to be just for family members and nobody else. 

What Adrien had heard that he shouldn’t have was the fact that the Dupain-Chengs had explained that family does not always mean blood, but closeness. That fact, after all the months that Gabriel had known the family was what had gotten him off guard. He is Hawk Moth and he was doing it for his family, but right now, he wasn’t so sure. Because who knew, maybe one day in a very far future, this always happy family - even when there were akumas attacking them or such things happened close by - would be his as well.   

The end :D :D ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Note: This was wrote before the episodes of Chat Blanc or Blanche and Felix air but after the finale of season 3. As it aired.

[nighting-gale17]

im dyin’ (oh santa fe...)

TW: (very) vague suicidal references

Also read Here on AO3!!!!

Painting was the only thing he could do right now.

His eyes stayed fastened on the swirling colors gently brushed across the canvas, losing himself in the art. It calmed his racing mind and pounding heart better than anything or anyone else would have been able to even try (that was a lie—soft pink lips, firm hands, lean body… but he couldn’t). If he stopped, if he let his brain think too much, then all he would think about was how helpless we was and how there wasn’t anything he could do to help Crutchie, or the rest of the newsies, and those kids—

Like he said. If he painted, he didn’t think.

Jack let out a frustrated huff and stepped back from the canvas, eyeing his work critically. It was coming along alright, he supposed, though he might’ve been a little too generous with the purple. If he added some pink, though, it would set it off nicely with the sunset in the background…

Hours were lost to him as he painted in the back of Miss Medda’s theatre. The splatters of paint on his skin distracted from the still aching bruises from the fight. Each careful stroke of the brush across the canvas silenced any thought that tried to form in his mind. It was therapeutic, in a way, he supposed. It gave him control over something when he had never felt more helpless in his life and he enjoyed the way his body began to relax as he lost himself in his work.

“Jack? Postage for Jack Kelly?” 

Jack momentarily zoned back in to the rest of the world, glancing over his shoulder at the young postage boy that had walked into the back of the theatre. “Yeah, that’d be me.” he said, putting his paint brush back in the paint cup and reaching out to the boy. “Thanks.”

The boy nodded and waved as he handed him the letter and then took off.

Jack frowned down at the letter, feeling dread start to build up in the pit of his stomach as he looked at it. His name was scrawled across the top is messy, shaky handwriting—chicken-scratch, he had used to tease Crutchie—but it was the smeared bloodstain on the edge that caught his attention.

Dear Jack,

Greetings from the Refuge. How are you? I’m okay. Guess I wasn’t much help yesterday. Snyder soaked me real good with my crutch. Oh, yeah, Jack, this is Crutchie, by the way. These here guards, they is rude. They say jump, boy, you jump or you’re screwed. But the food ain’t so bad, least so far, ‘cause so far they ain’t brung us no food. Ha. Ha. 

I miss the rooftop. Sleepin’ right out in the open, in your penthouse in the sky. There’s a cool breeze blowin’ even in July. Anyway, so, guess what? There’s a secret escape plan I got. Tie a sheet to the bed, toss the end out the window, climb down, then take off like a shot! Maybe though, not tonight. I ain’t slept and my leg still ain’t right. Hey, but Pulitzer, he’s goin’ down! And then, Jack, I was thinking we might just go like you was saying. Where it’s clean, and green and pretty, with no buildings in your way, and you’re ridin’ palominos every day. Once that train makes—

Damn this place. I’ll be fine, Jack, good as new. But there’s one thing I need you to do. On the rooftop, you said, that a family looks out for each other. So you tell all the fellas for me to protect one another.

The end.

Your friend,

Your best friend.

Your brother,

Crutchie

God damnit.

Jack took a deep breath as he carefully folded up Crutchie’s letter with shaky hands. Somehow, the letter hit his heart almost as hard as it did when he tried to go see him last night. The bloody and bruised up silhouette of him in the dark, curled up on the top bunk just trying to breath through the pain—

He couldn’t even make it to the window.

And it was all Jack’s fault. He never should have tried to kid himself that he could do something that would help the people he loved—it always backfired on him. Apparently, his parents and siblings hadn't been enough proof of that. Tears burned in his eyes and he sniffed, blinking them away and wiping at his cheeks with his hand. Crutchie might die in that—that awful place, and Jack couldn’t do a single damned thing about it.

“Jack?”

Jack quickly shoved the letter into his apron pocket, quickly brushing the back of his hand over his cheeks to get rid of any tears. He glanced up slightly from the corner of his eye as Miss Medda approached him, keeping most of his attention to the ground.

“Here’s everything I owe you for the first backdrop.” She told him, holding out a pink envelope with a gentle smile on her face. She turned and gestured toward the backdrop he was currently working on, a soft look of awe on her face that he never was able to understand. “Plus this one. And even a little something extra,” Miss Medda continued, turning back to him with that same smile. “Just account’a because I’m gonna miss you so.”

“Miss Medda,” Jack protested. “I—”

“Jack.” Miss Medda cut him off, a vaguely disappointed look on her face, as if he was doing something wrong by refusing to take her payment. She held out the pink envelope to him again expectantly.

He took it from her slowly, unable to meet her eyes as his fingers slid over the fine, pink parchment. “You’re a gem.” he said when he was finally able to speak past the lump of emotion in his throat, giving her a strained smile.

“Just tell me you’re goin’ somewhere,” Miss Medda sighed softly as Jack dropped the envelope in his apron pocket. “not running away.”

Jack lifted his eyes up to glance at her and then scoffed. “Does it matter?” He brushed past her, his eyes lingering on his almost finished painting. He told everyone it was of Santa Fe—of somewhere nicer, far, far away from the claustrophobic presence of New York. And it wasn’t a lie. But the way he planned on getting there—well, money wasn’t going to help him get there. He just wished he had the courage to finally take the dive and leave this dump behind.

“When you go somewhere and it turns out not to be the right place, you can always go somewhere else.” Miss Medda was continuing, pulling Jack out of his thoughts. “But if you’re running away, nowhere is ever the right place.” She walked up toward him, putting her hand on his shoulder and squeezing it comfortingly.

Jack dropped his gaze and averted his eyes, trying not to show just how much of Miss Medda’s words struck. He knew she was right. He knew he was running away, like a coward, but it was all he wanted to do, as selfish as it is. Wanted to run away to Santa Fe, where he could be free of hunger, pain, the misery of everything in this awful—

“Jack! How ‘bout lettin’ a pal know you’re alive?”

Jack’s head jerked up so fast his neck protested the action, making him wince as the ache from his injuries made themselves known again. Davey was there (of course he was, he never should have shown him this place) on the catwalk, staring down at him with that infatuating grin before bolting away.

“Why don’t I leave you with your friend?” Miss Medda said, a knowing look on her face as she patted his cheek gently and walked away.

“Where did you go?” Davey asked as he rounded the corner, almost out of breath. “We couldn’t find ya!”

“You ever think I didn’t wanna be found?” Jack retorted, bitterness coating his words as he walked forward and grabbed one of his paint brushes out of the cup, intent on finishing what he started. And maybe if he ignored him, Davey would get the hint and leave him alone. Though, a tiny part of him hoped he might stay.

“Hey, is that a real place?” Davey asked suddenly, gesturing with the newspaper he was holding in his hand to the backdrop Jack was currently painting. “That Santa Fe?”

Jack ignored him, trying ti hide the way his heart race ticked up at the thought by bending his head and dipping his paint brush in the soft pink paint. He knew Davey was just talking about the actual Santa Fe, way down there in Mexico where the skies were clear and the stars shone at night. But Jack had stopped thinking about Santa Fe as an actual, physical place a long, long time ago.

“Hey, did you see the papes?” Davey tried again when Jack continued to work on his painting, appearing in the corner of Jack’s eye and waving the paper in his hand around. “We are front page news, above the fold!” He unfolded the paper, practically shoving it under Jack’s nose. “Oh, yes. Above. The fold.”

Davey grinned at him as Jack looked up, barely giving the paper a glance as he forced Davey backward so he could reach the other side of his painting. “Good for you.” he muttered before ducking his head down to focus on the strokes of the brush across the canvas.

“Everyone wants to meet the famous Jack Kelly!” Davey went on, brushing his hand across Jack’s shoulder and leaving goosebumps in his wake. He paced across the floor behind Jack, his footsteps an annoying distraction from his painting. “Even Spot Conlon sent over a kid just to say, ‘Next event, you can count on Brooklyn.’ How about that?”

Jack let out a frustrated breath, glancing over at Davey before he returned to swap out his paint brush. “We got stomped into the ground.”

“Yeah, they got us this time. I’ll grant you that.” Davey acknowledged, though there was a tone of confusion in his voice. “But we took round one, and with press like this, our fight is far from over.”

“Every newsie who could walk was out there this morning, selling papes like the strike never even happened.” Jack shot back, finally turning in his squatted position to level Davey with a frustrated look. He rose back to his feet, intent on getting back to his painting and just wishing Davey would get the hint and go away.

“And I was right out there with them.” Davey said hurriedly, putting his hand out and forcing Jack to stay in place. “If I don't sell papes, my folks don’t eat.”

“Save your breath.” Jack snapped, his irritation finally getting the best of him. “I get it. It’s hopeless.”

“But then I saw this look on Wiesel’s face!” Davey continued, spinning on his heel as Jack brushed past him to return to his painting. “He was actually nervous and I realized this isn’t over. We got ‘em worried. Really worried.” Davey’s finger gently pressed on the underside of Jack’s jaw and forced his head up to look at him and his way too earnest expression. “And I walked away. Lots of other kids did too. And that is what you call a beginning.”

Jack held his gaze, forgetting for a second how to breathe as he looked into those wide brown eyes. He didn't realize it before, but there was an underlying concern in his eyes for him as well, mostly hidden by his excitement and hope over the strike. But it was still there. And damn, if Jack couldn't ever remember the last time someone other than Miss Medda or Crutchie looked at him with worry like that.

The finger under his jaw brushed up his cheek bone, brushing lightly against the skin and drawing a shuddering breath out of Jack. The soft fingers, those of a well learned man, a contrast to the abused, rough callouses Jack had, slowly stroked over the skin. Davey’s eyes were soft and bright as he opened his mouth to say something, but then the moment was broken by the too loud, high pitched sound of a child.

“There he is, just like I said!”

Jack looked over his shoulder and scowled, glaring up at the catwalk where Davey’s little brother was pointing at him with Katherine at his side. “For cryin’ out loud,” He growled, standing on his feet and clutching his paint brush tighter in his hand as he stormed over to where the rest of his paints were. “Where’s a fella gotta go to get away from you people?”

“There’s no escapin’ us, pal.” Davey followed him, voice slightly teasing, their moment forgotten. “We’re inevitable.”

Jack thinks of Santa Fe a little more wistfully. He ignored the three of them as they chattered off to the side, trying his hardest to escape back into that numbing, silent place painting always gave him refuge in. But, of course, this was practically impossible considering the tension in his shoulders from the presence of the others. He just wanted to be alone. Why wouldn’t they just go away?

He turned back to his paints as he ran out of the blues, once again wishing for one of those nice, small palettes to keep his paints on. He spotted Katherine slowly walking towards him and gave her a glance as he headed towards his paints. “Word is, you wrote a great story.”

“Hey, you look like hell.” Katherine said, a deep frown on her face as she walked toward him. Jack saw her raise her hand from the corner of his eye as he bent forward to get his paints, felt himself tensing slightly at the thought of her touch, but thankfully, she seemed to think twice about it and dropped her hand.

“Hey, Jack, where’s that supposed to be?” Les piped up, bouncing on top of a box of his painting supplies and making Jack grimace.

“It’s Santa Fe,” Davey answered for him when Jack refused to speak, busying himself with the paints by his feet.

“Oh, I gotta tell you, Jack. This, ‘Go West, young man!’ routine is getting tired.” Katherine told him, eyeing his painting critically when he sat up and glared at her.

“Tired?” Jack echoed, standing back on to his feet with a sour taste in his mouth. “Tired? Ya know, for a blacklisted reporter, you sure got a lot of nerve sayin’ stuff you don’t kno’ nothin’ about.”

“How did you know I got blacklisted?” Katherine frowned, further irritating Jack with just how unfazed she seemed to be by his comments.

“I ain’t an idiot.” he snapped. “Despite what you might think.”

“Can we table the palaver and get back to business?” Les interrupted, exasperation in his voice in a way only a child as young as Les could achieve. “Will Medda let us have the theater?”

“It’s what I been tryin’ to tell ya!” Davey left his brother’s side, walking up to Jack with that all-too earnest look on his face again. “We wanna hold a rally, a citywide meeting where every newsie gets a say and a vote. And we do it after working hours so no one loses a day’s pay. Smart?”

Jack looked up at that earnest face and had to look away. “Yeah,” he muttered. “Smart enough to get you committed to a padded room.”

“The guy who paints places he’s never seen is calling us crazy?” Katherine scoffed, gesturing towards his unfinished backdrop.

Jack froze at her words, anger boiling through his veins so violently he had to take a deep breath before he started to speak. “You wanna see a place I seen, huh?” he asked, glaring at her as he brushed past Davey and threw his paintbrushes onto the ground. The violent clatter caused Katherine to flinch, startled, but Jack couldn’t bring himself to care, couldn’t think past the anger and hate and guilt mixing together in his chest. “How about this?” He marched towards the backdrop and shoved it around, turning it so the sketch he’d drawn on the other side was visible.

It was nothing but harsh black strokes, drawn when he first got here and he needed an outlet for the anger and fear writhing through his veins, demanding to be released. The faceless newsies—just children, they were only kids—being stomped on, crushed, by the Pulitzer giant.

“Newsie Square, thanks to my big mouth, filled to overflowing with failure.” he spat the words out like they were poison, that familiar anger swirling in his chest every time he looked at the cartoon. “Kids hurt! Others arrested!”

“Lighten up. No one died.” Davey snapped at him.

Jack turned to face him, shocked, unable to believe what he had just said. “Oh, is that what you’re aimin’ for?” As he spoke, he could already tell that Davey was regretting his words but Jack was past the point of caring. “No, no, go on!” he shouted, waving his hand in the air. “Call me a coward! You call me a quitter. Ain’t no way I’m puttin’ them kids back in danger.”

“We’re doing something that's never been done before!” Davey shot back desperately. “How could that not be dangerous?”

Jack wanted to scream. Why didn’t Davey and Katherine understand that there were real consequences to what they were doing? That there were things worse than death that could be forced on them. He worked his jaw, taking a deep breath before he spoke, his voice quieter now. “Specs brung me a note from Crutchie at the Refuge. I tried to go see him last night. I went up the fire escape. They busted him up so bad, he couldn’t even come to the window.” He squeezed his eyes shut as the vision of Crutchie’s bloodied silhouette on that bed flashed in his head. “Now what if he don’t make it, huh?” he asked tearfully, opening his eyes back up, uncaring of the shine he knew they had. He pointed accusingly with a shaking hand at Davey as the other boy looked away. “Are you—Are you willin’ to shoulder that? For what, half a penny a pape?”

“It’s not about pennies, Jack!” Davey yelled, his face starting to turn red from a mixture of frustration and something else in his eyes. “You said it yourself.” he lowered his voice as he walked closer to Jack, who only turned away and wiped at his face with his hand. “My family wouldn’t be in the mess we’re in if my father had a union. This is a fight we have to win!”

“If I wanted a sermon, I would show up to church.” Jack snarled, stepping forward and getting into Davey’s face until they were only a breath apart. “None of you get it! The consequences of continuing this fight are greater than any reward that could come out of it.”

“Jack, you’re being ridiculous.” Katherine tried to start, but Jack cut her off with a glare.

“You don’t know what the hell you’re talkin’ about.” He scowled, the anger still simmering in his veins. “None of you do! You all came from nice, stable families—still got a mam and pops you can go runnin’ home to. Well not all of us got somethin’ that nice! Some of us learned about the real world a lot sooner!” he shouted.

Silence met his words and Jack forced himself to take a step back, hands clenching and unclenching at his sides. “Yeah, those kids might not have died. But they were taken to the Refuge. And I doubt there’s a hell worse than that place.”

“Jack, please—” Davey tried again.

“No!” Jack snapped, lifting his gaze to glare at the other man, ignoring the hurt shining in those eyes. “Those kids are in there because of me. Crutchie, is in there because’a me, and he might be dying. Yous can do whatever ya want. But leave me outta’ it.”

He walked past Davey, intent on finishing his painting for Miss Medda like he had promised and then getting the hell out of there to figure out how to save Crutchie. But Davey grabbed a hold of his arm before he could walk past, his grip tight on his bicep. “Jack.” he said quietly, but Jack refused to look up. “What happened at the Refuge to you?”

Jack felt his entire body stiffen at the question. Flashes of pain and beatings and crying brothers and sisters flipped through his mind. He bit the inside of his cheek long enough until he tasted blood before he spoke. “That ain’t got nothin’ to do with you.” He ripped his arm from Davey’s grip, ignoring the way he immediately longed for the touch after it was gone. 

Davey was still yelling his name, desperately, lost in the cacophony of voices as Katherine and Les’ joined in with him. But Jack ignored them, taking off away from the theatre. He didn’t know where he was going. All he knew was he needed out. He needed a plan, he needed to rescue Crutchie.

Santa Fe… One day…

[bag-of-broadway-snacks]

ROGT Secret Santa Gift

@rotgsecretsanta

I had a lot of fun making this! I hope you enjoy @leilani-lily

Sandy x Reader (Secret Santa)

It was a warm, mid-may evening in your beautiful hometown. Spring flowers were lightly kissed with water droplets left over from the early rains of that morning. The water reflected the soft glow of the sunset that painted the sky with variations of orange and rose. It was a perfect evening, and you were hoping with all your heart that a special someone would drop by your house at night. Sanderson Mansnoozie, the star captain of the golden age had been your nightly visitor for almost a year now.

You recall your first encounter to be short and sweet. You had been staying up late one night, struggling to get your next art piece finished on time when suddenly you saw the most beautiful golden sands flow right by your window. You rubbed your eyes and got up, going over and opening up the thin glass pane. Another strand flew by, and another, and another. You stared in awe, not knowing what otherworldly occurrence what happening. Then, in a brilliant firefly-like glow, he appeared. The Sandman. You had always believed in him, ever since you were small, and now he was all the more real. Sandy hovered by your window, sending out streams of sand out into the windows of many other houses and apartments. His hands held such elegance and grace to them they mesmerized you. You rushed to grab your sketch pad and begin rapidly drawing the small man outside. Your sketch was almost complete when he noticed you. You locked eyes and for a moment, the world seemed to be still. He was surprised at first, his face motionless, but then he smiled a bashful smile and he sent a small strand of the golden sand out to you. You remember reaching your hand up and grazing it with your fingertips before falling fast asleep. Your dreams had been so wondrous that night, and when you finally awoke the next morning, your sketch pad was set on the foot of your bed. The lines of the drawing were all kissed with the same golden sand.

Ever since that fateful night, Sandy had visited you in the early evenings. He was very busy, but he always managed to make time to visit you. It didn't take long for you both to start being attracted to each other romantically. Sandy was a wonderful boyfriend it turned out. He brought you gifts, made little pictures for you with his sand, and always gave you sweet dreams before he left. You spoiled him as well, making him fresh cookies for his journey, or some of your homemade eggnog. He especially loved your eggnog, he couldn't get enough of the stuff. You two were very happy together. But something was bothering Sandy as of late-you could always tell when something was. Even though he mainly used pictures to express himself, you never struggled to know what he was thinking. Sandy was bothered that he could only visit in the evenings. You never had the joy of spending your days together just enjoying each other's company. You also felt this way, though you would never say it out loud. You didn't want to hurt his nightly job of bringing good dreams-someone had to do it after all. But still, it was a struggle to be apart from him so often.

That evening at 6 o'clock sharp, Sandy floated gracefully through your bedroom window and onto your apartment floor. You came out of your tiny kitchen and grinned ear to ear when you saw him. "Sandy!" you cried out and rushed over. You had always been a short woman, so even with Sandy being a little man, the height difference wasn't too bad. You bent down and kissed him softly on the forehead. He blushed and smiled at you, forming the shape of a little heart above his head. You blushed as well and invited him to sit down on the couch while you brought out the dinner you'd prepared. It wasn't the fanciest feast, just some sandwiches, and cookies, but it suited you both just fine. You set the tray on the coffee table and sat down next to Sandy on the couch.

"Are you tired tonight?" you asked him with a wink. It was a little joke between you two that amused you greatly. Sandy was virtually always tired. It was one of the things that came with being the Sandman. He often fell asleep standing up, which you loved. Sandy smiled and wrinkled his face a bit as if laughing. He nodded his head in an enthusiastic answer. You giggled a bit as well and divvied up the sandwiches.

'Sandy is still a mystery to me,' you thought as you took a big bite out of your favorite sandwich. It was true, he had limited communication so getting information from him was a little difficult. The reason you knew as much as you did at the current moment was because of a dream he gave you. It was no doubt the strangest dream you had ever had, but it explained a lot about Sanderson. Even if you weren't quite sure what 'The Golden Age' meant exactly, you still understood that it was the time Sandy was from. You knew that he had been a captain and that he had once helped grant wishes. You also knew that he was deemed the Guardian of Dreams by a man who lived in the moon. It had been a whimsical dream, and when you awoke you felt closer to Sandy then ever. Yet, you still didn't know everything about him, why he was silent now when he spoke in the past was a mystery.Not only that, but the fact that he was seemingly made of this golden dream sand had always been a lot to understand. You supposed you didn't mind, you had a lot of time to figure everything out.

You went over all of this in your head while taking a few more bites of your dinner. You glanced at Sandy, who was eating in small little nibbles here and there. You furrowed your brow in concern.

"Sanderson," you said sweetly, "Is something the matter??"

Sandy looked up and gave you an encouraging smile. He set his sandwich aside and took up one of his cookies. After crunching down on it, he began to form his dream sand into a figure. It was a rose in full bloom, and it looked even lovelier when made out of the sunrise golden grains of dream sand.  You blushed deeply when Sandy hopped off the couch and offered you the rose. You took it out of his hand and it immediately split into several different, and smaller figures. 3D depictions of your favorite animals, plants, and dreams. You smiled ear to ear at the romantic gesture. Sandy always knew how to make you swoon like a teenage girl.

You clapped your hands together. "Sanderson, you are too sweet for your own good!" Sandy beamed at you, then shuffled back and forth on his feet. He reached up and touched your forehead lightly, which caused you to wrinkle your brow in confusion.  Slowly but surely you felt yourself become heavy with tiredness. You gently leaned back against the couch and fell asleep.

-

While you slept, Sandy was conjuring up your dream world into a beautiful landscape. There was a candlelit table in the center of a large gazebo, complete with an appealing dream dinner. You walked over and sat down at the table.The feeling you got when Sandy entered your dream was amazing. Just seeing him in his golden bowtie made you feel warm, like you'd just dipped into a hot spring. He came over and sat in the chair across from you. He smiled gently.

"I have something important to discuss with you," he began. His lips didn't move but you heard his voice. It was always like that in the dream world. You didn't mind of course, as this was the only way to hear him.

"Well, go on," you said, trying not to sound too worried or excited.

Sandy straightened his tie. "We've been together for a long time now, but I can only visit you in the evenings. It feels like we're losing so much time together." He sounded sad, but when he spoke again, his voice was hopeful. "I love you so much. I have decided that I want to make my home yours. We could be together all the time, only being separated at night. Perhaps, you could also journey back and forth so you could see everyone who loves you...I believe to put it simply what I'm trying to ask is..." Sandy held his breath and stared intently at you. He hopped out of his chair and knelt beside you, his golden orbs staring into your own. He held out his hands and conjured up a small box, and when it opened it showed off a stunning ring. You'd never seen such a jewel, even in your dreams. You would find out later, it wasn't a work of fiction either.Sandy had gotten a friend of his from the North to specially make it for him. "Will you be my wife?" Sandy asked you, hope gleaming in his eyes, "You make me so happy. I feel like a small sandman again when I'm with you."

You couldn't contain your tears of joy, it all felt so overwhelming the moment and the implications of it all. You rubbed furiously at your eyes and tried to suppress your sobs of happiness. You nodded again and again as you tried to find the right words. "You make me feel like a princess, yes. Yes. And before you ask again yes!" You kissed him suddenly, even if it was a dream your embrace was no less passionate. He pulled away and slid the ring onto your finger gently, it shimmered brightly at you. You wrapped your arms around him and held on tightly. Your heart beat a mile a minute and you could barely wrap your head around what all this meant for you. You were going to marry Sanderson Mansnoozie, the legendary Sandman, the bringer of good dreams, and one of the defenders of childhood. It sounded like something out of a fantasy book for crying out loud. Yet, this was your glorious reality. This was your future and you were ready to put on your adventuring boots and take it head-on.

Sandy hugged you back tightly and kissed you. He took your hands gingerly and smiled. He was a man of few precious words, but those words meant everything, and he would only ever speak them for you. The concept of love had often perplexed the little man. It was a mysterious force, and it conjured up the most powerful belief. Belief in another person to be there and love you for as long as you both lived. He hadn't understood it long ago, it was strange to him. He understood some types of love. He felt a deep love for the other guardians and Emily Jane. They were his close friends and they never tired of one another. But when he met you, he learned a whole new type of love. You had as well, dating and marriage had never been far from your mind as you went through life. You dreamed of meeting your true love as many other people around you. But after waiting for such a long time it felt as if that would never happen. Sanderson had shown you differently. He showed you a world of wonder, love, magic, and dreams. You cherished and held onto every bit of it. Now it was all coming to a head. You and your Sandman would be together forever. And when you opened your eyes from the wonderful dream, you glanced down and saw the beautiful ring still on your finger.

[gumnut-logic]

okay so i have been having bad brain lately and struggling with life but i just took a deep dive into your ao3 to catch up on all your wonderful words and needed to let you know how brilliant you are (again) bc it’s been a while. thank you for writing the dentist. it’s such a beautiful heartbreaking story and you handled the mental health stuff so very tenderly and carefully and the way virgil’s brothers care so much and so differently, my heart just !!!! (1)

i know we’ll be home for christmas wasn’t my secret santa gift but it truly feels like it when you bless us with injured virgil and beautiful scenery and pure unadulterated fluff. what a beautiful world you have created. sotto voce is just. phenomenal. there are no words for how much it blows me away every time i reread. the prince who would be king?? i don’t normally read medieval stuff but this???? is everything!!! (2)             

shooting star hurts so much but in the best way, you are TOO GOOD to us. finally. i will stop soon dw, but listen, live, lie, laugh, learn & love??? honestly probably my favourite fic ever. i come back to it often and just weep every time because it’s a masterpiece and virgil is so perfect in it, i am just so in love with your writing style. every time you post i get a happy leap in my chest & i get inspired to write my own so thank you for making me love writing again. you’re the best xoxo (3)        

-o-o-o-

I woke up to these this morning and oh my god, I have just reread this so many times trying to work out how to do justice and answer such lovely words ::hugs you so much::

I really couldn’t have written what I have without this wonderful fandom to keep me going. You, in particular, have always been so encouraging and amazing to me, how can I not keep writing?  I stumble across your comments from time to time while rereading fic and they are just so encouraging ::hugs you madly::

I’m sorry to hear that life is being nasty to you ::offers you a Virgil to hug:: I hope things improve as soon as possible. ::more hugs:: I’m glad my fic helps just a little bit. I know I’ve used fanfic in the past to get through rough patches, so I’m really just returning the favour.

Regarding the fics you mention: (wherein Nutty babbles about behind the scenes of her fics)

The Dentist - My most recent actually started out as supposed to be funny, but I’m never in control of these things. I drew from my own phobic experiences (though not of dentists and certainly not caused like Virgil’s). I grew up in a, shall we say, unsympathetic environment to a sensitive child (I am sensitive to a whole bunch of things - side effect of my artistic abilities, I guess, has it’s up and down sides) and developed at least two phobias that messed with my life. The only thing I ask is if someone says they are scared of something, please respect that and assist them in working with it rather than mocking them. It may seem stupid, but the fear is real and terrifying. And yes, Scott Tracy, I’m looking at you - treat Brains with a little more respect, you arrogant flyboy. Not everyone has the same talents. Thank you so much for your kind words and for reading through what turned out to be a very emotional fic ::hugs you lots::

We’ll Be Home For Christmas - I feel Secret Santa is really a gift to everyone. We all enjoy reading each other’s fics and I’m so glad you are enjoying this one. This one has been magical for me. I have learnt so much researching it and I feel I’ve been on the voyage with the boys. Poor Virg, though, I had to injure him just to get the plot moving. I am so mean to him :D I will finish this fic. It has to be finished. I’m enjoying it far too much for it not to be finished. As to the world, I didn’t create it ::hugs:: The beauty of it is that it actually exists just north of New Zealand. I have watched so many videos of this amazing place, I will have to share when the fic is finished :D

Tales of Sotto Voce - This series will always have a big place in my heart as it impacted on my writing like no fic before it. I learnt so much and enjoyed it so much. I really need to finish The Price because John needs to have the last say in this saga and boy, does he have a lot to say. Thank you so much for rereading it. It is always wonderful to hear that my archived words are still being read ::hugs::

The Prince Who Would Not Be King - I’m a little scared of this one. It could essentially become a novel and it would be a steep learning curve for my writing skills. The amount of work involved is daunting and honestly it is tempting :D But not until I finish Shooting Star, We’ll Be Home For Christmas and The Hero :D It seems I can write things at the drop of a hat, in fifteen minutes, at lunch, before work, early in the writing piece, but each story gets to about the three-quarter mark and then I really have to start thinking hard to make sure I tie up all the loose ends and deliver what the story demands - this can’t be done at odd minutes, so gets relegated to time off work where I can focus, hence the delays. Plus my frickin’ muse often refuses to behave ::glares at it:: I’ll wrangle with it and will win eventually ::glares at it some more::

Shooting Star - I was looking at this one yesterday. I have the conclusion worked out, I’m just trying to segway into it. Muse wouldn’t co-operate so I wrote Together instead. This was supposed to be a simple Virgil-John chat fic. It blew up in my face. The emotions in this one just hurt. But I feel it is a conversation the boys had to have. Scott would not just leave his brother up there with a potentially murderous AI. There has to be a reason why it all worked out...and some how or other I now have to illustrate exactly that ::headdesk:: How do I get myself into these situations? But anyway, some more is written, I just have to make it work properly. Thank you for sticking with me as I stumble through my brain working things out :D

Listen, Live, Lie, Laugh, Learn & Love - I have always loved the 5 + 1 fic format, but had never written one. At this point I wasn’t sure I could finish such a challenging format (yeah, look at my long fics now, but back then I was terrified I didn’t have it in me). I also had no idea where the fic was going until about halfway through, was totally new to the fandom and to Virgil’s character and to this day still worry I bent his character oddly with the choir boy bit. It is true that canon Virgil has never sung on screen (that I’ve been able to discover) so this fic is possible, but I’ve never been entirely confident I pulled it off well. So yeah, lots of doubt hovering around this early piece, so your words mean ever so much to me, particularly about this fic ::hugs you lots::

But most of all, the best thing you’ve said in all this is that you are inspired to write. I couldn’t ask for more. There is never anything more wonderful than knowing I have helped another artist pick up a pen or brush or take that step to push their ideas out into the world. The world is so much better the more art and creativity unleashed upon it. The world is crazy about science and technology, but the truth of the matter is that art and creativity and innovation underpin everything our species has ever achieved. That and art can offer such relief from a crazy world that does not lend itself to the natural rhythms of life.

::grin:: I’m not a coffee drinker like the Virg, but you wanna see Nutty devolve into a similar bearhead to the sans coffee Virgil, just see what happens when I’m denied my creative time. You get fic cos Nutty needs to exercise her creativity everyday. It keeps me healthy. It comes in many forms and media, but at the moment it is writing and TAG and yay, lots of fic :D

Aaaand, I’m babbling. Apparently I like to talk about myself ::ducks head shyly:: Sorry :D

But thank you ever, ever so much for all your support. It means ever so much to me and the only way I can really express it is to write more fic. :D

Which reminds me - I do take prompts, do you have something in particular you would like me to write? I’ve just come up on my 100th TAG fic on Ao3 and I should celebrate. I don’t think I’ve written you a special fic. Would you like to make a request?

::Hugs you ever so madly and sticks marshmallows down your shirt::

Thank you so much for reading and being so kind and putting up with my crazy.

Nutty

(off the edge, learning to fly, ignoring that damned migraine I had this morning and worshipping the almighty paracetamol)

[taynuz]

Chapter 3, Staff Only Christmas Party

December 1995

The next three months seemed to have flown by. You assisted Pomona during her classes and even got to teach a couple of first years when she had developed a case of Mumblemumps. Calling professors by their first names became much easier every day; you were finally on a first name basis with everyone which made you feel more like an equal. It had taken you the longest to call Professor Snape by his first name and from time to time you still felt it appropriate to keep his title when addressing him.

The new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor was an amphibian-like woman who was obsessed with the colour pink and cats, two things that you despised. Sufficed to say you and Dolores Umbridge did not seem to get along well at all. She had questioned your apprenticeship and even threatened to turn you over to the Minister of Magic for being an “illegal instructor” since you hadn’t been out of school for the minimum three years. However, you had something on your side that she didn’t, Dumbledore. Luckily, Dumbledore had given you the proper title of “Student Teacher” apparently there is no rule against how old you have to be to shadow an actual professor. Umbridge didn’t take kindly to not getting her way and would throw you the stink eye and make snide comments whenever she could.

You weren't about to let an irritating colleague ruin your mood because Christmas was fast approaching and you were so excited to have your first break of the school year. Christmas had always been your favorite time at Hogwarts and it wasn’t just the decorations or the feast. Every year, your parents would travel to some obscure country for the holiday and it was the only time that they didn’t mind your absence from a family event.

You were in Sprout’s study, she was helping you learn how to develop lesson plans when two letters slid under the door frame and landed in the middle of the room. The letter inside had fancy gold calligraphy at the top that read,

1,005th Annual Staff Only Christmas Party

December 17th, 1995 8 p.m.

Headmaster’s Study

Inside the envelope, there was a separate slip of paper that had a list of names whizzing around as if it were the end credits of a movie.

“Pomona, what is this exactly?” You held the sheet up to show her.

“Ah, yes, that is the Secret Santa drawing. When you tap it with your wand it stops on a name and that's who you are the Secret Santa for. Every time someone gets a name it is removed from everyone else’s list to prevent duplicates! So you better pick fast or there won't be much left to choose from.”

You pulled out your wand, closed your eyes and tapped the paper. You were excited but nervous about who you would get, you had a few ideas in mind for certain people but you were hoping to get Minerva. She had been talking about needing to resupply her teapots and dinner plates to use in her classes. You slowly opened your eyes, when you saw the name in front of you felt your cheeks go red.

You knew exactly what to buy and headed off to Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade the next day to buy some things for Pomona as well as your Secret Santa gift. You made your stops at Gringotts, Dogweed and Deathcap, Ceridwin’s Cauldrons, and you even stopped for a little treat for yourself at Honeyduke’s before returning to your room to assess your goods.

The students became more and more anxious about the holiday coming up and it had become difficult to maintain focus in class. Professor Sprout tried to keep to a productive lesson plan but found that to be nearly impossible, instead, the students ended up learning about the magical properties of poinsettias and mistletoe. You were just as excited for Christmas as the students were and on the last day of term, you had convinced Pomona to cancel class and let the students have a free period. Once word spread you were the one that had persuaded Professor Sprout to take a day off you instantly became one of the favorite “professors” of many students.  

The day had come, at last, the day of the Staff Only Christmas Party. You, Minerva and Septima Vector (the Arithmancy teacher) had taken a girls day to get your hair done and buy new dresses for the occasion. The first stop was to the hair salon across from Honeyduke’s, after the appointment Minerva had to run into the sweet shop to get a last minute gift for her recipient, which at this point you guessed was Professor Dumbledore. Then you went to Twilfitt and Tatting’s for new dresses. Minerva had picked a beautiful sapphire dress with silver embellishments while Septima had gone with her obvious color of scarlet. You were still oblivious to fashion so they helped you pick out an emerald dress with an elegant golden design going down the back.

As you were leaving the shop you remembered you also needed to make one more stop for a last minute addition to your gift. Minerva and Septima waited outside Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment for you before disapparating back to the castle.

There was only an hour left until the party, you decided to start your makeup and wrap the box containing flasks and bottles. When you looked at the time you panicked, you only had 15 minutes to get dressed and up to Dumbledore’s study.

You arrived at the entrance of the Headmasters office five minutes late and was greeted by the gargoyle, who looked festive in a Santa hat and an ugly sweater. It was then you had realized, you hadn’t gone into Dumbledore's office this year and you didn’t know the password.

“Fizzing Whizbee.”

The gravelly voice behind you made you jump. Luckily, Severus had arrived just in time otherwise you were sure you would have missed the entire celebration.

“Thank you, Professor Snape.”

“Feel free to call me by my name seeing as we are equal to a certain extent now and we are in an informal setting.” His voice serious but lighter than usual.

“Thank you, Severus.” Your face felt hot as you climbed the winding staircase to the brightly decorated office. The party was absolutely gorgeous, you had complimented Dumbledore on his excellent choice of decor and music.

The night was full of wonderful small talk and the occasional Christmas carol lead by Albus. Once the party had started to wind down, the time had come to open presents. Pomona opened a new set of trowels, which she had guessed were from Professor Flitwick, Albus was ecstatic to receive a pair of wool socks and packs of peppermint toads and exploding bonbons, and Professor Trelawney nearly cried at the sight of her new handmade tarot card deck. When your turn came you realized you never talked about things you had wanted and were nervous to see if you would like the gift. You opened the small but heavy rectangle and realized it was a book, when you turned to the front you realized it wasn’t just any book. It had been a near mint version of Moste Potente Potions, you wished this was a part of your collection since your sixth year but were unable to find a complete copy. (Most pages in the books you found had been ripped out or illegible due to age).

“I’ve been trying to get a decent copy of this for over a year! Thank you so much!” You didn’t even try to hold back a wide smile.

You were too busy skimming through your new favorite possession to notice almost everyone else opening their gifts, though nobody seemed to care you weren't paying attention.

“Severus,” Dumbledore’s voice startled you out of your daze. “I believe yours is the final box there.”

Severus walked apprehensively over to the giant tree in the corner and grabbed the green and black wrapped present. When he opened the top his face went from doubt to surprise as he pulled out the newest Collapsable, Self-Stirring, Hex-Proof Gold cauldron and placed it on the table looking it over as if he couldn’t believe his eyes.

“This is truly a magnificent cauldron.” He said resorting back to his serious tone as if he had caught himself showing emotion.

“I believe that’s not all,” Dumbledore said as he looked in the box.

Severus check again and pulled out a set of flasks and bottles.

“Thank you. I really appreciate these gifts.” He kept staring at them so as not to make eye contact with anyone.

“Thank you all for participating in the festivities! Another successful year in the books! Feel free to relax and enjoy another drink. Unfortunately, I must retire for the evening; I have some business to attend to immediately. Happy Christmas to you, if you are going home to enjoy the holiday with your families and I will see you in the new year.” With that Dumbledore disapparated.

You took a spot on the couch and began reading through the potions. The staff slowly started saying their goodbyes as they left one by one. An hour later it had just been Minerva, Madam Pomfrey, Severus and yourself left in the room. Madam Pomfrey came over to you with a tipsy McGonagall on her shoulder.

“(Y/N), my dear. Would you mind bringing Minerva's gifts back to her study for me when you get a chance?  I’m going to put her to bed.”

“Of course!” You were happy to help.

Seeing Minerva in this state was funny as she had completely dropped her eloquent tone and replaced it with drunken babble.

“Happy Curshmis to yah (y/n)! You look sssso pretty in your dress! Doesn’ she look sooooo pretty Poppy?” McGonagall garbled.

“Yes dear, very pretty.” Pomfrey agreed, giving you a smile that said ‘Don’t mind her’.

“Isn’ she pretty, Sevrus?” She hiccuped and giggled.

Snape had pretended to not hear her as Madam Pomfrey helped her down the steps.

You finished reading about slow acting venoms when you decided that was enough for tonight. You grabbed Minerva’s teapots and dinner plates and put them in your bag that had an Extension Charm on it.

“Good night, Severus.” You said turning to leave.

“Collapsable, Self-Stirring, Hex-Proof Gold Cauldron. The exact one that I just so happened to save an ad for from The Daily Prophet.” His tone was sarcastic but not rude.

“Well, your Secret Santa must be observant.” You were trying to play it off like it wasn’t you but you were sure that he knew.

“Quite. I do hope you enjoy your book, Ms. (Y/L). You are welcome to come by if you would like to attempt to make any of the potions. I have made them all at least once.”

How could you have been so oblivious?

“Where were you able to find such a near perfect copy? I’ve been searching for ages,” you asked.

“I wouldn’t have guessed a witch like yourself would ever make a trip to Knockturn Alley. A bit dangerous for a young witch to wander the shops alone.”

“I think I can handle myself just fine. It also helps that nearly everyone there knows my father.” You tried to come off as brave even though you were always a little nervous about shopping there and always made sure you went during the day.

“Well, the shopkeep at Ye Olde Curiosity was a siphon of information about someone who came in looking for an old book only to be disappointed at the nature of its condition.” He gave a sly half-grin.

“And how pray tell, did you know about my shop of choice when inquiring about rarities?” You have never told anyone of your adventures down the infamous alley.

“You aren’t the only one that shops in Knockturn Alley, Ms. (L/N).” He finally met your gaze and seemed to have accidentally cracked a smile. He turned back to his cauldron quickly, embarrassed by his moment of vulnerability.

You stepped closer and caught his eye again.

“Happy Christmas, Severus.”

“To you as well, (Y/N)” He gave a nod and began to pack up the gifts you gave him. You walked to the stairs sleepy and merry, his voice made you stop right you before you went down the steps.

“Ms. (L/N)?” He sounded more serious now. “Please let me know the next time you would like to venture to Knockturn Alley. I’d like to see to it that you are protected, you never know what could happen there.”

Your cheeks flushed bright red.

“Of course, Severus.”

Falling asleep had been easy with a belly full of Firewhiskey and Pumpkin Pasties. Unfortunately, your sleep had been interrupted by the sound of someone apparating into your room.

“(Y/L)! Take my hand, we need you at Grimmauld!”

Your eyes hadn’t quite adjusted to the dark but you knew that voice. You took Dumbledore’s hand and disapparated from your bed.

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

[cap-cavern]

Please recommend me some franticshipping fan fictions you have written!

Thank you for the ask, anon! ^^

And oh boy. My works? My works? Someone slap me……..

You know what I’ll just dump these here https://archiveofourown.org/series/1163342 I’m kidding XD

Despite that I have written 1 poem, 35 one-shots, and 4 multi-chap franticshipping fanfics so far, I’ll recommend what I think are the ones I enjoyed most. So…I hope you’ll like them! :D

Also,  I’m going to provide the links with my AO3 account so if you happen to use FFN, well, the titles are the same and all of it is published there anyways. ^^

Another thing, the 33 one shots are all published in 1 fic called “Randomizer”, so yeah. ^^’

1. A Resolution

Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/13251369

“A Resolution” has some slight franticshipping thrown in there, so I guess it counts. XD

I’ve always wondered how will that talk between Sapphire and Zinnia go so I wrote one just to fill the gap. ^^

I’ve published it last January 2018 so the writing style is a bit old. ^^’

2. Insecurities

Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/10209806/chapters/22876500

Judging by the title, it’s about Sapphire’s insecurities. I published it last year so again, the writing style is a bit old….very old.

3. Fashion Statement

Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/10209806/chapters/23947572

I got this idea after seeing @aru_tem’s and @ha_na_ppa’s arts on twitter. It’s about Ruby wearing that leaf outfit. Why? Well, I guess reading it will do. ^^’

4. An Arcade Story

Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/10209806/chapters/24905697

Just Ruby and Sapphire spending their time in the arcade~ :>

5. A Token of Appreciation

Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/10209806/chapters/27256761

This actually came from my real life experience. To make it short, I accompanied my classmate to the flower shop to buy a sunflower for her girlfriend. I think it’s a special day for them. But anyway, I based our trip on that and the best part of that trip? My other classmate buying a cactus for herself. XD (It was a fun memory sfksd)

6. A Movie Date

Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/10209806/chapters/27639330

The title pretty much explains itself. But of course, this wouldn’t be possible without @fabulousblackunicorn ‘s amazing franticshipping art where Ruby and Sapphire watches a scary movie. Definitely a great art!

Here’s the link for their art: https://fabulousblackunicorn.tumblr.com/post/160400702930/weak-to-horror-films

7. Experiences throughout the holidays

Link https://archiveofourown.org/works/10209806/chapters/29969934

It’s my entry for the Pokespe secret santa event last year so…it’s a Christmas themed fic.

8. Secret Base Haven

Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/10209806/chapters/30318591

This is the fic that I worked hard for months. Published last January 2018. Do you know those rhythmic tiles that you place in your secret base in the RSE and ORAS games? Yeah, I kinda based that idea there. Imagine Ruby asking Sapphire for a dance on those tiles? OwO

9. A Journey Through Meals

Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/10209806/chapters/32093826

The title again is self-explanatory so yeah. I love food and cooking even though I’m still learning sfhdfsfs

10. Mister Florist and Teacher

Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/10209806/chapters/32093826

I got this idea when I saw @swimmer39life’s art on twitter about that AU. It’s cute and I couldn’t resist to write it. A friend who translated it on discord is the savior for translating the tweet. ^^

11. Limits of Patience

Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/10209806/chapters/32093826

A collab fic with @1358456 !

12. Hot Springs

Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/10209806/chapters/37141640

It’s a fic based on @aru_tem’s doujin on pixiv! And judging by the title, yes, yes they went to the hot springs. And no, this is a child-friendly rated fic. XD

13. Incomplete

This is a multi-chap fic that I’ve been working on for a long while. It’s not yet finished and not sure when will I update but I hope all the hard work I put in this fic will be worth it. ^^

Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/16043540/chapters/37452356

Summary:  Sapphire, alongside Moon, has worked hard over the past two years perfecting a miracle medicine. However, something happens that’ll put her relationships and career in danger.

I still have 21 franticshipping one-shots saved in my drafts and I haven’t published them yet. Not sure when but I do like the recent ones I’ve written so far. But for now, those are the fics that I recommend to you. They’re a few considering I have published 40 franticshipping fanfics in 2 years, but oh well.

Thank you for the ask again and I hope you’ll enjoy reading them as much as I loved writing them. ^^

[jaeminlore]

Snow Queen | Doyoung

summary: doyoung wants his niece to have a good Christmas

words: 1.5k+

category: fluff?, angst?

warning(s): mention of past death

a/n: secret santa for @moonofmirrors! ( @playnct and @nctinc ) might make a part 2 idk :)

There were things life really couldn't prepare you for. There was high school, and grades that taught math and science. There were four years of university and a business degree that taught communication and numbers. If Doyoung wanted to get technical, he could agree that yes, he had definitely learned something within his first twenty years of life. But within his twentieth year, something happened that Doyoung could've never predicated.

When his sister-in-law died in a tragic car crash, there were many things in Doyoung's life that had to be shifted around.

There was grief and pain that came with the sudden news, and Gongmyung was overcome with a wave of depression. Doyoung knew his brother like the back of his hand. Gongmyung was emotionally bound to people, and so easily so, that a tragic event like this could crumble his resolve like nothing. It had happened all the time growing up, through their grandparents dying and the occasional break up. Doyoung thought it was best not to get so attached to people, and he often told his brother so, but it was difficult to talk to someone who didn't want to listen. He finally got Gongmyung to get up and move, the pain of memories resurfacing around every corner finally becoming a memory of it's own.

Gongmyung was in no condition to take care of his business, let alone his four-year-old daughter, Jisu. So, Doyoung moved into the city to live with his brother. It wasn't perfect, just a small three-bedroomed apartment with a bad view of a nearby brick wall. It smelt like exhaust most of the time, and Doyoung often worried about Jisu getting a cold from the draft that managed to filter through the window. But it was theirs. It was their small little home, a bit a ways from where Doyoung's business degree was hung up just beside Jisu's painting of a bunny that she had drawn for him.

Adapting to life in the city was a bit strange for him, especially because he was used to the rural areas: dirt roads and small shops. Now not only was he taking over his brother's job, he was also taking care of his niece for the most part, allowing his brother necessary time to grieve. It had been nearly five months, but with Christmas coming up, memories were flooding through Gongmyung's mind, bursting through in the form of tears.

Jisu was a strong little girl, and she enjoyed the time she got to spend with her uncle. Doyoung took her out most of the time, always complaining that the apartment they lived in was too stuffy and cold. It was no match for the nearby park, and the playground that could keep Jisu occupied for hours.

That's where it all started: Jisu's fascination with the snow princess. They lived in a notable town, and most notable towns (and even non-notables) have a Christmas parade. Maybe a festival, if the streets aren't good. But in his particular city, Neo City, the parade featured a very special guest every year: the Snow Queen.

She was simply a volunteer from the city, whose identity was unknown to the public. It kept up mystery for children and adults alike, who saw the Queen as her own character. Neo City's very own entity, who spread joy and hope for Christmas throughout. Doyoung thought it was rather outrageous for a city to have their very own princess. Or queen, rather. The princess was chosen anew every Christmas, out of many little girls who auditioned. Still, he would do just about anything to make his niece happy, and since she was finally old enough to audition as the princess and Gongmyung was at work, it was up to Doyoung to take her instead.

That was how he found himself in the waiting room of a very prestigious building, mixing office coffee with a plastic spoon while waiting for Jisu to return from makeup. Makeup for children was another strange concept he didn't quite care for, but hey, Jisu's eyes sparkled when she saw blue eyeshadow in a way they hadn't sparkled in a long time. Doyoung figured that that enough should stray his view.

And if the day couldn't get any more unpredictable, it was just then that you ran into the waiting room, dressed in a fancy white gown, a box tucked under your arm.

If Doyoung didn't know any better, he'd think you were some runaway bride who stole the good luck money on her way out. Since he had common sense however, he could deduct why you were here. "How very un-queenly of you to arrive out of character and late, of all things," he spoke cheekily, hiding his smirk behind the rim of his styrofoam cup.

You cut a glance at him, and since Doyoung was ever-so-observant, he noticed the small once-over you gave him, followed by a faint dusting of red spread across your cheeks.

Another boyish grin covered his face, and he cocked his head to the side as he watched you set the box on the counter and open it. He could see now that it was a makeup kit, filled with various products Doyoung was surprised he knew the names of.

"I know," you hurried out, grabbing the some eyeliner and a handheld mirror, "but my car stopped working and you would never believe how hard it was to get this dress through office security."

Doyoung felt confused for a moment before you laughed rather spritely, filling him with some unknown feeling he couldn't quite register. "I'm joking."

"Ah," Doyoung managed to look embarrassed, turning his head to the open window before looking back at you. At the moment, you were smearing some blue eyeshadow over your eyelids. He could see you struggling not to get any powder on your white dress. "Er... here," he handed you his jacket, a black bomber. "You can use this as a shield... for your dress."

"Thank you," you said. "So, what's your name?"

"Me?" Doyoung widened his eyes curiously, as if he wasn't the only other person in the room. "I'm Doyoung."

"What brings you here, Doyoung?"

"My niece," he answered, "she wants to be in the parade."

"Ah," you said, nodding, "and you waited out here to get in good with the queen herself?"

Doyoung laughed, shaking his head to hide his smile into his coffee cup. "Jisu's getting her makeup done, and I came out for some coffee."

You finished off your face then, quite skilled at the art so it didn't take you long. Besides, it was all in the eye makeup anyway. You closed your mirror and turned to Doyoung with a smile, "What do you think?"

Doyoung's eyes widened for a moment, and you thought it made him look very innocent and cute. "You look beautiful. Like an actual queen."

Heat filled your cheeks unconsciously and you stood up with your things. "Thanks."

"Do you think I did well?" Jisu worried her bottom lip as Doyoung carried her across the busy street. "I think my curtsy was off."

"I think you did perfectly," Doyoung said, his mind half on his niece and half on wondering if he should've gotten your number. Then he felt stupid, for he hadn't even gotten your name.

They arrived back at the apartment quickly, and Doyoung set out to make lunch while Jisu tended to her favorite activity: shaking her Christmas presents to feel what's inside.

"Come eat, Jisu," Doyoung said when lunch was done. He set the food out on the counter and helped Jisu into her stool.

"Thanks, Uncle Doyoung."

Doyoung smiled and ruffled her hair. He looked at her fondly for a moment, marveling in the way she looked just like her mother and nearly nothing like his brother, save her eyes. "No problem, kiddo. I hope we get that call."

As he spoke, the cell phone in his pocket rang. He gave Jisu an excited smile, and the child squealed in laughter, "Answer it! Answer it!"

Doyoung told her to quiet down as he placed the phone to his ear. "Hello?"

"Hey, Doyoung, it feels like just minute ago we were talking in the waiting room," you greeted him from across the line.

Upon hearing your voice, Doyoung smiled. "I'm glad you called."

"Me too," you answered, "I had to fight the phone away from my boss. Anyways, I wanted to be the first to congratulate Jisu for getting the part!"

"She'll be so excited. Thank you so much."

"No problem," you giggled over the phone. "Maybe we could talk about the parade over coffee?"

"Are you asking me on a date?"

"...Maybe."

Doyoung grinned, "How's tomorrow morning?"

Once the two of you made proper plans, he hung up and swiveled around to see Jisu's hopeful eyes on him. "Guess who's this year's Snow Princess?"

"Yes!" Jisu jumped off of the stool, into a startled Doyoung's arms. "I'm gonna be in the parade!"

Doyoung smiled. This would be a good Christmas. Then he frowned. He had forgotten once again to ask for your name.

[bugheadjones-the-third]

Bughead Secret Santa 2017 . Title: It’s The Most Wonderful Time . Summary: Set in the timeline where Jughead moved in with the Coopers. It’s Christmas at the Coopers’ and Betty will make sure her boyfriend feel at home while opening the presents. . A/N: Merry Christmas, everyone! This is my gift for @redhead-riverdale​ ! Yes, you are my amiga secreta XD Even if you told me that you d'int really read a lot of fanfic, I seriously wouldn't know what else to do.... I'm terrible with edits and fan arts, so writing you some words felt like a safer choice! That or, well, I could've sent you some cookies through mail. Depending on how far apart we live from each other, they could still be warm haha

Also, thank you, @iamdarkandtwisty for the whole thing! I hope the story makes justice to your adorable prompt! It won't be as incredible as Domesticity (that's TOO adorable) but I think it can make people smile! Have fun!

. . . . His blue eyes took a lot longer to open on that cold, cozy morning than on any other morning he had spent at the Coopers’ household. His ears had captured the sound of steps and girly voices coming from the hall, and slowly, his body started to respond to the first rays of sun creeping through the window. The room where he was currently sleeping in was pink and strangely cheerful, much like the one next door, and every time his eyes trailed around, the raven haired boy managed to find a new, girly adornment his minimalist conscious had shamefully missed before.

As he could also see, snow was falling outside, covering the entire town in a cold, winter blanket, and that entire scenery made his decision to fully wake up even harder. He was warm under those covers, and it had been long since he had laid on such a soft mattress. The pillow smelled like lavender, the sunlight wasn’t hitting his eyes, no ginger boy was doing push-ups in the corner and everything inside of him was begging for him to drift back to sleep.

Jughead Jones certainly didn’t want to get out of bed that morning. Even if it was Christmas morning, it was still— well, morning.

At that very moment, many children around the world were probably running around their hallways, banging on every door and jumping on their parents’ bed so they could all go see what the old man dressed in red had left them under the tree. He remembers all the times he did that around his house, and also when his little sister took over such an important task to bring everyone together in the trailer’s living room. She was always so happy and loud that he would always wake up several minutes before she actually opened the door and showed up in his room with that toothless smile of hers.

Christmas mornings were, indeed, quite nice back then. Unlike what many people thought, Jughead never identified himself as The Grinch, no. He’s always enjoyed the holidays with his family back then, and perhaps, were they all together again, waking up would be a lot easier with the living, christmas alarm he calls sister.

Perhaps, if there was still someone who would remember to wake him up, he could allow himself to express his christmas spirit.

But during his current situation, it was not like such thing would happen any time soon. Or at least that was what he thought right before turning around in bed so he wouldn’t have to face the door anymore. If only had he held his gaze on that spot for a little longer, though, Jughead would’ve seen as that small figure silently made her way into his room.

Who even needed a chimney, right?

As he was uselessly trying to return to his dreams, the raven haired boy didn’t notice as her feet crossed the entire carpet until she was standing just a few inches away from him, her head dipped down so her lips were almost brushing his ears. Jughead certainly couldn’t tell how long she stood there, but he was only able to identify her presence when he felt the air shift near him once she finally took a deep breath. He, then, quickly turned around, but it was way too late for the raven haired boy to stop whatever adorably evil plan Betty Cooper had prepared for him.

“Merry Christmas, Jug!”

His eyes widened at the unexpected scream that escaped her lips, and before he could even allow his brain to think straight, a surprised — and definitely not scared— scream escaped his own lips. His body shook under the covers, as his girlfriend’s childish act almost made him fall out of bed, and it didn’t take long for her laughter to fill the room.

That pesky girl, he thought, as he stilled his breathing.

He was certainly not going to let her get away with that. He would get his revenge and she would pay for making a fool out of him.

Or at least that was what he had in mind until his eyes finally turned to see the source of such automatic reaction.

“ Didn’t know you were such a scaredy cat, Jug.”

Oh, that girl…

As he felt the edge of the mattress shifting under her weight, Jughead almost had to remind himself to breath due to the astonishing beauty in front of him. Her harlow-gold hair was falling over her shoulders, her cheeks were blushing in a darker shade of pink due to her laughter, and her green eyes— even if half covered by her eyelids— were showing nothing but the purest innocence of a christmas morning. Betty looked stunning as she carelessly allowed herself to let out genuine laughter, and he could bet she had no idea how much she was affecting him at that moment.

She was making him feel happy and excited, and it wasn’t even 9am. His girlfriend certainly had a contagious joy in that pretty smile of hers, and he was certainly not going to be the one to resist it. Not when he could still have his revenge over her.

“Oh, you!” Jughead started, a smirk playing around his lips as he wrapped his arms around her waist. He saw as her expression changed and he heard her gasp just before pulling her small body underneath his. “ You’re not escaping your mortal fate, Elizabeth Cooper!”

She chuckled, again. “ what do you mean, Jug— No!!” Betty couldn’t even finish her sentence before a new wave of uncontrollable laughter took over her. She could feel her body contracting itself as his hands wandered around her skin, tickling her in all the possible places he managed to reach. Her face was getting redder, her hands shifted from her belly to his hands in a weak attempt to pull him away, and she just couldn’t breath. Perhaps she shouldn’t have woken him up before 10am. “ S-Stop it, Jug! haha S-Stop!”

“ Nope! You know the rules!”

“ I-I’m sorry! I-I—“

“ What? I didn’t hear you, Betty? Did you just say you’re sorry?”

“ Y-Yes! I’m sorry, Jughead! I-I can’t breath!!”

“Uhm… Should I let you go so easily?” He said, smirking down at her.

“ Y-Yes! P-please, Jug! I’m gonna die!”

“ Oh, come on… You can improve your game, Cooper.”

“Y-You…You can have my pancakes!”

“ Now we’re talking.”

After what felt like an eternity, he finally stopped his hands and the girl managed to breath. Her eyes were closed, her chest was going up and down frantically, almost brushing his, and it was only when he felt her hot breath tickling his lips that Jughead realized the position in which they were left.

Betty was exhausted underneath him, her hair splayed around the pillow and her pj's shirt lifted high enough so her navel was exposed. She smelled like lilies, her cheeks were still red, her lips parted— and fuck,  as soon as her eyes lazily opened to look at him, Jughead felt his throat going dry and his heart skipping a beat.

His girlfriend was beautiful, and as she laid there, completely unaware of what she was doing to his boyish senses, Jughead couldn’t help but curse himself for those kind of thoughts on a christmas morning. Santa would never forgive him, and Alice Cooper would murder him, for sure.

He could not have those thoughts, no.

“ Jug?”

But, god, she wasn’t making things any easier for him.

“ Betty, I-I… “ He blushed a little, earning a giggle from the girl. All his thoughts were written all over his face, and at that moment, she realized it could be her chance to get her own revenge for making her give up on her pancakes.

Without wasting another second, the blonde lifted her head and captured his lips in a chaste kiss that lasted long enough to take his breath away. His lips, as always, were soft and she couldn’t help but enjoy how it felt to have his body slowly pressing down against hers. His hand slowly made its way to her waist, and as soon as she pulled away, Betty could see how she had left him confused. Another chuckle took over her lips, and she felt an unusual pleasure at the defeated smirk that took over his expression.

“ You know… Your mother is just outside this door. If she sees us like this, she’s going to murder me.”

“ I know… But we can pretend there’s a mistletoe above our heads.”

“ Of course.” He sighed, as his eyes shifted from hers to her lips. “ Because inside your sister’s room is the perfect place for a mistletoe.”

“ We’re certainly a weird family, don’t you think?”

“ I’m sure you are.” He pressed another firm kiss on her lips, and at that moment, he knew better than to believe his girlfriend was as scared of her mother as he was. He tried to hold back, and— god, he just couldn’t believe he had found himself wishing Alice’s supernatural senses would interrupt them again. Their bodies were pressed against one another, her hands were traveling around his free, dark locks, and he could feel her tongue pecking at his lips.

His girl would be the death of him, for sure. She was so confident and so eager to keep doing what she was doing, and he couldn’t help but wish she continued with her actions, even if just for a little longer.

He couldn’t help but wish for her, even if just for a little longer.

But neither of them should ever doubt Alice’s perfect timing.

“ Betty, hurry up! Just throw some water on him and get this with over already!”

The scream coming from downstairs made both of them stop their actions. She was left biting her lower lip, and he allowed a sarcastic smirk to take over his expression. Of course she wouldn’t miss that opportunity.

“ Maybe we should go downstairs before my mom actually comes up with a bucket of water.”

“ Yeah… “ He started, moving away from her body and sitting up. He watched from the corner of his eye as she did the same, trying to adjust her vest so her mother’s perfectionist eyes couldn't detect anything. Betty pulled her hair up in her characteristic ponytail, and smiled at him before standing up.

“ Come on… Let’s go open the presents.”

“ You go on ahead. I won’t stand in the middle of a Cooper moment.”

“ What are you talking about, Jug?” She frowned, a glimpse of sadness taking over her eyes as she watched him scratching the back of his neck.

“ Ah, you know… Your parents invited me to stay here and I feel really good and all, but… This is a family moment. Your family moment.”

“ Jug, don’t say—“

“ Besides, it’s not like there’s anything for me downstairs.”

Even if there was a small smile on his lips, Betty could see how he actually felt inside. Once again, he was feeling left out and that was certainly something she didn’t want present in his life ever again. Even if she understood how troubled things were around his life at that moment, it didn’t mean she would let him spend the holidays feeling as if there was no space for him under her family’s christmas tree. He’s the love of her life and a part of her family, and wether he liked it or not, Jughead would be going downstairs with her.

Without hesitating, the blonde walked up to him, and without bothering to listen to his protests, pulled him up from the bed and towards the door that would take them to the living room. He tried to tell her it was okay and that he didn’t mind, but she certainly did and she was not going to let him skip a christmas morning like that. Especially not after what she had done the previous night after he went to bed.

“ Betty, calm down! I really don’t wanna—“

“ Enough, Jughead Jones! You’re going downstairs with me, and you’re going not only because you’re a part of my family but also because you never know what Santa might have left for you under the tree!”

“ …What?” He stopped her, finally using his strength to hold her in place.

“ What did you not understand, Forsythe?”

The confused and embarrassed look on her face was enough to tell him exactly what he needed to know. The girl who had been kissing him just a couple of moments before was now standing right in front of him, and using Santa’s name to tell him there was something for him under the Cooper’s christmas tree. She was also rubbing the words my and family on his face, and even if most of the times he chooses to ignore when people try to use the volume of their voices on him, Jughead was certainly not going to ignore her.

Not when she meant everything she was saying at that very moment.

Not when that was probably the best present he could’ve ever asked for that year.

Jughead Jones must have been a really good boy.

His eyes, then, softened and she felt his hand squeezing hers in an affectionate way. Her heart skipped a beat when he reached out for her cheek with his other hand, and she allowed her own lips to curl up when his thumb brushed against her cheek. “ Thank you, Betty.”

A soft smile took over her lips, then, and she simply nodded in return. “ Come on… They’re waiting for us.”

She only allowed him to put his beanie on before both of them went downstairs to meet the rest of the family. Hal was on the couch, reading the paper; Polly was sitting next to the tree with a hand over her big belly; and Alice had her arms crossed over her chest, giving them the famous ‘you’re late’ look. When his eyes finally started to wander around the living room, it didn’t take long before he caught the side of an extra sock hanging on the fireplace, and he could feel his chest getting warmer at the sight of his name followed by a small, sewed crown. He gave his girlfriend a soft look, and as she held his arm, they both went towards the couch so the whole thing could actually start.

“ Now that the whole family is here…” Alice started, her lips almost curling up. “ Let’s do this, shall we?”

For she was standing closer to the tree, Polly was the first to grab one of the boxes. It was a small one, wrapped in green and with a red lace on top. The card held Alice’s name, and by the look on Hal’s face, the girls could tell he had actually listened to his daughters and bought his wife something different from the anual bickering gifts they exchange. The matriarch of the house, at first, tried to hold back the smile that threatened to take over her lips when she opened the box, but couldn’t and ended up giving in the urge to plant a small kiss on her husband's cheek. Apparently, she had loved the necklace Betty and Polly had picked the other day at the store, and if Alice Cooper was happy, then Christmas that year was safe.

The following boxes went to Polly and the future babies, as the entire family decided to give her a bunch of stuff for the upcoming Coopers-Blossoms. Even if Jughead had told Betty to give them blood transfer cupons for when they were born, the future godmother decided to stick with dippers and baby clothes. There were also couple of presents for Hal, who had been more than happy to get some new pens and some electronic devices he would probably never learn how to use. He would also be happier if he got things such as a new, better chair so he could watch Tv, but he was not going to complain.

Betty ended up getting more clothes than she would probably be able to wear, but the best present she got was, by far, the one her boyfriend gave her. It was an edition of Beloved signed by no one other than Toni Morrison, aka her favorite author ever— that is, until he released his novel. That book had certainly beaten all the other presents she had gotten, and he was certainly happy to see how much she had enjoyed it, since it was the least he could do to his beloved, who had made him so happy during that year.

Seeing her smiling so brightly and even getting a chaste kiss— with no hands involved, since Alice was watching their every move— was probably the best christmas gift he had ever received, and at that moment, he could pretty much head to the kitchen to get his pancakes.

But there were still some boxes waiting to be opened under the tree.

Unlike he had expected, Jughead got more presents than just the one he expected to get from Betty. All the family members ended up getting him some sort of present that went from classic movie collections to a new winter coat. Those were wonderful things, but in the end, his favorite Cooper gave him the one thing he didn’t know he needed for Christmas.

It was a MF Type Machine they had seen the other day, and it was in perfect conditions. That box had been the largest under the tree, and he would be lying if he told anyone that fact didn’t influence his childish happiness. It was one of the most beautiful things he had ever seen, and the fact that Betty had been the one to give it to him just made the whole thing a lot better.

“ Oh… Thank you, Betty.” He started, finally voicing out his thoughts after the rest of the family followed Alice to the kitchen. “ I-It’s wonderful.”

“ You’re welcome, Juggie. I saw how you looked at it the other day, so… I figured you would like that.”

“ I loved it, honestly…”  He said, smiling down as his fingers carefully brushed against the letters. “ This whole thing, actually. Thank you for pulling me out from the bed so early.”

“ You don’t have to thank me for that.” She smiled, finding a place by his side at the couch. “ It was already past 9am, and there was no way my mom would let you sleep any longer than that. Just imagine when the twins are born, though.”

“ Yeah…” He grinned, feeling somehow happy with the idea of still being around in the future. “ But seriously, what you and your family have been doing for me… I really appreciate that and it’s really more than I could’ve asked for this Christmas.”

“ Don’t be silly, Jug… You’re my family, and we’re not stopping until your dad is here opening presents with us.” She said, leaning her head on his shoulder and caressing his arm. He didn’t know if she could hear his heart hammering his ribcage, but he wouldn’t be surprised if so.

His girlfriend— his beautiful, smart and strong girlfriend was leaning against him, filling not only his nostrils with her inebriant, sweet scent, but also offering him so much more than any 16 year old girl could possibly offer. She was promising him a loving, supportive family, with christmas presents and pancakes for breakfast. She was offering him a future, where his father would be released and they could all celebrate together and be whole again.

That little girl was offering him all the love and care in the world, and normally, he should’ve known better than to believe the naive mind of a teenager. He should’ve known better that she held no power over most of the things she was promising him, and that life would probably make sure most of the things from her list wouldn’t be achieved.

He should’ve known better than to allow his heart to believe her.

But this girl— his girl… She was not like all the other teenagers they knew. She was not the typical stereotype he once believed her to be, and above all, Betty Cooper is a girl who fights for what she believes in. She’s not a quitter and if there is anyone out there in this world that can fulfill all those promises of a better future for him, this person is no other than her. She will fight for him and she won’t rest until the whole world is affected by her kindness.

Betty will bring his life happiness. More so than she already has. She will bring him new smiles for the rest of his life, and he would have to be a fool not to offer her the same things. Jughead will make her happy, too. He will make her smile and he will make sure to protect her while she tries to protect the world.

She is his most precious christmas present. And he will cherish her for all the Christmas that are still to come.

“ I don’t deserve you, Elizabeth Cooper.” He looked at her, and immediately, she lifted her head so she could look back at him. Their eyes were filled with softness and longing, and a love brighter than all the Christmas lamps of Riverdale combined.

“ You deserve so much more, Jug.” She smiled tenderly. “ You’re on the nice kids list.”

A sly smirk grew in his lips. “ I guess solving a murder has its perks.”

“ It sure does.”

And with those last, whispered words, they both leaned forward, their lips pressing softly against one another. After some hours of holding back, he finally allowed his right hand to cup her face so they could deepen the kiss a little. They were moving together in a loving rhythm, and it wasn’t until the scent of Alice’s cinnamon pancakes filled the air that they pulled apart. There was a smile on their faces as their foreheads were pressed together, and he watched as she trapped her lower lip in between her teeth.

“ Come on… Let’s go get your Christmas pancakes.” She said, standing up and offering him her hand.

“ Kiss and pancakes? it’s a merry christmas, indeed.”

[dreamingofketchup]

ash & dust

Merry Christmas to the amazing @ghost-kaiju!! I’m your secret santa! I hope you’ll enjoy this fic and the rest of the holidays! (and hopefully this will be uploaded to ao3 soon if I actually figure out how that site works haha)

I picked your first prompt: Kakuzu and Hidan: tag team of hitmen/assassins in modern AU (art or fic)

The Organization gathered the best hitmen from all around the world, masters of deception and assassination; freaks and outcasts and terrifyingly strong. Their methods are not the cleanest – but they always get the job done.

Kakuzu was considered a veteran among the members. No one really knew where he came from; they wasn't even sure Kakuzu was his real name and not many could claim that they had ever seen his face. There were only two things they were sure about: he would do anything for the right amount of money and he never fails a mission.

And his latest partner (Kakuzu preferred not to talk about what happened to the ones before him), Hidan, was also a peculiar one. A runaway kid who started out from the drug business in one of the gangs in the other side of the country and who soon gained fame when he – all alone in a summer afternoon (almost a year ago by now), wielding only his knife and a gun - murdered the head of the rival gang. And survived. That was when the Boss took interest in him and offered Hidan a place in the Organization. He refused at first. Then he refused again. Only when he realized – almost too late – how many people were after him (after the disgustingly high bounty on his head) did he accept the offer of the Akatsuki. No one really understood why didn't the Boss just hand him over for the money.

Together they were unstoppable. Hidan might not have been the most discreet one around – but he sure as hell enjoyed his job. Too loudly usually, lord, he just wouldn't shut up for a moment - but he was not afraid to get his hands dirty. Kakuzu was sure he would successfully finish a mission even if he got both his arms blown off. That brat was a fucking mess.

Kakuzu had to admit that Hidan, despite being the insufferable little bitch he usually was, complemented him quite well. The way he killed was ruthless and painful, but he was honest; he never killed from behind. He always told his victims what he's there for; sometimes they fled, some tried and fought back. Every now and then Kakuzu would watch him fight through the scope of his rifle, the fire in Hidan's eyes (he never bothered to ask about the unnatural eye colour; that was the least weird thing about Hidan), his rapid movements full of pure strength and brutality. He was anything but majestic, a demon incarnate, ugly and loud and ecstatic. It was so different from Kakuzu's cold and habitual professionalism; Hidan was alive when he was playing with death.

And nowadays there was something else in the way Hidan fought. A month or two ago while digging through Kakuzu's book collection he found an old book (Kakuzu couldn't even remember seeing it; he hadn't the slightest idea how it got there.) about an ancient, long forgotten religion, built on violence, pain and human sacrifice. It was practiced thousands of years ago, but Hidan claimed there were still people who called themselves the followers of the vengeful and bloodthirsty Jashin. And he would pray before a mission, holding onto some ugly handmade rosary. It was weird and disturbing, his devotion to this newly-found deity – and the prayers had the tendency to get annoyingly long. Kakuzu in exchange complained a lot about it, even though he understood him way too well; in this profession, in this life one needs such a fixation to avoid going insane.

---------

A few days ago the Boss called both of them to assign them a new mission; not a top one but better than nothing. All they had to do was to get rid of an enforcer and his posse from a Northern City gang. It wasn't unusual for the Organization to get involved in gang or mafia issues; the Boss could always dispatch someone who had affiliations with someone around. And this time it was Hidan. The target was part of a gang named Coppers who originated in Yugakure, Hidan's hometown, operating somewhere in the western blocks of the city. Hidan still had his sources (and the stupidity to actually accept the mission and go back) and Kakuzu decided not to ask too much.

The day of the mission arrived and it was time for him to leave now. Half past five; Hidan should be here already.

And as he left his flat, he could already spot the man leaning against his car on the sidewalk, eyes closed, rosary brought upon his chapped lips. He didn't pay attention even as he approached him. Kakuzu stood next to him in silence for almost a minute. Hidan knew that he was there. Kakuzu knew that he knew. The usual.

- Hey.

No answer. He tried again. Hidan didn't even bother.

- Couldn't you have done this at home? We should get going, idiot.

- Fuck off, I'm in the middle of something. - Hidan hummed, eyes still closed. They were going to be late.

- Can you really say “fuck” in a prayer?

- I'm praying for a good kill and you scold me for swearing? Nice.

- That's not what I meant. But could you just finish it in the car? - He threw their bags in the trunk of the car. He was starting to lose his patience.

- Whatever. I'm going to have to start again anyways, because someone interrupted me.

At that point Kakuzu decided not to say anything. He got in and reluctantly though, but Hidan crawled on the passenger seat too. He started his prayer again, and Kakuzu began driving. If there was one thing he was grateful about in Hidan's fucked up religion is that at least the prayers were silent. Mostly. After about twenty minutes of silence Hidan opened his eyes. He leaned back, stretching his arms.

- Finally that we got a fucking mission. It's really been a while.

- Yeah. - Kakuzu nodded.

- The Boss hates me I tell ya. That's why I hardly ever get any missions.

- Kakuzu decided to bite back his initial reply for this, and right before his silence could have been classified as awkward he could change the topic.

- So you know those guys?

- More or less. The Coppers were our buddies. They are real big on smuggling and whores, at least they were back then. Knew a chick there, always got her meth from me.

- Doesn't it feel weird, going back to them with this contract? - Kakuzu glanced over to his partner.

- Listen, they would've gladly shot me for a dime if things turned that way. And in fact, things did fucking turn that way so I don't give a shit.

- Fair enough.

Hidan sighed and rested his head against the window. They were sitting in silence for minutes. The sky was dark; tiny yellow dots indicated the neighbouring towns on the horizon.

- I wonder how things go up there nowadays.

- You miss them?

- You could say. I dunno. These kinds of people were my family for so long. As close as it can get with such people I mean, we just didn't hate each other as much. Better than nothing.

- Crime brings people together. - Kakuzu nodded.

- Yeah. Hard times but I liked it there.

- Would you like to go back?

- I couldn't, even if I wanted to. - he started fiddling with his rosary, staring out of the window blankly - And I really don't get why they turned on me. I did what they wanted, damnit.

- Trust me, I know the feeling. - Kakuzu sighed. His markings would not let him forget that even if he wanted to. – But my bet's on the money.

- Yeah, of course, I know, money's the most important thing, it makes the world go round and it's the only thing that matters, yeah, yeah. - Hidan groaned, his words soaked in the purest sarcasm.

Kakuzu didn't respond to his obvious bait, being lost deep in his thoughts. Maybe they really weren't that different after all; no wonder Hidan chose to get pulled into this disturbing borderline fanatism he calls religion. He had to keep his thoughts occupied with something. Yes, he knew this too well.

- We're almost there. - Hidan's voice pulled him back from his thoughts.

They soon reached Yugakure. It was already dark, old street lamps and buzzing neons guiding them through the streets. They parked down a few streets further; as they got out Kakuzu pulled up his hood and adjusted his vest, looking around the street. To put it mildly, it was ugly and worn; so many of the buildings in ruins, and those that were intact were covered in graffiti and piss. Nobody cared to clean the trash from the street. Hidan started talking, as if he noticed the way Kakuzu stared.

- You know, for so long this hellhole had the reputation of being the nicest, cleanest place up in the North. Really. Then about, let's say, ten years ago... - he was visibly struggling to find the right words. He touched the rosary hanging on his neck - shit happened. Man, I was a snotty lil kid but I still remember the riots. Half the city was in flames. Everything went downhills since and nobody fucking cares.

- I remember hearing it in the news once, yes.

- So yeah, that's fucking it. Welcome to Yu' I guess.

- Great. - Kakuzu sighed - Let's get going.

The streets were empty. On one balcony Kakuzu saw two girls smoking, but that's all he could say about the life he saw in the city so far. Even the street of the bar was relatively empty, a few drunk people leaning by the walls, smoking god knows what and talking about matters he was sure he should be grateful he didn't hear. He was eyeing a taller building across the bar; that roof would be just good. He pulled up his scarf higher on his face.

- Let's get to it. Find a good place. And take care.

- Fine. - Hidan waved and turned around; he decided it was time for him to cover his face too.

Kakuzu picked up his bag and took his way to the rooftop. The old exit ladder was painfully creaky, threatening to fall apart with every step. Hidan was waiting in the alley a few meters away from the bar. Kakuzu could see his lanky figure clear from the rooftop, as the blinking neon painted him in a different color with every blink. There was that particular shade of red which suited him so well. But the green wasn't bad either.

The Target should be coming out soon. He put his rifle together and waited. Every now and then a group of drunk people would come out but none fitted the description and the photographs. He was sure Hidan was already at the end of his patience.

Not an hour passed when another group of men came out. Five of them; ragged clothes, greasy hair and already shitfaced enough that none of them could walk straight. He recognized the man from the photograph, walking behind the others. He had a bottle in hand but he really looked like he would simply pass out if he had one more sip. Kakuzu leaned closer to the edge of the rooftop and waited a few seconds. One of the men looked up. Too late.

- Get ready. - Kakuzu said into his headset. He pulled the trigger.

These long seconds never failed to send chills down his spine; the shock, the gasps, the despair – the body falling on the ground, confused shouting, the disguised fear in their eyes that they will be the next, that they should try and reach for their gun---

But they can only fail.

He saw Hidan walk towards the confused group, hands tucked in his pocket. That shit-eating grin on his face would have been a reason enough for those guys to pull a weapon on him.

- What- what the fuck is happening? - a surprisingly sober voice could be heard from the small group.

- Vulture's back bitch, that's what's happening. - Hidan grinned, gun already in his hand; he looked into his eyes as he pulled the trigger.

But that boy was fast, the bullet only grazed his scalp as he jumped away. He pulled out his gun – but he didn't have the chance to use it as a bullet came flying from the left, hitting the gun out of his hand. The next bullet went for the spine. The boy fell on the ground with a heavy thud, dust flying in the air around him.

- I could've dealt with him alone! - Hidan shouted angrily; Kakuzu just smiled and reloaded. He was sure of that.

But Hidan didn't have time to be angry as another guy rushed at him, flinging a knife around wildly. Hidan was laughing loudly. He could avoid the cuts easily; the combination of alcohol and adrenaline is good for bloodthirst but not for coordination. Hidan was still having his fun nevertheless; next thing Kakuzu heard was him shooting that drunk bastard on the knee before starting to beat him up.

The gunshots didn't seem to faze the citizens and neither did the wailing of that man; Kakuzu expected turmoil and police sirens, people to be barging out of the bar to see what's happening. But nothing. The silence, save for that drunkard's screams, was disturbing – what kind of people are these, what the hell's going on, is this a trap?-, but it only made their job easier. Hidan kept on punching the guy until his face was all dark and unrecognizable – when did he put on those brass knuckles – and he kept on rambling about how he will be a fine sacrifice, he has been chosen, Jashin will appreciate him. Kakuzu sighed and looked away and tried not to listen to the rest of this speech.

There were two people left when Hidan started fighting with this one but it seems they have run away; so there are still sensible people left in this city. He wondered if they would alert anyone and he could only hope Hidan would finish his fascinating brutality soon. He started packing his stuff.

Then the body fell on the ground lifeless. Kakuzu got his bag and climbed down the ladder, rifle in his hand. Just in case. He found Hidan standing by his building, kissing his rosary yet again. Lord, they'll be caught if he starts praying here. But he was lucky, Hidan opened his eyes right as he got off the ladder.

- Man, this was too quick. They were no match. - Hidan walked up to him, wiping his hands in his once-white shirt.

- Can anyone be?

Hidan laughed out loud; his voice echoed from the dirty walls. Somewhere in the distance a dog started barking.

- But Vulture? Really? That's the lamest name I've ever heard. - Kakuzu continued.

- Fuck off. Whose prison name was Stitches anyways?

- Wow, you actually remembered something I told you?

- I was just guessing.

The streets were empty as they left. Nobody followed them, they couldn't even hear any sirens, nothing. They got to the car in safety, which Kakuzu carefully checked before getting in. Nothing. Again.

- This place is fucking weird. - Kakuzu sighed as they got in the car.

- Told ya. - Hidan laughed.

- This wasn't exactly a subtle attack and no one cared. You were there and no one fucking cared. I prepared for a bounty hunter or two, and nothing, not even the police came. Not that I mind.

-Yeah. Well, everyone is so invested in their own bullshittery that they just don't give a fuck about others.

- So I guess you are only an urban legend now at best.

- Most likely. Fuckin' great.

- I see. You want one? - he asked as he pulled out a cigarette packet out of his pocket. Hidan held his hand out immediately.

- What kinda fucking question is that?

Hidan put the cigarette between his teeth and with a smirk he leaned closer to light it with the end of Kakuzu's.

- That's pretty much the least practical way to light a cigarette. - Kakuzu rolled his eyes, but his light grin betrayed him.

- Oh shut up, you know you find it hot. - Hidan laughed, blowing out the smoke.

- You are hopeless.

And they left the city. Mission accomplished.

[mezzonox]

A Marry Christmas - ZRC

Here is one of the two fics I wrote for @queen-glitter for the @derpcult Secret Santa!! You can find the art piece here and the other fic here!

“I’m a little bummed everyone else couldn’t have made it for Christmas this year,” Ze spoke to Chilled as they wrapped some presents for the other Derps. It was snowing pretty badly, so they would have to wait another week before meeting up. Ze and Chilled used this as an opportunity to clean the house and make preparations for when they did arrive.

The two were going to celebrate Christmas on time though. They had their gifts ready, except for one, Chilled’s final gift he would be giving. A small ring with tiny emeralds and diamonds around it. He thought it would match his eyes.

Chilled was really excited for Christmas, but also extremely nervous. What if it wrong? He didn’t want to think about it. He couldn’t help wonder though.

No, he would say yes. They’d been together for what? Two years? He’d say yes… right? He really hoped so. He shouldn’t worry.

“Yea, I am too. But hey! They’ll be here next week,” Chilled replied, grabbing some tape.

“That’s true- Hey can you pass the ribbon?”

They continued to wrap each present, one from Chilled, and one from Ze for Tom, Aphex, Galm, and John. Ze’s present wrapping is was way better, more precise. The ribbon looked neat and lively. Chilled on the other hand, enjoyed bags. He didn’t like wrapping since he knew Ze’s would look better, so he stuck to bags. He did design the bags though, made them look really festive. Nobody knew he liked designing except for Ze, everyone just thought the bags came from various stores. Basically, both of them had a speciality for presents.

Sometimes they switched present wrapping ideas, Chilled would try wrapping and Ze would design bags. They normally only did this for each other’s presents though. That’s why Chilled was able to get his present idea. Wrapping a ring box and putting it in more boxes. It might’ve made Ze become annoyed, but it would be worth it… he hoped.

After presents, they got to cleaning and decorating the house. It would’ve been done earlier, but the two were too lazy. Now they needed to get it done.

They had the Christmas tree set up with tinsel, lights, ornaments, and a star at the top. They had extra tinsel to decorate the house with, along with newly bought lights.

The main room that was decorated was the living room. There were stockings set up, lights were strung around the ceiling, tinsel was hung up, and some snowflakes were hung from the ceiling. It was a lot more decorative than they thought it would’ve been. They didn’t mind though, it was pretty.

“We actually put effort towards decorating this year, I’m impressed. I can’t believe we decorated on Christmas Eve though,” Chilled chuckled as he observed the room. Ze was at his side nodding along.

“Yea, we were lazy. And last year all we did was hang up some printed out christmas pictures and put ornaments on the plant instead of a tree.”

“Didn’t we kill the plant from doing that?”

Ze shrugged. “Probably.”

They both laughed and looked at the time.

“Damn, midnight already? We started decorating at seven, where did time go?” Chilled asked, glancing back to Ze.

“Eh, not sure. Decorating and cleaning take time.”

“Mhm, yea. Anyways, you want to get some sleep then? I’m tired,” Chilled yawned, making Ze chuckle.

“Sure, sleepy head.”

Ze started walking first, with Chilled following behind.

They reached their doorway and Chilled glanced up at the mistletoe he had put up earlier. Before Ze made it inside, Chilled pulled him back and turned him around. Ze gave him a puzzled look before Chilled’s lips met his. He stumbled back slightly before grabbing onto Chilled’s shirt for balance. He quietly kissed back, leaning up on his toes to try and even the height difference. Ze let go of Chilled’s shirt after they pulled away to catch their breaths.

“What was that all about?” Ze asked with a small smile. Chilled just pointed up to the mistletoe above them.

“You put that there earlier, didn’t you?” Chilled gave a grin and nodded.

“You bet I did,” he leaned down and pecked Ze’s cheek before walking into the room, Ze following not long after.

They climbed into the bed and cuddled up to the other, giving Chilled the perfect opportunity to fall asleep. Ze wasn’t as tired though. All he could do at the time was lie there and let his thoughts wonder.

He thought about a variety of things. From the different presents to all the decorating and even the cleaning they did that day. Not to mention he thought about all the time he spent with Chilled in the past two years. It made him smile and turn to face the sleeping man next to him. He brought his hand to Chilled’s hair and started to mess with it. God how he loved that hair.

He laid there, thinking and messing with Chilled’s hair before checking the time.

“One twenty-seven. I need to get some sleep soon, we’ll be opening presents from each other in about seven hours most likely. Closing my eyes may help…” Ze thought it would help, but it didn’t. He couldn’t help but think something big was going to happen that day. It was keeping him up.

“Guess I’m not getting sleep. I’ll be cranky, it’s fine.”

Ze ended up falling asleep at around four in the morning and was woken up at eight forty-three by an excited Chilled. He groggily opened his eyes to see Chilled pacing around the room.

“Mmmm, Chilled, what’re you doing..?”

Chilled turned his head. “Oh, just waiting for you to wake up. But, you’re awake now soooo, I don’t need to wait anymore! We should get up. We need breakfast! We need-”

“Chilly, first of all, it’s not even nine yet. Second of all, you’re starting to ramble like when you get nervous. Is something on your mind?” Ze tilted his head, looking up.

“Of course not! I’m just excited! Come on, get up. I’ll go make food!”

Ze sighed and slowly began getting up. Four hours of sleep will need to last him.

When he walked into the kitchen, Chilled was making pancakes. He seemed distracted. Ze decided to walk over and hug him from behind.

“What’s on your mind, Chilly?”

Chilled turned his head and lightly smiled. “I’m just thinking about if my gift will be good enough.”

Ze shook his head. “You could’ve gotten me a rock and I’d love it. Because it came from you. You could’ve gotten me anything and I’d love it. Except a dead body, then I’d probably leave you,” Ze chuckled, smiling when Chilled laughed.

“Well, I’m glad they don’t just sell dead bodies for which I could purchase.”

They grinned before Chilled went back to making pancakes. Ze kept his arms around him and watched as he poured the batter onto the pan.

“You’re doing it wrong,” Ze said as Chilled poured out enough for a second pancake.

“What? There’s not a wrong way to pour batter.”

“Yes there is, and you’re doing it.”

“Am not!”

“Are too.”

“How am I doing it wrong?!”

Ze held in a giggle as leaned up and pecked Chilled’s lips. “You gotta kiss your boyfriend first.”

Chilled playfully rolled his eyes. “I guess that would be a requirement, hm?”

“Yes.”

Chilled just looked at him before leaning down and placing a small kiss on his forehead. “Satisfied?”

“Mhm, for now.”

“Well, I can give you more later if you’d like.” He winked as Ze started to blush and roll his eyes.

“Just go make your pancakes.”

So he did. He made enough for the two of them and then some. Ze was quietly watching over his shoulder until he finished. Then he went to go get them some drinks.

Chilled brought the plate of pancakes to the table and went to get butter and maple syrup. Ze poured them orange juice and brought utensils.

They ate in a comfortable silence, giving each other smiles every few minutes when they looked over to the other.

They finished in a few minutes, with Chilled offering to clean up. He picked up both plates, cups, and the utensils to go wash them while Ze put away the butter and syrup.

“Thank you,” Chilled smiled over to Ze after he closed the refrigerator.

“Anytime, hon,” Ze smiled back and went to sit at the table. “So, when are we opening our presents?”

“Oh! Um, we can open them after I clean the rest of these,” he motioned to the cups and one plate he had to finish.

“That works, I’ll go ahead and pull them out then,” Ze said as he walked to the living room and got out a bag and a huge box.

Chilled watched and saw his average-wrapped gift on the left and Ze’s average-designed bag on the right. He was starting to get nervous again. He knew what he was going to say, and what the card said, but that didn’t make him any less nervous. What if it all went wrong?

He couldn’t keep thinking that. It wasn’t helping him. It was too late to go back on the idea now anyway. It was just a matter of time.

“Chiiiilllyy, you done?” Ze called out, spotting Chilled who was zoned out. He tilted his head and walked over to him. “Chilled?”

He didn’t answer, too focused on what he was thinking about.

Ze snapped his fingers in front of Chilled’s face, finally getting his attention. “Something’s up, Anthony. What’s buggin’ you?”

Chilled just looked at him. “It’s just.. My gift..”

Ze interrupted him. “I’ll say it again. Anything you could’ve gotten I’ll love. You don’t need to worry about it, okay?”

A small smile appeared on Chilled’s face as he pulled Ze into a hug. Ze hugged him back and gently patted his back before pulling away.

“Now, let’s go open some presents.”

They headed off to the living room and grabbed their gift and sat it in front of them.

“Who’s opening what first?” Chilled asked, looking down at his bag.

“Open mine first!” Ze excitedly said, looking at the bag as well.

Chilled nodded and carefully took out the tissue paper. A card fell out.

“Read the card first,” Ze instructed. Chilled nodded and opened the card to see what it read.

Hey, Anthony. Merry Christmas. This is the third Christmas we’ve spent together, right? I think so. Anyways I wanted to make this one extremely special. Don’t ask why, I’ll probably do something over the top next year anyway. But, for now, I wanted to get you something that couldn’t be bought. So instead of buying something, I made something. Hopefully it’ll make do, because it’s a list of why I love you.

Love, Steven.

Chilled was already beginning to tear up, so he pulled out what Ze had made him. It was homemade, like he said in the letter. It was a long list cut up into sections, with each part being framed and put together to have the ability to fold up if needed. There had to be at least a hundred things listed. Many of them described the little things, like how he would mumble in his sleep or that he gets excited over small things. There were others that were a bit bigger, like how he would go out of his way to make people feel better when they were feeling down, or how he always tried his best to keep his friends happy all the time. There were even little comments written beside some of them. Some saying “Really love this one!!” or “It may be really little, but I still love it about you” and those kind of comments. It left Chilled speechless as he read through all the different things. He read about half of them before he started to let tears slip down his face. He managed to get through all of them before looking back up. Ze was lightly smiling as he watched Chilled read through the list.

Chilled was looking at him, trying to get out any kind of words. All he could manage to say was a very quiet “Thank you,” followed by a hug. Ze smiled more and hugged him back, whispering a quiet “You’re welcome.”

They stayed like that for a few minutes while Chilled collected himself. He needed to be able to say what he needed to with no hesitation.

After they pulled away, Chilled looked back to Ze’s gift and smiled. “I love it so much.. You put so much effort into it.. It’s beautiful.”

“Well, I wanted you to know why I love you, me just saying it doesn’t seem enough,” Ze smiled back to him, glancing at his gift.

“Well.. Hopefully my gift will be equally as heart warming. I put a lot of thought into it…”

Ze rolled his eyes. “I’m going to love it.”

He began to unwrap the box, only to discover another wrapped box inside of it.

“Chilled… You didn’t…” he sighed as he opened the next box, being greeted with another wrapped box.

Chilled only watched, not replying. He was way too nervous.

Ze had to unwrap and unbox about another four boxes before reaching the smallest box. He wasn’t too annoyed, only slightly. That was a lot of effort just to put into one present. Before he unwrapped the last box, he looked up to Chilled.

“Please tell me this isn’t a glitter bomb…”

Chilled shook his his head, indicating that it wasn’t.

Ze was skeptical, but unwrapped the last of the paper. A small card fell into his lap before he could notice the type of box he was holding. He picked up the card and read it.

You’re probably annoyed at me for wrapping this in so many boxes… but I didn’t want it to be given away too quickly. I wanted to wait until today. It seemed like a good time for it… I hope that it doesn’t seem too rushed, I know it’s only been two years of our relationship, but we’ve been friends for longer. I’ve felt a connection to you since day one.. I’m only hoping you felt/feel the same way. I love you so much Steven. I ask that you look up to me so I can finish..

Ze quietly began to speak without looking up.

“An-Anthony… You’re… You’re not…” He only looked up after he saw a slight shift from Chilled from the corner of his eye.

Chilled took a deep breath and quietly took the box from him.

“This is what’s been on my mind for the past couple of weeks… This moment right here. I didn’t know how to exactly go about this, so this popped into my head. I think I’m going to end up repeating some things from the letter,” he gave a small chuckle, “so I hope it’s not too repetitive. I feel like our connection we’ve had since we became friends had strengthened over the years, which is how we got into our relationship. I want to think that it’s strong enough for this too… I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Steven. I really do. Your gift that you just gave me.. It was so thoughtful and the sweetest thing I’ve ever gotten. It made me love you even more than I have before. To know that you’d go through the trouble for a Christmas gift.. It’s so thoughtful. That’s what I admire about you. You’re so thoughtful, not to mention adorable, caring, hilarious, and everything good to possibly describe a human being. So, thank you. Thank you for putting up with my shenanigans. Thank you for being you. But um… I kinda steered away from the point.. So,” he took a deep breath and opened the box to show the ring, ”Steven Viking, will you marry me?”

It felt like time had stopped as Chilled waited for Ze to answer. What if he said no? What if this was all a mistake? His negative thoughts from before were crawling back. He was about to close the box before Ze basically tackled him into a hug.

“Oh my… Oh my god, A-Anthony! Of course I’ll marry you! Oh my god, oh my.. I can’t believe you would..” Chilled had to put his hands behind him to keep him from falling back onto the ground. But after he balanced himself, he instantly went to hug Ze back. They were there for a good ten minutes before Ze finally pulled back, his eyes red and puffy. He had the biggest smile on his face to make up for it.

“C-Can I try on the ring? Please?” Ze asked, looking at the ring. He was absolutely memorized. Chilled nodded and took the ring out, gently placing it on his ring finger. It fit perfectly. Guess he got it sized correctly.

Ze just looked at it for a few minutes, not saying anything. He finally managed to choke out a reply. “It-It’s perfect…”

Chilled smiled more before replying, “It will never be as perfect as you, Steven.”

Ze just stared up to him, lovestruck. Chilled was gently smiling to him before he was met with Ze leaning up and kissing him with enough force to push him back. It was filled with a newfound passion and love that he couldn’t have expressed before. Chilled was able to match it, not using his arms to support him anymore. It caused him to fall to the ground, Ze falling on top.

He wrapped his arms around Ze’s waist to keep him there, even if he was a little but uncomfortable. He didn’t mind.

After another few moments, they both needed air, so Ze pushed himself off of Chilled and sat up. Chilled got up as well, catching his breath back.

After they mostly got their breaths back, Ze spoke up.

“Th-Thank you..”

Chilled tilted his head. “What for?”

“Just.. Thank you… I don’t have any specific reason…”

Chilled smiled. “Well, whatever the reason may be, you’re welcome.”

“Oh, and one more thing, Chilly.”

“Hm? What’s that?”

“I love you.”

“I love you too, Zeeby.”

[nichetales-archived]

About Me As A Writer

Tagged by @shitabukenjirou ~ <3 

1. How did you come up with your username and what does it mean? Foxyena and FoxyenaArts is my name for all platforms. It makes me easy for commissioners to find, and dates back to my years doing furry art commissions, which is also where the name originates. 

2. Which fanfic of yours has the most feedback? (bookmarks/subscriptions/hits/kudos).

Well, the most hits & kudos is Skipping Practice with nearly 17k hits and ~630 kudos, but Courtship of the Owl has the most subscriptions and bookmarks. 

3. What is your AO3 profile icon, and why did you choose it?

The same as the one I use here. I tend to only use one icon for all sites at once, and I love Matsukawa + glasses and smoking aesthetic so~ 

4. Do you have any regular/favourite commenters?

I do! I don’t know most of their tumblr usernames, but there certainly are a few lovely people I am always excited to see comments from. 

5. Is there a fanfic that you keep going back to read again and again?

Honestly, there’s a few. I reread fics a lot, but my favorite that I find myself always coming back to is  Lust and Lies by DeathBelle aka @worthlesspride. 

6. How many stories are you subscribed to? How many do you have bookmarked?

I currently have 253 bookmarks and 223 subscriptions. 

7. Which AU do you find yourself writing the most?

I don’t have a particular AU. I have ~50 fics in progress and aside from those in a series, they vary from Transhumanism/Cyborg AU to cute lil’ Coffee Shop AU. I actually try really hard to have variety. 

8. How many people are subscribed and bookmarked to you in total? (you can view this on the stats page)

348 Subscriptions and 525 Bookmarks

9. Is there something you’d like to write about but are afraid of people judging you for it? (Feeling brave? If so, share it!)

I have a TenSemi fic titled Human Juice that is literally nothing but all of my kinks out in the open and I’m so sorry for anyone who chooses to read that whenever I release it. It has everything from Erotic Electrostimulation to Blood Play and more. So much more. If you wanna know more about it, feel free to ask I guess lol.

10. Is there anything you would like to be better at? Writing certain scenes or genres, replying to comments, updating better, etc.

Fluff and just.. happy things. I thrive on painful/angsty/poetic forms of writing and I struggle with just letting them be happy for once. 

11. Do you write rarepairs or popular ships more often?

Both! Right now my posted works are mostly popular ships for main ship, but I have dozens of fics in the works for rare pairs like MatsuKuro, GoshiShira, SemiSuga, OiYama, and more. Courtship of the Owl even has Komori/Konoha in it. 

12. How many stories have you posted on AO3 to this day (finished and unfinished)?

Only 9, but that is about to change real soon ‘cause Avery here has no self control and can’t write just one fic at once apparently. 

13. How many stories do you have saved in/with your writing program?

63 total. 7 of them are for YOI, and the rest are all Haikyuu!!

14. Do you write down story ideas, or just keep them in your head?

I write down all of them. My process actually starts with coming up with a title and creating a premise and theme around the title of the fic. 

15. Have you ever co-authored a story?

Yessir! I have co-authored 2 works with @tettsuroo, though one is not complete yet. 

16. How did you discover AO3?

I honestly don’t remember. 

17. Do you consider yourself to be a popular or famous author in your fandom(s) on AO3?

Absolutely not. 

18. Do you have a nickname or fandom name for your readers?

nnnnoooo? 

19. Was there an author who inspired or encouraged you to write?

Several, but most notably was @worthlesspride, @tettsuroo, and @kaiyouchan.

20. What writing advice would you give to a beginning author?

Learn from other authors. Pay attention to what you like about their works and learn from your peers. Don’t be afraid to reach out, make friends, and create a network of support around you. Learn from others, but always be you. 

21. Do you plot out your stories, or do you just figure it out as you go?

I’ve done both. Courtship of the Owl has a 22 page outline detailing everything that happens in it, while Petals of Pining never had an outline at all. One-shots normally don’t get outlines either. Just lengthy, detailed multi-chapters that have complex plots and subtle details/foreshadowing. 

22. Have you ever gotten a bad comment on a story? If so, what did you do?

Yes, I have. Someone who I had read and commented on their work supportively commented on one of mine; they disagreed with the ending I wrote and tried to “fix” it, telling me what should have happened and ending the comment saying something similar to “now all is right with your world”.  I simply commented stating I had revoked any and all support/comments/bookmarks of their work and that I didn’t want to associate with someone who thought that was appropriate behavior. 

23. Is there a certain type of scene that you have a hard time writing? (action, smut, etc..)

I struggle with scene transitions sometimes. How does one get from point A to point B... 

24. What story(s) are you working on now?

You Can See My List of Current Projects Here But Courtship of the Owl and my Secret Santa ficlet + art is my primary focus atm. That list is roughly in priority order. Roughly.

25. Do you plan your next project(s) before you finish your current ongoing story(s)?

I mean... have you seen my Current Projects list? 

26. Do you have a daily writing goal set for yourself?

Mm not really. I try to at least work on something daily, though. The amount may vary depending on how strenuous my job was that day or if I had time to be on the computer or if I was writing on my phone. 

27. Do you think you’ve improved as a writer since you first started?

Sometimes I wanna vomit when I read work that I wrote only a few months ago so I would assume so, yes. 

28. What is your favorite story that you’ve written?

Demons Wear Contacts.  It’s not released yet, but it’s a Demon!Matsukawa MatsuHana fic. I’ve never had so much fun writing before. The fic is in Makki’s perspective, and will be my next multichapter fic after Courtship of the Owl is done. 

29. What is your least favorite story that you’ve written?

My early works, especially the YOI ones. I had never really written before and while I’ve still only been writing for about a year now, they make me cringe so hard. I’ve been thinking about orphaning them, honestly. 

30. Where do you see yourself (as a writer) in 5 years?

Probably doing the same thing I am now, maybe for a new fandom.  I hope to do more zines though. I’ve quite enjoyed those. 

31. What is the easiest thing about writing?

For me, it’s sensations. I love writing what people feel, the emotions, the sensations of touch, taste, see, etc. Or planning. I’m really good at plannin’ stuff. 

32. What is the hardest thing about writing?

Finding the time and energy to dedicate to doing it. Also writing fluff. I’m so bad at writing happy things, you guys. 

33. Why do you write?

It’s something I enjoy, and it’s another way I can be part of a community, a network of people who enjoy what I do and I can build friendships with. 

Tagging: @tettsuroo, @worthlesspride, @madamemalfoy21, @hajiiwa, @rhealmobsidi, @quinnlocke, @crown-of-winterthorne, @aizawa-shoutas, @mystictrashheap

[itfandomsecretsanta]

Secret Santa ( A moodboard and a small one shot)

Giftee :Cecile @reddietrashh

Reddie One-Shot

Eddie Kaspbrak can be described in two ways. The Eddie that’s small, sweet, always willing to help you with whatever you need. Or the Eddie that doesn’t take any shit, has a hop in his walk, and a feisty personality taht burns hotter than hell itself. There really was no in between. But according to someone by the name of Richie Tozier, there definitely was. 

Richie had noticed it for the first time on February 14, the national holiday known as Valentine’s day. Their school had candy grams, small chocolate candies that were passed around school from secret admires. Mike got the most, 16 if we’re counting, Ben and Beverly got 5 each, Bill also got 5, but about two were from himself, and Stan got 3, giving all of them to Bill since he wasn’t a big fan of chocolate. Richie only got two, one from Stan as joke and the other as a secret admirer. Yeah, a secret admirer, totally surprising in all honesty. Eddie, well, he got… well he got…

“How the hell did I get 0. Someone has to like me, someone does, right Mike?” Eddie was practically screaming, already high-pitched voice going up in many octaves. Mike was too busy, indulging in the quality chocolate he was given. Richie tried not to laugh, but how could he not, the small boy in front of him was yelling, jumping up and down with anxious ramblings that no one seemed to mind. Richie’s candy grams laid un-touch in his button up pocket, slowly melting due to the clothed heat.

“Maybe you did get one, they just forgot to hand one out.” Beverly opened her second chocolate bar, breaking it off into bite-size pieces and throwing one directly into Ben’s mouth. Eddie rolled his eyes, groaning as he playfully fell to the ground in fake despair. In the moment Eddie looked cute, but angry. A cute, angry, short-tempered boy rolled around on the floor shouting proclamations of loneliness. Richie watched, amused, more than anything as Eddie kicked Mike’s seat in slight jealousy.

The next time Richie noticed Eddie was an adorable mad man was on June 1st, the first day of summer break. All the losers were planning to go to the water park, a way to start off the summer break, but out of nowhere the plans were changed. Turns out Sonia Kaspbrak doesn’t approve of the suns audacity of tanning her little’s Eddie’s pale skin. 

“Wait, so you can’t come?” Richie was confused as everyone. They all had been planning this for months, making sure Mrs. Kaspbrak knew her son would be enjoying life at local water park. They all sat on their bikes, outside of Eddie’s house while Eddie kicked the dirt with frustration. Eddie elobrated, theatrically acting out his mother’s dissaproval of the fun water activity.

“She said, and I-quote, ‘I’m not letting you go get skin cancer just for fun.’ SKIN CANCER? SKIN. CANCER!” Eddie sat on the porch steps, huffs of anger coming out of his nose. Half of the losers found the whole situation amusing, half of them were sad that Eddie couldn’t go, and Richie was more enamored than anything. Sure, it was a bummer that Eddie couldn’t go, but the way Eddie reacted to things that were restricted by his fairly strict mother, always made him want to cuddle him to death. 

The next time Richie falls more in love with Eddie , thinks more about Eddie’s wonderful personality is on Halloween. He and Eddie dressed as shaggy and scoob, Richie being shaggy, dressed in a green shirt and khaki pants, Eddie in his regular clothes, casual shorts and tee, with dog ears and a black snout. 

“Okay guys, first we’re gonna go to Griffis Valley, they have the best candy.” Mike explained the plan, along with Stan. Every year they both coordinated and basically mapped out the route they were going to take to get the best candy. They began walking, Ben, Bill, and Beverly talking in the middle, Mike and Stan walking in the front, and Richie and Eddie in the back, impersonating Shaggy and Scoob.

“COME ON SCOOB!” Richie dragged Eddie by the arm to be in the front. Eddie was complaining, saying he couldn’t run that fast and it wasn’t fair since Richie’s legs are skyscrapers. Richie snorted, managing to get at least 10 feet in front of everyone. Eddie was huffing, hands clammy for two reasons. He ran and his hand was being held by Richie. It’d seemed like a perfect reaction, until Eddie’s basket full f candy fell out of his hands and partially into the convenient sewer that happened to be right there. 

“AWW, COME ON!” Eddie stopped in his tracks, letting go of Richie’s hand, and bracing them against his temple. The losers caught up and started cleaning up Eddie’s mess of candy while Richie laughed and rubbed his shoulder sympathetically. Eddie looked at him, with the cutest glare, and shrugged his hand off. Richie shook his head and smiled at the boy who now tried to reach into the sewers to retrieve his already gone candy.

“Eds, it’s gone, there’s nothing there-”

“YOU DON’T KNOW!”

The next time, let’s be completely honest, Richie, does in fact fall more in love with Richie was Christmas Eve Eve. They were both out getting presents for their friends, but it wasn’t Christmas themed because they all decided they didn’t want to make Stan feel left out. So with that being said,  they all thought it’d be fun to do a friendship appreciation gift exchange that happened to occur oo December 25th. Eddie got Mike and Richie got Beverly. Both already knew what they were getting as soon as they walked into the store. Eddie pulled Richie to the arts and crafts section. In the matter of seconds, Eddie has about a thousand different journals, pens, markers, pencils, animal-shaped erasers, hell even calligraphy ink.

“Does Mike even have a calligraphy pen?” Eddie struggled to put his stuff into a basket, cheering when he finally managed to get things in. Richie carried the basket as Eddie found even more stuff that Mike would surely like. 

“You do realize we’re on a budget right?” Eddie collided with the invisible wall in front of him. Richie didn’t notice Eddie stop and ran straight into him, hitting his chin on the back of Eddie’s head. Eddie wasn’t phased by Richie’s clumsiness, but now Richie was standing quite close to Eddie, specifically his backside. 

“I only have 20 dollars.” Eddie said through clenched teeth. His small fist were also tightly rolled into petite balls of fury. 

“I can’t afford all this, one thing in here is already 14 dollars!” Eddie turned around, shocked to find how close Richie really had been. Eddie had always been a small boy, he basically stopped growing once he got out of the womb. But in Richie’s case, did he ever stop growing. They were only in sophomore year and Richie practically towered over Eddie by a lot. 

“So get the thing that cost 14 dollars.”

“BUT THAT’S ONLY ONE THING!” Eddie was getting frustrated yet again. He even went to stomping, as if his steps would make money appear out of the ground. Richie watched, Eddie whined, and on an act of some sudden burst of confidence, Richie gave Eddie a kiss. It was short, quick, and in the moment. Eddie stood there stunned, they were currently the only ones in the isle. Richie looked sheepish, hands clasping around the basket handle as Eddie’s face turned a real nice red. 

“Did you just…” Eddie finally spoke, fingers tracing the outline of where Richie briefly kissed him. Richie nodded, a firm ‘yes’ coming from his mouth as he walked around Eddie and down the isle. Eddie was dazed, confused and more than flustered. Richie had just kissed him, something Eddie was hoping to do first. It was obvious now, the two boys were crushing on each other and Eddie didn’t know whether to throw himself at a wall or at Richie.

The next and final time Richie proclaimed he loved Eddie internally was on December 25th, Christmas morning. Richie always had a tradition to show up to Eddie’s house for Christmas day pancakes. It was one of the only days a year Mrs. Kaspbrak would allow Eddie to eat pancakes with the juiciest syrup known to man.

“Richie, you’re gonna die!” Eddie laughed as Richie poured half the bottle on his lone pancake, licking his lips as he eyed the slow drip of the edible goo. Eddie had cut his pancake in pieces and drizzled each pancake with the right amount of syrup. By the time Eddie wanted a second pancake there was barely enough syrup left, curtosey of Richie’ excessive pouring.

“Uh, sorry about that Eddie.” Richie puckered his lips and clasped his hands in a fake pleading action. Eddie looked mad, like a very mad, cute, bunny. All Richie wanted to do was pet him. And so Richie being Richie reached out a hand and tried to run his hand along the side of Eddie’s face but it was swatted away with a little more force than needed. 

“Ow.”

“You took the last of the syrup!” Eddie shrugged as he too Richie’s plate and ate his pancake. Richie was bewildered as Eddie finished the pancake with no thought. He stood up and checked the area, making sure Sonia Kaspbrak was nowhere to be seen before leaning down and pressing his lips firmly to Eddie. Eddie widened his eyes, lips not moving, in fear he’d mess up the already perfect kiss. 

“Ya’ know, you’re going to have to work with me.” Richie spoke through his slightly closed lips. Eddie pulled back, far enough to see Richie’s entire face. 

“Do you like me?” Richie stared at Eddie with a fond expression. Eddie felt overwhelmed, but liked the sensation of butterflies roaming his stomach every time Richie’s face was centimeters in front of his face.”Of course dumb ass, why else would I be kissing you?”

“Maybe you only want me for my syrup.” Eddie leaned up and kissed Richie again. This time a long, smooth, and passionate one. It was pure, while it lasted but as Eddie tried to lean in more deeply, Richie disconnected his lips and swooped in, grabbing the plate full of syrup and taking it back to his seat.

“Maybe I am.” In one swift moment, Richie downed the syrup like water and made Eddie gag. 

Eddie Kaspbrak can be described in two ways. And a person only get s to meet one or the other, never the both in one meeting. Richie Tozier has the pleasure of knowing and loving both Eddie’s. Even when one looks like an angel from heaven and the other a bunny from hell with large eyes. 

Hi Cecile, you were my secret santa giftee! I don’t really ever write Reddie, so I’m really sorry If this is short, rushed, and overall and really bad. But I do hope you enjoy most of it! 

[meihemsecretsanta]

Meihem Secret Santa 2017 – FAQ

Dear visitors, 

welcome to the Meihem Secret Santa blog!

Earlier on this year, a few of us have organized a Meihem Secret Valentine Gift Exchange.

We’re still overjoyed that the event made so many people happy, was the origin of so many wonderful creative content results, and even had some people state that they hope that more events like this can happen!

So, without further ado, this Meihem Secret Santa blog is now open, for this and hopefully for more years to come:

1.) What is this about?

The Meihem Secret Santa is a creative gift exchange from Meihem fans for Meihem fans! Everyone who applies will be gifted by another participant by surprise that will make one of their holiday meihem wishes come true!

 2.) What kind of gifts are those?

All gifts are based on the OW ship Meihem – The wishes for your gift can be Christmas/Holidays/Winter related, but they do not necessarily have to be! 

Those gifts could be fanart, fanfiction, edits…It could be even something entirely different (animations, videos, craftings, and much more!) that we did not think of, yet! Anything you could offer as a nice gift is most welcome!

 3.) Sounds great! Where can I participate?

Our application form to fill out can be found RIGHT HERE!

 4.) How long are the applications open?

Applications will be accepted from October 28th until November 28th!

 5.) I would LOVE to participate, but I am afraid that I cannot make a gift myself :(…

Fear not! You can still participate! :D

We are well aware that some of our fellow meihem fans are great supporters, friends and shippers that love seeing new content, but unfortunately cannot create meihem content themselves…However, the main reason for such an event is to bring happiness and joy to the fans <3

Which is why content-creating participants can also volunteer as SUPER Secret Santas!

A SUPER Secret Santa is a person who not only volunteers to help out in case another participant can not finish their gift and has to drop out of the event for any kind of reason.

Furthermore, they also volunteer to make an extra effort in case someone applies who would like a gift, but cannot create a gift in return!

And due to the fact that such an extra effort is not taken for granted, SUPER Secret Santas are also allowed to finish the latter with more extra time beyond the set deadline (which you can find in a later question!)

The one keeping track of these activities and who volunteers to do something for people who wish for a SUPER Secret Santa gift is @uhrwerkschloss // @amuerion – so you certainly will get something from one volunteer artist and/or eventually from another volunteer of several! :D  

 6.) Is…NSFW content also okay as a gift?

That depends!

Whenever you fill out an application, you will see a text field where you can write down what you would like to receive, but also what you NOT would like to receive.

If the person you create a gift for should explicitly state that they are uncomfortable with nsfw-content as their gift, nsfw content is definitely off the list for possible gift content ideas.

That being said, each of the participants has the responsibility to be as specific as possible about their wishes and also about what they would not like to receive in contrast!

The better the description of your wishes, the easier it will be for your Secret Santa to make something that you’ll enjoy! :3

But if the person you create a gift for is fine with nsfw-material and explicitly wishes for it, why not?

For all our content creators, there is also a question in which you can state whether you are okay with creating nsfw content! That will make determining the Secret Santas for each other a lot easier, in terms nsfw wishes arise - and of course, all content on this blog, nsfw or not, will be tagged appropriately! 

 7.) How are the Secret Santas for every participant determined, anyways?

Whoever under the participants seems best suited to fulfil another participant’s wish will be chosen for said wish – that is all <3

 8.) Are there any rules to keep in mind?

Just these few:

- Do not spoil the surprise to the person you create a gift for, before the Gift Submission Days, please! The secret in Secret Santa is there for a reason ;w;

- For fanart, digital as well as traditional art will be accepted! Whether you want to keep it in full colour, as an ink-centric piece, black and white, or even as a sketch collection/ doodle page – all these things are fine, as long as you put heart into what you create <3

- As for fanfiction, the length of your fanfiction greatly depends on the prompt you are given!

Smaller writing prompt ideas should have a range of 500-1000 words minimum, while larger writing prompt ideas should have a range of 1500-200 words minimum – these overall ranges are set to keep things fair for all the writers and people gifted by writers alike!

And YES, if you want to write far more than this minimum range for your idea, you are most welcome to do so!

Follow the idea and what comes to mind from your Secret Santa prompt and you’ll be fine with no pressure <3

- The most important rule of all: Have fun!! :D

 9.) What are the most important deadlines to keep in mind?

Application Phase ENDS: November 28th

Secret Santa Prompts are SENT: Novemver 29th

Gift Submission Days are: from December 24th until December 28th (as long as you can finish your gift and submit it around those days, it is mighty fine!)

 10.) How are the gifts posted?

Simply submit them on your blog and add the tag “meihemsecretsanta2017” so that we are able to find your gift and reblog it here!

You can also message us about your gift being done during Gift Submission Days!

 11.) What if I finish my gift earlier, because I am NOT online during Gift Submission Days? :O

That is no problem! :D You can either 1.) Create a post draft on your Tumblr which will submit your gift around the gift submission days automatically OR 2.) contact @uhrwerkschloss about it so she can submit the gift on meihemsecretsanta for you during those days!

 12.) I cannot finish my gift in time / I have to drop out of the event!

As soon as you are definitely sure that you cannot finish your gift in time or drop out of the event, please inform @uhrwerkschloss immediately!!

 It is important to do this quickly and also the moment you are certain, so that SUPER Secret Santas can jump in and finish the gift, instead!

If there are any other questions, feel free to ask us here on our blog and we will add them to this post and answer them directly.

Until then, thank you very much for reading and we look forward to seeing your filled-in application forms!

Happy Holidays, everyone!

[novocaine-sea]

About Me As a Writer

Tagged by @foxyena Thank you so much!!

1. How did you come up with your username and what does it mean? My tumblr username obviously comes from Aizawa from BNHA. He’s one of my favorite characters and he’s voiced by one of my favorite seiyuu’s, Junichi Suwabe. My old username novocaine-sea (which is novocaine_sea on AO3) came from a song by the band Senses Fail! The lyrics go “I wanna drown in a sea filled with novocaine” I had that username from my bandom days and couldn’t part with it

2. Which fanfic of yours has the most feedback? (bookmarks/subscriptions/hits/kudos).

Fruitless has the most of all of these things, over 200 bookmarks, 726 kudos, almost 9000 hits and 100 subs! But as for active fics Side Effects is the second best with 90 subs!

3. What is your AO3 profile icon, and why did you choose it?

My AO3 icon is a sleeping Bakugou cap from the anime bc he looks like such an angel I love him so much

4. Do you have any regular/favourite commenters?

Yes!! My fav commenters are @vairenna, @emotabek and @mirikiri93 but i also love every single person who comments on my stories anyway because they’re all so lovely and supportive and I cherish every single one of them

5. Is there a fanfic that you keep going back to read again and again?

Right now I’ve been going back and reading Feathers Are the Least of These by mousapelli (I’m unsure if they have a tumblr account). It’s a Tokoyami x Deku fic and it’s really wonderful I love it a lot.

6. How many stories are you subscribed to? How many do you have bookmarked?

I have 830 bookmarks (it’s a mess I had more but went through and deleted a bunch one day, I need to do it again) and I don’t know how to see the exact number of works I’m subscribed to but there are 5 pages worth, though half of them are most likely completed

7. Which AU do you find yourself writing the most?

Well I tend to keep coming back to serial killer AUs, are AUs that are particularly blody. I think I have at least one planned for each fandom I’m in, and have already accomplished that with Haikyuu. Though I do wanna write more. 

8. How many people are subscribed and bookmarked to you in total? (you can view this on the stats page)

I have 145 user subscriptions and 1655 bookmarked

9. Is there something you’d like to write about but are afraid of people judging you for it? (Feeling brave? If so, share it!)

I have a, uh, cannibal fic planned? Which I feel like a lot of people wouldn’t be cool with so I’m gonna keep it to myself for now lmao

10. Is there anything you would like to be better at? Writing certain scenes or genres, replying to comments, updating better, etc.

Fluff mostly. I’m not very good at it and i feel like compared to my angst and smut even it comes out really lackluster

11. Do you write rarepairs or popular ships more often?

I really love rarepairs, my favorite pairs are SemiSuga and MatsuAka, but lately I’ve found myself writing IwaOi which is strange bc they’re not even one of my main ships. But I love both rarepairs and popular ships equally!

12. How many stories have you posted on AO3 to this day (finished and unfinished)?

Okay so my AO3 says 56 but I’ve deleted at least 5 or 6 from it so it’s more in the 60s.

13. How many stories do you have saved in/with your writing program?

Oh god I don’t even want to count but I have at least 5 WIPs for Haikyuu, BNHA, and YOI respectively

14. Do you write down story ideas, or just keep them in your head?

I do the bad thing of keeping some of them in my head but I really try to write down a lot of them.

15. Have you ever co-authored a story?

I have not! But I was planning to cowrite something with my friend Erin! I think it would be fun to cowrite with somebody :)

16. How did you discover AO3?

My best friend Faith made me read this one Teen Wolf fic called “DILF” and I’ve been on AO3 ever since!

17. Do you consider yourself to be a popular or famous author in your fandom(s) on AO3?

Oh no not at all

18. Do you have a nickname or fandom name for your readers?

Do fandom authors do that?

19. Was there an author who inspired or encouraged you to write?

A lot but I would credit @thewiselearnfromhistory as my biggest inspiration. Idk where she disappeared off to but she’s a wonderful friend and an amazing writing (she’s ConesofDunshire on AO3)

20. What writing advice would you give to a beginning author?

Write what you want to see. Don’t try and copy other writer’s style; develop your own while reading their works. It’s okay to be inspired by other people’s writing. 

21. Do you plot out your stories, or do you just figure it out as you go?

I’ve done both! I had a really intense outlie for Fruitless but it ended in a way that was not plan. Half of what happened in the fic was not planned until I actually wrote the completed chater. I really thik it’s fun to let the fic take you where it wants to go. Currently I’ve planned out all the chapters of Side Effects but they’ll probably end up being scrapped, at least half of it.

22. Have you ever gotten a bad comment on a story? If so, what did you do?

Yes! I have been told that my grammar is awful and the story would have been more readable and enjoyable if I had a “better grasp on my grammar.” I’ve been told that the way I write certain characters is extremely OOC. I’ve been told that characters would never do that because they’re monsters and not kind souls. But the amount of positive comments I’ve gotten outweighs the bad ones tenfold

23. Is there a certain type of scene that you have a hard time writing? (action, smut, etc..)

I’m really bad with action scenes but I’ve been writing BNHA which is an action packed series so I’ve been trying to use that as my “training” I guess

24. What story(s) are you working on now?

My biggest priority right now is Side Effects as that is my main work on AO3 right now. But I will return to Untucking and the TodoMomo fic eventually. I am also working on some Kacchako secret Santa stuff!

25. Do you plan your next project(s) before you finish your current ongoing story(s)?

Lmao yes it’s an ISSUE

26. Do you have a daily writing goal set for yourself?

No but my only goal right now is to finish Side Effects chapter 23 because it’s been giving me issues so that’s my goal every day right now

27. Do you think you’ve improved as a writer since you first started?

Oh my fucking god yes. I read the UshiOi smut that I have posted on AO3 and I cringe SO HARD. My friend told me that,that was their favorite fic of mine (or one of them at least) and I was like why... please....

28. What is your favorite story that you’ve written?

I would say Fruitless, but I also really love Golden. IT evoked a lot of emotion from me and I really love that piece of writing. But also Side Effects. And Wisteria. I can’t pick a favorite

29. What is your least favorite story that you’ve written?

Ahhhh the UshiOi story aforementioned. And anything I’ve deleted from AO3

30. Where do you see yourself (as a writer) in 5 years?

I hope to still be writing for fandom because I do enjoy it, but I also hope to be writing my own original work and maybe have a short story or two published? I think it would be nice to get into a fandom zine too!

31. What is the easiest thing about writing?

I think putting intense emotions into the characters and everything around them is my strong suit. I love breaking characters down and getting to the root of their problems

32. What is the hardest thing about writing?

Keeping things happy! I always return right back to the angst and I need to fucking relax with it it’s bad

33. Why do you write?

I write for myself, to get my ideas out there, and hopefully write something that other people love and enjoy fully. I write to make friends and to meet people who will inspire me and who I can inspire too. I love the way writing and art in general in fandom connects people. It’s really special :)

Tagging: @hamletsprozac @tenacioustooru @caelestisxyz @tootsonnewts @meimagino @seekingsquake and anybody else who wants to do it! don’t feel pressured